Park So-yeon (born Park In-jung on October 5, 1987),[1] referred to as Soyeon, is a South Korean singer and actress. She debuted as a member of girl group T-ara in July 2009. The group went on to become one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.[2] She debuted as a solo artist in 2021.
Early life and education
Park was born Park In-jung on October 5, 1987,[1][3] in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. She has legally changed her name to Park So-yeon. In 2005, she took part and was awarded the Gold Award for the CMB Chin Chin Singing Competition.[4] Park has studied at the prestigious Anyang High School of Arts, located in Anyang, Gyeonggi, South Korea.
Park was formerly a trainee under SM Entertainment, preparing to be a member and supposed to be the leader of girl group Girls' Generation. However, she left the company six months before their debut due to personal circumstances.[5] After debuting with T-ara, she revealed on the tvN's show Taxi that at that time she felt the opportunity came so easily and she was in two minds, not fully prepared for the debut.[6]
Park was the second new member to be added to T-ara after two former members Jiae and Jiwon left the group in mid-2009. In 2010, she was rushed to the hospital after complaints of not feeling well while filming for her cameo role in Master of Study.[citation needed] She was then diagnosed with H1N1 while T-ara was still promoting the follow-up track Like The First Time off of their first full-length album, Absolute First Album.[7] Park participated in the OSTs for the movie Death Bell 2: Bloody Camp and the SBS drama Coffee House.[citation needed] In 2011, she was a fixed cast member for KBS's variety show 100 Points Out Of 100.
Park participated in the musical adaption of T-ara's hit song Roly-Poly, which opened on January 13, 2012, at the Seongnam Arts Center.[8] She has stated that it is one of her dreams to stand on stage and act on it. She replaced Hyomin as T-ara's new leader starting on December 7, 2011, for their Lovey-Dovey promotions. She is the fourth leader of T-ara after Eunjung, Boram, and Hyomin. In July 2013, she stepped down as leader and Qri became the fifth leader.[9][10][11]
Park appeared in the KBS drama Lovers of Haeundae as Lee Gwan-soon. The drama aired on August 13, 2012.[12] Soyeon along with Qri and Boram formed a sub-group called QBS in May 2013. The sub-group focused on the Japanese market. They released their debut single titled "Kaze no You ni" (風のように, Like the Wind) on June 26, 2013.[citation needed]
2017–present: Departure from T-ara and solo debut
On March 6, 2017 MBK announced that T-ara would be releasing their last album as a six-member group in May, after Boram and Soyeon's contracts ended, and the other members would remain until December 31, 2017.[13] On May 7, MBK Entertainment revealed the group's plans had changed and that the new album's release had been rescheduled to June 2017, with Boram and Soyeon not participating due to the expiry of their contracts.[14] On May 8, it was announced that T-ara's last performance as a six-member group would be in Taiwan concert on May 13.[15][16]
On July 11, 2020, it was announced that Park had signed with Think Entertainment.[17] On February 5, 2021, Soyeon released her first ever single as a solo artist in 12 years entitled "They Are All The Same" under Think Entertainment.[18] Before the release of the song, she received support from the members of T-ara. On March 24, 2021, Soyeon released her second single entitled "Interview".[19]
Endorsements
In February 2021, Soyeon became the exclusive model for the Korean tea brand "HOBEATEE".[20] In March 2021, the brand announced a 100% sold-out.[21] It was also mentioned that Soyeon helped the brand's image by drawing attention from both domestic users and her overseas Chinese fans.[22]
Personal life
