Kei (singer)

Kim Ji-yeon (Korean: 김지연; born March 20, 1995), known professionally as Kei, is a South Korean singer and musical actress. She rose to fame as a member of South Korean girl group Lovelyz in November 2014. Kei officially made her solo debut with released EP on October 8, 2019, titled Over and Over.[1] On November 16, 2021, she left Woollim Entertainment, although she remains as a member of Lovelyz. She joined Palm Tree Island in January 2022 to focus on her musical career, before moving to A2Z Entertainment later that year.

In this Korean name, the family name is Kim.
Kei
김지연
Kei in 2021
Born
Kim Ji-yeon

(1995-03-20) March 20, 1995
Bupyeong District, Incheon, South Korea
EducationIncheon Youngsun High School
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musical actress
AgentA2Z
Musical career
GenresK-pop
Years active2014–present
Labels
Member of
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGim Ji-yeon
McCune–ReischauerKim Chiyŏn

Biography

Kei was born Kim Ji-yeon on March 20, 1995, in Incheon, South Korea.[2][3] She graduated from Incheon Youngsun High School.[4]

Career

2014–2015: Debut with Lovelyz
Main article: Lovelyz

In November 2014, Kei debuted as the main vocalist of girl group Lovelyz with the release of the debut studio album, Girls' Invasion.[5] In December 2015, she recorded the song Love Is Like That for the drama Oh My Venus.[6]

2016–2018: Solo activities

She was a contestant for JTBC's main vocal competition Girls Spirit in 2016,[7] and was cast for a lead role in the web drama Matching! Boys Archery Club in the same year.[8] On September 1, she released the collaborative song "Y".[9] On October 26, she released a collaboration with The Solutions titled Beautiful as a part of HIGHGRND label project PLAYGRND.[10]

In 2017, she made appearances on a variety of shows. She appeared on King of Mask Singer as the contestant "Agiley Mouse Jerry" for episodes 107–108.[11] She also went on Duet Song Festival covering Kim Tae-yeon's song "I".[12] Other shows she guested on was Running Man and Idol National Singing Competition.[13]

On June 8, 2018, it was announced that Kei would be the new MC for Music Bank alongside actor Choi Won-myeong, starting from June 15.[14]

2019–present: Solo debut, departure from Woollim, musical project and EL7ZUP
Main article: Over and Over (EP)

In 2019, she released the extended play (EP) Over and Over, under her real name Kim Ji-yeon.[15] The album and the lead single "I Go" music video were released on October 8.[16]

On November 1, 2021, Woollim Entertainment announced that Kei would not renew her contract and she left the company on November 16, 2021.[17]

On January 10, 2022, it was confirmed that Kei signed with Palm Tree Island, signaling her debut as a full time musical actress.[18][19]

In May 2022, Kei released a ballad, R&B project's 11th single 'Star Road' featuring KozyPop, which will be released on May 29, 2022.[20]

In July 2022 it was announced that Kei would hold a fan meeting Kei from Kei on August 20, 2022, it marks her first solo fan meeting since debut and as well as her first in-person fan meeting after debuting as a full time musical actress.[21]

In December 2022, Kei signed with A2Z Entertainment (Pop Music), with the intention of releasing a solo music album.[22]

On May 26, 2023, Kei was confirmed to have joined the Mnet competition show Queendom Puzzle.[23] She consistently ranked in the Top 7 as the show progressed and ultimately finished in 4th place, allowing her to debut with the winning group El7z Up.[24][25]

Discography
See also: Lovelyz discography

Extended plays
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[26]
Over and Over 7

