Nicole Jung | |
---|---|
Born | Nicole Yongju Jung October 7, 1991 Glendale, California, U.S |
Other names | Jung Yong-ju |
Occupation | Singer |
Musical career | |
Genres | K-pop |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 2007–present |
Labels |
|
Member of | Kara |
Korean name | |
Hangul | 정용주 |
Hanja | |
Revised Romanization | Jeong Yong-ju |
McCune–Reischauer | Chŏng Yong-chu |
Nicole Yongju Jung (born October 7, 1991), referred to as Nicole, is an American singer based in South Korea. She is a member of South Korean girl group Kara. Her solo debut mini album, First Romance, was released on November 19, 2014. [1]
Jung was born on October 7, 1991 [2] in Glendale, California [3] to Korean parents. She attended Mark Keppel Elementary School and Toll Middle School in Glendale, California. She participated in choir, drill team, played the violin for 4 years and took dance classes. [4] She auditioned for DSP Media by sending a video of her singing an Ivy and Black Eyed Peas song. Jung made the decision to go to South Korea and experienced hardships such as adjusting to the culture and missing her friends. [5] She accepted DSP's offer, her mom moved with her to South Korea and has opened up a Korean BBQ restaurant called "Aura The Grill". [6]
Jung was on a show called "KAIST" which was renamed to "Nicole The Entertainer's Introduction to Veterinary Science" in Konkuk University. [7] The first episode aired on November 12, 2009. She "graduated" from college in January 2010. [8]
Jung debuted as the youngest member in Kara on March 29, 2007, with their single "Break It", alongside Park Gyuri, Han Seungyeon, and Kim Sunghee. In May, Sunghee departed from the group, and two members were added in July – Goo Hara and Kang Jiyoung.
On December 4, 2008, Kara released their 2nd mini-album "Pretty Girl", and in February 2009 came the follow-up album "Honey"; the latter's title track of the same name became the group's first #1 single on music shows when it topped M! Countdown and The Music Trend. [9] In late July 2009, Kara released their second album named "Revolution". [10] Owing to the popularity of the songs "Wanna" and "Mister", the group's overall popularity increased, and they followed with their third mini-album "Lupin". [11]
In August 2010, Kara officially debuted in Japan with a Japanese version of their 2009 Korean single "Mister". After this, Kara released their fourth mini-album Jumping in South Korea in November 2010.
On January 19, 2011, Jung announced, alongside fellow members Kang Jiyoung and Han Seung-yeon, that they were terminating their contract with DSP through court. On April 28, 2011, the dispute between DSP Media and Kara's 3 members was officially announced as resolved.[ citation needed ]
Jung injured her ankle during Kara's first stand-alone concert in Korea, which was held on February 18, 2012. She was performing a solo performance cover of Michael Jackson's "Beat It", when she hurt her ankle while leaving through a lift. [12] [13] After she got hurt, she did limp a little during performances but she still finished the concert. Afterwards in the dressing room, she received acupuncture for her injury. Despite her injury, she still performed on the very next day. Afterwards, Jung's injury was publicly revealed as she was photographed at airports in a wheelchair. [14] Despite her injury, Nicole still hosted SBS "Inkigayo" with a cast on her leg. Owing to the ankle injury, she was unable to perform in group performance choreography during their Speed Up promotion in Japan from March to April 2012.[ citation needed ]
Kara has released Kara Collection in 2012, both in South Korea and Japan, an album containing each of the girls' solo songs. Jung's song was "Lost", which featured close friend Jinwoon.[ citation needed ]
Jung performed with the group for the last time at the 2013 MBC Gayo Daejejeon on December 31, 2013. The group performed a medley of their past hit singles along with "Damaged Lady", from the group's fourth album Full Bloom . [15]
On January 13, 2014, it was announced that Jung would be withdrawing from the group due to the expiration of her contract with DSP Media, [16] and that she would be flying to the States for two months to focus on improving her vocal and dance skills while preparing to make a solo debut.
On October 14, 2014, Jung signed an exclusive contract with B2M Entertainment. The agency revealed, "Following the end of her contract with DSP Media, Nicole is currently preparing for her solo debut after confirming a new agency and completing the contract signing. Nicole's new agency was established by CEO Gil Jong Hwa, who had been with KARA from their debut to their peak. Since their connection under DSP Media, they have maintained close relations with one another." [17]
Jung's solo debut mini album, First Romance was released on November 19, 2014, and the title song MAMA, which was used to promote the mini album. First Romance in November sold 8,754 copies. By the end of 2014, the mini album had sold 10,137 copies. [18]
On April 22, 2015, it was revealed that Jung would debut in Japan on June 24. [19] She performed her debut song before release at the 'KCON 2015 Japan X M! Chttp://series-top.com/new-showsountdown'. On June 17, she released a short PV of her debut single "Something Special". [20] On June 24, Jung released the PV for "Something Special".
