Ah Young (Dalshabet)
Ah Young (Dal Shabet): From Trainee to Stardom
Ah Young made her official debut with Dal Shabet on January 6, 2011, when the group released their first mini-album "Supa Dupa Diva". Born on May 26, 1991, this South Korean singer and actress has established herself as a prominent figure in the K-pop industry over the past decade.
Throughout her journey as one of the Dal Shabet members, Ah Young has showcased her talents beyond music. She ventured into acting with her first solo drama appearance in the KBS show "Ad Genius Lee Tae-baek" in 2013. Additionally, she has evolved professionally, transitioning between agencies while maintaining her connection to dalshabet.
After deciding not to renew her contract with Happyface Entertainment in December 2017, Ah Young's career took various turns. Currently, she is under TOTALSET, having signed an exclusive contract with them as reported in July 2024. She also pursued higher education at Dongduk Women's University, where she majored in entertainment.
%20(4).gif "Ah Young (Dalshabet)")
%20(5).gif "Ah Young (Dalshabet)")
Early Life and Background
Born in Seoul, South Korea on May 26, 1991, Ah Young began her journey long before becoming one of the recognized members of dal shabet. Her early life laid the foundation for her future career in entertainment, shaping her talents and interests that would later serve her well in the competitive K-pop industry.
Birthplace and family
Ah Young's roots trace back to Seoul, South Korea, where she spent her formative years. Unlike many celebrities who keep their family life private, some details about Ah Young's family have emerged over the years. Notably, she has an older brother, though she has generally maintained privacy regarding most aspects of her family life. This balance between public persona and personal boundaries has characterized her approach to fame since joining dal shabet.
Education and university major
In terms of education, Ah Young pursued her studies at Dongduk Women's University, the same educational institution that fellow dal shabet member Jiyul attended. Throughout her time there, she focused primarily on entertainment studies with a specialization in film.
Her choice of major perfectly aligned with her career path, demonstrating her early commitment to the entertainment industry. Furthermore, this educational background has undoubtedly contributed to her versatility as both a performer in dal shabet and later as an actress in various productions. The knowledge gained during her university years provided Ah Young with a comprehensive understanding of both on-camera and behind-the-scenes aspects of entertainment.
Early interests and hobbies
Before stepping into the spotlight as a member of dal shabet, Ah Young cultivated diverse interests that revealed her multifaceted personality. Her hobbies included:
Watching movies, which aligned well with her later educational focus
Dancing, a talent that would become essential to her career
Learning about Greek and Roman mythology, showcasing her intellectual curiosity
Playing basketball, a sport she dedicated significant free time to
These varied interests demonstrate that even prior to her debut, Ah Young possessed both artistic inclinations and athletic abilities. Her love for dance eventually became a professional skill, whereas her interest in films and mythology reflected her thoughtful nature. Consequently, these early passions and talents contributed significantly to shaping the versatile dal shabet member fans came to know and admire in subsequent years.
%20(1).gif "Ah Young (Dalshabet)")
Debut with Dal Shabet
In late 2010, rumors circulated through Korean media about E-Tribe, the producers behind hits like Girls' Generation's "Gee," launching a new girl group. Although initially denied, these rumors proved true when Happy Face Entertainment officially announced the formation of dal shabet on December 9, 2010.
Joining the group and training period
Ah Young's path to becoming one of the dal shabet members began in March 2010 when she joined the company through a university audition. Indeed, she was among three members—alongside Serri and Jiyool—who entered the agency through this recruiting method. The group underwent intensive training, with members often "going home and crying every day" in the early stages before eventually receiving praise as they improved.
Debut with 'Supa Dupa Diva'
Following months of preparation, the profiles of all members were revealed on December 29, 2010, along with their debut date. Subsequently, dal shabet released their first mini-album "Supa Dupa Diva" on January 4, 2011, making them the first idol group to debut that year. Promotions for the title track began on January 6 on M! Countdown, with the song proving remarkably successful as it topped many real-time and music station charts throughout its promotional period.
Role and position in the group
Within dal shabet, Ah Young served as:
Lead rapper
Vocalist
Visual
This multifaceted role highlighted her versatility as a performer. Initially, the group was structured so that every member could both rap and sing, allowing for greater variety in part distribution for their songs.
Notable performances and group dynamics
Following their successful debut, dal shabet participated in various promotional activities. The group appeared in the movie "Wonderful Radio" as the fictional girl group "Corby Girls". Moreover, they took part in reality shows including "Sweet Sweet Story" and "Cool Friends," as well as their YouTube series "Shabet on Air".
Despite achieving success with their debut, dal shabet experienced lineup changes early in their career. In May 2011, original leader Viki left the group to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Woohee, with Serri taking over leadership responsibilities. Throughout these transitions, Ah Young remained a consistent presence in the group, contributing to their evolving identity in the competitive K-pop landscape.
Transition to Acting
While performing with dal shabet, Ah Young began laying the groundwork for a parallel career in acting. Her multifaceted talents soon expanded beyond the music stage, allowing her to build an impressive resume in both television and film.
First solo drama appearance
On January 9, 2013, Ah Young officially embarked on her acting journey with her first solo appearance in KBS' "Ad Genius Lee Tae-baek". In this series, she portrayed Gong Sun-hye, a secretary at the advertisement firm 'GRC'. Her character quickly captured audience attention thanks to her eccentric personality and distinctive fashion sense. This initial role established Ah Young as more than just a member of dal shabet, but specifically as an actress with significant potential.
Breakthrough roles in TV and film
Following her debut performance, Ah Young rapidly expanded her acting portfolio. In March 2014, she joined the cast of the SBS historical drama "Jang Ok-jung, Living by Love," where she played Princess Myeongan. Her character brought a refreshing sense of humor to the palace setting, showcasing her versatility.
