Actress Hwang Jung-eum has succeeded big time, currently appearing in MBC drama “She Was Pretty” which is now topping the ratings among the Wednesdays-Thursdays’ prime time dramas.

Hwang first debuted as a member of K-pop girl group Sugar in 2001 and left the group three years later to pursue her acting career.

A scene from "High Kick Through the Roof" (MBC)

In 2009, Hwang made her name as an actress by starring in MBC sitcom, “High Kick Through the Roof,” playing a college student who is full of energetic vibes but sometimes clumsy. Hwang’s character being confident despite lacking money and opportunities, representing today’s college students, stirred sentiments among many young adults.

Leaving an unforgettable impression on viewers, she then landed a leading role in the SBS drama, “Giant,” whose character was very much different. She successfully made a transition, strongly positioning herself as an actress who could also be melodramatic.

She has since appeared in numerous TV dramas including “Can You Hear My Heart,” (2011) “Golden Time,” (2012) “Incarnation of Money,” (2013) “Secret Love,” (2013) “Endless Love,” (2014) and “Kill Me, Heal Me” (2015), making a leap forward almost to a veteran actress. She is now called as a guarantee of hit dramas.

A scene from "Secret Love" (left) and official poster of "Kill Me, Heal Me" (KBS, MBC)

Especially through the dramas, “Secret Love” and “Kill Me, Heal Me,” Hwang mastered the romantic genre, loving a guy under much constraints and overcoming love struggles.

And currently in “She Was Pretty,” Hwang gave up being ‘pretty.’ She wears the same dull clothes every day without makeup. However, her character has just gone through a makeover, making her display a diverse characters in a single drama. The drama is the highest-rated out of all others airing in the same time slot and is expected to attract more fans as it goes into a climax.

Hwang Jung-eum in "She Was Pretty" (MBC)

The role that Hwang plays in reviving the MBC drama network is no doubt huge. She was in a variety of dramas, and throughout, she not only gained much popularity but also contributed to the broadcaster.

By Lee Hye-won (hyewonlee@heraldcorp.com)

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