Ali
Ali in 2020
Ali in 2020
Background information
Birth nameCho Yong-jin
Born (1984-11-20) November 20, 1984 (age 39)
Seoul, South Korea
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
Years active2005–present
LabelsSoul Sting

Cho Yong-jin[1] (Korean: 조용진; born November 20, 1984),[2] known professionally as Ali (Korean: 알리), is a South Korean singer, songwriter, pianist, radio host and professor in applied musical arts at the Seoul Technical Arts College. Following her debut in 2009, she was primarily recognized for her time as a contestant on the KBS program Immortal Songs 2.

Career

ALi debuted as a singer in 2009, and gained fame for her appearances on music shows, most notably Immortal Songs 2 on KBS2 and King of Mask Singer on MBC. Currently, ALi has the highest score and most wins for a female artist on Immortal Songs 2, hence her being known as the "madam of Immortal Songs". She also worked as a professor in applied musical arts at the Seoul Technical Arts College.[3] As a professor, ALi has taught BtoB members, Changsub and Hyunsik, as well as renowned singer Kim Feel.

ALi released her first album SOULri in December 2011,[4] two years after her official debut. One released track, "Na Young", garnered immediate controversy as it referenced a sexual assault case that had become publicly known in South Korea. Many detractors criticized the song for being insensitive to the subject of its lyrics. ALi later addressed this controversy by revealing that she herself was a survivor of sexual assault.[5] Following the release of her album, she held her first independent concert.[6] She was also a vocalist on several Leessang songs, including "Ballerino" and "I'm Not Laughing". She has also released several OSTs for Korean dramas, including "Hurt" ("상처") from "Rooftop Prince", "The Vow" from "Golden Rainbow" and "In My Dream" from "Empire of Gold".[citation needed]

Recently, Ali has made her musical debut in the Korean rendition of the musical Rebecca and started working on her own label, Soul Sting, and radio station. From her label, she produced her first duo group, Am:Pm, consisting of two of her students.[citation needed]

Personal life

Ali's father is newspaper publisher Jo Myung-shik. She has one younger brother and one younger sister.[7]

Ali married an office worker on May 11, 2019 in Seoul.[8] She gave birth to a son in September 2019.[9]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[10]
Soul-Ri: A Village With Soul
(영혼이 있는 마을)
  • Released: December 13, 2011
  • Label: Yedang Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Round and Round (핑핑글)
  2. The First Greeting (첫 인사)
  3. 'Don't Act Countrified (촌스럽게 굴지마) (feat. Yong Jun-hyung)
  4. Crazy Night
  5. 365 Days
  6. I'll Be Damned (뭐 이런게 다있어)
  7. Vampire (뱀파이어)
  8. Na Young (나영이)
  9. Because of You (너로 인해)
  10. Oasis (오아시스)
  11. Rage (울컥)
 23
ALi Immortal Songs
(ALi 불후의 명곡)
  • Released: January 27, 2012
  • Label: Yedang Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. NaNaNa (나나나)
  2. The Leopard of Kilimanjaro ( 킬리만자로의 표범)
  3. I've Lived Without Knowing The World Out There (세상 모르고 살았노라)
  4. Alley (골목길)
  5. Hateful Person (얄미운 사람)
  6. Early Morning Rain (새벽비)
  7. Where the Wind Blows (바람이 불어오는 곳)
  8. My Heart Have Nowhere To Go (내 마음 갈 곳을 잃어)
  9. Too Far To Be Close (가까이 하기엔 너무 먼 당신)
  10. Goodbye (안녕)
 20

