Biography
Who is Sooyoung?
Early life and education
Sooyoung was born in Gangnam, South Korea, on February 10, 1990. She grew up with her sister, Choi Soo-jin, who pursued a career as a musical theatre actress. During her school years, she attended Chungshin Girls' High School, Cheongdam High School, and later studied film at Chung-Ang University, where she graduated in February 2016 and received a lifetime achievement award at her graduation ceremony.
Before entering the entertainment industry as a major singer, she was discovered through an SM Entertainment Open Audition while in fifth grade. She also participated in the 2002 Korea-Japan Ultra Idol Duo Audition, taking first place in the competition.
Musical career and Girls' Generation
Following her success at the audition in Japan, Sooyoung debuted in the short-lived singing duo Route 0 in 2002. The musical duo released three singles before disbanding in 2003. After returning to South Korea, she eventually debuted as a member of the girl group Girls' Generation in August 2007.
Girls' Generation achieved big mainstream success with the release of their hit single "Gee" in 2009. The group went on to become one of the best-selling musical artists and most widely recognized girl groups globally. As part of her contributions to the group, Sooyoung participated in songwriting by penning lyrics for tracks such as "How Great is Your Love", "What Do I Do", and "Sailing (0805)", alongside co-writing "Baby Maybe" and contributing to anniversary album tracks.
Acting career and television roles
Alongside her music career, Sooyoung pursued acting, noting in interviews that she had faced many rejected auditions before her music debut. Her early television and film work included minor roles in the sitcom Unstoppable Marriage and the romantic comedy film Hello, Schoolgirl.
She secured her first major acting role in September 2012 within the medical drama The Third Hospital. Her career expanded with leading roles in television projects such as Dating Agency: Cyrano and the melodrama My Spring Days. For her performance in My Spring Days, she won the Best Actress in a Miniseries award at the MBC Drama Awards and an Excellence Award at the Korea Drama Awards.
Height and personal life
Sooyoung stands at a height of 172 centimeters. Her professional career saw her transition through different management agencies, moving from SM Entertainment to Echo Global Group in 2017, and later signing with Saram Entertainment in 2019.
Beyond her entertainment work, she has engaged in extensive philanthropic efforts. She became an ambassador for Korea's Retinitis Pigmentosa Society, launched fundraising campaigns, and established a clothing brand named Beaming Effect to raise public awareness and support medical research for the disease.
Birthday and age
Sooyoung was born on February 10, 1990, which makes Sooyoung 36 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aquarius sign. Sooyoung shares the date with 30 other famous people.
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