Ailee

Ailee, also known by the Korean name Lee Yejin and born Amy Lee, is an American singer from Denver, Colorado, United States. She is associated with South Korean label YMC Entertainment and debuts in 2012 with the single Heaven, written and produced by Wheesung. Her music video for that song features Beast’s Lee Gi Kwang, and she performs the song on M! Countdown and Inkigayo soon after its release.

Early recognition and television appearances

Shortly after her debut, Ailee wins two Cyworld Music Awards: Song of the Month and Rookie of the Month. In 2012 she also appears on KBS’s Immortal Song 2, where she performs songs originally associated with Patti Kim, J.Y. Park, and Lee Seung-chul, winning more than once on the programme. She later steps away from the show to focus on her music.

Releases and collaborations

In October 2012 Ailee releases her first mini-album, Invitation, which contains six tracks and includes the title song I’ll Show You. The record is produced by Kim Do Hoon, Lee Hyun Seung, Park Guentae, Duble Sidekick and Wheesung, and features Verbal Jint, Swings and Simon D. She returns to television with the song on M! Countdown.

Her second mini-album, A's Doll House, follows in 2013 and includes U & I, which tops Korean music charts within hours of release and gives her first all-kill status. The physical album also sells out quickly in Korea.

That same year she announces a Japanese debut with Heaven under Warner Music Japan. She also releases the digital single Higher with pianist Yiruma.

2014 comeback

After a six-month break, Ailee returns in 2014 with Singing Got Better, again working with Wheesung. The song is described as a rock ballad and reaches number one on several major Korean music services, including Mnet, Bugs, Olleh, Soribada, Naver Music, Daum Music and Genie. In 2012 she also co-hosts the ABU Radio Song Festival with Han Seok Joon.