Yum Jung Ah

Yum Jung Ah is a South Korean actress.

She became popular as the first runner-up of Miss Korea 1991, before shifting her career focus into acting and appearing in various Korean movies such as ), The Big Swindle (2004) and Cart (2014).

Career

Yum Jung Ah entered the entertainment industry in 1991 as Miss Korea. Years later, she showed up in the drama series Our Paradise (1991) and the movie Tell Me Something (1999).

After her successful debut as an actress, she drew attention on screen with the movie A Tale of Two Sisters (2003). Once again, her performance was generally well-accepted.

Add to that her role in the movie The Big Swindle (2004). It reinforced her position as a rising actress. That very year, she also appeared in another movie, Lovely Rivals.

In 2007, she had her breakthrough role in the movie The Old Garden, which won her the Best Actress at the Baeksang Arts Awards.

Somewhere along the way, she decided to take a break from the entertainment industry due to personal issues. She returned to the game with the drama series Royal Family in 2011.

Not only that, but she also got back to the horror movie The Mimic (2017). It was her first horror movie after nearly fourteen years since the last horror-related project she took.

Profile

Real Name: Yum Jung Ah (염정아)
Stage Name: Yum Jung Ah (염정아)
Also Known as: Yeom Jeong Ah, Yeom Jung Ah
Nickname: Jung Ah (정아)
Birthday: July 28, 1972
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Nationality: South Korean
Religion: –
Profession: Actress
Education:
Sangmyung Girls High School;
Chung-Ang University (Theatre Department)
Hobbies: –
Facebook: –
Twitter: –
Threads: –
Instagram: –
TikTok: –
YouTube: –

Height, Weight, & Physical Appearances

Height: 172 cm (5’7”)
Weight: 49 kg (108 lbs)
Blood Type: A
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black
Body Measurements: –
Shoe Size: –
Dress Size: –

Family

Father: Yum Do Hyeon
Mother: Seong Ki Hwa
Brother: –
Sister: Yeom Jeong Yeon
Children: Heo Jeong Hyo, and 1 more

Husband, Boyfriend, & Dating History

Heo Il

Yum Jung Ah met her now-husband through a blind date in 2005. They started dating afterwards and tied the knot a year later in December 2006.

Her husband is an orthopedist who’s a year older than her.

The couple has two children together, one of them is named Heo Jeong Hyo.

Net Worth

Multiple sources estimated her net worth to be around $1 million to $5 million. She appears to earn most of her income through working as an actress in the South Korean entertainment industry.

Plastic Surgery

There is no known information on whether she has undergone any cosmetic surgery to change her visual appearance.

Facts

Jung Ah has a daughter named Heo Jung Hyo who was born in 2008 and a son named Heo Shi Hyeong who was born in 2009.
Her husband, Heo Il, is a doctor.
She is close to fellow actress Kim Jae Hwa.
Jung Ah brought home the title of Miss Korea in 1991.
She has always longed to be an actress.
According to Korean netizens, she has a chic, cold image.
She views herself as exceptionally fortunate.
Her ideal type is…

Movies

Mission: Cross (2024), as Mi Sun
Alienoid: Part 2 (2024), as Heuk Seol
Smuggler (2022), as Ji Sook
Alien (2022), as Heug Seol
Life is Beautiful (2021), as Oh Se Yeon
Steel Rain 2: Summit (2020), as a supporting character
Start-Up (2019), as Yoon Jung Hye
Another Child (2019), as Ahn Young Joo
Trade Your Love (2019), as Madame Chun
Hit-and-Run Squad (2019), as Yoo Ji Hyun
Wiretap (2018), as a supporting character
Intimate Strangers (2018), as Soo Hyun
The Mimic (2017), as Hee Yun
Cart (2014), as Sun Hee
The Spies (2012), as Assistant Manager Kang
Love Potion (2009), as a supporting character
Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard (2009), as a supporting character
The Worst Guy Ever (2007), as Oh Ju Yun
The Old Garden (2007), as Han Yoon Hee
Small Town Rivals (2007), as a supporting character
Boy Goes to Heaven (2005), as Boo Ja
Twentidentity (2005), as a supporting character
Sad Movie (2005), as Uhm Joo Yung
Lovely Rivals (2004), as Yeo Mi Ok
Three… Extremes (2004), as a supporting character
The Big Swindle (2004), as Seo In Kyung
A Tale of Two Sisters (2003), as Heo Eun Joo
H (2002), as Detective Kim Mi Yun
Tell Me Something (1999), as.Oh Seung Min
Terrorist (1995), as Hwang Cha Eun
Jazz Bar Hiroshima (1992), as Sayuri

