Nicole Jung

Nicole Yongju Jung (born October 7, 1991), referred to as Nicole, is a Korean-American singer. She is a former member of South Korean girl group Kara.

This is a Korean name; the family name is Jung.
Nicole Jung
Nicole in 2014
Born
Nicole Yongju Jung

(1991-10-07) October 7, 1991
Los Angeles, California, U.S
Other namesJung Yong-ju
OccupationSinger
Musical career
GenresK-pop
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2007–present
Labels
Associated actsKara
Korean name
Hangul
정용주
Hanja
Revised RomanizationJeong Yong-ju
McCune–ReischauerChŏng Yong-chu

In 2014, Jung left DSP Media and moved to B2M Entertainment to pursue her solo career.[1] Her solo debut mini album, First Romance, was released on November 19, 2014.[2]

Biography

Jung was born on October 7, 1991[3] in Los Angeles, California[4] to Korean parents. She attended Mark Keppel Elementary School and Toll Middle School in Glendale, California; however, she lived in downtown Los Angeles. She participated in choir, drill team, played the violin for 4 years and took dance classes.[5] 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.[6] 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".[7]

Jung was on a show called "KAIST" which was renamed to "Nicole The Entertainer's Introduction to Veterinary Science" in Konkuk University.[8] The first episode aired on November 12, 2009. She "graduated" from college in January 2010.[9]

Career

2007–2013: Kara

Kara debuted on March 29, 2007 with "Break It" on M! Countdown as a 4-member group. Jung was one of the four along with Park Gyuri, Han Seungyeon, and Kim Sunghee. Kara was often compared to Fin.K.L because of their concept and the fact that they are from the same company (DSP Entertainment). In March 2008, Sunghee left the group due to parental pressure. Sunghee had failed her college exams. On July 24, 2008, Kara came back with two new members, Goo Hara and Kang Jiyoung. Their new concept was "cute" and "playful".

On December 4, 2008, Kara released their 2nd mini-album "Pretty Girl" and had their comeback starting on M! Countdown with "Pretty Girl". In February 2009, Kara followed up with their album "Honey". "Honey" became the group's first #1 single when it topped the M! Countdown and The Music Trend.[10]

In late July 2009, Kara revealed their second album named "Revolution".[11] Due to the popularity of the songs, Wanna and Mister, Kara's overall popularity increased. Kara currently started promotions with their third mini-album "Lupin".[12] Lupin was a success, it won KBS Music Bank K-Chart on March 12, March 19, and March 26, 2010.

In August 2010, Kara officially debuted in Japan with "Mister". After this, Kara released their fourth mini-album Jumping in November 2010.

On January 19, 2011, Kang Jiyoung, Han Seung-yeon and Jung announced that they were terminating their contract with DSP. On April 28, 2011, the dispute between DSP Entertainment and Kara's 3 members was officially announced as resolved.

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.[13][14] 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.[15] Despite her injury, Nicole still hosted SBS "Inkigayo" with a cast on her leg. Due 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.

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.

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.[16]

2014: First Romance

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,[17] 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."[18]

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.[19]

2015: Japanese debut

On April 22, 2015, it was revealed that Jung would debut in Japan on June 24.[20] 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".[21] 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"[22]

2016: Bliss

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.[23] The title track from the album is titled "HAPPY", the PV teaser was released on March 31, 2016.[24] She had her first solo concerts titled "2016 Nicole The 1st Live" spanning two days, April 29, 2016 and May 1, 2016.

Other activities

Jung was featured on former DSP Media artist Sunha's first album Fahrenheit in the song "String" (2008). In April 2009, she sang a duet with former Noel member Kang Kyun-seong called "Happy And".[25] In August 2009, she and singer Jay Park became part of historical culture variety show Nodaji, replacing Choi Min-yong and Kim Tae-hyun. But the show was cancelled due to low ratings in October 2009.

In September 2009, Jung was featured in numerous live performances of Mighty Mouth's single "Love Class".[26] In July 2010, she sang a duet with Park Myung Soo for his single "Whale" (고래).[27]

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.[28] Dazzling Red released a single, "This Person", in December 2012.[29]

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.[30]

Discography
For Jung's works with Kara, see Kara discography.

Studio albums
Title Album details Peak Sales
JPN
[31]
Bliss
  • Released: April 27, 2016
  • Language: Japanese
  • Label: CJ Victor Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
 19
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

EPs
Title Album details Peak Sales
KOR
[33]
First Romance 5
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Singles

As lead artist
Title Year Peak positions Sales Album
KOR
[35]		 JPN
Hot
[36]		 JPN
Oricon
[31]
"Lost" (feat. Jeong Jin-woon) 2012 85——
  • KOR: 58,305
 Kara Solo Collection
"Mama" 2014 69——
  • KOR: 46,167
 First Romance
"Something Special" (サムシング・スペシャル) 2015 —298
  • JPN: 12,268
 Bliss
"Don't Stop" (ドント・ストップ) 2016 —4511
  • JPN: 8,418
"Promise" 2019 ——— N/A Non-album single
"Champions (Prod.Tome&Jame)" ———
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
Title Year Peak chart position Sales Album
KOR
Gaon
[33]		 KOR
Hot
[37]
"Happy...And" (해피 엔드)

(Kang Kyun-sung feat. Nicole)

 2009 —— Non-album single
"Gorae" (고래)

