Lee Ahyumi

Lee Ayumi (born August 25, 1984), professionally known as Ayumi (previously Ahyoomee) in South Korea and Yumi Itō (previously ICONIQ) in Japan, is a Japanese-born South Korean singer, actress and entertainer based in Japan and South Korea. She debuted under the stage name Ahyoomee in 2001, as the leader and lead vocalist of South Korean girl group Sugar, a position she served in until the group's disbandment in 2006. Following the disbandment, Lee embarked on a solo career in South Korea under SM, releasing two digital singles. In 2008, she returned to Japan and began an acting career under the Japanese stage name Yumi Itō. In 2009, she debuted as a singer in Japan, under Avex's Rhythm Zone, taking the stage name Iconiq, and released a studio album, an EP, and seven digital singles.

This article is about the singer. For the Japanese actress (伊藤歩), see Ayumi Ito. For the Nagoya-born singer Yumi Itō, see The Peanuts.
Lee Ayumi/Yumi Itō
아유미 / 伊藤 ゆみ
Born
Lee Ayumi

(1984-08-25) August 25, 1984
Tottori, Japan[1]
Other namesAyumi Itō (Japanese alias)
EducationKorea Kent Foreign School
Occupations
  • singer
  • actress
  • entertainer
Years active2001–present
AgentBonboo ENT[2]
Spouse
Unknown
​
(m. 2022)​
Musical career
Also known as
  • Ahyoomee
  • Iconiq
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals
LabelsStarworld (2001–2006)
SM (2007)
Avex (2009–2020)
WebsiteOfficial website
Legal names
Korean name
Hangul이아유미
Hanja李亞由美
Japanese name
Kanji伊藤 亜由美
Kanaいとう あゆみ
Stage names
Korean name
Hangul아유미
Hanja亞由美
Japanese name
Kanji伊藤 ゆみ
Kanaいとう ゆみ

Early life

Lee Ayumi was born in Tottori, Japan on August 25, 1984, to a Korean mother from Chungcheong and a second-generation Zainichi Korean father. She lived in Japan until the age of 15 before moving to South Korea, later attending the Korea Kent Foreign School (ko).

Career

2001–2006: Sugar

Ahyoomee was scouted by the entertainment company Starworld at a H.O.T. concert,[3] later debuting as a part of Korean girl group Sugar in 2001.[4] The band released two albums in Japan and three in South Korea, to moderate commercial success.

During her career in Sugar, she and Park Soo-jin had a guest appearance on the Gag Concert 200th episode special, in the sketch Poncho Siblings (우비 삼남매), making them the first girl group to appear on the program. In December 2006, Starworld announced they would not offer Sugar new contracts, thus disbanding the group following the expiration of their contracts.

2006–2012: solo career

On July 13, 2006, Ayumi released her first digital single under SM Entertainment, titled "Cutie Honey",[3] a cover of the theme song to the Cutie Honey anime series.[5] Her second single, a cover of Kim Gun Mo's song, "Jalmotdoen Mannam" ("Wrongful Meeting"), was released on November 7, 2006.

In February 2007, following her contract expiration with Starworld, she switched labels, moving to the parent label SM Entertainment. Under SM Entertainment, Ayumi started collaborating with SM Town on their summer and winter albums that year.[6] However, she did not release any solo material at this time.

In 2008, she made her acting debut in Japan as Itō Yumi. Afterwards, she travelled to Los Angeles to study dance, and find new inspiration as a musician.[3][7]

In 2009, she returned to Japan and made her solo debut as Iconiq under Avex label Rhythm Zone. Her first activities under Avex were for Shiseido's Maquillage cosmetics line, where her song "I'm Lovin' You" (a duet with Exile vocalist Atsushi) was used in commercials, and Lee's image was used in billboards for the promotion of the line.[8][9][10] Iconiq was marketed around her buzz cut hair-style.[9][11][12]

On March 10, 2010, she released her debut album, Change Myself, which included the promotional singles "Change Myself" and "Bye Now!", which were used for advertising the Maquillage cosmetic line once more. The album debuted at #3 on Oricon's albums chart, the highest position for a debut album since Yui Aragaki's Sora in late 2007.[11] On August 11, 2010, she released her debut single "Tokyo Lady", which was later included in her first EP Light Ahead in September. The EP was promoted with three music videos directed by Diane Martel. After a two-year hiatus from releasing music, Lee released two digital singles on March 14, 2012, titled LADIES and MAKE IT RIGHT.

