Ailee

For other uses, see Amy Lee (disambiguation).
This is a Korean name; the family name is Lee.
Ailee

Ailee (2013)
Background information
Birth name Amy Lee
Lee Ye-jin (이예진)
Also known as Ailee
Born (1989-05-30) 30 May 1989
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Occupation(s) Singer

Musical career

Genres
Instruments
Years active 2012–present
Labels
  • YMC Entertainment (South Korea)
  • Warner Music (Japan)
Website Japanese Official Site
Ailee
Hangul 이예진
Hanja 李藝眞
Revised Romanization I Yejin
McCune–Reischauer Yi Yejin

Amy Lee (Korean name: Lee Ye-jin; Hangul: 이예진; Hanja: 李藝眞, born 30 May 1989), better known by her stage name Ailee (Hangul: 에일리), is a Korean American singer. She is signed to YMC Entertainment in South Korea[1] and Warner Music in Japan.

Before her K-pop debut, Ailee was signed under Muzo Entertainment in America. She moved to South Korea in 2010, where she passed an audition and became an artist for YMC Entertainment. After being recognized for her singing on Singer and Trainee, she started acting on the KBS drama series Dream High 2. She has released four extended plays and one studio album.

Ailee received the Best New Artist Award at the MelOn Music Awards, Golden Disk Awards, Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards and the Seoul Music Awards. She has also received a Best Newcomer and three Best Female Vocal Performance awards at the Mnet Asian Music Awards for "U&I", "Singing Got Better" and "Mind Your Own Business". For her work in Fated to Love You's OST, "Goodbye My Love", Ailee won Best Original Soundtrack at the 7th Korea Drama Awards.

Ailee was invited as a VIP guest to perform at a pre-Grammy party for the 55th Grammy Awards and attended both the ceremony and red carpet in Los Angeles. She has received the Mnet America Rising Star Award.

Life and career

Early life and career beginnings

Ailee was born in Denver, Colorado, on 30 May 1989, but grew up in New Jersey. She attended Palisades Park High School before moving to nearby Leonia. She graduated from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, and went on to study communications at Pace University[2] before dropping out to pursue a career in music.[3] Before her K-pop debut, Ailee was signed under Muzo Entertainment, an independent agency based out of New York City and New Jersey. Under this label she collaborated with several artists, such as Johnnyphlo and Philadelphia-based rapper Decipher. Prior to moving to South Korea, Ailee created the YouTube channels "mzamyx3" and "aileemusic" to bring attention to her singing on the web.[4]

Ailee moved to South Korea in 2010 after she landed a music label audition through her uncle's connections.[2] She sang "Resignation" by Big Mama, and was recruited for YMC Entertainment on the spot. During her trainee days, she was featured in labelmate Wheesung's song "They Are Coming", which was released in October 2011.[5] She also sang in Decipher and Jay Park's song "Catch Me If You Can". Ailee performed with Jay Park, Art of Movement, Johnnyphlo, Decipher, and Clara C at "projectKorea III", which was held at Rutgers University in 2010.[6] In September 2011, Ailee and Wheesung were featured on the MBC's Chuseok special episode of Singer and Trainee. Ailee performed "Halo" by Beyoncé, impressing the audience with her powerful vocals and stage presence. After the judges had graded all the participants, Ailee was the first place winner.[7]

2012: Debut, Invitation

On February 6, 2012 the music video teaser for Ailee's debut song "Heaven" was released. The track was written and produced by Ailee's labelmate Wheesung.[8] Ailee released the song on February 9 along with the music video, which featured male group Beast member Gi Kwang.[9][10] Later that day, she made her debut stage performance of "Heaven" on M.net's M! Countdown,[11] and then on SBS's Inkigayo later in February.[12] Just one month after her debut, she won two awards at the Cyworld Music Awards: "Song of the Month" and "Rookie of the Month".[13]

In March 2012, Ailee made her first appearances on KBS's Immortal Songs 2, performing Patti Kim’s song “Light and Shadow” from 1967.[14] On 19 May, on part 2 of the J.Y. Park special, she performed Park’s debut song "Don’t Leave Me". She beat Davichi’s Lee Haeri by 1 point, 419 to 418, for the win.[15] She appeared on 30 June episode of Immortal Songs 2, which featured composer Yoon Il Sang. She performed "Fate" by Lee Seung Chul and won again with 402 votes.[16] In August, it was announced that she was making a temporary leave from the show in order to focus on her music.[17] She performed her final stage on 6 August, and the episode aired on 1 September.[18] Later in August, she made an appearance in the 3rd episode of Jay Park's online web series, Jay Park TV, where she was backstage attending Park's concert in Seoul.[19] She also co-hosted the ABU Radio Song Festival with Han Seok Joon on 11 October 2012.[20][21]

On 16 October, Ailee released her debut mini-album, Invitation, which contained the title track, "I’ll Show You" (보여줄게).[22] The mini-album contains six tracks.[23] It was produced by producers such as Kim Do Hoon, Lee Hyun Seung, Park Guentae, Duble Sidekick, Wheesung, and featured artists such as Verbal Jint, Swings and Simon D.[24] On 18 October, Ailee made her comeback with "I'll Show You" on M! Countdown.[25] On 23 November, She was able to acquire her first trophy in a music program (Music Bank) beating Psy's "Gangnam Style".

