When NMIXX made their comeback with Blue Valentine, few expected the group to shake up Korea’s competitive digital charts so completely. The track not only dethroned HUNTR/X’s long-running hit Golden but also positioned JYP’s experimental girl group for their first-ever Perfect All-Kill (PAK).
While the song’s success brought fresh attention to all members, the name dominating social media wasn’t Sullyoon or Haewon it was Jiwoo, who unexpectedly became the talk of the town thanks to two candid airport photos that have now gone viral worldwide.
On October 30, Jiwoo was photographed arriving at the airport with her members for an overseas schedule. Within moments, two unfiltered shots captured her ethereal visuals round eyes, soft pink lips, and porcelain skin earning millions of views and overwhelming praise online.
“She looks like a living doll,” fans commented, sharing her photos across X (formerly Twitter), where the post surpassed 3 million views and over 800 million reads on Weibo in less than 48 hours.
Chinese media outlet Sohu went so far as to call Jiwoo “the new beauty standard of K-pop,” praising her natural yet graceful charm.
What made Jiwoo’s look stand out even more was her refreshing Y2K-inspired styling — light, feminine, and nostalgic rather than overly trendy or revealing. Her soft wavy hair, center part with two tiny braided strands, and natural makeup palette recalled early-2000s icons like Song Hye-kyo in Full House or Yoona (Girls’ Generation) in her debut days.
“She’s bringing back the innocent side of Y2K fashion, not just the flashy one,” wrote a top Korean fashion blogger.
Her subtle and elegant visuals have since been hailed as a new kind of idol beauty: approachable, timeless, and effortlessly charming.
Jiwoo’s current success feels especially meaningful given her journey. When she debuted in 2022 with AD MARE and the title track O.O, she faced harsh online criticism over her fuller figure — an issue that unfairly overshadowed her talent.
Over three years, Jiwoo underwent a remarkable transformation through healthy weight management and hard training, gradually earning admiration for her confidence and evolving image. Fans now celebrate her as an inspiration for resilience and self-improvement.
“Jiwoo didn’t change who she was — she just learned to shine brighter,” one viral comment on Weibo read.
Born on April 13, 2005, Jiwoo (real name Kim Ji-woo) hails from Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, and joined JYP Entertainment in 2018 after passing a competitive audition. She was known among trainees for her exceptional dance skills and stage awareness, often cited as the fastest learner in choreography.
Jiwoo has shared that her performance style draws inspiration from Sunmi and Momo (TWICE) — blending strong stage energy with refined elegance.
Since debuting, Jiwoo has become NMIXX’s lead dancer and expressive performer, showcasing outstanding versatility in tracks like Love Me Like This, Dash, and the current hit Blue Valentine.
Her facial control, camera charisma, and renewed visual confidence have led fans and critics alike to call her “JYP’s next ace of the 4th generation.”
The overwhelming response to Jiwoo’s recent photos proves that sometimes, a single candid moment can change everything. What began as casual airport pictures has evolved into a cultural moment, with both Korean and Chinese netizens agreeing: “Jiwoo isn’t just beautiful — she represents the next evolution of K-pop visuals.”
Sources: K14,Sohu