Bae Woo-hee: From Dal Shabet to UNI.T - A Star's Journey

Bae Woo-hee first captured public attention when she joined the South Korean girl group Dal Shabet in 2012, replacing former member Viki. Born on November 21, 1991, this talented South Korean singer and actress has built a diverse career spanning multiple entertainment fields.

Initially a trainee under Medialine Entertainment, Bae was originally slated to debut with the five-member girl group Viva Girls before that project was ultimately canceled. However, her career took a significant turn on May 24, 2012, when she officially debuted as a member of Dal Shabet with the group's first full-length album Bang Bang. Following the group's hiatus in 2017, Bae participated in the KBS survival show The Unit: Idol Rebooting Project, where she impressively ranked 7th among female contestants. This achievement secured her position in the project girl group UNI.T, which officially debuted on May 18, 2018.

Throughout her career, Bae has demonstrated remarkable versatility as both a singer and actress under various entertainment agencies, including Happy Face Entertainment, Fly Up Entertainment, and currently Never Die Entertainment.

Early Life and Education

Born in the vibrant port city of Busan, South Korea on November 21, 1991, Bae Woo-hee's journey to stardom began far from the glittering stages of Seoul. The future K-pop idol spent her formative years in this coastal metropolis, which has produced numerous notable talents in the Korean entertainment industry.

As a teenager, Bae pursued her secondary education at Deungchon High School, subsequently transferring to Ahyeon Industrial Information School where she completed her high school studies. These educational experiences likely helped shape her early aspirations in the entertainment field, as she demonstrated interest in performing arts from a young age.

After graduating from high school, Bae made a significant decision that would align perfectly with her career ambitions. She enrolled at the prestigious Dong-ah Institute of Media and Arts, specifically choosing to major in Broadcasting Entertainment. This educational institution has been a launching pad for many successful Korean entertainers, offering specialized training in various aspects of media production and performance.

Throughout her time at the institute, Bae honed not only her performing skills but also gained valuable knowledge about the entertainment industry's inner workings. This comprehensive educational background gave her insights into both on-stage performance and behind-the-scenes production—knowledge that would prove invaluable throughout her multifaceted career.

The decision to pursue Broadcasting Entertainment as her field of study was particularly strategic, considering her future career trajectory in both music and acting. While developing her artistic abilities, she also acquired theoretical understanding of media production, performance techniques, and entertainment business fundamentals.

Bae ultimately completed her educational journey by obtaining a bachelor's degree in Broadcasting Entertainment from Dong-Ah Broadcasting Arts University. This academic achievement demonstrated her commitment to building a solid foundation for her career in the entertainment industry, beyond just practical training.

The combination of her formal education and natural talents prepared her exceptionally well for the competitive world of Korean entertainment. Rather than relying solely on her performing abilities, Bae equipped herself with comprehensive industry knowledge that would help her navigate the complex entertainment landscape of South Korea.

Her educational background in broadcasting and entertainment served as a valuable asset as she transitioned between various aspects of the entertainment industry—from idol training to group performances, solo work, and eventually acting. This academic grounding has undoubtedly contributed to her versatility as an entertainer and her longevity in an industry known for its rapid turnover.

While pursuing her studies, Bae simultaneously began taking steps toward her dream of becoming a professional performer. Her academic journey ran parallel to her early training days, creating a balanced foundation of theoretical knowledge and practical experience that would serve her well in the years to come.

Consequently, the educational choices Bae made early in life played a crucial role in shaping the multifaceted entertainer she would eventually become—an artist with the adaptability and knowledge to succeed across multiple entertainment platforms.

Pre-Debut and Training Days

Long before stepping into the spotlight with Dal Shabet, Bae Woo-hee faced several career setbacks that shaped her journey to stardom. Her path as a trainee demonstrates the perseverance often required in the competitive K-pop industry.

VIVA Girls and the canceled debut

Bae's professional training began at Medialine Entertainment, where she was poised to debut as a member of a promising five-member girl group called VIVA Girls. This project represented her first significant opportunity to enter the K-pop scene, with Bae training alongside several trainees who would later become successful idols themselves. The talented roster included future Nine Muses member Kyungri, Hello Venus member Lime, and WJSN's Exy.

Despite months of rigorous preparation throughout 2010, Bae's dreams were abruptly halted. In early 2011, Medialine Entertainment encountered serious financial difficulties that forced the company to terminate the VIVA Girls project entirely. This unexpected cancellation left Bae and her fellow trainees without a clear path forward, highlighting the often unstable nature of the entertainment industry.

Prior to this disappointment, Bae had already demonstrated remarkable talent, winning several prestigious awards that showcased her abilities. Her accolades included the grand prize at the 2009 Don Bosco Youth Dance Festival and the Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor's Award at the 2009 Seoul Youth Culture Zone Contest. Additionally, she secured the grand prize in the hip-hop dance category at the 12th Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism's National Aerobics Competition.

