Kei (singer) explained

Kei
Native Name:김지연
Native Name Lang:ko-Hang
Birth Name:Kim Ji-yeon
Birth Date:20 March 1995
Birth Place:Bupyeong District, Incheon, South Korea
Education:Incheon Youngsun High School
Agent:A2Z
Module:
Embed:yes
Genre:K-pop
Years Active:2014–present
Module2:
Child:yes
Headercolor:transparent
Hangul:김지연
Hanja:金志姸
Rr:Gim Jiyeon
Mr:Kim Chiyŏn

Kim Ji-yeon (; 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 the EP, Over and Over on October 8, 2019.[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 2023, Kei participated in Mnet reality competition show Queendom Puzzle, debuting with the resulting project supergroup El7z Up in September of that year.[2]

Biography

Kei was born Kim Ji-yeon on March 20, 1995, in Incheon, South Korea.[3] [4] She graduated from Incheon Youngsun High School.[5]

Career

2014–2015: Debut with Lovelyz

See 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.[6] In December 2015, she recorded the song Love Is Like That for the drama Oh My Venus.

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". On October 26, she released a collaboration with The Solutions titled Beautiful as a part of HIGHGRND label project PLAYGRND.

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.[9] She also went on Duet Song Festival covering Kim Tae-yeon's song "I".[10] Other shows she guested on was Running Man and Idol National Singing Competition.[11]

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.[12]

2019–present: Solo debut, departure from Woollim, musical project and EL7ZUP

See main article: Over and Over (EP). In 2019, she released the extended play (EP) Over and Over, under her real name Kim Ji-yeon.[13] The album and the lead single "I Go" music video were released on October 8.[14]

On November 1, 2021, Woollim Entertainment announced that Kei would not renew her contract and she left the company on November 16, 2021.[15]

On January 10, 2022, it was confirmed that Kei signed with Palm Tree Island, signaling her debut as a full time musical actress.[16] [17]

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.[18]

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.[19]

In December 2022, Kei signed with A2Z Entertainment (Pop Music), with the intention of releasing a solo music album.[20]

On May 26, 2023, Kei was confirmed to have joined the Mnet competition show Queendom Puzzle.[21] 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.[22] [23]

Discography

Singles

As lead artist

TitleYearPeak chart positionsSales
Album
KOR
[26]
"I Go"2019—Over and Over
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Collaborations

TitleYearPeak chart positionsSales
Album
KOR
"Y"
[27] 		201649 rowspan="2"
"Beautiful"
[29] [30] 		—rowspan="2"
"Wanna Date"
[31] 		2017—Story About: Some, One Month Eps 5
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Soundtrack appearances

TitleYearPeak chart positionsSales
Album
KOR
"Love Moves On" [32] 2015—Oh My Venus OST Part 6
"Tingle" [33] 2016—Lucky Romance OST Part 1
"Star and Sun" [34] 2017— The Emperor: Owner of the Mask OST Part 4
"These Days You & I" [36] 2018—Queen of Mystery 2 OST Part 2
"Let's Pray"[37] [38] —Rich Man OST Part 3
"If I Convey My Heart" [39] —The Last Empress OST Part 3
"My Absolute Boyfriend" [40] 2019—My Absolute Boyfriend OST Part 4
"Ride Or Die"[41]
2020—Run On OST Part 2
"Good-Bye Days"
2021—Midnight Sun OST Part 2
"Good-Bye Days"
—Midnight Sun OST Part 3
"Good-Bye Days"
—Midnight Sun OST Part 4
"Will My Day Ever Come" —Midnight Sun OST Part 5
"Good-Bye Days"
—
"A Fairy Tale" —Starting Point of Dating OST Part 2
"As I Become Your Wind – Noi Theme" —Blade & Soul 2 - I Become Your Wind OST
"As I Become Your Wind – Noi Theme (Acoustic Ver.)" —Blade & Soul 2 - Pieces of Memory OST
"Just Stay" —History of The Bible OST
"Love Song" [42] 2023— Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 OST Part 2
"Wind Song" —Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 OST Part 4
"Summer Love Blues" [43] —Summer, Lovemachine, Blues OST
"Bye" —A Time Called You OST Part 2
"Falling" 2024—Dreaming of Freaking Fairytale OST Part 1
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Filmography

