1. Early Life and Education
Kang Ji-young was born on January 18, 1994, in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. She grew up in a Buddhist household and is the youngest of three daughters. Her cousin, singer and actress Kim Yoon-ji, encouraged her to audition for DSP Media. Kang was accepted as a trainee in June 2008, at the age of 14.
In addition to her native Korean, Kang speaks fluent Japanese, which she honed by watching numerous Japanese films and dramas. She also possesses some knowledge of English and Mandarin Chinese.
Kang attended Bongilcheon Middle School in Paju. After moving to a dormitory in Seoul to live with her fellow Kara members, she transferred to Kwanghee Middle School. She then attended Muhak Girls' High School, from which she graduated in February 2012. In February 2013, she enrolled at Sungkyunkwan University, majoring in performing arts.
2. Career
Kang Ji-young's career began as an idol, transitioning into a successful acting and solo music career, primarily in Japan, before returning to South Korea and reuniting with Kara.
2.1. 2008-2014: Kara Activities
This period details Kang Ji-young's contributions to the girl group Kara, including their rise to fame, her solo endeavors within the group, and her eventual departure due to contract issues and a desire for personal growth.
2.1.1. Joining Kara and Early Success
After only a month of training, Kang Ji-young joined the girl group Kara in June 2008, following the departure of former member Kim Sung-hee. She made her official broadcast debut alongside fellow newcomer Goo Hara on July 24, 2008, performing on the music program M Countdown on Mnet. The group's first release as a quintet, the mini-album Rock U, came out the following day.
Kara gained significant popularity with their hit single "Mister" in 2009, which was both a critical and commercial success in South Korea and propelled the group's career in Japan. Nicknamed "Hallyu Queens," Kara was recognized on Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 as one of the most influential celebrities in South Korea, ranking 4th in 2012 and 13th in 2013. The group also made history as the first female South Korean act to perform at the Tokyo Dome.
During her time with Kara, Kang also engaged in individual activities. In April 2009, she was featured on "Dazzling" (눈이부셔), a single by the hip-hop duo Jumper. She became a fixed guest DJ on the KBS Cool FM radio show Kiss the Radio alongside member Park Gyu-ri in September 2009, and also hosted the "Tasting Corner" segment on the MBC Standard FM radio show Stop the Boring Time that same year. In July 2010, Kang began co-hosting the MBC Every1 variety show I Love Pets with member Han Seung-yeon. She was promoted to a series regular on the SBS variety program Haha-Mong Show in September 2010, though the show was later canceled due to allegations against fellow host MC Mong.
In December 2010, Kang featured on the soundtrack for the drama Big Thing with Park Gyu-ri, on the track "My Love." That same month, she released the digital single "Merry Love" in collaboration with Supernova's Kim Sung-je. The song was later re-recorded in Japanese and released in Japan in March 2011. In October 2011, Kang joined the cast of the second season of the KBS reality show Invincible Youth, which premiered on November 11, 2011, and concluded on November 17, 2012. Also in October 2011, Kang was cast as the lead in the romantic drama series Rainbow Rose, a South Korean and Japanese co-production partly funded by the Korean Film Council. The 12-episode series premiered in Japan on TV Tokyo on April 13, 2012, and in South Korea on Tooniverse from September 7, 2012. Kang recorded the show's theme song, also titled "Rainbow Rose," which was digitally released in South Korea on October 11, 2012.
In September 2012, Kang was cast in the espionage thriller series Iris II: New Generation but withdrew in January 2013 due to creative differences between the network and her agency. Kang released her solo single "Wanna Do" on November 30, 2012, as part of the compilation album Kara Solo Collection. She performed the song on the SBS music program Inkigayo on December 16. As part of the 2012 SBS Gayo Daejeon, an annual music festival, Kang joined fellow idols Yoon Bo-ra of Sistar, Heo Ga-yoon of 4Minute, Han Sun-hwa of Secret, and Lizzy of After School to form the supergroup Mystic White. Their charity single "Mermaid Princess" (인어공주) peaked at number 10 on the Gaon Digital Chart.
