ArtistSaram Entertainment
Uhm Jung Hwa
Uhm Jung Hwa (엄정화) is a South Korean singer and actress born on August 17, 1969 in Jecheon, North Chungcheong. Often called the Korean Madonna, she is one of the most enduring figures in Korean entertainment, having pioneered sensual and theatrical performance in Korean pop since her debut in 1993. Her brother is actor Uhm Tae-woong.
She joined the MBC Chorus in 1989, working her way up before releasing her debut album Sorrowful Secret in 1993. A pivot to dance music in the mid-1990s transformed her commercial trajectory: the single Rose of Betrayal from her third album After Love (1997) opened the floodgates, followed by era-defining hits “Poison” (독), “Invitation,” “I Don’t Know,” and “Festival” from the albums Invitation (1998) and 005.1999.06 (1999). Her 2008 single D.I.S.C.O. marked a commercial resurgence after years of critical experimentation with electronica and funk.
As an actress, she won Best Actress at the 39th Baeksang Arts Awards for Marriage Is a Crazy Thing (2002) and again for Dancing Queen (2012). Recent credits include the tvN drama Our Blues (2022), the JTBC drama Doctor Cha (2023), and the ENA romantic series My Troublesome Star (2025). Uhm Jung Hwa was also a founding member of the Refund Sisters supergroup alongside IU, Hwasa, and EXID’s Jessi.
1 articles10 creditsDebut: January 1, 1993Korean
Gallery
Discography
2017
The Cloud Dream of the NineAlbum
ArtistUhm Jung Hwa
1999
005.1999.06Album
ArtistUhm Jung Hwa
1998
InvitationAlbum
ArtistUhm Jung Hwa
Filmography
2025
My Troublesome StarK-Drama
Im Se RaUhm Jung Hwa
2025
Miss FortuneFilm
Ji-hyeUhm Jung Hwa
2023
Doctor ChaK-Drama
Cha Jung-sookUhm Jung Hwa
2022
Our BluesK-Drama
Ko Mi-ranUhm Jung Hwa
2020
Okay MadamFilm
Mi-YoungUhm Jung Hwa
2012
Dancing QueenFilm
LeadUhm Jung Hwa
2002
Marriage Is a Crazy ThingFilm
LeadUhm Jung Hwa
Fans Also Ask
Why is Uhm Jung Hwa called the Queen of Korean Pop?
Uhm Jung Hwa (엄정화) earned the title due to her singular influence on Korean pop music and entertainment since her 1993 debut. She pioneered sensual and theatrical performance aesthetics in Korean pop, produced timeless hits including Poison and Wa, and built one of the longest-running careers in K-entertainment spanning over three decades.
When did Uhm Jung Hwa debut?
Uhm Jung Hwa debuted as a singer in 1993 with her album Sorrowful Secret. She had been a member of the MBC Chorus since 1989. After limited commercial success with her debut, she pivoted to dance music and broke through with the 1997 single Rose of Betrayal.
What are Uhm Jung Hwa's most famous songs?
Uhm Jung Hwa's most celebrated songs include Poison (독), Wa, Invitation, I Don't Know, and D.I.S.C.O. Her late 1990s and early 2000s releases are considered classics of Korean pop and continue to influence contemporary artists.
What dramas and films has Uhm Jung Hwa appeared in recently?
Uhm Jung Hwa starred in the ENA romantic drama My Troublesome Star in 2025, alongside Song Seung-heon. She also appeared in the JTBC hit Doctor Cha (2023) and the tvN ensemble drama Our Blues (2022). On film, she starred in Miss Fortune (2025).
What is the Refund Sisters?
The Refund Sisters (전환시대) is a South Korean supergroup formed in 2020 on MBC's Hangout with Yoo. The group consists of Uhm Jung Hwa, IU, Hwasa of Mamamoo, and EXID's Jessi. Their single Don't Touch Me debuted at number one on the Melon chart.
