Hello Venus Alice: Her Journey from Idol to Actor

Hello Venus Alice emerged as a standout talent when she debuted as the leader and main vocalist of the South Korean girl group Hello Venus on May 9, 2012. Her journey in the entertainment industry represents a fascinating evolution from K-pop idol to respected actor.

Initially, Hello Venus consisted of six members including Alice, Nara, Lime, Seoyoung, Yooyoung, and Yeoreum, with a devoted fandom called Hello Cupid and an official fan color of lime green. The group, formed under Tricell Media (a joint venture between Pledis Entertainment and Fantagio), gained popularity with hit songs like "Sticky Sticky," "Wiggle Wiggle," and "I'm Ill". However, after seven years in the spotlight, the group officially disbanded on April 18, 2019, marking a significant turning point in Alice's career.

Early Life and Pre-Debut Dreams

Childhood in Wonju and musical roots

Born on March 21, 1990, in Wonju, Gangwon Province, South Korea, Song Joo Hee—later known to fans as Alice—grew up in a supportive family that nurtured her creative inclinations from an early age. She was raised alongside an older sister who was born in 1978, creating a considerable age gap that perhaps contributed to her independent nature. Throughout her formative years, Alice developed a strong foundation in the Protestant faith, which would later become an anchor during her challenging career moments.

Her educational journey took her through Hoengseong Girls' High School, where she likely began to develop the performance skills that would eventually lead her to the entertainment industry. Beyond her academic pursuits, young Joo Hee cultivated several creative hobbies that hinted at her future artistic career. Specifically, she became passionate about photography, styling, and notably, playing the guitar—a musical talent that laid the groundwork for her vocal abilities.

First steps into the entertainment world

As a teenager, Alice's unique personality began to shine through. Those who knew her often described her character as a fascinating blend of quirky "4D" traits combined with a surprisingly shy and introverted demeanor. This distinctive combination would later become part of her charm as a performer, allowing her to connect with audiences on stage while maintaining an authentic persona.

After graduating high school, Alice continued her education by enrolling in Hongik University, a prestigious institution known for its arts programs. Simultaneously, she began taking serious steps toward realizing her entertainment industry dreams, attending auditions and seeking opportunities to showcase her talents.

Solo debut as Ora in 2010

Before becoming the beloved leader of Hello Venus, Alice made her first official entry into the K-pop world under an entirely different name. On June 15, 2010, she debuted as a solo artist using the stage name "Ora". Under Elso Entertainment, she released her first single album aptly titled "Naughty Face", marking her professional entrance into the competitive South Korean music industry.

Although this solo venture didn't immediately catapult her to mainstream success, it provided valuable experience and industry exposure. Most importantly, her time as Ora laid essential groundwork for what would come approximately two years later—her rebirth as Alice, the talented leader and main vocalist of Hello Venus. This early career phase demonstrated her persistence and willingness to reinvent herself, qualities that would serve her well throughout her entertainment journey.

Debuting with Hello Venus

Joining Hello Venus in 2012

Following her solo debut as Ora, Song Joo-hee took a significant step forward in her career by joining the newly formed girl group Hello Venus. The group was created as a project between Pledis Entertainment and Fantagio Entertainment under the joint label Tricell Media. After months of preparation and anticipation, Hello Venus officially debuted on May 9, 2012, with their first mini-album titled "Venus".

Originally planned as a seven-member lineup, the final debut configuration consisted of six members: Alice, Nara, Yoo Ara, Yoonjo, Lime, and Yooyoung. Interestingly, another trainee named Nicole had departed Pledis shortly before the group's launch, altering their initial formation plans. The first teaser for Hello Venus was released on April 26, 2012, generating buzz among K-pop enthusiasts, followed by a second teaser on May 3.

Alice's role as leader and main vocalist

Within Hello Venus, Alice initially served as the Lead Vocalist and Visual. She brought unique talents to the group, particularly her guitar-playing abilities and fashion sense. Standing at 166 cm tall and weighing 47 kg, her distinctive appearance contributed to her visual appeal.

A pivotal shift occurred on July 31, 2014, when original leader Yoo Ara departed from the group. Subsequently, Alice was appointed as the new leader of Hello Venus, a position she maintained until their disbandment. This promotion demonstrated the company's confidence in her abilities to guide the group through its evolving career phases.

Notable performances and fan reception

The group quickly established a steady release schedule, following their debut single "Venus" with a digital single titled "Like a Wave" on July 4, 2012. Their second extended play "What Are You Doing Today?" was released on December 12, 2012, containing five tracks. These early releases helped build their foundation in the competitive K-pop landscape.

Hello Venus held their first fan meeting on February 24, 2013, attracting 200 devoted supporters. The "Hello Venus 1st Mini Fan Meeting I'm Your Venus" lasted two and a half hours at Seoul's Hong-dae V-Hall, featuring performances of their hits and special solo and sub-unit stages. During this emotional gathering, members held paper hearts and shared moving moments from their career, often shedding tears of gratitude. Tickets for this event sold out completely, demonstrating their growing popularity.

Despite being relatively new to the scene, Hello Venus began cultivating a dedicated fanbase. After promotions for "What Are You Doing Today?", their fandom increased significantly, paving the way for more substantial achievements in the coming years.

Challenges and Turning Points

Behind the glitz of K-pop stardom, Alice's path was marked by significant hardships that shaped her resilience long before Hello Venus achieved recognition.

Legal dispute with former agency

Prior to joining Hello Venus, Alice (then known as Ora) faced a bitter legal battle with her former agency. For seven years starting in August 2009, she promoted under A Entertainment with the stage name Ora. The relationship deteriorated rapidly due to conflicting opinions about her image presentation and performance attire. In 2011, Alice took a bold step by filing for nullification of her contract, citing unfulfilled promises regarding training, accommodations, and proper management. Rather than addressing her concerns, A Entertainment responded by filing a countersuit against Alice, demanding 80 million KRW (approximately $74,731) in alleged damages.

