Park So-yeon (singer)

Park So-yeon (Korean: 박소연; born Park In-jung on October 5, 1987),^[1] referred to as Soyeon, is a South Korean singer and actress. She debuted as a member of girl group T-ara in July 2009. The group went on to become one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.^[2]

Park was born Park In-jung on October 5, 1987,^[1][3] in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. She later legally changed her name to Park So-yeon. On August 30, 2021, she revealed through an Instagram Live broadcast that she is descended from the Miryang Park Clan, whose lineage traces back to the 10th-century prince Pak Ŏnch’im (박언침), a son of King Gyeongmyeong of Silla. Park has studied at the prestigious Anyang High School of Arts in Anyang, Gyeonggi province where she majored in Theater and Film.^[4]

In an interview with BNT International, Soyeon stated that she developed the desire to become a singer at the age of five. Influenced by veteran performers Park Nam-jung, Yan Soo-kyung, and Uhm Jung-hwa, she aspired to become an all-around entertainer and perform on stage and television. She frequently attended their live performances when she was young.^[5]

In 2005, Park Soyeon participated in the CMB Chin Chin Singing Competition, where she received the Gold Award.^[6] She was subsequently scouted by SM Entertainment during the competition’s broadcast and later became a trainee, preparing to debut as the leader and main vocalist of the girl group Girls' Generation, which debuted in 2007.^[7] Although she participated in the recording of the group’s debut single Into the New World, she left the company six months before their debut due to personal circumstances.^[8] After debuting with T-ara, she later stated on the tvN's program Live Talk Show Taxi that at that time she felt the opportunity had come too easily and that she had been uncertain and not fully prepared for debut.^[9]

Park was the second new member to be added to T-ara after two former members Jiae and Jiwon left the group in mid-2009. In 2010, she was rushed to the hospital after complaints of not feeling well while filming for her cameo role in Master of Study. She was then diagnosed with H1N1 while T-ara was still promoting the follow-up track Like The First Time off of their first full-length album, Absolute First Album.^[10] Park participated in the OSTs for the movie Death Bell 2: Bloody Camp and the SBS drama Coffee House. In 2011, she was a fixed cast member for KBS's variety show 100 Points Out Of 100.

Park participated in the musical adaption of T-ara's hit song Roly-Poly, which opened on January 13, 2012, at the Seongnam Arts Center.^[11] She has stated that it is one of her dreams to stand on stage and act on it. She replaced Hyomin as T-ara's new leader starting on December 7, 2011, for their Lovey-Dovey promotions. She is the fourth leader of T-ara after Eunjung, Boram, and Hyomin. In July 2013, she stepped down as leader and Qri became the fifth leader.^[12][13][14]

Park appeared in the KBS drama Lovers of Haeundae as Lee Gwan-soon. The drama aired on August 13, 2012.^[15] Park along with Qri and Boram formed a sub-group called QBS in May 2013. The sub-group focused on the Japanese market. They released their debut single titled "Kaze no You ni" (風のように, Like the Wind) on June 26, 2013.

On March 6, 2017 MBK announced that T-ara would be releasing their last album as a six-member group in May, after Boram and Park's contracts ended, and the other members would remain until December 31, 2017.^[16] On May 7, MBK Entertainment revealed the group's plans had changed and that the new album's release had been rescheduled to June 2017, with Boram and Park not participating due to the expiry of their contracts.^[17] On May 8, it was announced that T-ara's last performance as a six-member group would be in Taiwan concert on May 13.^[18][19]

On July 11, 2020, it was announced that Park had signed with Think Entertainment.^[20] On February 5, 2021, Park released her first ever single as a solo artist in 12 years entitled "They Are All The Same" under Think Entertainment.^[21] Before the release of the song, she received support from the members of T-ara. On March 24, 2021, Park released her second single entitled "Interview".^[22]

On December 7, 2011, Core Contents Media announced that Soyeon would become the new leader of T-ara under the group’s rotational leadership system, overseeing the promotions for Black Eyes and its reissue Funky Town. The appointed leader played a central role in shaping the group’s creative direction, including developing concepts, collaborating with composers, determining styling, and coordinating group activities.^[23] Soyeon succeeded Hyomin, who had led the group during the production and promotions of John Travolta Wannabe. During the transition, Hyomin guided Soyeon in using the music sequencer as she oversaw aspects of the album’s production, including music video editing and audio mixing.^[24] In an interview with Money Today, Soyeon stated that the group worked closely with the production team to brainstorm the album’s concept, style, and choreography. ^[25]

In February 2021, Park became the exclusive model for the Korean tea brand "HOBEATEE".^[26] In March 2021, the brand announced a 100% sold-out.^[27] It was also mentioned that Park helped the brand's image by drawing attention from both domestic users and her overseas Chinese fans.^[28]

In 2012, The Voice of The People Newspaper, reported that each of T-ara's member's individual advertising fee is around 400 million won, one of the highest in the industry.^[29]

On August 14, 2012, Soyeon was involved in a serious car accident while traveling to Busan to film Lovers of Haeundae. According to Kyunghyang Newspaper, the vehicle, driven by her manager, skidded on rain-slick roads, struck a traffic island, and overturned. The car was severely damaged, and despite wearing seatbelts, two occupants, including Soyeon, were ejected from the vehicle. She sustained neck and back injuries.^[30] Filming was temporarily suspended.^[31]

In 2020, Soyeon spoke about the physical and psychological impact of the accident. She recalled encountering articles and malicious comments during her hospital stay that expressed wishes that she had died in the crash.^[32][33] She also revealed that she suffered from anxiety disorder and depression during that period.However, she did not seek therapy for years due to fear of the public’s reaction.^[34] She added that she avoided taking medication at the time because she was concerned about relying on it to overcome the situation.^[35]

On January 18, 2022, Park's agency confirmed that she will marry soccer player Cho Yu-min in November 2022. They have been in a relationship for 3 years.^[36] Later, it was announced the wedding ceremony in November has been postponed until next year, due to Cho Yu-min joined the national team and planning to focus for the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup. But the couple had already registered their marriage and were a legal couple.^[37]

On September 22, Park revealed through her Instagram that she bought her mother a 3-volume apartment in Seoul's green forest area.^[38]

In May 2012, Park represented T-ara and attended public interest agreement ceremony to sign an agreement with TTOMA, a drinks brand for which T-ara was a model for. Subsequently, a portion of proceeds from T-ara's personalized drinks with the brand will be donated to the Fruit of Love Foundation.^[39]

Park is an advocate for animal protection. In 2015, she participated the anti-animal abuse campaign hosted by Blue Angel Volunteer Group.^[40] On March 29, 2015, she held a fan sign at the 2015 K-Pet Fair. All proceeds went to the organization.^[41] In 2017, Park was revealed to have been secretly donating ₩1 million every month for 2 years to Blue Angel Volunteer Group. In November that year, News1 reported that Park is an honorary member of the organization.^[42]

All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database, unless otherwise noted.

• Park So-yeon at HanCinema