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Krystal Jung — news, coverage & facts — IJR

2013–2017: SM The Ballad, collaborative music work, and acting career

In 2013, Jung starred in the SBS teen drama The Heirs, playing the role of a spoiled yet kind-hearted wealthy high school student. Her character in the show generated positive recognition among viewers, and she was voted as the Best Onscreen Couple along with CNBLUE's Kang Min-hyuk at the 2013 DramaFever Awards.

In 2014, Jung joined the ballad group SM the Ballad, initially formed by SM Entertainment in 2010. On the group's 2nd album Breath, she sang the Japanese version of the title track "Breath" with TVXQ's Changmin. She also sang a duet with Exo's Chen titled "When I Was... When U Were...". Jung performed her duet with Chen live at the S.M. The Ballad Joint Recital on February 12. In June, Jung, along with her sister Jessica, was featured in the reality show, Jessica & Krystal. The show took on a more close and personal side of the two sisters, addressing their public image and sisterly bond.

Later in the year, Jung got her first leading role in the SBS's drama My Lovely Girl, alongside Rain. She portrayed a girl who moves from the countryside to Seoul to pursue a music career and ends up meeting a fateful love during the process. Commenting on Jung's work attitude, Director Park Hyung-ki stated "Despite taking on a difficult character, she shows her determination to pull it off through her gaze to the point you can see sincerity in Krystal when she's in front of the camera." She released a solo single "All of a Sudden" for the drama's OST. At the Baeksang Arts Awards, Jung won the "Most Popular Actress" award in the television category for her role in the drama. She also released "Say Yes"' for the Make Your Move soundtrack, featuring her sister, Jessica, and Exo's former member, Kris.

In 2015, Jung starred alongside actor Seo Jun-young in a 10-minute film entitled, Listen To My Song for W Korea's 10th anniversary. Jung was also cast in leading roles in an upcoming Chinese movie, titled Unexpected Love along with Exo's Lay; and in the Chinese drama Graduation Season alongside Deng Lun.

On February 12, 2017, it was reported that Jung would release the collaboration single "I Don't Wanna Love You" with Glen Check's member June One Kim. The song was revealed for the first time on February 14 at the re-opening of a clothing store in Seoul, and then be released online at midnight KST on February 15. In July, Jung starred in tvN's drama spin-off of the Korean manhwa Bride of the Water God. The same year she starred in the black comedy drama Prison Playbook, produced by Reply PD Shin Won-ho, where she played a cheerful and determined medical student and the ex-girlfriend of the main character. She received good reviews for her performance. Jung was named 'Woman of the Year' by GQ Korea.

2018–present: Continued acting career and labels transition

In 2018, Jung was cast as the female lead in OCN's crime action drama Player, as Cha Ah-ryung, a highly skilled driver who ran away from orphanage. At the press conference for the drama, Jung stated that she learned how to ride a motorcycle in order to do her own stunts.

In 2019, Jung and her sister Jessica filmed their second reality show in the United States where they traveled across their homeland, exploring fashion, music, and culture while reminiscing about their childhood memories, titled Jessica & Krystal: US Road Trip which was released in 2021. The same year, she made her film debut in the independent romance More Than Family, playing To-il, a pregnant college student searching for her estranged father. She also starred in the Netflix-released romantic comedy Sweet & Sour, marking her commercial film debut.

In 2020, Jung was cast in OCN's military cinematic drama Search, where she played an elite army officer. The drama premiered on October 17, 2020. After reports began swirling of Jung departing SM Entertainment, SM responded that their contract with her would expire by the end of August 2020, and they were in discussions with her for a possible renewal. Krystal's departure from SM was officially announced in October 2020 and signed with H& Entertainment as her new agency.

In 2021, Jung starred in KBS2's drama Police University, playing Oh Kang-hee, a freshman at Korean National Police University, alongside Cha Tae-hyun and Jinyoung.

In 2022, Jung starred alongside Kim Jae-wook in the KBS2's romantic-comedy Crazy Love, playing Lee Shin-ah, a quiet but capable secretary whose life takes an unexpected turn. For her performance, she received the "Popularity Award", at the 2022 KBS Drama Awards.

In 2023, Jung starred in Cobweb, a period black comedy-drama film directed by Kim Jee-woon. It was premiered in the non-competitive section at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. She received the "Best New Actress" award at the 33rd Buil Film Awards, and the "Best Supporting Actress" award at the Chunsa Film Art Awards 2023 for the role.