Web series

YearTitleRoleNotes
2016Matching! Boys Archery ClubHong Shi-ah
scope=row2021ONAIR - Secret Contract CameoSitcom [44]

Television shows

Theatre

YearTitleRole
2017At The Age of ThirtyOkhee[47]
2021Midnight SunSeo Haena[48]
2022XcaliburGuinevere[49]
Death NoteAmane Misa [50]
ONAIRDJ[51]

Awards and nominations

Award ceremony! scope="col"
YearCategoryNominee / WorkResult
KBS Entertainment Awards2018Best New Actress in Talk & ShowMusic Bank[52]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ko:케이, 오늘은 러블리즈 아닌 솔로 김지연..."역사적 순간, 행복한 떨림"[V라이브 종합]. https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/112/0003220903. Naver. October 9, 2019.
  2. Web site: ko:'엘즈업 재데뷔' 휘서·나나·유키·케이·여름·연희·예은의 새 출발 [MK★이슈]. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=410&aid=0000954485. Naver. February 22, 2024. ko. August 16, 2023.
  3. Web site: Kei Profile. lvlz8.com. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160806152755/http://www.lvlz8.com/profile_kei.wol. August 6, 2016.
  4. Web site: Lovelyz Profile – NowKPop. August 27, 2015. August 19, 2016. January 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180114014503/http://www.nowkpop.com/2015/08/27/lovelyz-profile/. dead.
  5. Web site: Kei . Hanple . December 13, 2018 . ko.
  6. Web site: ko:러블리즈, 17일 데뷔앨범 발매..소녀감성+음악성 담았다. http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1110010127. Seon. Mi-kyoung. November 17, 2014. April 19, 2021. . ko.
  7. Web site: Bang . Soong-hwa . ko:'걸스피릿' 케이, 언니와 완성한 그림 같은 무대로 1위…다원 2위 (종합) . https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0000650189 . . Esports News . December 13, 2018 . ko . September 14, 2016.
  8. News: Here is everything you need to know about Lovelyz singer Kei's K-drama 'Matching! Boys Archery Club'. Dilip. Mangala. International Business Times, India Edition. November 23, 2018.
  9. News: Jung Ahn-ji . ko:'복면가왕' 제리 정체는 러블리즈 케이 '깜짝 반전'. http://sports.chosun.com/news/utype.htm?id=201704240100221430016178&ServiceDate=20170423. Sports Chosun. April 23, 2017. April 23, 2017. ko.
  10. Web site: Lee . Sang-eun . ko:'듀엣가요제' 러블리즈 케이-황세영, 태연 '아이'로 환상적인 무대 . http://www.kyeongin.com/main/view.php?key=20170303010001002 . Kyeongin . December 13, 2018 . ko . March 3, 2017.
  11. Variety references:
  12. News: Jeong Da-hoon . ko:[공식입장]'뮤직뱅크' 새 MC 러블리즈 케이·최원명 확정. http://www.sedaily.com/NewsView/1S0QATEIY1. Seoul Economy Daily. June 8, 2018. June 8, 2018. ko.
  13. Web site: ko:러블리즈 케이, 10월 8일 데뷔 5년만 솔로데뷔. https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/076/0003473800. Naver. October 9, 2019.
  14. Web site: ko:"희망 전하고파" 러블리즈 케이 #첫 솔로 #김지연 #퀸덤 #족발(일문일답). https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/421/0004238901. Naver. October 9, 2019.
  15. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=001&aid=0012762625. Lee Tae-soo. ko:러블리즈, 울림과 계약 만료…7명 소속사 떠난다. Lovelyz and Woollim's contract expired... 7 people leave the agency . Yonhap News Agency. . November 1, 2021. November 1, 2021. ko.
  16. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=477&aid=0000332091 . Kang Hyo-jin. ko:팜트리아일랜드 "러블리즈 케이와 전속계약 논의중"[공식]. Palm Tree Island "Debating an exclusive contract with Lovelyz K" [Official]. SPOTV News. . December 6, 2021. December 11, 2021. ko.