Drama Series

Cleaning Up (JTBC | 2022), as Eo Yong Mi
Snowdrop (JTBC | 2021), as Song Hye Joo
Sky Castle Special (JTBC | 2019), as Han Seo Jin
Sky Castle (JTBC | 2018), as Han Seo Jin
Mirror of the Witch (JTBC | 2016), as Shaman Hong Joo
Your Neighbor’s Wife (JTBC | 2013), as Chae Song Ha
After School: Lucky or Not (Naver TV Cast | 2013), as a supporting character
My Lover, Madame Butterfly (SBS | 2012), as Nam Na Bi
Flower Band (tvN | 2012), as a supporting character
Royal Family (MBC | 2011), as Kim In Sook
Working Mom (SBS | 2008), as Choi Ga Young
Say You Love Me (MBC | 2004), as Choi Yi Na
Lovers (SBS | 2003), as Jo Jin Seo
Purity (KBS2 | 2001), as Jang Ho Sook
Drama City “Yoon Sa Wol” (KBS2 | 2001), as Jae Kyung
Drama City: Ice City (KBS2 | 2000), as the main character
Emperor Wang Gun (KBS1 | 2000), as Empress Jang Hwa
Rising Sun, Rising Moon (KBS1 | 1999), as Kim Yoon Ji
School (KBS2 | 1999), as Cha Hyun Joo
Crystal (SBS | 1999), as Jo Soo Ah
You Are My Song (KBS1 | 1998), as Lee Jae Sook
MBC Best Theater “Fanny and Alexander” (MBC | 1998), as Soo Mi
Seven Brides (SBS | 1998), as Su Jeong
Legendary Ambition (KBS2 | 1998), as Park Jae Hee
Until the Azalea Blooms (KBS2 | 1998), as Joo Myung Hee
Fences on Fire (KBS1 | 1997), as a supporting character
Model (SBS | 1997), as Park Soo Ah
The Brothers’ River (SBS | 1996), as Kim So Hee
Scent of an Apple (MBC | 1996), as Park Shin Hee
Lee Hong-ryeol’s Eat Drink Man Woman (SBS | 1996), as a supporting character
Colors “Opening the Violet Blinds” (KBS2 | 1996), as a supporting character
Korea Gate (SBS | 1995), as Shin Jae Soon
Good Man, Good Woman (KBS2 | 1995), as Kang Yeon Joo
The Blue Sky (KBS2 | 1995), as Park Yun Jeong
A Human Land (KBS2 | 1994), as Kim Geum Dan
MBC Best Theater “Man and Woman” (MBC | 1994), as a supporting character
Ambition (MBC | 1994), as Woo So Yun
Iljimae (MBC | 1993), as Seol Hwa
January (KBS2 | 1993), as a supporting character
Good Morning, Yeongdong! (KBS2 | 1993), as Hye Jin
The Sun and The Moon (KBS2 | 1993), as San Hong
Our Paradise 2 (MBC | 1992), as Yoo Jung Ah
Our Paradise (MBC | 1990), as Yoo Jung Ah

TV Shows

The Game Caterers Season 2 (tvN | 2022), as a guest
Three Meals a Day: Mountain Village (tvN | 2019), as the main host
Amazing Saturday (tvN | 2018), as a guest
Park Jin Young’s Party People (SBS | 2017), as a guest
Let’s Eat Dinner Together (JTBC | 2016), as a guest
Abnormal Summit: Season 2 (JTBC | 2016), as a guest
Please Take Care of My Refrigerator (JTBC | 2014), as a guest
True Live Show (StoryOn | 2014), as the host
Thank You (SBS | 2013), as a guest
Human Documentary: Your Story (JTBC | 2013), as a narrator
Running Man (SBS | 2010), as a guest
Tuesday Special with Seo Se Won (KBS2 | 1998), as a guest
Field Experience of Life (KBS2 | 1997), as a guest
TV Loaded with Love (KBS2 | 1997), as a guest
Scoop Entertainment City (MBC | 1996), as a guest
Female MC Showdown (KBS2 | 1996), as a guest
Concert of Dreams (KBS2 | 1993), as a guest
밤으로 가는 쇼 (KBS2 | 1992), as a guest
초 마술의 세계 미스터 마릭 (SBS | 1992), as a guest
전원집합 토요대행진 (KBS2 | 1992), as a guest
Entertainment Weekly (KBS2 | 1991), as a guest

