Go Ara (고아라)

Go Ara’s good looks might have opened the door for a stellar career in Korean entertainment, but her hard work and talent are a testament to her staying power in show business.

Photo from Hellokpop.com

Birthday: February 11, 1990

Instagram: ara_go_0211

Born in 1990, Go Ara was only 13 years old when she won a teen model contest in 2003. She quickly followed that up with a lead role in the K-drama Sharp, by playing a confident middle school girl who becomes a star. She played Lee Ok-lim, a high school student, and this series became a stepping stone for her future career. The drama was popular among young audiences and ran for multiple seasons, giving her early recognition in the industry. In a case of art imitating life, Go Ara’s career soared in the following years.

In 2006, she starred in Snow Flower and won a Best New Actress Award in the Baeksang Arts Awards for her performance as a troubled teenager.

Fluent in Japanese, she has appeared in a few Japanese films (Genghis Khan: to the Ends of the Earth and Sea and Dance Subaru) and has quite a following overseas. She is also fluent in English and has earned praise for being able to sing and dance.

Go Ara has taken on a wide range of roles in several dramas—Reply 1994 (2013), You’re All Surrounded (2014), Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth (2016), Black (2017), Ms Hammurabi (2018), and most recently Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol (2020)—and hasn’t been afraid to gain weight and change her appearance to get into character. Her dedication to her craft has earned her several awards and a place in her loyal fans’ hearts.

In Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth (2016), Go Ara played Ah Ro, a half-royal who becomes embroiled in the politics of the Silla kingdom. Her character serves as a bridge between the young warriors known as Hwarang and the royal family, providing emotional depth to a drama rich in historical detail.

In the romantic comedy, Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol (2020), Go Ara portrays Goo La-la, a pianist who faces financial ruin and finds love and friendship in a small town. The drama was a light-hearted offering compared to her more serious roles and showcased her comedic timing.

In 2023, she appeared in the noir thriller The Childe alongside K-drama favorite Kim Seon-ho.