Go Ara

Go Ara (; born February 11, 1990) is a South Korean actress and model. She is best known for starring in the television series Sharp, Heading to the Ground (2009), Reply 1994 (2013), You're All Surrounded (2014), Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth (2016–17), Black (2017), Ms. Hammurabi (2018), Haechi (2019), and Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol (2020).

Early life Go was born in Jinju, South Korea. At a young age, she constantly moved around Korea because her father was a soldier. When she was in junior high, she was recommended by a friend to audition for the talent agency SM Entertainment. In 2003, she became the winner of the SM Entertainment Teen Model Contest. She reprised her role in the sequel Sharp 2. Her portrayal of the rebellious and ambitious Yoo Da-mi won her acting recognition at the Baeksang Arts Awards.

In 2008, she was cast in the MBC drama Who Are You? opposite Yoon Kye-sang. Despite low ratings in Korea, the body swap comedy drew in international fans, increasing her Korean Wave profile. This led to an appearance in the Japanese television drama Karei naru Spy.

In 2009, she was cast in MBC's romantic comedy Heading to the Ground with idol singer Jung Yunho from DBSK.

In 2012, Go made her domestic film debut in sports film Pacemaker, where she gained 5 kg weight to portray a pole vaulter representing South Korea. She then displayed her singing skills in the 2012 multicultural film Papa, with Park Yong-woo. Go drew attention for her singing and dancing abilities, fluent English and acting performance in the film.

2013–present: Career resurgence Go's popularity further rose through the nostalgic campus drama Reply 1994 (2013). In order to portray Sung Na-jung, she cut her hair short, and gained 18 lbs. While many doubted her casting when it was first announced, Go's acting later nabbed praise both critically and with viewers. For her performance, Go received Best Actress nominations in the Baeksang Art Awards and APAN Star Awards. She next starred as the sole female rookie detective in the 2014 police drama You're All Surrounded, alongside Lee Seung-gi and Cha Seung-won.

In 2015, Go returned to the big screen alongside Yoo Seung-ho in joseon-era romance film, The Magician, where she plays a princess who finds love with a circus magician. This was followed by a leading role in Phantom Detective, a neo-noir action flick starring Lee Je-hoon as the titular Hong Gil-dong.

In 2016, Go starred as the female lead opposite Park Seo-joon in youth historical drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth. The same year, she left SM Entertainment after 13 years and signed with newly formed management agency Artist Company in January 2017. She then starred in the fantasy thriller drama Black alongside Song Seung-heon, playing a woman who can foresee death.

In 2018, Go starred in the legal drama Ms. Hammurabi alongside Kim Myung-soo, playing a passionate rookie judge. The series was well-received for its honest depiction of adversities in modern-day Korean society; and Go was complimented for her acting.

In 2019, Go starred in the historical action drama Haechi, playing a detective who is well versed in both martial arts and foreign languages.

In 2020, Go starred in the music romance drama Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol as a pianist who hits rock bottom following her family's downfall alongside Lee Jae-wook.

In January 2023, Go signed with King Kong by Starship.

Personal life On March 7, 2019, Go's agency reported that during the filming of Haechi, Go ruptured her anterior talofibular ligament, which resulted in her being hospitalised.

Filmography Film Year Title Role 2007 Genghis Khan: To the Ends of the Earth and Sea Mistress Khulan 2009 Dance, Subaru! Liz Park 2012 Pacemaker Yoo Ji-won

Television series Year Title Role Notes 2003–2005 Sharp 1 Lee Ok-rim 2005–2006 Sharp 2 2006–2007 Snow Flower Yoo Da-mi 2015–2016 Reply 1988 Sung Na-jung Cameo (Episode 18) 2016–2017 Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth Aro Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol Goo Ra-ra

Music video appearances Year Title Singer From the Album 2004 "Hug" TVXQ Tri-Angle 2005 "La'Tale" 2007 "Innocent Blue" Mink 2011 "Before U Go" TVXQ Keep Your Head Down "Juliette" SHINee The First 2015 "A Million Pieces" Cho Kyuhyun Fall, Once Again

Discography Year Title From the Album 2012 "Now" Papa OST "Little Girl Dreams" 2013 "Start" Reply 1994 OST

Ambassadorship Year Title 2005 Ambassador of Farming and Forestry 2008 Swiss Friend, an ambassador of Switzerland by Switzerland Tourism 2013– Present Good Neighbors (NGO) Goodwill Ambassador 2014–2015 Seoul Metropolitan PR Ambassador 2015 Seoul Police Goodwill Ambassador 2016 Ambassador for the Korean Air Force

Awards and nominations

+ Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result André Kim Best Star Awards 2007 New Star Award Go Ara APAN Star Awards 2014 Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Reply 1994 2018 Ms. Hammurabi 2020 Popular Star Award, Actress Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol Asia Artist Awards 2020 Popularity Award (Actress) Go Ara Baeksang Arts Awards 2007 Best New Actress – Television Snow Flower 2010 Most Popular Actress (Film) Heading to the Ground 2012 Best New Actress – Film Papa 2014 Best Actress – Television Reply 1994 Most Popular Actress (TV) Blue Dragon Film Awards 2012 Best New Actress Papa Buil Film Awards 2012 Best New Actress 2023 Popular Star Award The Childe Grand Bell Awards 2012 Best New Actress Pacemaker KBS Drama Awards 2004 Best Young Actress Sharp 1 2017 Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth 2020 Best Couple Award Go Ara Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol Netizen Award, Actress Korea Broadcasting Awards 2021 Popularity Award Korea Film Actors Association Awards 2016 Phantom Detective Korea Sharing National Awards 2017 Minister of Health and Welfare Award Go Ara Korean Advertising Association (KAA) 2008 Best Advertising Model Award MBC Drama Awards 2008 Best New Actress Who Are You? Mnet 20's Choice Awards 2012 Barbie Girl Go Ara SBS Drama Awards 2006 New Star Award Snow Flower 2014 Best Couple Award Go Ara You're All Surrounded Excellence Award, Actress in a Drama Special You're All Surrounded Netizen Award, Actress 2019 Best Couple Award Go Ara Haechi Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama Haechi SM Entertainment's 5th Anniversary Teen Model Contest 2003 Go Ara Style Icon Awards 2014 Top 10 Style Icons tvN10 Awards 2016 Best Kiss Award Go Ara Reply 1994 Made in tvN, Actress in Drama Reply 1994 Weibo TV Series Awards 2020 Popular Overseas Drama Stars Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol