Park Cho-a

Park Cho-a
Choa in 2016
Born (1990-03-06) March 6, 1990 (age 34)
Incheon, South Korea
Occupation(s)Singer, Host
Musical career
GenresK-pop
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active
  • 2012–2017
  • 2020–present
Labels
Formerly of
Korean name
Hangul
박초아
Hanja
Revised RomanizationBak Cho-a
McCune–ReischauerPak Ch'oa

Park Cho-a (born March 6, 1990), known mononymously as Choa (stylized as ChoA), is a South Korean singer. She is best known as a former member of the girl group AOA.

Early life

[edit]

Choa was born on March 6, 1990, in Incheon, South Korea.[1] She wanted to major in music at university but her conservative father wanted her to get a traditional job, so she enrolled in Aviation Business Administration in Inha Technical College. She also worked as an IPTV salesperson, where she secretly auditioned to be an idol, failing the audition at SM Entertainment 15 times.[2][3]

Choa's first step in becoming an idol was when she met singer-songwriter Juniel, who told her about FNC's auditions for their girl group, AOA. Both Juniel and Choa were previously trainees at a company that went bankrupt.[4][5][6]

Career

[edit]

2012–2013: Debut with AOA

[edit]

On July 30, 2012, Choa made her debut as a member of AOA on Mnet's M Countdown with the song "Elvis" from their debut single album, Angels' Story.[7]

On June 12, 2013, it was announced that Choa would play the female lead, Gabriella, in the musical High School Musical. Her agency, FNC Entertainment, revealed photos of Choa practising the duet song, "Start of Something New". Choa said that she wanted to portray Gabriella as sincerely as she could. The musical ran from July 2 to September 1 at Seoul's Blue Square Samsung Card Hall.[8]

2014–2017: Solo activities and hiatus

[edit]

On March 16, 2014, Choa released a solo OST for TV Chosun's TV series Bride of the Century.[9]

Choa appeared as a new cast member on MBC's variety show "My Little Television".[10] She later left the show on May 19, 2015.[11]

Choa also became a new model for sports brand NBA's 2015 S/S, the first few pictures released were colourful and sporty.[12]

On March 25, 2015, it was revealed that Choa would be one of the members on the studio panel for MBC's We Got Married, replacing Hong Jin-young.[13][14]

On June 6, 2015, she became an advertising model for Alba Heaven, a website to help people find part-time jobs. She appeared alongside Yoo Byung-jae in a commercial for the website that month.[15]

On July 22, 2015, it was revealed that Choa would collaborate with Primary and Iron for Primary's new single 2-3's song "Don't Be Shy".[16] The song and the full music video starring Choa was released on July 24, 2015.[17]

A teaser trailer for Choa's solo debut, "Flame", was released on December 14, 2015. "Flame" is a cover of a song by Jang Hye-jin featuring Gary, with Gary's rap reworked into a section for Choa to sing.[18][19] The song was later released on December 17, 2015.[20]

In October 2016, Choa was confirmed to be the MC of JTBC new variety show Sing For You, scheduled for December 3, 2016.[21]

On June 22, 2017, Choa announced that she would be leaving AOA due to depression and insomnia. She stated that she had tried using medication to help, however, there was no improvement in her mental health.[22] This followed after Choa had a hiatus from the group following their activities from January 2017 when they released their first studio album Angel's Knock. Her departure from AOA was officially confirmed by FNC Entertainment on June 30, 2017.[23] In May 2019, her contract with FNC expired and was not renewed.[24]

2020–present: Return and Great M

[edit]

After a three-year hiatus from the entertainment industry, it was announced on August 6, 2020, that Choa had recorded a new song for the soundtrack of the KBS2 drama Men Are Men.[25] Officials confirmed her participation after viewers heard the song on the August 3 broadcast of the show, and speculated that the singer sounded similar to Choa.[26] According to an entertainment industry official on August 21, 2020, Choa has moved to Great M Entertainment, a new agency founded by Kim Young-sun, who was a founding member and managing director of FNC Entertainment.[27]

