Kim Yoojung (1999) is one of Korea’s well-known child actresses, discovered when she was only 5 years old when she won “Most Popular Award” at a contest she had not even officially entered in! Making her official debut in a CF in 2003 before officially making her acting debut in 2004. In 2008, she won the “Best Child Actress” award for the drama ”Iljimae.” Having entered her teens, Kim Yoojung is beginning her smooth transition has a teen actress, who has appeared in 27 television dramas, 17 films and 6 music videos. What an amazing feat, and just 15 years old!
Yoon Eunhye made her official debut when she was 15 years old, replacing Lee Gain in the 1st generation girl group Baby V.O.X, who released their 3rd album after she joined. Together, girl group became very popular not only in Korea but throughout Asia following the release of several hit albums. Unfortunately, one by one, the members of Baby V.O.X began to leave the group with Shim Eunjin and Yoon Eunhye becoming the last ones following the contract expiring in 2005.
The following year, Yoon Eunhye began her mark as an actress with the leading role for the hit drama,"Goong/Princess Hours." Her next hit lead role was taken up the following year in 2007 with "Coffee Prince," officially making her as one of the most successful Korean actresses to this day. Since then, Yoon Eunhye has hit in the popular movie "My Black Mini Dress," the drama "Lie To Me" and"Missing You." Yoo Eunhye also ventured out into directing in 2012.
Kwon Boa is one of the longest-lasting, successful Korean solo artist, debuting at the age of 13 years old in 2000 with "ID; Peace B," after two years of training and won "Rookie of the Year" and "Best Female Solo." Between 2002 and 2004, BoA won six Daesangs from four different award ceremonies.
BoA is also known as the artist who helped pave the way for Korean artists to enter Japan, having made her debut in Japan in 2001. After years of struggle in Japan, BoA made a breakthrough as the first Korean artist with her a #1 Japanese album "Listen To My Heart," released in 2002. To date, BoA has achieved six consecutive #1 Japanese albums. Her first Japanese compilation album "Best of Soul,” released in 2005, made her the first non-Japanese Asian singer to sell over 2 million units, and in the same year.
BoA has a Korean career lasting over 14 years and a Japanese career of 13 years, and as much as we’d love to, she has quite a lengthy career to summarize.
Min Sunye is known as one of the longest lasting trainees at JYP Entertainment, recruited when she was 12 years old and training between the year 2001 and 2007. After nearly six years of hardship as a trainee, Sunye finally made her grand debut as the leader of the popular girl group Wonder Girls. The group became the hottest topic after releasing the ever addicting track "Tell Me," which was followed by "So Hot" and "Nobody." Wonder Girls ventured out to America with their last track in attempts to break into the market.
Following the leave of Sunmi from the group and the addition of Hyerim, Wonder Girls returned to Korea with "2 Different Tears," which was followed by up "Be My Baby" the following year. "Like This,"released in 2012, is the final title track Sunye promoted with Wonder Girls as she announced in November 2012 she would be getting married, and in April 2013, announced she was pregnant. Sunye gave birth to a healthy baby girl in October 2013. In March 2014, JYP Entertainment announced Sunye is on hiatus from Wonder Girls to complete a 5-year missionary in in Haiti.
G-Dragon (Kwon Jiyong, 1988) has been in the entertainment industry for a lot longer than most K-Poppers realize. Starting his career at 5 years old, Kwon Jiyong began as a member of Little Roora. Following the group’s contract termination by the company, Jiyong was scouted by SM Entertainment where he trained as a dancer between the age of 8 and 13. Inspired by rap group Wu-Tang Clan, Jiyong began his career as a rapper, participating in the release of hip-hop group Flex’s album. Catching the eye of Jinusean’s Sean, YG Entertainment recruited Jiyong and planned to debut him along with Dong Youngbae (Taeyang) as the duo GDYB, when Jiyong acquired his stage name G-Dragon.
For the next six years, G-Dragon would appear in several YG artists’ tracks before debuting as the leader of Korea’s biggest K-Pop groups, Big Bang in 2006. With the success of Big Bang, G-Dragon has become a blossoming career as a solo artist, in addition to being a well-known fashionista.