2015–present: acting career and departure from Avex

In 2015, Lee returned to South Korea, appearing on the JTBC program Witch Hunt, marking her first television appearance in South Korea after nine years.[13]

In August 2016, in an interview with SENSE (ja) magazine, Lee stated she would be going back to being an actress, using the name Itō Yumi. In September of the same year, she starred as Michiru Saiki in the stage play adaption of the manga ReLIFE.[14]

In May 2017, Lee was cast in a Fuji TV drama, Code Blue Season 3.[15] In August 2017, Lee was confirmed as a cast member of MBN's new South Korean variety show Flying Girl.

In March 2019, Lee announced that she had signed a contract with the South Korean agency BONBOO Entertainment. On January 20, 2020, Lee announced on her blog that, after eleven years, she would be leaving Avex, after the expiration of her contract.[16]

Personal life

In September 2022, Lee released a pre-wedding photo revealing that she would marry her non-celebrity foreign boyfriend who is two years older than her on October 30.[17]

Discography

Studio album
List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions Sales
JPN
[18]		 KOR
[19]
Change Myself 347

Extended play
List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions Sales
JPN
[18]
Light Ahead
  • Released: September 15, 2010 (JPN)
  • Label: Rhythm Zone
  • Formats: CD, CD/DVD, digital download
 18

Singles
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
JPN
[18]		 JPN
Hot
[upper-alpha 1]		 JPN
Dig.
[upper-alpha 2][upper-alpha 3]
"Cutie Honey"[upper-alpha 4] 2006 ——— — Non-album single
"Jalmosdoen Mannam" (Korean: 잘못된 만남, "Wrongful Meeting")[upper-alpha 4] — ———
"I'm Lovin' You" (Iconiq x Exile Atsushi) 2010 —478 — Change Myself
"Change Myself" —7320 —
"Bye Now!" —847 —
"Tokyo Lady" 1921— Light Ahead
"Light Ahead" —4962 —
"Yeoja" (Korean: 여자, "Ladies") 2012 ——— — "Ladies"
"Make It Right" ——— —

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2009 The Promised Land Lee Ayumi Lead role
Waiting for Good News Rika Aragaki
2018 The Cat in Their Arms
Code Blue: The Movie
2019 Go Away, Ultramarine
Walking Man Kim

Television drama
Year Title Network Role Notes
2006 Nonstop 6: Rainbow Romance MBC Ah Yoo Mi Supporting role; Sitcom
2008 Binbo Danshi NTV Kurata Watana Supporting role
Yottsu no uso TV Asahi Miyabe Supporting role
2012 Ataru TV Asahi Kashiwabara Yumi Cameo
2013 Machigawarechatta Otoko Fuji TV Erika Momoyama
2015 Witch Hunt JTBC Herself Guest
2017-2018 Flying Girl MBN Herself Cast
2019 Life Bar tvN Herself Cast
2020 Backstreet Rookie SBS Herself Cameo

Television shows
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2021–present Goal Girl Cast Member Season 2–3 [29]
2022 Same Bed, Different Dreams 2: You Are My Destiny [30]

Awards

Korean Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
Korean Music Awards 2007 Lee Ah-yoo-mi "Cutie Honey" Album of the year Won
Best pop album Nominated

Notes
  1. Sources for chart positions are as follows: "I'm Lovin' You",[21] "Bye Now!",[22] "Change Myself",[22] "Tokyo Lady",[23] "Light Ahead".[24]
  2. The RIAJ Digital Track Chart is a depreciated chart that ran from 2009 until early 2012 and tracked full-length cellphone downloads.
  3. Sources for chart positions are as follows: "I'm Lovin' You",[25] "Change Myself",[26] "Bye Now!",[27] "Light Ahead".[28]
  4. Released in South Korea under the name Ahyoomee.

