Nana (singer)

Im Jin-ah (born September 14, 1991^[1]), known by her stage name Nana, is a South Korean singer, actress and model. She is a member and main dancer of girl group After School and its subgroup Orange Caramel.

Early life

Nana was born on September 14, 1991.^[2] She graduated from Ochang High School in Cheongju,^[3] and was a participant in the 2009 Asia Pacific Super Model Contest.^[4] Nana is a licensed makeup artist and is a member of the Makeup Artists Association.^[5]

Career

2009–2013: Debut with After School and Orange Caramel

In November 2009, Nana debuted in After School along with Raina as third generation members with the release of After School's second EP, Because of You.^[6] In June 2010, Nana, along with After School members Raina and Lizzy, formed a sub-unit called Orange Caramel. Nana's first solo song, "Close Your Eyes", was included on Orange Caramel's third single, "Shanghai Romance".

In July 2011, Nana was part of the After School sub-unit A.S. Red along with After School members Kahi, Jungah and Uee, releasing the single "In the Night Sky".^[7] In September 2011, she was chosen as the main model for the Tokyo Girls Collection fashion show.^[8]

In March 2012, Nana again modeled for Tokyo Girls Collection, walking the S/S 2012 show. She was also a model for the Japanese fashion show Girls' Award and Park Yoon-yoo's Seoul Fashion Walk S/S 2012.^[4] In June 2012, After School released their fifth maxi-single Flashback. Nana has a solo song on it titled "Eyeline".^[9] In December she joined fellow K-pop stars Hyolyn, Hyuna, Hyoseong, and Nicole to form super group Dazzling Red for SBS Gayo Daejun, performing the song "This Person".^[10] She also became the endorsement model for the biggest diet brand in Korea, Juvis.^[11][12] Nana was also a permanent panelist on the Japanese fashion TV show, Tokyo Brandnew Girls.^{[13][14][15][16][17][18]}

In April 2013, Nana collaborated with Electroboyz on their single "Ma Boy 3".^[19] In December 2013, Nana placed second on the Independent Critics List of 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2013.^[20] She rose to the top position in 2014,^[21] and placed first again in 2015.^[22][23]

2014–present: Roommate and start of acting career

In March 2014, it was announced that Nana would be a member on a new SBS variety show called Roommate. The show features 11 celebrities living in one house.^[24] In April, Nana became the host for the second season of OnStyle's Style Log, along with Hong Jong-hyun and Cho Min-ho.^[25] In August 2014, Nana participated in the Chinese fashion elimination show Muse Dress.^[26] While on the show, Nana was praised by the judges for her sense and style, and emerged runner-up in the competition. The second season of Roommate began airing on September 21, with Nana returning as a cast member. She also had a cameo role in the Korean film Fashion King, which was released on November 6, 2014.^[27] In November 2014, Nana was cast in the Chinese television drama, Love Weaves Through a Millennium, a remake of the Korean drama Queen In-hyun's Man (2012).^[28][29] The drama aired in February 2015 on Hunan TV.

In April 2015, Nana walked the Girls Award S/S 2015 Fashion Show in Tokyo. In June, Nana was cast in the Chinese romantic comedy film Go Lala Go 2, the sequel to Go Lala Go!^[30] In October, Nana again modelled for Girls Award, walking their A/W 2015 Fashion Show.

In February 2016, Nana joined the cast of Real Men for the fourth season's female soldier special.^[31][32] Later in the year, she was cast in a supporting role in the television drama The Good Wife.^[33] The drama is a remake of the American series of the same name, and began airing on tvN in July 2016. Nana earned positive reviews for her role as Kim Dan.^[34][35]

Following her success on the small screen, Nana is cast alongside her The Good Wife co-star,Yoo Ji Tae in the film, Ggoon (Conman).^[36]

Nana received the Rookie Actress award at the 2016 Asia Artist Awards, which took place on November 16.

Personal life

She is currently attending Seoul Institute of the Arts (SeoulArts), formally known as Seoul Art College.

She studied acting for two years in preparation for her debut role.

Endorsements

In 2014, Nana became the main endorsement model for DHC Korea. Her contract with the company was renewed in April 2016.^[37] She also became the model for Skechers, FOSSIL, Alton Sports Bike with Hong Jong-hyun and Baskin Robbins and Tving with Orange Caramel. She was also chosen as the model for Cordajour in Japan.^[38]

In 2015, Nana became the model for Xtep Sports^[39] and Kafellon^[40] in China. She also became the model for mobile game OST Chronicle, Miero Fiber, Mad for Garlic, Memebox, GLAMM, waterpark Ocean World with Lee Kwang-soo^[41] and fashion brand Bcuz with group-mate Lizzy.

Discography

Nana at a fan event in 2012

Solo songs

Featurings

Filmography

Film

Television series

Variety show

Music video appearances

Awards and nominations

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nana.

• Nana on Twitter
• Nana at HanCinema