As lead artist
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales
(DL)		 Album
KOR
[28]
"I Go" 2019 —[upper-alpha 1] — Over and Over
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Collaborations
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales
(DL)		 Album
KOR
[28]
"Y"
(with Myundo featuring Bumzu)[9]		 2016 49 Non album-singles
"Beautiful"
(with The Solutions)[31][10]		 — —
"Wanna Date" (연애하고 싶어)
(with Hong Dae-kwang)[32]		 2017 — Story About: Some, One Month Eps 5
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Soundtrack appearances
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales
(DL)		 Album
KOR
[28]
"Love Moves On" (사랑은 그렇게)[6] 2015 — — Oh My Venus OST Part 6
"Tingle" (찌릿찌릿)[33] 2016 — Lucky Romance OST Part 1
"Star and Sun" (별과 해)[34] 2017 — The Emperor: Owner of the Mask OST Part 4
"These Days You & I" (요즘 너 요즘 나)[36] 2018 — — Queen of Mystery 2 OST Part 2
"Let's Pray"[37][38] — Rich Man OST Part 3
"If I Convey My Heart" (마음을 전하면)[39] — The Last Empress OST Part 3
"My Absolute Boyfriend" (초능력 나의 그대)[40] 2019 — My Absolute Boyfriend OST Part 4
"Ride Or Die"[41]
(with Joohoney (Monsta X))		 2020 — Run On OST Part 2
"Good-Bye Days"
(with Wonpil (Day6))		 2021 — Midnight Sun OST Part 2
"Good-Bye Days"
(with Baekho (NU'EST))		 — Midnight Sun OST Part 3
"Good-Bye Days"
(with Onew (Shinee))		 —[upper-alpha 2] Midnight Sun OST Part 4
"Will My Day Ever Come" (그런 날이 오게 될까?) —[upper-alpha 3] Midnight Sun OST Part 5
"Good-Bye Days"
(with Youngjae (Got7))		 —
"A Fairy Tale" (동화 속 이야기) — Starting Point of Dating OST Part 2
"As I Become Your Wind – Noi Theme" (나 그대의 바람 되어) — Blade & Soul 2 - I Become Your Wind OST
"As I Become Your Wind – Noi Theme (Acoustic Ver.)" (나 그대의 바람 되어 - 노이 테마 (Acoustic Ver.)) — Blade & Soul 2 - Pieces of Memory OST
"Just Stay" (이렇게 그대로) — History of The Bible OST
"Love Song" (연가 (戀歌))[44] 2023 —[upper-alpha 4] Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 OST Part 2
"Summer Love Blues" (썸머러브블루스)[46] —[upper-alpha 5] Summer, Lovemachine, Blues OST
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Filmography
Kei going to work for her MC position at Music Bank, August 15, 2018.
See also: Lovelyz § Filmography

Web series
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2016 Matching! Boys Archery Club Hong Shi-ah [8]
2021 ONAIR - Secret Contract Cameo Sitcom [48]

Web shows
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2022 Idol Lyricist Idol Main Cast with Exy [49]

Television shows
Year Title Role Ref.
2023 Queendom Puzzle Contestant [50]

Theatre
Year Title Role Ref.
2017 At The Age of Thirty Okhee [51]
2021 Midnight Sun Seo Haena [52]
2022 Xcalibur Guinevere [53]
Death Note Amane Misa [54]
ONAIR DJ [55]

Awards and nominations
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
KBS Entertainment Awards 2018 Best New Actress in Talk & Show Music Bank Won [56]

Notes
  1. "I Go" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 113 on Gaon Download Chart.[29]
  2. "Good-Bye Days" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 117 on Gaon Download Chart.[42]
  3. "Good-Bye Days" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 122 on Gaon Download Chart.[43]
  4. "Love Song" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 49 on the Download Chart.[45]
  5. "Summer Love Blues" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 79 on the Download Chart.[47]
  1. As a member of El7z Up only.

