Park Sun-young (Korean: 박선영; born August 12, 1993), known professionally asLuna (루나), is a South Korean singer, dancer, musical actress and television host. She debuted as a member of the girl groupf(x) in September 2009. In May 2016, Luna released her solo EPFree Somebody. In November 2019, the single "Free Somebody" was listed inBillboard's greatest K-pop songs of the 2010s.[1] In September 2019, Luna left SM Entertainment and joined Humap Contents. In February 2021, Luna established her entertainment agency, Grida Entertainment.
Aside from her music career, Luna has established herself as a musical actress, notably through her participation in the original and Korean versions of stage musicals includingLegally Blonde (2010–2011),Coyote Ugly (2011),High School Musical on Stage! (2013),School OZ Hologram Musical (2014),In the Heights (2015–2016),Rebecca (2017),Rudolf (The Last Kiss) (2017–2018),Autant en emporte le vent (Gone with The Wind) (2018),Mamma Mia! (2019–2020), The Days (2020–2021) andKPOP (2022). She also starred in the filmThe Lightning Man's Secret (2015).
On television, Luna hosted the music programThe Show (2011), the third season of the reality showGet It Beauty (2016). She also appeared as a regular cast member on the reality showsStrong Girls (2017),The Suitcase Man (2017),The Taming of the Shrew 2 (2017),Beauty Code (2017), andDressing Table 3 (2017–2018).
Luna was born as Park Sun-young inSeoul, South Korea on August 12, 1993, to a family of classical vocal singers.[2][3] She has an older brother, and an older twin sister named Park Jin-young.[4] Luna is the only member of her family to not major in classical music.[5]
In 2006,SM Entertainment recruited Luna after seeing her perform on theSBS television programTruth Game.[6] She later debuted as the main vocalist and lead dancer of South Korean girl groupf(x) in September 2009. Outside the group's activities, Luna also made several solo appearances.
In 2010, she appeared as a regular member ofStar King and earned a Newcomer Award from theSBS Entertainment Awards for her appearance and effort.[7] Later that year, Luna recorded the song "Let's Go" alongside labelmatesSungmin,Seohyun, andJonghyun, for the purpose of increasing public participation in the2010 G-20 Seoul summit.[8] She released a duet withSuper Junior'sYesung entitled "And I Love You" for the soundtrack of the KBS2 dramaThe President and a solo single "Beautiful Day", which served as the OST for the dramaPlease Marry Me.[9][10]
In 2011, Luna was reported to make her musical debut, portraying the characterElle Woods inLegally Blonde.[11] In April, she started hosting the music programThe Show fromMTV Korea along withSecret'sHyoseong.[12] Luna was cast in theTV Chosun drama entitledSaving Mrs. Go Bong-shil as Seo In-young, a college student and youngest daughter of the title character, which first aired in December 2011. It was her drama debut alongsideSS501'sKim Kyu Jong.[13]
In 2012, she appeared onImmortal Songs 2 as a contestant, performing Magma's "I Can't Know." Luna won first place for her performance. In the same year, she released a duet withGirls' Generation'sSunny for the SBS dramaTo The Beautiful You soundtrack and solo single "It's Okay" for the SBS dramaCheongdam Alice's OST.[14] The following year, Luna returned to musical performance, portraying Gabriella Montez in the Korean version ofHigh School Musical on Stage!. She also recorded duets with Super Junior membersRyeowook for the musical, andKyuhyun forThe Croods soundtrack, as well as solo single "U+Me" which was used as the theme song for the gameSoftmaxTalesWeaver.
