Chrystal Soo Jung (born October 24, 1994),[2] professionally known as Krystal Jung, is a South Korean and American singer and actress based in South Korea. She debuted in 2009 as a member of the South Korean girl group f(x) and has further participated in SM Entertainment's project group SM the Ballad. Aside from group activities, she has also acted in various South Korean drama series such as The Heirs (2013), My Lovely Girl (2014), Prison Playbook (2017), The Bride of Habaek (2017), Player (2018), Search (2020), Police University (2021), and Crazy Love (2022).
Early life and education
Jung was born as Chrystal Soo Jung in San Francisco, California, where her family settled from South Korea in the 1980s.[3][2] She holds dual citizenship in the United States and South Korea.[4]
During a family trip to South Korea in early 2000, at the age of five, Jung and her sister Jessica Jung were spotted by SM Entertainment, which earned her a cameo appearance in Shinhwa's "Wedding March" music video. SM offered Jung and her sister singing and dancing lessons in order to professionally train them for a music career. However, the offer was turned down by her parents, who reasoned that she was too young, so they only allowed her sister to join the company at first. Her sister later debuted as a member of the girl group Girls' Generation. They have since appeared together in many events.[5][6]
After moving to South Korea, Jung attended Korea Kent Foreign School,[7] then graduated from Hanlim Multi Art School on February 7, 2013, where she was honored with an achievement award.[8] She is currently attending Sungkyunkwan University, majoring in theater.[9][needs update]
Career
2002–2006: Pre-debut activities
In 2002, Jung began appearing in television commercials. She first appeared in a Lotte commercial with South Korean actress Han Ga-in.[10][unreliable source?] In 2006, her parents finally allowed her to join SM, and the agency then enrolled her in dance-classes. She was trained for 3 years before debuting as a part of f(x) in 2009.[11][12]
Jung debuted as vocalist of the South Korean girl group f(x) in September 2009.[2]
In March 2010, Jung participated in a series of music videos under the Melody Project, playing a young student who is in love with her music teacher. She released a solo single titled "Melody" for this project.[13] Jung then became a host for the music show The M-Wave with Thunder from MBLAQ.[14][15] In July, the singer debuted as an actress with a minor role in the long-running sitcom More Charming by the Day.[16] She received the "Newcomer Comedy Award" at the 2010 MBC Entertainment Awards for the role.[17]
In 2011, Jung participated in and won first place in SBS's figure-skating show Kim Yuna's Kiss & Cry.[18] She also starred in the sitcom High Kick 3, playing the role of a superficial and shallow girl who does not have much depth of feelings.[11]
2013–present: SM The Ballad, acting career and label changes
In 2013, Jung starred in the SBS teen drama The Heirs, playing the role of a spoiled yet kind-hearted wealthy high school student.[19] Her character in the show generated positive recognition among viewers, and she was voted as the Best Onscreen Couple along with CNBLUE's Kang Min-hyuk at the 2013 DramaFever Awards.[20]
In 2013, Jung and group mate Sulli became the new faces of the makeup brand Etude House.[21]
In 2014, Jung joined the ballad group SM the Ballad, initially formed by SM Entertainment in 2010. On the group's 2nd album Breath, she sang the Japanese version of the title track "Breath" with TVXQ's Changmin. She also sang a duet with Exo's Chen titled "When I Was... When U Were...".[22] Jung performed her duet with Chen live at the S.M. The Ballad Joint Recital on February 12.[23] In June, Jung, along with her sister Jessica, was featured in the reality show, Jessica & Krystal. The show took on a more close and personal side of the two sisters, addressing their public image and sisterly bond.[24]
