ArtistBig Boss Entertainment
Park Gyuri
Park Gyuri (박규리) is the founding leader and lead vocalist of KARA, the K-pop girl group she helped define across two decades of Korean pop. Born May 21, 1988 in Seoul, she made her entertainment debut as a child actress in 1995 before debuting with the four-member KARA lineup on March 29, 2007 under DSP Media. She came up with the group name herself, drawing from the Greek word chara meaning joy.
Gyuri anchored KARA through every lineup change, remained with DSP during the group members contract dispute of 2011, and was the only original member to stay throughout the groups most turbulent years. When the full lineup reunited for the 2022 comeback album MOVE AGAIN, she stood at the center of it, a leader whose tenure made the reunion possible.
Beyond KARA, Gyuri has built a sustained solo profile across acting, radio hosting, and musicals. She co-hosted the ShimShimTapa radio show on MBC in 2010-2011, appeared in the historical drama Jang Yeong-sil (KBS, 2016), and performed in musical productions including 200 Pounds Beauty in Japan. She has been active under Big Boss Entertainment since 2016 for solo work, while KARA continues operations under RBW.
In early 2024, Gyuri suffered an orbital fracture that sidelined her from group activities. Her return to the full KARA lineup in August 2024 was one of the more emotional K-pop reunion moments that year, shared across fan communities globally.
1 articles7 creditsDebut: March 29, 2007South Korean
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Discography
Filmography
2016
Jang Yeong-silK-Drama
Cast
Fans Also Ask
Is Park Gyuri the leader of KARA?
Yes. Park Gyuri has been KARA leader since the group debut in March 2007 under DSP Media. She is the lead vocalist and has remained with the group through all lineup changes, including the 2022 full reunion that brought back Nicole and Jiyoung.
What agency is Park Gyuri under?
Park Gyuri is currently under Big Boss Entertainment for solo activities. As a KARA member, the group operates under RBW following the label switch from DSP Media.
Did Park Gyuri leave KARA?
No. Park Gyuri has never left KARA. She is a founding member who has been with the group since 2007. She stepped back briefly in 2024 due to an orbital fracture but returned to the full lineup in August of that year.
What has Park Gyuri done outside of KARA?
Beyond KARA, Park Gyuri has worked as an actress, radio host, and musical performer. She co-hosted the MBC ShimShimTapa radio show in 2010-2011, appeared in the KBS historical drama Jang Yeong-sil (2016), and performed in the Japanese musical production of 200 Pounds Beauty.
What is KARA Switch On?
Switch On is KARA sixth mini album, released in August 2023. It marked the group return to promotions following their full lineup reunion comeback with MOVE AGAIN in 2022. Park Gyuri participated in the album as leader and lead vocalist.