References
  1. "케이, 오늘은 러블리즈 아닌 솔로 김지연..."역사적 순간, 행복한 떨림"[V라이브 종합]". Naver. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  2. "Kei Profile". lvlz8.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016.
  3. "Lovelyz Profile – NowKPop". August 27, 2015. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  4. "Kei". Hanple (in Korean). Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  5. Seon, Mi-kyoung (November 17, 2014). "러블리즈, 17일 데뷔앨범 발매..소녀감성+음악성 담았다". OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  6. "오 마이 비너스 OST Part.6". Melon (in Korean). December 21, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  7. Bang, Soong-hwa (September 14, 2016). '걸스피릿' 케이, 언니와 완성한 그림 같은 무대로 1위…다원 2위 (종합). Naver (in Korean). Esports News. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  8. Dilip, Mangala. "Here is everything you need to know about Lovelyz singer Kei's K-drama 'Matching! Boys Archery Club'". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  9. "Y". Melon (in Korean). September 2, 2016. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  10. Park, Sae-jin (October 27, 2016). "Lovelyz's Kei collaborates with THE SOLUTIONS for new MV". Aju Business Daily. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  11. Jung Ahn-ji (April 23, 2017). '복면가왕' 제리 정체는 러블리즈 케이 '깜짝 반전'. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  12. Lee, Sang-eun (March 3, 2017). '듀엣가요제' 러블리즈 케이-황세영, 태연 '아이'로 환상적인 무대. Kyeongin (in Korean). Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  13. Variety references:
  14. Jeong Da-hoon (June 8, 2018). [공식입장]‘뮤직뱅크’ 새 MC 러블리즈 케이·최원명 확정. Seoul Economy Daily (in Korean). Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  15. "러블리즈 케이, 10월 8일 데뷔 5년만 솔로데뷔". Naver. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  16. ""희망 전하고파" 러블리즈 케이 #첫 솔로 #김지연 #퀸덤 #족발(일문일답)". Naver. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  17. Lee Tae-soo (November 1, 2021). "러블리즈, 울림과 계약 만료…7명 소속사 떠난다" [Lovelyz and Woollim's contract expired... 7 people leave the agency] (in Korean). Yonhap News. Retrieved November 1, 2021 – via Naver.
  18. Kang Hyo-jin (December 6, 2021). "팜트리아일랜드 "러블리즈 케이와 전속계약 논의중"[공식]" [Palm Tree Island "Debating an exclusive contract with Lovelyz K" [Official]] (in Korean). SPOTV News. Retrieved December 11, 2021 – via Naver.
  19. Yoo, Byung-cheol (January 10, 2022). "러블리즈 출신 케이, 팜트리아일랜드 전속계약 체결…뮤지컬 배우로 새 도약 예고" [K, from Lovelyz, signed an exclusive contract with Palm Tree Island... A new leap forward as a musical actor]. Korea Economic TV (in Korean). Retrieved January 10, 2022 – via Naver.
  20. Yoo, Byung-chul (May 30, 2022). "케이, 돌아온 음색 여신…독보적인 보컬로 초여름 감성 자극 예고" [Kei, the goddess of tone returned... Prediction of emotional stimulation in early summer with unique vocals] (in Korean). Korea Economy TV. Retrieved May 30, 2022 – via Naver.
  21. Jo Hye-jin (July 11, 2022). "러블리즈 출신 케이, 홀로서기 후 첫 단독 팬미팅 개최" [Kei from Lovelyz holds first solo fan meeting after standing alone] (in Korean). X-ports News. Retrieved July 11, 2022 – via Naver.
  22. Kang, Min-kyung (December 2, 2022). "[전문] 케이, 인생 용기준 윤상 품으로…"좋은 영향 되는 배우·가수 악속" [[Professional] Kei, the criterion for courage in life, as Yoon Sang’s product… "Actor/singer Aksok who has a good influence] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved December 2, 2022 – via Naver.
  23. Eun-hye, Kim (May 26, 2023). "'퀸덤 퍼즐' AOA 찬미·러블리즈 케이➝하이키, 3·4세대 걸그룹 총출동 "상상못한 조합"" ['Queendom Puzzle' AOA Chanmi · Lovelyz Kei ➝ Highkey, 3rd and 4th generation girl groups all out "Unimaginable combination"]. News Inside (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  24. Hyun-jung, Kim (August 16, 2023). "'퀸덤퍼즐' 엘즈업 최종멤버 7명 공개...휘서부터 예은까지" ['Queendom Puzzle' L's Up 7 final members revealed... From Hwiseo to Yeeun]. Gukje News (in Korean). Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  25. Wan-sik, Moon (August 16, 2023). "케이, '퀸덤퍼즐' 엘즈업 멤버 발탁 "맏언니로 멤버들 잘 이끌게요!"" [Kei selected as L'ZUP member for 'Queendom Puzzle' "I will lead the members well as the eldest sister!"]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved August 18, 2023 – via Naver.
