Lee Ha-yi (Korean: 이하이; born September 23, 1996), known by her stage nameLee Hi, is a South Korean singer and songwriter. She first garnered attention as the runner-up ofK-pop Star season 1. She debuted with single "1, 2, 3, 4" on October 28, 2012, and reached number one with first week sales of 667,549 downloads.[1][2] Her first full-length albumFirst Love was released in two parts, part 1 on March 7, 2013, and part 2 on March 28, 2013.[3][unreliable source?]
In 2020, she signed to hip-hop R&B record labelAOMG where she released the studio album4 Only (2021).
Lee Ha-yi was born on September 23, 1996, inBucheon, Gyeonggi. In December 2011, Lee auditioned for SBS reality survival programK-pop Star, where she finished as runner-up behindPark Ji-min. Soon after she was signed toYG Entertainment byYang Hyun-suk.[4][5] Ahead of her debut, she was featured on label mateEpik High's single "It's Cold", which was released on October 8, 2012.[6]
On October 24, 2012, it was announced Lee would be debuting as a solo artist under the stage name, "Lee Hi", with digital single "1, 2, 3, 4" on October 28. Lee's first music show appearance was onSBS'Inkigayo on November 4, soon after claiming her first music show win on November 8 throughMnet'sM Countdown.[7][8] The song charted number one on the monthlyGaon Digital Chart for November, thus earning her theSong of the Year - November award fromGaon Chart K-Pop Awards.[9][unreliable source?][10] Following success of debut single "1,2,3,4", Lee released a second digital single written byPark Jin-young titled "Scarecrow" on November 22.[11]
On March 2, 2013, YGE revealed Lee Hi's debut albumFirst Love, would be released digitally on March 7 consisting of five tracks with lead single "It's Over", and physical release on March 28 with ten tracks including lead single "Rose". Promotions began with first stage at SBS' K-pop Star 2 on March 10.[12][unreliable source?][13][unreliable source?] In December 2013, it was revealed Lee Hi and2NE1'sPark Bom would debut as the sub-unit "BOM&HI". They released the digital single "All I Want For Christmas Is You", a cover ofMariah Carey's song, on December 20. In November 2014, Lee andAkdong Musician'sLee Su-hyun formed the sub-unitHi Suhyun and released digital single "I'm Different" featuringiKON'sBobby. The duo's first stage was at SBS'Inkigayo on November 16, following their first win on November 23.[14]
On March 9, 2016, Lee released half albumSeoulite with lead singles "Breathe" and "Hold My Hand", where "Breathe" went on to winning her the Digital Bonsang award at the31st Golden Disk Awards.[15] Lee began promotions for both singles onMnet'sM! Countdown on March 10.[16] On April 20,Seoulite was released as a studio album with lead single "My Star". Among the tracks, Lee participated in writing and composing the song "Passing By".[17] On May 28, Lee featured onGill's single "Refrigerator" alongsideVerbal Jint. On September 19, SBS dramaMoon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo releasedEpik High and Lee's soundtrack "Can You Hear My Heart", following Lee's soundtrack "My Love" on October 3.[18][unreliable source?] On December 31, Lee appeared on MBC'sInfinite ChallengeHip-hop & History special as a featured guest forYoo Jae-suk andDok2's stage.[19]
On February 28, 2017, Lee featured on Code Kunst's single "X" from studio albumMuggles Mansion. On March 28, Lee featured on Dok2's single "On & On" off studio albumReborn, where she participated in writing and composing.[20] On June 17 & 18, SBS' K-pop Star held aKpop Star and Friends concert as a wrap up for the franchise after six seasons of airing, performances included Lee Hi and label-mate Akdong Musician.[21] On August 20, Lee appeared on SBS'Party People where she shared she suffered from minor panic attacks in the past, thus the creation of her 2016 hit single "Breathe".[22] On October 23, Lee featured on Epik High's single "Here Come the Regrets" from studio albumWe've Done Something Wonderful. On March 21, 2018, Lee's Japanese debut album was released, thus embarking on her Japan tour at stops including Tokyo and Osaka.[23] On October 19, Lee collaborated with the filmBohemian Rhapsody and released a cover soundtrack of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody".[24]
On January 15, 2019, Lee released digital single "XI" with Code Kunst, the track was sung live for the first time onMBC Dreaming Radio.[25][26] Lee Hi made a comeback with her EP,24°C, on May 30, 2019. The lead single, "No One" (featuringB.I), topped all charts in South Korea, including Melon, Genie and Mnet.[27] Among the tracks, she released the self-written and produced song "20Min".[28][29] Lee received her first music show win for single "No One" through Mnet's M Countdown on June 6.[30] Following the end of Lee's contract with YG Entertainment, on December 31, it was revealed Lee had made the decision to not renew.[31]
In June 2020, Lee joined as a cast member for the fourth installment ofJTBC showBegin Again from episode 4 to 6.[32] On July 22, 2020,AOMG revealed that they had signed an exclusive contract with Lee Hi and released her comeback single "Holo."[33] "Holo" peaked at number 7 on theGaon Digital Chart and won R&B Track of the Year at theKorean Hip-hop Awards.[34][35]
On September 9, 2021, Lee released her third studio album4 Only. In March 2022, she won R&B Track of the Year for "Only" at theKorean Hip-hop Awards.[36]
In March 2024, Lee's exclusive contract with AOMG ended and it was revealed that she had made the decision to not renew.[37]
On September 23, 2024, Lee had signed an exclusive contract with Duover to manage her future activities. In addition, a video content of her unreleased new song "One Thing" was released on her YouTube channel to celebrate her 28th birthday.[38]
On March 9, 2017, Lee teamed up with highly known cosmetics brandMAC'sFuture Forward Collection in creating a special edition matte red lipstick under her stage nameLee Hi.[39] The lipstick was available worldwide in store and online in respective countries.[40][41] On July 28, Lee held a fan sign with MAC at Lotte World Mall, Seoul, South Korea. On October 15, in collaboration with MAC and magazineMarie Claire, Lee held an event showcasing stages of her songs as well as covers of other artists.[42]
^abBaek, Suwon (April 29, 2012)."'K팝 스타' 준우승 이하이 "끝나서 너무 행복하고 시원 섭섭"" ["K-pop Star" runner-up Lee Hi "I am very happy that it ended and it was bittersweet"].News 2day (in Korean).Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. RetrievedMarch 28, 2022.
