Lee Jin-ah

South Korean musician (born 1991) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lee Jin-ah

Lee Jin-ah (Korean: 이진아; born March 16, 1991) is a South Korean singer-songwriter and jazz pianist. After finishing in third place on SBS's K-pop Star 4, she signed with Antenna in 2015.[1][2] Her distinctive musical style combines jazz with pop and R&B, often featuring whimsical lyrics.[3][4][5][6]

Quick Facts Background information, Born ...
Lee Jin-ah
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Jin-ah in 2022
Background information
Born (1991-03-16) March 16, 1991 (age 33)
Gwangju, South Korea
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer-songwriter
  • film music director
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • keyboards
Years active2013–present
LabelsAntenna
Spouse
Shin Sung-jin
(m. 2019)
Websiteantenna.co.kr/LeeJinAh
Korean name
Hangul
이진아
Hanja
李珍雅
Revised RomanizationI Jina
McCune–ReischauerI China
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Biography

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Perspective

Early career

Lee Jin-ah majored in applied music at Seoul Institute of the Arts.[7]

In 2011, she took part in the CCM singer audition program Gospel Star C Season 1 as part of a group called Snowdrop, who placed within the final top 10.[8]

On March 5, 2012, she was selected as the winner of the 9th Tune Up, a competition and musician support program run by the CJ Cultural Foundation.[9]

Lee debuted in 2013 with her first album, Invisible.[10] The album was produced by Kim Soo-jin, a music director who had previously produced OSTs for dramas including Behind The White Tower, Sign, and Queen Seondeok. Lee Han-jin, a professor of applied music at Seoul Institute of the Arts participated in this album as a jazz trombone performer. This album was considered too intense to be a debut of a new musician.[11]

She was a member of the "JinA Band". The other members of "JinA Band" were Park Hyun (contrabass) and Cho Sun-kyun (drums) before and after K-pop Star 4.[12]

2014–2016: K-pop Star 4 and signing with Antenna Music

In 2014, she participated as a contestant in K-pop Star 4, a reality television audition program on SBS. She performed seven self-written songs, which is rare in audition programs, drawing rave reviews from the judges with her performances.[13] JYP Entertainment CEO Park Jin-young, one of the three judges, became especially impressed, saying he "might as well quit the music industry now."[14] Antenna Entertainment CEO You Hee-yeol drew attention by saying, "I think I saw here the reality of a female musician who I had dreamed of not being able to conclude or define."[15] Lee and her songs became very popular through this program.

On April 5, 2015, she won 3rd place in said competition.[16] On April 20 , it was announced that she had signed with Antenna Music alongside Jung Seung-hwan who was her co-contestant and runner-up for K-pop Star 4.[17]

On June 10, 2016, Lee Jin-ah made a label debut with the single "I'm Full" which is the first part of her trilogy release.[18] She also was involved in the agency concert called "Hello Antenna:The Label Concert" held from September 23–25.[19]

2017–2018: Random and Jinah Restaurant Full Course

In March, 2017, Lee Jin-ah was part of a concert by "Antenna Angels" (Antenna Music's junior artists) called "We, Begin".[20] On July 20, 2017, her first EP Random was released.[21] This served as the second part of her trilogy release. She produced all songs in it at the recommendation of her agency CEO You Hee-yeol.[22] You Hee-yeol said to her not to pay much attention to the album's success, praising her as "a musician who shows her true value at a concert hall."[23]

Random was described by Jung Yeon-kyung at the music publication IZM as "a mixture of Girls' Generation, Jamie Cullum, Okdal, and Disney animated musicals". In particular, the song "Stairs" was noticed by critics for its novel fusion of pop and jazz.[24] On the title track "Random", the lyrics describe an experience in which she discovered an unexpected joy while listening to music in random play.[25] She said this song contains the meaning of discarding prejudice in music and other things.[22] The EP was later nominated for Best Pop Album at the 2018 Korean Music Awards.[26]

In 2017 Park Jong-woo (bass) joined the "Lee Jin-ah trio".[27] Another member of the "Lee Jin-ah Trio" is Seo Ju-young (drums).[28][29] Both Lee Jin-ah and Seo Ju-young entered Seoul Institute of the Arts in the same year. Park Jong-woo was a year senior. Park and Seo have sometimes participated in composing and arranging her songs.[30]

