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Park Ji YeonSouth Korean singer and actress
Date of Birth: 07.06.1993
Country:  South Korea |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Born on June 7, 1993, in Seoul, South Korea, Park Ji-yeon is the younger sister of actor Park Hyo-jun. She attended an all-girls' school before transferring to an arts school to pursue her passion for performing. In 2012, she graduated from Lila Art School with a focus on music.
Musical Journey
Initially aspiring to act, Park Ji-yeon began modeling in clothing advertisements at the age of 15. However, destiny had other plans when she was cast in the five-member dance-pop group T-ara. The group's name, derived from "tiara," hinted at their aspirations to reign as music industry royalty.
In 2009, T-ara released their debut album, "Absolute First Album," launching their journey. Their subsequent tracks dominated South Korean music charts, and their fame soon extended beyond its borders. Their 2011 hit, "Bo Peep Bo Peep," topped the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and received gold certification.
T-ara consistently released albums and performed concerts in South Korea and Japan, becoming one of the most influential celebrity groups in the nation according to Forbes Korea in 2012. They expanded their reach to Mongolia, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and other Asian countries. In 2018, four members, including Park Ji-yeon, left the group due to contract expirations. However, T-ara regrouped in 2020 with four remaining members, including Ji-yeon.
Film and Television Career
Park Ji-yeon made her acting debut in the 2007 film "20th Century Boy and Girl." Since then, she has starred in films and dramas, often appearing in cameos and hosting talk shows on local television. She also voiced the protagonist of the Korean dub of "Gnomeo & Juliet."
Her first notable role in a regular cast was in the comedy series "Hello, Miss!" (2007), followed by dramas such as "The Lobbyist" (2007), "Soul" (2009), and "Jungle Fish 2" (2010), which gained recognition primarily within South Korea. However, the 2017 romantic drama "My Secret Romance" resonated with fans internationally.
In 2012, Park starred in the second season of "Dream High," portraying a fictional pop group member and contributing to the soundtrack. Critics hailed the season's improvement over the first, largely due to its musical elements. The drama also featured Kim Myung-soo, Jeong Jinwoon, and Park Seo-joon.
The crime drama "Triangle" (2014) achieved high ratings both domestically and abroad, with Park Ji-yeon playing a supporting role. The series revolves around three orphaned brothers whose lives take vastly different paths.
Another notable work was the musical drama "Imitation" (2021), where Park played a singer who experiences the highs and lows of early fame.
Personal Life
In 2015, Park Ji-yeon dated actor and singer Lee Dong-gun, who is 13 years her senior. Their relationship lasted about two years before fading out due to conflicting schedules.
In 2021, she met baseball player Hwang Jae-gyun through mutual acquaintances. Jae-gyun previously played for the San Francisco Giants and currently represents South Korean teams.
In early 2022, Ji-yeon announced her marriage to Jae-gyun via a joint social media post. She praised him for being her "gift" and source of happiness. Jae-gyun expressed similar sentiments, vowing to spend the rest of his life with her. Their wedding ceremony was held in Seoul's Shilla Hotel in December 2022.
Recent Projects
Park Ji-yeon stars alongside Chi Il-joo in the horror film "Zombie: From Cheongsan to Gangnam" (2023), marking her first full-length film role in over seven years. The film centers around a virus outbreak in Seoul, starting with an infected cat that escapes from a container.
