# Lee Chae-yeon

Chae-yeon Lee (Korean: 이채연; born Lee Jin-Sook (이진숙; 李珍淑); December 10, 1978), best known as Chae Yeon, is a Korean pop singer who rose to fame with her hit single "Two of Us" (둘이서) in 2004.

## Career
### Beginning of career

Lee originally began her career in Japan as part of Brand New Biscuits [ja](ブランニュービスケット), debuting in Japan on January 1, 2001, as part of a six-member lineup. Brand New Biscuits included also another Korean singer, Yuny Han. Lee was also member of the group UltraCats (ウルトラキャッツ) under the name of "Jinny" (ジニー) or "Jinny Lee" (ジニー・リー) from 2001 to 2002.
Having passed an audition held by an entertainment management company in Japan, Lee first appeared on a show called Uchan Nanchan no Urinari [ja] (ウッチャンナンチャンのウリナリ!!) on Japanese NTV. She appeared on the show for almost three years. Along with the television show, she performed as a singer, releasing three singles and one mini-album in Japan.

### Pursuing career as an entertainer in Korea

She returned to Korea with her first official album It's My Time under her new stage name, Chae Yeon. Initially, she was simply viewed as yet another "sexy concept" singer, as many female singers were at that time. Her debut song "위험한 연출" ("Dangerous Directing") did well, but her real success came when her second album released late in 2004. "Two of Us (둘이서)", the lead single, pushed her to No.1 on many music charts in the spring of 2005. The music video for "Two of Us" was controversial for being too "racy" in conservative Korea, as it contained scenes showing her full back and exposed underwear. Subsequently, the video was banned on television, and the airing time was limited to after 10:00 p.m. on some cable channels. Becoming heavily played on radio, the song became so popular that a signature move from the choreographed dance became known as the "Na-na-na" dance, named after the hook of the song. It managed to hit the top of various music charts in Korea. The follow-up single "Come to Me (다가와)" was released soon after and was also popular, riding on the wave of its predecessor.
She returned after a brief break to release her third album III, which came in the fall of 2005. The first single, "오직 너", fared poorly on the charts. The record company then quickly switched to the "Disco Mix" of the song, which helped sustain its life on the charts, although not by much. The second single, "Third Love (세번째 사랑)", also fared poorly. However, this can be attributed to the fade of sexy R&B music in Korea at the time, as ballads were once again the style of choice for Korean singers.
Lee has continually participated in variety shows such as SBS's X-Man and Love Letter. She ended her official schedule with her last X-Man episode on September 25, 2005, to concentrate on recording her fourth album.
Although briefly hospitalised due to exhaustion, she made her comeback at the end of March 2006. Her lead single from her fourth album was "My Love", which was a Latin-tinged dance song. The single was extensively performed, with a remix promoted from May onwards; she then followed up with "Clumsy Love (서투른 사랑)". The album sold 12,346 copies in 2007, placing 68th for the year. She continued to remain a "sexy" singer, saying that she does not mind the label.
In addition to promoting her album, Lee joined the cast of Hi-Five, part of KBS's Happy Sunday line-up. On the reality-variety show, which also starred Hyun Young, the stars attempted to succeed in various tasks, including starring in a musical, becoming flight attendants, and performing action movie stunts. She remained a part of the show until its cancellation in 2008.
Later that year, she drew media attention with her investment into, and direct involvement with Bequem, a fashion company. She is a spokesperson for the brand, promoting its stylized caps and bags. Moreover, her portfolio with a sexy "Party" concept hit record sales by mixing her sexy image with feminine touches.
The singer came back after a two-year hiatus from the music world with her mini-album Shake. Continuing to stay within the "sexy singer" concept, the lead single "Shake (Heundeullyeo)" is an electronic dance song. The music video was labelled by major networks to be unfit for broadcast without parental advisory warnings.
On December 8, 2009, Lee had her first live mini concert in China. She performed her songs to a sold-out crowd.
On July 22, 2010, Lee made her comeback on M! Countdown. She performed "Crazy" and "Look Look Look" from her new album. It was well received by fans. She continued to perform on various music programs and promote her album. Her second mini album "Look at" was released on July 29, 2010.
She has stated that although she felt awkward and uncomfortable with her sexy image initially, she feels more at ease now, and has stated that she feels sexier the more she relaxes.
In 2015, after a five-year hiatus, Lee made a comeback with the single "Obvious".
On October 17, 2016, she signed with A9 media. She had been promoting mostly in China for a while, so through this label, Lee began promoting actively in Korea through variety shows, dramas, and musicals.
In 2018, she made a comeback with the single "Bazzaya".
On August 20, 2019, her agency Cai Entertainment announced that she will be releasing a new song monthly until December. Her new single "Empty Heart (텅텅빈맘)" was released on August 20, 2019. On September 10, 2019, she released the single "Fly High".
On June 1, 2020, Lee released the single "Pink Monster (핑크몬스터)".
On October 18, 2021, after a three-year hiatus, Lee made a comeback with the ballad single "Sometimes I Cry".

## Personal life

Lee was born in Seoul on December 10, 1978. She is a graduate of the Department of Broadcasting & Entertainment, Seoul Arts College. Her family consists of her parents and her older brother.

