Yeon Woo (연우)

Former MOMOLAND member Yeon Woo has built a second chapter in the public eye as an actress, most recently through the 2026 drama *Love Phobia*, in which she played Yoon Bi-ah — a character navigating a deep-seated fear of love. The role drew notice for its emotional range, and her on-screen presence alongside actor Kim Hyun-jin became one of the drama's talking points among viewers.

From idol to actress

Born Jung Yeon Woo in 1998, she first gained recognition as a vocalist with MOMOLAND, the girl group that broke through domestically and across Southeast Asia in the late 2010s. She also held a brief membership in BAIKAL before stepping away from the idol track to focus on acting.

*Love Phobia* and recent work

Her role in *Love Phobia* placed her at the center of a twisting narrative: Yoon Bi-ah, a character whose arc moves from emotional guardedness to gradual openness, drew praise for the measured way Yeon Woo handled the role's quieter, more internal moments. The drama also featured Hwang Ha-jung as Hong Joo-yeon, a character who admires Yeon Woo's — whose dramatic turn added a further layer to the series. On wrapping the production, Yeon Woo spoke openly about the experience, describing the conclusion as precious time she was reluctant to let go. Within the story she portrayed a dating app CEO, a role that placed her in a professional register quite different from her earlier screen work and allowed her to demonstrate range across workplace competence and romantic vulnerability.

Standing

Yeon Woo's trajectory — from idol group vocalist to drama lead — reflects a path a number of her generation have taken, though her willingness to take on character-driven roles rather than straightforward romantic leads marks her current work as deliberate in its direction. Her profile in the acting space continues to develop.