Lee Sun hee
Lee Sun hee in 2012
Lee Sun hee in 2012
Background information
Born (1964-11-11) November 11, 1964 (age 59)
Poryong, South Chungchon, South Korea
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active1984–present
LabelsHook Entertainment
Korean name
Hangul
이선희
Hanja
李仙姬
Revised RomanizationYi Seon-hui
McCune–ReischauerI Sŏnhŭi

Lee Sun-hee (Korean: 이선희; born November 11, 1964)[1] is a South Korean singer-songwriter. She is often referred to as South Korea's "National Diva" for her immense popularity, commercial success, and vocal ability.[2][3][4]

Lee debuted in 1984 with the song, "To J," for which she won first prize in the MBC Riverside Song Festival. She released her first album, Ah! The Good Old Days, the following year in 1985.[5] She released a string of successful albums in the 1980s and early 1990s,[2] and won awards at KBS Song Festival and MBC Ten Singers Song Festival every year from 1984 to 1990, as well as main prize at the Golden Disc Awards every year from 1986 to 1990.[5]

The government of South Korea awarded Lee the prestigious Prime Minister's Commendation in 2010 for her contributions to popular culture.[6] In 2011, Lee became the fourth South Korean singer to ever perform at Carnegie Hall.[3] She released her 15th album, Serendipity in 2014.[7] In 2018, she performed in Pyongyang as a part of Spring is Coming and became one of few South Korean singers to perform twice in North Korea.[8] She released her 16th album, Anbu in 2020.

Early life and education

Lee was born in 1964 in Poryong, South Chungchon, South Korea.[9] She was raised near a secluded Buddhist temple by her mother and her father, a Buddhist monk who belongs to a sect of the religion that allows monks to marry and have children.[10] She attended Sangmyung High School and graduated from Inchon City College in 1984 with a degree in environmental management.[11]

Career

While she was a student at Incheon City College, Lee participated in the 5th MBC Riverside Song Festival as a member of the singing duo Act 4 Scene 5 (4막 5장) with fellow student Im Sung-kyun. They won the grand prize with the song, "To J", which became a hit, garnering Lee prizes for best new artist at the year-end KBS Music Awards and MBC Top 10 Singers Song Festival.[12] Her signature boyish look was also a hit, causing a so-called "Lee Sun-hee syndrome," or craze, among female students who imitated her short haircut and round glasses.[13]

Musical style

Lee Sun-hee possesses a warm, lyric soprano voice with sturdy lows and bombastic highs. In addition to being a vocalist, Lee Sun-hee is also a songwriter, writing many of the songs on her later albums including the celebrated hit 'Fate'. During her 30th anniversary concert tour, Sun-hee broadcast a clip during the intermission revealing her three biggest musical influences: Barbra Streisand, Madonna, and Whitney Houston. She has mentioned South Korean vocalist Song Chang-sik as one of her influences and role models.

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[14][15]
Ah! The Good Old Days (아! 옛날이여)
  • Released: January 25, 1985
  • Label: Jigu Records
  • Formats: LP, cassette
 No data
West Wind (갈바람)
  • Released: November 25, 1985
  • Label: Jigu Records
  • Formats: LP, cassette
I Want to Know (알고 싶어요)
  • Released: November 30, 1986
  • Label: Jigu Records
  • Formats: LP, cassette
Where the Love Falls / I Always Miss You

(사랑이 지는 이 자리 / 나 항상 그대를)

  • Released: February 1, 1988
  • Label: Seoul Records
  • Formats: LP, cassette
My Street / A Bout of Laughter

(나의 거리 / 한바탕 웃음으로)

  • Released: April 10, 1989
  • Label: Seoul Records
  • Formats: CD, cassette
Turning the Pages of Memories / Why Me

(추억의 책장을 넘기면 / 왜 나만)