^abChoo, Seung-hyeon (June 16, 2020),"[공식] JTBC 측 "이하이, '비긴어게인 코리아' 27일 방송부터 등장"" [JTBC "Lee Hi appears on Begin Again Korea from 27th"],Seoul Kyungje via Naver (in Korean),archived from the original on June 16, 2020, retrievedJune 23, 2020
^Choi, Jiyeong (July 23, 2020)."YG→AOMG 이하이, 오늘 6시 신곡 '홀로' 발매" [YG→AOMG Lee Hi, releases new single "Holo" at 6PM today].Munhwa News (in Korean).Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. RetrievedMarch 27, 2022.
^"2020년 31주차 Digital Chart" [2020 Week 31 Digital Chart].Gaon Chart (in Korean).Archived from the original on October 11, 2020. RetrievedMarch 27, 2022.
^ab"한국힙합어워즈 2021 수상작" [Korean Hip-hop Awards 2021 Winners].Korean Hip-hop Awards (in Korean).Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. RetrievedMarch 27, 2022.
^Choi, Yong-hwan (March 10, 2022)."'한국 힙합 어워즈 2022' 수상자 전체 공개" ["Korean Hip-hop Awards 2022" winners all revealed].Hypebeast Korea (in Korean).Archived from the original on March 13, 2022. RetrievedMarch 27, 2022.
^Kim, Myeong-mi (July 11, 2017)."'사이어필' 산다라박X이하이X이수현, 흥 넘치는 춘천여행" ["Relationship Appeal" Sandara Park X Lee Hi X Lee Suhyun, exciting Chuncheon trip].Newsen (in Korean).Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. RetrievedMay 27, 2019.
^Kang, Bora (July 16, 2017)."'복면' 삼바걸, 음색 공주 이하이...산다라박 적중" ["Masked" Samba Girl, voice princess Lee Hi... Sandara guessed it right].Herald Pop (in Korean).Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. RetrievedMay 27, 2019.
^"지난 시상식, Page 1".Digital Music Awards (in Korean). Cyworld. Archived fromthe original on July 6, 2015. RetrievedJune 12, 2019.
^Baek, Jong-mo (February 13, 2013)."'무서운 신예' 이하이 '가온차트 K-POP 어워드' 11월 부문 상 수상" ["Scary rookie" Lee Hi wins "Gaon Chart K-pop Award" November category].Xsports News (in Korean).Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. RetrievedMarch 27, 2022.
^"'골든디스크 음원 대상' 싸이, 신인상은 이하이... "YG가 휩쓸어"" ["Golden Disk Digital Daesang" Psy, Rookie of the Year Lee Hi.. "YG swept the awards"].Donga Ilbo (in Korean). January 17, 2013.Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. RetrievedMarch 27, 2022.
^Kim, Eun-gu (January 13, 2017)."[골든디스크]'본상' 이하이 "2017년에도 좋은 음악 노력"" [[Golden Disk] "Bonsang" Lee Hi "I will work hard for good music in 2017 too"].EDaily (in Korean).Archived from the original on March 27, 2022. RetrievedMarch 27, 2022.
^"한국힙합어워즈 2022 수상작" [Korean Hip-hop Awards 2022 Winners].Korean Hip-hop Awards (in Korean).Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. RetrievedMarch 27, 2022.
^"한국힙합어워즈 2022 후보" [Korean Hip-hop Awards 2022 Nominees].Korean Hip Hop Awards (in Korean).Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 10, 2022.
^"이하이 'It's Over': 2014 네티즌이 뽑은 올해의 음악인-여자" [Lee 'It's Over': 2014 Artist of the Year Netizen Vote - Female].Korean Music Awards (in Korean).Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. RetrievedMarch 27, 2022.
^"이하이 [First Love]: 2014 최우수 알앤비&소울-음반" [Lee Hi [First Love]: 2014 Best R&B Soul - Album].Korean Music Awards (in Korean).Archived from the original on March 27, 2022. RetrievedMarch 27, 2022.
^"이하이 'It's Over': 2014 최우수 알앤비&소울-노래" [Lee Hi 'It's Over': 2014 Best R&B Soul - Song].Korean Music Awards (in Korean).Archived from the original on March 27, 2022. RetrievedMarch 27, 2022.
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