In March 2022, it was announced that Choa was preparing to release a single titled "Yesterday" on April 9, 2022.[28] In July 2022, Choa was announced as a main host of the "Your Literacy+".[29]

On 28 November 2023, Choa was announced as one of the cast members of "Diva Sisters", which is a variety show featuring five singers who get together to talk candidly about the entertainment industry and their careers. Other cast members include Chae Ri-na, Lee Ji-hye, Ivy, and Narsha.[30]

Discography

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Singles

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[31]
As lead artist
"Flame" (불꽃) 2015 25 Non-album singles
"Yesterday" 2022 [a]
"Butterfly"
(with Juncoco)
2023
As featured artist
"Don't Be Shy" (아끼지마)
(Primary featuring Choa and Iron)
2015 10 2
"Cloud"
(Primary featuring Choa)
2020 [b] Boxtape
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart

Soundtrack appearances

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[36]
"Breaking Free" (자유롭게)
(Choa with Lee Jae-jin)
2013 High School Musical on Stage! OST
"What I Wanted to Say" (아직 하지 못한 말) 2014 Bride of the Century OST
"Happy Me" (행복한)
(Choa with Byul)
2015 King of Mask Singer OST
"Beautiful Restriction" (아름다운 구속)
"I Guess" (그런가봐요)
(piano by Yoo Hee-yeol)
26 Two Yoo Project Sugar Man OST
"Sing For U"
(Choa with Kim Tae-woo)
2017 Sing For You OST
"What More Do You Need To Say" (무슨 말이 더 필요해)
"Here I Am" (난 여기 있어요) 2020 [c] Men Are Men OST
"Thorn" (가시) 2021 [d] Lovestruck in the City OST
"I Wish"[40] 2022 Never Give Up OST Part 8
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart

Filmography

[edit]

Television shows

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2015 We Got Married Host [41]
King of Mask Singer Contestant Omae, Fall Autumn Foliage (Ep 25-26) [42]
2016 Girl Who Leapt Charts Host [43]
Sing For You
2021 On & Off Cast member Season 2 [44]
Shutdown Fairy [45]
Beauty Time 3 [46]
Awesome Romance Host Episode 1–8 [47]
2022 Surprise: Secret Room Spin-off [48]
Your Literacy+ [49]
2023–present Diva Sisters Cast member [50]