Extended plays

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[10]
After The Love Has Gone
  • Released: October 8, 2009
  • Label: Trophy Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. 365 Days (365일)
  2. Crazy Night
  3. Vampire (뱀파이어)
  4. Rage (울컥)
  5. The First Greeting (첫인사)
  6. 365 Days (Inst.)
  7. Crazy Night (Inst.)
  8. Vampire (Inst.)
 No data No data
Eraser (지우개)
  • Released: January 30, 2013
  • Label: Yedang Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Eraser (지우개)
  2. The Tears Gone (눈물이 흘러 버렸어)(feat Kang Jun of C-Clown)
  3. Don't Say Another Word (말 돌리지 마)
  4. Selfish (이기적이야)
  5. Eraser (Inst.)
  6. The Tears Gone (Inst.)
 20
Turning Point
  • Released: November 12, 2014
  • Label: Juice Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Pung Pung (펑펑)
  2. Song Can't Lie (노래는 거짓말을 못해요)
  3. Missing You
  4. Drunken Phone Call (취중전화)
  5. I'm With Geudaeyeo (그대여 함께해요)
  6. Pung Pung (펑펑) (Inst.)
  7. Song Can't Lie (Inst.)
  8. Missing You (Inst.) [Bonus Track]
  9. What Is LUV [Bonus Track]
 14
White Hole
  • Released: October 15, 2015
  • Label: Sony Music
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Different Love, Forgotten Love (사랑이 다른 사랑으로 잊혀지네)
  2. I, Me (내가, 나에게)
  3. Shining Is Blue (with Yoo Jun-sang)
  4. Feel Good
  5. To Ma Dear
  6. I, Me (내가, 나에게) (Inst.)
  7. To Ma Dear (Inst.)
 23
Expand
  • Released: November 16, 2017
  • Label: Juice Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. 102 (102가지)
  2. No Way (말이 되니)
  3. Island (섬)
  4. Black and White
  5. No Way (말이 되니) (Inst.)
  6. Black and White (Inst.)
  7. For Less Than a Month (한 달을 못 가서) (CD only)
  8. You Are Not Here (너만 없다) (CD only)
 72 —
O Esca Viatorum (나그네의 양식)
  • Released: July 22, 2020
  • Label: Soul Sting
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. I Will Worship You (예배합니다)
  2. O Esca Viatorum (나그네의 양식)
  3. An Alabaster Vial of Perfume (내게 있는 향유 옥합)
  4. I’d Rather Have Jesus Than Silver and Gold (주 예수 보다 더 귀한 것은 없네)
  5. I Must Tell Jesus All of My Trials (내 모든 시험 무거운 짐을)
  6. On My Way Back (회로)
 — —

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR
[16]
"365 Days" (365일) 2009 43 After The Love Has Gone
"Hey Mr." (Hey 미스터) 2010 81 Non-album single
"The Unwritten Legend" (전설속의 누군가처럼)
with Navi, Tom Tom 		95 20th Anniversary Shin Seung Hun
"I Tried Everything" (별 짓 다해봤는데) 2011 23 Non-album singles
"Rice Bowl" (밥그릇) 89
"If I Confess, You'll be Surprised" (내가 고백을 하면 깜짝 놀랄거야) 75
"I'll Be Damned" (뭐 이런게 다 있어) 11 Soul-Ri: A Village With Soul
"Don't Act Countrified" (촌스럽게 굴지마)
feat. Yong Jun-hyung 		4
"Selfish" (이기적이야) 2013 33 Eraser
"Eraser" (지우개) 11
"Rainy Gomoryeong" (비 내리는 고모령)
feat. Double K, Yankie 		88 Non-album single
"Do You Remember?" (그땐 그랬지)
with C-Clown 		25 Shaking Heart
"I Love You"
with Yim Jae-beom 		8 Non-album singles
"Because of Me" (나 때문에) 2014 14
"Tears Keep Falling" (자꾸 눈물이 납니다) 33
"What Is Luv"
feat. Loco 		54
"Let Me Say First" (여자가 먼저) 69
"Song Can't Lie" (노래는 거짓말을 못해요) 90 Turning Point
"Pung Pung" (펑펑) 22
"As If Nothing Happened" (아무일 없었다는 듯)
with Wheesung 		14 Non-album singles
"Goodbye Mr. Kim" (잘가요 Mr. Kim)
feat. LE 		2015 —
"Heaven's Song" — The Message Part 2
"Shining Is Blue"
with Yoo Jun-sang 		— White Hole
"I, Me" (내가, 나에게) —
"Say Say Say"
with Chunri 		— Non-album singles
"Poom" (품)
with Horan 		2016 —
"Suddenly" (또 생각이 나서)
with Im Chang-jung 		22
"Winter Wonderland" —
"You Are Not Here" (너만 없다)
with Yesung 		2017 95
"Cherry Blossom Road" (벚꽃 길) —
"Don't Speak"
with Cheetah 		—
"For Less Than a Month" (한 달을 못 가서)
with Paul Kim 		—
"No Way" (말이 되니) — Expand
"Only You" (너만) 2018 — Non-album singles
"Proposal" (청혼) —
"It Was You" (너였나 봐) —
"Love Did Not End Yet" (사랑은 아직도 끝나지 않았네) 2019 —
"On My Way Back" (회로)
with Sohyang 		2020 —
"—" denotes release did not chart.