In February 2024, Jung released cover song of Leila Hathaway's "I'm Coming Back" through SoundCloud and also confirmed to join the label Beasts & Natives (BANA). Later in the same year, she made a special appearance in The Player 2: Master of Swindlers, the sequel to the 2018 drama Player. in which she starred as Cha Ah-ryung.

In January 2025, Jung was confirmed to star in the film Audition 109, co-directed by Jung Woo and Oh Seong Ho. In March 2025, Jung was selected as the ambassador for French Film Week, which was scheduled to take place from April 4 to 13. During a Q&A session following a general screening of the film Suspended Time, she revealed that she had been preparing for her solo album.

In April 2025, Jung starred as a special guest role in the fantasy romance drama Way Back Love as a senior grim reaper. The episode premiered on April 15.

In July 2025, it was confirmed that Jung would star in the tvN drama Mad Concrete Dreams alongside Ha Jung-woo, Im Soo-jung, Kim Jun-han, and Shim Eun-kyung. She is set to play Jeon Yi-kyung, a character who assists her mother's real estate business. The drama is scheduled to air in the first half of 2026.

On November 6, 2025, Jung announced through her agency BANA's official YouTube channel, released episode 1 of her solo album production series Charging Crystals and announced would release her solo album's first single "Solitary" on November 27.

Endorsements and ambassadorship

In 2010, Jung, alongside Seohyun from Girls' Generation, became a model for Clean & Clear, and in 2012, she partnered with actress Kim Ji-won for the brand's campaigns. In 2013, Jung and her sister Jessica became the faces of the South Korean jewelry brand Stonehenge. That same year, Jung and group mate Sulli became the new faces of the makeup brand Etude House. During their tenure, they collaborated with labelmate Shinee, who were also models for the brand at that time. This partnership continued until 2014, after which Krystal continued her association with the brand as a solo model until 2017. Later that year, she participated in Adidas' "My Girls" campaign, which aimed to inspire and empower women through sports and fitness activities.

In 2014, She became a model for Chinese sports brand Li-Ning and South Korean bag brand Lapalette with her sister Jessica.

Jung represented Keds as a global ambassador from 2015 to 2020. In 2016, she became one the faces of the brand's "Ladies First" campaign, which aimed to celebrate and empower women.

In 2016, Jung became Tod's first Asian model, she was featured in their "Italian Diaries" campaign, a short film showcasing the Spring/Summer 2017 collection, where she explored the city of Venice.

In 2018, Jung was appointed as a brand ambassador for Clio Cosmetics and continued to feature in their campaigns through 2020. Later that year, she was selected as the ambassador for Audi in South Korea, representing the luxury automaker in various global campaigns and events. Jung and her sister Jessica were featured in Fendi's "Me and My Peekaboo" campaign.

In 2021, Jung was announced as the global brand spokesperson for AHC, a South Korean skincare brand.

In 2020, Jung was selected as the global ambassador of Ralph Lauren. That same year, she was named the model for Tsubaki, a premium Japanese hair care brand.

Jung became the first-ever global brand ambassador for Charles & Keith in 2022.

In 2023, Jung was chosen as the ambassador of Lancôme, and became Pomellato's first South Korean brand ambassador.

In 2024, Jung was appointed as the official brand ambassador for SW19, a fragrance brand. She headlined their "I Am Now" campaign, which emphasized themes of self-expression and individuality.

In February 2025, Jung collaborated with Adidas Originals for the inaugural "House of Wild" project, a creative initiative celebrating individuality and self-expression. This collaboration was prominently featured in Esquire Korea and Eyes Magazine.

In March 2025, Jung was appointed as the ambassador for "French Film Week" in South Korea, which was scheduled to take place from April 4 to 13 in Seoul and Busan. Organized by the French Embassy's cultural service in collaboration with Megabox's Artnine and the Busan Cinema Center.

Krystal Jung

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Krystal Jung

🎬 Filmography

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Krystal Jung across IJR

Article

Article

Early life and education

Career

2002–2006: Pre-debut activities

2009–2011: Debut with f(x) and television shows

2013–2017: SM The Ballad, collaborative music work, and acting career

2018–present: Continued acting career and labels transition

Impact

Other ventures

Endorsements and ambassadorship

Philanthropy

Discography

Filmography

Accolades

🎬 Filmography

Krystal Jung across IJR