Biography
Ahn So-hee is an actress and former member of the girl group Wonder Girls, which debuted in 2007 under JYP Entertainment. Known for her youthful and innocent image, she quickly gained popularity as a member of the group, contributing to hits like “Tell Me” and “Nobody.” After Wonder Girls disbanded in 2017, Ahn So-hee shifted her focus entirely to acting. She made her acting debut in 2013 with the film Train to Busan, which showcased her acting talents and garnered critical acclaim. Over the years, she has built a successful career in both television and film, starring in various dramas and movies, gaining recognition for her ability to portray a wide range of roles. Ahn So-hee’s career as an actress has evolved significantly, as she continuously gains praise for her performances and versatility.
Profile
- Name: Ahn So-hee
- Birth name: Ahn So-hee
- Birthday: August 27, 1992
- Zodiac Sign: Virgo
- Height: 160 cm
- Instagram: @ssoheean
- Twitter: N/A
Career
Wonder Girls’s Member
Although So-hee’s position within the group was as a sub-vocal, she was widely recognized as the visual center. During the activities for “Tell Me,” a simple hand gesture and exclamation made her a household name in South Korea. It is regarded as one of the best killing parts in girl group history, and thanks to this moment, Wonder Girls successfully established their presence with the public, especially among middle-aged and older generations, cementing the name “Wonder Girls” and “So-hee” nationwide.
So-hee became one of the most well-known idols, even without dyed hair or contact lenses, capturing the hearts of the nation and achieving immense popularity at the age of 15, in her third year of middle school. While the group had already reached national fame, So-hee’s personal recognition outshone the group, making her one of the most popular figures in the country during her teenage years. So-hee’s popularity was so high that, despite the possibility of jealousy from younger members who were also in their teenage years, she maintained good relationships with all of her members.
Following the success of “Tell Me,” Sohee took on major parts in subsequent hits such as “So Hot” and “Nobody,” firmly establishing her and the Wonder Girls’ status at the top. She continued to shine in other Wonder Girls tracks, where she took on key roles, contributing to the group’s unique charm and appeal.
After the departure of a previous member who was the main dancer, Wonder Girls did not officially assign a “main dancer” or “center.” However, So-hee was frequently mentioned alongside Sunye for her sharp dance lines, known for her ability to quickly learn choreography with her excellent sense of rhythm. She often stood as the center in group performances, including title jacket photos for albums like “Irony,” “Tell Me,” “So Hot,” “Nobody,” and “Be My Baby.”
At the age of 17, So-hee ventured into the American market, gaining broader experiences early in her career. Despite being a student who loved school, she dropped out and achieved the title of “the first Korean to enter Billboard,” though both the Wonder Girls and So-hee were worn out. Upon her return to Korea, her live performances had improved significantly, with “Be My Baby” being a testament to her improved vocal abilities. The public recognized her growth and praised her for fulfilling her role.
On December 20, 2013, So-hee’s contract with JYP Entertainment ended. On February 10, 2014, she announced on Twitter that she signed with BH Entertainment. She clarified that she did not leave Wonder Girls and would participate in future group activities if the opportunity arose. BH Entertainment also expressed their commitment to supporting So-hee’s involvement with Wonder Girls activities.
However, on July 20, 2015, So-hee officially left the group alongside Sunye. It was announced that Sunmi, who had been inactive for five years, would return to Wonder Girls, making the group a four-member unit. Fans were shocked but understood that So-hee had already accomplished much during her career.
Personal Activities
In 2009, Sohee starred as a vampire girl in 8Eight’s music video for “Without a Heart,” which became a huge hit. Thanks to Park Jin-young’s recommendation, So-hee participated in the video for her close friend Bang Shi-hyuk’s artist, further increasing her visibility. Her contribution helped 8Eight achieve their first No. 1 hit.
In 2010, she appeared in the music video for San E’s “Love Sick” as a nurse, which was directed by comedian Yoo Se-yoon.
In 2011, Sohee worked on 2PM’s album “Hands Up,” offering advice for some melody modifications, and her voice appeared briefly in the rap section. Taecyeon posted a video of Sohee’s recording on his SNS, thanking her for her help.