References
  1. "ICONIQ - Ayumi Lee". www.jpopasia.com. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  2. "아유미 :: 네이버 인물검색".
  3. "Rising Star Set to Shine". The Japan Times. 2010-05-28. Archived from the original on 2011-08-31. Retrieved 2019-09-12.
  4. "Sugar profile at Toy's Factory". toysfactory.co.jp. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  5. Ayumi's Hit Solo Debut Divides Online Critics Archived 2008-02-07 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 November 2006.
  6. (in Korean) Sports Chosun.'큐티 하니' 아유미, 亞무대 활동위해 보아 소속사와 계약. Retrieved March 9, 2007.
  7. "Profile – Iconiq Official Website" (in Japanese). Rhythm Zone. Archived from the original on July 25, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  8. "謎の"坊主"女性アーティスト、Iconiq 。 Atsushi （Exile） とのコラボ曲が、資生堂「マキアージュ」CM曲に決定" (in Japanese). CDJournal. 2009-11-24. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  9. "Atsushi（Exile）の心を動かした新人・Iconiq が、2009年新人最高DL記録を樹立" (in Japanese). Barks. 2009-12-17. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  10. "新人美女アーティストが Exile ・ Atsushi との"丸刈り2ショット"で衝撃デビュー" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2009-12-09. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
  11. "新人・Iconiq が初登場3位、デビューアルバム Top3 入りは新垣結衣以来2年3ヶ月ぶり" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2010-03-16. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
  12. "Iconiq 、 レコチョクウィークリーも2作品連続1位獲得" (in Japanese). Barks. 2010-01-28. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  13. "Ayumi to appear on a Korean program for the first time in 9 years!". Allkpop. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  14. "「伊藤ゆみ」で再始動のICONIQ、女優業本格復帰の第1弾を発表". Model Press. Net Native. 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2016-11-26.
  15. "伊藤ゆみインタビュー「プロとしての責任感を表現できれば」『コード・ブルー～ドクターヘリ緊急救命～』に出演｜TVLife web - テレビがもっと楽しくなる！". TV Life.
  16. "伊藤ゆみ、所属事務所を退所 今後も活動の場を広げ「全力を尽くす」". ORICON NEWS. oricon ME. 2020-01-31. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  17. Gong, Yeo-ju (September 30, 2022). "10월 결혼' 아유미, 야외 웨딩화보...영화 한 장면 같네" [October Marriage' Ayumi, outdoor wedding pictorial... It's like a scene from a movie] (in Korean). YTN. Retrieved September 30, 2022 – via Naver.
  18. "伊藤ゆみの作品" [Works by Yumi Ito]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  19. "Album Chart 2010 Weeks 13". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  20. "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree']. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  21. "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). December 16, 2009. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  22. "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). March 17, 2010. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  23. "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). August 18, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  24. "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). September 22, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  25. "レコード協会調べ 2010年01月27日～2010年02月02日 ＜略称：レコ協チャート（「着うたフル(R)」）＞" [Record Association report: 2010.01.27~2010.02.02 <abb. Reco-kyō Chart 'Chaku-uta Full'>] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. February 5, 2010. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  26. "レコード協会調べ 2010年03月03日～2010年03月09日 ＜略称：レコ協チャート（「着うたフル(R)」）＞" [Record Association report: 2010.03.03~2010.03.09 <abb. Reco-kyō Chart 'Chaku-uta Full'>] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. March 12, 2010. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  27. "レコード協会調べ 2010年03月31日～2010年04月06日 ＜略称：レコ協チャート（「着うたフル(R)」）＞" [Record Association report: 2010.03.31~2010.04.06 <abb. Reco-kyō Chart 'Chaku-uta Full'>] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. April 9, 2010. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  28. "レコード協会調べ 2010年09月15日～2010年09月21日 ＜略称：レコ協チャート（「着うたフル(R)」）＞" [Record Association report: 2010.09.15~2010.09.21 <abb. Reco-kyō Chart 'Chaku-uta Full'>] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. April 9, 2010. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  29. Won Se-na (October 21, 2021). "유빈, '골때녀' 합류… 'FC 탑걸' 멤버 "배워보고 싶었다" [Yubin joins 'Goal Girl'... 'FC Top Girl' member "I wanted to learn] (in Korean). The Fact. Retrieved October 21, 2021 – via Naver.
  30. Jang Jin-ri (October 31, 2022). "[단독]'결혼' 아유미, '동상이몽2' 합류…남편 첫 공개" [[Exclusive] 'Marriage' Ayumi joins 'Same Bed, Dream 2'... husband's first] (in Korean). Sports TV News. Retrieved October 31, 2022 – via Naver.
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