2.1.2. Contract Dispute and Departure
On January 15, 2014, Kang Ji-young announced her departure from Kara, stating her desire to study abroad and focus on an acting career. Her contract with DSP Media concluded in April 2014, after which she moved to London to study English. Prior to her departure from the group, Kang had starred opposite Bae Soo-bin in the anthology series Secret Love, which began airing on the cable channel Dramacube on June 13, 2014. This series had been filmed in May 2013.
2.2. 2014-2019: Solo Activities in Japan
Following her departure from Kara, Kang Ji-young relocated to Japan, where she developed a prominent career as both an actress and a solo musical artist.
2.2.1. Transition to Acting and Japan Debut
While studying in London, Kang Ji-young was approached by the president of the Japanese talent agency Sweet Power. She signed with the agency as an actress in August 2014 and subsequently moved to Japan, where she began using the mononym "Jiyoung" (知英) for her acting roles.
In September 2014, Jiyoung was cast in her first Japanese-language role as Yukime, a yuki-onna (snow woman) in love with the main protagonist, in the live-action television adaptation of Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube. The ten-episode show premiered on Nippon TV on October 11. For her portrayal of Yukime, Jiyoung received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Television Drama Academy Awards, hosted by Kadokawa Corporation. That same month, she starred in the police procedural television movie Higanbana: Women's Crime File, portraying Kaoruko Nagami, a researcher at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. The movie aired on Nippon TV on October 24.
In 2015, Jiyoung took on a supporting role in the science-fiction comedy film Assassination Classroom as Irina Jelavić, a professional hitwoman posing as an English teacher. Directed by Eiichirō Hasumi, the film was an adaptation of Yusei Matsui's manga. Jiyoung was chosen for the role due to her multilingual abilities. The film, released on March 21 in Japan, topped the domestic box office in its opening weekend and ultimately grossed 25.00 M USD worldwide. The following month, Jiyoung made a cameo appearance in the anime film Detective Conan: Sunflowers of Inferno, voicing a museum guide. In May, she was cast in the political comedy-drama series Tamiou, based on a novel by Jun Ikeido, where she portrayed Erika Murano, a college student. The series premiered on TV Asahi on July 17, 2015, and earned Jiyoung another nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Television Drama Academy Awards. Jiyoung's final role of 2015 was in the short film How Is the Sky Over There?, a promotional film for Kit Kats in Japan that premiered on Nestlé Theater's YouTube channel on December 3, 2015. The film was shot in Hong Kong and Japan, and Jiyoung took classes in Mandarin and Cantonese for her role.
2.2.2. Solo Music Activities as JY
Kang Ji-young signed with Sony Music Japan in December 2015, announcing her return to music under the alias JY. In January 2016, she reprised her role as Kaoruko Nagami in Whispers from a Crime Scene, a sequel series to Higanbana: Women's Crime File. She provided the theme song for the series, "Saigo no Sayonara" ("The Last Farewell"), which served as her debut Japanese single. The single was released digitally on February 3 and physically the following month, peaking at number seven on the Oricon Singles Chart. Her next single, "Radio," also featured in Whispers from a Crime Scene, marked her first English-language song. Released on March 16, the song was supported by a three-track extended play of the same name, with two tracks featuring production and songwriting from British singer MNEK. Music videos for "Radio" and the B-side track "I'm Just Not Into You" were released. "Radio" reached number one on the iTunes Top Pop Songs chart in Japan upon its release.
In August 2016, JY released her second Japanese single, "Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto" ("There's Someone I Like"). The music video, filmed in Guam, was directed by Mika Ninagawa. The song served as the main theme for the Fuji TV drama series A Girl & Three Sweethearts, in which JY made a cameo appearance in the final episode. Upon its release, the single reached number one on all 12 major domestic distributors, including iTunes and Recochoku. It peaked at number three on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and number six on the Oricon Singles Chart, marking her highest-charting single on both charts. The single received platinum certification for digital sales and gold certification for streaming from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). She simultaneously released her third and fourth Japanese singles, "Fake" and "Koiwo Shiteitakoto" ("I Was in Love"), on December 7, 2016. Both singles peaked within the top 25 on the Oricon Singles Chart.
