I-DLE’s Wugi Becomes Full Member of Korean Music Copyright Association – First Foreign Female Idol to Achieve This Status

Wugi, a member of I-DLE, has been officially promoted to full member of the Korean Music Copyright Association. This marks the first time a foreign female idol has received this status, and it is particularly significant as it is also the first time a creator of Chinese nationality has achieved it.

On the 29th, the Korean Music Copyright Association announced a list of 30 individuals promoted to full membership for 2026 on its official website, with Wugi included among them. The association selects full members each January based on its regulations, considering factors such as duration of membership and performance in distributing copyright royalties among probationary members.

Wugi became the second full member within I-DLE, following Leader Soyeon, who was promoted to full membership in 2024. While this is the second instance of a foreign female national being promoted to full membership, it is the first time for an idol. It is also the first time for a creator of Chinese nationality, regardless of gender, to achieve this status, giving it exceptional significance. This achievement demonstrates Wugi’s status and value as a “creator” rather than just an artist.

Wugi has consistently built her own musical world through not only I-DLE’s group albums but also her solo releases. She has proven her strong creative abilities within the group by contributing to the lyrics and composition of numerous songs such as “Last Forever,” “Neverland,” and “All Night.”

Through the track “Love Tease” from I-DLE’s first mini-album after the group’s rebranding, “We are,” she reinterpreted the disco genre in her own unique style. She showcased her distinct musical sense by writing and composing all the tracks for her debut solo album “YUQ1,” including the title track “FREAK,” as well as every song on her single “Motivation” released last year.

In particular, her self-composed song “Radio (Dum-Dum”), released in March of last year, received overwhelming response in the Chinese-speaking regions and remained high on local music charts for an extended period. After earning QQ Music’s platinum certification, it continues to enjoy steady popularity even 10 months after release, solidifying its status as a “evergreen hit.”

She also demonstrated her production skills by contributing to the preview track “Free to Fly (Feat. Wugi)” from her agency’s junior group NOWZ’s mini-album “IGNITION.”

With Wugi joining Leader Soyeon as a full member of the Korean Music Copyright Association, I-DLE further strengthens its position as a “self-produced artist group” with many members possessing strong songwriting and composition abilities. Meanwhile, I-DLE released their new song “Mono (Feat. skaiwater)” on the 27th and continues to be active in their promotions.