Heo Sol-ji

Biography

Heo Sol-ji (Korean: 허솔지; born January 10, 1989), known mononymously as Solji, is a South Korean singer. She was a member of the ballad duo group 2NB from 2006 to 2010. She later became a vocal trainer before joining EXID in July 2012 as the leader and main vocalist.

Career

Solji was formerly a member of the vocal duo 2NB with Blady's Gabin, and released solo singles in 2008. The duo disbanded in 2012. She then worked as EXID's vocal trainer before becoming a member. In April 2012, AB Entertainment announced that three original members Yuji, Dami, and Haeryeong would leave the girl group EXID. Solji then joined EXID along with Hyelin, a former Superstar K3 participant.
In February 2013, EXID formed a sub-unit called "Dasoni", which consisted of Solji and Hani. The sub-unit released their debut single "Goodbye" on February 15, 2013, which also included the song "Said So Often".

In February 2015, Solji participated in a singing competition program, MBC's King of Mask Singer, for their pilot episode, in which she won the title. She appeared as Self-Luminous Mosaic and defeated singer and comedian, Shin Bora, and trot singer, Hong Jin-young, and became the first winner of the show, impressing the panel of judges as well as viewers. This drew a lot of attention to EXID and boosted Solji's reputation as a talented vocalist.
On February 8, 2016, Solji, as well as fellow vocal trainer and friend, Doo Jin-Soo, were invited to join MBC's Duet Song Festival for the pilot episode of their Lunar New Year Special. They went up against Block B's rapper Zico and his partner, Lee So-young. Solji and her partner emotionally sang Lee Seung-cheol's "The Sky in the West (서쪽하늘)". In the end, Solji and Doo Jin-soo won with a score of 477, which is still the highest score in the episode, and impressed the judges and the viewers yet again. On April 8, 2016, Solji and her partner were invited back to compete in MBC's Duet Song Festival for their first episode. They were the last performers to sing in the episode thus competing with f(x)'s Luna and Goo Hyun-mo. Solji sang Davichi's "8282". In the end, Solji won again with a score of 439 and thus further increasing EXID's popularity and her reputation as a singer.
On December 21, 2016, Solji was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, putting her career on hold, while the other four members of EXID continued their schedules in the year-end awards season. She made a surprise appearance in EXID's Asia Tour in Seoul on August 13, 2017, but she was still not medically cleared to return to group activities. She, however, participated in recording for the group's fourth mini-album, Full Moon, despite not being involved in its promotion and live performances. She also stayed active as a Radio DJ. On July 4, 2018, Solji revealed that her condition has stabilized enough to prepare for her return for EXID's next comeback. On July 27, it was confirmed by the agency that she would be back for EXID's Japanese debut.
On July 22 and 29, 2018, Solji returned as a contestant in episode 163–164 of MBC's singing competition program King of Mask Singer as 'Dongmakgol Girl' and emerged victorious, being crowned the 82nd generation of 'Mask King'.Solji continued to successfully defend herself over all contestants in the next 8 episodes since her initial victory in King of Mask Singer, before ending her streak as the winner of 82nd to 86th generation on October 21. After her defeat, she revealed her identity, and explained her choice of return through the show as it was where she rose to fame.
On February 5, 2020, Solji left Banana Culture although she remains as a member of EXID in the future activities.
On March 23, 2020, Solji signed with C-JeS Entertainment to pursue her solo career.
In 2022, Solji made a comeback with her first mini album First Letter×First Letter25 February 2022 · EPSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1계절이 끝에서4:182Pillow3:213이렇게 헤어지고 있어3:394Have a good day4:025계절이 끝에서 (inst.)4:186이렇게 헤어지고 있어 (inst.)3:39 on February 25. On November 21, 2022, Solji released a single album, The days we were us.
In May 2026, Solji signed contract with MOM Entertainment.On September 15, Solji release special single album "Over The Limit" with contain of three-track, including the double lead single "Over The Limit" and "The Only One". It also marked her first Trot releases.

Personal life

Solji majored in Applied Music at Dong-ah Institute of Media and Arts. In December 2016, she was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and went on hiatus from EXID's group activities until July 2018. She enrolled in Kyung Hee Cyber University's practical music program during her hiatus.
In October 2021, Solji was appointed as a professor in the Department of Applied Music at Yongin University.