Heo Young-ji

Hur Young-ji (; born August 30, 1994), 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, Hur Young-ji made her official solo debut with the release of the single "L.O.V.E."

Career Pre-debut Hur attended School of Performing Arts Seoul. She was a former trainee at Core Contents Media alongside T-ara's ex-member Areum. She was about to debut in a new girl group but left before the girl group debuted. Later, she became a trainee at KeyEast before becoming a trainee at DSP Media.

2014–2015: Debut with Kara and solo activities In May 2014, after former Kara members Nicole Jung and Kang Ji-young left the group, DSP Media launched a reality TV show called Kara Project which revolved around seven trainees competing to become the new member of the group. Even though she missed 2 live performances due to a leg injury from practice, she grabbed attention from viewers and topped the voting charts.

On July 1, the live voting results commenced on 6:45 pm (KST). Hur Young-ji was proclaimed the winner with a total score of 49,591. After winning the show, she gave a winning speech saying she'll work even harder as a new member of Kara.

In September 2014, Hur was one of the new participants for the second season of the show, Roommate. She was known for her muted laughter, and on the Christmas special of Roommate, it was shown that Hur's family members have similar laughing styles as well. In the interview as a preview for being one of the new cast members for Roommate, she said that many people told her to cover her mouth while laughing, but it was very problematic and now she is more comfortable to laugh without covering her mouth.

When fellow member Goo Hara guested on Episode 9 of Roommate, she shared that she wanted Hur to be chosen as a member of Kara as she has charms that the existing members does not have and Kara feel more youthful with her.

An MBC EVERY1 representative told MBN Star on December 18, 2014, that Hur would join Hitmaker season 2 as a part of a girl group, along with After School's Lizzy, G.NA and 4minute's So-hyun. The group was later named Cham So Nyeo. The group first released their debut song teaser "올해의 주문 (Magic Words)" on February 17, followed by the full song and music video 3 days later, on February 20.

2016–present: Acting career and solo work

On January 15, 2016, DSP Media announced Gyuri, Seungyeon and Hara's departure from the group due to contracts expiring. The company also noted that Hur would continue her music career as a solo artist.

On April 13, Park Gyu-ri stated that the group did not disband and that the members hoped to release new albums in the future.

In May 2016, she was cast in a supporting role in the tvN drama, Another Miss Oh. She was also cast in several television programs, such as MBC's Very Private TV as a cast member, m SBS' War of Vocals - God's Voice as a panelist and EBS' Humanity Busking as a host.

On December 8, 2016, DSP Media revealed Hur as the first hidden member of their new co-ed group K.A.R.D. She promoted with the group for their first project single "OH NA NA", which was released on December 13.

On August 2, 2017, DSP Media confirmed that Hur was preparing for her solo debut in August. Her first single titled Memory Clock was released on August 25.

On December 15, 2017, MCC Entertainment released news article that revealed she will participate on 2nd song of project 'with dog'. The song titled Longing was released on the same day.

In August 2021, Hur renewed her contract with DSP Media.

In September 2023, Hur made her solo debut with first single album Toi Toi Toi, with its title track "L.O.V.E."

On September 5, 2024, Hur parted ways with DSP Media after 10 years.

On September 9, 2024, Hur signed an exclusive contract with SM C&C.

Discography

Single albums + List of extended plays, with selected chart positions and sales Title Details Peak chart positions Sales KOR Toi Toi Toi Released: September 12, 2023 (KOR) Released: December 28, 2023 (JPN) Label: DSP Formats: CD, digital download 36 KOR: 5,679 "—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Singles Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album KOR "Memory Clock" 2017 — "Longing" — Together Puppy"L.O.V.E." 2023 — Toi Toi Toi "—" denotes songs that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Collaborations

Song Year Album Other artist(s) "Magic Words" 2015 With Lizzy, G.NA and So-hyun as Chamsonyeo "Peek-A-Boo" In Love Duet with Park Gyu-ri "You're So Yummy" Tasty 2: Happy Together OST "How About Me?" Alohara (Can You Feel It?) Goo Hara feat Young-ji "Fingertips Love" 2016 "Creating a Healthy Cyber World" With B1A4, BTOB, A-JAX, Oh My Girl, Kassy and April "Oh NaNa" "K.A.R.D Project Vol.1" As K.A.R.D's first hidden member

Production credits Year Artist Song Role Album 2016 AISLE Happy Magic Candy Co-Lyricist Happy Magic Candy 2017 SAY YES Lyricist Say Yes 2017 Hur Young-ji Memory Clock Composer, Lyricist, Arranger Memory Clock 2022 KARA Happy Hour Co-lyricist MOVE AGAIN

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2015 Tasty 2: Happy Together Korean and Japanese dubbed version

Television series Year Title Role Notes 2015 The Alchemist Oh Young-ji 2016 Another Miss Oh Yoon An-na 2017 Introverted Boss Actor Hwang Young-kyu's transgender daughter Cameo (Episode 3) Han Yeoreum's Memory Jung Da-jung 2018 Are You Human? entertainer Cameo (Episode 1) The Beauty Inside Han Se-gye's fan Cameo (Episode 13) 2019 At Eighteen Kim Ji-min 2021 Park Sungshil's Death Industrial Revolution Choi Mi-yeon drama stage I Want to Live Roughly Sonia Sitcom

Television shows

Web shows Year Title Role Notes 2019–2020 ReviewHost 2019– April 8, 2020 2020–present Latte World 2021–present 6 Sinug's hometown Vivalog 2022 Change Days Season 2

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 Blue Dragon Series Awards 2023 Best New Female Entertainer Change Days SBS Entertainment Awards 2014 Show Variety Female Newcomer Roommate