History of Goo Hara in Timeline
Goo Hara, known as Hara, was a South Korean singer and actress famous as a member of the girl group Kara. Debuting solo in 2015, she continued her career even after the group disbanded in 2016. However, a legal battle with an ex-boyfriend in 2018 impacted her career. Despite this, she resumed activities in Japan in 2019, with her final release being the single "Midnight Queen." Tragically, she passed away later that year.
January 3, 1991: Birth of Goo Hara
Goo Hara was born on January 3, 1991.
2005: Participation in SM Entertainment's Youth Appearance Tournament
Goo Hara participated in SM Entertainment's youth appearance tournament in 2005.
2007: Unsuccessful Audition for JYP Entertainment
Goo Hara unsuccessfully auditioned to join JYP Entertainment in 2007.
2008: Joining Kara
Goo Hara joined the girl group Kara in 2008, replacing former member Kim Sung-hee.
October 2009: Cast Member on "Invincible Youth"
Goo Hara became a cast member of the KBS reality show "Invincible Youth" in October 2009.
January 5, 2010: Admission of Cosmetic Surgery
On January 5, 2010, Goo Hara publicly admitted to having undergone dental and minor facial cosmetic surgery.
January 19, 2011: Lawsuit Against DSP Media and Rejoining
Goo Hara, along with other Kara members, filed a lawsuit against DSP Media but later rejoined the company.
November 2011: Becoming MC of "Inkigayo"
Goo Hara and Nicole Jung became the new MCs for "Inkigayo" in November 2011.
2011: Acting Debut in "City Hunter"
Goo Hara made her acting debut in the SBS drama "City Hunter" in 2011.
August 19, 2012: Departure from "Inkigayo"
Goo Hara and Nicole Jung left their roles as MCs for "Inkigayo" on August 19, 2012, to focus on Kara's comeback.
October 2013: Blood Donation Ambassador
Goo Hara was appointed as the blood donation ambassador for the Hanmaum Blood Bank in October 2013.
December 29, 2014: Premiere of "On & Off" Reality Show
Goo Hara's own reality show, "On & Off," premiered on MBC Music on December 29, 2014.
January 2015: Hosting "A Style For You"
Goo Hara began hosting KBS's idol beauty show "A Style For You" in January 2015.
June 2015: Release of Beauty Book "Nail Hara"
Goo Hara released a beauty book titled "Nail Hara" in June 2015.
July 2015: Solo Debut with "Alohara"
Goo Hara made her debut as a solo artist with the release of her EP "Alohara (Can You Feel It?)" in July 2015.
October 2015: Joining "Shaolin Clenched Fists"
Goo Hara joined the variety show "Shaolin Clenched Fists" in October 2015.
December 2016: Collaboration with Thunder
Goo Hara featured in Thunder's single, "Sign," in December 2016.
2016: Kara Disbandment and Signing with KeyEast
Kara disbanded in 2016, and Goo Hara signed with KeyEast to pursue a solo career.
August 2017: Starring in "Sound of a Footstep"
Goo Hara starred in a web movie titled "Sound of a Footstep" in August 2017.
November 2017: Joining "Seoul Mate"
Goo Hara joined the variety show "Seoul Mate" in November 2017.
2017: Promotion Under Content Y
Goo Hara was actively promoting under Content Y, a subsidiary of KeyEast, since 2017.
January 2018: Release of "On A Good Day"
Goo Hara released "On A Good Day," a soundtrack for the drama "Jugglers," in January 2018.
April 2018: Hosting "My Mad Beauty Diary"
Goo Hara hosted JTBC's beauty show "My Mad Beauty Diary" in April 2018.
August 2018: Solo Debut in Japan
Goo Hara debuted as a soloist in Japan with the release of the song "Wild" in August 2018.
September 13, 2018: Assault Incident with Choi Jong-bum
Goo Hara was allegedly assaulted by her then-boyfriend, Choi Jong-bum, on September 13, 2018, leading to a legal dispute.