Joining Happy Face Entertainment

After the dissolution of the VIVA Girls project, Bae refused to abandon her dream of becoming a K-pop idol. Instead, she pivoted strategically, seeking new opportunities that would allow her to utilize her talents. This determination led her to Happy Face Entertainment (now known as Dreamcatcher Company), where she began a new chapter as a trainee.

The transition between agencies proved to be a turning point in Bae's career trajectory. Happy Face Entertainment provided the stability and training structure she needed to continue developing her skills. Unlike many trainees who spend years at a single agency, Bae's previous experience and demonstrated talent likely contributed to a relatively shorter training period at her new company.

Fortune finally smiled on Bae in 2012 when an unexpected opportunity arose. The original leader of Dal Shabet, Viki (formerly known as Baek Da Eun), decided to leave the group to focus on her solo career. This departure created a vacancy that Bae was perfectly positioned to fill, giving her a direct route to debut that circumvented the typical path of launching with a new group.

Through perseverance and adaptability, Bae transformed what could have been a career-ending setback into a stepping stone toward success. Her journey from canceled debut to finding a new agency illustrates the resilience that would become a hallmark of her career in subsequent years.

The Unit and Rise with UNI.T

After Dal Shabet's activities slowed down in 2017, Bae Woo-hee found herself at a career crossroads. In October 2017, she embarked on a new chapter in her career alongside fellow Dal Shabet member Serri by joining KBS's idol competition show "The Unit: Idol Rebooting Project".

Why she joined The Unit

The decision to participate in "The Unit" wasn't straightforward for Bae. "At first, I hesitated about appearing on 'The Unit,'" she revealed in an interview. Her hesitation stemmed from complex circumstances surrounding Dal Shabet's contract situation.

"We weren't a group that wasn't popular, so I felt that if I went on the show, then our group would appear as if it was doomed," Bae explained, expressing concern about potentially damaging Dal Shabet's reputation. Moreover, she worried that a poor performance might have negative consequences for her original group.

Interestingly, it was fellow contestant Haena from the group Matilda who helped Bae make her decision. "Haena was also hesitating about appearing on 'The Unit,'" Bae shared. "I told her the situation I was in, and she told me to think about what I wanted to do and to only think about the desire to sing and stand on stage".

Ranking 7th and debuting with UNI.T

Throughout the competition, Bae demonstrated her talents, steadily advancing through the ranks. On February 10, 2018, during the final episode, she secured 7th place among female contestants with 66,054 votes, earning a coveted spot in the nine-member project girl group.

The final nine female contestants were chosen through public voting via live broadcast. The group was officially named UNI.T on February 24, 2018, during "The Unit's Special Show" broadcast. Significantly, Bae was appointed leader of UNI.T after receiving 4 votes in the team's internal election.

UNI.T's short-lived journey

UNI.T officially debuted on May 18, 2018, with their first extended play titled "Line" and the lead single "No More," composed by Shinsadong Tiger. The group made their debut performance on KBS's "Music Bank" on the same day, showcasing "A Memory Clock" and "No More".

On May 18, during the talk show commemorating their debut, "I'm Debuting, My Friend," Bae received congratulations from her Dal Shabet bandmate Serri and fellow performer Han Hye-rin.

The group's activities, though successful, were brief. UNI.T released their second extended play, "Begin with the End," on September 18, 2018, featuring the lead single "I Mean" composed by Brave Brothers. Unfortunately, PocketDol Studio couldn't reach an agreement to extend the project, leading to UNI.T's disbandment on October 12, 2018.

Although short-lived, Bae's experience with UNI.T was meaningful. She later reflected, "I received many things from 'The Unit.' I met friends who are walking on the same path as me and became enlightened. I think the memory of being 28 years old will remain as an unforgettable chapter in my life".

Transition to Acting and New Agencies

Following UNI.T's disbandment in October 2018, Bae Woo-hee's career took another significant turn as she began focusing more on acting while navigating changes in agency representation.

Leaving Happy Face Entertainment

On December 5, 2018, Happy Face Entertainment announced that their exclusive contract with Bae had expired. This marked the end of her six-year relationship with the agency that had supported her throughout her Dal Shabet journey. In their official statement, the company noted, "Woohee joined Dal Shabet in 2012 and did her best to promote with great passion".

After thorough discussions between both parties, they decided to support each other in their future paths. Notably, Bae was the only member of Dal Shabet who had remained with Happy Face Entertainment after the other members departed from the company. Her decision to leave effectively signaled the end of an era, though officially she would remain a Dal Shabet member despite not being signed to the group's original agency.

Signing with Fly Up and Never Die Entertainment

Shortly after leaving Happy Face Entertainment, Bae charted a new course for her career. On January 20, 2019, Fly Up Entertainment announced that she had signed with their agency. The company made their intentions clear, stating, "Bae Woohee combined her talent and potential as an actress. We will continue to provide our full support so that she can concentrate on her acting activities".