Web shows

[edit]
Year Title Role Ref.
2021 Blue Chip Stars Host [51]
Double Trouble Contestant [52]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
MBC Entertainment Awards 2015 New Star of the Year We Got Married Won [53]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Yesterday" didn't enter Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked 104 position on the Gaon Download Chart.[33]
  2. ^ "Cloud" didn't enter Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked 85 position on the Gaon Download Chart.[35]
  3. ^ "Here I Am" didn't enter Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at 130 position on the Gaon Download Chart.[38]
  4. ^ "Thorn" didn't enter Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at 43 position on the Gaon Download Chart and at 22 position on the Gaon BGM Chart.[39]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "FNC Entertainment". fncent.com. Archived from the original on May 23, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  2. ^ 문, 완식 (May 21, 2015). "[★밤TV] '라스' 입지전적 초아, 꼭 성공해야돼!". 스타뉴스 (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 29, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  3. ^ 권, 수빈 (May 21, 2015). "'라스' 초아 'SM 오디션 15번 탈락했다'". 뉴스1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  4. ^ 이, 혜미 (October 19, 2015). "'어송포유' 주니엘 "AOA 초아, 내 덕에 데뷔"" [A Song For You Juniel: "AOA's Choa debuted, thanks to me"]. Nate News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 12, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  5. ^ "Solo Day Special". A Song For You. Season 4. Episode 13 (in Korean). October 18, 2015. 34 minutes in. KBS. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  6. ^ 선, 미경 (September 13, 2014). "AOA 초아 "주니엘 덕분에 데뷔했다"..이색 인연". mosen.mt.co.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  7. ^ Park HyunMin (September 2, 2012). "[Interview Part I] AOA Lands on Earth on Angel Wings and Guitars". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Archived from the original on April 8, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  8. ^ "F.T. Island's Jaejin and AoA's ChoA on the set of 'High School Musical'". Allkpop. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  9. ^ "ChoA lends her beautiful voice to 'Bride of the Century'". Allkpop. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  10. ^ "AOA's Choa Says She Lost Many Male Viewers When She Shared Makeup Tips". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  11. ^ "AOA's Choa opts out of "My Little Television" and is replaced by EXID's Hani and more". May 19, 2015. Archived from the original on August 12, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  12. ^ "Big Bang's Taeyang and AOA's ChoA turn heads looking fabulously sporty chic for 'NBA'". Allkpop. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  13. ^ "[단독]AOA 초아, '우결' 홍진영 빈자리 채운다..'귀요미 입담'". mosen.mt.co.kr. March 25, 2015. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  14. ^ "[단독]AOA 초아, '우결' 홍진영 빈자리 채운다..'귀요미 입담'". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). March 25, 2015. Archived from the original on October 19, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  15. ^ 이, 은호 (June 13, 2015). "AOA 초아, 알바천국 광고 모델 발탁…유병재와 호흡 | 텐아시아". 텐아시아 연예뉴스 (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  16. ^ "프라이머리 24일 신보 발표, AOA초아-팔로알토-마마무 화사 콜라보". 프라이머리 24일 신보 발표, AOA초아-팔로알토-마마무 화사 콜라보. July 22, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  17. ^ "프라이머리 '아끼지마' AOA 초아 손잡고 컴백...가요계 지각변동 예고". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). July 24, 2015. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  18. ^ 강, 병진 (December 14, 2015). "AOA 초아의 솔로 프로젝트 '불꽃' 티저 영상". Huffington Post Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  19. ^ "초아 '불꽃' MV 속 정다빈, 비밀 품은 몽환적 눈빛". 뉴스1 (in Korean). December 14, 2015. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  20. ^ 최, 나영 (December 17, 2015). "'보컬리스트' 초아의 내공". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  21. ^ "| 홍경민·문희준·유재환·AOA 초아, JTBC 新 음악예능 '싱포유' MC 낙점(공식)텐아시아". 텐아시아. October 28, 2016. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  22. ^ "초아 "AOA 탈퇴, 더 넓은 경험 채우고 싶어" (전문)". entertain.naver.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  23. ^ "[단독] AOA 초아, 사실상 팀 탈퇴 확정" (in Korean). eNews24. Archived from the original on May 18, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  24. ^ "[단독]AOA 초아, FNC와 이미 계약 종료…"시기는 밝힐 수 없어"" (in Korean). May 13, 2019. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  25. ^ 지, 민경 (August 6, 2020). "초아, AOA 탈퇴 후 활동 중단→3년만에 OST 참여..활동 재개하나 [종합]". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  26. ^ 김, 소연 (August 6, 2020). "[단독] AOA 초아, '그놈이 그놈이다' OST로 복귀". The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  27. ^ NYLE (August 6, 2020). "Former AOA Choa signs exclusive contract with Great M Entertainment". starbiz.net. Archived from the original on October 2, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  28. ^ Lee Da-gyeom (March 31, 2022). "AOA 출신 초아, 4월 싱글 발매...솔로로 컴백[공식]" [Choa from AOA, single release in April... Comeback as a solo [Official]] (in Korean). Star Today, Maeil Economic Daily. Retrieved March 31, 2022 – via Naver.
  29. ^ Oh Myung-on (July 4, 2022). "어른들을 위한 EBS '당신의 문해력+' 7일 첫 방송" [EBS for adults 'Your Literacy+' premieres on the 7th] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved July 4, 2022 – via Naver.
  30. ^ "'놀던언니', 시즌2 제작 확정...3월 방송". Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). January 17, 2024. Archived from the original on February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  31. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  32. ^ Cumulative sales of "Flame":
  33. ^ 2022년 16주차 Download Chart. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  34. ^ Cumulative sales of "Don't Be Shy":
  35. ^ 2020년 40주차 Download Chart. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  36. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  37. ^ Cumulative sales of "I Guess":
  38. ^ 2020년 33주차 Download Chart. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  39. ^ Peak chart position for "Thorn":
  40. ^ Yoo Byung-chul (May 27, 2022). "초아, '구필수는 없다' OST 여덟 번째 주자 출격…27일 'I Wish' 발매" [Choa, the 8th runner of 'There is no Goo Pilsu' scrambled... Release of 'I Wish' on the 27th] (in Korean). Korea Economy TV. Retrieved May 27, 2022 – via Naver.
  41. ^ Hwang Mi-hyun (March 25, 2015). "[단독]AOA 초아, '우결' 홍진영 빈자리 채운다..'귀요미 입담'". Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  42. ^ Kim Mi-ri (September 27, 2015). "'복면가왕' 단풍, 정체는 無언급 AOA 초아 '충격'". My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  43. ^ Kang Ji-ae (July 27, 2016). "AOA 초아, 이상민 '아재 탈출' 프로젝트 실시 (차트를달리는소녀)". TV Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  44. ^ Lee Seung-mi (January 19, 2021). "[공식]엄정화·성시경·초아·윤박·넉살, '온앤오프' 출연 확정…16일 첫방송". Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021 – via Naver.
  45. ^ Jeon Hyo-jin (April 8, 2021). "폐업요정' 데프콘→초아소상공인 살리기 프로젝트". Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021 – via Naver.
  46. ^ Kim Na-yul (May 20, 2021). "[단독]여자친구, 전속 계약 해지에 향후 행보 주목‥예린은 '뷰티타임3' 출연(종합)" [[Exclusive] GFRIEND pays attention to future actions to terminate exclusive contract...Yerin appears in 'Beauty Time 3' (comprehensive)]. Herald POP (in Korean). Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Naver.
  47. ^ Cheon Yoon-hye (September 15, 2021). "끝내주는 연애', 붐X온주완X치타X초아X이은지 5MC 출격..10월 첫 방송[공식]" ['Awesome Romance', Boom X On Joo-wan X Cheetah X Choa X Lee Eun-ji 5MC sortie... First broadcast in October [Official]]. Herald POP (in Korean). Retrieved September 15, 2021 – via Naver.
  48. ^ Kim Ga-young (December 24, 2021). "정형돈X장성규, 20주년 '서프라이즈' 스핀오프 토크쇼 MC [공식]" [Jung Hyung-don X Jang Seong-gyu, 20th Anniversary 'Surprise' spin-off talk show MC [Official]] (in Korean). E-Daily. Retrieved December 24, 2021 – via Naver.
  49. ^ Oh Myung-on (July 4, 2022). "어른들을 위한 EBS '당신의 문해력+' 7일 첫 방송" [EBS for adults 'Your Literacy+' premieres on the 7th] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved July 4, 2022 – via Naver.
  50. ^ "'놀던언니', 시즌2 제작 확정...3월 방송". Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). January 17, 2024. Archived from the original on February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  51. ^ Choi Hee-jae (November 8, 2021). "카카오TV, 신규 예능 '블루칩스타즈' 론칭…김성주·초아 출연 [공식입장]" [Kakao TV launches new entertainment 'Blue Chip Stars'... Kim Seong-joo and Choa appeared [official position]] (in Korean). EXports News. Retrieved November 8, 2021 – via Naver.
  52. ^ Kim Ji-hye (November 17, 2021). "더블 트러블' 임슬옹·장현승부터 공민지·효린·초아까지..10인 라인업 공개" [From ‘Double Trouble’ Lim Seulong and Jang Hyunseung to Gong Minji, Hyorin, and Choa..10 lineup revealed] (in Korean). Herald POP. Retrieved November 17, 2021 – via Naver.
  53. ^ Lee Kyung-ho; Lee Ji-hyun (December 29, 2015). "곽시양·조이·초아, MBC방송연예대상 뉴스타상 수상". MT Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
[edit]
  • Media related to Park Choa at Wikimedia Commons