Kang Miji

South Korean drift racer Kang Miji has built a reputation as one of Asia’s most talented female drivers, taking on international competition with aggressive style and an influencer’s eye for building her brand beyond the track.

EARLY YEARS

Information about Kang Miji’s birthdate and early childhood in South Korea is not available in the research provided. What is clear is that she emerged from Korea’s growing automotive culture, a scene where drifting has exploded in popularity over the past decade. She built her foundation behind the wheel of a Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the car that would become synonymous with her early drift career and help her develop the car control that would later turn heads across Asia.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the driver’s seat, Miji has established herself as one of Korea’s largest automotive influencers, building a substantial social media presence that extends her reach far beyond race results alone[1]. She’s also expanded into simulator racing, recently stepping up her sim training to improve consistency and learn unfamiliar tracks—a modern approach that blends old-school seat time with cutting-edge virtual preparation[2]. As a Next Level Racing ambassador, she’s embraced the intersection of real-world and sim racing, using a full setup including the GT Elite Wheel Plate Edition and ERS3 Hypercool system to sharpen her skills[3].

EARLY SUCCESS

With over eight years of driving experience under her belt, Miji found her stride in the drift scene, where precision, style, and aggression matter as much as raw speed[4]. Her breakthrough came when she placed Top 8 at Thailand’s D1GP Lights, proving she could hang with some of Asia’s best sideways drivers[5]. She continued building momentum through consistent performances across the regional drift circuit, establishing herself as a driver to watch in the competitive world of Asian drifting.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2023: Placed second at Women’s Drift Challenge Round 3, finishing third overall in the Pro Amateur class standings with 238 points[6].
• 2023: Competed in the Indonesia Drift Series, securing multiple podium finishes throughout the season[7].
• 2024: Named Automotive Icon of The Year by Sekuya Racing[8].
• 2024: Made Australian racing debut at World Time Attack Challenge (WTAC) at Sydney Motorsport Park, representing Team Korea as the first official hallyu entry into Haltech Clubsprint[9].
• 2024: Competed at WTAC in a borrowed K24-swapped Honda Civic EG hatch, finishing with a time of 1:49.9160 in the Clubsprint category[10].

INSPIRATIONS

Research does not provide specific information about Kang Miji’s inspirations or influences in motorsports.

REPUTATION

Miji has become a flag-bearer for Korean motorsports internationally, bringing visibility to her country’s growing automotive scene on stages across Asia and Australia. She’s known not just for her driving talent but for her ability to build a brand—combining racing success with social media savvy in a way that’s made her one of Korea’s most recognizable faces in motorsports[11]. Described as showcasing “driving talent” by industry publications like Speedhunters, she’s earned respect for stepping into unfamiliar cars and tracks with confidence[12]. Her willingness to tackle new challenges—like jumping from her familiar Genesis Coupe into a completely different platform at WTAC—demonstrates the adaptability that separates good drivers from great ones. She arrived at Sydney Motorsport Park “all smiles,” according to Downshift, projecting the kind of positive energy that makes her a favorite among fans and fellow competitors alike[13].

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Before competing at WTAC 2024, Miji made her ambitions clear: she was gunning for a podium spot and pushing for a strong result in her Australian debut[14]. While specific plans beyond 2024 weren’t detailed in available research, her trajectory suggests continued expansion into international time attack and drift competitions, along with growing her influence as an ambassador for Korean motorsports on the global stage.

REFERENCES

[1] Sekuya Racing – Kang Miji Profile
[2] Next Level Racing – Miji Kang Ambassador Profile
[3] Next Level Racing – Miji Kang Setup Details
[4] World Time Attack Challenge – Team Korea and Miji Kang Confirmed
[5] World Time Attack Challenge – D1GP Lights Results
[6] Accelera Radial – Women’s Drift Challenge Round 3
[7] Accelera Radial – Indonesia Drift Series 2023
[8] Sekuya Racing – Automotive Icon of The Year 2024
[9] World Time Attack Challenge – Team Korea Entry
[10] World Time Attack Challenge – 2024 Results
[11] Sekuya – W3 Racing Legends Feature
[12] Speedhunters – WTAC 2024 Coverage
[13] Downshift – WTAC 2024: Beating The Clock
[14] World Time Attack Challenge – Miji Kang Goals