Who is Kyungri? The Untold Story of 9MUSES Star

Kyungri stands as one of the most versatile talents in the Korean entertainment industry, evolving from an idol group member to a successful solo artist and actress. Born as Park Gyeong-ree on July 5, 1990, in Busan, South Korea, she initially captured fans' attention as a member of the popular girl group Nine Muses.

Throughout her career, Kyungri has showcased remarkable versatility. She debuted with Nine Muses' second digital single "News" on January 10, 2012, eventually branching out with her solo debut digital single "Blue Moon" released on her birthday, July 5, 2018. Additionally, she was part of the co-ed group NASTY NASTY, demonstrating her adaptability in different musical settings. After departing from Star Empire Entertainment in 2019, she has continued to build her acting portfolio, notably appearing in productions like "Cold Blooded Intern" (2023), "Strong Girl Nam-soon" (2023), and "Undercover" (2021).

Early Life and Pre-Debut Journey

Childhood in Busan and education background

Park Kyungri began her journey in Bansong-dong, Haeundae District, Busan, where she was born on July 5, 1990. During her formative years, she attended Song Woon Primary School, followed by Ban Song Girls' Middle School, and completed her education at Dae Myung Girls' High School. Interestingly, Kyungri excelled as a skipping rope athlete during her student days and grew up with one older sister.

Initial training and early setbacks

Kyungri's path to stardom was marked by persistence through several career shifts. She first signed with Star Empire Entertainment in 2007, although she did not debut with Nine Muses' original lineup. In 2008, she moved to Medialine Entertainment, where she gained valuable experience working as a backup dancer for established artists including Chae Yeon, Kim Gun-mo, and Park Mi-kyung. While at Medialine, Kyungri prepared for debut with a seven-member group called VIVA Girls alongside future stars from groups like WJSN, Dalshabet, and Hello Venus. However, this project was ultimately abandoned in 2011 due to financial issues.

Joining Star Empire and Nine Muses

Following the dissolution of VIVA Girls, Kyungri returned to Star Empire Entertainment in 2011. The company recognized her potential, particularly noting that her height and image aligned perfectly with Nine Muses' concept. She was subsequently introduced as the newest member during a group performance in Abu Dhabi before making her official debut with Nine Muses' second digital single "News" on January 10, 2012.

Rise to Fame with Nine Muses

Debut with 'News' and group dynamics

January 10, 2012 marked a turning point for Kyungri as she made her official debut as the newest member of Nine Muses with the group's second digital single "News". Despite joining a group that had already been active since 2010, Kyungri quickly established herself within the evolving lineup. Nine Muses underwent numerous roster changes throughout their career, eventually consisting of five members: Kyungri, Hyemi, Sojin, Keumjo, and Sungah. Nonetheless, the frequent lineup changes created challenges for building a stable fanbase, though devoted fans remained loyal throughout these transitions.

Role in Nine Muses and sub-unit 9MUSES A

Besides her main group activities, Kyungri expanded her repertoire through strategic sub-unit promotions. On September 3, 2014, she debuted as part of the trio NASTY NASTY alongside fellow Nine Muses member Sojin and ZE:A's Kevin with their digital single "Knock". Furthermore, Kyungri joined 9MUSES A, the group's first sub-unit, which debuted on August 4, 2016, with the single album "Muses Diary". Within the main group, she became recognized as one of Nine Muses' key vocalists, cementing her position through contract renewal with Star Empire in early 2018, becoming the second member after Hyemi to do so.

Kyungri's standout performances and visuals

Throughout her tenure with Nine Muses, Kyungri garnered substantial acclaim for both her exceptional vocal abilities and striking appearance. The group's overall musical direction evolved considerably, with their most notable success coming through edgier, sexier concepts that perfectly showcased Kyungri's talents. Certainly, this was evident in their 2017 comeback with "Remember," which critics praised as "one of their most solid eras to date". In the music video, Kyungri's pool scenes specifically stood out "because of the amazing color in their shots", demonstrating her visual impact within the group's promotional materials.