Lee Jin-ah was also part of Antenna's label concert later that year called "With, Antenna" that toured throughout 5 cities in South Korea and U.S.[31]

On June 26, 2018, she released her 2nd full album Jinah Restaurant Full Course which is the final part of her trilogy release.[32]

2020–present: Candy Pianist and Hearts of the City

In 2020, her second EP, Candy Pianist was released. By participating in writing and composing all the songs in this EP, Lee once again proved her ability as a singer-songwriter. The theme of it is "Awakening", which is clearly shown in the title song "Dreamy Alarm", "Awake (Feat. Sam Kim)", and other tracks. This EP contains Lee's desire to give strength and motivate those who listen to her music as a candy pianist.[33]

In 2021, she made her debut as a film music director with Children Are Happy OST.[34]

On September 13, 2023, Lee Jin-ah released her 3rd full length album after 5 years called Hearts of the City. This album is filled with 12 songs presenting a new musical world built from various emotions observed in a familiar but scary world called "city" while also warmly touching the inner hearts of those who live in one. It has two title tracks, namely "Mystery Village" depicting the city as mysterious place, and "My Whole New World" giving encouragement to build our own enjoyable city.[35][36] This album also features various artists such as Stella Jang, Sarah Kang, cellist Hong Jin-ho, Lee Hyo-ri, Lee Sangsoon, and producers Park Moon-chi and Simon Petrén.[37][38]

Personal life

Lee married pianist Shin Sung-jin in March 2019. They met as music students at Seoul Institute of the Arts.[39] Shin has steadily participated in her songs by playing musical instruments, rhythm programming, and string arrangements.[40] On January 7, 2025, Lee announced her pregnancy.[41]

Discography

Full Studio Albums

More information Title, Album details ...
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
Unvisible
(보이지 않는 것)
  • Released: October 10, 2013
  • Label: Chili Music Korea
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Unvisible (보이지 않는 것)
  2. A Letter (편지)
  3. I Love You Song (사랑해 쏭)
  4. Time Slow Down (시간아 천천히)
  5. After Years
  6. Believe (믿어요) (feat. Lee Han-jin)
  7. Coloring Book (색칠놀이)
  8. Single Flower of Star (별 한송이)
  9. Ordinary Days (feat. Lee Gyeong-rok)
  10. Farewell Diamond (이별보석)
13
Jinah Restaurant Full Course
(진아식당 Full Course)
  • Released: June 26, 2018
  • Label: Antenna
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Run (with Gray)
  2. What is Love? (편하다는 건 뭘까)
  3. Yum Yum Yum (냠냠냠) (Rebooted Ver. with TAK)
  4. Like & Love
  5. Stairs (계단)
  6. Random
  7. Nothing Special (별것도 아닌 일)
  8. Everyday
  9. What Should I Do (어디서부터)
  10. Bye Bye Bye (밤, 바다, 여행)
  11. Find the Day (오늘을 찾아요)
  12. We Are (우리 시작) (with Sam Kim, Kwon Jin-ah, Jung Seung-hwan, Chai)
40
Hearts of the City
(도시의 속마음)
  • Released: September 13, 2023
  • Label: Antenna
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. My Whole New World
  2. Mystery Village (with producer Simon Petrén)
  3. End of the Journey (여행의 끝에서) (with Stella Jang)
  4. Skyline (도시의 건물)
  5. True Friends ((진정한 친구)
  6. City Lights (with Sarah Kang)
  7. Dreams of Sadness (잠결의 슬픔) (feat. Hong Jin-ho)
  8. Midnight Delivery
  9. Accepting
  10. When You Come Home (너가 집에 오면 난)
  11. Sing! (Prod. Park Moon-chi)
  12. Words() (with Lee Hyo-ri and Lee Sang-soon)
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Extended plays

More information Title, Album details ...
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[43]
Random
  • Released: July 20, 2017
  • Label: Antenna
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Stairs (계단)
  2. Random
  3. Nothing Special (별것도 아닌 일)
  4. Everyday
  5. What Should I Do (어디서부터)
  6. Bye Bye Bye (밤, 바다, 여행)
  7. Find the Day (오늘을 찾아요)
35
Candy Pianist
(캔디 피아니스트)
  • Released: September 29, 2020[45]
  • Label: Antenna
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Candy Pianist (캔디 피아니스트)
  2. The Wall Blocks Me (나를 막는 벽)
  3. Dreamy Alarm (꿈같은 알람)
  4. Noisily Anywhere (여기저기 시끄럽게) (feat. Toy)
  5. Dust (먼지)
  6. Awake (feat. Sam Kim)
28
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Singles

