Chae Yeon

Chae-yeon Lee (Korean: 이채연, born December 10, 1978[1]), best-known mononymously as Chae Yeon, is a Korean pop singer who rose to fame with her hit single "Two of Us" (Korean: 둘이서) in 2004 with her wave dance style.

Chae Yeon
Background information
Birth nameLee Jin-Sook
Born (1978-12-10) December 10, 1978[1]
Seoul, South Korea
OriginSeoul, South Korea
GenresK-pop
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active2001–present
LabelsCai Entertainment
Korean name
Hangul
이채연
Hanja
李蔡姸
Revised RomanizationI Chae-yeon
McCune–ReischauerYi Ch'ae-yŏn

Biography

Beginning of career

Chae Yeon was born Lee Jin-Sook (Korean: 이진숙, Hanja: 李珍淑), in Seoul in 1978. It took her many years to attain her current level of fame in Korea's entertainment industry. In fact, she had to start out in Japan first. She was part of a singing group called Brand New Biscuits (ブランニュービスケット), debuted in Japan on January 1, 2001, when it had six members. Brand New Biscuits included also another Korean singer, Yuny Han (Han Tae Yoon). Chae Yeon was also member of group UltraCats (ウルトラキャッツ) under the name of "Jinny" (ジニー) or "Jinny Lee" (ジニー・リー) from 2001 to 2002.

Having passed an audition held by an entertainment management company in Japan, Chae Yeon first appeared on a popular show called "Uchan Nanchan no Urinari!" on Japanese NTV. She appeared on the show for almost three years. Along with the television show, Chae Yeon (then Jinny) performed as a singer releasing three singles and one mini-album in Japan.

Pursuing career as an entertainer in Korea

She returned to Korea with her first official album It's My Time under her new stage name, Chae Yeon. Debuting late in 2003, nobody expected her to be successful as she is now. Initially, she was simply viewed as yet another "sexy concept" singer, as many female singers were at that time. However, unlike many others, she had a fairly successful debut. She proved to be a great dancer, and she showed off her vocals in her ballad songs and live performances. Her title song "위험한 연출" (Dangerous Presentation) did well, but her real success came when her second album released late in 2004. "둘이서" (Two Of Us) the lead single, pushed her to No.1 on many music charts in the spring of 2005. The music video for "둘이서" was controversial for being too "racy" in conservative Korea (for it contained scenes showing her full back and exposed underwear).[2] Subsequently, the video was banned on television, and the airing time was limited to after 10:00 p.m. in some cable channels.[3] Becoming heavily played on radio, the song became so popular that a signature "move" from the choreographed dance became known as the "Na-na-na" dance (named after the hook of the song). It managed to hit the top of various music charts in Korea. The follow-up single "다가와" (Come to Me) was released soon after and was also popular, riding on the wave of its predecessor.

She returned after a brief break to release her third album III, which came in the fall of 2005. The first single, "오직 너", fared poorly on the charts, as it was not a strong dance single, lacking a catchy hook. The record company then quickly switched to the "Disco Mix" of the song, which helped sustain its life on the charts, although not by much. The second single, "세번째 사랑" (Third Love), also fared poorly, despite the fact that it had a very sexy video and was a bit more uptempo than the lead single. However, this can be attributed to the fade of sexy R&B music in Korea at the time, as ballads were once again the style of choice for Korean singers; albums by other "sexy concept" singers.

Chae Yeon has maintained her popularity by continually participating in variety shows, such as SBS's X-Man (TV series) and Love Letter, where she portrays both cute and sexy images. Her appearances on these variety shows allowed her to display her bubbly and positive personality. She ended her official schedule with her last X-Man episode on September 25, 2005, to concentrate on recording her fourth album.

Although briefly hospitalised due to exhaustion, she made her comeback at the end of March 2006. Her lead single from her fourth album was "My Love", which was a Latin-tinged dance song. The single was extensively performed, with a remix promoted from May onwards; she then followed up with "서투른 사랑" ("Clumsy Love"). The album sold 12,346 copies in 2007, placing 68th for the year.[4] She continued to remain a "sexy" singer, saying that she does not mind the label.[5]

Chae Yeon performing in the closing ceremony of the 2009 East Asian Games

In addition to promoting her album, Chae Yeon has also joined the cast of Hi-Five, part of KBS's Happy Sunday line-up. On the reality-variety show, which also stars Hyun Young, the stars attempt to succeed in various tasks, including starring in a musical, becoming flight attendants, and performing action movie stunts. She remained a part of the show until its cancellation in 2008.