2013–2014: A's Doll House and Magazine

On 4 July 2013, Ailee announced that she would release her second mini album entitled, A's Doll House, on 12 July.[26] The album's single "U&I" topped music charts within four hours of release and earned Ailee her first "All-Kill" status.[27] Popularity for the physical album was also deemed high when nearly all stores in Korea were sold out of the album on the first day of release. Orders overwhelmed the amount of stock, and a representative from Ailee's agency stated, "The rate at which this album is selling is many times greater than the previous album’s."[28]

On 4 August 2013, it was revealed that Ailee would be making her Japanese debut with "Heaven" under Warner Music Japan. The music video was released on 21 October.[29] Ailee started to promote the song with a showcase at Shibuya O-East, Tokyo, on 21 October.[30] The single was released on 6 November, and also included the song "Starlight".

On 14 September 2013, it was announced that Ailee will release a digital single, "Higher", with pianist Yiruma.[31] Two days later, "Higher" was released online.[32] On 16 December 2013, it was revealed that Ailee would be making a comeback after a six-month hiatus in January 2014.

A music video teaser was released on 2 January ahead of the full release.[33] Both the full music video and the full digital song were released on 6 January. The music video features MBLAQ's Lee Joon.[34] "Singing Got Better" reached #1 on Korea's major charts: Mnet, Bugs, Olleh, Soribada, Naver Music, Daum Music, and Genie.[35]

On 16 September 2014, it was announced that Ailee would be having a comeback through YMC Entertainment's official Twitter account. On 21 September 2014, the teaser for Ailee's "Don't Touch Me" was released. It was written by Min Yun-jae, Jakops, and Ailee. The full MV was released in 25 September 2014. Later that day, promotions for her new album, Magazine, commenced. It peaked at #2 for the Gaon Single Chart. She won the first trophy for "Don't Touch Me" in 5 October 2014, on SBS Inkigayo.

2015: "Johnny", first solo concert, and VIVID

On 30 June, Ailee released "Johnny" as her contribution to the Brave Brothers’ tenth anniversary project.[36]

On 4 July, Ailee held her first solo concert, titled Fatal Attraction, which was held at Olympic Hall in Olympic Park, Seoul.[37]

On 20 September, it was announced that Ailee would be having a comeback through YMC Entertainment's official Twitter account. In addition, a video teaser of her title track entitled "Mind Your Own Business" (너나 잘해) was released on 1theK's YouTube page on 22 September. Ailee's first full-length album, VIVID, was released on 30 September 2015. She won her first trophy for this promotion on 7 October on Show Champion.

On 14 November, Ailee held a special concert in Rancho Mirage (Palm Springs), California, USA[38]

On 30 November, it was announced that Ailee would be releasing a collaboration digital single with Seventeen entitled "Q&A" on 4 December.[39]

2016-present: "If You" and A New Empire

On August 16, it was announced that Ailee was currently in preparations for her next album. It was stated that she worked on with a variety of several artists; one of them was revealed to be Yoon Mirae. On August 19, the teaser for the music video of "If You", was posted on LOEN and YMC Entertainment's YouTube channel. The teaser features Nayoung of I.O.I. The single "If You" is a pre-release track described to be a retro-soul tack, produced by the same lyricists and composers of "Dream", a popular duet between miss A's Suzy and EXO's Baekhyun. The song was also co-written and produced by Park Geuntae, who also produced Ailee's "Evening Sky" from Invitation. The music video was released on August 23, 2016. "If You" subsequently hit number 1 on several charts within a day, topping the MelOn roof, Gaon Weekly Chart for Digital Download, and BGM charts. On September 28, YMC Entertainment's official Twitter announced the teaser for the title track "Home" on her next album, A New Empire.[40]

On October 5, A New Empire was released,[41] along with the music video for "Home" that was officially released on LOEN and YMC Entertainment's official YouTube channel.[42][43] The music video and song features Yoon Mirae.