That same year, she appeared in JTBC's "12 Years Promise" and MBC's "Records of a Night Watchman", further demonstrating her growing presence in television dramas. Concurrently, Ah Young made her big-screen debut on May 22, 2013, when she was cast in the movie "No Breathing". In this film, she portrayed Se-Mi, a high school student with dreams of becoming a famous singer.
Web dramas and lead roles
November 2013 marked a significant milestone for the dal shabet member as she secured her first leading role in Naver TV's web drama "Someday" (also known as "An Unfamiliar Day"), playing Lee Ji-eun. The drama was directed by Lee Min Woo, known for his work on "Boys Over Flowers".
In 2014, Ah Young continued her ascent by landing a lead role in MBC's drama "Love Frequency 37.2". Throughout her acting career, she has consistently balanced her responsibilities as one of the dal shabet members with her individual acting pursuits, establishing herself as a true multi-talented performer in the Korean entertainment industry.
%20(2).gif "Ah Young (Dalshabet)")
%20(3).gif "Ah Young (Dalshabet)")
Agency Changes and Career Growth
After seven years with Happyface Entertainment, December 2017 marked a pivotal turning point in Ah Young's professional journey as she navigated the complex entertainment industry landscape.
Leaving Happy Face Entertainment
On December 14, 2017, Happyface Entertainment officially announced that Ah Young, alongside fellow dal shabet members Serri and Subin, would be departing the agency after their contracts expired. Nevertheless, this career shift did not signal the end of dal shabet, as the company clarified that "all possibilities are open on the continuation of Dal Shabet as a team". For Ah Young, this decision came "after lots of contemplation and discussions". In her heartfelt message to fans, she acknowledged the difficulty of this transition while expressing optimism about her future endeavors.
Signing with SidusHQ and iAA Entertainment
The same day her departure from Happyface was announced, Ah Young promptly secured representation with SidusHQ. This strategic move aligned with her growing acting aspirations, as SidusHQ was already home to established actors including Kim Yoo Jung, Jang Hyuk, and Kim Woo Bin. Her first project under the new agency was the KBS 2TV drama "Wave, Wave". After approximately three and a half years with SidusHQ, Ah Young joined iAA Entertainment on July 15, 2021, albeit for a relatively brief period.
Current agency: TOTALSET
In a significant career development reported by news outlet Ten Asia on July 9, 2024, Ah Young signed an exclusive contract with TOTALSET. Through an official statement, TOTALSET expressed their commitment to "actively support CHO AH YOUNG so that she plays the role of a versatile artist". The company houses diverse talent across entertainment fields, including singers, actors, and broadcasters. Upon joining TOTALSET, Ah Young shared her enthusiasm: "I am happy to meet my new corporate family and announce a new start".
Impact of agency changes on her career
Throughout these transitions between agencies, Ah Young has maintained her connection to dal shabet while simultaneously pursuing individual growth opportunities. Her move to SidusHQ immediately after leaving Happyface particularly highlighted her commitment to developing as an actress. Each agency change has consequently reflected Ah Young's professional evolution—from her initial idol image with Happyface to her current multifaceted identity as both a performer and actress under TOTALSET.
Fun Facts and Personal Life
Beyond her professional career, Ah Young's personal life offers a glimpse into the charming personality behind the dal shabet member fans have come to adore.
Nicknames and personality traits
Among the dal shabet members, Ah Young earned the nicknames "Squirtle" and "Shrimp". Interestingly, she established herself as the most talkative member of the group, bringing energy and enthusiasm to both performances and interactions.
Hobbies and favorite things
Outside the spotlight, Ah Young pursues diverse interests including watching movies, dancing, learning Greek and Roman mythology, and playing basketball. Her fascination with Greek and Roman mythology reveals her intellectual curiosity, meanwhile her athletic side emerges through basketball, which occupies much of her free time. Regarding pop culture preferences, she named Star-Lord as her favorite Marvel character.
Ideal type and funny moments
According to her own statements, Ah Young's ideal type is "someone who looks like Rain and Spiderman". One memorable incident involved accidentally punching fellow dal shabet member Jiyul in the face during a performance. On variety shows like Running Man, she gained attention for her entertaining "love triangle" dynamic.
Social media presence and fan interactions
Ah Young maintains active social media accounts including Instagram, Threads, and TikTok (@a_young91). Formerly, she ran a YouTube channel called "Kinda Cool" where she aimed to create content that would "make daily lives super cool".
FAQS
Fans often have questions about this multifaceted dal shabet member. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Ah Young:
Is Ah Young still a member of dal shabet? Yes. Even after leaving Happyface Entertainment, Ah Young has maintained her connection to dal shabet. The group has not officially disbanded, hence she remains one of the dal shabet members.
What positions did Ah Young hold in dal shabet? Within the group, she served as lead rapper, vocalist, and visual, showcasing her versatility as a performer.
Which agencies has Ah Young been associated with? Firstly, she debuted under Happyface Entertainment until December 2017. Afterward, she signed with SidusHQ, then iAA Entertainment in July 2021. Currently, she is represented by TOTALSET as of July 2024.
What was Ah Young's educational background? She studied at Dongduk Women's University, majoring in entertainment with a specialization in film, which complemented her career path.
Has Ah Young acted in any lead roles? Certainly! Her first leading role came in November 2013 with Naver TV's web drama "Someday." In 2014, she secured another lead in MBC's "Love Frequency 37.2."
What nicknames does Ah Young have? Among dal shabet members and fans, she earned the endearing nicknames "Squirtle" and "Shrimp."
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