Uhm Jung-hwa | |
|---|---|
 Uhm in October 2023 | |
| Born | (1969-08-17)August 17, 1969 (age 56) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Relatives | Uhm Tae-woong (brother) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Labels | |
| Formerly of | Refund Sisters |
| Website | ilovejunghwa.com |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 엄정화 |
| Hanja | 嚴正化 |
| RR | Eom Jeonghwa |
| MR | Ŏm Chŏnghwa |
Musical artist | |
Uhm Jung-hwa (Korean: 엄정화; born August 17, 1969)[1] is a South Korean singer, actress and dancer. Uhm is considered to be one of the most influential women in the Korean entertainment industry, finding success in both music and film.[2] Her legacy and career reinventions have given her the nickname of "KoreanMadonna".[3][4]
Uhm began her career in 1989 as a chorus member for the broadcasting companyMBC. She starred in the romantic drama filmOn a Windy Day, We Must Go to Apgujeong (1993) and released her debut studio albumSorrowful Secret that same year. Though both releases found limited audiences, the album's lead single, "Pupil", helped to establish a sensual image for Uhm.
She pivoted to dance music with the single "Sad Expectation" (1996), and found success with "Rose of Betrayal" (배반의 장미) from her third studio album,After Love (1997). Subsequent album releasesInvitation (1998) and005.1999.06 (1999) were bolstered by a string of hit singles: "Poison", "Invitation", "I Don't Know" (몰라), and "Festival", which gained status as her signature songs.
In 2001, Uhm began to focus on her acting career. Her performance in the erotic comedyMarriage Is a Crazy Thing (2002) won Best Actress at the 39thBaeksang Arts Awards, a category she received another nomination for withPrincess Aurora (2006) and won again withDancing Queen (2012).[5]
Her 2000s musical output saw declining commercial reception but greater appeal with critics. Uhm began experimenting with electronica onSelf Control (2004), and funk onPrestige (2006), the latter of which won Best Dance and Electronic Album at the 4thKorean Music Awards. In 2008, she experienced a commercial resurgence with the single "D.I.S.C.O". Following a nearly decade-long hiatus from music, she released her tenth studio albumThe Cloud Dream of the Nine in 2017.
Uhm Jung-hwa, born on August 17, 1969, in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea, is the second of four children to her father, Uhm Jin-ok, and mother, Yoo Kyung-sook. Her siblings include an older sister, Uhm Jung-hye, a younger sister, Uhm Jung-sun, and a younger brother, the actor Uhm Tae-woong. Her father, a trumpet player and middle school music teacher who majored in music at Seorabol College of Arts, died in a motorcycle accident in 1974. Following his death, the family faced a difficult financial situation, with Uhm even having to live in a school cafeteria dormitory.[6][7]
She graduated from Cheongjeon Elementary School and Uirim Girls' Middle School in Jecheon. She then attended Jecheon Girls' High School before transferring to Bukwon Girls' High School in Wonju, Gangwon-do, from which she graduated in 1989. Uhm recalled traveling to Seoul during her high school years to attend a Deulgukhwa concert. She became well-known for her singing skills after transferring to Bukwon Girls' High School. Her friends would line up to request songs from her during school picnics and talent shows.[6]
After high school, Uhm moved to Seoul, where she worked part-time at a café while her mother ran a street food stall selling tteokbokki and fish cakes. In 1989, she passed audition for the MBC Chorus, beginning her career as a member of its 12th class. Uhm revealed that she was initially rejected because the formal recruitment process only hired college graduates. However, she was later able to join through a special recruitment. During this period, she also worked part-time as a chorus member at the Holiday Inn Seoul, which was operated by Lee Joo-il. While in the MBC Chorus, she made connections in the entertainment industry, including with Yang Hyun-suk.[6]
Uhm Jung-hwa officially debuted as a singer in 1993 with her first studio albumSorrowful Secret. By the mid-90s she established herself as one of the top Korean female singers and entertainers, with a series of hit singles: "Sad Expectation" (슬픈 기대), "A Love Only Heaven Permits" (하늘만 허락한 사랑), "Rose of Betrayal" (배반의 장미), and "Tell Me" (말해 줘).[8][9]
Uhm's fourth studio album,Invitation, introduced a new mature side of the singer. The music video for its title track caused a lot of controversy due to its suggestive nature.Invitation quickly became one of the highest selling albums of the year and received positive reviews from critics and fans.