JY's debut studio album, Many Faces, was released on May 10, 2017, and reached number 12 on the Oricon Albums Chart. It included "Joshi Modoki" as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama Hitowa Mitamega 100%. In March 2018, she released the extended play Hoshi ga Furu Mae ni.
2.2.3. Continued Acting Roles and Diverse Performances
In March 2016, Jiyoung reprised her role as Irina Jelavić in Assassination Classroom: Graduation, the sequel to Assassination Classroom, with Hasumi returning as director. The film was well-received and grossed 31.30 M USD worldwide, becoming the eighth-highest-grossing Japanese film of 2016. Her next role was in the short film Life Is..., where she portrayed Yuna, a photography student in Kyoto tasked with capturing the concept of "umami". Directed by Leslie Kee, the short premiered on YouTube via Nestlé Theater in June 2016. The following month, she acted in the anthology film Unrequited Love, playing So-yeon, a South Korean exchange student struggling with their gender identity who falls in love with their roommate.
That same year, Jiyoung played the lead role of Charity Hope Valentine in the Tokyo Galaxy Theater production of Sweet Charity, a musical directed and translated from English to Japanese by Yukio Ueshima. The production had a limited run from September 23 to October 2, 2016. Jiyoung later starred in the made-for-television detective film Mission Commander Ayaka Goma, which premiered on Fuji TV on October 22, 2016. In November, she made a guest appearance in the TV Asahi medical drama Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon, portraying Yuka Nanase, a deaf woman who assists a pianist losing his hearing. She studied Japanese Sign Language for the role. In January 2017, Jiyoung starred in an episode of the Kansai TV anthology series Osaka Loop Line: Part 2.
From December 2017 to January 2018, Jiyoung starred as the lead in the Japanese remake of the Canadian science-fiction thriller Orphan Black, titled Orphan Black - 7 Genes, broadcast on Tokai TV and Fuji TV. In this challenging role, she portrayed seven different characters, including a graduate student, a single mother, and an assassin, demonstrating versatility with various accents and languages, including English, Korean, and Japanese dialects. In January 2018, Jiyoung debuted as a film director with the first episode of the three-part film series Wish Upon a Star, titled One Day Not Alone, in which she also starred. She also appeared in the subsequent episodes, One Week Until Fate and One Hour Until Meteor.
Jiyoung starred in the comedy film Reon (2018), released in February, playing the lead role of Reon Takanashi. Her performance earned her the Big Audience Award at the Okinawa International Movie Festival. In July 2018, she took on the lead role of Mizuho Kaneshiro, a former rhythmic gymnast paralyzed by spinal cord infarction, in the film Though It Is My Life. Jiyoung also sang the film's theme song, "Namida no Riyuu," which was released digitally on July 14. In October 2018, she starred as Aiko, a woman seeking revenge for her family's murder, in the Japanese-American co-production Yaru Onna: She's a Killer. In June 2018, she performed as Melissa in a reading play of A.R. Gurney's 'Love Letters' at Sogetsu Hall in Japan.
2.3. 2019-Present: Return to South Korea and Kara Reunion
This period marks Kang Ji-young's gradual re-engagement with the South Korean entertainment industry and her highly anticipated reunion with Kara.
2.3.1. Resumption of Activities in South Korea
In February 2019, Kang Ji-young made a special appearance as Nana Miyadera in episode 5 of the Nippon TV drama Your Home Is My Business! Second Attack. In July, she took on the role of Itori in Tokyo Ghoul S, a live-action adaptation of the popular manga. She then starred as Han Yu-ri in the WOWOW miniseries And Life Goes On, which premiered in August 2019, with a film version released in September. In November 2019, she played the lead role of Ayane Sukehira in the film Boom! Sukehira, based on Junko Tamura's manga about a high school student who transforms from being overweight to a slender beauty. For this role, Kang notably portrayed a character weighing 220 lb (100 kg).
