Korean actress and singer Uhm Jung-hwa is to release an album this year, ending a seven-year hiatus in her music career, local reports said Sunday.

The reports, citing unnamed sources, said renowned composers and lyric writers were participating in making her new album, expected to be out within the year.

Uhm made a big screen debut with “We Must Go To Apgujung-Dong On Windy Days” in 1992 and started her singing career the next year with the debut album “Sorrowful Secret.”

With a sexy diva image, Uhm has made several hits, including “Poison” and “Invitation.” Her last single was “Disco,” featuring T.O.P from Big Bang, which was released in 2008. 

She has also acted in movies including “Marriage Is a Crazy Thing,” “Singles,” “Princess Aurora,” “Dancing Queen” and “Haeundae.”

Uhm’s new film, “Wonderful Nightmare,” is slated to be released on Thursday.

By Kim Yu-jin (kimyujin@heraldcorp.com)