Later in the year, Jung got her first leading role in the SBS's drama My Lovely Girl, alongside Rain.[25] She portrayed a girl who moves from the countryside to Seoul to pursue a music career and ends up meeting a fateful love during the process.[26] Commenting on Jung's work attitude, Director Park Hyung-ki stated "Despite taking on a difficult character, she shows her determination to pull it off through her gaze to the point you can see sincerity in Krystal when she's in front of the camera."[27] She released a solo single "All of a Sudden" for the drama's OST.[28] At the Baeksang Arts Awards, Jung won the "Most Popular Actress" award in the television category for her role in the drama.[29]
In 2015, Jung starred alongside actor Seo Jun-young in a 10-minute film entitled, Listen To My Song for W Korea's 10th anniversary.[30] Jung was also cast in leading roles in an upcoming Chinese movie, titled Unexpected Love along with Exo's Lay;[31] and in the Chinese drama Graduation Season alongside Deng Lun.[32]
On February 12, 2017, it was reported that Jung would release the collaboration single "I Don't Wanna Love You" with Glen Check's member June One Kim. The song was revealed for the first time on February 14 at the re-opening of a clothing store in Seoul, and then be released online at midnight KST on February 15.[33] In July, Jung starred in tvN's drama spin-off of the Korean manga Bride of the Water God.[34][35] The same year she starred in the black comedy drama Prison Playbook, produced by Reply PD Shin Won-ho; she received good reviews for her performance.[36][37] Jung was named 'Woman of the Year' by GQ Korea.[38]
Krystal in 2018
In 2018, Jung was cast as the female lead in OCN's crime action drama Player.[39][40] At the press conference for the drama, Jung stated that she learned how to ride a motorcycle in order to do her own stunts.[41]
In 2019, Jung and her sister Jessica filmed their second reality show in the United States.[42] The same year, she was cast in the independent romance film More Than Family,[43] and romantic comedy film Sweet & Sour.[44]
In 2020, Jung was cast in OCN's military cinematic drama Search, where she played an elite army officer.[45] The drama premiered on October 17, 2020.[46] After reports began swirling of Jung departing SM Entertainment, SM responded that their contract with her would expire by the end of August 2020, and they were in discussions with her for a possible renewal.[47] Krystal's departure from SM was officially announced in October 2020 and signed with H& Entertainment as her new agency.[48]
In February 2024, Jung released cover song of Leila Hathaway's "I'm Coming Back" through Soundcloud and also confirmed to joined the label Beasts & Natives (BANA).[51]
^Studarus, Laura (June–July 2014). "Seoul Sisters – For Girls' Generation's Jessica Jung and f(x)'s Krystal Jung, Singing is the family business". Nylon.
^"제시카-크리스탈 9년전 SM 동반 길거리캐스팅 비화 공개" [Girls' Generation's Jessica & f(x)'s Krystal got cast on the street by SM Entertainment]. Newsen (in Korean). September 12, 2009. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
^Jung, Jung-wook (January 27, 2013). "아웃도어부터 속옷까지... 패션·뷰티 '아이돌 천하'". Sports World (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^"'내그녀' 감독 "크리스탈, 카메라 앞에선 연기 진정성 묻어나"" [Director of My Lovely Girl: "Krystal has a great passion toward the drama...authentic"]. Sports Donga (in Korean). September 2, 2014. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
^Kim, Sooyoung (August 18, 2020). "SM "크리스탈, 8월 말 전속계약 만료...재계약 논의" [공식]" [SM: "Krystal's contract expires at the end of August, contract renewal in discussion]. Naver (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
^"SM 떠난 정수정, H&엔터와 전속계약 체결..정려원 한솥밥(공식)" [Jung Soojung leaves SM, signs exclusive contract with H& Entertainment]. Daum (in Korean). October 12, 2020. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
^ abHwang Hye-jin (October 12, 2021). "김재욱X정수정 '크레이지 러브' 캐스팅 확정, 달콤살벌 로맨스 도전" [Kim Jae-wook X Jung Su-jeong's 'Crazy Love' casting confirmed, sweet and bloody romance challenge] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2021 – via Naver.