She released two of her most recognizable singles of her career, "Poison" and "Invitation" (초대). She remained successful the following year, in 1999, with her fifth studio album005.1999.06.[10][11]
As of 2020 she currently released ten studio albums, two compilation albums and one extended play.
During the 2000s, Uhm began to focus more on her acting career and committed herself to taking a variety of acting roles. She also began to pursue and experiment with different musical genres, in particularelectronica. In 2004, she released her double albumSelf Control, which featured songs composed byJung Jae-hyung, Fractal and Roller Coaster. Music critics praised Uhm for her ability to reinvent her image and sound.
After a two-year break from the music scene, she released her ninth studio albumPrestige. Throughout the year she released two singles, "Come 2 Me" and "Song of the Wind" (바람의 노래), each enjoyed positive critical reception. In early 2007, she won aKorean Music Award for Best Electronic Dance Record.
_(cropped).jpg)
In the summer of 2008, she released her firstEP titledD.I.S.C.O with help from her longtime friendYang Hyun-suk ofYG Entertainment. The lead single "D.I.S.C.O" featuredT.O.P, a member from the popular boy bandBig Bang. The EP was one of the best-selling albums by a female artist in 2008, and was further promoted by the digital single "D.I.S.C.O Part 2" which was a remix version of "D.I.S.C.O" and featuredG-Dragon, the leader of BigBang.
After an eight-year-long hiatus Uhm announced that she would be releasing her first new album since D.I.S.C.O in 2008, the album title would beThe Cloud Dream of the Nine. She revealed that she would be releasing the album in two parts, the first part would be released on December 27, 2017, and the second part at a later date. Uhm performed the title tracks "Watch Me Move" and "Dreamer" on Gayo Daejeon along with "D.I.S.C.O", she would also perform the two tracks onMCountdown on the January 5. One year after the release of Part 1, Uhm revealed through her Instagram account that she was in the preparation stage of her comeback with part 2 ofThe Cloud Dream of the Nine.
In the summer of 2020, Uhm joined with singersLee Hyori,Jessi, andHwasa to form the "supergroup"Refund Sisters. Their first single, "Don't Touch Me" debuted in October 2020, and reached #1 on the Gaon chart.[12]
Uhm has established herself as one of South Korea's top actresses. She is known for her roles in the filmsMarriage Is a Crazy Thing (2002),Singles (2003),Princess Aurora (2005),Seducing Mr. Perfect (2006),Tidal Wave (2009) andDancing Queen (2012) which became one of the highest-grossing movies in Korea. She has won twoBaeksang Arts Awards for Best Actress, in 2002 forMarriage is a Crazy Thing and again in 2012 forDancing Queen.
In 2022, Uhm is back on the small screen with the tvN dramaOur Blues, which is their comeback on the small screen in 5 years since 2017.[13]
Uhm launched her new clothing and lingerie line, "Corner Suite" and "ZHUM in New York", which made $10MUSD within three months of its release. "Corner Suite" became an instant hit when the line debuted on online markets, which immediately sold out, and putting the line with more home shopping channels as for its demand.[14][unreliable source?]