More information Title, Year ...
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[46]
"Coloring Book" (색칠놀이) 2013 Unvisible
"Life is Ninano" (사는게 니나노) 2015 Ad campaign singles
"Road to the Airport" (공항 가는 길)
with J.Y. Park
45
"I'm Full" (배불러) 2016 Appetizer single album
"Starry Night" (밤과 별의 노래)
with Onew
47 SM Station Season 1
"Random" 2017 Random
"Run"
with Gray
2018 Jinah Restaurant Full Course
"I-Nuri Song" (아이누리 Song) 2019 Ad campaign singles
"Warm Heart" (따뜻한 힘)
"Everything Is OK (With Antenna Ver.)"
with Antenna artists
2020 Non-album singles
"Dangerous Dream"
"Our Christmas Wish For You" (겨울의 우리들)
with Antenna artists
107 2020 Antenna Christmas Carol
"Dreamy Alarm" (꿈 같은 알람) Candy Pianist
"Hello Antenna, Hello Christmas"
with Antenna artists
2021 124 2021 Antenna Christmas Carol
"Rum Pum Pum" (람팜팜) 2022 Rum Pum Pum single album
"Where the Wind Rises" (바람이 불어오는 곳) A Daily Adventurer (일상모험歌)
Ad campaign single
"—" denotes release did not chart.
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K-pop Star 4 songs

More information Title, Original artist ...
Title Original
artist
Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[46]
"Time Slow Down" (시간아 천천히) Original
songs
2014 3 K-pop Star Season 4
digital singles
"My Own Way" (마음대로) 2
"Exciting Waltz" (두근두근 왈츠) 2015 83
"Yum Yum Yum" (냠냠냠) 9
"Winter Rich" (겨울부자) 78 K-pop Star Season 4 Top 10 Part 2
"Cheerleader Song" (치어리더 쏭) K-pop Star Season 4 Top 8
"My Reflection in My Heart"
(내 마음에 비친 내 모습)
Yoo Jae-ha K-pop Star Season 4 Top 6
"Reminiscence" (회상) Sanullim K-pop Star Season 4 Top 4 Part 2
"Already One Year (Live)" 벌써 일년)
with Jung Seung-hwan
Brown Eyes 69
"Road" () g.o.d K-pop Star Season 4 Top 3
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Soundtrack appearances

More information Title, Year ...
Title Year Album
"Again and Again" (또또또) 2016 Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo OST
"Good Morning (Piano Solo)" 2017 The Lovebirds: Year 1 OST
"Good Night (Piano Trio)"
"Fly Away" 2018 Shinbi Apartment: Birth of Ghost Ball X OST (season 2)
"Always with Us (Inspired by '파랑')" D Museum Weather exhibition OST[55]
"School Episode: Walk Together" 2019 Music from Sound Garden
digital singles
"Tongyeong Episode: To Cats"
"Camping Episode: Let's Go Camping"
"Stationary Store Episode: Stationary Store"
"Photo Studio Episode: Self Portrait"
"Love With You" 2020 Sweet Munchies OST
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Other appearances

More information Title, Year ...
Title Year Album
"Who's Your Mama? (Soul Ver.)"
J. Y. Park feat. Lee Jin-ah & Ji John
2015 24/34
"I Know Why Stars Twinkle"
Lucid Fall (vocals by Lee Jin-ah)
Someone, Somewhere
"Your Song"
with Sam Kim, Jung Seung-hwan, Kwon Jin-ah
2016 I Am Sam
"I Love You, Be Happy" (사랑해 행복해) Melody to Masterpiece: Track 6
"Granny and Her Old Rocket"
Peppertones with Lee Jin-ah
Long Way
"Meet the Rose" (장미대선)
Hyungdon and Daejun feat. Lee Jin-ah
2017 Non-album single
"You In My Arms" (그대 내 품에)
Yoo Jae-ha cover
Yoo Jae-ha 30th Anniversary: Forever as We Are
"Hope" ()
H.O.T. cover
2019 You Hee-yul's Sketchbook 10th Anniversary Project:
19th Voice
"New Day"
Sam Ock feat. Lee Jin-ah
2020 To Belonging
"Heat Haze"
Younghotstuff feat. Lee Jin Ah Trio
Paradox Life
"LAN Escape"
The Blank Shop feat. Lee Jin-ah
Tailor
"Stairs (Onstage Ver.)" (계단 (온스테이지 Ver.) Onstage 10th Anniversary - Only Onstage: 7
"I Wanna Be Loved" (사랑받고 싶어서)
Deulrejang feat. Lee Jin-ah
2021 Non-album single
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Songwriting credits