^Cumulative sales for "When I Was... When U Were...":
"2014년 08주차 Download Chart (see #28)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on November 24, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
"2014년 09주차 Download Chart (see #62)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 26, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
^Peak position on Gaon Digital Chart: Soundtrack appearances
"Butterfly". Gaon Chart (in Korean). August 12–18, 2012. Archived from the original on June 4, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
"2012년 34주차 Download Chart (see #14)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
"2012년 35주차 Download Chart (see #24)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
"2012년 36주차 Download Chart (see #37)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
"2014년 40주차 Download Chart (see #12)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
"2014년 41주차 Download Chart (see #32)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
"2014년 42주차 Download Chart (see #62)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
^Jo Yeon-kyung (February 11, 2022). "김지운 감독 '거미집' 송강호·임수정·오정세·전여빈·정수정 캐스팅" [Directed by Kim Jee-woon, 'The Spider's House' Casts Kang-ho Song, Su-jeong Lim, Jeong-se Oh, Yeo-bin Jeon, Su-jeong Jeong] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022 – via Naver.
^Wang Yuyan (May 3, 2016). "《毕业季》开拍 邓伦搭档郑秀晶上演浪漫纯爱". Sohu Entertainment News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on October 28, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
^Kim Jin-seok and Jo Yeon-kyung (April 12, 2021). "57회 백상예술대상, TV·영화·연극 부문 최종 후보 공개". isplus.joins (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
^Hwang, So-young (April 8, 2024). 60회 맞은 '백상예술대상' TV·영화·연극 후보 공개 [60th 'Baeksang Arts Awards' TV, Film and Theater Candidates Revealed] (in Korean). JTBC News. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024 – via Naver.
^Kim Na-ra (November 1, 2021). "제42회 청룡영화상, 후보 발표...류승완 '모가디슈' 최다 부문 노미네이트 [공식]" [42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards, nominations announced... Ryoo Seung-wan 'Mogadishu' Nominated for Most Category [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on November 1, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kim, Yu-jin (November 6, 2023). "제44회 청룡영화상 후보 발표...'밀수'·'콘크리트 유토피아' 11개 부문 최다 노미네이트" [44th Blue Dragon Film Awards Nominations Announced...'Smuggling'-'Concrete Utopia' Receive Most Nominations in 11 Categories]. X-ports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 21, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2023 – via Naver.
^Seong Ha-hoon (December 8, 2023). "춘사영화제 감독상 받은 '거미집' 김지운 "감독들 눈 예리해"" [Kim Ji-woon, whose film 'The Spider's Nest' won the Best Director Award at the Chunsa Film Festival, said, "Directors have sharp eyes."]. OhmyNews (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
^Kim Bo-ra (November 21, 2021). "정수정, 황금촬영상 인기상..."첫 영화 '애비규환'으로 수상해 영광" [Jung Soo-jung, Golden Cinematography Popularity Award... "It is an honor to win the award for the first movie 'Abby Gyu-hwan] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2021 – via Naver.
^Park, Jin-young (October 24, 2023). "이병헌→임시완·도경수, 대종상영화제 격돌...송혜교·한효주 시리즈 대결" [Lee Byung-hun→Im Si-wan·Do Kyung-soo, Dae Jong-sang Film Festival clash...Song Hye-kyo·Han Hyo-joo series confrontation]. JoyNews 24 (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
^Hong, Se-Young (February 22, 2016). "강동원·유재석·박보영·박나래, 핫★ 어벤져스". Naver (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on March 23, 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2016.
^Hwang, Soo-yeon (January 1, 2023). "붉은 단심' 3번 거절했는데..." 이준·강한나·이혜리, 미니시리즈 우수상 [KBS 연기대상]" [Single Heart Red' was rejected 3 times..." Lee Joon·Hanna Kang·Hyeri Lee, Miniseries Excellence Award [KBS Drama Awards]] (in Korean). X-ports News. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Naver.
^Song Hye-nam (December 31, 2022). "[2022 KBS 연기대상] '인기상' 강하늘·도경수·이세희·정수정" [[2022 KBS Drama Awards] 'Popular Award' Kang Ha-neul, Do Kyung-soo, Lee Se-hee, Jeong Soo-jeong]. Money S (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
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