In December 2015, Jung released news that she would be coming back in Japan with her second Japanese single in 2016. It was revealed that the single would be called "Don't Stop" to be released on February 17. On January 16, she released a short PV version of "Don't Stop" [21]
On March 2, 2016, Jung revealed on her Instagram that she would be releasing her first solo Japanese album, titled Bliss on April 27, 2016. [22] The title track from the album is titled "HAPPY", the PV teaser was released on March 31, 2016. [23] She had her first solo concerts titled "2016 Nicole The 1st Live" spanning two days, April 29, 2016, and May 1, 2016. She end her contract with CJ Victor in 2016 & B2M in 2017. She joined Diamond Music for her Japanese promotions.
In 2020, Jung opened a YouTube channel.[ citation needed ]
In July 2022, Jung decided to sign with new label JWK Entertainment. [24] It was also announced that she will return with the digital single "You.F.O" on July 27. [25]
In February 2023, the agency will release a new digital single "Mysterious" which is scheduled for March 9. [26]
Jung was featured on former DSP Media artist Sunha's first album Fahrenheit in the song "String" (2008).[ citation needed ] In April 2009, she sang a duet with former Noel member Kang Kyun-seong called "Happy And". [27] In August 2009, she and singer Jay Park became part of historical culture variety show Nodaji, replacing Choi Min-yong and Kim Tae-hyun. The show was eventually cancelled due to low ratings in October 2009.[ citation needed ]
In September 2009, Jung was featured in numerous live performances of Mighty Mouth's single "Love Class". [28] In July 2010, she sang a duet with Park Myung Soo for his single "Whale" (고래). [29]
Jung was a member of "Dazzling Red", one of the idol project groups for the 2012 SBS Korean Music Festival – The Color of K-Pop concert with fellow idols After School's Nana, 4Minute's Hyuna, Secret's Hyoseong, and SISTAR's Hyorin. [30] Dazzling Red released a single, "This Person", in December 2012. [31]
Jung was invited to the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards Japan (as the only Korean artist invited that year) on June 22, 2013, and performed her solo song "Lost" from Kara Collection . [32]
Title | Album details | Peak | Sales |
---|---|---|---|
JPN [33] | |||
Bliss |
| 19 | |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
Title | Album details | Peak | Sales |
---|---|---|---|
KOR [35] | |||
First Romance |
| 5 |
|
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
Title | Year | Peak positions | Sales | Album | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KOR [37] | JPN [38] | JPN Hot [39] | ||||||||||||
Korean | ||||||||||||||
"Lost" (feat. Jeong Jin-woon) | 2012 | 85 | — | — |
| Kara Solo Collection | ||||||||
"Mama" | 2014 | 69 | — | — |
| First Romance | ||||||||
"You.F.O" [upper-alpha 1] | 2022 | — [upper-alpha 2] | 71 | — |
| Non-album singles | ||||||||
"Mysterious" | 2023 | — [upper-alpha 3] | — | — | — | |||||||||
"5!6!7!8!" | 2024 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
Japanese | ||||||||||||||
"Something Special" | 2015 | — | 8 | 29 |
| Bliss | ||||||||
"Don't Stop" | 2016 | — | 11 | 45 |
| |||||||||
"Promise" | 2019 | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||||||||
"Selfish" | 2023 | — | 27 | — |
| |||||||||
"Gravity" | — | 26 | — |
| ||||||||||
English | ||||||||||||||
"Champions (Prod.Tome&Jame)" | 2019 | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||||||||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
Title | Year | Peak chart position | Sales | Album | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KOR [35] | KOR Hot [47] | |||||||||||||
"Happy...And" (해피 엔드) (Kang Kyun-sung feat. Nicole) | 2009 | — | — | Non-album singles | ||||||||||
"Gorae" (고래) (Park Myung-soo feat. Nicole) | 2010 | 12 | — | |||||||||||
"This Person" (이사람) (with Dazzling Red) | 2012 | 2 | 6 |
| ||||||||||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
Year | Title | Other artists | Album |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | "Kkeun" (끈) | SunHa | Fahrenheit |
2010 | "Bingeul Bingeul" (빙글 빙글) | No Brain, SeungYeon, Gyuri | MBC Music Travel Lalala Live Vol.11 |
2011 | "Hayangyeoul" (하얀겨울) (Mr.2 cover) | Kang Ji-young, Han Seung-yeon | Immortal Song 2: Christmas Special |
2014 | "Chalali Binunmul-e" (차라리 비눈물에) | Jung Il-woo | The Night Watchman OST |
2020 | "SYNERGY" (시너지) | Exos Heroes OST | |
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
JPN [48] [49] | |||||
NICOLE CONCERT 2019~Summer Wave~ |
| 74 | |||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | My Way | Press information clerk | Cameo |
2013 | KARA The Animation | Herself | Japanese dub |
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2008 | The Person Is Coming | Gang of school girls, along with Park Gyu-ri, Goo Ha-ra and Kang Ji-young |
2011 | URAKARA | Nicole |
2014 | Secret Love | Melly |
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2008 | Star Golden Bell (Level With Me Season 2) | MC |
2010-2011 | Heroes | Cast Member |
2024 | Ride the Wind 2024 | Contestants |
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
2011 | Inkigayo | MC with Goo Ha-ra and IU |
2013 | 27th Golden Disk Awards | Host with Jung Yong-hwa |
2015 | 2015 International Campus Song Festival (ICSF) | Hosted with Eric Nam |
2016 | Beauty Station THE SHOW (Online Series) | MC with Jeon Hye-bin and Donghyun |
2018 | Beauvly (Online Series) | MC |
Year | Award | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | 3rd Mnet 20's Choice Award Hot New Variety Star | — | Nominated |
2012 | Miss and Mister Idol Korea 2012 | Miss Korea: 2nd Place | Won |
F.T. Island, is a South Korean rock band formed by FNC Entertainment in 2007. The band currently consists of main vocalist Lee Hong-gi, bassist Lee Jae-jin, and drummer Choi Min-hwan. Guitarist Oh Won-bin left the band in 2009 and was replaced by Song Seung-hyun. Former leader Choi Jong-hoon left the band and retired from the entertainment industry on March 14, 2019, while Seung-hyun left the group on December 31, 2019, to pursue his acting career.