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The following credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association database.[56]

More information Year, Title ...
List of songs written or co-written by Lee Jin-ah for other artists
Year Title Artist(s) Album Lyrics Music Arrangement
Credited With Credited With Credited With
2016 "Always" Miiso Good Night No No Yes Miiso
2018 "Singing Like a Wind"
(바람 같은 노래를)
Jung Seung-hwan Spring Again No No Yes
"Think About You"
(Prelude: 너를 생각해)
Yoo Seon-ho Spring, Seonho Yes Yes
"Maybe Spring" (봄이 오면) Yes Yes Yes
"Your Song" (보고 싶어) Yes Yes Yes Jo Sang-jun, Park Hyun
"Fine" (잘 지내요) Jung Seung-hwan Life OST No Yes Yes
2019 "Hide and Seek" (숨바꼭질) Kwon Jin-ah Shape of Me No Yes Hen, You Hee-yeol Yes Kwon Young-chan
2021 "First Love" (첫사랑) Jung Joon-il feat. Sole Non-album single Yes Jung Joon-il No No
"For You, My Sunshine"
(빛나는당신을위해)
Jukjae, Kwon Jin-ah Ad campaign singles Yes Yes Yes
"Walk Home with Me
(Full Band Ver.)"
Jung Seung-hwan Yes Kim Da-mi Yes Yes Seo Ju-young, Park Jong-woo
"Walk Home with Me
(Acoustic Ver.)"
Kwon Jin-ah Yes Kwon Jin-ah Yes Yes
"Adventure" Kwon Jin-ah, Sam Kim Yes Sam Kim, Kwon Jin-ah Yes Sam Kim, Kwon Jin-ah, An Kwang-hyun Yes Simon Petrén, An Kwang-hyun
2022 "Close the Door" (방문을 닫고) Lee Soo-young SORY Yes Yes No
"Don't Ever Leave Me"
(내곁에서 떠나지 말아요)
Sole Seoul Check-in OST Part 8 Yes Jung Joon-il No No
"First Love" (처음 사랑해) Jukjae Ad campaign single Yes Jukjae Yes Jukjae Yes Jukjae
"Frame" (액자) Hong Jin-ho Modern Cello Yes
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More information Year, Title(s) ...
List of jingles written by Lee Jin-ah
Year Title(s) Artist Show/Company
2016 "Logo Song" Lee Jin-ah Park Ji-yoon's Gayo Plaza [ko]
2018 "Jingle 1",
"Logo Song 1"
Lee Jin-ah EBS
"Mallang Song" (말랑송),
"Kulkul Song" (쿨쿨송)
Jung Seung-hwan The Spring Home
"Title Song", "Opening Song", "Ending Song", "Part 2 Signal" Lee Jin-ah Lee Jin-ah's Night Journey [ko]
2021 "Book Hangout" (책하고놀자) Lee Jin-ah Kim Seon-jae's Book Hangout [ko]
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Filmography

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Type Network Notes Ref.
2014–2015 K-pop Star Season 4 Television SBS Contestant [2]
2016 Melody to Masterpiece (노래의탄생) Television tvN Series regular [57][58]
2019 Sound Garden (소리풍경) Web show Lululala Music Host [59]
2019–present Lee Jin-ah's Night Journey [ko] Radio SBS Power FM Host [60]
2021 Clumsy Antenna (우당탕탕 안테나) Web show Kakao TV Main cast (with Antenna artists) [61]
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Awards and nominations

More information Year, Award-giving body ...
Year Award-giving body Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2018 Korean Music Awards Best Pop Album Random Nominated [26][62]
2019 Jinah Restaurant Full Course Nominated [63]
2024 Hearts of the City Won [64]
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References

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