Kei (singer)

Kim Ji-yeon (Korean: 김지연; 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 released EP on October 8, 2019 titled Over and Over.[1] On November 16, 2021, she left Woollim Entertainment after deciding not to renew her contract, following Lovelyz's disbandment.[2] She joined Palm Tree Island in January 2022 to focus on her musical career.

In this Korean name, the family name is Kim.
Kei
김지연
Kei in 2021
Born
Kim Ji-yeon

(1995-03-20) March 20, 1995
Bupyeong District, Incheon, South Korea
EducationIncheon Youngsun High School
Occupation
  • Singer
  • actress
AgentPalm Tree Island
Musical career
GenresK-pop
Years active2014–present
Associated actsLovelyz
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGim Ji-yeon
McCune–ReischauerKim Chiyŏn

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
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.[7]

2016-2018: Solo activities

She was a contestant for JTBC's main vocal competition Girls Spirit in 2016,[8] and was cast for a lead role in the web drama Matching! Boys Archery Club in the same year.[9] On September 1, she released the collaborative song "Y".[10] On October 26, she released a collaboration with The Solutions titled Beautiful as a part of HIGHGRND label project PLAYGRND.[11]

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.[12] She also went on Duet Song Festival covering Kim Tae-yeon's song "I".[13] Other shows she guested on was Running Man and Idol National Singing Competition.[14]

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.[15]

2019-present: Solo debut and departure from Woollim
Main article: Over and Over (EP)

In 2019, she released the extended play (EP) Over and Over, under her real name Kim Ji-yeon.[16] The album and the lead single "I Go" music video were released on October 8.[17]

On November 1, 2021, Woollim Entertainment announced that Kei would not renew her contract and she left the company on November 16, 2021, following Lovelyz's disbandment.[18]

On January 10, 2022, it was confirmed that Kei signed with Palm Tree Island, signaling her debut as a full time musical actress.[19][20]

Discography
See also: Lovelyz discography

Extended plays
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[21]
Over and Over 7

As lead artist
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales
(DL)		 Album
KOR
[23]
"I Go" 2019 —[upper-alpha 1] N/A Over and Over
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Collaborations
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales
(DL)		 Album
KOR
[23]
"Y"
(with Myundo featuring Bumzu)[10]		 2016 49 Non album-singles
"Beautiful"
(with The Solutions)[26][11]		 — N/A
"Wanna Date" (연애하고 싶어)
(with Hong Dae-kwang)[27]		 2017 — Story About: Some, One Month Eps 5
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Soundtrack appearances
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales
(DL)		 Album
KOR
[23]
"Love Moves On" (사랑은 그렇게)[7] 2015 — N/A Oh My Venus OST Part 6
"Tingle" (찌릿찌릿)[28] 2016 — Lucky Romance OST Part 1
"Star and Sun" (별과 해)[29] 2017 — The Emperor: Owner of the Mask OST Part 4
"These Days You & I" (요즘 너 요즘 나)[31] 2018 — N/A Queen of Mystery 2 OST Part 2
"Let's Pray"[32][33] — Rich Man OST Part 3
"If I Convey My Heart" (마음을 전하면)[34] — The Last Empress OST Part 3
"My Absolute Boyfriend" (초능력 나의 그대)[35] 2019 — My Absolute Boyfriend OST Part 4
"Ride Or Die" [36]
(with Joohoney (Monsta X))		 2020 — Run On OST Part 2
"Good-Bye Days"
(with Wonpil (Day6))		 2021 — Midnight Sun OST Part 2
"Good-Bye Days"
(with Baekho (NU'EST))		 — Midnight Sun OST Part 3
"Good-Bye Days"
(with Onew (Shinee))		 —[upper-alpha 2] Midnight Sun OST Part 4
"Will My Day Ever Come" (그런 날이 오게 될까?) —[upper-alpha 3] Midnight Sun OST Part 5
"Good-Bye Days"
(with Youngjae (Got7))		 —
"A Fairy Tale" (동화 속 이야기) — Starting Point of Dating OST Part 2
"As I Become Your Wind – Noi Theme" (나 그대의 바람 되어) — Blade & Soul 2 - I Become Your Wind OST
"As I Become Your Wind – Noi Theme (Acoustic Ver.)" (나 그대의 바람 되어 - 노이 테마 (Acoustic Ver.)) — Blade & Soul 2 - Pieces of Memory OST
"Just Stay" (이렇게 그대로) — History of The Bible OST
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Filmography
Kei going to work for her MC position at Music Bank, August 15, 2018.
See also: Lovelyz § Filmography

Web series
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2016 Matching! Boys Archery Club Hong Shi-ah [9]
2021 ONAIR - Secret Contract Cameo Sitcom [39]

Web shows
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2022 Idol Lyricist Idol Main Cast with Exy [40]

Theatre
Year Title Role Ref.
2017 At The Age of Thirty Okhee [41]
2021 Midnight Sun Seo Haena [42]
2022 Xcalibur Guinevere [43]
Death Note Amane Misa [44]
ONAIR DJ [45]

Notes
  1. "I Go" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 113 on Gaon Download Chart.[24]
  2. "Good-Bye Days" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 117 on Gaon Download Chart.[37]
  3. "Good-Bye Days" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 122 on Gaon Download Chart.[38]