Thereafter, in a move that further emphasized her career evolution, Bae was introduced as an actress under Never Die Entertainment on August 5, 2021. This transition between agencies reflected her growing commitment to establishing herself in the acting world.

Notable roles in 'Business Proposal' and more

Even before her agency changes, Bae had been steadily building her acting portfolio. Throughout her career, she appeared in various projects including the web drama "Infinite Power," horror film "The Tunnel," SBS's "The Time I've Loved You," O'live's "Sharehouse," and web variety show "Planman New Beginning".

In June 2015, she secured supporting roles in SBS's "The Time We Were Not in Love". Owing to her continued efforts, she established herself more firmly as an actress with a role in the web drama "Number Six," where she portrayed Eun Kyung, a character who secretly loves Won Tak (played by BTOB's Minhyuk).

In addition, Bae made a cameo appearance in the popular SBS drama "Business Proposal" in 2022. That same year, she also connected directly with fans by holding a solo fan meeting titled "Between Us" at the Unexpected Theater in Seongbuk District, Seoul on July 29.

Discography and Musical Highlights

Throughout her career in the entertainment industry, Bae Woo-hee has built an impressive discography spanning multiple musical formats. Beyond her contributions to Dal Shabet and UNI.T, she has established a distinct musical identity through various solo works and collaborations.

Solo digital singles

Bae's journey as a solo artist began with her first track "Towards Tomorrow" in 2013. She continued developing her independent artistry with "Love Hurts," released as part of Dal Shabet's ninth extended play, Naturalness, on January 5, 2016. Since leaving her original agency, Bae has been quite productive, releasing several digital singles including "Cafe Romance" (2019) and "제자리" (In Place) in 2021.

The year 2024 proved especially fruitful for Bae's solo career as she released multiple singles: "그대 내게" (To You), "달" (Moon), and "너만 너만 좋아" (I Only Like You). Her most recent work includes "Star of Seoul," released on August 7, 2025, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to music even as she explores other entertainment avenues.

OST contributions

Bae has lent her vocal talents to numerous drama soundtracks throughout her career. Indeed, her first solo release "Towards Tomorrow" was actually created for the OST of the SNS drama Infinite Power in 2013. This was followed by "Hello My Love" (also known as "My Love, Goodbye") for MBC's weekend drama Jang Bo-ri is Here! on April 29, 2014.

In recent years, she contributed to the "Find Missing Children Pt. 2 'Like as last moment'" soundtrack in 2021 as well as "Perfume" with Sihyun for Idol Recipe OST Part 2 that same year. As part of Dal Shabet, she furthermore participated in "It's You" for the All About My Romance soundtrack in 2013.

Collaborations and features

Aside from group activities, Bae has engaged in several noteworthy collaborations. In August 2013, she collaborated with the band Every Single Day on the track "Nap," which appeared on their extended play Sky Bridge. Not only did she lend her vocals to this project, but she likewise appeared in its accompanying music video.

More recently, Bae partnered with Kim Younggeun for the single "알고있다고" in 2022. That same year, she joined forces with Moon Jongup, Kenta, Sohee, Ryu Hoyeon, and Na Hyun for the collaborative track "Spectrum" as part of the Idol Recipe soundtrack.

These diverse musical endeavors highlight Bae's versatility as an artist and her ability to excel across various musical formats and collaborations, establishing herself as a multifaceted talent in the Korean entertainment industry.

FAQS

Fans frequently ask questions about Bae Woo-hee's career path and personal life. Below are answers to some of the most common queries.

When did Bae Woo-hee join Dal Shabet?
Bae officially joined Dal Shabet on May 24, 2012, replacing former member Viki who left to pursue a solo career.

Which agencies has Bae Woo-hee been associated with?
Throughout her career, Bae has been signed with Medialine Entertainment (pre-debut), Happy Face Entertainment (2012-2018), Fly Up Entertainment (2019), and currently Never Die Entertainment (2021-present).

What was Bae Woo-hee's ranking on The Unit?
She secured 7th place among female contestants with 66,054 votes, earning her a spot in the project group UNI.T.

Has Bae Woo-hee appeared in any dramas?
Yes, she has appeared in several productions including "The Time We Were Not in Love," "Number Six," and made a cameo in "Business Proposal."

Does Bae Woo-hee have solo music?
Absolutely. Her solo releases include "Towards Tomorrow" (2013), "Love Hurts" (2016), "Cafe Romance" (2019), "제자리" (2021), and several singles in 2024-2025 including her recent "Star of Seoul."

Is Bae Woo-hee still a member of Dal Shabet?
Technically, she remains a Dal Shabet member, even after leaving Happy Face Entertainment in 2018, as she hasn't officially withdrawn from the group.