Yoo Ara

Yoo Ara (born September 26, 1992) is a South Korean singer and actress, known for her work as a former member of the South Korean girl group Hello Venus.

Yoo Ara
유아라
Yoo Ara in June 2013
Born
Yoo Ah-ra

(1992-09-26) September 26, 1992
Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, South Korea
Alma materDongduk Women's University
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actress
Years active2010–present
Agent
  • Urban Works Entertainment
Musical career
GenresK-pop
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2012–2014
LabelsPledis Entertainment
Formerly of
Korean name
Hangul
유아라
Hanja
柳娥羅
Revised RomanizationYu A-ra
McCune–ReischauerYu A-ra

Career

Pre-debut

Ara was part of a training program, called 'Pre-School Girls', that would eventually become a member of sister group After School, but was chosen to be the leader of Hello Venus instead. She sang the chorus for the 1st Happy Pledis single, "Love Love Love". She also sang and appeared in the music video "Love Letter".[1]

Yoo Ara, along with fellow Pledis trainee Kyung Min were the final two candidates to me2day Search for After School's 9th Member in 2010. Ara and along with Hello Venus members, Yoonjo were originally in the line-up for After School[2] however, current After School member E-Young was chosen instead.

2012: Debut

Ara debuted on May 9, 2012, actively promoting Hello Venus's debut release, the mini-album 'Venus'.[3] 'Venus' features four tracks in all, with "Venus" serving as the promotional track.[4]

Promotions for "Venus" began on May 10, 2012, on M! Countdown, without Yoonjo.[5]

On July 4, 2012, together with the group, they released "Like a Wave", off the digital album 'Like a Wave (Digital Repackage)'.[6]

2014: Departure from Hello Venus and Pledis

Yoo Ara was featured in label mate SEVENTEEN's Remix of the song "A Midsummer Night's Sweetness" by Raina and San E, the remix being released on July 27.

Four days later, an official statement was posted stating that Pledis and Fantagio had decided to end their collaboration project: Hello Venus. Yoo Ara and Yoonjo, Pledis' contributions, would be leaving the group, and the rest would stay as a Fantagio act.

On November 21, Yoo Ara uploaded a video to Instagram, showing her with a guitar case and a bag, walking out of a building. It has since been deleted. Later that day, Urban Works Entertainment uploaded a profile for Yoo Ara on their website, showing that Yoo Ara had departed from Pledis. Ara's signing with Urban Works was formally announced on December 1.[7][8]

2015: Musical debut

On February 11, it was revealed that Yoo Ara would be cast as the female lead in the Japanese musical remake of Moon Embracing the Sun.[9] The musical will open its curtains at Theater BRAVA in Osaka on the 20th, as well as U-Port Hall in Tokyo in April.

On August 5, 2015, Urban Works announced that Yoo Ara will be acting in The Alchemist as Yoo Jin Ah, Oh Young Ji's best friend and roommate, played by Kara's Youngji.[10]

2016: Departure from Urban Works

In 2016, Yoo Ara departed from Urban Works.

Personal life

Ara went to Seoul Music High School, the same school as SHINee’s Jonghyun, Block B’s Zico and Boyfriend’s Jeongmin. She graduated on February 19, 2010,[11] two years earlier than usual.

Discography

Collaborations

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
KOR
2010 "Love Love Love"
(After School)
Happy Pledis 1st Album
2011 "Love Letter"
(Pledis Artist)
Happy Pledis 2012
2013 "Pretty" (예뻐)
(Nu'est)
Sleep Talking
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Filmography

TV drama

Year Title Role
2012 What is Mom Shop maid
2013 After School "Lucky or Not" Cameo
2014 Golden Rainbow Young Won's Secretary
2015 Super Daddy Yeol Cameo

TV Show

Year Network Title Notes
2012 MBC Every1 Weekly Idol
MBC Birth of Venus
SBS Wonderboy guest in ep. 10 with Boyfriend
KBC Joy's Hug
SBS 1000 Song Challenge with Nara
2013 MTV MTV Diary: Hellovenus
MBC Idol Star Athletics Championship
MBC Every1 Weekly Idol
SBS 1000 Song Challenge
KBC Idol Gayo Stage
MBC All the K-pop with Nara
2013/2014 TVN Perfect Singer VS

Awards

Years Awards Notes Results
2010 Pledis's 2009 Audition Search for After School’s 9th Member with Kyung Min (Pledis trainee) Won

References

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