Theatres

Beauty and the Beast (1993), as a supporting character

Music Video Appearances

I’m Not Laughing (2005) – Leessang feat. ALi

Awards

2019 55th Baeksang Arts Awards – Best Actress (TV) – Sky Castle
2015 51st Baeksang Arts Awards – Best Actress (Film) – Cart
2014 15th Women in Film Korea Awards – Woman in Film of the Year – Cart
2011 4th Korea Drama Awards – Best Actress – Royal Family
2007 43rd Baeksang Arts Awards – Best Actress (Film) – The Old Garden
2004 6th Asian Film Critics Association Awards – Best Supporting Actress – The Big Swindle
2004 25th Blue Dragon Film Awards – Best Supporting Actress – The Big Swindle
2004 24th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards – Best Actress – The Big Swindle
2004 22nd Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival – Best Supporting Actress – A Tale of Two Sisters
2003 6th Director’s Cut Awards – Best Actress – A Tale of Two Sisters
1998 KBS Drama Awards – Excellence Award (Actress) – Yum Jung Ah
1992 Miss International Pageant – Second Runner-Up – Yum Jung Ah
1991 Miss Korea Pageant – Miss Photogenic – Yum Jung Ah
1991 Miss Korea Pageant – First Runner-Up – Yum Jung Ah

Nominations

2019 12th Korea Drama Awards – Grand Prize (Daesang) – Sky Castle
2019 55th Baeksang Arts Awards – Grand Prize (Daesang) for Television – Sky Castle
2018 27th Buil Film Awards – Best Actress – The Mimic
2017 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards – Best Leading Actress – The Mimic
2017 54th Grand Bell Awards – Best Actress – The Mimic
2015 24th Buil Film Awards – Best Actress – Cart
2015 20th Chunsa Film Art Awards – Best Actress – Cart
2013 SBS Drama Awards – Top Excellence Award (Actress in a Weekend/Daily Drama) – My Lover, Madame Butterfly
2012 SBS Drama Awards – Excellence Award (Actress in a Weekend/Daily Drama) – My Lover, Madame Butterfly
2011 MBC Drama Awards – Top Excellence Award (Actress in a Miniseries) – Royal Family
2008 SBS Drama Awards – Excellence Award (Actress in a Drama Special – Working Mom
2006 12th Chlotrudis Awards – Best Supporting Actress – A Tale of Two Sisters
2004 41st Grand Bell Awards – Best Actress – A Tale of Two Sisters
2003 24th Blue Dragon Film Awards – Best Supporting Actress – A Tale of Two Sisters

Quotes

“When I was in my 20s, I wasn’t sure if I’d still be in the business by the time I’m 50. I found pure joy in acting when filming ‘A Tale of Two Sisters.’ That’s when I earned positive reactions from critics and audiences alike.”

“I don’t feel like I need to maintain anything, and that’s why I can do different films and take risks, not knowing how it’s going to end up. In real life, I’m a relatable, ordinary ‘ajumma.”

“I have clear diction, but I have no control over my body. I cannot shoot action sequences in long takes.”

“By the time I’m 50, I thought I’d have traveled a lot. But my family travels abroad about once a year because it’s really hard to adjust everyone’s schedules.”

“For good projects, I have to learn new things. There is no other way of doing it.”

“I thought I was an extreme mother. I followed my children until kindergarten, did everything with my own hands, and even when [my children] went to an art academy, I’d wait in the waiting room for parents.”

FAQs

Who is Yum Jung Ah?

She is a South Korean actress.

Who is Yum Jung Ah’s real name?

Her real name is Yum Jung Ah (염정아).

What makes Yum Jung Ah famous?

Where is Yum Jung Ah from?

She was born in Seoul, South Korea.

How old is Yum Jung Ah?

She was born in 1972, and she is 53 years old as of 2025.

When does Yum Jung Ah celebrate her birthday?

She celebrates on the 28th of every July.

How tall is Yum Jung Ah?

Her height is 5’7″ or 172 cm.

Who are Yum Jung Ah’s parents?

Her father’s name is Yum Do Hyeon and her mother’s name is Seong Ki Hwa.

Is Yum Jung Ah married?

Yes, she is married to Heo Il. They tied the knot in 2006.

Who is Yum Jung Ah’s ex-boyfriend?

Her ex-boyfriend is not known.

How rich is Yum Jung Ah?

Her net worth is around $1 million to $5 million.

What is Yum Jung Ah’s nationality?

Her nationality is South Korean.

Yum Jung Ah has played diverse roles throughout he career as an actress and it just proves how versatile she is. She just seems to know how to nail every type of character.