| Full Name | Bae Su-ji |
| Stage Name | Suzy |
| Born | October 10, 1994 (age 28) |
| Birthplace | Gwangju, South Korea |
| Occupation | Singer, Actress, Model |
| Genre | K-Pop, K-Drama |
| Associated Acts | Miss A |
| Agency | Management SOOP |
| Social Media | Instagram, Facebook, YouTube |
Bae Su-ji, better known as Bae Suzy, is a South Korean singer, actress and model best known for being a member of the wildly popular K-pop girl group Miss A and starring in hit Korean dramas like "Dream High."
With her sweet and innocent looks paired with immense talent, Bae Suzy has earned the nickname "The Nation‘s First Love" and has become one of the biggest Korean wave stars. Read on for a deeper look at this multi-talented celebrity.
Early Life and Training
Suzy was born in Gwangju, South Korea on October 10, 1994. From a young age, Suzy displayed great talent and interest in singing and acting. She participated in school plays and choir.
At 16 years old, Suzy‘s mother encouraged her to audition for Mnet’s Superstar K, a televised singing competition show. Suzy passed the audition and made it to the Top 8 finalists, gaining national attention for her powerful voice.
Soon after, Suzy signed with JYP Entertainment in 2009 to begin her training to become a K-pop idol trainee. She diligently trained in singing, dancing and acting for 10 months before making her official debut.
Debut with Miss A
On March 29, 2010, 15-year old Suzy made her debut as the main vocalist, maknae (youngest member) and visual of JYP‘s brand new girl group, Miss A.
Their debut single "Bad Girl Good Girl" immediately topped Korean music charts for multiple weeks, proving Miss A was a force to be reckoned with. Suzy‘s sweet chorus and eye-catching visuals in the music video captured fans‘ hearts.
Over the next three years, Miss A continued releasing hit after hit including "Breathe", "Goodbye Baby" and "I Don‘t Need a Man", cementing themselves as one of the most popular girl groups in Korea. They became known for their retro, funky sound and impeccable dance performances.
As the face of the group, Suzy quickly became one of the most sought-after endorsers and her fame skyrocketed nationwide.
Acting Debut
Capitalizing on her rising popularity, Suzy branched into acting alongside her singing activities. In 2011, she landed the role of Go Hye-mi in the KBS2 drama series “Dream High”, about the lives of students at a performing arts high school trying to achieve their dreams of stardom.
Despite it being her acting debut, Suzy received widespread praise for her natural acting ability and innocent charm onscreen. She had perfect chemistry with her co-star Kim Soo-hyun which resonated with viewers.
Dream High became a nationwide sensation and shot Suzy into superstardom. She won several Best New Actress awards and performed the drama’s soundtracks live. This marked the beginning of Suzy‘s successful acting career.
Suzy Takes On Leading Roles
Between 2012-2016, Suzy starred as the female lead in several hit K-dramas like Big, Gu Family Book, and Uncontrollably Fond.
In the 2016 drama Uncontrollably Fond opposite Kim Woo-bin, Suzy played her first mature adult role as a documentary producer. Her emotional performance received widespread praise from critics and audiences. The drama was a big hit in Asia.
Suzy‘s profile as an actress continued to grow exponentially with each new project. She proved she had the versatility to take on a range of characters.
Achieving New Heights
By 2017, Suzy had become a household name in Korea and her fame extended all across Asia. Some of her major achievements include:
- Appointed as the first ever Ambassador for Korean Tourism in 2015 to promote hallyu worldwide
- Invited to the prestigious Chanel Spring/Summer fashion show in Paris in 2016
- Became the first Korean female celebrity to have over 10 million followers on Instagram
- Won the Daesang (Grand Prize) at the 2017 MBC Drama Awards for Uncontrollably Fond
- Ranked #1 on the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity list for 3 consecutive years
- Selected as the Ambassador for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics
Suzy had officially become Korea‘s "Nation‘s First Love" and one of the biggest hallyu stars worldwide.
Recent Projects
In more recent years, Suzy has continued taking on new challenges in her career:
- Played the lead role of aspiring entrepreneur Seo Dal-mi in the 2020 hit drama Start-Up opposite Nam Joo-hyuk
- Made her feature film debut as the lead in the 2021 action movie Special Cargo
- Stars in the 2022 drama Anna about a woman with multiple personality disorder – her first solo project after leaving JYP and Miss A
- Released her third mini album Face with title track "Satellite" in 2022
Fans are excited to see Suzy try new genres and showcase her talents as she enters the next phase of her career.
Legacy and Impact
Having debuted over 12 years ago, Suzy has made an undeniable impact on the Korean entertainment industry:
- As an original first generation girl group member, she helped spread hallyu fever worldwide in the early 2010s
- Paved the way for idols successfully transitioning into acting careers
- Inspired a generation of young hopeful singers and actors to follow their dreams
- Helped normalize Korean beauty standards across Asia
- Boosted tourism to South Korea
Even today, everything Suzy touches turns to gold. She has unmatched power and influence as the Nation’s First Love.
Why Fans Love Suzy
There are many reasons Suzy is so beloved by fans:
- Triple threat talent – skills in singing, acting, modeling
- Sweet personality – polite, humble, grateful
- Girl next door vibes – seems relatable and approachable
- Timeless beauty – elegant visuals encapsulating Korean femininity
- Professional work ethic – dedicates herself fully to every project
- Versatility – takes on diverse roles and concepts
Suzy is the full package idol – beautiful, multi-talented, hardworking, and charming. She epitomizes why hallyu stars are so revered.
Fun Facts About Suzy
- She has an older sister named Bae Su-bin who is an actress
- Her fans are called "Suzy‘s"
- Fluent in Korean and English
- Loves animals – adopted several rescue dogs
- Close friends with IU, Yerin, Taeyeon
- Hobbies include photography, reading books, shopping
- Considered an CF queen – endorsed over 58 brands
- Featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2016
The Nation‘s Treasure
In summary, over the past decade Bae Suzy has become a national treasure and hallyu icon. Everything she touches turns to success.
Though still only in her late 20s, Suzy has achieved an incredible amount in singing, acting, and modeling. She has all the traits fans love – beauty, talent, grace, and professionalism.
As she embarks on new chapters in her career, we can expect Suzy to continue maturing into her art and pursuing meaningful projects. She will undoubtedly continue capturing fans‘ hearts for many more years to come. As her nickname suggests, she remains Korea‘s most beloved sweetheart.