Kvolution

✨ Yoon Eun Hye

1999 - 2005: Debut with Baby V.O.X

Yoon Eun-hye debuted as a member of Baby V.O.X at the age of 15, replacing an ex-member (Lee Gai) in 1999. Yoon was the sub-vocal in the group.

After she joined, the group released their third albumCome Come Come in 1999. This album became their first major success, with their singles “Get Up” and “Killer” reaching the number one spot on the Korean music charts.In the same year, Yoon became a target of anti-fans. She was shot in the eye by an anti-fan who tried to make her blind with a mixture of soy sauce and vinegar using a water gun. She was rushed to the hospital where the doctors confirmed that her cornea was damaged.

Yoon was also a frequent guest on SBS's popular game show X-Man from 2004-2005, gaining popularity for her "girl-warrior" image on the show and her love-line with Kim Jong-kook.

Following fellow member Shim Eun-jin, Yoon ended her 6 years activities as a member of Baby V.O.X in July 2005 when her contract with DR Entertainment expired.

2006: Princess Hours and breakthrough success

In 2005, Yoon signed on with a new management company, Eight Peak, when she was offered her first major acting role in romantic comedyPrincess Hours. Yoon played the lead role as Shin Chae-kyung who becomes the crown princess because of an arranged marriage to the crown prince. Initially, fans of the Goong manhwaquestioned her acting ability, and sent out petitions against Yoon as the lead role, requesting her to be replaced. They even bombarded herCyworld minihompy with harsh words. Yoon had thoughts of giving up the role initially but she released a statement not long after stating that she would ultimately do her best, displaying her determination to prove herself.

The drama series debuted with average ratings, but as it progressed, viewership increased to 28.3% nationally. The popularity of the drama led to an extension of additional episodes (from 20 to 24 episodes) and a "Special 1.5" episode on MBC. Princess Hours also became a hit across Asia, catapulting Yoon into Korean Wave stardom.

Following the success of her first drama, Yoon then made her debut on the big screen, starring in the film The Legend of Seven Cutter as a boxer. She returned to television with a leading role in The Vineyard Man which was aired on KBSin July 2006. The Vineyard Man initially suffered low ratings, but the heart-warming storyline and Yoon’s convincing portrayal as a thriving young clothing designer gradually won the hearts of audiences. Yoon's performance in The Vineyard Man won her not only Best New Actress in the 2006 KBS Drama Awards, but also Best Actress recognition at the 2006 Grimae Awards, an honourable award chosen by directors in every broadcasting station in Korea.

2007 - 2009: Continued success with Coffee Prince and acting recognition

In 2007, Yoon took on the leading role in MBC's dramaThe 1st Shop of Coffee Prince. She played Go Eun-chan, an employee at a coffee shop who was mistaken for a boy by her employer (played by Gong Yoo) because of her short haircut and tomboyish manners. The drama achieved a peak viewership rating of 32.1% in Seoul and 29.9% nationwide, making it the highest rated show in its timeslot.

The huge success of Coffee Prince made Yoon one of the highest paid actress in Korea, with MBC paying her 20 millionwon per episode for the drama. Yoon became the youngest actress to joinSouth Korea's A-listed stars, the 20 million won club, which includes top actors such asBae Yong-joon, Kwon Sang-woo, Go Hyun-jung, and Song Il-gook. Yoon's successful performance in Coffee Princealso won her several acting accolades. From 19–27 November 2007, StarNewscarried out their own 2007 Acting Awards, evaluating television series' performance from all three major broadcasting stations. A total 17 chief producers (5 fromKBS, 7 from MBC and 5 fromSBS) participated in nominating and selecting the winners, and Yoon was named Outstanding Actress. At the 44th Baeksang Arts Awards, Yoon beat out veteran actresses Kim Hee-ae andPark Jin-hee to win the coveted Best Actress award, becoming the youngest actress ever to win the award. Prior to this, Yoon also set the record by being the youngest actress ever to win Best Actress Award at the Grimae Awards and Top Excellence Actress Award at the 2007 MBC Drama Awards.