# Ailee

Amy Lee (born May 30, 1989), known professionally as Ailee, is an American singer and songwriter based in South Korea. Amassing digital sales success in South Korea, she has released four studio albums, six extended plays, and twenty one singles, six of which charted within the top five of the Gaon Digital Chart.
She debuted in 2012 with her first single "Heaven", which peaked at number three on the Gaon Digital Chart and earned her Best New Artist Awards at the Melon Music Awards, Golden Disc Awards, Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards, and Seoul Music Awards. She won four consecutive Mnet Asian Music Award for Best Female Vocal Performance titles from 2013 to 2016, with "U&I", "Singing Got Better", "Mind Your Own Business", and "If You" respectively. Her 2017 single, "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow", recorded for the soundtrack of the television drama series Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016), won several awards and was the most digitally successful song of that year, becoming the best-selling record in movies and dramas in the Korean sound record market.

## Early life and education

Ailee was born in Denver, Colorado, on May 30, 1989, and grew up in New Jersey. She attended Palisades Park High School before moving to nearby Leonia. After her Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School graduation, she studied communications at Pace University before dropping out to pursue a career in music.

## Career
### 2010–2011: Career beginnings

Before her K-pop debut, Ailee was signed under Muzo Entertainment, an independent agency in New York City and New Jersey. Under that label she collaborated with several artists, including Johnnyphlo and Philadelphia-based rapper Decipher. Before moving to South Korea, Ailee created the YouTube channels "mzamyx3" and "aileemusic" to bring attention to her singing on the web.
Ailee moved to South Korea in 2010 after she landed a music label audition through her uncle's connections. She sang "Resignation" by Big Mama during the audition and was recruited for YMC Entertainment on the spot. During her training, YMC featured her in the label's Wheesung song, "They Are Coming", which it released in October 2011. She also sang in Decipher and Jay Park's song "Catch Me If You Can". In September 2011, Ailee and Wheesung were featured on the MBC's Chuseok special episode of Singer and Trainee. Ailee performed "Halo" by Beyoncé to a positive reaction from the audience. Following her performance of "Halo", judge BMK said, "Wherever she goes, she has the potential to be a big star. She definitely has the voice." After the judges had graded all the participants, Ailee was the first-place winner.

### 2012: Debut and commercial success

On February 9, 2012, Ailee released her debut single "Heaven" along with the music video, which featured Gi Kwang of Beast. On the same day, she made her debut stage performance of "Heaven" on M Countdown. Billboard commented, "From her debut single, Ailee proved that she had an ability beyond her years to communicate the deeper experiences one feels in love. In this dedication track, Ailee's partner protected her and taught her how to love in a harsh world." The success of the single, helped Ailee win her first award at the 2012 Cyworld Digital Music Awards. The single received the Song of the month (February) and Rookie of the month at the award ceremony.
On October 16, 2012, Ailee released her debut EP, Invitation, with the title track "I Will Show You". The EP contained a total of six tracks. It was produced by producers such as Kim Do-hoon, Lee Hyun-seung, Park Guen-tae, Duble Sidekick, Wheesung, and featured artists such as Verbal Jint, Swings and Simon Dominic.
In 2012, Ailee was awarded the Best New Artist Award at the Seoul Music Awards, Melon Music Awards, Mnet Asian Music Awards, and Golden Disk Awards, as well as the New Female Solo Artist Award at the Gaon Chart Music Awards. She has also received the Mnet America Rising Star Award, a special award presented by Mnet America at the pre-show of 55th Grammy Awards.

### 2013–2014: Commercial popularity

On July 12, 2013, Ailee released her second Ep, titled A's Doll House. The EP's title track, "U&I" topped various music charts within four hours of release. On November 6, 2013, Ailee made her Japanese debut with Japanese-version of "Heaven" and "Starlight" under Warner Music Japan.
On January 6, 2014, Ailee released a single titled "Singing Got Better", produced by Wheesung. The song peaked at number one upon released on various music chart. The single has received the Best Vocal Performance at the 2014 Mnet Asian Music Awards. On September 25, 2014, Ailee released her third EP, titled Magazine. The EP's title track, "Don't Touch Me" peaked at number one upon released on various music chart. The single received the Digital Bonsang at the 2015 Golden Disc Awards.

### 2015–2016: Breakthrough with Vivid

After wrapping up her joint Unite the Mic Tour with Jay Park and San E in Toronto in March 2015, plans were revealed for Ailee to hold a solo concert three years after her debut. Her first solo concert, titled Fatal Attraction, was held on July 4, 2015, at the Olympic Hall. Ailee was joined on stage several times by different artists who helped her sing her many duets and collaborations. She sang "Shut Up" with Showry, "Like Nobody Knows" and "Comma 07" with Cheetah, "Wash Away" and "Officially Missing You" with Geeks, "NimA" and "Shower of Tears" with Baechigi, and "Touch My Body" and "Let"s Go Travel" with Shin Bo-ra.
Ailee's first full-length album Vivid was released on September 30, 2015. She won her first trophy for this promotion on October 7, 2015, on Show Champion. Ailee was awarded the Best Female Vocal Award for the third consecutive year at the 2015 Mnet Asian Music Awards, for "Mind Your Own Business".
On July 13, 2016, Ailee was confirmed to participate as a judge on Superstar K 2016. On August 23, 2016, Ailee released her single "If You", which subsequently topped the Gaon Weekly Chart for Digital Download. On October 5, 2016, Ailee released her EP A New Empire, along with the music video for "Home" that was officially released on LOEN and YMC Entertainment's official YouTube channel. A New Empire peaked at number 10 on the Gaon Album Chart, and number nine on the US World Albums (Billboard) Chart. On December 2, 2016, Ailee was again awarded with Best Vocal Performance at the 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards, this time for "If You", a record-breaking fourth consecutive win in the category.

### 2017–2018: OST success and solo concert tours

On January 7, 2017, Ailee released her debut American single "Fall Back" through WestSide Entertainment under the alias A.Leean. She also released the ballad "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow" (첫눈처럼 너에게 가겠다) on the same day as part nine in a series composed of singles for the South Korean cable television series Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. The single topped the Gaon Digital Chart for three consecutive weeks. The single earned Ailee the Best OST Award at the 2017 Korea Cable TV Awards. The soundtrack has also received several accolades, including the best original soundtrack award at the Seoul International Drama Awards, the Mnet Asian Music Awards, the Melon Music Awards, the Seoul Music Awards and the Golden Disc Awards.
Ailee previously held two Christmas concerts in Seoul titled Welcome Home at Kyunghee University's Grand Peace Palace on December 24–25, 2016. Due to the success of the concerts, it was announced that Ailee would be holding her first nationwide tour, titled Welcome Home Tour, which started in Daegu on April 1, 2017. On June 25, 2017, in The City Hall at Taipei International Convention Center, Ailee held her first solo concert in Taiwan titled Ailee – Hello Taipei 2017. On November 18 and 19, Ailee held two concerts at the Pechanga Theater in California, selling out a total of 2,600 tickets combined.
On March 18, 2018, Ailee performed "I Will Show You" at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games at the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium. On September 14, 2018, Ailee was chosen as a member of the South Korean cultural delegation, alongside other selected South Korean artists, for the third inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang, North Korea, where she performed her OST "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow". On November 23, 2018, Ailee announced her second nationwide tour, titled I Am: Ailee.