On January 18, 2022, Park's agency confirmed that she will marry soccer player Cho Yu-min in November 2022. They have been in a relationship for 3 years.[23] Later, it was announced the wedding ceremony in November has been postponed until next year, due to Cho Yu-min joined the national team and planning to focus for the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup. But the couple had already registered their marriage and were a legal couple.[24] On September 22, Soyeon revealed through her Instagram that she bought her mother a 3-volume apartment in Seoul's green forest area.[25]
Philanthropy
In May 2012, Soyeon represented T-ara and attended public interest agreement ceremony to sign an agreement with TTOMA, a drinks brand for which T-ara was a model for. Subsequently, a portion of proceeds from T-ara's personalized drinks with the brand will be donated to the Fruit of Love Foundation.[26]
Soyeon is an advocate for animal protection. In 2015, she participated the anti-animal abuse campaign hosted by Blue Angel Volunteer Group.[27] On March 29, 2015, she held a fan sign at the 2015 K-Pet Fair. All proceeds went to the organization.[28] In 2017, Soyeon was revealed to have been secretly donating ₩1 million every month for 2 years to Blue Angel Volunteer Group. In November that year, News1 reported that Park is an honorary member of the organization.[29]
^Park Jeong-seon (January 18, 2022). "티아라 출신 소연, 축구선수 조유민과 3년 열애 결실…11월 결혼" [Soyeon from T-ara and soccer player Jo Yumin have been dating for 3 years… november wedding] (in Korean). Dailyan. Retrieved January 18, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kang Kyung-yun (November 3, 2022). "티아라 출신 소연, 조유민과 결혼식 연기..."월드컵 마친 뒤" [T-ara's Soyeon and Jo Yumin postpone their wedding... "After the World Cup] (in Korean). SBS Entertainment News. Retrieved November 3, 2022 – via Naver.
^조선일보 (July 30, 2020). "[사진]티아라 소연, '어디에 사인을 해야하는 거지?'" [[Photo] T-ara's Soyeon, 'Where should I sign?']. 조선일보 (in Korean). Retrieved December 13, 2024.
^"소연 근황, 동물학대 캠페인으로 훈훈한 일상…예뻐진 얼굴" [Soyeon's recent status, a warm daily life thanks to the animal abuse campaign... A pretty face]. tvdaily.co.kr. October 21, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
^Baek Ji-eun (March 21, 2022). "[단독] 김호중·소연→탄 '우리는 식구당', 29일 첫 방송 확정" [[Exclusive] Kim Ho-jung, So-yeon → Tan 'We are a family', first broadcast confirmed on the 29th] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved March 21, 2022 – via Naver.
^"티아라 소연, 글로벌 팬미팅 성료…훈훈한 역조공 눈길 - 에누리 쇼핑지식 뉴스" [T-ara Soyeon successfully completes global fan meeting... A heartwarming tribute look]. www.enuri.com (in Korean). August 20, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
^"'뭐라고 끝낼까' 티아라 소연, 성숙함 물씬 "다른 사람 같아!"" [‘How should I end this?’ T-ara Soyeon, full of maturity, “I feel like a different person!”]. 소비자가 만드는 신문 (in Korean). June 27, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
^"티아라 소연-지연, 교복 코스프레?..'애절 눈빛+ 호소력 보이스' 깜짝 듀엣!" [T-ara's Soyeon and Jiyeon, school uniform cosplay?..'sorrowful eyes + appealing voice' surprise duet!]. tvdaily.co.kr. July 2, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
^조선일보 (July 31, 2020). "수지-소연-효린, '스타커플 최강전'서 트리뷰트 무대 '완벽'" [Suzy-Soyeon-Hyorin, Tribute Stage 'Perfect' in 'Star Couple Battle']. 조선일보 (in Korean). Retrieved January 23, 2025.
^"티아라 소연, 에일리에 남다른 팬심 고백(비디오스타)" [T-ara Soyeon confesses her special fandom for Ailee (Video Star)]. 매경ECONOMY. October 6, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
^"'스케치북' 소연, 물오른 감성의 '인터뷰' 무대 화제" ['Sketchbook' Soyeon, a hot topic on the emotionally charged 'Interview' stage]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). March 27, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
^이데일리 (December 26, 2009). "'천하무적 야구단' KBS 연예대상 베스트 팀워크상" ['Invincible Baseball Team' KBS Entertainment Awards Best Teamwork Award]. 이데일리 (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