Soundtrack appearances

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR
[17]
"All of a Sudden" (울컥) 2009 No data Terroir OST
"Come On, Antique!" Antique OST
"A Dream Comes True" (돌멩이의 꿈)
feat. RP-T 		A Dream Comes True OST
"Hurt" (상처) 2012 — Rooftop Prince OST
"Carry On" 16 Faith OST
"In My Dream" 2013 45 Empire of Gold OST
"The Vow" (서약) 2014 46 Golden Rainbow OST
"A Flower in the Rock" (돌 틈 꽃) 88 Gunman in Joseon OST
"Give Me One Day" (하루만 내게 줘) 2018 — My Only One OST
"Just Say" 2019 — Kill It OST
"—" denotes release did not chart.

Filmography

Television shows

Year Title Notes
2011–2015 Immortal Songs 2 Contestant
2014 Mnet 100 Second War Contestant
2016 King of Mask Singer Contestant (Episodes 79–80, 82, 84, 86)
2022 Goal Girls Cast Member; Season 2[18]

Musical theater

Year Title Role Ref.
2016 Turandot (musical adaptation) Turandot [19]
2019 Rebecca Mrs. Danvers [20]

Awards

Year Award Category Result Ref.
2009 Cyworld Digital Music Awards Female Newcomer of the Year Won [21]
2012 Hong Kong Asian-Pop Music Festival Best Vocal Performance Won [22]
Super Nova Award Won

References

  1. ^ "'결혼' 알리, 예단비 기부 선행 재조명 '훈훈'" ['Marriage' Ali draws attention as she donates wedding presents, 'warm heart']. Sisa Week (in Korean). April 26, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  2. ^ "11월 20일 스타 알리" [November 20th star Ali]. Sports Today (in Korean). November 20, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  3. ^ "Miss A's Jia & Fei to perform at their school's talent festival". www.allkpop.com. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  4. ^ "ALi to release her first album feat. B2ST's Junhyung". www.allkpop.com. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  5. ^ "[BREAKING] ALi reveals she is a victim of rape". www.allkpop.com. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  6. ^ "Singer ALi to hold her first independent concert". www.allkpop.com. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  7. ^ "가수 알리, 알고보니 언론사 사주 '엄친딸'" [Singer Ali turns out to be 'ideal daughter' of media publisher]. MBN News (in Korean). September 1, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  8. ^ "가수 알리, 5월 비공개로 결혼…예비신랑은 회사원" [Singer Ali marries behind closed doors in May...Prospective groom is an office worker]. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). April 26, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  9. ^ "알리 아들 돌잔치 "코로나 때문에 조촐하게" [TD#]" [Ali's son's first birthday party 'to be simple because of COVID-19' [TD#]]. TV Daily (in Korean). September 3, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).
    Studio albums:
  11. ^ Cumulative sales of Soul-Ri: A Village With Soul:
  12. ^ "2012년 02월 Album Chart (Domestic)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  13. ^ "2013년 01월 Album Chart (Domestic)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  14. ^ "2014년 11월 Album Chart (Domestic)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  15. ^ "2015년 10월 Album Chart (Domestic)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  16. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).
  17. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).
  18. ^ Choi Hee-jae (July 18, 2022). "[단독] 박기영X알리, '골때녀' 출연…신생팀 'FC 발라드림' 합류" [[Exclusive] Park Ki-young X Ali to appear in 'Goal Girl'... Join the new team 'FC Balladream'] (in Korean). X-ports News. Retrieved July 18, 2022 – via Naver.
  19. ^ "'투란도트' 알리, '생애 첫 뮤지컬 …어릴 때부터 뮤지컬 꿈 키워'" ['Turandot' Ali: 'My first musical...I dreamed of this since I was young']. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). January 7, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  20. ^ "'보디가드' 박기영·'레베카' 알리…디바에서 뮤즈로" [Park Ki-young from 'The Bodyguard' and Ali from 'Rebecca'...From diva to muse]. Yonhap News (in Korean). November 22, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  21. ^ "'싸이월드 어워즈' 신인상, 2NE1-서인국-알리 수상의 영광!" [Cyworld Awards: 2NE1, Seo In-guk, Ali win rookie awards!]. TV Daily (in Korean). March 1, 2010. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  22. ^ "Ali Wins Pop Music Award in Hong Kong". The Chosun Ilbo. November 22, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
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