Kim Minchae (Korean: 김민채; Japanese: よしざき かなえ; born October 3, 2008), also known professionally as Yoshizaki Kanae, is a South Korean–Japanese singer-songwriter, dancer, producer, television host, and lyricist. She is a member of the South Korean co-ed group CORTIS, formed by Big Hit Music in 2025. Recognized for her soft vocal tone, fluid dance style, and extensive songwriting and production credits at a young age, Minchae is considered one of the leading all-rounders of the fifth generation of K-pop idols.
Prior to debuting with CORTIS, Minchae gained attention online for her vocal covers and dance performances, earning praise for her stable vocals, elegant visuals, and calm charisma. She later became known for contributing songwriting, choreography, and production work to releases by numerous K-pop artists including IVE, ILLIT, Tomorrow X Together, and ENHYPEN.
Outside music, Minchae has worked extensively in fashion and beauty as an ambassador for brands including fendi, sk-ii, boucheron, lacoste, and acnestudios.
Kim Minchae was born on October 3, 2008, in Incheon to a Korean father and Japanese mother. She spent her childhood between South Korea and Japan before permanently relocating to Tokyo at age ten.
Growing up, Minchae trained in classical ballet for eleven years, a background that later became influential in her stage presence, posture, and contemporary-inspired dance style. During her adolescence, she uploaded song covers and dance videos online, many of which went viral among K-pop communities for her clear vocal tone and expressive performance style.
She attended performing arts training academies in both South Korea and Japan and became fluent in Korean and Japanese while also learning conversational English. Before debuting, she was a trainee under YG Entertainment before later joining Big Hit Music.
Minchae has cited video games, anime soundtracks, ballet music, and alternative pop artists among her early inspirations. She is also known publicly as an enthusiast of the video game franchise League of Legends.
2021–2024: Pre-debut activities and industry work
Before her official debut as an idol, Minchae became active behind the scenes within the K-pop industry as a lyricist, choreographer, and producer. She participated in songwriting and production for songs by several artists, receiving recognition for her melodic sensibilities and emotionally driven lyric writing.
Her songwriting credits include:
“Cool With You” by NewJeans
“Either Way” and “Love Dive” by IVE
“Midnight Fiction” by ILLIT
Her production credits include works for:
She additionally contributed choreography concepts and movement direction for several artists, particularly noted for incorporating graceful upper-body movement inspired by ballet technique.
During this period, Minchae also appeared as a guest MC and content host for music and variety programming, earning praise for her composed demeanor and natural speaking ability.
2025–present: Debut with CORTIS and mainstream success
In 2025, Big Hit Music announced the formation of the co-ed group CORTIS. The group debuted with six members: James, Juhoon, Martin, Minchae, Seonghyeon, and Keonho.
On August 11, 2025, CORTIS released the pre-debut single “Go!”, with all members participating in songwriting and composition. The accompanying music video was filmed in Los Angeles.
Minchae became especially noted during the era for her live vocals, intricate contemporary choreography sections, and refined stage presence.
Minchae is recognized for her soft, breathy, and delicate vocal tone, often described by critics and fans as “dreamlike” and “ethereal.” Her vocal delivery emphasizes emotional subtlety and layered harmonies rather than power-oriented belting.
As a performer, she combines ballet-inspired movement with modern K-pop choreography, resulting in a fluid and elegant performance style. She is frequently regarded as one of the strongest dancers among fifth-generation idols.
Her songwriting often centers around introspection, youth, vulnerability, and self-expression. Musically, her influences range from city pop and contemporary R&B to alternative pop and cinematic orchestration.
Minchae has cited: TWICE members Mina, Momo and Jihyo, BTS, and NewJeans as her Inspirations.
Minchae has been recognized as one of the most commercially successful rookie idols in luxury fashion and beauty endorsements.
Ambassadorships and campaigns
• acnestudios – SS24 global campaign face
• lacoste – Brand ambassador
• otsuka.co – Brand model
• candymagic – Official ambassador
• mms.com – Asia ambassador
• superdry – Korea ambassador
• uniqlo – Brand ambassador
• hoshinoresorts – Tourism ambassador
• sk-ii – Global ambassador
• boucheron – Japan ambassador
• fendi – Japan ambassador
She has appeared at fashion events in Paris, Tokyo, and Seoul.
Minchae has served as a host and MC for multiple music and online variety programs, most notably as an MC on Music Bank.
She has also participated in gaming and esports collaborative content involving professional players including ShowMaker.
Minchae has frequently been cited by Korean media and international fans as one of the defining “all-rounder” idols of the fifth generation. Critics have praised her versatility in singing, dancing, choreography, songwriting, and production despite debuting at a young age.
Her combination of reserved off-stage behavior and charismatic on-stage performance has often been highlighted as a defining aspect of her appeal. Fans and media have also noted her influence in increasing interest in ballet-inspired choreography among newer idol groups.
Within fashion media, Minchae has been recognized for blending luxury styling with youthful, minimalist aesthetics, contributing to her strong popularity in both South Korea and Japan.
