Kim Min‑young, known professionally as Taru, was born on 10 July 1982 in Seoul, South Korea, and is a pop singer. After joining the group The Melody in 2002, Taru gained experience as a vocalist until the group disbanded in 2008 following the enlistment of member Go‑eun. She launched her solo career the same year with the EP Rainbow (R.A.I.N.B.O.W.), which she produced entirely. Her first single, "Color Of City (White)", released on 15 December 2009, marked her entry into the mainstream charts. In 2011 Taru released her second studio album, 100 Percent Reality, on 15 June, followed by Puzzle on 17 April 2013, and Blah Blah on 12 February 2012. Taru also contributed vocals to the SBS drama Secret Garden and the MBC drama Triple soundtrack. Her singles "Forbidden Fruit" (5 February 2025) and "Jezebel" (16 April 2025) continued to chart in South Korea. Taru’s career is noted for consistent chart presence and her role in popularizing contemporary Korean pop in the early 2010s. In 2025, she released several indie rock singles, including "Coward," "Idiots," and "Honey Bee."
