Ara was part of a training program, called 'Pre-School Girls', that would eventually become a member of sister group After School, but was chosen to be the leader of Hello Venus instead.

[1] Yoo Ara, along with fellow Pledis trainee Kyung Min were the final two candidates to me2day Search for After School's 9th Member in 2010.

Four days later, an official statement was posted stating that Pledis and Fantagio had decided to end their collaboration project: Hello Venus.

On November 21, Yoo Ara uploaded a video to Instagram, showing her with a guitar case and a bag, walking out of a building.

[7][8] On February 11, it was revealed that Yoo Ara would be cast as the female lead in the Japanese musical remake of Moon Embracing the Sun.