  17. News: Yoo. Byung-cheol. January 10, 2022. ko: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. https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=215&aid=0001008328. January 10, 2022. Naver. ko.
  18. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=215&aid=0001034698. Yoo. Byung-chul. ko: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. Korea Economy TV. Naver. May 30, 2022. May 30, 2022. ko.
  19. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=311&aid=0001473454. Jo Hye-jin. ko:러블리즈 출신 케이, 홀로서기 후 첫 단독 팬미팅 개최. Kei from Lovelyz holds first solo fan meeting after standing alone . X-ports News. Naver. July 11, 2022. July 11, 2022. ko.
  20. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=312&aid=0000583552. Kang. Min-kyung. ko:[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. Ten Asia . Naver. December 2, 2022. December 2, 2022. ko.
  21. Web site: Eun-hye . Kim . May 26, 2023 . ko:'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" . http://www.newsinside.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=1376937 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230814134100/http://www.newsinside.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=1376937 . August 14, 2023 . August 18, 2023 . News Inside . ko.
  22. Web site: Hyun-jung . Kim . August 16, 2023 . ko:'퀸덤퍼즐' 엘즈업 최종멤버 7명 공개...휘서부터 예은까지 . 'Queendom Puzzle' L's Up 7 final members revealed... From Hwiseo to Yeeun . https://www.gukjenews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2787987 . August 18, 2023 . Gukje News . ko.
  23. Web site: Wan-sik . Moon . August 16, 2023 . ko: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!" . https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0003174790 . 2023-08-18 . Star News . ko . Naver.
  24. Web site: Gaon Album Chart – Over and Over (Week 41, 2019). Gaon Chart. ko. October 17, 2019.
  25. Web site: http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=10&hitYear=2019&termGbn=month . ko:2019년 10월 Album Chart . October 2019 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart. November 7, 2019. ko.
  26. Web site: Gaon Digital Chart. Gaon Music Chart. ko. September 20, 2016.
  27. Web site: Y. . October 9, 2019. ko. September 2, 2016.
  28. Web site: Gaon Download Chart – September 2016. Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Association. October 13, 2016.
  29. Web site: Beautiful. Melon. October 9, 2019. ko. October 27, 2016.
  30. Web site: Park. Sae-jin . Lovelyz's Kei collaborates with THE SOLUTIONS for new MV . Aju Business Daily. December 13, 2018. October 27, 2016.
  31. Web site: Story About : 썸, 한달 Episode 5. Melon. October 9, 2019. ko. June 28, 2017.
  32. Web site: ko:오 마이 비너스 OST Part.6. https://m.app.melon.com/album/music.htm?albumId=2657839. . December 13, 2018. ko. December 21, 2015.
  33. Web site: ko:운빨로맨스 OST Part.1 . https://m.app.melon.com/album/music.htm?albumId=2686871 . Melon. October 15, 2016. ko. May 25, 2016.
  34. Web site: ko:군주 – 가면의 주인 OST Part.4. https://m.app.melon.com/album/music.htm?albumId=10064992 . Melon. October 9, 2019. ko. May 25, 2017.
  35. Web site: Gaon Download Chart – Week 21 of 2017. Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Association. June 1, 2017.