Later that year, she drew media attention with her investment into, and direct involvement with, Bequem, a fashion company. She is a spokesperson for the brand, promoting its stylized caps and bags. Moreover, her portfolio with a sexy "Party" concept has hit record sales by elegantly mixing her sexy image with feminine touches.

The singer came back after a two-year hiatus from the music world, with her mini-album Shake. Continuing to stay within the "sexy singer" concept, the lead single "Heundeullyeo" ("Shake") is an electronic dance song.[6] The music video was labelled by major networks to be unfit for broadcast without parental advisory warnings.[7]

On December 8, 2009, Chae Yeon had her first live mini concert in China. She performed her hits to a sold-out crowd.

On July 22, 2010 Chae Yeon made her comeback on M! Countdown. She performed Crazy & Look Look Look from her new album. It was well received by fans. Chae Yeon will continue to perform on various music programs and promote her album. Her new 2nd mini album "Look at" was released on July 29, 2010.

She has stated that although she felt awkward and uncomfortable with her sexy image initially, she feels more at ease now, and has stated that she feels sexier the more she relaxes.[6]

In 2015, after five years hiatus. She made a comeback with single, Obvious.

On October 17, 2016, she had signed a new contract with A9 media. The label revealed on the 17th that they've signed one of Korea's iconic sexy divas onto their label. She's been promoting mostly in China for a while, so through this label, Chae Yeon will be promoting actively in Korea through variety shows, dramas, and musicals.

In 2018, after 3 years and six months hiatus. She made a comeback with single, Bazzaya.

On August 20, 2019, her agency Cai entertainment announced that she will be releasing one new song, once every month until December. Her new single 텅텅빈맘 (Empty heart) was released on August 20, 2019.

On September 10, 2019, she released a single called Fly high.

On June 1, 2020, She released a single 핑크몬스터 (Pink monster)

Profile

  • Place of birth: Seoul, South Korea
  • Date of Birth: December 10, 1978 [1]
  • Education: Department of Broadcasting & Entertainment, Seoul Arts College
  • Family: Parents, one older brother

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[8]
It's My Time
  • Released: August 20, 2003
  • Label: CJ Media Line
  • Format: CD, cassette
Track listing
  1. 시간 [Time] (Intro)
  2. 위험한 연출 [Dangerous Act]
  3. 사랑느낌 [Feeling of Love]
  4. 소중한 사랑 [Precious Love]
  5. 남자의 사랑 [Men's Love]
  6. 세잎 클로버 [Clover]
  7. 기도 [Prayer]
  8. 너만의 매력 [Your Very Own Charm]
  9. 상처 [Injury]
  10. 오래된 연인 [Old Couple]
  11. 소문 [Rumors]
  12. 휴식 [Relaxation] (Outro)
N/A
Virginalness Bloom
  • Released: December 13, 2004
  • Label: CJ Media Line
  • Format: CD, cassette
Track listing
  1. 둘이서 [The Two of Us]
  2. 지독한 외면 [Damm Exterior]
  3. 다가와 [Come to Me]
  4. 보고싶어 [I Want To See]
  5. 믿어 [Trust] ft. D-Low
  6. 다 끝났어 [It's Over]
  7. 행복한 눈물 [Happy Tears]
  8. Dance All Night
  9. 널 사랑할게 [You'll Love]
  10. 사랑인가봐! [I Love Sugar!]
  11. 추억만으로 [Only Memories] ft. D-Low
  12. 바보 [Fool]
N/A
Chae Yeon
  • Released: November 18, 2005
  • Label: CJ Media Line, Yecheon Media
  • Format: CD, cassette
Track listing
  1. 오직 너 (Only You)
  2. 하얀눈 (White Snow)
  3. 덫 (Trap)
  4. 욕심쟁이 (Greedy One)
  5. 세번째 사랑 (Third Love Feat. Red Roc)
  6. 너땜에 (Because of You)
  7. 가지마 (Don't Go)
  8. 미궁 (Labyrinth)
  9. 사랑이 오려나봐 (Maybe Love Is Coming)
  10. You
  11. 나쁜여자 (Bad Girl)
  12. 오직너(디스코 클럽) (Only You [Disco Club Remix])
16
  • KOR: 14,550+[9]
My Love
  • Released: March 30, 2007
  • Label: CJ Media Line, Yecheon Media
  • Format: CD
Track listing
  1. My Love
  2. 한 사람 (One Person)
  3. 부탁 (Request)
  4. 낯설은 거짓말 (A Strange Lie)
  5. 게임 (Game)
  6. 아련한 기다림 (Subtle Waiting)
  7. 서투른 사랑 (Clumsy Love)
  8. Tell Me
  9. 고귀한 사랑 (Precious Love)
  10. 서글픈 이별 (Lonesome Break Up)
  11. Party tonight
  12. My Love (Global Re-mix)
  13. 낯설은 거짓말 (Benny Re-mix) (A Strange Lie)
  14. 서투른 사랑 (Mojo House Re-mix) (Clumsy Love)
  15. My Love (Bossa Re-mix)
11

