Ah Young
A versatile South Korean performer who transitioned from bubbly K-pop idol to a respected actress on stage and screen.
Born 1991 (age 35)·South Korean singer and actress·Birthday: May 26·Millennials
Biography
Ah Young, born Cho Ah-young, first captured attention as a member of the girl group Dal Shabet, which debuted in 2011. With the group, she embodied the bright, catchy essence of K-pop, contributing vocals and charm to their string of releases. However, her ambitions stretched beyond the idol world. Parallel to her music career, she diligently built an acting resume, taking on roles in web dramas and television. Her big break came with the musical 'Gone with the Wind,' where her performance won critical praise and signaled a serious turn. She has since become a familiar face in Korean theatre and television, notably in the historical drama 'The King's Affection,' shedding the pure idol image for complex characters. Her path reflects a deliberate shift from packaged pop star to a recognized actress with artistic control.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ah was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ah Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Ah's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Debuted as a vocalist and visual member of the K-pop girl group Dal Shabet in 2011.
- Received acclaim for her leading role in the Korean musical adaptation of 'Gone with the Wind'.
- Played a supporting role in the popular historical K-drama 'The King's Affection'.
Did You Know?
She is a graduate of Dongduk Women's University, majoring in Broadcasting and Entertainment.
She is known for her proficiency in playing the piano.
She has acted under her birth name, Cho Ah-young, for some of her acting projects.
“I want to show my true colors, not just as an idol but as an artist.”