In 2014, Luna was chosen to feature on "Dream Drive," the debut single of co-ed project team Play The Siren.[15] In March, she was confirmed to be one of the hosts for MBC Music's new survival b-boy competition programDance Battle Korea.[16] Luna also starred as Diana in SM Entertainment's first hologram musicalSchool OZ, alongside labelmatesChangmin,Key,Suho,Xiumin, andSeulgi.[17]
In March 2015, she was announced to be acting in the web drama entitledJumping Girl, alongsideBlock B members U-Kwon and B-Bomb. This would be her first time playing the female lead in an acting project.[18] Subsequently, Luna was also cast as the main female lead in the children's movie,Thunderman's Secret.[19] In the same year, she participated on MBC'sKing of Masked Singer and received widespread praise for her performance.[20] Luna released the digital single "Don't Cry For Me", a remake of Lee Eun Ha's hit song from 1986, on May 10, to thank her fans and viewers ofKing of Masked Singer for supporting her during her run in the program.[21] She also took part in the Anh Chi Hwan special forImmortal Song 2, and showcased her powerful singing ability with her cover of the classic hit "Salt Doll".[22] In July 2015, it was announced that Luna would star as Nina Rosario in the Korean production of the Broadway musicalIn The Heights,[23] which began in September of that year and came to a close in November. At the end of the year, she collaborated withAilee,Apink'sEun-ji &Mamamoo's Solar at the 2015SBS Gayo Daejun to perform a cover of Jinju's "I'm Okay" for theLimited Edition I - Diva Together section of the show, on December 27.[24]
2016–2019: Solo debut and musical theatre activities
In April 2016, Luna was appointed as a fixed presenter ofOnStyle TV's "Get it Beauty" program.[25] On May 6, 2016, she released a collaborative single withAmber,R3hab, and Xavi&Gi, "Wave", as part of theSM Station project.[26] On May 17, 2016, it was rumored that Luna would debut as a solo artist with a mini album in mid June,[27] which was confirmed on May 26.[28] On May 31, 2016, she made her solo debut with the mini album,Free Somebody, complete with 6 songs, including a title track of the same name. In August 2016, Luna reprised her role as Nina in the Tokyo shows ofIn The Heights. Also that month, she launched herYouTube channel,Luna's Alphabet, on which she uploadsvlogs twice a week.[29] On October 2, 2016, Luna released another collaborative single with Amber, featuring Ferry Corsten and Kago Pengchi, as part of SM Station, titled "Heartbeat".[30] On December 16, 2016, she collaborated with Shin Yong-jae to release "It's You", also as part of the SM Station project.[31] On December 30, Luna collaborated with Yesung, Sunny,Red Velvet's Seulgi andWendy,NCT's Taeil and Doyoung, and Lee Dong-woo, on "Sound of Your Heart", SM Station's final song of 2016.[32]
Luna at The Lightning Man's Secret VIP premiere, February 3, 2016.
In January 2017, it was confirmed that Luna was cast to star in the food variety showStrong Girls, alongsidePark Bo-ram,Fiestar'sCao Lu,Young-ji, and Giant Pink. The show's first episode aired on E Channel on January 23.[33] On January 12, a collaborative song between Luna,Beast's Junhyung, andJeong Hyeong-don, entitled "Tell Me It's Okay" was released, produced through the showHitmaker.[34] Also on January 12, it was announced that Luna,EXID'sHani, andMamamoo's Solar would release a collaborative dance song on January 19, produced by Park Geun-tae.[35] It was later revealed that the song's title is "Honey Bee", and is of the pop soul genre, incorporating808 bass and saxophone.[36] On January 28, she performed "Father" onImmortal Songs 2 as part of the show's 'Lunar New Year Family Special', with her sister, Jin-young, winning first place.[37]