Struggles with image and expectations

The core of Alice's dispute centered around troubling image expectations. According to court documents, the agency frequently required her to wear revealing outfits that made performances physically difficult. Despite her repeated requests for changes, the company allegedly refused due to financial considerations. The situation became untenable in July 2010 when Alice's music video received a 19+ rating from major broadcasting networks because of excessively revealing costumes and suggestive choreography. Moreover, the agency reportedly made inappropriate demands, including asking her to serve at adult entertainment establishments.

How she overcame public pressure

Alice's determination ultimately prevailed against these challenging circumstances. In April 2018, the Seoul Central District Court ruled decisively in her favor. The judge dismissed A Entertainment's claims, stating: "The agency claims Ms. Song violated the contract and did not carry out her schedule properly but there is no evidence proving this". Furthermore, the court ordered her former agency to pay her 80 million KRW in compensation. This legal victory represented not just financial compensation but vindication of Alice's professional boundaries and artistic integrity. Throughout this ordeal, Alice maintained grace under pressure, channeling these difficult experiences into strengthening her resolve as she continued her career with Hello Venus.

Life After Hello Venus Disbandment

Hello Venus disbandment in 2019

After seven years of performances, music releases, and interactions with fans, Hello Venus reached the end of their journey as a group. On April 26, 2019, Fantagio Music officially announced that Hello Venus would disband following the expiration of members' contracts on May 8, 2019. The agency stated that "after much discussion with the members about Hello Venus's future activities, we came to the agreement to show support for each other in each individual's desired activities".

To honor their time together and provide closure for fans, the group held a final fan meeting on May 5, 2019. This emotional gathering marked the conclusion of their collective journey that began back in 2012. The decision stemmed largely from the members' desires to pursue individual careers in acting, music, and other fields.

Transitioning to acting under her real name

For Alice, the disbandment represented an opportunity to reinvent herself professionally. On April 9, 2020, she signed with Kingsland Company to officially begin her transition into acting. At this pivotal moment, she made the significant decision to promote under her birth name, Song Joo Hee, effectively closing the chapter on her "Alice" persona.

"Actress and musician Song Joo Hee will be working with us starting today as she prepares for her official transition into an actress," Kingsland announced. "We will be providing her our fullest support so that she can show the public a more improved image".

New beginnings in the entertainment industry

In reality, Alice had been laying groundwork for her acting career even during her idol days. She had previously gained acting experience in both dramas and musicals. In 2019, she participated in a play called "Load a Bullet Called Youth" as the character Gyeong Ah, which ran from August 21-25 at the Dream Art Center in Seoul.

By 2021, she had switched representation again, signing with Pop Music to further develop her acting career. This became her primary professional focus, representing a complete transformation from her K-pop roots. In contrast to some former members who maintained ties with Fantagio—Seoyoung and Yeoreum continued activities under the agency—Alice chose an entirely fresh start, making a clean break from her idol past to pursue her longtime dream of becoming an actress.

Alice in 2026: Where Is She Now?

Recent acting projects and achievements

Since transitioning to acting, former Hello Venus leader has steadily built her portfolio under her birth name Song Joo Hee. After signing with Pop Music in 2021, she has secured several notable roles. Her acting credits include supporting roles in "Doom at Your Service" (2021) as editorial team chief Cho Ye Ji and "The Goddess of Revenge" (2020) as Secretary Yeon. Most recently, she appeared in "Café Minamdang" (2022) as Min Yu Seon, solidifying her presence in the Korean drama landscape.

Personal life updates: marriage and motherhood

On October 6, 2023, Alice made a heartfelt announcement about her upcoming marriage. In a touching letter to fans, she expressed: "I, who used to always have a lot of worries and fears, am currently feeling peaceful and secure". The wedding took place later that month with family in attendance. Additionally, Alice welcomed her first child, a son, in 2024, marking her transition into motherhood alongside her evolving career.

Alice's current goals and public image

Presently, Alice maintains a careful balance between her acting commitments and family life. Having successfully shifted from idol to actress, she continues to appear in selected projects while embracing her role as a mother. Her journey represents a remarkable evolution from the Hello Venus leader to a multifaceted performer who has overcome industry challenges to create a sustainable career and fulfilling personal life.

FAQS

Fans of Hello Venus Alice often ask questions about her journey in K-pop. Here are answers to some common inquiries:

Q: What extreme measures did Alice take to pursue her singing dreams?
A: Alice, who hails from Gangwon-do, faced strong family opposition to her music career ambitions. She resorted to lying about college acceptance, telling her family she "got into a college in Seoul" to secure tuition money that actually funded her dream.

Q: How did Alice survive during her early struggling days?
A: Upon arriving in Seoul, she remained hidden for approximately three months. With limited finances, Alice primarily lived on ramen noodles, eventually adding milk to her instant meals as a makeshift nutritional supplement. This inadequate diet led to her suffering from malnutrition.

Q: What was the Hello Venus fandom officially called?
A: Devoted Hello Venus supporters were known as "Hello Cupid," with lime green serving as the group's official fan color.

Q: What allegations did Alice make against her former agency?
A: Beyond training and management issues, Alice claimed her former agency made inappropriate demands, including requesting she serve at adult entertainment establishments. At this point, these allegations became central to the court ruling in her favor.

Q: What personal traits defined Alice during her Hello Venus days?
A: Generally considered the "dorkiest" member of Hello Venus, Alice was known to become noticeably flustered in certain situations, often blushing and pretending not to understand—a characteristic she reportedly wanted to change.