Kara is a South Korean girl group formed by DSP Media in 2007. The group's current lineup is Gyuri, Seungyeon, Nicole, Jiyoung, and Youngji. Kara made their debut in March 2007 with their first studio album, The First Bloooooming, and its title track, "Break It." Originally a quartet composed of Park Gyuri, Han Seungyeon, Nicole Jung, and Kim Sunghee, Kara showcased a strong female image and a mature R&B sound. Expectations for the group were high because they were considered the successors to their senior labelmates, Fin.K.L; however, their debut was a commercial failure. The following year, Sunghee left the group due education issues and parental pressure, and members Goo Hara and Kang Jiyoung were added.
Heo Young-saeng is a South Korean entertainer. He is the vocalist of the boy band SS501. He's also the leader of Double S 301.
Japan occupied Korea as a colony from 1910 to 1945. South Korean musicians have been successful in Japan since the inception of Korean popular music. There have been a number of ethnically South Korean singers who have gained fame in Japan. Some of these singers, including Choi Gyuyeop/Hasegawa Ichiro and Yi Nan-yong/Oka Ranko were Zainichi, Koreans with Japanese residency. Among these Zainichi artists, there were and still are some who have made public declarations of their Korean descent, and many more who were rumored to be Korean but have never made formal confirmations. Those who do divulge their heritage often do so after they have attained a relatively stable level of popularity. The act of revealing one's Korean ethnicity is called “coming out.” Nevertheless, there were South Korean singers like Cho Yong-pil and Kye Un-seuk, in the 1970s and 1980s who were household names in Japan, despite not being Zainichi. Today, there are also a number of non-Zainichi Korean artists such as BoA, Crystal Kay, TVXQ, BIGBANG, KARA, and BTS who have found chart and album success in Japan.
Goo Hara, also known mononymously as Hara, was a South Korean singer and actress. She was a member of the K-pop girl group Kara, and had also appeared in television dramas including City Hunter (2011). She made her debut as a soloist in July 2015 with the release of her EP Alohara . After Kara disbanded in 2016, she continued her solo career at another agency, KeyEast. In June 2019, she signed with Production Ogi and continued her solo activities in Japan where she was well received by fans. Her last release was a maxi single "Midnight Queen", released on September 19, 2019. On November 2019 she embarked on a Japanese mini tour to support the album.
Park Gyu-ri, better known by the mononym Gyuri, is a South Korean singer, actress, and radio personality. She is a member of South Korean girl group Kara.
Kang Ji-young, also known as Jiyoung or JY, is a South Korean singer and actress based in Japan. She is a member of the South Korean girl group Kara.
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"Mister" is a song performed by South Korean girl group Kara from their second Korean album, Revolution (2009) and their debut Japanese album, Girl's Talk (2010). It was released as their Japanese debut single on August 11, 2010. It was released in four editions, one includes a DVD, another one is CD with a 28-page photobook, and two CD only editions, first press and regular.
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A-Jax was a South Korean boy band formed by DSP Media in 2012. Early in their career, the group was known as DSP Boyz but then was changed to A-Jax. The group's final lineup was composed of five members: Hyeongkon, Yunyoung, Seungjin, Seungyeop, and Junghee. They made the first appearance on TV as a group on MBC Music's Making the Star – DSP Boyz on April 24, 2012. The group made its official debut with the single "One 4 U" in South Korea on June 1 and in Japan on August 8, 2012 with the same song.
Kara Collection is a compilation album by South Korean girl group Kara. It was first released in Japanese on September 5, 2012 in four different editions: two CD+DVD, a Regular edition and a digital Deluxe edition.
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Heo Young-ji, better known mononymously as Youngji, is a South Korean singer, dancer, entertainer and television personality. She is best known as a member of girl group Kara. In 2023, Heo Young-ji made her official solo debut with the release of the single "L.O.V.E."
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