On May 30, 2017, it was announced that Luna would be starring in the 2017 South Korean musical production ofRebecca, alongside Shin Young-sook, Jung Young-ju, Kim Sun-young, and Lee Sang-hyun, with performances expected to begin in August.[38] On July 15, she released an OST for the dramaGood Thief, Bad Thief, titled "Where Are You".[39] On August 15, Luna also released an OST for the dramaThe King in Love, titled "Could You Tell Me".[40] On October 16, 2017, it was announced that she would be in the musical "The Last Kiss", also titledRudolf in other countries, Luna will play the role of Rudolf's lover Mary Vetsera. On November 17, she collaborated on a global version of the main track "This Is Me", from the movieThe Greatest Showman, along with singers and influencers from 18 countries.[41]Luna released a solo version of the song YouTube.[42]
On January 5, 2018, Luna released a collaborative single with Amber, "Lower", as part of SM Station project.[43] On February 9, 2018, Luna collaborated with Heda, a winner of "everysing" app, as part of SM Station project, to re-release a duet version of "Free Somebody".[44] On February 20, 2018, she released an OST for the dramaShould We Kiss First?, titled "Is It Love?".[45] In April, 2018, it was announced that Luna would release her next solo release this month, marked it as her comeback after 2 years with her debut mini album,Free Somebody. On April 24, Luna released her new single, "Night Reminiscin'", featuringYang Da-il, included with a B-side track, "Falling Out".[46] In January 2019, Luna released a new single called "Even So", including 2 B-side tracks, "안녕 이대로 안녕 (Bye Bye)", and "Do You Love Me" featuring Korean-American singerJohan Kim.[47]
On September 5, 2019, SM Entertainment announced that Luna had not renewed her contract with the company.[48][49] In October 2019, she signed with Humap Contents.[50]
On February 24, 2021, it was confirmed that Luna established her own entertainment agency, Grida Entertainment.[52]
On September 24, 2021, it was confirmed that Luna would release a digital single in early October.[53] Luna officially released the new single entitled "Madonna" on October 6.[54][55]
In 2022, Luna portrayed the lead role of MwE in theBroadway musicalKPOP.[56]
In December 2023, Luna held her solo concert, "The Love Affair: A Night Of Music", at Bear Hall Theater inSeoul.[57]
In February 2017, Luna revealed an underwear collection that she designed in collaboration with C'esttout calledGirls Can Do Anything, where proceeds would be donated to the Korean Unwed Mothers' Families Association, an organization that assists single mothers and their families in South Korea.[58] She also donated over 14,000 sanitary pads to the association.[59]
In October 2011, it was confirmed that Luna had been accepted atChung-Ang University's Institute of the Arts as a theater major through a special rolling admissions screening process.[60]
^Kang, Hee-jung (January 27, 2017).'불후' 에프엑스 루나, 쌍둥이 언니와 첫 듀엣 무대 ['Immortal Songs' f(x) Luna, first duet stage with twin sister].News1 (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2023.
^슈퍼주니어 예성-f(x) 루나 첫 듀엣...'너를 사랑하고' [Super Junior Yesung-f(x) Luna first duet... 'And I Love You'].Gangwon Ilbo (in Korean). December 24, 2010. RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Choi, Jun-yong (August 21, 2010).f(x) 루나 목소리, '결혼해주세요'에 첫 등장 [f(x) Luna's voice makes first appearance in 'Please Marry Me'].Asia Economy (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Lee, Seon-jung (April 15, 2014).댄스배틀 코리아 루나 MC 맡아 '화제'...숨겨온 댄스 실력 발휘 '열정' [Dance Battle Korea Luna MC becomes a hot topic... Hidden dance skills revealed with 'passion'].Break News (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Jung, Ji-won (May 1, 2015).블락비 유권·비범, 웹드라마 '점핑걸'로 연기 첫도전 [Block B's U-Kwon and B-Bomb to Take on Acting for the First Time with Web Drama 'Jumping Girl'].Xports News (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^[단독] f(x) 루나, 어린이 영화 '번개맨의 비밀' 여주인공 캐스팅 [[Exclusive] f(x)'s Luna cast as heroine in children's film 'Thunderman's Secret'].Nate (in Korean). May 8, 2015. RetrievedMay 31, 2016.