  36. Web site: ko:추리의 여왕 시즌2 OST Part.2. https://m.app.melon.com/album/music.htm?albumId=10145612 . Melon. October 9, 2019. ko. March 8, 2018.
  37. Web site: ko:리치맨 OST Part.3. https://m.app.melon.com/album/music.htm?albumId=10170529 . Melon. October 9, 2019. ko. May 26, 2018.
  38. Web site: ko:러블리즈 케이, '리치맨' OST 참여…따뜻한 힐링송 'Let's Pray' . http://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype.htm?id=201805260100234390018296&servicedate=20180526 . . December 13, 2018 . ko . May 26, 2018.
  39. Web site: ko:황후의 품격 OST Part.3. https://m.app.melon.com/album/music.htm?albumId=10237159 . Melon. October 9, 2019. ko. December 27, 2018.
  40. Web site: ko:절대그이 OST Part.4. https://m.app.melon.com/album/music.htm?albumId=10294236 . Melon. October 9, 2019. ko. June 6, 2019.
  41. Web site: Ride Or Die (런 온 OST Part.2). Melon. January 9, 2021. ko. December 23, 2020.
  42. Web site: https://mobile.newsis.com/view.html?ar_id=NISX20230512_0002300544 . ko:'러블리즈' 출신 케이, '구미호뎐1938' OST 가창 . Kei from 'Lovelyz' sings the OST of 'The Tale of a Gumiho 1938' . May 12, 2023 . . ko . Jeong . Jin-ah . August 24, 2023.
  43. Web site: https://mobile.newsis.com/view.html?ar_id=NISX20230714_0002377081#_PA . Kei 'Summer, Love Machine Blues' OST singing... 'Summer Love Blues' . ko . . July 14, 2023 . Moon . Ye-bin . August 24, 2023 . ko:케이 '썸머, 러브머신 블루스' OST 가창…'썸머 러브 블루스'.
  44. News: Sin Ji-won. ko:케이X 영재X 유회승, '온에어-비밀계약' 출연...대세 K팝 아티스트들의 향연. https://www.hankyung.com/entertainment/article/202104019847I. The Korea Economic Daily. April 1, 2021. April 2, 2021. ko.
  45. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=311&aid=0001418182. Jo Hye-jin. ko:러블리즈 케이‧우주소녀 엑시 만난다…新 '봄캐럴' 제작 예고. Lovelyz's Kei meets Cosmic Girls' Exy... New 'Spring Carol' production notice. xportsnews. Naver. March 8, 2022. March 8, 2022. ko.
  46. Web site: https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0004853044. ko:우주소녀 여름→우아! 나나, '퀸덤 퍼즐' 1차 라인업 전격 공개 [Oh!쎈 이슈]. . ko. May 18, 2023. May 18, 2023.
  47. Web site: Gwak . Young-rae . ko:[Oh!커피 한 잔①] 조승욱 PD "산·백·케, '서른즈음에' 가치 알아줘 고맙다" . https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0003634270 . . . December 13, 2018 . ko . October 10, 2018.
  48. Web site: 2021-03-09. ko:샤이니 온유→데이식스 원필, 뮤지컬 '태양의 노래' 1차 캐스팅(공식). https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/609/0000410450. 2021-05-02. m.naver.com. ko.
  49. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=144&aid=0000779107. Lee Jae-eun. ko:김성규·김소향·케이 '엑스칼리버' 앙코르 공연 합류 [공식]. Kim Seong-gyu, Kim So-hyang, K join the 'Xcalibur' encore performance [Official] . Sports Kyunghyang. . December 6, 2021. December 11, 2021. ko.
  50. Web site: https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=477&aid=0000339326. Jang Jin-ri. ko: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. SPOTV News. Naver. January 24, 2022. January 24, 2022. ko.
  51. Web site: ONAIR' 새 라인업 발표…러블리즈 케이→권은비 [공식]]. Lee Jae-eun. Announcing the new lineup of 'ONAIR'… Lovelyz K→Kwon Eunbi [Official]. Sports Kyunghyang. Naver. February 3, 2022. February 3, 2022. ko.
  52. Web site: https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2018/12/22/2018122201269.html. ko:이하늬 에릭남 최원명 케이, 버라이어티·토크쇼 신인상 수상 [2018 KBS 연예대상]. Chosun. May 23, 2021.

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