## Discography
### Studio albums

| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
| Title | Album details | KOR | Sales |
| It's My Time | Released: August 20, 2003 Label: CJ Media Line Format: CD, cassette Track listing 시간 [Time] (Intro) 위험한 연출 [Dangerous Directing] 사랑느낌 [Feeling of Love] 소중한 사랑 [Precious Love] 남자의 사랑 [Men's Love] 세잎 클로버 [Clover] 기도 [Prayer] 너만의 매력 [Your Very Own Charm] 상처 [Injury] 오래된 연인 [Old Couple] 소문 [Rumors] 휴식 [Relaxation] (Outro) | — | |
| Virginalness Bloom | Released: December 13, 2004 Label: CJ Media Line Format: CD, cassette Track listing 둘이서 [The Two of Us] 지독한 외면 [Damm Exterior] 다가와 [Come to Me] 보고싶어 [I Want To See] 믿어 [Trust] ft. D-Low 다 끝났어 [It's Over] 행복한 눈물 [Happy Tears] Dance All Night 널 사랑할게 [You'll Love] 사랑인가봐! [I Love Sugar!] 추억만으로 [Only Memories] ft. D-Low 바보 [Fool] | — | |
| Chae Yeon | Released: November 18, 2005 Label: CJ Media Line, Yecheon Media Format: CD, cassette Track listing 오직 너 (Only You) 하얀눈 (White Snow) 덫 (Trap) 욕심쟁이 (Greedy One) 세번째 사랑 (Third Love Feat. Red Roc) 너땜에 (Because of You) 가지마 (Don't Go) 미궁 (Labyrinth) 사랑이 오려나봐 (Maybe Love Is Coming) You 나쁜여자 (Bad Girl) 오직너(디스코 클럽) (Only You [Disco Club Remix]) | 16 | KOR: 14,550 |
| My Love | Released: March 30, 2007 Label: CJ Media Line, Yecheon Media Format: CD Track listing My Love 한 사람 (One Person) 부탁 (Request) 낯설은 거짓말 (A Strange Lie) 게임 (Game) 아련한 기다림 (Subtle Waiting) 서투른 사랑 (Clumsy Love) Tell Me 고귀한 사랑 (Precious Love) 서글픈 이별 (Lonesome Break Up) Party tonight My Love (Global Re-mix) 낯설은 거짓말 (Benny Re-mix) (A Strange Lie) 서투른 사랑 (Mojo House Re-mix) (Clumsy Love) My Love (Bossa Re-mix) | 11 | KOR: 12,346 |

### Single albums

| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Album details | KOR |
| Bazzaya | Released: November 13, 2018 Label: Cai Entertainment Format: CD, digital download | 70 |

### Compilation albums

| Title | Album details |
| Figure + Best Album | Released: May 23, 2006 Label: Yecheon Media Format: CD, cassette Track listing 가지마 하얀눈 보고 싶어 행복한 눈물 욕심쟁이 소중한 사랑 널 사랑할게 세 번째 사랑 [Remix] 둘이서 오직 너 [Remix] 너땜에 다가와 사랑인가봐 위험한 연출 사링느낌 남자의 사랑 |

### Extended plays

| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Album details | KOR |
| Shake | Released: May 13, 2009 Label: Vitamin Entertainment Format: CD Track listing 흔들려 (Shake) 울랄라 (Ooh La La) 바보야 (Fool) 이별예감 (Parting Premonition) 변심 (Change Of Mind) 서투른 이별 (Clumsy Parting) 잊자 (Let's Forget) 흔들려 (Shake) (DJ Koo Club Radio Remix Ver.) 흔들려 (Shake) (DJ Koo Club Extend Remix Ver.) 울랄라 (Club Radio Remix Ver.) 울랄라 (Club Extend Remix Ver | — |
| Look At | Released: July 29, 2010 Label: Stone Music Entertainment Format: CD, digital download Track listing 요즘 여자 Nowadays women Come and Get Me 거짓말 Lie (feat A.minor) 봐봐봐 Look Look Look Crazy Ma Lover (feat A.minor) | 10 |

### Singles

| Title | Year | Album |
| "Dangerous Directing" (위험한 연출) | 2003 | It's My Time |
| "Two Of Us" (둘이서) | 2004 | Virginalness Bloom |
| "Only You" (오직너) | 2005 | Chae Yeon |
| "Third Love" (세번째 사랑) | 2006 | Chae Yeon |
| "My Love" | 2007 | My Love |
| "Shake" (흔들려) | 2009 | Shake |
| "Look Look Look" (봐봐봐) | 2010 | Look At |
| "Obvious" (안봐도 비디오) feat. Huh In-chang | 2015 | Non-album single |
| "Bazzaya" (봤자야) | 2018 | Bazzaya |
| "Sometimes I Cry" (난 가끔 눈물을 흘린다) | 2021 | Non-album single |

## Endorsements

* D&G [Fashion Wear]
* Elle Korea
* Jinro Soju
* DnShop [Fashion Wear, Cosmetic Products]
* Make Up For Ever [Make-up Cosmetic]
* ChocoGem [Handmade Accessory]

## Filmography
### Television shows

| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
| 2023 | Show King Night | Judge | |

## Awards and nominations

| Award | Year | Category | Nominated work / nominee | Result |
| KBS Music Awards | 2005 | Singer of the Year | Chae Yeon | Won |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2003 | Best New Artist | "Dangerous Directing" | Nominated |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2005 | Best Female Artist | "Two Of Us" | Nominated |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2007 | Best Female Artist | "My Love" | Nominated |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2009 | Best Female Artist | "Shake" | Nominated |
| SBS Gayo Daejeon | 2005 | Dance Award | Chae Yeon | Won |
| SBS Gayo Daejeon | 2006 | Dance Award | Chae Yeon | Won |