Yoo Ara

Yoo Ara (hangul: 유아라; born September 26, 1992) is a South Korean singer and actress. She is the former leader and main vocalist of the girl group Hello Venus. Ara is currently developing her acting career, having signed an exclusive contract with Urban Works Entertainment on December 1, 2014.^[1]

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".^[2]

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^[3] 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'.^[4] 'Venus' features four tracks in all, with "Venus" serving as the promotional track.^[5]

Promotions for "Venus" began on May 10, 2012, on M! Countdown, without Yoonjo.^[6]

On July 4, 2012, together with the group, they released "Like a Wave", off the digital album 'Like a Wave (Digital Repackage)'.^[7]

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 Fantiago 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.^[8][9]

2015: Musical debut

On February 11, it was revealed that Yoo Ara would be casted as the female lead in the Japanese musical remake of Moon Embracing the Sun.^[10] The musical will open its curtains at Theater BRAVA in Osaka on the 20th, as well as U-Port Hall in Tokyo in April.

Personal life

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

Discography

Collaborations

Filmography

TV drama

TV Show

Music video

Awards

References

1. ↑ Ara signs with Urban Entertainment
2. ↑ Happy Pledis - 'Love Letter' MBC Birth of Venus. Retrieved on July 19, 2012
3. ↑ Hello Venus’s Ara and Yoonjo were originally in the line-up for After School AllKpop (Apr 18, 2012) Retrieved July 25, 2012.
4. ↑ Pledis Entertainment’s new girl group Hello Venus to debut on May 9th
5. ↑ Hello Venus - 'Venus'. Naver Music (May 8, 2012). Retrieved on July 19, 2012.
6. ↑ '엠카' 헬로비너스, 새로운 '요정'의 등장..'상큼발랄'. OSEN (May 10, 2012). Retrieved on July 19, 2012.
7. ↑ Hello Venus - 'Like a Wave'. MelOn Music (July 4, 2012). Retrieved on July 19, 2012.
8. ↑ Ara signs with Urban
9. ↑ Ara signs with Urban, additional story
10. ↑ Ara to star in the musical remake of 'The Moon That Embraces the Sun' in Japan
11. ↑ Singing talent of After School’s potential member Yoo Ara revealed AllKpop (Sep 2, 2010). Retrieved on July 25, 2012.

External links

• Hello Venus' Official Homepage