Who Is Jang Da Ah, Sister Of IVE’s Jang Won?

Even before landing her role in the drama Pyramid Game (2024), Jang Da Ah was used to the constant buzz and attention. And that was natural, she is the older sister of IVE’s Jang Won‑young, a rather popular girl-group idol. 

But I am here to tell you that she is more than just a celebrity sibling. She has earned every right to be in the spotlight through her acting skills, focus, and distinctive presence. 

So, who is she? And how did she come to this point? In today’s blog, I will tell you why I believe she has the potential to become a very powerful actress, especially through her work in dramas like Pyramid Game. 

Who Is Jang Da Ah?

Jang Da-ah, born Jang Jin-young, came into the world in Seoul on May 5, 2001. She kicked off her career in the entertainment business in April 2023, joining King Kong by Starship to give acting and modeling a shot. 

A lot of people noticed her at first because of her sister’s fame, but Jang Da-ah has been making her own way. She began with modeling jobs, like being a brand’s face, and then jumped into acting with a main part in Pyramid Game. It looks like she’s making her own name instead of just using her sister’s popularity. 

She’s stylish, confident, and really pretty, so people tend to compare her to her sister appearance-wise. But, from what I’ve seen, she has a bit of different vibe. She’s not quite as idol-cute, but more composed and mysterious. And honestly? Being able to stand out as a new actress is a good thing. 

I think it’s really cool that she chose such a strong first role. She didn’t pick a small, safe part, but a main bad guy in a suspenseful thriller. That shows she’s brave and wants to do big things. 

Personal Life And Education

Though public details are relatively limited (which is common for rising actors), here’s a summary of what we know and can infer about Jang Da-ah’s background.

• Family: She is the older sister of Jang Won-young of IVE. 

• Education: While sources vary, many list her as a graduate of high school and note that she entered the entertainment industry after agency training. Some sources, including EverybodyWiki, mention she attended Seoul Arts High School. 

• Personal traits: In interviews, she has admitted she felt some pressure being the sister of a well-known idol, and therefore consciously tried to prove her own abilities rather than rely on her family name. For example, The Korea Times reported that she said of her debut role: “So I didn’t pay much attention to nor was swayed by any accompanying external factors.” 

• Interests and public persona: She appears on social media not just as an actress but also as a fashion and lifestyle figure, her modelling posts show a strong sense of visual styling, according to tenasia. 

What this tells me: Jang Da-ah is comfortable straddling different facets, modeling, acting, fashion but the thread tying them is confidence and self-presentation.  

Career And Filmography

Jang Da Ah is currently under the agency or label Starship, the same agency as her sister. Here’s a quick look at her career: 

Early Modelling & Endorsements

Soon after signing with the agency in April 2023, she modeled for a contact lens company and a beauty brand. These early jobs got her name out there and helped her get comfortable in front of the camera. That is something that probably made it easier for her to start acting. 

Acting Debut: Pyramid Game (2024)

Her first big acting role was in the thriller show Pyramid Game, which came out in early 2024. She plays Baek Ha-rin, a popular student who secretly runs a mean ranking system at school, says The Korea Times. 

For a brand new actor, playing such a complicated character really wowed critics and viewers. 

Subsequent Work & Upcoming Projects

After Pyramid Game, Jang Da-ah has already landed roles in future shows like My Troublesome Star (also called My Precious Star), which is coming in 2025, according to KDrama Stars. 

Filmography

Awards And Recognition

Though still early in her career, Jang Da-ah has already received noteworthy recognition:

• She won the Rookie of the Year award at the 2024 Asia Artist Awards for her role in Pyramid Game.  
• Additional nominations include the Best New Actress at the APAN Star Awards. 
• Her work and visual appeal also earned her brand endorsements and modelling, citing her as a ‘female actress (rookie)’ brand of the year. 

Jang Da Ah’s Role In Pyramid Game

I want to give special attention to Pyramid Game because it is the role that first allowed me to see, with confidence, that Jang Da-ah might be more than a pretty face or the sibling of an idol. It showcased her potential. 

Character & Context

In Pyramid Game, her character Baek Ha-rin is introduced as the “princess” of Class 2-5 at Baekyeon Girls’ High—beloved, admired, model student. 

But as the show progresses, it becomes clear she is the architect of the cruel popularity-ranking system: every month the class votes, and students at the bottom (grade F) become targets of bullying and social exclusion. Baek Ha-rin holds the strings. 

What makes this role interesting is the balance required: charm and likability on the surface, but underlying coldness and manipulation. It is this duality that gives an actor room to show range. 

Her Performance

From what critics and viewers report, Jang Da-ah handled that complexity rather impressively for a newcomer. She brought subtle facial expressions: the assured smile, the gathering of control, the moments where the mask slips. According to an article in tenasia, “Despite being a newcomer, she impressed audiences with her detailed facial expressions and acting skills.” 

One Reddit viewer put it plainly: “She was by far the best new actress in last year. Girl absolutely slaps that psychotic role.”

That kind of viewer reaction matters. It means the audience is seeing her performance, not just her name. 

Why This Role Signals Potential

For me, there are three key lessons from her performance that signal she can become a powerful actress: 

1. Willingness to be uncomfortable: She didn’t pick a straightforward hero role. She took on someone manipulative and morally grey. That’s harder. It shows ambition. 

2. Command of screen presence: The “princess” role in an ensemble of teenage characters could easily get lost, but she stood out. That presence will be valuable as she moves into more mature roles. 

3. Leaving room to grow: While she impressed, there is still rawness. She doesn’t yet have decades of credits—but that’s good: she has space to develop, and early promise means she can shape her path. 

Why I Believe She Has The Potential To Become A Very Powerful Actress

Putting together all the pieces, her background, early career choices, her performance in Pyramid Game, and the industry recognition. Here’s why I believe Jang Da-ah is not just a flash in the pan, but someone who could become a significant actress in Korean entertainment. 

1. Strategic role selection: She began with modelling, which helped her build a public image, then moved into acting with a challenging lead role rather than comfort zone cameos. That strategy suggests an eye for long-term positioning. 

2. Growing on-screen maturity: The jump from a student-thriller to a more mature drama, My Troublesome Star, where she plays a young version of a top star, according to allkpop, shows she is already expanding her range. 

3. Industry backing and recognition: With her agency, endorsements, awards and nominations, she has the support infrastructure many newcomers lack. That support gives her more runway. 

4. Visual plus acting mix: In K-drama, especially, having a strong visual presence is helpful. But what makes a ‘powerful actress’ is being more than just a face. Jang Da-ah is showing signs of acting chops. A few more years of honing and taking on diverse roles could solidify her. 

5. Room for evolution: Because she is early in her career, she is not type-cast yet; she has the flexibility to explore different genres (thriller, rom-com, character-driven) and that versatility is often the hallmark of top actresses. 

My Verdict On Jang Da Ah’s Growth

To wrap up: Jang Da-ah is often introduced in headlines as “the older sister of IVE’s Jang Won-young”. But what I’ve observed and what I hope readers will see is that in her, we have someone actively building her identity as an actress, not just standing in a sibling’s shadow. 

Her work in Pyramid Game demonstrated ambition, screen presence, and a willingness to embrace complexity. With her upcoming projects and early recognition, she is well positioned to become a meaningful actress. 

As someone who watches K-dramas religiously, I’ll be watching how she chooses her next few roles. Because the leap from promising newcomer to established actress often hinges on role choice, growth, and consistency.