| G.NA | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | 최지나 (Choi Ji-Na) |
| Born | Edmonton, Alberta September 13, 1987 |
| Origin | Alberta, Canada |
| Genres | K-pop, dance, R&B, electropop |
| Occupations | Singer, actress |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels | Cube Entertainment |
| Associated acts | 오소녀 (Five Girls) |
| Website | playgna.com |
Gina Choi (Hangul: 최지나), better known by her stage name G.NA, is a Korean Canadian singer under Cube Entertainment, born on September 13, 1987. She released her first mini-album, Draw G's First Breath, on July 14, 2010.[1] She graduated from Fraser Heights Secondary School.
Contents |
G.NA was originally set to debut as the leader of girl group Five Girls (오소녀) under Good Entertainment, along with Wonder Girls’ Yubin, After School’s UEE, Secret’s Hyosung and former T-ara member and actress Yang Jiwon.[2] However, the group disbanded shortly before their scheduled debut in 2007 due to Good Entertainment's financial troubles and the members all left for separate Korean entertainment companies.
When publicty pictures of G.NA were released, there was a great deal of public scrutiny involving her breast size. The singer claimed to never having plastic surgery and that she is a natural D-cup.
During her trainee days under Cube Entertainment, she was featured in 2PM's "10 Out of 10 Points" debut music video.[3] and was Hyuna's backup dancer in her solo song "Change".
G.NA released her digital duet song "Aeini Saenggimyeon Hago Sipeun Il" (애인이 생기면 하고 싶은 일, lit. Things I Want to Do When I Have a Lover) together with Rain on July 5, 2010,[4] solidifying her debut into the Korean music industry.[5]
G.NA's debut album Draw G's First Breath was one of the most-anticipated female solo acts, and as such, the line-up for the production was impressive. Kim Do Hoon, Shin Sa Dong Tiger, Jung Ji Chan, Kang Ji Won, and other great staff participated in her album, and the tracks they have released have received praise.[5] G.NA's debut music video, "Kkeojyeo Julge Jar Sara" (꺼져 줄게 잘 살아, lit. I'll Back Off So You Can Live), featured BEAST's Doo Joon as the male actor, as well as Jun Hyung's rapping.[5] Before her on-air debut on the music show, she was congratulated by her former Five Girls members Hyosung, Uee and Yubin through pre-recorded footage. She won her first award on M! Countdown on 12 August 2010.
After finishing her promotions on "Kkeojyeo Julge Jar Sara", she chose to promote "Supa Solo" from her album Draw G's First Breath as her following track but unfortunately did not win any awards. She also became the MC on Arirang TV's The M Wave, along with Alexander and Kevin of U-Kiss. G.NA took part in the OST of Playful Kiss, starring Kim Hyun Joong (SS501) and Jung So Min, called "Kiss Me". She was featured in Korean rapper Verbal Jint's EP Go Easy 0.5. Later she did a duet with 4minute's Hyuna in the single Together Forever with the track named "Say You Love Me". However, she did not promote this song on stage.
On January 4, 2011 Cube Entertainment revealed that G.NA will be returning with a full official album this month. She released the song "Nice to Meet You" featuring Wheesung on 11 January 2011 and it was finalized that she would release her full album on 18 January 2011 with her title track named "Black and White". The MV teaser for "Black & White" was released on January 13, 2011 and the music video was released on January 18, 2011. The MV features 2AM's member Jinwoon. In addition, G.NA won on the 17th and 24 February on M! Countdown. On February 25, G.NA also won her first ever Music Bank for her hit song "Black & White". Music portal Dosirak has revealed that singer G.NA was the #1 best seller in digital sales for the month of February. According to information released by Dosirak on February 27, G.NA’s “Black & White” comeback album took first in digital sales. Also G.NA won her first Inkigayo Mutizen on February 27, marking her grand slam, for winning on all three music programs.
G.NA is scheduled to perform at the “Canada Korea Friendship Festival (CKFF)” in Vancouver’s Bell Performing Arts Centre.
G.NA will be participating in the remake album of Japanese singer-songwriter/actor, Fukuyama Masaharu. G.NA’s remake, “Milk Tea”, features her powerful vocals to balance the delicate feeling of a narrator’s love story.[6]
The music video for "I Already Miss You" was released on March 9, 2011. G.NA also appeared in Lim Jeong Hee's music video for "Golden Lady" with gagman Park Hwi Soon which is released on May 9, 2011. She was also featured for Hyuna's album Bubble Pop! in the song ‘A Bitter Day’. On August 16 G.NA released a teaser photo for her next Mini Album "Top Girl". Through her YouTube channel she released a teaser for the music video "Banana" on August 20, and for the music video "Top Girl" on August 21. The full "Top Girl" music video was revealed on August 22. A preview for an alternate version called "Net Girl" with changed lyrics was revealed on August 31.
G.NA walked her very first runway as a model for Lie Sang Bong’s 2011/12 F/W collection Seoul Fashion Week at Seoul’s SETEC Center on March 30, 2011. G.NA wore the line, Lie Sang Bong Fashion Show which was done under the theme of ‘natural beauty’, and it features a mix of both modern and Asian influences.
She lived in Canada for 17 years, before moving to Seoul to pursue her career as a singer. She used to be Eunhyuk's girlfriend.
On April 2 2011, G.NA have been casted for the upcoming KBS musical drama “Dream High 2”. G.NA’s company, Cube Entertainment confirmed that she will temporarily leave her singing career to focus on her acting debut. G.NA will be playing the role of Jane, a vocal arts student who used to be Jason's first love in the U.S before coming to Korea. G.NA will begin filming Dream High in the second half of 2011.[7]
| Year | Title | Network | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Dream High 2 | KBS | Jane |
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR | |||
| Gaon [8] |
|||
| 2010 | |||
| "What I Want To Do When I Have a Lover" (with Rain) | 13 | Draw G's First Breath | |
| "I'll Back Off So You Can Live Better" (with Junhyung) | 2 | ||
| "Kiss Me" | 24 | Playful Kiss OST | |
| 2011 | "Black & White" | 4 | Black & White |
| "Top Girl" | 4 | Top Girl | |
| "Banana" | 30 |
| Years | Awards |
|---|---|
| 2010 |
|
| 2011 |
|
These are a collection of G.NA wins on Korea's televised music shows. Inkigayo is aired on SBS, M! Countdown on Korea cable channel M.net and Music Bank on KBS.
| Year | Date | Song |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | February 25 | Black & White |
| Year | Date | Song |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | February 27 | Black & White |
| Year | Date | Song |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | August 12 | I'll Back Off So You Can Live Better |
| 2011 | February 17 | Black & White |
| February 24 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||