Personal life

On 10 November 2013, Korean pop gossip site AllKPop.com published a story containing several nude photos of Ailee taken prior to her debut as a singer.[44] The following day, YMC Entertainment issued a statement claiming that "the pictures are of her she took when she was offered to be a lingerie model. [She] took nude photos because they wanted a better judgment of her body but the company was unable to be contacted after she took them. She reported them to the police and it was later found that she was scammed by a company who approached other college girls as well. Ailee discussed the matter with her ex-boyfriend, a current AllKPop employee, and he claimed that he would need to see the exact content of the pictures before coming up with a solution so she sent them to him."[45] On 24 November, a 2009 police report filed by Ailee revealed that Ailee had sent the pictures to her friend over Facebook, only to find out her friend's Facebook account had been hacked.[46] As a result of the scandal, Ailee was removed from several advertising campaigns, including for fried chicken company Kyochon. Kyochon responded, "Ailee’s commercial contract hasn’t ended. But consumers have been showing sensitive reactions to Ailee’s recent situation, and Ailee’s agency is also not entirely keen on the singer’s exposure at this time, so we took certain steps.”[47]

Discography

Main article: Ailee discography

Concerts

Solo Concert

Music Bank

Collaboration Concert

ETC.(Big Concert / Event)

KCON

Filmography

Ailee performing U&I

Television drama

Year Title Role
2012 Dream High Season 2 Ailee

Variety shows

Year Title Network Notes
2011–2016 Immortal Songs 2 KBS2 Contestant
2012 Beatle Code 2 MNET Guest
Generation Sympathy Saturday KBS Guest
Vitamin JTBC Main Cast
Patti Kim Show JTBC Guest
Human Condition KBS Guest
2013–2014 Great Marriage JTBC Main Cast
2013 Beauty and the Beast (Lunar New Year's Special) KBS Guest
Generation Sympathy Saturday KBS Guest
Miracle Korea JTBC Guest
Crisis Escape No.1 KBS Guest
1 vs 100 KBS Guest
Live Information (Star Date) KBS Guest
Love Request KBS Guest
Gag Tonight SBS Guest
Weekly Idol MBC Every1 Guest, episode 76
Smile People SBS Guest
On Style Lee Hyori Unni Special Guest for Spica
Hello Counselor KBS Guest, Ep.109
2014 Real Men MBC Surprise Guest, Ep.43
How to Eat and Live Well SBS EP.41–42
Laws of the City SBS Series regular
MBC Music Ailee's Vitamin MBC Main Cast
Hello Counselor KBS Guest, Ep.156, 190
Running Man SBS Guest, episode 211–212 (team up with Gary)
Tray Song Relay KBS2 Guest
Star King SBS Guest, Ep.353, 373, 392, 394
One Fine Day MBC Season Regular
Cool Kiz on the Block KBS Surprise Guest, Singing National Anthem. Ep.61
After School Club Arirang TV Guest, Ep.40, 105
Superstar K6 MNET Guest, Judge
2015 Superstar K7 MNET Guest, Judge
Jung Yongwha's Hologram MNET Guest, EP. 1–2
You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook KBS2 Ep.264, Guest with Amber, Ep.292
Seventeen project MBC Music Special Guest, Ep 4
I Can See Your Voice MNET Guest Ep.11
After School Club Arirang TV Guest, Ep.181
King of Mask Singer MBC Contestant, Ep.7–8
Healing Camp, Aren't You Happy SBS Guest, Ep.215
2016 Two Yoo Project Sugar Man JTBC Guest (Contestant), Ep.19
Hello Counselor KBS Video Call Surprise Guest, Ep.268
Duet Song Festival MBC Contestant, Ep.3, 25–26
Fantastic Duo SBS Contestant, Ep.5–6
Superstar K 2016 (K8) MNET Judge
You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook KBS2 Guest, Ep.337
After School Club Arirang TV Guest, Ep.233