### 2019–2023: Butterfly, continued touring, I'm, Lovin, Amy and I'm Lovin' Amy

Ailee released her second studio album, titled Butterfly, on July 2, 2019, with the lead single "Room Shaker". On September 10, 2019, Ailee announced on Instagram that she started a new company named, "Rocket3 Entertainment" after being signed with YMC Entertainment for eight years. On December 13, 2019, Ailee released her first English language single under American label, Sun and Sky Records. The single, entitled "Sweater", was hailed as "a heart-wrenching-yet-soothing ballad" by Billboard.
Ailee released her fifth extended play titled I'm on October 6, 2020, with the lead single "When We Were In Love". The music video was released on October 12, 2020, and was directed by Will Kim. On November 8, 2020, Ailee released "Blue Bird", an OST that would be part nine of singles for the South Korean drama Start-Up.
On May 7, 2021, Ailee released her sixth extended play titled Lovin', ahead of the release of her third studio album. The extended play includes two lead singles, "Make Up Your Mind" and "Spring Flowers". On July 22, 2021, Ailee joined The L1ve as their first official artist. On October 14, 2021, it was announced that Ailee will be releasing her third studio album Amy on October 27, with the lead single "Don't Teach Me".
On March 7, 2022, Ailee released her English studio album I'm Lovin' Amy. In July 2022, it was announced that Ailee's contract with The L1ve would expire later that month. On July 31, A2Z Entertainment announced that Ailee had signed on with the agency. On November 3, 2022, announced that the '2022 Ailee National Tour Concert 'One Step More', scheduled to take place on the 5th and 6th, has been postponed to January 28 and 29, 2023, on the aftermath of the Seoul Halloween crowd crush.
On September 1, 2023, Ailee released her single "I'll Hold You".

### 2025–present: (Me)moir

On February 21, Ailee posted a mood photo with the caption "Coming Soon". On February 24, the scheduler was released, announcing her 7th mini album, (Me)moir, which is set to be released on March 20, 2025.

## Personal life

In May 2024, Ailee announced that she will marry Choi Si-hun, who is known internationally as a Single's Inferno participant. On November 19, A2Z Entertainment announced that the couple will be getting married on April 20, 2025.

## Filmography
### Television drama

| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
| 2012 | Dream High 2 | Ailee | |

### Television shows

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2012 | Vitamin | Main cast | |
| 2013–2014 | Great Marriage | Main cast | |
| 2014 | MBC Music Ailee's Vitamin | Main cast | |
| 2016 | Superstar K 2016 (K8) | Judge | |
| 2017 | One Night Food Trip: Food Race | Cast member | Ep. 6–10 |
| 2018 | Hyena on the Keyboard | Producer | With Jeong Dong-hwan (Ep. 1–2) |
| 2018 | The Call | Contestant and producer | Ep. 1–8 |
| 2019 | Vocal Play | Judge | |
| 2020 | Good Girl | Contestant | |
| 2021 | The Ghost and Molly McGee | Atomic Pink | |

### Web shows

| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
| 2020 | G-Star 2020 – Krafton | Cast member | |

## Tours and concerts
### Welcome Home Tour

The 'Welcome Home Tour was the first nationwide tour by Ailee, in support of her fourth extended play A New Empire. The tour visited six cities through 2016 and 2017.

#### Set list

* "U&I"
* "Worth it"
* "Mind Your Own Business"
* "Home"
* "Heaven" with Lee Min Jung
* "Now" with Park Su Bin
* "Evening Sky"
* "Singing Got Better"
* "If You"
* "Everyone"
* "Letting Go" with Amber Liu
* "Shake that Brass" with Amber Liu
* "Live or Die" with Tak
* "Wrong Encounter", "Bruise" and "Run to You" Mix
* "No No No"
* "Don't Touch Me"
* "I Will Show You"

#### Encore

* "All I Want for Christmas is You", "Must Have Love", "White Love" and "Jingle Bells". (Christmas Song Medley)
* "U&I"
* "Worth it"
* "Mind Your Own Business"
* "Home"
* "Heaven"
* "Now"
* "Evening Sky"
* "Singing Got Better"
* "If You"
* "Everyone"
* "I Need You"
* "Cherry Blossom Ending"
* "What the Spring"
* "Feelin" with Eric Nam
* "Wrong Meeting", "Bruise", "Run to You". (Dance Song Medley)
* "No No No"
* "Reminiscing"
* "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow"

