Han Seung-yeon

Han Seung-yeon (; born July 24, 1988), known mononymously as Seungyeon, is a South Korean singer and actress. She is best known as the vocalist of the South Korean girl group Kara, and for her role in Hello, My Twenties!.

Life and career 1993–2007: Early life and career beginnings Han Seung-yeon was born on July 24, 1988, in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, South Korea. She made her acting debut as a child actress in a bit part in Dear Ends (1993), Summer Showers (1995) and Star in My Heart (1997). She later left South Korea to study at Tenafly High School in New Jersey, United States. However, she withdrew from high school mid-course to pursue a singing career. After returning to South Korea, she debuted as a member of girl group Kara on March 29, 2007. During her time with the group, she passed a high school qualification exam, the College Scholastic Ability Test, and was accepted by Kyung Hee University, majoring in theater and film.

She was the VJ for MSL Break from 2007 to 2008. She replaced Tiffany of Girls' Generation as co-host of Boys and Girls Music Countdown in June 2008 with Kim Hye-sung, and later with actor Kim Soo-hyun. Their segment ended on May 8, 2009. From October to December 2008, she was part of the cast of the MBC Every 1 reality show I Need a Family – Season 2, where a group of celebrities would live life as a family, consisting of a father, mother, son and daughter. She also became part of MBC's entertainment news show Section TV, as a "pop correspondent", debuting on November 21, 2008.

2009–present: Continued solo activities, Kara disbandment and label changes Han was featured on rapper Nassun's single "Come to Play", which was released in March 2009, and was featured on the soundtrack for the movie Why Did You Come to My House? (2009), releasing her first solo song entitled "Miracle". In October 2009, she became part of the "Dream Team Girl Group" named 4Tomorrow for Samsung's campaign Samsung Anycall. Their digital single "Tomorrow" was released on October 6, and the official music video for their single was released on the October 12, starring actor Lee Dong-gun.

In 2010, she recorded the song "Super Star" for the soundtrack of the KBS2 drama Mary Stayed Out All Night. The same year, she became a host of MBC Every1's I Love Pet alongside fellow member Kang Ji-young. In 2011, she recorded the song "Because of Love" for the soundtrack of the SBS drama Warrior Baek Dong-soo. In July 2011, she became a co-host of SBS's Animal Farm.

Han released her first solo single "Guilty" on November 30, 2012, along with its music video. She had a performance of the single on MBC's Music Core on December 15.

In 2013, Han appeared as the protagonist's younger counterpart in the daily drama Pure Love (2013). Then in her first major supporting role, Han portrayed Choi Suk-bin in the period drama Jang Ok-jung, Living by Love (2013). In 2014, starred in the weekend drama Jang Bo-ri is Here!. The same year, she played her first leading role in the cable series Her Lovely Heels. Also, from 2013 to 2014, Han and fellow member Park Gyu-ri served as hosts of the music program The Show.

In January 2016, Kara was disbanded after Seungyeon, Park Gyuri and Goo Hara decided not to renew their contract. She later signed a contract with J Wide Company in the same year. In May, Han was cast in the omnibus web film Bugs Attack. In July 2016, Han starred in the coming-of-age youth drama Hello, My Twenties!. In October 2016, Han was cast in a short film titled Frame in Love.

In 2017, Han starred in JTBC's web drama Last Minute Romance. She also reprised her role in the sequel of Hello, My Twenties.

In 2018, Han switched over to Inyeon Entertainment, and was cast in the fantasy romance drama About Time. She then took on the leading role in travel romance drama Twelve Nights.

In April 2020, Han signed with new agency YGX Entertainment.

In 2021, Han appeared in comedy horror film Show Me the Ghost as Ye-ji. She won Fantastic Actor Jury's Special Mention Award for her performance at 25th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.

Discography

EPs Title Album details Peak positions Sales KOR JPN Uchuu (宇宙) Released: January 18, 2017 Label: Sony Music Records Format: CD, Digital download — 15 JPN: 5,657+ Aozora e (青空へ) Released: January 30, 2019 Label: AKATSUKI label Format: CD, Digital download — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Singles As lead artist

As featured artist Title Year Album "Nolleowa" (Come To Play) 2009 Nassun Happyface "Tomorrow" Dugeundugeun Tomorrow "Talk About Love" 2014

Guest appearances Year Title Album 2010 "Bingeul Bingeul" (Round and Round) MBC Music Travel Lalala Live Vol.11 2014 "Cheos Salang" (First Love) DSP Special Album "White Letter"

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1993 Dead Ends 1995 Summer Showers 2013 Epic Mary Katherine (M. K.) Korean dub Kara The Animation Herself Japanese dub 2017 Frame in Love Ji Seon 2021 Show Me the Ghost Ye-ji Fantastic Actor Jury's Special Mention Award 2023 My Worst Neighbor Hong La-ni

Television series

Hosting Year Title Notes 2007 Han Seung Yeon MSL Break 2008 I Need a Family – Season 2 Inkigayo Special MC for episodes 512–515 with Eun Ji-won and Leeteuk 2008–2009 Boys & Girls Music Countdown 2010 I Love Pet with Kang Ji-young 2011 Animal Farm 2013–2014 The Show with Park Gyu-ri 2020–2021Pet Vitamin

Audiobook Victor the fool by Joachim de Posada, voice of Laura

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 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival 2021 Fantastic Actor Jury's Special Mention Show Me the Ghost Cable TV Broadcasting Awards 2015 Best Couple Award Her Lovely Heels Korea Drama Awards 2016 Hallyu Star Award Hello, My Twenties!