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Hwayoung

hwayoung_ryu_93

Personal Details :

  • Full Name: Ryu Hwa Young
  • Stage Name: Hwayoung
  • Birth Date: April 22, 1993
  • Birthplace: Gwangju, South Korea
  • Height: 168 cm (5’6″)
  • Blood Type: O
  • Position in T-ara: Lead Rapper, Sub-Vocalist

Social Media Presence :

Career Overview :

  • 2010: Joined the girl group T-ara as the ninth member, serving as the lead rapper and sub-vocalist.
  • 2010–2012: Promoted with T-ara on major hit songs including “Roly-Poly”, “Cry Cry”, and “Lovey-Dovey”.
  • 2012: Departed from T-ara following a highly publicized controversy, which led to a temporary hiatus from the entertainment industry.
  • 2013–2014: Signed with Wellmade Yedang and transitioned into acting, debuting in the drama special “Mother’s Choice”.
  • 2015–2017: Starred in several television dramas including “Ex-Girlfriends’ Club”, “Age of Youth”, “My Father is Strange”, and “Mad Dog”.
  • 2017: Earned critical praise and won Best New Actress at the KBS Drama Awards.
  • 2018–2022: Focused on building her acting career, appearing in independent films and taking roles in web dramas.
  • 2022: Won Best Actress at the New York True Venture Film Festival for her role in the film “Exist Within”.
  • 2024: Publicly addressed her departure from T-ara and opened up about her experiences, gaining support for her resilience.
  • 2025: Signed with Lean Branding and relaunched her public presence through YouTube and social media platforms.

Personal Life & Interests :

  • She has a twin sister, Ryu Hyoyoung, who was also active in the K-pop industry and acting. The two share a close bond and have supported each other publicly.
  • Hwayoung enjoys writing poetry and has expressed a desire to publish a book one day.
  • She is known for her minimalist lifestyle and love of black fashion, often opting for simple and chic styles.
  • Her hobbies include reading, watching documentaries, and exploring quiet cafés in Seoul.
  • She is a strong advocate for mental health awareness and has openly discussed the pressures of fame and the entertainment industry.
  • She values privacy and rarely shares personal relationships or family matters in the media.
  • In 2024, she began reconnecting with fans through vlogs and behind-the-scenes glimpses into her daily life via social media and YouTube.

Net Worth :

  • Estimated Net Worth (2025): $1 million – $5 million USD
  • Primary Income Sources:
    • Music career with T-ara (2010–2012)
    • Acting roles in television dramas and films
    • Endorsements and modeling work
    • Content creation on YouTube and social media platforms
  • Additional Notes:
    • Some sources estimate her net worth as low as $100K–$1M, while others list it up to $5M, reflecting different methodologies and data uncertainties.

Awards & Achievements :

  • Music: Participated in major hit songs with T-ara, such as “Bo Peep Bo Peep,” “Roly-Poly,” and “Cry Cry.”
  • Acting Debut: Made her acting debut in the SBS drama special “Mother’s Choice” (2014).
  • Notable Roles: Starred in TV dramas including Ex-Girlfriends’ Club (2015), Age of Youth (2016), My Father Is Strange and Mad Dog (2017).
  • Awards:
    • Won Best New Actress at the 31st KBS Drama Awards (2017).
    • Nominated for Best Couple at the same awards for her role in Mad Dog.
    • Won Best Actress at the New York True Venture Film Festival (2022) for the film Exist Within.
  • Other Achievements: Began career as a DJ at the 2014 Miller Countdown Party and signed with major entertainment agencies to build a diverse career portfolio.

Fun Facts :

  • She has an identical twin sister, Ryu Hyoyoung, who is also an actress and former idol.
  • Originally, Hwayoung aspired to be a poet or writer before entering the entertainment industry.
  • Her favorite color is black, reflecting her love for minimalist and chic fashion.
  • She started writing lyrics during her trainee years and has contributed to some projects.
  • Despite controversies during her idol career, she maintains a loyal fanbase and often expresses gratitude to them.
  • She enjoys watching documentaries and often shares book recommendations with her fans.
  • She trained briefly in classical ballet during her teenage years.