References
  1. "케이, 오늘은 러블리즈 아닌 솔로 김지연..."역사적 순간, 행복한 떨림"[V라이브 종합]". Naver. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  2. Hong, Seyoung (November 1, 2021). "러블리즈 해체…울림 "16일 계약만료, 각자 새출발" (공식) [전문]". Sports Donga (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  3. "Kei Profile". lvlz8.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016.
  4. "Lovelyz Profile – NowKPop". August 27, 2015. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  5. "Kei". Hanple (in Korean). Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  6. Seon, Mi-kyoung (November 17, 2014). "러블리즈, 17일 데뷔앨범 발매..소녀감성+음악성 담았다". OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  7. "오 마이 비너스 OST Part.6". Melon (in Korean). December 21, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  8. Bang, Soong-hwa (September 14, 2016). '걸스피릿' 케이, 언니와 완성한 그림 같은 무대로 1위…다원 2위 (종합). Naver (in Korean). Esports News. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  9. Dilip, Mangala. "Here is everything you need to know about Lovelyz singer Kei's K-drama 'Matching! Boys Archery Club'". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  10. "Y". Melon (in Korean). September 2, 2016. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  11. Park, Sae-jin (October 27, 2016). "Lovelyz's Kei collaborates with THE SOLUTIONS for new MV". Aju Business Daily. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  12. Jung Ahn-ji (April 23, 2017). '복면가왕' 제리 정체는 러블리즈 케이 '깜짝 반전'. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  13. Lee, Sang-eun (March 3, 2017). '듀엣가요제' 러블리즈 케이-황세영, 태연 '아이'로 환상적인 무대. Kyeongin (in Korean). Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  14. Variety references:
  15. Jeong Da-hoon (June 8, 2018). [공식입장]‘뮤직뱅크’ 새 MC 러블리즈 케이·최원명 확정. Seoul Economy Daily (in Korean). Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  16. "러블리즈 케이, 10월 8일 데뷔 5년만 솔로데뷔". Naver. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  17. ""희망 전하고파" 러블리즈 케이 #첫 솔로 #김지연 #퀸덤 #족발(일문일답)". Naver. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  18. Lee Tae-soo (November 1, 2021). "러블리즈, 울림과 계약 만료…7명 소속사 떠난다" [Lovelyz and Woollim's contract expired... 7 people leave the agency] (in Korean). Yonhap News. Retrieved November 1, 2021 – via Naver.
  19. Kang Hyo-jin (December 6, 2021). "팜트리아일랜드 "러블리즈 케이와 전속계약 논의중"[공식]" [Palm Tree Island "Debating an exclusive contract with Lovelyz K" [Official]] (in Korean). SPOTV News. Retrieved December 11, 2021 – via Naver.
  20. Yoo, Byung-cheol (January 10, 2022). "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 (in Korean). Retrieved January 10, 2022 – via Naver.
  21. "Gaon Album Chart – Over and Over (Week 41, 2019)". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  22. 2019년 10월 Album Chart [October 2019 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  23. "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  24. "Gaon Download Chart – Week 41 of 2019". Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  25. "Gaon Download Chart – September 2016". Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  26. "Beautiful". Melon (in Korean). October 27, 2016. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  27. "Story About : 썸, 한달 Episode 5". Melon (in Korean). June 28, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  28. "운빨로맨스 OST Part.1". Melon (in Korean). May 25, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  29. "군주 – 가면의 주인 OST Part.4". Melon (in Korean). May 25, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  30. "Gaon Download Chart – Week 21 of 2017". Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  31. "추리의 여왕 시즌2 OST Part.2". Melon (in Korean). March 8, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  32. "리치맨 OST Part.3". Melon (in Korean). May 26, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  33. "러블리즈 케이, '리치맨' OST 참여…따뜻한 힐링송 'Let's Pray'". Sports Chosun (in Korean). May 26, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  34. "황후의 품격 OST Part.3". Melon (in Korean). December 27, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  35. "절대그이 OST Part.4". Melon (in Korean). June 6, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  36. "Ride Or Die (런 온 OST Part.2)". Melon (in Korean). December 23, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  37. "Gaon Download Chart – Week 22 of 2021". Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  38. "Gaon Download Chart – Week 24 of 2021". Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  39. Sin Ji-won (April 1, 2021). "케이X 영재X 유회승, '온에어-비밀계약' 출연...대세 K팝 아티스트들의 향연". hankyung (in Korean). Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  40. Jo Hye-jin (March 8, 2022). "러블리즈 케이‧우주소녀 엑시 만난다…新 '봄캐럴' 제작 예고" [Lovelyz's Kei meets Cosmic Girls' Exy... New 'Spring Carol' production notice] (in Korean). xportsnews. Retrieved March 8, 2022 – via Naver.
  41. Gwak, Young-rae (October 10, 2018). [Oh!커피 한 잔①] 조승욱 PD "산·백·케, '서른즈음에' 가치 알아줘 고맙다". Naver (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  42. "샤이니 온유→데이식스 원필, 뮤지컬 '태양의 노래' 1차 캐스팅(공식)". m.naver.com (in Korean). March 9, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  43. Lee Jae-eun (December 6, 2021). "김성규·김소향·케이 '엑스칼리버' 앙코르 공연 합류 [공식]" [Kim Seong-gyu, Kim So-hyang, K join the ‘Xcalibur’ encore performance [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved December 11, 2021 – via Naver.
  44. Jang Jin-ri (January 24, 2022). "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] (in Korean). SPOTV News. Retrieved January 24, 2022 – via Naver.
  45. Lee Jae-eun (February 3, 2022). "ONAIR' 새 라인업 발표…러블리즈 케이→권은비 [공식]" [Announcing the new lineup of ‘ONAIR’… Lovelyz K→Kwon Eunbi [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved February 3, 2022 – via Naver.
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