In December 2019, Kang Ji-young signed an exclusive contract with the South Korean agency KeyEast, signaling her official return to full-fledged acting activities in her home country. Her first Korean drama in a lead role was the JTBC Monday-Tuesday series Sweet Munchies, which premiered in May 2020. In March 2021, she terminated her contract with her Japanese agency Sweet Power, stating a focus on her Korean activities due to difficulties traveling to Japan amid the global pandemic. She starred as Yeo Ji-hyun, a Korean medical resident, in the film Love and the Grand Tug-of-war, directed by Kiyoshi Sasabe, which was released in Japan in May 2021.
In January 2022, Kang made a special appearance in the SBS drama Let Me Be Your Knight. In February 2022, her contract with KeyEast expired, and on April 6, she signed with ELRIS Entertainment. On July 7, 2022, she released the project solo single "Lucid Dream," a collaboration commemorating the 7th anniversary of a shampoo brand, for which she personally participated in writing the lyrics, collaborating with the US-based production team '5A LABEL'. In April 2023, she made a special appearance in six episodes of the JTBC drama Doctor Cha. In 2024, she took on the role of Jenny in the film Ginseng Boy. In January 2025, Kang served as one of the judges on the reality singing competition program Korea-Japan King of Singers: Japan Round, a Japanese spin-off of the South Korean MBN series. She is also set to star in the upcoming film I Kill You, which is currently in post-production.
2.3.2. Kara 15th Anniversary and Reunion
In September 2022, it was announced that Kang Ji-young, along with former member Nicole Jung, would rejoin Kara for their 15th-anniversary commemorative album, Move Again, released in November 2022. This marked her official return to group activities. She also participated in the subsequent concert tours, further solidifying the group's reunion. On the Move Again album, Kang Ji-young is credited as a lyricist for the songs "Happy Hour", "When I Move", and "Oxygen".
3. Artistry and Public Image
Kang Ji-young has cultivated a versatile artistry spanning music and acting, alongside a distinct public image in both South Korea and Japan.
3.1. Musical Style and Songwriting
As a singer, Kang Ji-young has explored various genres, particularly during her solo career under the name JY. Her solo song "Wanna Do" showcased her rock ballad vocal style, for which she even learned to play the guitar. During her time with Kara, she contributed to group performances with her unique vocal color.
Her songwriting contributions extend beyond her solo work. For her Japanese solo career, she wrote lyrics for several tracks, including "Sayonara Watashino Shojyo" (featured on "Saigo no Sayonara" single), "Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto", "Hello Mr.", "Koiwo Shiteitakoto", "Konomamade", "Letter", and "Secret Crush". Upon rejoining Kara, she contributed lyrics to three songs on their 15th-anniversary album Move Again: "Happy Hour", "When I Move", and "Oxygen".
3.2. Acting Roles and Performance
Kang Ji-young has demonstrated a broad acting spectrum and adaptability, successfully portraying diverse characters across various film and television genres in both South Korea and Japan. Her roles have spanned from a playful snow woman in Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube to a seductive yet professional hitwoman in the Assassination Classroom films, showcasing her ability to handle complex and dynamic characters.
Her versatility is further highlighted by her lead role as a gender identity-exploring exchange student in the anthology film Unrequited Love, her performance as the lead in the musical Sweet Charity, and her role as a deaf woman in Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon, for which she learned Japanese Sign Language. A notable acting challenge was her portrayal of seven distinct characters in the Japanese remake of Orphan Black - 7 Genes, which required her to utilize English, Korean, and various Japanese dialects. She also took on physically demanding roles, such as a rhythmic gymnast in Though It Is My Life and a 100kg character in Boom! Sukehira. Her return to Korean dramas saw her take on a lead role as a single mother in Sweet Munchies and a doctor in Doctor Cha, demonstrating her growth as an actress capable of delivering nuanced performances across different dramatic contexts.
3.3. Public Perception and Nicknames
Early in her career, Kang Ji-young received significant media attention in South Korea for her tall height relative to her bandmates and despite her young age. This led to her being affectionately nicknamed "Giant Baby" by the press and fans.
