Hong Yoo Kyung

Biography

Hong Yoo Kyung is a South Korean singer, dancer, and former member of APINK (에이핑크). She graduated from Seoul Performing Arts High School and later obtained a bachelor's degree in Theater from Chung-Ang University and a master's degree in Clothing from Seoul National University. She made her debut in April 2011 as the group's main rapper and vocalist with their first EP, "Seven Springs of Apink". They became known thanks to their appearance in the reality show "Birth of a Family" and for singing the OST "Please Let Us Love" for the SBS drama "Protect the Boss". They won 4 rookie awards that year, including the Mnet Asian Music Awards, the Korean Culture & Entertainment Awards, the Golden Disk Awards, and the High 1 Seoul Music Awards, which helped them expand their fanbase. In April 2013, IST Entertainment (IST엔터테인먼트; formerly known as Play M Entertainment and Plan A Entertainment) announced her departure from the group to focus on her education. Weeks later, her father, multimillionaire Hong Ha Jong (the CEO of a big manufacturing company), revealed that she was dropped from the group and forced to leave the company. She was offered to re-debut as part of another group, but she declined out of respect for APINK members and remains out of the entertainment industry.