  • Released: August 20, 1990
  • Label: Seoul Records
  • Formats: CD, cassette
If You Love Me (그대가 나를 사랑하신다면)
  • Released: July 1991
  • Label: Seoul Records
  • Formats: CD, cassette
Small Boat (조각배)
  • Released: August 1992
  • Label: Seoul Records
  • Formats: CD, cassette
Chrysanthemum (한송이 국화)
  • Released: March 3, 1994
  • Label: Seoul Records
  • Formats: CD, cassette
First Love
  • Released: October 24, 1996
  • Label: Yedang Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, cassette
Dream of Ruby
  • Released: November 2, 1998
  • Label: Yedang Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, cassette
 20
My Life And Best
  • Released: March 26, 2001
  • Label: Yedang Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, cassette
 38
Puberty (사춘기; 四春期)
  • Released: April 14, 2005
  • Label: Hook Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, cassette
 15
Dear Love... (사랑아...)
  • Released: February 25, 2009
  • Label: Hook Entertainment
  • Formats: CD
 89 —
Serendipity
  • Released: March 26, 2014
  • Label: Hook Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 4
Anbu (안부)
  • Released: June 15, 2020
  • Label: Hook Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 20 —
* There is no chart data for 2009, but Dear Love... charted on the Gaon Album Chart in 2013.

Collaborations

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR
Gaon
[21] 		KOR
Hot
[22]
"Hey Kid, Close Your Eyes" (전쟁터) (with AKMU)[23] 2021 24 15 Next Episode

OST albums

Filmography

Television shows

Year Title Network Role Notes Ref.
2020–present Sing Again JTBC Judge Season 1–2 [24]
2022 The Road with Songs KBS2 Host with Lee Geum-hee [25]

Awards

Awards and nominations

Name of the award, year presented, award category, nominee and result of the nomination
Award Year Category Nominee/work Result Ref.
Baeksang Arts Awards 1999 Popularity Award (Theater Division) Bari, The Forgotten Lullaby Won [26]
Golden Disc Awards 1986 Main Prize (Bonsang) West Wind (갈바람) Won [5]
1987 I Want to Know (알고 싶어요) Won
1988 I Always Miss You (나 항상 그대를) Won
1989 My Street (나의 거리) Won
1990 A Bout of Laughter (한바탕 웃음으로) Won
KBS Music Awards 1984 Best New Female Artist Lee Sun-hee Won [27]
1987 Singer of the Year (Bonsang) Won
1988 Won
1989 Won
1990 Won
1994 Won
1995 Won
1996 Won
MBC Gayo Daejejeon 1984 Best Popular Song "To J" (J에게) Won [27]
Best New Artist Lee Sun-hee Won [27]
Popular Singer Award (Bonsang) Won [5]
1985 Won
1986 Won
1988 Won
1989 Won
1990 Won
2001 Won [28]
MBC Riverside Song Festival 1984 Grand Prize (Daesang) "To J" (J에게) Won [29]
Melon Music Awards 2018 Stage of the Year Lee Sun-hee Won [30]
Mnet Asian Music Awards 2014 Best Vocal Performance (Female) "Meet Him Among Them" (그 중에 그대를 만나) Nominated [31]

State honors

Country Year Honor Ref.
South Korea 2010 Prime Minister's Commendation[note 1] [35]

Notes

  1. ^ Honors are given at the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards, arranged by the Korea Creative Content Agency and hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.[32][33] They are awarded to those who have contributed to the arts and South Korea's pop culture.[34]