^Kwak, Hyun-soo (December 19, 2016).차오루-루나-허영지-박보람-자이언트 핑크 등 '식식한 소녀들' 출연 ['Strong Girls' including Cao Lu, Luna, Heo Young Ji, Park Bo Ram, and Giant Pink].Sports Donga (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Ko, Seung-ah (September 24, 2021).[단독] f(x) 출신 루나, 10월 초 컴백...2년9개월만에 정식 신곡 [[Exclusive] Luna from f(x) makes a comeback in early October...Official new song after 2 years and 9 months] (in Korean).News1. RetrievedOctober 5, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Go, Seung-ah (October 7, 2021).f(x) 출신 루나, 마돈나 오마주한 신곡으로 컴백 [Former f(x) member Luna makes comeback with new song paying homage to Madonna] (in Korean).News1. RetrievedAugust 16, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Hwang, Chae-hyun (October 7, 2021).f(x) 루나 '마돈나'로 돌아왔다 [f(x) Luna returns as 'Madonna'] (in Korean). Sports Trends. RetrievedAugust 16, 2024 – viaNaver.
^루나 중앙대 수시합격 '12학번 새내기 됐다'.루나 중앙대 수시합격 '12학번 새내기 됐다' (in Korean). October 27, 2011.Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. RetrievedMarch 12, 2016.
^Kim, So-yeon (March 5, 2015).[단독]f(x) 루나, '점핑걸'로 웹드라마 여주인공 첫발탁..4월 첫방 [[Exclusive] f(x) Luna, first cast as female lead in web drama 'Jumping Girl'... first episode in April].Star News (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^샤이니 온유·f(x) 루나, '우유커플' 신고식 [SHINee Onew and f(x) Luna, 'Milk Couple' Declaration Ceremony].Now News Seoul (in Korean). September 22, 2010. RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Lee, Min-ji (February 7, 2011).아이돌+걸그룹, 예능부업 성적표 엿봤더니 [Idol + Girl Group, A Peek into the Entertainment Side Business Report Card].Newsen (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Lee, Su-yeon (September 23, 2010).루나 vs 아이유 절친 알까기 대결 승자는? '섹시 웨이브 그녀' [Luna vs IU Bestie Alkagi Showdown Who Will Win? 'Sexy Wave Her'].Newsen (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Kwon, Soo-bin (November 4, 2010).김형준 "박상민 삼촌은 내 멘토" 의리로 뭉친 친분 공개 [Kim Hyung-jun: "Uncle Park Sang-min is my mentor" Friendship bonded by loyalty revealed].Newsen (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Go, Kyung-min (October 31, 2010).전효성 루나 효린 이파니, '드림팀'서 민낯 대결 박빙 [Jeon Hyosung, Luna, Hyorin, and Epani, a close bare-faced competition in 'Dream Team'].Newsen (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Lee, Soo-yeon (July 25, 2010).'스타킹' 루나, 펨핀코 노래에 눈물 펑펑 "더욱 멋진 가수 되고파" ['Star King' Luna, crying to Pempinco's song, "I want to become an even better singer"].Newsen (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Park, Jung-hyun (February 5, 2011).루나 뭍에서 민호 물에서, SM아이돌 석권(아이돌육상수영선수권대회) [Luna on land, Minho in water, SM Idol sweep (Idol Athletics and Swimming Championships)].Newsen (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Jo, Yeon-kyung (March 10, 2011).아이유-루나-지연 女아이돌 93라인 '놀러와' 출격 "콘서트를 위하여!" [IU-Luna-Jiyeon, 93-line female idol group 'Come Play' sortie "For the concert!"].Newsen (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Kim, Ha-jin (July 26, 2012).f(x) 루나, '불후의 명곡' 고정 합류..女風 전쟁 [f(x) Luna, regular member of 'Immortal Song'... Female-style war] (in Korean). Tomorrow Newspaper. RetrievedAugust 16, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Lee, Seung-rok (March 14, 2014).f(x) 루나, '예스터데이' 출연...