#### Encore

* "Don't Touch Me"
* "I Will Show You"
Tour dates :
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Audience |
| December 24, 2016 | Seoul | South Korea | Kyunghee University, Grand Peace Palace | 20,000 |
| December 25, 2016 | Seoul | South Korea | Kyunghee University, Grand Peace Palace | 20,000 |
| April 1, 2017 | Daegu | South Korea | Kyungpook National University, Grand Hall | 20,000 |
| April 8, 2017 | Suwon | South Korea | Gyeonggi Arts Center, Grand Theater | 20,000 |
| April 15, 2017 | Daejeon | South Korea | Chungnam National University, Chungnam Hall | 20,000 |
| April 22, 2017 | Busan | South Korea | Busan KBS Hall | 20,000 |
| June 3, 2017 | Gwangju | South Korea | Gwangju Culture & Art Center, Grand Theater | 20,000 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 20,000 |

### I Am: Ailee Tour

The I Am: Ailee Tour was the second nationwide tour by Ailee. The tour visited four cities in South Korea, starting on December 8, 2018.
Tour dates :
| Date | City | Country | Venue |
| December 8, 2018 | Seoul | South Korea | Olympic Hall |
| December 9, 2018 | Seoul | South Korea | Olympic Hall |
| December 21, 2018 | Busan | South Korea | Busan Exhibition and Convention Center |
| December 24, 2018 | Daejeon | South Korea | Daejeon Convention Center |
| December 31, 2018 | Daegu | South Korea | Daegu Exhibition & Convention Center |

### I Am: Re-born Tour

The I Am: Reborn Tour was the third nationwide tour by Ailee. The first leg of the tour visited seven cities in South Korea, starting on December 7, 2019.
Tour dates :
| Date | City | Country | Venue |
| December 7, 2019 | Incheon | South Korea | Incheon Culture & Arts Center |
| December 14, 2019 | Gwangju | South Korea | Kimdaejung Convention Center |
| December 24, 2019 | Suwon | South Korea | Gyeonggi Arts Center Grand Theater |
| December 25, 2019 | Daegu | South Korea | EXCO 5F Convention Hall |
| December 28, 2019 | Seongnam | South Korea | Seongnam Arts Center |
| December 31, 2019 | Daejeon | South Korea | Daejeon Convention Center |
| January 5, 2020 | Busan | South Korea | KBS Hall |

### Show Tok

The Show Tok was the fourth nationwide tour by Ailee. The first leg of the tour visited seven cities in South Korea, starting on May 1, 2021.
Tour dates :
| Date | City | Country | Venue |
| May 1, 2021 | Gunpo | South Korea | Suri Hall, Gunpo Culture and Arts Center |
| May 8, 2021 | Anseong | South Korea | Grand Hall, Anseong Art Hall |
| June 5, 2021 | Goyang | South Korea | Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center |
| June 11, 2021 | Daegu | South Korea | Daegu Exhibition & Convention Center |
| June 19, 2021 | Busan | South Korea | Main Hall, Busan Cultural Center |
| June 26, 2021 | Daejeon | South Korea | Namhansanseong Art Hall |
| July 3, 2021 | Iksan | South Korea | Grand Hall, Iksan Arts Center |

### One-off concerts

| Date | Title | Country | Venue | Attendance |
| July 4, 2015 | Fatal Attraction | South Korea | Gymnastics Stadium, Seoul Olympic Park | 3,000 |
| November 14, 2015 | Ailee Concert | United States | The Show, Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa | — |
| June 25, 2017 | Ailee – Hello Taipei 2017 | Taiwan | The City Hall, Taipei International Convention Center | 3,122 |
| November 18–19, 2017 | Ailee Concert | United States | Pechanga Theater, Pechanga Resort and Casino | 2,600 |
| December 23–24, 2017 | Her | South Korea | Sejong University Hall, Sejong University | — |
| June 22, 2019 | Ailee in California 2019 | United States | Special Events Center, Fantasy Springs Resort | — |

### Co-headlining tours and concerts

* 2014: Winter Concert with Eric Benet
* 2014: Someday Concert with Wheesung
* 2015: Unite the Mic Tour with Jay Park and San E
* 2015: Back to School Concert with Wheesung
* 2016: Come Here! Concert with Yoon Min-soo
* 2017: Superstage Concert with Brian McKnight and Zion.T
* 2018: Best of Best Concert in Taipei with Taeyeon and Taemin
* 2018: Concert with Dynamic Duo