Compilation albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[8]
First Limited Edition
  • Released: May 23, 2006
  • Label: Yecheon Media
  • Format: CD, cassette
Track listing
  1. 가지마
  2. 하얀눈
  3. 보고 싶어
  4. 행복한 눈물
  5. 욕심쟁이
  6. 소중한 사랑
  7. 널 사랑할게
  8. 세 번째 사랑 [Remix]
  9. 둘이서
  10. 오직 너 [Remix]
  11. 너땜에
  12. 다가와
  13. 사랑인가봐
  14. 위험한 연출
  15. 사링느낌
  16. 남자의 사랑
N/A

Extended plays

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[8][11]
Shake
  • Released: May 13, 2009
  • Label: Vitamin Entertainment
  • Format: CD
Track listing
  1. 흔들려 (Shake)
  2. 울랄라 (Ooh La La)
  3. 바보야 (Fool)
  4. 이별예감 (Parting Premonition)
  5. 변심 (Change Of Mind)
  6. 서투른 이별 (Clumsy Parting)
  7. 잊자 (Let's Forget)
  8. 흔들려 (Shake) (DJ Koo Club Radio Remix Ver.)
  9. 흔들려 (Shake) (DJ Koo Club Extend Remix Ver.)
  10. 울랄라 (Club Radio Remix Ver.)
  11. 울랄라 (Club Extend Remix Ver
No data No data
Look At
Track listing
  1. 요즘 여자 Nowadays women
  2. Come and Get Me
  3. 거짓말 Lie (feat A.minor)
  4. 봐봐봐 Look Look Look
  5. Crazy
  6. Ma Lover (feat A.minor)
10 No data

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[12]
"Third Love" (세번째 사랑) 2006 No data No data Chae Yeon
"Obvious" (안봐도 비디오)
feat. Huh In-chang
2015 Non-album single
"Bazzaya" (봤자야) 2018 70[upper-alpha 1] No data Non-album single

Notes

  1. Charted on the Gaon Album Chart as a single album.

Endorsements

  • D&G [Fashion Wear]
  • Elle Korea
  • Jinro Soju
  • DnShop [Fashion Wear, Cosmetic Products]
  • Make Up For Ever [Make-up Cosmetic]
  • ChocoGem [Handmade Accessory]

Awards

Mnet Asian Music Awards

Year Category Work Result
2003 Best New Female Artist "Dangerous Directing" (위험한 연출)[14] Nominated
2005 Best Female Artist "Two Of Us" (둘이서)[15] Nominated
2007 "My Love"[16] Nominated
2009 "Shake"[17] Nominated
gollark: Done.
gollark: <@747764575587270718> for owner since it does not actually do anything.
gollark: I'm glad my alts obfuscate themselves effectively by questioning each other's altitude like this.
gollark: You could use "n", if you were wrong.
gollark: Yes.

References

  1. "네이버뮤직 :: 채연".
  2. 금주 핫 이슈, 섹시 논란 '채연'
  3. '속옷 논란' 채연, 뮤비 방송 금지 Archived March 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  4. Music Industry Association of Korea. 2007 Album Sales Chart Archived October 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 11, 2008.
  5. Four Sexy Divas and How They Do It Archived June 10, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Chosun Ilbo. April 27, 2007. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
  6. Han, Sang-hee. Singer Chae-yeon Brings 'Sexy Back' Archived June 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. The Korea Times. June 9, 2009. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
  7. (in Korean) [AM7] 채연, 활동도 ‘흔들려~’ (AM7: Chae Yeon, Her Promotions Also "Shaky"). Munhwa Ilbo. June 12, 2009. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
  8. "K-pop Album Sales Volume" (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on February 19, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  9. "January 2006 K-pop Album Sales Volume" (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on December 5, 2008. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  10. "2007 K-pop Album Sales Volume" (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  11. "Gaon Album Chart". Gaon (in Korean). Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  12. "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 13, 2018.
    • "Bazzaya". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  13. "2015년 27주차 Download Chart (Domestic)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  14. "2003 MMF part 1". Mwave. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  15. "2005 MKMF part 1" Archived February 1, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Mwave. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  16. "2007 Mnet KM Music Festival Part1". MAMA. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  17. "2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards Part1" Archived December 8, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. MAMA. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
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