- For other people known as 'Eunjung', see Eunjung.
Chae Eunjung (채은정), also known as Enjel (엔젤) and EJ (恩真), is a South Korean singer under StarMade Entertainment. She is a member of the girl group CLEO and a former member of the C-Pop girl group Girls Kingdom.
She made her solo debut on February 26, 2007 with the studio album My Name Is Enjel.
Career
1999–2003: CLEO
On March 3, 1999, she made her debut as a member of the girl group CLEO, under the stage name Chae Eunjung, with the self titled studio album Cleo.
In 2003, she left the group, which she later explained in 2007 because she didn't like the group's concept and the company forced them do a nude photoshoot.[1]
2004-2009: Solo debut with My Name Is Enjel, Retirement
In 2004, she released her first song as a soloist, "Romantic Love", as the OST for Lovers In Paris.
On February 27, 2007, she made her solo debut with the studio album My Name Is Enjel, under the stage name Enjel,
However, as she failed to gain attention as a soloist, she left the agency and announced her retirement from the entertainment industry to work as a medical tourism coordinator in 2009.[2][3]
2011-2016: J-Fit, Career in Hong Kong, Girls Kingdom, Cancelled CLEO reformation
In 2011, she launched the women's clothing shopping mall J-Fit and returned to the entertainment industry with the release of diet book "Kiniya, Let's Play".[4]
Sometime later, she moved to Hong Kong and started working as a model under Jam Cast Management.[5]
In August 2011, she debuted as a member of the Hong Kong based Japanese-Korean girl group Girls Kingdom, under the stage name EJ, with their self-titled single "Girls Kingdom".[6][n 1]
On November 16, 2011, Chae Eunjung, along with Park Yeeun, was invited by Kim Hana for their reunion on Comeback Show Top 10, a show with the goal of helping popular stars from the 1st generation make a comeback.[7] However, plans fell through as the show was cancelled and she returned to Hong Kong.[8]
After Girls Kingdom silent disbandment in 2013, she returned to working as a model, as well as being an event planner.[2]
2017-2022: Career in Korea, King of Mask Singer, Miss Trot 2
In 2017, she returned to Korea due to the THAAD political conflict and started working as an office worker.[9] She also worked as a model, YouTuber and pilates instructor.[10]
On September 6, 2020, she participated in King of Mask Singer but was eliminated on the first round.[10]
On December 17, 2020, she appeared on the first episode of Miss Trot 2, but was eliminated after receiving only 8 out of 15 hearts from the judges.[11] After being eliminated, she revealed that she planned to leave her music and acting career behind and focus on being a live commerce broadcast host.[12]
2022: Solo comeback with Whi Hu Hu Hu
On June 21, 2022, she made her solo comeback after 13 years with the EP Whi Hu Hu Hu.
2023-present: CLEO's reformation, "Paradise"
On October 12, 2023, she announced the reformation of CLEO under StarMade Entertainment with two new members, Dini and Dokyung.[13][14]
On March 13, 2025, she announced she will be making a comeback with the single "Paradise", set to be released on March 19.[15] On March 17, it was revealed that "Paradise" is the third collaboration digital single between Chae Eunjung and IK BROTHERS.[16]
Discography
Studio albums
- My Name Is Enjel (2007)
EPs
- Whi Hu Hu Hu (2022)
Single albums
- "Out" (2007)
- "바보야" (2007)
Digital singles
- "3! 4!" (2008)
- "I Miss You" (2009)
Collaborations
- "Red Wine - 그 첫번째 잔" (with Gayoung) (2008)
- "The Story Vol. 2" (with Wally) (2008)
- "In 2 The Sky" (with DJ IT) (2019)
- "My Way" (with DJ IT) (2019)
- "Ring Ring" (with IK BROTHERS) (2024)
- "Tonight" (with IK BROTHERS) (2024)
- "Paradise" (with IK BROTHERS) (2025)
Features
- Banana Girl - Chocolate ("S") (2007)
- The Second Fact] - "Come To The End" (2021)
OSTs
- "Lovers in Paris OST" ("Romantic Love") (2004)
- "Viewtiful Joe OST" (2007)
Filmography
Drama
- Sexy Mong Returns (CGV, 2007)
Reality shows
- JUMP! 2: Snow Battle (XTM, 2008)
- Comeback Show Top 10 (SBS, 2011) - cast
- Two Yoo Project Sugar Man (JTBC, 2015) - guest
- King of Mask Singer (MBC, 2020) - contestant (as Silver Hairtail)
- Miss Trot 2 (TV Chosun, 2020) - contestant
- Sing Again 3 (JTBC, 2023) - contestant (as Singer No.11)
Music video appearances
- Banana Girl - "Chocolate" (2007)
- William So - "怎夠喉" (2011)
Gallery
Notes
- ↑ It's unclear when or if Girls Kingdom ever released their debut single. However, it can be assumed that the group debuted around August 2011 as they made their first public appearance on August 21, 2011, performing their self-titled single "Girls Kingdom" at Mikiki.
References
- ↑ (KR) News Nate: 채은정 “만들어진 인형+누드 제의+원치않던 음악 클레오 시절 힘들었다”
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 (KR) Naver: 채은정 "홍콩서 1년간 수입, 한국 10년 활동한 것보다 많아" [화보]
- ↑ (KR) Daum: 가수 채은정, 연예계 은퇴 선언
- ↑ (KR) Star News Korea: 채은정, 다이어트책 베스트셀러 등극 '2억원 매출
- ↑ Jam Cast HK Wordpress: E.J. Comp Card
- ↑ YouTube: 女兒帝國 Girls Kingdom Live @ Mikiki - 合唱
- ↑ (KR) Heraldcorp News: 원조 걸그룹 ‘클레오’ <컴백쇼 톱10>에서 성인돌로 재결합
- ↑ (KR) No Cut News: '컴백쇼 톱10' 출연진, 단체항의 "재기시켜준다더니..."
- ↑ (KR) EToday: 채은정 누구? 걸그룹 클레오 출신·쿠보 안나와 홍콩판 소녀시대로 활동
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 (KR) Sports DongA: [종합] ‘복면가왕’ 클레오 채은정 근황 “치과 코디→필라테스 강사, 13년만 무대”
- ↑ (KR) Hankyung: '미스트롯2' 클레오 출신 채은정 등장 "현재는 필라테스 강사"
- ↑ (KR) Newsen: 채은정 “미스트롯2 출연 후 트라우마 생겨, 음악 평가 겁났다”
- ↑ @smileej_ Instagram Post (October 12, 2023)
- ↑ @smileej_ Instagram Post (October 13, 2023)
- ↑ @cchaeeunjung on Instagram (March 13, 2025)
- ↑ @cchaeeunjung on Instagram (March 17, 2025)