이선희 '나 항상 그대를' 완벽 소화 [f(x) Luna to appear on 'Yesterday'... Perfectly sang Lee Sun-hee 'I Always Miss You'].My Daily (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Kim, Kwang-guk (March 26, 2014).에프엑스 루나, '댄스배틀코리아' MC로 시청자 만난다 [f(x) Luna meets viewers as MC of 'Dance Battle Korea'].TenAsia Korea (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Kim, Yeon-ji (February 19, 2015).'아육대' 루나, 높이뛰기 금메달 '역시 레전드 체육돌' ['Idol Star Athletics' Luna, high jump gold medal 'as expected, a legendary sports idol'].JBTC News (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^'복면가왕' 8인 가수 공개, 루나 꺾은 종달새에 도전장 [Eight singers of "King of Mask Singer" are revealed, and Luna is challenged to beat the lark].Newdaily (in Korean). May 17, 2015. RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Seong, Ji-hye (May 28, 2015).'라디오스타' 루나 "아이유, '황금락카' 정체 공개 전 나라고 확신" ['Radio Star' Luna "I'm sure it's me before IU reveals her identity as 'Golden Lacquer'"].Korea Economic TV (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Kim, Yang-su (August 6, 2015).f(x) 루나, '어송포유' 스페셜 MC 활약...절친케미 대방출 [f(x) Luna, 'A Song For You' Special MC Activity... Showcasing Best Friend Chemistry].JoyNews24 (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Lee, Seung-rok (October 13, 2015).루나, '불후의 명곡' 재출연...3년 전 수화로 감동 열창 [Luna, 'Immortal Song' Reappearance... 3 Years Ago, Sign Language Singing with Emotion].My Daily (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Jang, Min-hye (June 3, 2016).'유희열의 스케치북' 루나 "나에겐 노래 유전자 없다" ['You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook' Luna "I don't have singing genes"].Sports Today (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Kang, Hee-jung (June 12, 2016).루나·EXID, '코미디 빅리그' 특별 출연 [Luna and EXID make special appearances on 'Comedy Big League'].News1 (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Noh, Yoon-jung (January 12, 2017).'히트제조기' 루나 목소리로 완성된 정형돈X용준형의 힐링송(종합) [Jung Hyung-don X Yong Jun-hyung's healing song completed with the voice of 'hitmaker' Luna (comprehensive)].Herald Pop (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Yang, Yu-jin (April 6, 2022).뮤지컬 'K팝', 뉴욕 브로드웨이 진출...루나·김보형·민 등 출연 [Musical 'K-Pop' to enter Broadway in New York... Starring Luna, Kim Bo-hyung, Min, etc.] (in Korean).My Daily. RetrievedApril 6, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Jeon, Hyo-jin (May 27, 2019).f(x) 루나, 첫 솔로 콘서트 성황...환상 라이브+퍼포먼스+자작곡 [f(x) Luna, first solo concert a great success... Fantastic live + performance + self-composed song] (in Korean).Sports Donga. RetrievedAugust 29, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Park, Soo-bin (October 26, 2021).루나 단독콘서트 '2021,Back to LUNA' 성료 [Luna's solo concert '2021, Back to LUNA' completed successfully].Star Daily News (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 29, 2024.
^Yoon, Sung-yeol (October 28, 2016).'2016MAMA' 후보 발표..엑소·방탄·트와이스까지 ['2016 MAMA' Nominees Announced.. EXO, BTS, Twice].Star News (in Korean). RetrievedAugust 16, 2024.
^Choi, Joon-yong (December 30, 2010).아이유-조권-민호 등 10명, 첫 신설된 SBS 예능 뉴스타상 수상 [10 people, including IU, Jo Kwon, and Minho, received the first newly established SBS Entertainment New Star Award].The Asia Business Daily (in Korean). RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023 – viaNaver.
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