Though JYP had limited her individual activities, once her contract was nearing expiration, they allowed her to take on more personal endeavors. Sohee turned down numerous CF offers during Wonder Girls’ peak, with JYP insisting on group endorsements only.
However, later in her career, she began to take on individual advertisements. Her effectiveness in commercials earned her titles such as “Top Advertising Effectiveness” and “Most Likely to Inspire Consumers.”
She became the face of Reebok Classic, reviving the brand and leading to a surge in sales, as the GL6000 model sold out nationwide. She also became a model for VDL cosmetics, significantly boosting the brand’s sales.
In 2014, Sohee was featured in JYP’s new group GOT7’s debut song “Girls Girls Girls,” which sampled her part from “Tell Me,” making it a symbolic farewell gesture from her to JYP.
Acting Career
Ahn So-hee began her acting career in 2004 at the age of 12, taking on a small role in Yu Dae-eol’s short film “The Synesthesia for Overtone Construction,” where she played the character of a deaf girl.
In the early days of her career, JYP Entertainment strictly controlled individual activities, allowing members to only take part in group endeavors or with permission from the company. Initially, So-hee was offered a private audition for a film, which she participated in while wearing stage outfits. She passed the final audition and was allowed to engage in personal activities, including the film “Hellcats.” As Wonder Girls gained national popularity with “Tell Me,” So-hee’s film activities further helped raise her profile.
In 2013, So-hee transitioned into a leading role in the drama “Happy! Rose Day,” where she portrayed a girl in her early 20s working at a flower shop. However, later that year, So-hee decided not to renew her contract with JYP Entertainment, marking the end of her career with Wonder Girls. She signed with BH Entertainment in 2014 and appeared in the romantic comedy series “Heart to Heart,” where she played an aspiring actress.
So-hee’s contract with BH Entertainment expired in 2015, after which she signed with KeyEast.
In 2016, So-hee returned to acting with a significant role in South Korea’s first zombie movie, “Train to Busan,” where she portrayed a high school student and baseball team supporter. The film was a massive success, premiering at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival and eventually surpassing 11 million admissions. Later that year, So-hee starred in the Korean remake of “Entourage,” playing the love interest of Seo Kang-joon’s character.
In 2017, So-hee starred in the thriller “A Single Rider,” alongside Lee Byung-hun and Gong Hyo-jin, receiving praise for her portrayal of a solitary teenager. The following year, she played Anu, a lively and assertive Mongolian woman in the short film “Anu and Hyuga,” which tells a Mongolian love story with Yeon Woo-jin.
So-hee continued to build her career with a prominent role in the 2019 series “Welcome to Waikiki 2” and starred in the short film “Memories,” where she played a mysterious woman.
In 2022, So-hee took on the role of Kim So-won, the younger sister of Kim Seon-woo, in the drama “Thirty-Nine,” where she portrayed a pianist.
Throughout her career, So-hee has balanced her acting with her music career, maintaining a strong presence in both fields and continuing to captivate audiences with her versatile talent.
Personal Life
Early Life
Ahn So-hee was born on June 27, 1992, in South Korea. At the time when So-hee was in 4th grade, her parents divorced, and she was raised by her father. Her father originally owned a clothing factory, but when the business collapsed, he struggled financially and worked as a motorcycle delivery driver. Despite the hardships, Ahn So-hee’s older sister, who is six years older, played a significant role in helping raise her. The family is known for having similar appearances, and it is said that Ahn So-hee developed an interest in fashion because her entire family works in the fashion industry.
During her school years, Ahn So-hee’s graduation from middle school was a big event, with many reporters and students gathering to see the “Nation’s Little Sister.” The graduation ceremony became an iconic moment, and it was filled with so many people that the dirt on the schoolyard was barely visible. Despite this, she frequently kept her head lowered throughout the event. Photos taken during her school years often depicted her as more of a celebrity than a regular student, as her peers saw her less as a classmate and more as a famous person. She even faced online ridicule and bullying, as classmates shared details of her daily life online. In her first year of high school, she held a solo concert, but only one friend attended, which made her upset.
Despite the pressures of being an idol, Ahn So-hee continued to attend school regularly. She would typically attend the first class of the day, and on days when she didn’t have schedules, she tried to stay for the entire school day. She was determined to keep up with her studies because she didn’t want people to think she was neglecting her education because of her idol career. According to her father, Ahn So-hee always ranked in the top of her class until her debut, after which her grades began to decline. Her favorite subject was English, but she struggled with physical education.