Uhm was diagnosed withthyroid cancer but fully recovered after surgery in May 2010.[15][unreliable source?] Uhm said she felt a little afraid leading up to the surgery, but rather than being discouraged by the pain she was experiencing, she made up her mind to dedicate herself to helping others by inspiring them. "I want to use my talent and influence in a meaningful way", she said.[16]
Artists who have cited Uhm as an influence or role model includeBoA,[17]Lee Hyori,[18]Baek Ji-young,[19]Sandara Park,[20]Tiffany Young,[21]Jung Eun-chae,[22]Son Dam-bi,[23]Kim Yoon-ji,[24]Dal Shabet'sAh Young,[25]Laboum'sSolbin,[26] andApink'sPark Cho-rong.[27]
In 2021, she was selected as Jury member for Actor and Actress of the Year Award in26th Busan International Film Festival held in October.[28]
She also has been one of the most impactful artist since the 90s, known to be called "The Queen of Charisma"[29] and is also considered to be asex symbol.[30]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [31][32] | |||
| Sorrowful Secret |
Track listing
| — | — |
| Uhm Jung Hwa 2 |
Track listing
| ||
| After Love (후애)(後愛) |
| ||
| Invitation |
|
| |
| 005.1999.06 |
| 1 |
|
| Queen of Charisma |
Track listing
| 3 |
|
| Hwa (화) |
| 5 |
|
| Self Control |
| 3 |
|
| Prestige |
Track listing
| 17 |
|
| The Cloud Dream of the Nine |
| 22 | — |
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [31] | |||
| Best...My Songs |
| — |
|
| All Details |
| 10 |
|
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [31] | |||
| D.I.S.C.O |
| 18 |
|
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [42] | |||
| "Pupil" (눈동자) | 1993 | — | Sorrowful Secret |
| "Sad Expectation" (슬픈기대) | 1996 | — | Uhm Jung Hwa 2 |
| "A Love Only Heaven Permits" (하늘만 허락한 사랑) | — | ||
| "Rose of Betrayal" (배반의 장미) | 1997 | 70 | After Love |
| "After Love" (후애 (後愛)) | — | ||
| "Poison" | 1998 | 7 | Invitation |
| "Invitation" (초대) | 19 | ||
| "I Don't Know" (몰라) | 1999 | — | 005.1999.06 |
| "Festival" | — | ||
| "Cross" (크로스) | — | All Details | |
| "Escape" | 2000 | — | Queen of Charisma |
| "Crack" (틈) | — | ||
| "All Go Away" (다가라) | 2001 | — | Hwa |
| "Eternity" | 2004 | — | Self Control |
| "Invitation" (tvN Remix) (초대 tvN Remix) | 2006 | — | Non-album single |
| "Come 2 Me" | — | Prestige | |
| "Come 2 Me" (New Remix) | — | Non-album single | |
| "D.I.S.C.O" feat.T.O.P | 2008 | — | D.I.S.C.O |
| "D.I.S.C.O Part 2" feat.G-Dragon | — | Non-album single | |
| "Watch Me Move" | 2016 | — | The Cloud Dream Of The Nine |
| "Dreamer" | 70 | ||
| "Ending Credit" | 2017 | 87 | |
| "She" | — | ||
| "Hop in" (호피무늬) feat.Hwasa,DPR Live | 2020 | —[a] | Non-album single |
| Peak chart positions are from theGaon Digital Chart, which was established in 2010. | |||
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Pupil" (눈동자) | 1993 | On a Windy Day, We Should Go To Apkujeong Dong OST |
| "Luxury good" (럭셔리 굳) | 2002 | Boss X File OST |
| "Narration" | 2003 | Wife OST |
| "Recipe" (레시피) | 2009 | He Who Can't Marry OST |
| "Call My Name" with Dancing Queens | 2012 | Dancing Queen OST |
| "Second Chance" with Dancing Queens feat.Cheetah | ||
| "Let Me Cry" | 2017 | You Are Too Much OST |
| "Who am I?" (나는 누구?) feat. Duk Bae | ||
| "Emerald" (에메랄드) |
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "October - As always" (10월 October - 늘 그렇듯) | 2001 | ZOY Project 1st |
