Chorong (Apink)

Who Is Chorong Apink? Simple Profile, Facts & Biography

Park Cho-rong, born March 3, 1991, known mononymously as Chorong, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and actress. She serves as the leader of the girl group Apink and has established herself across multiple entertainment domains including music composition and acting. Born in Cheongju, South Korea, Chorong also uses the English name Lea Park professionally.

Chorong holds multiple positions within Apink, functioning as the group's leader while contributing as a rapper, sub-vocalist, and dancer. She additionally works as a lyricist, having written numerous lyrics for the group's side tracks. Her professional profile includes a height of 162.8 cm and blood type O. Currently, she operates under With US Entertainment, which assumed management responsibilities in June 2025.

The artist debuted as a member of Apink on April 19, 2011, with the group's first mini album Seven Springs of Apink. Beyond her work with the main group, Chorong serves as a member of Apink's subunits, including Apink JooJiRong and Apink CHOBOM, the latter formed in partnership with fellow member Bomi in 2022. Her versatility extends to acting, having begun this career path with a role in the 2010 sitcom All My Love before the group's official debut.

Chorong's Early Life and Background

Family and childhood

Growing up in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, Park Cho-rong was raised as the middle child among three daughters. Her family includes an older sister, Park Eun-jung, and a younger sister, Park Seung-hee. Her father, Park Jong-hwan, operates as a Hapkido master and owns a dojo named Cheonmu-gwan.

Education

The educational journey began at Byungsul Kindergarten, followed by enrollment at Bukang Elementary School and Bukang Middle School. She completed her secondary education at Chungbuk Girls' High School, graduating in 2010. During her final year of high school, she balanced academic responsibilities with trainee commitments after joining Cube Entertainment.

Hapkido training and achievements

Training in Hapkido commenced during the first year of elementary school and continued for eight years until the third year of junior high. This extensive martial arts background, influenced by her father's profession, resulted in achieving a 3rd degree black belt. The discipline provided physical confidence and instilled structured habits during her formative years.

Audition journey

In 2009, at eighteen years old, she auditioned for JYP Entertainment's fifth official audition alongside SISTAR's Dasom. She advanced to the final round but faced elimination. Following this experience, she joined Cube Entertainment as a trainee in the same year. Her trainee period lasted approximately two years before her announcement as Apink's leader in February 2011.

Chorong's Career with Apink

Debut as Apink's leader

Prior to the official announcement, she appeared at the end of Beast's 'Shock' Japanese version music video. In February 2011, Park was announced as the second member and leader of Apink. During the pre-debut phase, she participated in filming Apink News, the group's reality show. On April 19, 2011, Apink released its first single 'Mollayo'. The debut stage performance took place on April 21 on Mnet's M! Countdown, featuring 'Mollayo' and 'Wishlist' from the EP Seven Springs of Apink.

Major achievements and milestones

In November 2011, Apink received the Female Rookie Award at the Mnet Asian Music Awards held in Singapore. The group secured three additional Rookie Awards in January 2012 at the Korean Culture & Entertainment Awards, Golden Disk Awards, and Seoul Music Awards. She formed Apink CHOBOM, the group's first subunit with Bomi, releasing the single album Copycat on July 12, 2022.

Agency changes and recent activities

On April 28, 2023, IST Entertainment announced that Park did not renew her contract but would continue as an Apink member. She signed with Choi Creative Lab on the same day. On July 2, 2024, she released her first digital single 'Moreusinayo'. In June 2025, With US Entertainment assumed management responsibilities.

Chorong's Other Talents and Activities

Acting career

Park entered the acting field through the 2010 MBC sitcom All My Love, portraying a character named Chorong following Brown Eyed Girls' Gain's departure. She appeared in a cameo role on tvN's Reply 1997 as the teenage version of Lee Il-Hwa, the mother of lead character Sung Shi-won, alongside fellow member Yoon Bo-mi. Her first leading role came in the 2014 romantic comedy Plus Nine Boys, where she played Han Soo-ah, a popular yet mysterious high-school student opposite BtoB's Yook Sungjae. In 2017, she starred in Naver TV Cast's web drama Special Law of Romance with Kim Min-kyu and VIXX's Hyuk. Her television work extended to tvN's A Poem a Day in 2018.

Songwriting contributions

Park has accumulated extensive writing credits through KOMCA, contributing lyrics to Apink's discography since 2012. Her compositions include "April 19th" (2012), "Love Story" and "Wanna Be" (2014), and "Deja Vu" (2015). She both composed and wrote "Dear" in 2016. Her recent contributions encompass "Free & Love" (2022), "Me, Myself & I" (2023), and "Wait Me There" (2024).

Variety show appearances

She hosted One Night Food Trip Season 2 in 2017 and Trend With Me in 2019. Additionally, she participated in Style Me during 2021 and continued through Season 3 in 2022.

Chorong's personal life and interesting facts

MBTI and personality

Her MBTI type is ESFJ. The personality combines a shy demeanor with friendly approachability, described as a talkative older sister who cares about members' well-being while possessing an introverted, shy smile. Nicknames include Rong Leader, Rongrongie, Mama Rong, and Rongcho. Notably, she is often mistaken for the group's youngest member despite her position as leader. Her shoe size measures 235mm.

Relationship with Apink members

Her leadership approach involves direct communication through conversations or written letters when schedules prevent face-to-face discussions. During difficult periods, Bomi provides books and letters, offering reassurance. Regarding member dynamics, she emphasizes frequently saying "thank you" and "sorry" to maintain group harmony. She shares living arrangements with members who lack family in Seoul, while her roommate is Eunji. Lee Changsub of BTOB serves as her best friend.

Hobbies and skills

Personal interests include watching movies, particularly action films, washing dishes, and continuing Hapkido practice. Her ideal type preferences specify slim individuals with monolids, manly personality traits, balanced behavior between shyness and frivolousness, and respectful speech and conduct.

FAQS

How does Park Cho-rong handle conflicts within Apink?

Her conflict resolution method involves direct communication through immediate conversations when disagreements arise. Initially, she would approach members directly to address concerns, and if face-to-face meetings proved impossible due to scheduling conflicts, written letters served as an alternative communication method. For members uncomfortable speaking in group settings, she conducts separate individual conversations to ensure all voices receive attention. The approach evolved over time, as she acknowledged being overly cautious in earlier years but currently expresses concerns more freely while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

What was the 2021 controversy involving Park Cho-rong?

In early 2021, a former schoolmate publicly accused her of bullying during their school years, leading to mutual lawsuits for defamation and intimidation. The Seoul Gangnam Police Station conducted an eight-month investigation that concluded without sufficient evidence to prove false accusations. In 2022, the two individuals met for the first time in thirteen years, discussed their conflicts honestly, and resolved their misunderstandings, resulting in all lawsuits being dropped.

What is her stance on public dating?

She prefers private relationships over public announcements, believing quiet dating proves beneficial unless marriage plans exist.