Awards and nominations

References

  1. ↑ "YMC Entertainment Official Website".
  2. 1 2 "Korean Entertainment News". HanCinema. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  3. ↑ "YMC Entertainment Official Website". Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  4. ↑ "Ailee: The K-pop and YouTube sensation". Korea Joongang Daily. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  5. ↑ "Wheesung unveils 'They Are Coming', final mini-album before enlistment | allkpop.com". www.allkpop.com. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  6. ↑ "Jay Park, Art of Movement, Johnnyphlo, Decipher & more to perform at Rutgers University!". allkpop. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
  7. ↑ "Wheesung and Trainee Ailee Wow the Audience". Soompi. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  8. ↑ "Ailee releases "Heaven" MV teaser feat. B2ST's Kikwang". Allkpop. 6 February 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
  9. ↑ "Ailee releases "Heaven" MV teaser". Soompi. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  10. ↑ "Lee Ki Kwang appears on Ailee's "Heaven" music video". Soompi. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  11. ↑ "Ailee makes an angelic debut with "Heaven" on 'M! Countdown'!". Allkpop. 9 February 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  12. ↑ "Ailee Makes Debut Inkigayo Performance". Soompi. 12 February 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  13. ↑ "Rookie singer Ailee wins two titles from Cyworld Music Awards". Allkpop. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  14. ↑ "John Park & Ailee make their first appearance on 'Immortal Song 2′". Allkpop. 24 March 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  15. ↑ "Ailee claims victory on Immortal Song 2". Allkpop. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  16. ↑ "Ailee claims victory + cast of 'Immortal Song 2′ cover the greatest hits by composer Yoon Il Sang". Allkpop. 30 June 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  17. ↑ "Super Junior's Ryeowook and Ailee to exit 'Immortal Song 2′". Allkpop. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  18. ↑ "Super Junior's Ryeowook and Soloist Ailee to Leave 'Immortal Song 2'". Kpopstarz. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  19. ↑ "JAY PARK TV - EP 03". Jay Park. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  20. ↑ "ABU TV Song Festival 2012 Participants". ESCKAZ.com. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  21. ↑ "ABU TV Song Festival 2012". Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  22. ↑ "Ailee releases "I'll Show You" MV (ft. MBLAQ's G.O) + 'Invitation' mini album". Allkpop. 15 October 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  23. ↑ "Naver News". 3 July 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  24. ↑ "Ailee Comes Back with Album 'Invitation'". kpopstarz. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  25. ↑ "Ailee comes back with "I'll Show You" on 'M! Countdown'". Allkpop. 18 October 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  26. ↑ Nate News, 에일리가 돌아온다! 12일 새 앨범 발표 4 July 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013. Language, Korean.
  27. ↑ Nate News, 에일리, 신곡 '유앤아이(U&I)' 티저 영상 공개 '컴백 신호탄' 5 July 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013. Language, Korean.
  28. ↑ "Demand for Ailee's New Album "A's Doll House" Is High". Soompi. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  29. ↑ "Check out an all new PV for the Japanese version of Ailee's 'Heaven' | allkpop.com". Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  30. ↑ "Ailee to hold a showcase in Japan this October | allkpop.com". Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  31. ↑ "Ailee to take it 'Higher' with collaboration featuring pianist Yiruma | allkpop.com". Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  32. ↑ "Ailee takes you 'Higher' with collaboration featuring pianist Yiruma | allkpop.com". Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  33. ↑ "Ailee Releases Comeback Teaser for "Singing Got Better"". Soompi. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  34. ↑ "Ailee asserts her 'Singing Got Better' in new song produced by Wheesung! | allkpop.com". Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  35. ↑ "Ailee sweeps 7 charts with 'Singing Got Better' + fellow singers show support | allkpop.com". Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  36. ↑ "Ailee Reveals Seductive Choreography for New Track "Johnny"". Soompi. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  37. ↑ "Ailee's Killer 1st Solo Concert - Raps with Cheetah". Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  38. ↑ "An Interview with the Versatile Ailee and Thoughts on Her Desert Concert". Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  39. ↑ "Ailee To Team Up With Seventeen Members In Collaborative Single". Soompi. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  40. ↑ "YMC Entertainment on Twitter". Retrieved 2016-10-04.
  41. ↑ "네이버 뮤직 :: A New Empire - 에일리". Retrieved 2016-10-04.
  42. ↑ "YMC Entertainment on Twitter". Retrieved 2016-10-04.
  43. ↑ YMCent (2016-10-04), [MV] 에일리 (Ailee) _ Home (Feat. 윤미래), retrieved 2016-10-04
  44. ↑ "[BREAKING] [NSFW] Purported pre debut nude photos of Ailee leaked". allkpop.com. 10 November 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  45. ↑ "에일리측 "유출사진, 본인맞다…유포 법적대응"(전문)" (in Korean). nate.com. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  46. ↑ ""누드유출 에일리, 4년전 美경찰에 수사요청"… 현지 경찰 수사기록 확인 보도" (in Korean). naver.com. 24 November 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  47. ↑ 연예뉴스팀 (15 November 2013). "에일리 광고사진 '정당한 처사 VS 그래도 너무하네' 갑론을박" (in Korean). nate.com. Retrieved 15 November 2013.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ailee.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
A Pink		 14th Mnet Asian Music Awards - Best New Female Artist Solo
2012 		Succeeded by
Crayon Pop
Preceded by
Davichi		 16th Mnet Asian Music Awards - Best Vocal Performance Female
2013 - 2015 		Succeeded by
Ailee
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