Ailee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ailee
Ailee in 2023
Born	Amy Lee (1989-05-30) May 30, 1989 (age 36) Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Other names	Lee Ye-jin
Occupation	Singer songwriter
Spouse(s)	Choi Si-hun ​ (m. 2024)​
Musical career
Genres	K-pop pop R&B ballad
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2012–present
Labels	Muzo YMC JSJ Warner Japan WestSide Rocket3 The L1ve Pop Music
Korean name
Hangul	이예진
RR	I Yejin
MR	I Yejin
Stage name
Hangul	에일리
RR	Eilri
MR	Eilli
Signature

Amy Lee, known as Ailee, is a talented American singer and songwriter. She was born on May 30, 1989. Ailee lives and works in South Korea. She is very popular there. She has released four albums, six EPs (which are like mini-albums), and many songs. Six of her songs were super hits, reaching the top five on the Gaon Digital Chart.

She started her music career in 2012 with her first song, "Heaven". This song was a big success, reaching number three on the music charts. It also helped her win many "Best New Artist" awards. Ailee won the "Best Female Vocal Performance" award at the Mnet Asian Music Awards four times in a row, from 2013 to 2016. Her song "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow" from 2017 was a huge hit. It was part of the soundtrack for the TV show Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. This song won many awards and was the most popular digital song that year in Korea.

Early Life and Education

Ailee was born in Denver, Colorado, in the United States. She grew up in New Jersey. She went to Palisades Park High School. Later, she studied communications at Pace University. However, she decided to leave college to focus on her dream of becoming a singer.

Music Career Highlights

Starting Her Music Journey (2010–2011)

Before becoming a K-pop star, Ailee worked with Muzo Entertainment. This was a small music company in New York City and New Jersey. She sang with other artists like Johnnyphlo and Decipher. Ailee also made YouTube channels called "mzamyx3" and "aileemusic". She used these channels to share her singing with people online.

In 2010, Ailee moved to South Korea. She got an audition with a music company called YMC Entertainment. She sang a song by Big Mama and was signed right away! While training, she sang in a song called "They Are Coming" by Wheesung. She also sang in "Catch Me If You Can" with Decipher and Jay Park. In 2011, Ailee performed Beyoncé's song "Halo" on a TV show. The audience loved it. A judge said she had the potential to be a big star. Ailee won first place in that competition.

Debut and First Success (2012)

Ailee performing in July 2012

On February 9, 2012, Ailee released her first song, "Heaven". The music video for the song featured Gi Kwang from the group Beast. On the same day, she performed "Heaven" live on a TV show called M Countdown. Billboard magazine said that Ailee showed great skill in expressing deep feelings about love. This song helped Ailee win her first award at the Cyworld Digital Music Awards.

On October 16, 2012, Ailee released her first mini-album, Invitation. The main song from this album was "I Will Show You". The album had six songs. Many famous producers and artists worked on it.

In 2012, Ailee won many "Best New Artist" awards. These awards were from the Seoul Music Awards, Melon Music Awards, Mnet Asian Music Awards, and Golden Disc Awards. She also received a special "Rising Star Award" from Mnet America.

Growing Popularity (2013–2014)

Ailee at the 22nd Seoul Music Awards, where she received the award for Best New Artist.

On July 12, 2013, Ailee released her second mini-album, A's Doll House. The main song, "U&I", quickly became number one on many music charts. Ailee also started her career in Japan on November 6, 2013. She released Japanese versions of her songs "Heaven" and "Starlight".

On January 6, 2014, Ailee released a new song called "Singing Got Better". This song also reached number one on various music charts. It won the "Best Vocal Performance" award at the 2014 Mnet Asian Music Awards. On September 25, 2014, Ailee released her third mini-album, Magazine. The main song, "Don't Touch Me", was another number one hit. This song won a "Digital Bonsang" award in 2015.

Big Success with Vivid (2015–2016)

After a concert tour with Jay Park and San E in March 2015, Ailee held her first solo concert. It was called Fatal Attraction and took place on July 4, 2015. Other artists joined her on stage to sing duets.

Ailee's first full album, Vivid, came out on September 30, 2015. She won her first award for this album on October 7, 2015. Ailee also won the "Best Female Vocal Award" for the third year in a row at the 2015 Mnet Asian Music Awards. This was for her song "Mind Your Own Business".

