Jessica Jung / Jung Soo Yeon (Girls' Generation)

Jessica Jung (Korean name: Jung Soo-yeon; born April 18, 1989) is an American singer, dancer, actress and model best known as a member of the South Korean girl group Girls' Generation.

Born in San Francisco, California, she is fluent in both her native English and Korean after moving to South Korea at age 11.

Biography

Jessica was born in San Francisco, California in the same hospital as her fellow Girls' Generation member, Tiffany. While on vacation in Korea, she and her sister were scouted in a shopping mall by S.M Entertainment and joined the company in 2000. She trained for seven years as a trainee before debuting as part of the Korean girl group Girls' Generation.

Her younger sister, Krystal, is a member of the Korean girl group f(x). They are both currently active in their groups, being signed under S.M. Entertainment.

Career

Girls' Generation

Jessica was the first member to be signed with SM Entertainment in 2000. In 2007, she was chosen as a member of the group Girls' Generation. The 9-member girl group debuted on August 5, 2007.

Solo singing career

In addition to her group activities, Jessica released two singles with Seohyun and Tiffany: "Love Hate" (Hangul: "오빠 나빠", lit. Bad Older Brother) and "Mabinogi (It's Fantastic!)". Jessica collaborated with 8Eight for the song "I Love You" from their 2nd album Infinity which was released on March 3, 2008. She is not the one in the music video, but is the one singing the harmony and adlibs.

In addition, she had various duets — one with Shinee member, Onew, called "One Year Later", and one with Park Myung-soo, "Naengmyeon". She sang the "Seoul Song" with Super Junior's Leeteuk, Sungmin, Donghae, Siwon, Ryeowook and Kyuhyun and fellow group members Taeyeon, Sunny, and Seohyun.

Jessica released a digital single titled "Sweet Delight" on October 13, 2010.

She also participated in the soundtrack of KBS drama Romance Town with the song "Because Tears Are Overflowing" (Korean: 눈물이 넘쳐서 ). The song was released on May 18, 2011.

In addition to acting, Jessica sang the OST for “Wild Romance” alongside Kim Jin-pyo. The song was digitally released on January 19, 2012.

On August 15, she released "Butterfly" OST for the drama To The Beautiful You with her sister Krystal. She also sang the OST "Heart Road" for the drama The King's Dream which was released on September 7.

On October 18, Jessica released the song "My Lifestyle", which is Hyundai i30‘s theme song.

She sang an OST for Dating Agency: Cyrano named "The One Like You" which was released on July 2, 2013.

Acting career

Jessica made her musical theatre debut in the South Korean production of Legally Blonde, alongside Lee Ha-nui and Kim Ji-woo; the production opened on November 14, 2009.

She had a cameo role on SBS TV Oh My Lady! in March 2010.

On December 23, 2011, Wild Romances staff confirmed that, “Jessica has been cast for the role of Lee Dongwook’s former lover, Kang Jonghee. She will be appearing in approximately eight episodes.” Jessica played the role of Kang Jonghee in the drama, who is Lee Dongwook’s unforgettable first love. It aired on January 4, 2012.

Jessica returned to musical theatre once again with Legally Blonde, alongside Jung Eun-Ji and Choi Woori. Her first performance was on November 28.

Model

Along with Girls' Generation, Jessica has been featured as a model for numerous advertisements, endorsements, and campaigns including Haptic Motion, LG, Samsung, Domino's Pizza, Elite Uniform, J.ESTINA bags and many others.

In early 2011, Jessica modeled for Dior Cosmetics with bandmates Hyoyeon, Yuri, Tiffany, Sooyoung and Sunny.

Jessica had her first runway for Lee Juyoung’s fashion show for the 2011/12 Seoul Fashion Week at Seoul’s SETEC Center on March 29. Jessica wore the line,Resurrection by Juyoung. She also modeled for Levi's in a Marie Claire issue, as well as featuring in a photoshoot, titled ‘Break The Ice’, in the December issue of 1st Look magazine.

In 2012, Jessica became models for several brands such as Banila Co., Hyundai Motor and Cartier.

On August 17, Jessica and her sister Krystal were appointed as the ambassadors for the London Paralympics Team. On September 19, they visited the 'Blue House', to attend the event for the London Paralympics Team.

Jessica and Krystal have been chosen as new models for jewelry brand STONEHENgE. The two will be the new muses of the jewelry brand for 2013. It is the first time the two sisters have been chosen as models for a brand together.

During her career, she featured in several solo covers/photoshoots for various magazines like Allure, Nylon, Singles, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, CECI, 1st Look, W Korea, Dazed & Confuzed, Style,Vogue, Beauty+ and Star 1. She has covered the 17th anniversary CeCi issue, W Korea magazine, Cosmopolitan magazine, First look magazine, Singles magazine, and many others.

In 2012, Jessica and Yoona tied for second place for individual commercial filmings (CFs) by participating in 13 different CFs while Girls’ Generation as an entire group are in 1st place combined, with the girls modeling for a total of 21 different brands including chicken, perfume, jewelry, handbags, TVs, beds, and department stores.

Guest appearance on TV show

In May 2010, Jessica became a regular guest on the show Happy Birthday until she withdrew on June 7, 2010 due to Girls' Generation's overseas activities.

She was also a regular guest on the show Star King, with fellow band member Yuri.

In 2009, she took a special part on the show Infinity Challenge for their summer special, in which she was chosen to sing a duet entitled "Naengmyun" with one of the MCs Park Myung-soo.