Han Seung-yeon (Korean: 한승연; born July 24, 1988), known mononymously as Seungyeon, is a South Korean singer and actress. She is best known as the vocalist of the South Korean girl group Kara, and for her role in Hello, My Twenties!.
Life and career
1993–2007: Early life and career beginnings
Han Seung-yeon was born on July 24, 1988,[1] in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, South Korea. She made her acting debut as a child actress in a bit part in Dear Ends (1993), Summer Showers (1995) and Star in My Heart (1997).[2][3] She later left South Korea to study at Tenafly High School in New Jersey, United States. However, she withdrew from high school mid-course to pursue a singing career.[4] After returning to South Korea, she debuted as a member of girl group Kara on March 29, 2007. During her time with the group, she passed a high school qualification exam, the College Scholastic Ability Test, and was accepted by Kyung Hee University, majoring in theater and film.[4]
2007–08: Debut and solo activities
Seungyeon debuted as main vocalist of Kara on M! Countdown on March 29, 2007.[5]
She was the VJ for MSL Break from 2007 to 2008. She replaced Tiffany of Girls' Generation as co-host of Boys and Girls Music Countdown in June 2008 with Kim Hye-sung,[6] and later with actor Kim Soo-hyun.[7] Their segment ended on May 8, 2009. From October to December 2008, she was part of the cast of the MBC Every 1 reality show I Need a Family – Season 2, where a group of celebrities would live life as a family, consisting of a father, mother, son and daughter.[8] She also became part of MBC's entertainment news show Section TV, as a "pop correspondent," debuting on November 21, 2008.[9]
2009–present: Continued solo activities, Kara disbandment and label changes
Han was featured on rapper Nassun's single "Come to Play", which was released in March 2009, and was featured on the soundtrack for the movie Why Did You Come to My House? (2009), releasing her first solo song entitled "Miracle".[10] In October 2009, she became part of the "Dream Team Girl Group" named 4Tomorrow for Samsung's campaign Samsung Anycall.[11] Their digital single "Tomorrow" was released on October 6, and the official music video for their single was released on the October 12, starring actor Lee Dong-gun.[12]
In 2010, she recorded the song "Super Star" for the soundtrack of the KBS2 drama Mary Stayed Out All Night. The same year, she became a host of MBC Every1's I Love Pet alongside fellow member Kang Ji-young.[13] In 2011, she recorded the song "Because of Love" for the soundtrack of the SBS drama Warrior Baek Dong-soo. In July 2011, she became a co-host of SBS's Animal Farm.[14]
Han released her first solo single "Guilty" on November 30, 2012, along with its music video.[15] She had a performance of the single on MBC's Music Core on December 15.[16]
Han in May 2015
In 2013, Han appeared as the protagonist's younger counterpart in the daily drama Pure Love (2013).[17] Then in her first major supporting role, Han portrayed Choi Suk-bin in the period dramaJang Ok-jung, Living by Love (2013).[18] In 2014, starred in the weekend drama Jang Bo-ri is Here!.[19] The same year, she played her first leading role in the cable series Her Lovely Heels.[20] Also, from 2013 to 2014, Han and fellow member Park Gyu-ri served as hosts of the music program The Show.[21]
In January 2016, Kara was disbanded after Seungyeon, Park Gyuri and Goo Hara decided not to renew their contract.[22] She later signed a contract with J Wide Company in the same year.[23] In May, Han was cast in the omnibus web film Bugs Attack.[24] In July 2016, Han starred in the coming-of-age youth drama Hello, My Twenties!.[25] In October 2016, Han was cast in a short film titled Frame in Love.[26]
In 2017, Han starred in JTBC's web drama Last Minute Romance.[27] She also reprised her role in the sequel of Hello, My Twenties.[28]
In 2018, Han switched over to Inyeon Entertainment,[29] and was cast in the fantasy romance drama About Time.[30] She then took on the leading role in travel romance drama Twelve Nights.[31]
^Lee Mi-ji (August 2, 2021). 한승연 '쇼미더고스트' 9월 개봉확정..유니크 메인포스터 공개 [Han Seung-yeon's 'Show Me the Ghost' to be released in September... Unique poster released]. Herald POP (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
^Yoo Byung-cheol (July 19, 2021). 한승연, 첫 장편 영화 '쇼미더고스트'로 안정적 연기력+무한 가능성 입증 [Han Seung-yeon's first feature film 'Show Me the Ghost' proves her stable acting skills + infinite possibilities]. korean economy tv (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
^Jung Yu-jin (July 28, 2022). 한승연 '최악의 이웃과 사랑에…' 출연 확정, 이지훈과 호흡 [Han Seung-yeon 'In love with the worst neighbor... ' Confirmed appearance, breathing with Lee Ji-hoon] (in Korean). News1. Retrieved July 28, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Bo-ra (May 15, 2023). 이지훈x한승연 '빈틈없는 사이', 7월 개봉 확정…동갑 케미 발산[공식] [Lee Ji-Hoon x Han Seung-Yeon 'The Gap' Confirmed for July Release... Same Age Chemistry [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN [ko]. Retrieved June 12, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee Ji-hyun (February 22, 2018). [공식]한승연, tvN '어바웃타임' 출연 확정…'애교+푼수' 반전매력 [[Official] Han Seung-yeon confirmed to appear in tvN's 'About Time'... 'Aegyo + Punsu' reverse charm]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
^한승연X신현수, 채널A 미니시리즈 '열두밤' 주연 확정 [Han Seung-yeon X Shin Hyeon-soo confirmed to star in Channel A miniseries 'Twelve Nights']. Channel A (in Korean). Naver. May 8, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
^Ahn Hyo-eun (January 6, 2009). SBS '인기가요', 유설아-이홍기 투입…'3인 MC체제 시도' [SBS 'Inkigayo' appoint Yoo Seol-ah and Lee Hong-ki... Attempt on 3MC system]. Naver (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
