Park Ji-yeon, known professionally as Jiyeon, is a South Korean singer and actress born on June 7, 1993. She gained prominence as a member of the girl group T-ara, debuting on July 23, 2009, with the single "Lie". Jiyeon's versatility extends beyond her group activities, as she has made significant strides in both music and acting. In May 2014, she became the first T-ara member to debut as a solo artist with the release of her EP "Never Ever". Her acting career includes roles in television dramas such as "Soul" (2009), "Dream High 2" (2012), and "Triangle" (2014), as well as films like "Death Bell 2: Bloody Camp" (2012). Recently, Jiyeon has continued to expand her repertoire, starring in the web drama "Next Door Witch J" and the TV series "Imitation" on KBS2 in 2021.

Agency:

AnB Group (South Korea; 2022–2023)

Longzhen Culture (China; 2018–present)

Partners Park (South Korea; 2018–2021)

MBK Entertainment (South Korea; 2009–2017)

Park Ji-yeon, born on June 7, 1993, in Seoul, South Korea, grew up in a Korean family. Her early years were marked by a passion for the arts, which would shape her future career in the entertainment industry.

Jiyeon's academic journey included brief stints at Hyehwa Girls' High School and Seoul Arts High School. However, she eventually "gave up a normal high school life" to focus on her burgeoning career. Despite this sacrifice, she occasionally "misses being a high school girl".

At the young age of 15, Jiyeon began her foray into the entertainment world. In 2008, she participated in several pictorials and advertisements for the clothing company SMART, alongside the popular boy band SHINee. Her talent was recognized when she won the Smart Model Contest that same year.

Following her success in modeling, Jiyeon auditioned at the Mnet Casting System and joined the company. As a trainee, she underwent rigorous training in singing, dancing, and acting. This period culminated in her collaboration with Davichi and SeeYa on the digital single "Women's Generation," released in May 2009, marking her as the first member of T-ara to appear in public.

Jiyeon debuted as a member of T-ara on July 29, 2009, with the group's first single "Lie". The group's formation was orchestrated by Core Contents Media CEO Kim Kwang-soo . T-ara's debut album, "Absolute First Album," was released in late November 2009 and was well-received critically. The album spawned hit singles like "TTL (Time to Love)," "Bo Peep Bo Peep," and "You Drive Me Crazy".

T-ara gained nationwide recognition with the release of "Roly-Poly" in 2011, which became the Gaon chart's best-selling single of the year. The group's success continued with their late-2011 Korean release "Black Eyes," which produced three consecutive number one hits: "Cry Cry," "We Were in Love," and "Lovey-Dovey". T-ara's music, characterized by hook-heavy dance-pop, was largely influenced by their collaboration with composer Shinsadong Tiger.

At the peak of K-pop's popularity in Japan, T-ara signed with management agency J-Rock for $4.7 million, reportedly the highest figure for any Korean girl group expanding into the territory at that time. Their debut Japanese single and studio album both reached number one on the Oricon weekly charts and were certified Gold. Jiyeon's individual popularity also grew, with Forbes China ranking her 25th on their "Global Idol Chinese Popularity" list in 2017.

Jiyeon made her solo debut on May 20, 2014, with the release of her first mini-album "Never Ever". The title track, also known as "1 Minute 1 Second," showcased her individual talents. The music video for "Never Ever" gained significant popularity, ranking number one on China's largest music video site YinYueTai for two consecutive weeks.

Jiyeon's solo work demonstrated a shift from T-ara's hook-heavy dance-pop style. Her 2019 release "Take a Hike" showcased a more mature sound, emphasizing her soulful vocals and embracing change. The lyrics of "Take a Hike" reflected her growing confidence and independence as a solo artist.

Jiyeon's transition to a solo career was met with enthusiastic support from T-ara's fanbase, known as Queen's. Towards the end of her "Never Ever" promotions, fans rented a bus and covered it with advertisements to promote her solo work. In a heartwarming gesture, Jiyeon met with these dedicated fans, sharing a meal and riding the Jiyeon-branded bus together.

Jiyeon's acting career began in 2007 with minor roles in television series such as "Hello! Miss" and "Lobbyist". Her first significant role came in 2008 when she portrayed Maeng Na-yeon in "Aeja's Older Sister, Minja". This early experience laid the foundation for her future in acting.

Jiyeon's breakthrough came in 2009 with her main role as Yoon Doo-na in "Soul". She continued to impress audiences with her performances in popular dramas like "Master of Study" (2010) and "Dream High 2" (2012), where she played a main role as Ri-an / Lee Ji-kyung. In 2019, Jiyeon starred in the KBS2 drama "I Wanna Hear Your Song" as Ha Eun-joo, further solidifying her position as a versatile actress.

Jiyeon made her film debut in 2010 with a main role in the horror movie "Death Bell 2: Bloody Camp" as Lee Se-hee. She followed this with a role in "Jungle Fish 2: The Movie" in 2011. Her film career continued to flourish with appearances in "Encounter" (2015) and more recently, "Gangnam Zombie" (2023), where she played the character Min-jeong.

Jiyeon's vocal talents have been a key component of her success in T-ara and as a solo artist. Her voice, described as less whiny and well-suited to T-ara's songs, has contributed to the group's hook-heavy dance-pop style. However, her solo debut "1 Minute 1 Second" revealed challenges in carrying subdued instrumentals, with critics noting that the production sometimes overshadowed her natural vocal qualities.

Jiyeon's dancing skills have been evident since her pre-debut days. In 2008, at just 15 years old, she participated in the Smart Model Contest, showcasing her slick dance moves. Her performance to Fin.K.L's "Forever Love" demonstrated her early potential as a dancer. These abilities have continued to be a crucial part of her performances with T-ara and in her solo work.

Jiyeon has also made her mark in the variety show circuit. Her participation in various entertainment programs has allowed her to showcase her wit, charm, and versatility on screen. These appearances have helped her connect with audiences beyond her music and acting careers, revealing different facets of her personality and contributing to her popularity.

Jiyeon continues to make waves in the music industry. In December 2018, she released a digital single "One Day" as a gift to her fans. Her second EP "Senpass" was released in December 2019, featuring the title track "Take A Hike". In 2022, Jiyeon released a new version of "Rolling," a song she originally recorded 12 years ago for the OST of "God of Study".

Jiyeon has expanded her acting portfolio with diverse roles. She starred in the KBS2 drama "I Wanna Hear Your Song" in 2019. In 2020, she took on the role of beauty creator Seo Je Yi in the web drama "Next Door Witch J". Jiyeon also appeared in the TV series "Imitation" on KBS2 in 2021.

Jiyeon signed with AnB Group in February 2022, marking a new chapter in her career. She held her first solo fan meeting, "RE:BLoom," on July 30, 2022, at Yundang Art Hall. With her continued success in music and acting, Jiyeon's future in the entertainment industry looks promising.