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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]
Lee Jin-ah | |
|---|---|
_on_July_30,_2015.jpg) Lee in July 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | March 16, 1991 Gwangju, South Korea |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Labels | Antenna |
| Website | antenna |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 이진아 |
| Hanja | 李珍雅 |
| Revised Romanization | I Jina |
| McCune–Reischauer | I China |
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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]
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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]
Full Studio Albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR | |||
| Unvisible (보이지 않는 것) |
Track listing
|
13 |
|
| Jinah Restaurant Full Course (진아식당 Full Course) |
Track listing
|
40 | — |
| Hearts of the City (도시의 속마음) |
Track listing
|
||
Extended plays
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [42] | |||
| Random |
Track listing
|
35 |
|
| Candy Pianist (캔디 피아니스트) |
|
28 | — |
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [45] | ||||
| "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. | ||||
K-pop Star 4 songs
| Title | Original artist |
Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [45] | |||||
| "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" (길) | g.o.d | — | — | K-pop Star Season 4 Top 3 |
Soundtrack appearances
| 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[54] | |
| "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 |
Other appearances
| 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" (빛) 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 |
The following credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association database.[55]
| 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 | — | — | — | |
| Year | Title(s) | Artist | Show/Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | "Logo Song" | Lee Jin-ah | Park Ji-yoon's Gayo Plaza |
| 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 | |
| 2021 | "Book Hangout" (책하고놀자) | Lee Jin-ah | Kim Seon-jae's Book Hangout |
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| 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 | [56][57] |
| 2019 | Sound Garden (소리풍경) | Web show | Lululala Music | Host | [58] |
| 2019–present | Lee Jin-ah's Night Journey | Radio | SBS Power FM | Host | [59] |
| 2021 | Clumsy Antenna (우당탕탕 안테나) | Web show | Kakao TV | Main cast (with Antenna artists) | [60] |
| Year | Award-giving body | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Korean Music Awards | Best Pop Album | Random | Nominated | [26][61] |
| 2019 | Jinah Restaurant Full Course | Nominated | [62] | ||
| 2024 | Hearts of the City | Won |
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