In Japan, after her solo debut, she gained another popular nickname, "Jiyoung-pyon" (知英ぴょん), which she chose herself after inviting fans to suggest nicknames on her radio program, finding the sound endearing and easy to say. She is known for her responsible approach to television appearances, including her willingness to engage in challenging activities on variety shows, such as catching frogs with her bare hands or trying live shrimp sushi. She also has a strong interest in food, with "Saga beef" being one of the first Japanese phrases she learned. Her favorite Japanese food is curry, and she is noted for her high tolerance for bitter flavors. She often eats homemade lunches prepared by her mother during Korean drama filming, appreciating the unique catering system in Japan during local shoots.
4. Public Reception and Impact
Kang Ji-young has maintained a notable influence and recognition within the entertainment industry, particularly in Japan following her solo ventures.
In August 2011, she was the only Korean artist to be featured on the Count Down TV Top 30 Annual Favourite Female Artist Ranking in Japan, placing at number 21. In 2016, she was the third most-tweeted about female celebrity in Japan, indicating a strong public presence on social media. Furthermore, in November 2016, Oricon News listed her as seventh in its "Top 10 Female Breakout Artists of 2016" in Japan, recognizing her significant rise in popularity. In April 2018, she received the Big Audience Award at the 10th Okinawa International Movie Festival for her film Reon.
5. Other Activities
Beyond her primary pursuits in singing and acting, Kang Ji-young has been involved in various professional endeavors and social contributions.
5.1. Modeling and Endorsements
Kang Ji-young has a notable presence in the fashion and endorsement industries. In October 2011, she made her runway debut, walking for Lie Sang Bong's S/S 2012 collection at Seoul Fashion Week. She later attended Seoul Fashion Week in 2012 as a guest for Steve J and Yoni Pare's S/S 2013 collection. In September 2014, she was selected to walk the Reebok runway at the Tokyo Girls Collection F/W 2014 show. That same year, Kang became an exclusive model for the women's fashion magazine Non-no, making her first solo cover appearance for its December issue. She remained a regular model for Non-no until May 2016. In March 2016, Kang was appointed an official ambassador for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Tokyo. She continued her modeling work, walking at the Kansai Collection S/S 2017 fashion show and making an appearance at the GirlsAward S/S fashion show in May 2017, where she also performed as a musical guest.
Throughout her career, Kang has been the face of several brands, including Union Bay (until 2013, with Han Seung-yeon and Lee Min-ki), Nature Republic (with Goo Hara and Park Gyu-ri), and Karaya (with Goo Hara and Park Gyu-ri). In 2015, she was chosen as a global brand ambassador for the confectionery brand Kit Kat. She appeared in several Japanese commercials to promote the expansion of Kit Kat Chocolatory stores in the country. She also featured in promotional materials, including numerous short films, for the Hong Kong, South Korean, and Taiwanese markets. Since 2022, Kang Ji-young has served as a spokesmodel for the hair care brand Unda Hair.
5.2. Philanthropy and Public Service
In November 2024, Kang Ji-young was appointed as the film industry ambassador for the 2025 Seoul Barrier-Free Film Festival. This non-profit organization focuses on producing, screening, and distributing films accessible to blind and deaf audiences, highlighting her commitment to social causes.
6. Discography
This section details Kang Ji-young's music releases as a solo artist and notable collaborations beyond her main discography with Kara.
