Jessica Jung

Jessica Jung (born Jessica Sooyoun Jung; April 18, 1989), also known by the mononym Jessica, is a Korean-American singer-songwriter, actress, author, and businesswoman based in South Korea.

She is best known for her work as a former member of the South Korean girl group Girls' Generation.

While on vacation in South Korea, she and her sister, Krystal, were spotted in a shopping mall by a member of SM Entertainment; she later joined the company in 2000.

She spent seven years as a trainee before debuting as part of the Korean girl group Girls' Generation.

Jung attended Korea Kent Foreign School during her teenage years.

Jung was the first member of Girls' Generation to sign with SM Entertainment in 2000.

In 2007, she was chosen as a member of the nine-member girl group that debuted on August 5, 2007.

In addition to her group activities, Jung released two singles with Seohyun and Tiffany: "Love Hate" (, lit. Bad Older Brother) and "Mabinogi (It's Fantastic!)" for the Nexon game Mabinogi.

Jung collaborated with 8Eight for the song "I Love You" from their second album, Infinity, which was released on March 3, 2008.

Though she was the one singing the harmony and adlibs, she is not seen in the music video.

In addition, she had various duets — one with Shinee member, Onew, called "One Year Later", and one with Park Myung-soo, "Naengmyeon" as part of a project group in the show Infinite Challenge.

She sang the "Seoul Song" with Super Junior's Leeteuk, Sungmin, Donghae, Siwon, Ryeowook and Kyuhyun and fellow group members Taeyeon, Sunny, Sooyoung and Seohyun.

Jung made her musical theatre debut in the South Korean production of Legally Blonde, alongside Lee Ha-nui and Kim Ji-woo; the production opened on November 14, 2009.

The same year, she took a special part on the show Infinity Challenge for their summer special, in which she was chosen to sing a duet entitled "Naengmyun" with Park Myung-soo, one of the MCs.

As an actress, Jung portrayed Elle Woods in the Korean version of the musical Legally Blonde in 2010 and played a role in the television drama Wild Romance in 2012.

In March 2010, she had a cameo role on SBS' Oh! My Lady.

In May 2010, Jung became a regular guest on the show Happy Birthday until she withdrew on June 7, 2010, due to Girls' Generation's overseas activities.

She was also a regular guest on the show Star King with fellow member Yuri.

Jung released a digital single titled "Sweet Delight" on October 13, 2010.

In 2011, Jung participated on the soundtrack of the KBS drama Romance Town with the song "Because Tears Are Overflowing" (눈물이 넘쳐서).

Jung made her acting debut in Wild Romance in 2012.

In the same year, Jung returned to musical theatre once again with Legally Blonde, alongside Jung Eun-ji and Choi Woori.

Her first performance was on November 28.

In the same year, Jung sang "What To Do" (featuring Kim Jin-pyo) for the drama Wild Romance, "Butterfly" (featuring Krystal) for To the Beautiful You, "Heart Road" for Dream of the Emperor, as well as "My Lifestyle", a Hyundai i30's commercial song.

In 2013, she had "The One Like You" for Dating Agency: Cyrano.

In August 2014, she established a fashion brand, Blanc & Eclare.

The next month, she was dismissed from Girls' Generation due to alleged conflicts between the group's schedule and her own business activities.

In 2014, Jung released "Say Yes"' for the Make Your Move soundtrack, featuring her sister, Krystal, and Exo's former member, Kris.

In August, Jung launched her own fashion line, Blanc, which was later renamed Blanc & Eclare.

There are now sixty stores located around the world.

Jung and her sister Krystal starred in their own reality television show Jessica & Krystal.

It premiered on June 3 and consisted of ten episodes.

On September 30, 2014, Jung announced on her personal Weibo account that she had been "forced out" of the group.

SM Entertainment later confirmed this, stating that Jung would no longer be a member of Girls' Generation.

The company also stated that Girls' Generation would continue to promote with eight members while it would still manage her solo activities.

Jung also released a statement of her own through her fashion company, Blanc Group, explaining that she had been asked to leave Girls' Generation by the agency and the other members of the group.

Following the dismissal, Jung ended her contract with SM Entertainment in 2015 and signed with Coridel Entertainment in 2016, prior to the release of her debut solo album With Love, J.

In May 2018, she signed a contract with United Talent Agency.

Her debut best-selling novel Shine was released in September 2020.

Jessica Jung was born in San Francisco.