References

  1. ^ "프로필". Lee Sun Hee Official Website (in Korean). Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Jackson, Julie (January 6, 2014). "Veteran singer Lee Sun-hee to make a return next month". The Korea Herlad. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Lee, Ge-eun (June 5, 2018). "[20년 전 오늘] 이선희, 대한민국 가요계 호령한 '영원한 국민 디바'". Sports Seoul (in Korean). Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  4. ^ Heo, Myeong-suk (March 14, 2014). "이선희 15집 발매 기념, 25일 스페셜 쇼케이스". Daehan Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d Hye-sung, Kil (March 25, 2014). "'지존이 돌아온다①'-이선희, 30년 저력 '女가왕'". Star News (in Korean). Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  6. ^ Gang, Yeong-guk (November 22, 2010). "[포토] 국무총리 표창 이선희, 송해 선배님과 뜨거운 포옹!". Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  7. ^ Benjamin, Jeff; Oak, Jessica (April 4, 2014). "K-Pop Legend Lee Sun Hee Breaks 5-Year Hiatus & Tops K-Pop Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 4, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  8. ^ "South Korean K-pop stars perform for Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang". The Guardian. Reuters. April 1, 2018. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  9. ^ Lee, Chang-u (September 28, 1984). "'J에게'로 인기높은 신인가수 이선희양". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  10. ^ "이선희 아버지, 대처승? '아내를 두고 있는 승려'". The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). April 12, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  11. ^ "이선희". Daum Encyclopedia (in Korean). March 28, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  12. ^ "[8090 이 노래 이 명반] 17. 이선희 4집과 5집". Busan Ilbo (in Korean). October 27, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  13. ^ "[김경호 미디어비평] '한국의 디바' 이선희 콘서트, 30년이 흐른 시간의 흔적은 없었다". Kukmin Ilbo (in Korean). April 22, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  14. ^ "K-pop Album Sales Volume" (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on February 19, 2009. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  15. ^ "Gaon Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  16. ^ a b c "[김건표의 스타토크] 가수 송시현 - 매일신문". news.imaeil.com. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  17. ^ "December 1998 K-pop Album Sales Volume" (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on August 22, 1999. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  18. ^ "First Half of 2001 K-pop Album Sales Volume" (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on July 17, 2007. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  19. ^ "February 2006 K-pop Album Sales Volume" (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on May 18, 2009. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  20. ^ Cumulative sales for Serendipity:
  21. ^ "Hey Kid, Close Your Eyes". Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  22. ^ "Hey Kid, Close Your Eyes". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  23. ^ "YG releases poster ahead of release of AKMU's new track". Korea JoongAng Daily. July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  24. ^ Kang Hyo-jin (October 21, 2021). "'싱어게인2' 윤도현 합류, 이선희→송민호 심사위원 라인업 확정[공식]" ['Singer Gain 2' Yoon Do-hyun joins, Lee Seon-hee → Song Min-ho Jury lineup confirmed] (in Korean). SPOTV news. Retrieved October 21, 2021 – via Naver.
  25. ^ Yang So-young (January 5, 2022). "한 번쯤 멈출 수밖에' 이선희 이금희, 노래와 함께하는 길 에세이[종합]" [Essay on 'The Road with Songs' by Lee Seon-hee and Lee Geum-hee, 'You have to stop at least once'] (in Korean). Maeil Business Star Today. Retrieved January 5, 2022 – via Naver.
  26. ^ "[백상예술대상] 연극 인기상 이선희". Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). April 5, 1999. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  27. ^ a b c "[시선★피플] '언니 부대', '국민 가수' 세월도 빗겨가는 천상의 목소리 '이선희'". Sisun News (in Korean). March 14, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  28. ^ "MBC 최고인기가수상에 god, 태진아". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). January 1, 2002. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  29. ^ Fuhr, Michael (2015). Globalization and Popular Music in South Korea: Sounding Out K-Pop. Routledge. p. 49. ISBN 9781317556916.
  30. ^ Herman, Tamar (December 2, 2018). "BTS Performs 'Idol' at Melon Music Awards 2018". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  31. ^ "'2014 MAMA' 태양 에일리, 男女보컬퍼포먼스상 수상 영예". Newsen (in Korean). December 3, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  32. ^ Hicap, Jonathan (October 18, 2018). "BTS, Red Velvet win at Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on October 18, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  33. ^ Yeo, Yer-im (October 25, 2018). "BTS gets award upon their return home". Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2021 – via Korea JoongAng Daily.
  34. ^ Lee, Sang-won (October 25, 2016). "Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards announces winners". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  35. ^ "대중문화예술상 2010년" [2010 Popular Culture and Arts Awards]. Korea Creative Content Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2021.

External links

Authority control databases: Artists
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