Lee Hi

Personal Details :

Full Name: Lee Ha-yi (이하이)
Stage Name: Lee Hi
Date of Birth: September 23, 1996
Place of Birth: Bucheon, Gyeonggi‑do, South Korea
Nationality: South Korean
Height: 156 cm (5′1″)
Weight: Approx. 48 kg (106 lb)
Blood Type: B
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Education: School of Performing Arts Seoul
Occupations: Singer, Songwriter
Genres: K-pop, R&B, Soul, Blues
Years Active: 2012–present
Labels: YG (2012–2019), AOMG (2020–2024), Duover (2024–present)
Notable Achievements: Runner‑up of SBS’s *K-pop Star* (2011); debuted with hit single “1, 2, 3, 4” which topped charts

Lee Hi rose to fame as the runner-up of SBS’s K-pop Star Season 1 in 2011, impressing with her soulful voice at just 15 years old.
She officially debuted under YG Entertainment in 2012 with the single “1, 2, 3, 4”, which topped the Gaon chart and sold over 1 million digital copies.
In 2013, she released her first full-length album First Love, which included hits like “Rose” and showcased her blues and R&B style.
She collaborated with Epik High on “It’s Cold” and was also part of the project duo Hi Suhyun with Akdong Musician’s Suhyun.
After a hiatus, she made a strong comeback in 2016 with the album Seoulite, featuring the title tracks “Breathe” (written by SHINee’s Jonghyun) and “Hold My Hand.”
In 2019, she released 24°C, which included the hit “No One” featuring B.I, marking her final comeback under YG Entertainment.
In 2020, Lee Hi signed with AOMG, a label founded by Jay Park, and released the EP 4 Only (2021), praised for its mature sound and retro influences.
In 2024, she joined the independent label Duover and is continuing to explore jazz, R&B, and neo-soul genres with full creative control.
Lee Hi is widely regarded for her deep, emotional vocals and her ability to fuse K-pop with R&B, soul, and jazz elements.

Lee Hi was born in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, and grew up with a passion for music, especially soul, jazz, and blues genres.
She was often praised for having a mature and unique vocal tone that contrasted with her young age during her early career.
Known for being shy and soft-spoken in public, Lee Hi has shared that she finds solace and self-expression through songwriting.
She is close friends with several fellow artists, including Epik High’s Tablo and former labelmate Suhyun of AKMU.
Lee Hi enjoys painting and sketching in her free time and has posted her artwork occasionally on social media.
She prefers vintage fashion, mellow aesthetics, and draws musical inspiration from legends like Amy Winehouse and Lauryn Hill.
Despite facing vocal nodules early in her career, she persevered with therapy and training, earning praise for her resilience.
She is a strong advocate for artistic freedom and mental health awareness in the K-pop industry.

Estimated Net Worth: Approximately $3.14 million USD (as of 2025)
Growth Timeline: From ~$2.2M in 2022 to ~$3.14M in 2025
Primary Income Sources: Music sales (albums, EPs, singles), streaming revenue, performances, OSTs, brand endorsements, and YouTube
Estimated Annual Earnings (2025): Around $189K, averaging $3–6K monthly
Assets & Lifestyle: Based in South Korea; reportedly owns residence(s); income also from concert fees and creative collaborations

2012: Won Best New Female Artist at the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA)
2013: Rookie of the Year at the Seoul Music Awards for her debut single “1, 2, 3, 4”
2016: “Breathe” won R&B/Soul Award at the Golden Disc Awards and was praised for its emotional depth
2017: Nominated for Best Female Artist and Best Vocal Performance at MAMA
2019: Nominated for Top 10 Artist at the Melon Music Awards for her work on 24°C
2021: Honored for “HOLO” and “ONLY” under AOMG, showcasing her growth as a soul/R&B artist
Recognized for contributing to the rise of R&B in K-pop and influencing a new generation of female vocalists

Lee Hi was only 15 when she first appeared on *K-pop Star*, impressing judges with her soulful voice and calm stage presence.
Her breakout hit “1, 2, 3, 4” stayed at #1 on Korean charts for over three weeks after its release in 2012.
She rarely appears on variety shows, as she prefers spending time creating music and drawing in quiet settings.
Lee Hi was diagnosed with vocal cord nodules early in her career but recovered through therapy and discipline.
She’s a huge fan of Amy Winehouse and often cites her as a musical influence.
Despite her powerful stage image, she is known to be introverted, gentle, and humorous in person.
Lee Hi enjoys painting, journaling, and collecting scented candles to relax after long studio sessions.
She has a tattoo of a lightbulb on her arm that represents her creativity and inner light.