In July 2016, Ailee became a judge on the TV show Superstar K 2016. On August 23, 2016, she released her song "If You". This song topped the Gaon Weekly Chart for digital downloads. On October 5, 2016, Ailee released her mini-album A New Empire. The album reached number 10 on the Gaon Album Chart. It also reached number nine on the US World Albums Chart. On December 2, 2016, Ailee won the "Best Vocal Performance" award again. This was for "If You" at the 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards. It was her fourth win in this category, which was a new record!

Soundtrack Success and Concerts (2017–2018)

On January 7, 2017, Ailee released her first American song, "Fall Back". She used the name A.Leean for this release. On the same day, she released the beautiful song "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow". This song was part of the soundtrack for the popular TV show Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. The song was number one on the Gaon Digital Chart for three weeks. It won Ailee the "Best OST Award" (Original Soundtrack) at the 2017 Korea Cable TV Awards. This song also won many other awards for best soundtrack.

Ailee busking in Myeongdong, July 2019

Ailee had two Christmas concerts in Seoul in December 2016. Because they were so popular, she started her first nationwide tour called Welcome Home Tour in April 2017. She also held her first solo concert in Taiwan in June 2017. In November 2017, Ailee had two concerts in California, USA, and all the tickets were sold out.

On March 18, 2018, Ailee performed "I Will Show You" at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Winter Paralympics. On September 14, 2018, Ailee was chosen to perform in Pyongyang, North Korea. She sang her famous song "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow". In November 2018, Ailee announced her second nationwide tour, called I Am: Ailee.

New Albums and Tours (2019–2023)

Ailee released her second full album, Butterfly, on July 2, 2019. The main song was "Room Shaker". On September 10, 2019, Ailee announced that she had started her own company called "Rocket3 Entertainment". This was after working with YMC Entertainment for eight years. On December 13, 2019, Ailee released her first English song, "Sweater". Billboard described it as a "heart-wrenching-yet-soothing ballad."

Ailee released her fifth mini-album, I'm, on October 6, 2020. The main song was "When We Were In Love". She also released "Blue Bird" in November 2020. This song was part of the soundtrack for the South Korean drama Start-Up.

Ailee in the music video for "Don't Teach Me"

On May 7, 2021, Ailee released her sixth mini-album, Lovin'. It had two main songs, "Make Up Your Mind" and "Spring Flowers". In July 2021, Ailee joined a new company called The L1ve. On October 14, 2021, it was announced that Ailee would release her third full album, Amy, on October 27. The main song was "Don't Teach Me".

On March 7, 2022, Ailee released her English album, I'm Lovin' Amy. In July 2022, Ailee signed with a new company called A2Z Entertainment. In November 2022, her "2022 Ailee National Tour Concert 'One Step More'" was postponed. It was rescheduled for January 2023.

On September 1, 2023, Ailee released her song "I'll Hold You".

Recent Activities (2025)

On March 20, 2025, Ailee released her seventh mini-album, (Me)moir.

Personal Life

On April 20, 2025, Ailee married Choi Si-hun in Gangnam. Choi Si-hun is known for appearing in the TV show Single's Inferno. They had already officially registered their marriage in August 2024.

Awards and Nominations

Discography

Filmography

Television Drama

Television Shows

Web Shows

Tours and Concerts

Ailee has had several successful concert tours.

Welcome Home Tour

This was Ailee's first nationwide tour. It supported her mini-album A New Empire. The tour visited six cities in South Korea in 2016 and 2017.

I Am: Ailee Tour

This was Ailee's second nationwide tour. It visited four cities in South Korea, starting in December 2018.

I Am: Re-born Tour

This was Ailee's third nationwide tour. The first part of the tour visited seven cities in South Korea, starting in December 2019.

Show Tok Tour

The Show Tok was Ailee's fourth nationwide tour. The first part of the tour visited seven cities in South Korea, starting in May 2021.

Special Concerts

Ailee has also performed in many special, one-time concerts.

Concerts with Other Artists

Ailee has also performed in many concerts with other famous singers and groups.

• 2014: Winter Concert with Eric Benet
• 2014: Someday Concert with Wheesung
• 2015: Unite the Mic Tour with Jay Park and San E
• 2015: Back to School Concert with Wheesung
• 2016: Come Here! Concert with Yoon Min-soo
• 2017: Superstage Concert with Brian McKnight and Zion.T
• 2018: Best of Best Concert in Taipei with Taeyeon and Taemin
• 2018: Concert with Dynamic Duo

See also

In Spanish: Ailee para niños