Ahn So-hee once expressed that while she didn’t regret her busy teenage years, she still had some regrets about missing out on certain experiences. On “Sketchbook,” she mentioned that if she had a daughter who wanted to be in a girl group, she would allow her to pursue it when she was in her 20s. After moving to the U.S. to further her career, Ahn So-hee later returned to Korea and took the GED exams. She struggled with cultural and language differences but gained a new dream of attending college in the U.S., although she was unable to pursue it due to various circumstances.
In an interview, she also revealed an amusing moment from high school when she shortened her school skirt, which became a trending topic online. The next day, she received a penalty at school for this action.
Ahn So-hee transferred to Cheongdam Middle School in the 2nd year of middle school, closer to her agency’s location, but returned to her previous school, Godeok Middle School, for graduation. Both schools included her in their yearbooks.
Trainee Era
Ahn So-hee’s journey into the entertainment industry began in 2004 when she participated in the 8th SM Entertainment “Youth Best Selection Contest,” where she earned second place in the appearance category. Though she wasn’t an official trainee, she maintained contact with SM Entertainment, which kept an eye on her potential. This connection became crucial when Lee Ji-young, the SM staff member in charge of So-hee, moved to JYP Entertainment. Recognizing So-hee’s talent, Lee brought her along to JYP, marking the beginning of her career.
Encouraged by her English academy teacher, So-hee, who was in the 6th grade at the time, took on her first acting role in 2004, portraying a deaf girl in Yu Dae-eol’s short film “The Synesthesia for Overtone Construction.” This marked the beginning of her exposure to the entertainment world, where she quickly demonstrated versatility.
Despite initially aspiring to be a TV celebrity rather than a singer, So-hee became an idol, with her early audition offering her the opportunity to pursue both singing and acting. At the age of 12, she was selected during her first-ever audition. Though she hesitated before entering the audition, she was encouraged by JYP’s CEO, Jeong Wook, who personally guided her into the audition room.
Ahn So-hee’s talent caught the attention of 2AM’s Jo Kwon, who, after training for eight years, developed a strong instinct for spotting talent. He mentioned that from the beginning of their trainee days, he had a strong feeling that Ahn So-hee would succeed. She stood out even as a trainee. She was also a roommate with CL before debut, and CL was frequently mentioned in Ahn So-hee’s thanks to notes in her albums. They briefly reconnected when Ahn So-hee made a cameo in CL’s music video in 2019.
Dating History
In October 2015, rumors circulated that she was in a relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun. Reports claimed they had been dating for about a year and often met at So-hee’s apartment in Yongsan. However, their shared agency, KeyEast, swiftly denied these allegations, stating that while they knew each other, they were not romantically involved.
Ahn So-hee has maintained a low profile regarding her personal relationships, with no confirmed reports of dating since her debut.
Net Worth
Ahn So-hee has an estimated net worth of approximately $1 million as of early 2025. Her wealth primarily stems from her multifaceted career in the entertainment industry, including her time with Wonder Girls, acting roles in popular films and television series, and various endorsements.
Facts
- She is an avid fan of Park Hae-il. Whenever asked about her ideal type as part of girl group-related questions, she would always shout Park Hae-il’s name.
- She has a strong preference for scents, which developed due to her insomnia. Being sensitive while sleeping, she began collecting candles and essential oils that could help with sleep, which eventually led to her gaining the nickname “Scented So-hee.”
- She is passionate about fashion, especially after being influenced by her family.
- She loves driving and used to drive an Audi A5 for 10 years, although her first choice was a Mercedes.
- Her favorite number is 4, a preference she’s had since her Wonder Girls days.
- Musically, she enjoys synth-pop and R&B, especially songs with a unique and sophisticated flair.
- She is skilled at cooking. While she doesn’t do it often, when friends visit, she can whip up a variety of dishes.
- She has never dyed her hair or worn colored contact lenses, except for a brown shade. The first time she wore colored lenses was on YouTube, as she had been too scared to try them before.
- On a variety program, experts evaluated her facial features, claiming she had the face of a queen and ranked her as the top celebrity with the best fortune.
