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
Musical career
Genres	K-pop pop R&B ballad
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2011–present
Labels	Muzo YMC JSJ Warner Japan WestSide Rocket3 The L1ve Pop Music
Korean name
Hangul	이예진
Hanja	李藝眞
Revised Romanization	I Ye-jin
McCune–Reischauer	I Yechin
Stage name
Hangul	에일리
Revised Romanization	Eilli
McCune–Reischauer	Eilli
Signature

Amy Lee (born May 30, 1989), known as Ailee, is an American singer and songwriter. She lives and works in South Korea. Ailee has released four studio albums, six mini-albums (called extended plays), and many singles. Six of her songs have reached the top five on South Korea's music charts.

Ailee started her music journey in New York City. In 2010, she moved to South Korea. She then signed with YMC Entertainment. Her first song, "Heaven", came out in 2012. It quickly became very popular. This song helped her win several "Best New Artist" awards. From 2013 to 2016, Ailee won the "Best Female Vocal Performance" award four times in a row at the Mnet Asian Music Awards. Her 2017 song, "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow", was for a TV show called 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, on May 30, 1989. 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.

Ailee's Music Journey

How Ailee Started Her Career (2010–2011)

Before becoming a K-pop star, Ailee worked with Muzo Entertainment. This was a small music company in New York City. She also used YouTube to share her singing. She had channels called "mzamyx3" and "aileemusic".

In 2010, Ailee moved to South Korea. She got an audition with a music company through her uncle. She sang a song called "Resignation" and was signed by YMC Entertainment right away. While training, she appeared in songs by other artists. In 2011, Ailee performed "Halo" by Beyoncé on a TV show. The judges loved her performance. One judge said she had the potential to be a big star. Ailee won first place on the show.

Ailee's 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 Lee Gi Kwang from the group Beast. She performed "Heaven" for the first time on M Countdown. Billboard magazine praised her, saying she could show deep feelings in her songs. "Heaven" was a big hit. It helped Ailee win her first award at the 2012 Cyworld Digital Music Awards.

On October 16, 2012, Ailee released her first mini-album, Invitation. It had six songs, including "I Will Show You". Many famous producers and artists worked on this album.

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

Ailee's 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. Its main song, "U&I", quickly topped music charts. On November 6, 2013, Ailee also started her career in Japan. She released Japanese versions of her songs "Heaven" and "Starlight".

In 2014, Ailee released a single called "Singing Got Better". This song also reached number one on many music charts. It won her 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 chart-topper.

Ailee's Big Success with Vivid (2015–2016)

After a concert tour in 2015, Ailee held her first solo concert. It was called Fatal Attraction and took place on July 4, 2015. Many other artists joined her on stage to sing duets.

Ailee's first full-length album, Vivid, came out on September 30, 2015. She won her first music show trophy for this album. Ailee also won the "Best Female Vocal Award" for the third year in a row at the 2015 Mnet Asian Music Awards.

In 2016, Ailee became a judge on the TV show Superstar K 2016. On August 23, 2016, she released her single "If You". This song was very popular. On October 5, 2016, Ailee released her mini-album A New Empire. This album did well on both Korean and US music charts. In December 2016, Ailee won her fourth "Best Vocal Performance" award at the 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards. This was a new record!

Ailee's Famous TV Show Songs and Concerts (2017–2018)

On January 7, 2017, Ailee released her first American song, "Fall Back". On the same day, she released "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow". This song was for the TV show Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. The song was a huge hit, staying at number one on the charts for three weeks. It won many awards for best TV show soundtrack.

Ailee busking in Myeongdong, July 2019

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

In 2018, Ailee performed "I Will Show You" at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Winter Paralympics. She also performed her famous song "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow" in North Korea. This was part of a cultural exchange event. Later in 2018, Ailee announced her second nationwide tour, I Am: Ailee.

Ailee's Recent Work (2019–Present)

Ailee released her second studio album, Butterfly, on July 2, 2019. Its main song was "Room Shaker". In September 2019, Ailee announced she had started her own company, "Rocket3 Entertainment". On December 13, 2019, she 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. Its main song was "When We Were In Love". She also sang "Blue Bird" for the TV show Start-Up.

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

On May 7, 2021, Ailee released her sixth mini-album, Lovin'. This album had two main songs, "Make Up Your Mind" and "Spring Flowers". In July 2021, Ailee joined a new music company called The L1ve. On October 27, 2021, she released her third studio album, Amy. Its main song was "Don't Teach Me".

In March 2022, Ailee released her English studio album, I'm Lovin' Amy. She later signed with a new company, Pop Music. In September 2023, Ailee released her single "I'll Hold You".

Personal Life

In May 2024, Ailee shared that she plans to marry Choi Si-hun. He is known for being on the TV show Single's Inferno.

Awards and Nominations

Discography

Filmography

Television Drama

Television Shows

Web Shows

Tours and Concerts

Welcome Home Tour

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

I Am: Ailee Tour

The 'I Am: Ailee Tour' was Ailee's second nationwide tour. It visited four cities in South Korea, starting in December 2018.

I Am: Re-born Tour

The 'I Am: Reborn Tour' was Ailee's third nationwide tour. The first part of the tour visited seven cities in South Korea, starting in December 2019.

Show Tok

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.

One-off Concerts

Co-headlining Tours and Concerts

• 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