2018: Legal Dispute with Choi Jong-bum
Goo Hara became embroiled in a legal dispute with her ex-boyfriend, Choi Jong-bum, beginning in 2018.
January 2019: Contract Expiration with Content Y
Goo Hara's contract with Content Y expired and was not renewed in January 2019.
April 18, 2019: First Trial Session in Choi Jong-bum Case
The first trial session in the legal dispute between Goo Hara and Choi Jong-bum took place on April 18, 2019.
May 26, 2019: Goo Hara's Suicide Attempt
Goo Hara attempted suicide on May 26, 2019, after which she apologized to her fans for causing concern.
May 30, 2019: Second Trial Session in Choi Jong-bum Case
The second trial session in the legal dispute between Goo Hara and Choi Jong-bum was held on May 30, 2019, which Goo Hara did not attend due to her suicide attempt.
June 2019: Return to Japanese Promotions
Goo Hara announced her return to promotions in Japan after signing with Production Ogi in June 2019.
June 2019: Signing with Production Ogi
Goo Hara signed with Production Ogi to continue her solo career in Japan in June 2019.
July 18, 2019: Trial Session and Evidence Submission
On July 18, 2019, a trial session took place where the presiding judge requested the submission of a disputed video as evidence. Following concerns from Goo's lawyers about potential public exposure, the judge reviewed the video privately. Goo also provided private testimony to the judge for two hours.
August 2019: Choi's Sentencing and Public Harassment
In August 2019, Choi received a suspended prison sentence of one year and six months, with three years of probation, for offenses including threats, coercion, assault, and property damage. He was acquitted of filming the sex video without consent as the court determined Goo filmed it herself. Sadly, Goo experienced online harassment after news of the video surfaced, highlighting the unfair treatment often faced by victims.
September 19, 2019: Release of "Midnight Queen"
Goo Hara released her final single, "Midnight Queen," on September 19, 2019.
November 2019: Hara Zepp Tour 2019: Hello
Goo Hara embarked on her final tour, "Hara Zepp Tour 2019: Hello," across Japan in November 2019.
November 24, 2019: Death of Goo Hara
Goo Hara passed away on November 24, 2019.
January 12, 2020: Posthumous Release of "Hello" Music Video
The music video for "Hello," a song dedicated to Goo Hara's fans, was released posthumously on January 12, 2020.
April 6, 2020: Posthumous Release of Photobook
A photobook commemorating Goo Hara, featuring photos taken before her death, was released posthumously on April 6, 2020.
July 2, 2020: Choi's Sentence Appeal and Imprisonment
On July 2, 2020, an appeal against Choi's suspended sentence resulted in a one-year prison term. The court emphasized the severe potential damage of leaking the sex videos given Goo's celebrity status.
July 8, 2020: Prosecution Appeals for Harsher Sentence
The prosecution team sought a heavier sentence for Choi by appealing to the Supreme Court on July 8, 2020.
October 15, 2020: Supreme Court Upholds Choi's Sentence and Denies Bail
Choi's bail application while awaiting the Supreme Court's decision on the prosecution's appeal was denied. The court stated there were no justifiable grounds for granting bail. Subsequently, the Supreme Court upheld Choi's one-year prison sentence on October 15, 2020.
December 1, 2020: Amendment of Inheritance Laws ("Goo Hara Act")
On December 1, 2020, the inheritance laws in South Korea were amended, with the bill carrying amendments titled "Goo Hara Act", following a lawsuit filed by Goo Hara's brother related to her inheritance.
December 22, 2020: Inheritance Ruling and Family Dispute
The Gwangju Family Court ruled on December 22, 2020, regarding the inheritance dispute. Goo's mother was granted 40% of the inheritance, while Goo Ho-in, her brother, received 60%. This decision followed a lawsuit filed by Goo Ho-in to prevent their mother from claiming 50% of the estate, citing her alleged lack of parental support.
2021: Art Auction for Charity
Two years after Goo Hara's passing, Goo Ho-in organized an auction of ten oil paintings created by his sister. A portion of the proceeds from the auction was donated to Florence, a Japanese non-profit supporting single-parent families.