6.1. Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak positions | Sales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Many Faces ~Tamensei~ (Many Faces～多面性～) |
>12 |
>} | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Title | Album details | Peak positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoshi ga Furu Mae ni (星が降る前に) |
>114 | - |
6.3. Singles
6.3.1. As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak positions | Sales | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Merry Love" (with Kim Sung-je) | 2010 | JPN Hot: 16 | - | Non-album singles |
| "My Love" (with Park Gyu-ri) | - | - | Daemul OST | |
| "Rainbow Rose" | 2012 | - | - | Rainbow Rose OST |
| "Wanna Do" | KOR: 100 | KOR: 32,128 | Kara Solo Collection | |
| "Radio" | 2016 | JPN Hot: 69 | JPN: 8,850 (digital) | Many Faces |
| "Saigo no Sayonara" (最後のサヨナラ) | JPN: 7, JPN Hot: 10 | JPN: 17,104 | ||
| "Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto" (好きな人がいること) | JPN: 6, JPN Hot: 3 | JPN: 31,099 | ||
| "Fake" (フェイク) | JPN: 25 | JPN: 5,378 | ||
| "Koiwo Shiteitakoto" (恋をしていたこと) | JPN: 24 | JPN: 5,547 | ||
| "Joshi Modoki" (女子モドキ) | 2017 | JPN Hot: 28 | - | Non-album singles |
| "Goldmine" | - | - | ||
| "Secret Crush - Koi Yamerarenai / My ID" (Secret Crush ～恋やめられない～) | JPN: 29 | - | ||
| "Namida no Riyuu" (涙の理由) | 2018 | - | - | |
| "Lucid Dream" | 2022 | - | - | |
| "-" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | ||||
6.3.2. As featured artist
| Title | Year | Peak positions | Sales | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Nunibusyeo" (눈이부셔) (Jumper feat. Ji-young) | 2009 | - | - | Non-album singles |
| "Mermaid Princess" (인어공주) (with Yoon Bo-ra, Lizzy, Han Sun-hwa, Heo Ga-yoon) | 2012 | KOR: 10, KOR Hot: 12 | KOR: 257,342 | Mystic White |
| "-" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | ||||
6.4. Other appearances
| Song | Year | Other artists | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Hayangyeoul" (하얀겨울) (Mr.2 cover) | 2011 | Nicole Jung, Han Seung-yeon | Immortal Song 2: Christmas Special |
6.5. Video albums
| Title | Album details | Peak positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| JY 1st LIVE TOUR "Many Faces 2017" |
>35 | - |
6.6. Songwriting credits
List of songs, showing year released, artist name, and name of the album
| Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album | Composer | Lyricist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Wanna Do" | 2012 | Herself | Kara Solo Collection | No | Yes |
| "Sayonara Watashino Shojyo" (さよなら私の少女; literally "Farewell, My Girl") | 2016 | "Saigo no Sayonara" (single) | No | Yes | |
| "Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto" (好きな人がいること; literally "The One I Love is Here") | Many Faces | No | Yes | ||
| "Hello Mr." | "Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto" (single) | No | Yes | ||
| "Koiwo Shiteitakoto" (恋をしていたこと; literally "I Was in Love") | Many Faces | No | Yes | ||
| "Konomamade" (このままで; literally "Like This") | 2017 | No | Yes | ||
| "Letter" | No | Yes | |||
| "Secret Crush" (Secret Crush ～恋やめられない～; literally "Secret Crush - Can't Stop Loving") | Non-album singles | Yes | Yes | ||
| "Lucid Dream" | 2022 | No | Yes | ||
| "Happy Hour" | Kara | Move Again | No | Yes | |
| "When I Move" | Yes | Yes | |||
| "Oxygen" | No | Yes | |||
7. Filmography
This section provides a comprehensive list of Kang Ji-young's appearances in films, television dramas, web series, and stage productions.
