Kim Min-gyu

Biography

Kim Min-gyu (Korean: 김민규; born April 6, 1997), known mononymously as Mingyu (민규), is a South Korean rapper and singer. Managed by Pledis Entertainment, he is a member of the South Korean boy band Seventeen and its hip hop team, and in 2025, debuted in a sub-unit with S.Coups as CxM.

Early life

Mingyu was born on April 6, 1997, in Anyang, Gyeonggi, South Korea. He attended Seoul Broadcasting High School, graduating in 2016.

2011–2014: Pre-debut

Mingyu joined Pledis Entertainment in October 2011 after being street-cast while attending middle school. As a trainee, he participated from the first season onwards of Seventeen TV, an online reality show that introduced Pledis' trainees and showed potential members of the boy group Seventeen before their official debut. The show was broadcast periodically on Ustream, where the trainees showed themselves training, singing, creating choreographies and playing games. The online show also included participation in concerts, titled Like Seventeen. Before officially debuting, Mingyu was featured in music videos of other Pledis artists at the time, include Nu'est and Hello Venus.

2015–present: Seventeen, solo and sub-unit activities

In 2015, Mingyu debuted as a member of the South Korean boy group Seventeen with the extended play 17 Carat on May 26. Since debuting in Seventeen, he has participated in the songwriting of over 45 songs.
In February 2018, Mingyu was announced as the new MC for SBS' weekly music program Inkigayo alongside Jung Chae-yeon of DIA and actor Song Kang. He held the role until late 2019.
In 2021, Mingyu and Seventeen bandmate Wonwoo released a digital single titled "Bittersweet", featuring Lee Hi.
In 2025, Mingyu debuted as a member of Seventeen's fourth sub-unit. He, alongside S.Coups under the name CxM, released a six-track EP titled Hype Vibes on September 29.

Fashion

In 2022, Mingyu attended an event with French jeweler Cartier in Seoul. He was later featured on the cover of Dazed Korea's December issue wearing the brand. In February 2023, Mingyu attended Italian fashion house Marni's Fall/Winter 2023 runway show in Tokyo. In February 2024, Mingyu attended French fashion house Dior's show at Paris Fashion week, where he was profiled by Vogue.

In March 2024, Mingyu was selected as the new local ambassador for Italian luxury brand Bvlgari. In June 2024, he attended the opening of American fashion brand Calvin Klein's new global flagship store in Paris. On August 16, 2024, Mingyu became a model for Calvin Klein's Fall 2024 campaign, with photos shot by fashion photographer Park Jong Ha. In August 2024, French luxury fashion house Dior revealed Mingyu to be its latest brand ambassador.

Ambassadorships

In 2022, Mingyu was appointed as the ambassador of French cosmetic house Lancome. In 2023, he was announced as the new global model for South Korean skincare brand Innisfree. In May 2024, Mingyu was announced as the new brand ambassador for French luxury skincare brand L'Occitane in Asia. In the same month, South Korean haircare brand Unove announced Mingyu as its global brand model. In October that year, Indonesian bank Allo Bank announced Mingyu and bandmate Wonwoo as their new ambassadors. In January 2025, Mingyu was appointed as the new brand ambassador for American chocolate bar brand Snickers in Asia.

Composition credits

All credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association.