(Park Myung-soo feat. Nicole)

 2010 12—
"This Person" (이사람)
(with Dazzling Red)		 2012 26
  • KOR (DL): 740,936
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Other appearances
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

Video albums
List of media, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
JPN DVD
[38][39]		 JPN Blu-ray
[38]
NICOLE CONCERT 2019～Summer Wave～
  • Released: February 12, 2020 (JPN)
  • Label: Diamond music
  • Formats: DVD
 74—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Filmography

Film
YearTitleNetworkNotes
2011 My Way Press information clerk Cameo
2013KARA The AnimationHerselfJapanese dub

Television drama
YearTitleNetworkNotes
2008 The Person Is Coming MBC Gang of school girls, along with Park Gyuri, Goo Ha-ra and Kang Jiyoung
2011 URAKARA TV Tokyo Nicole
2014 Secret Love DRAMAcube Melly

Variety and reality shows
YearTitleNetworkNotes
2008 Star Golden Bell (Level With Me Season 2) KBS2 MC
2010-2011 Heroes SBS Cast Member

Events shows hosting
Year Title Network Role
2011 Inkigayo SBS MC with Goo Ha-ra and IU
2013 27th Golden Disk Awards KBS Host with Jung Yong-hwa
2015 2015 International Campus Song Festival (ICSF) No broadcast Hosted with Eric Nam
2016 Beauty Station THE SHOW (Online Series) Beauty Station MC with Jeon Hye-bin and Boyfriend's Donghyun

Bibliography
  • Yamauchi Hiroe (June 7, 2019), Nicole First Photobook: hana. (in Japanese) (Softcover ed.), Tokyo: Kodokawa, ISBN 978-4-047-35456-2

Awards
YearAwardWorkResult
20093rd Mnet 20's Choice Award Hot New Variety StarN/ANominated
2012Miss and Mister Idol Korea 2012Miss Korea: 2nd PlaceWon
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References
  1. "Former KARA member Nicole will make her solo comeback this October!". Koreaboo — breaking k-pop news, photos, and videos. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  2. "Ex-KARA Member Nicole Drops "MAMA" Teaser Video". Soompi. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  3. Mark Russell (29 April 2014). K-Pop Now!: The Korean Music Revolution. Tuttle Publishing. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-4629-1411-1.
  4. "Person details for Nicole Yongju Jung, 'California, Birth Index, 1905-1995'". FamilySearch. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  5. "IT ̴24, ̴24". inews24. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  6. Archived March 30, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  7. "아우라더그릴 방문을 환영합니다". Aurathegrill.com. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  8. "DZ а հݡ߰翡". hankyung.com. 2009-11-19. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  9. "Nicole graduates from college". Allkpop.com. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  10. Archived May 5, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  11. "ɱ׷ ѡ ī ұ ׷̵ ī ´١". Newsen.com. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. "Kara's Nicole Performs for "KARASIA" Through an Ankle Injury - Soompi". Soompi. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  14. "Nicole's Injured Leg is Recovering after Rehabilitation - Soompi". Soompi. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  15. "KARA's Nicole spotted in a wheelchair". Allkpop.com. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  16. "[K-POP Behind] Kara's Last Performance?". Getitk.com. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  17. "Nicole prepares to leave for America + DSP Media releases statement". 13 January 2014. allkpop. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  18. "Nicole Officially Signs with B2M Entertainment for Solo Debut". Soompi. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  19. "Former KARA Member Nicole Drops Teaser Images Ahead of Solo Debut". Soompi. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  20. "Nicole to make her solo debut in Japan in June". allkpop. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  21. "Nicole hypes up her Japanese debut with a short PV of Something Special". allkpop. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  22. "Nicole Nicole "Don't Stop" won't stop dancing in short PV". allkpop. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  23. "Nicole to release first Japanese album, 'Bliss'". seoulwave. Archived from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  24. "Nicole Released New Japanese Song Teaser,"cute & sexy"". sportsdonga. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  25. (주)NSP뉴스통신사. "한국의 경제뉴스통신사 - NSP통신". Dipts.com. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  26. "[2009.09.14] Mighty Mouth "We get strength whenever we're on stage with Nicole"". Karaholic Forums - International KARA (카라) District for Kamilia. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  27. "Kpop, Kdrama, Korean Star news from the heart of Seoul, Korea - English Korea.com". Korea.com. Archived from the original on 24 June 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  28. "New Still of "Dazzling Red" Idol Project Group Released - Soompi". Soompi. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  29. "Kpop, Kdrama, Korean Star news from the heart of Seoul, Korea - English Korea.com". Korea.com. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  30. "Kpop, Kdrama, Korean Star news from the heart of Seoul, Korea - English Korea.com". Korea.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  31. "Nicole Japanese Discography on ORICON STYLE". Oricon Chart (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  32. CDアルバムランキング [May 2016 Album Chart]. Oricon Chart (in Korean). Oricon. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  33. "Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  34. 2014년 12월 Album Chart [December 2014 Album Chart]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  35. "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  36. "Billboard Japan Hot 100". Japan Hot 100. Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  37. "Korea K-Pop Hot 100 Music Chart". Billboard. 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
  38. 1000人が選んだ!漫画史上"最強"キャラクターランキング! (in Japanese). Retrieved October 28, 2007.
  39. Peak positions for albums on the Oricon DVD Chart:
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