7.1. Film
Denotes productions that have not yet been released
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Assassination Classroom | Irina Jelavić | |
| Detective Conan: Sunflowers of Inferno | Museum Guide (voice) | ||
| How Is the Sky Over There? | Ena | Short film | |
| 2016 | Assassination Classroom: Graduation | Irina Jelavić | |
| Life Is... | Yuna | Short film | |
| Unrequited Love | So-yeon | Segment: "One-sided Love Spiral" | |
| 2017 | DC Super Heroes vs. Eagle Talon | Harley Quinn (voice) | |
| 2018 | Reon | Reon Takanashi | |
| Though It Is My Life | Mizuho Kaneshiro | ||
| Yaru Onna: She's a Killer | Aiko | ||
| 2019 | Tokyo Ghoul S | Itori | |
| And Life Goes On | Han Yu-ri | ||
| Boom! Sukehira | Ayane Sukehira | ||
| 2021 | Love and the Grand Tug-of-war | Yeo Ji-hyun | |
| 2023 | Love Reset | Sang-ah | |
| 2024 | Ginseng Boy | Jenny | |
| To be announced | I Kill You | Sun-woo / Ji-yeon | Main role, post-production |
7.2. Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Here He Comes | School girl | Cameo |
| 2009 | Hero | Herself | Cameo |
| 2011 | Urakara | Ji-young | Main role |
| 2012 | Rainbow Rose | Han Yu-ri | Main role |
| 2013 | Kara the Animation | Herself (voice) | Main role |
| 2014 | Secret Love | Park So-yeol | Episode: "Lilac" |
| Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube | Yukime | Main role | |
| Higanbana: Women's Crime File | Kaoruko Nagami | Television film | |
| 2015-2016 | Tamiou | Erika Murano | Main role |
| 2016 | Whispers from a Crime Scene | Kaoruko Nagami | Main role |
| A Girl & Three Sweethearts | Jun Yoshioka | Episode: "That's All" | |
| Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon | Yuka Nanase | Cameo (season 4, episode 7) | |
| Mission Commander Ayaka Goma | Sonia | Television film | |
| 2017 | Osaka Loop Line: Part 2 | Ji-hyun | Episode: "Tsuruhashi Station" |
| 2017-2018 | Orphan Black - 7 Genes | Sara Aoyama / Maoko Shiina / various | Main role |
| 2018 | Wish Upon a Star | Himeno | Episode: "One Week Until Fate" |
| 2019 | Your Home Is My Business! Second Attack | Nana Miyadera | Cameo (episode 5) |
| And Life Goes On | Han Yu-ri | Main role | |
| 2020 | Sweet Munchies | Kim Ah-jin | Main role |
| 2022 | Let Me Be Your Knight | Nina | 2 episodes |
| 2023 | Doctor Cha | Yoo Ji-seon | 6 episodes |
| 2025 | Korea-Japan King of Singers: Japan Round | Herself | Judge |
7.3. Radio
| Year | Title | Role | Station | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-2010 | Kiss the Radio | Fixed guest DJ | KBS Cool FM | With Park Gyu-ri |
| 2009-2011 | Stop the Boring Time | MBC Standard FM | Segment: "Tasting Corner" | |
| 2015-2017 | Jiyoung's Season of Knowledge | Host | Tokyo FM |
7.4. Stage
| Year | Production | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Sweet Charity | Charity Hope Valentine | Tokyo Galactic Theater |
| 2018 | Love Letters | Melissa | Sogetsu Art Center |
8. Concert Tours
Kang Ji-young has conducted her own solo tours and participated in major music events.
Headlining
JY 1st Live Tour "Many Faces 2017"
| Date | City | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 13, 2017 | Nagoya | Japan | Zepp Nagoya |
| May 14, 2017 | Osaka | Zepp Namba | |
| May 21, 2017 | Tokyo | Zepp DiverCity | |
Featured act
- LuckyFes (2024)
9. Bibliography
This section lists Kang Ji-young's published works, including photobooks and style books.
Photobooks
- Reborn Me: Jiyoung Story (Kodansha, November 2014)
- Grow Up! (Magazine House, August 2015)
- Gentle Beauty (Shogakukan, June 2016)
- The First Stage (Tokyo News Service, September 2016)
10. Awards and Nominations
This section presents a chronological list of awards and nominations Kang Ji-young has received throughout her career.
Year presented, name of the award ceremony, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Mnet 20's Choice Awards | 20's Upcoming 20's | Kang Ji-young | - |
| 2015 | Television Drama Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube | - |
| Tamiou | - | |||
| 2016 | Whispers from a Crime Scene | - | ||
| Best Drama Song | "Radio" | - | ||
| "Saigo no Sayonara" | - | |||
| Model Press Readers' Choice Awards | Next Artist Award | Kang Ji-young | - | |
| 2018 | Okinawa International Movie Festival | Big Audience Award | Reon | - |
10.1. Listicles
Year listed, name of publisher, name of listicle, and placement
| Year | Publisher | Listicle | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Count Down TV | Top 30 Annual Favourite Female Artist Ranking | 21st |
| 2016 | Oricon News | Top 10 Female Breakout Artists of 2016 | 7th |