| "My love, crybaby" (내사랑 울보) | 2002 | Jeon Yeong-Rok's 30th Anniversary Dedication Album "Legend" |
| "Sad Christmas" Lee Jae-hoon feat.Leessang, Uhm Jung-hwa | 2005 | White winter 2005 |
| "Love is" (사랑이란) | 2008 | Song Book |
| "Time passes with you (Original Ver.)" (시간은 그대와 흘러 (Original Ver.)) Jung Jae-hyung feat.Lucid Fall, Uhm Jung-hwa | 2009 | Promenade |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Marriage Story | Disc Jockey | ||
| 1993 | On a Windy Day We Must Go to Apgujeong | |||
| 1994 | Blue Seagull | Joshua | voice | |
| How to Top My Wife | Manula jugigi | |||
| 2002 | Marriage Is a Crazy Thing | Yeon-hee | ||
| 2003 | Singles | Dong-mi | ||
| 2004 | Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong | Yoon Hye-Jin | ||
| 2005 | All for Love | Hur Yu-jung | ||
| Princess Aurora | Jung Soon-jung | |||
| 2006 | For Horowitz | Kim Ji-soo | ||
| Seducing Mr. Perfect | Min-june | |||
| 2007 | Love Now | Seo Yu-na | ||
| 2009 | Insadong Scandal | Bae Tae-jin | ||
| Tidal Wave | Yoo-jin | |||
| Five Senses of Eros | Lee Jung-ha | |||
| 2010 | Bestseller | Baek Hee-soo | ||
| 2011 | Mama | Dong-sook | ||
| 2012 | Dancing Queen | Herself | ||
| 2013 | In My End Is My Beginning | Lee Jung-ha | ||
| Montage | Ha-kyung | |||
| 2014 | Venus Talk | Jung Shin-hye | ||
| 2015 | Wonderful Nightmare | Lee Yeon-woo | ||
| 2020 | Okay! Madam | Mi Young | ||
| 2023 | Miss Fortune | Lee Ji-hye | [44][45] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Sarang | |||
| 1992 | The Wild | |||
| 1993 | Good Morning Youngdong | |||
| Sisters | ||||
| 1994 | The Rich People Also Cry | |||
| Police | ||||
| Close One Eye | ||||
| Mystery Melodrama | ||||
| 1995 | Human Theater | |||
| Angel Inside the Mask | ||||
| Remember to Love | ||||
| 1996 | Intimacy Between Father and Son | |||
| 1997 | Park Bit-na | |||
| Star | ||||
| Beautiful Sin | Areumdawoon Joe | |||
| 2003 | Wife | Ahnae | ||
| 2004 | Tropical Nights in December | |||
| 2007 | Get Karl! Oh Soo-jung | Oh Soo-jung | [46][47] | |
| 2009 | He Who Can't Marry | Jang Moon-jung | [48][49] | |
| 2014 | A Witch's Love | Ban Ji-yeon | [50][51] | |
| 2017 | You Are Too Much | Yoo Ji-na / Kim Hye-jung | [52] | |
| 2022 | Our Blues | Go Mi-ran | [53] | |
| 2023 | Doctor Cha | Cha Jeong-suk | [54][55] | |
| 2025 | My Troublesome Star | Im Sera / Bong Cheong-ja |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Hangout with Yoo | Cast Member | Episode 56–68 | |
| 2021 | On & Off | Season 2 | [56] | |
| 2023 | Dance Singer's Wandering Troupe | [57] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Taxi Driver – Where Are You Going? (택시 드리벌 - 당신은 어디까지 가십니까?) | Hwa-yi | [58][59] |
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APAN Star Awards | 2023 | Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries | Doctor Cha | Won | [60] |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2003 | Best Actress – Film | Marriage Is a Crazy Thing | Won | |
| 2006 | Best Actress – Film | Princess Aurora | Nominated | ||
| 2012 | Best Actress – Film | Dancing Queen | Won | ||
| 2024 | Best Actress – Television | Doctor Cha | Nominated | [61][62] | |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 1995 | Best Supporting Actress | How to Top My Wife | Nominated | |
| 2006 | Best Actress | For Horowitz | Nominated | ||
