Lee Hi

Lee Ha-yi (Korean: 이하이; born September 23, 1996), known by her stage name Lee Hi, is a South Korean singer and songwriter. She gained widespread recognition as the runner-up of the first season of K-pop Star, a reality survival program on SBS. Lee Hi's music career is marked by her soulful voice and distinct R&B style, which she has cultivated since her debut.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Lee Ha-yi was born in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Her journey to fame began with her participation in K-pop Star, where she impressed audiences with her vocal abilities and placed second, behind winner Park Ji-min. Following her success on the show, she was signed by YG Entertainment, a major South Korean entertainment company known for producing successful artists and groups such as Big Bang, 2NE1, and Blackpink.

Debut and Musical Success

Lee Hi debuted in the music industry with the single "1, 2, 3, 4" on October 28, 2012. The single was an instant success, reaching number one on the Gaon Digital Chart with first-week sales of 667,549 downloads. Prior to her official debut, she featured on the track "It's Cold" by label mates Epik High, which further increased her popularity.

Her initial success was followed by the release of her first full-length album, First Love, in 2013. The album included hits like "It's Over" and "Rose", which showcased her versatility as an artist capable of handling various musical styles.

Move to AOMG and Recent Activities

In 2020, Lee Hi made a significant career move by signing with AOMG, a record label founded by hip-hop artist Jay Park, known for its focus on hip-hop and R&B. Under AOMG, Lee Hi released her third studio album, 4 Only, in 2021. The album includes tracks such as "Only", which exemplifies her growth as an artist and her ability to blend different musical genres.

Collaborations and Side Projects

Aside from her solo career, Lee Hi has been involved in several collaborations and projects. Notably, she was part of the duo Hi Suhyun with Lee Su-hyun from Akdong Musician, under YG Entertainment. They released the single "I'm Different" featuring Bobby from iKon in 2014.

Lee Hi's ability to collaborate with a range of artists across different genres underscores her versatility and broad appeal. Her work with artists like Epik High, B.I, and others highlights her presence in the Korean music scene.

Discography