Kwon Nara (ex. Hello Venus)

Who is Kwon Nara?

Kwon Ah-yoon, known professionally as Kwon Nara, is a South Korean actress and former singer born on March 13, 1991. She gained initial recognition as a founding member of the girl group Hello Venus before transitioning to a full-time acting career.

Nara became an acting trainee for Fantagio Entertainment during middle school, establishing her foundation in performance arts before entering the music industry. She joined Hello Venus as one of its original members, performing under the stage name "Nara" when the group debuted on May 9, 2012, with their mini-album Venus. The album's title single "Venus" reached number 35 on the Gaon chart.

Her birth name was legally Kwon Na-ra, which she later changed to Kwon Ah-yoon following a car accident involving a drunk driver. Despite the legal name change, she continues to promote professionally using her birth name. She has two younger sisters named Hara and Bora.

Nara stands 172 cm tall with blood type A and studied Broadcasting at Dongduk Women's University. Her early acting work included cameo appearances, notably as a stewardess in the 20th episode of the SBS drama Take Care of Us, Captain alongside fellow Hello Venus member Yooyoung.

Following Hello Venus's disbandment on May 8, 2019, Nara departed from Fantagio Music and joined A-Man Project on June 6, 2019. Her subsequent agency transitions included C-JeS Entertainment in 2022, Ghost Studio in 2023, and most recently, SUBLIME in May 2025.

Kwon Nara's Career with Hello Venus

Debut and early years

In April 2012, Nara signed with Pledis Entertainment and joined Hello Venus. Following the group's official debut through the music ranking program M! Countdown, she performed the title track which ranked high on major Korean music streaming platforms. On August 13, 2013, she held her first concert "HELLOVENUS Live" in Korea with the group, featuring a setlist of 11 songs.

In addition to musical activities, Nara appeared in youth web dramas during her time with Hello Venus. She participated in After School Luck or Not in October 2013, followed by its sequel After School Luck or Not 2 in November 2014. She made cameo appearances in several television productions, including Need Romance 3 in January 2014, A Single Woman With Ulterior Motives in February 2014, and The Entertainer in April 2016. On December 3, 2016, the youth romance film Girl's World, in which she starred alongside Roh Jung Eui and Jo Soo-hyang, premiered at the Seoul Independent Film Festival.

Transition from K-pop to acting

Nara executed a complete career transformation from music to acting. In 2017, she played her first major acting role in Suspicious Partner, portraying prosecutor Cha Yoo-jung who returns to Korea after completing overseas training.

Notable Acting Roles and TV Shows

Suspicious Partner (2017)

Nara portrayed Cha Yoo-jung, a 31-year-old prosecutor and the ex-girlfriend of protagonist Noh Ji-wook in this SBS romantic comedy drama. Her character served as a complicating factor in the relationship between Ji-wook and Eun Bong-hee, refusing to relinquish her pursuit of her former partner. The series aired from May 10 to July 13, 2017, spanning 40 episodes.

My Mister (2018)

In this tvN melodrama, Nara took on a supporting role as Choi Yoo Ra, a movie actress who becomes romantically involved with the younger brother of Park Dong-hoon. The series received critical acclaim and won Best Drama at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards.

Itaewon Class (2020)

Nara played Oh Soo-ah, the Head of Strategic Planning at Jangga Group and Park Sae-ro-yi's first love. Her character navigated conflicting loyalties between her employer and her feelings for Sae-ro-yi throughout the series. The drama became the seventh highest-rated Korean drama in cable television history.

Bulgasal: Immortal Souls (2021-2022)

Cast as Min Sang-woon, Nara portrayed a woman transformed from an immortal being into a human following a tragic event. The tvN fantasy drama premiered in December 2021 and concluded in February 2022.

The Midnight Studio (2024)

Nara starred as Han Bom, a lawyer characterized by her unwavering stance against injustice. The series aired on ENA from March 11 to May 6, 2024.

Awards and Recognition

Nara's recognition began during her music career with Hello Venus, receiving the Best New Female Artist Group award at the Mnet Music Awards in 2012. The same year, she received the Best Newcomer award at the Allkpop Awards. In 2013, Hello Venus was named Rookie of the Year at the 2nd Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards.

Following her transition to acting, Nara earned a Best New Actress nomination at the 2017 SBS Drama Awards for her performance in Suspicious Partner. Her work in My Mister subsequently garnered a Best New Actress nomination for TV at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards in 2019. The same year, she received two Best New Actress trophies for Doctor Prisoner. Her performance in this series also earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards. In addition to this recognition, she received a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards for her role in Itaewon Class in January 2020.

Nara won the Rookie Actress Award at the 2019 Korean Drama Award, where she expressed gratitude to the directors, writers, actresses, and staff who worked alongside her.

FAQs

How tall is Kwon Nara?

Nara stands 172 cm tall.

Does she maintain contact with her Hello Venus members?

The friendship among Hello Venus members remains active through regular communication. Group chats and video calls serve as primary methods of staying connected, with members frequently discussing their time together.

What was her experience filming her first historical drama?

Nara's first historical drama role presented distinct challenges from modern productions. The atmosphere on set, hair styling, makeup application, and costume requirements differed significantly from contemporary dramas. She experimented with various traditional female hairstyles throughout filming. Winter shooting conditions proved particularly difficult due to the restrictive nature of traditional hanbok, which allowed only single-layer garments under the top portion despite cold temperatures.

What is her most memorable acting line?

From The Midnight Studio, Nara identifies a line about relationship timing as particularly meaningful: "Every relationship has its own timing. I'll believe we'll meet again." This dialogue resonated with her understanding of fleeting human connections.

What are her relationship values?

Nara observes how individuals treat older people and service staff as a critical indicator of character. She values kindness and caring qualities, expressing preference for someone who understands others intuitively.