| 2012 | Best Actress | Dancing Queen | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | Best Actress | Montage | Nominated | ||
| Busan Film Critics Awards | 2006 | Best Actress | Princess Aurora | Won | |
| Chunsa Film Art Awards | 2010 | Best Actress | Bestseller | Won | |
| 2014 | Best Actress | Montage | Nominated | ||
| CJENM Visionary Awards[b] | 2024 | 2024 Visionary | Uhm Jung-hwa | Won | [64] |
| Donga TV Fashion Beauty Award | 2006 | Fashion Icon | Uhm Jung-hwa | Won | |
| Gala Dinner Party sponsored by FKCCI | 2007 | Friendship Award | Uhm Jung-hwa | Won | |
| Golden Cinematography Awards | 1993 | Best Supporting Actress | On a Windy Day We Must Go to Apgujeong | Won | |
| 2004 | Special Award | Mr. Handy | Won | ||
| Golden Disc Awards | 1998 | Bonsang Award (Song Division) | "Poison" | Won | |
| 1999 | Bonsang Award (Song Division) | "I Don't Know" | Won | ||
| 2000 | Bonsang Award (Song Division) | "Escape" | Won | ||
| Grand Bell Awards | 1993 | Best New Actress | On a Windy Day We Must Go to Apgujeong | Nominated | |
| 2007 | Best Actress | For Horowitz | Nominated | ||
| 2009 | Best Supporting Actress | Tidal Wave | Nominated | ||
| 2012 | Best Actress | Dancing Queen | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | Best Actress | Montage | Won | ||
| 2015 | Best Actress | Wonderful Nightmare | Nominated | ||
| Jecheon International Music and Film Festival | 2021 | JIMFFACE | Uhm Jung-hwa | Won | [65] |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2003 | Excellence Award, Actress | Wife | Won | |
| KBS Song Festival | 2001 | Main Prize | Uhm Jung-hwa | Won | |
| Korean Culture Entertainment Awards | 2013 | Best Actress | Montage | Won | |
| Korean Film Actors Association | 2013 | Popular Film Star Award | Montage | Won | |
| Korean Film Awards | 2006 | Best Actress | For Horowitz | Nominated | |
| Korean Music Awards | 2007 | Best Electronic Dance Album | Prestige | Won | |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2004 | Top Excellence Award, Actress | Tropical Nights in December | Nominated | |
| 2017 | Grand Prize (Daesang) | You Are Too Much | Nominated | ||
| Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Weekend Drama | Nominated | ||||
| MBC Entertainment Awards | 2020 | Excellence Award in Music/Talk Category – Female | Hangout with Yoo | Won | [66] |
| MBC Gayo Daejejeon | 2001 | 30-years-old and Above Award | Uhm Jung-hwa | Won | |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | 1999 | Best Female Artist | "I Don't Know" | Won | [67][68] |
| Best Dance Performance | Nominated | ||||
| 2000 | Best Female Artist | "Cross" | Nominated | [69] | |
| 2001 | Best Female Artist | "Crack" | Nominated | [70] | |
| 2008 | Best Female Artist | "Disco" ft.T.O.P | Nominated | [71] | |
| Best House & Electronic | Nominated | ||||
| Best Music Video | Nominated | ||||
| SBS Drama Awards | 2007 | Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries | Get Karl! Oh Soo-jung | Nominated | |
| SBS Gayo Daejeon | 2000 | Main Prize | Uhm Jung-hwa | Won | |
| 2001 | Main Prize | Uhm Jung-hwa | Won |
| Publisher | Year | Listicle | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forbes Korea | 2024 | Korea Power Celebrity 40 | 23rd | [72] |
| The Screen | 2019 | 2009–2019 Top Box Office Powerhouse Actors in Korean Movies | 25th | [73] |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