Solo Career and Acting Transition

Solo debut with 'Blue Moon'

After years as a vital member of Nine Muses, Kyungri took her first steps as a soloist with the release of "Blue Moon" (어젯밤) on July 5, 2018—coincidentally her birthday. This trendy pop dance track perfectly captured her sexy charms while peaking at number 95 on the Gaon Download Chart. The song portrayed the emotional moment of ending a relationship, with lyrics directly addressing the lies once forgiven in the name of love. In the captivating music video, Kyungri even incorporated her long hair as a distinctive choreographic element.

Acting roles in dramas and films

Simultaneously, Kyungri built an impressive acting portfolio. Her acting journey began with appearances in "Reply 1994" (2013) as Na-jung's friend and a cameo in "Real" (2017) as a restaurant waitress. As her skills developed, she took on more substantial roles in productions like "Cold Blooded Intern" (2023), "Strong Girl Nam-soon" (2023), and "Undercover" (2021).

Hosting and variety show appearances

Beyond singing and acting, Kyungri demonstrated her versatility as the main host for "9Muses Cast" (2014), "Coming Soon" (2018), and later as a regular host on "I'm SOLO: Love Continues" (2022). These opportunities showcased her natural charisma in front of the camera.

Departure from Star Empire and new beginnings

After initially renewing her contract with Star Empire in 2018, Kyungri ultimately parted ways with the agency when her contract expired on July 31, 2019. This marked the end of her seven-year relationship with the company that had been her home since 2012. In January 2020, she signed with YNK Entertainment, where she focused primarily on acting and adopted her full name, Park Gyeong-ree. Her musical journey continued when she joined LabelSayu in April 2024.

Recent Projects and Comeback

Signing with Label Sayu

In April 2024, a fresh chapter began in Kyungri's career as she signed an exclusive contract with Label Sayu. This strategic move signaled her intention to refocus on music activities alongside her acting endeavors. Label Sayu announced their commitment to "fully support Gyeongri to show her skills in various fields", making Kyungri their second artist after singer Seori.

Release of 'Eternal Bloom' EP

After a six-year hiatus from music, Kyungri released her first EP titled "Eternal Bloom" on August 21, 2024. The mini-album featured two tracks: the synth-pop title song "Cherry" and the lo-fi pop R&B track "Butterflies". The album title symbolically represented Kyungri herself as "an artist who blooms colorfully at every moment with continuous beauty and vitality". Through these songs, she expressed a journey toward loving her authentic self rather than focusing on others' perceptions.

Return to music and fan reception

"Cherry," the title track, combined warm vintage sounds with guitar instrumentals that complemented Kyungri's emotional vocals. The song symbolized her new beginning, containing a heartfelt message to both herself and her fans. "Butterflies" expressed the excitement of falling in love, featuring refreshing drums wrapped in dreamy soundscapes.

Kyungri 9MUSES reunion rumors

In July 2025, Nine Muses members reunited to celebrate their 15th anniversary. The gathering included Kyungri alongside Lee Yoo-aerin, Mun Hyun-ah, Son Sung-ah, Hye-mi, Min-ha, So-jin, and Geumjo. This special occasion marked the first time all members had gathered since Min-ha's wedding. Adding to the significance, Korean media reported that 9MUSES A—a four-member unit including Kyungri, Hyemi, Sojin, and Keumjo—planned to release new music. These developments fueled speculation about a potential full group comeback.

FAQS

Fans frequently ask questions about Kyungri's personal experiences beyond her professional achievements. Many wonder about her emotional journey after 9MUSES disbanded.

In a revealing episode of "On and Off," Kyungri opened up about the struggles she faced following her group's sudden disbandment in February 2019. She described feeling "shell-shocked" as 9MUSES had been preparing to release an album that ultimately never materialized. "I had such a hard time back then," she admitted, explaining that despite initially trying to fill her schedule with activities, she eventually needed several months away from the spotlight to process her feelings.

Another common question concerns her relationship with 2AM's Jeong Jinwoon. The couple confirmed their relationship in 2019 after dating for approximately two years. They initially connected through mutual friends and grew closer while appearing on a variety show together in 2017.

Moreover, fans inquire about how they maintained their relationship during Jinwoon's military service. Kyungri revealed she sent him daily emails during his basic training, receiving handwritten letters in return. "I try to go visit every day I don't have anything on my schedule," she shared, demonstrating her commitment. In fact, when asked about pet names, she mentioned they simply call each other "baby".