  26. "Gaon Album Chart – Over and Over (Week 41, 2019)". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  27. 2019년 10월 Album Chart [October 2019 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  28. "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  29. "Gaon Download Chart – Week 41 of 2019". Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  30. "Gaon Download Chart – September 2016". Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  31. "Beautiful". Melon (in Korean). October 27, 2016. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  32. "Story About : 썸, 한달 Episode 5". Melon (in Korean). June 28, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  33. "운빨로맨스 OST Part.1". Melon (in Korean). May 25, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  34. "군주 – 가면의 주인 OST Part.4". Melon (in Korean). May 25, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  35. "Gaon Download Chart – Week 21 of 2017". Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  36. "추리의 여왕 시즌2 OST Part.2". Melon (in Korean). March 8, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  37. "리치맨 OST Part.3". Melon (in Korean). May 26, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  38. "러블리즈 케이, '리치맨' OST 참여…따뜻한 힐링송 'Let's Pray'". Sports Chosun (in Korean). May 26, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  39. "황후의 품격 OST Part.3". Melon (in Korean). December 27, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  40. "절대그이 OST Part.4". Melon (in Korean). June 6, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  41. "Ride Or Die (런 온 OST Part.2)". Melon (in Korean). December 23, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  42. "Gaon Download Chart – Week 22 of 2021". Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  43. "Gaon Download Chart – Week 24 of 2021". Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  44. Jeong, Jin-ah (May 12, 2023). "'러블리즈' 출신 케이, '구미호뎐1938' OST 가창" [Kei from 'Lovelyz' sings the OST of 'The Tale of a Gumiho 1938']. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  45. "Download Chart 2023 Weeks 20". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  46. Moon, Ye-bin (July 14, 2023). "케이 '썸머, 러브머신 블루스' OST 가창…'썸머 러브 블루스'" [Kei 'Summer, Love Machine Blues' OST singing... 'Summer Love Blues']. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  47. "Download Chart 2023 Weeks 29". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  48. Sin Ji-won (April 1, 2021). "케이X 영재X 유회승, '온에어-비밀계약' 출연...대세 K팝 아티스트들의 향연". hankyung (in Korean). Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  49. Jo Hye-jin (March 8, 2022). "러블리즈 케이‧우주소녀 엑시 만난다…新 '봄캐럴' 제작 예고" [Lovelyz's Kei meets Cosmic Girls' Exy... New 'Spring Carol' production notice] (in Korean). xportsnews. Retrieved March 8, 2022 – via Naver.
  50. "우주소녀 여름→우아! 나나, '퀸덤 퍼즐' 1차 라인업 전격 공개 [Oh!쎈 이슈]". Osen (in Korean). May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  51. Gwak, Young-rae (October 10, 2018). [Oh!커피 한 잔①] 조승욱 PD "산·백·케, '서른즈음에' 가치 알아줘 고맙다". Naver (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  52. "샤이니 온유→데이식스 원필, 뮤지컬 '태양의 노래' 1차 캐스팅(공식)". m.naver.com (in Korean). March 9, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  53. Lee Jae-eun (December 6, 2021). "김성규·김소향·케이 '엑스칼리버' 앙코르 공연 합류 [공식]" [Kim Seong-gyu, Kim So-hyang, K join the ‘Xcalibur’ encore performance [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved December 11, 2021 – via Naver.
  54. Jang Jin-ri (January 24, 2022). "데스노트', 홍광호-김준수 7년 만에 재회…역대급 캐스팅 공개" [Death Note', Hong Kwang-ho and Kim Jun-su reunited after 7 years... Great Casting Revealed] (in Korean). SPOTV News. Retrieved January 24, 2022 – via Naver.
  55. Lee Jae-eun (February 3, 2022). "ONAIR' 새 라인업 발표…러블리즈 케이→권은비 [공식]" [Announcing the new lineup of ‘ONAIR’… Lovelyz K→Kwon Eunbi [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved February 3, 2022 – via Naver.
  56. "이하늬 에릭남 최원명 케이, 버라이어티·토크쇼 신인상 수상 [2018 KBS 연예대상]". Chosun. May 23, 2021.
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