Ahyoomee
Encyclopedia
better known by her stage name Iconiq (stylized ICONIQ and pronounced "iconic"), is from former Korean girl-group Sugar
, where she was known by her stage names Ahyoomee during her Sugar and solo activities (stylized as AhYooMi as a misprint） and Ayumi Lee. Ito was born as a third generation Korean resident and raised in Japan for much of her younger life and is the reason for her Japanese accent, although she is now fluent in both languages. Although Ayumi's name is commonly believed to be Japanese in origin, she has explained that her name is hanja
-based. She has also attended Korea Kent Foreign School
.
on August 25, 1984, to Korean parents. She lived in Japan until she was 15, after which she moved to South Korea
. She was scouted by entertainment company Starworld at a H.O.T.
concert, debuting as part of the girl group
Sugar
in 2002. The band released two albums in Japan and three in Korea, however were met with only moderate commercial success. In 2006, the group disbanded, and Iconiq released two solo singles as Ayumi. The first, a cover of the theme song for Cutie Honey
(in the style of the Kumi Koda
's 2004 version), was released on July 13, 2006, however was criticized by Korean media for her "heavy accent" and the overall Japanese feel of performances. Her second digital single, "Jalmotdwin Mannam" was released on November 7, 2006, and is a cover of Kim Gun Mo
's hit from 1995. She switched labels in February 2007, moving from Starworld to SM Entertainment
and started collaborating with SM Town on their summer and winter albums that year. However, she did not release any solo material in this time. In 2008, Iconiq moved to Los Angeles
to study dance, and find new inspiration as a musician.
. Her first promotions were for Shiseido
's Maquillage cosmetics line, for which her song "I'm Lovin' You
" (a duet with Exile vocalist Atsushi) was used in commercials, and Iconiq's images used in billboards. Iconiq was marketed around her buzz cut
hair-style, often called , along with the catch-phrase . Her hair style was suggested by her management as a strong image to compliment her desire for a theme of change.
Iconiq's official Japanese profile did not mention her past as a member of Sugar or her Korean heritage, however vaguely references starting activities "overseas" in 2002. Concerns about the motives of this were raised in the Korean media. Korean netizen reactions were mixed, with some seeing the decision as "embarrassment" of her past, while others reasoned Iconiq's Japanese career's stylistic differences were the cause. Tokyo Sports
ran an article about Iconiq's past as a Korean idol, however later apologised to Iconiq's record label.
After two more promotional songs used in Maquillage commercials, "Change Myself
" and "Bye Now!
," she released her debut album, Change Myself
, on March 10, 2010. The album debuted at #3 on Oricon
's albums chart, the highest debut position since Yui Aragaki
's Sora in late 2007. Since then, she has released her debut single "Tokyo Lady
," and released an EP called Light Ahead
in September. The EP was promoted with three music videos directed by Diane Martel
, including "Tokyo Lady."
Iconiq won a new artist award at the 52nd Japan Record Award
s in 2010, alongside Girls' Generation
, Madoka Kikuchi and S/mileage
.
In January, 2011, her official homepage featured a sample of an unreleased song. Days later, it was removed without explanation. Since then, the homepage stated "New Song this Spring" and has revealed the title "I will love".
Sugar (group)
Sugar was a Korean girl group. Their 2003 singles "TAKE IT SHAKE IT" and "real identity" were the opening and ending theme songs respectively for season 1 of the highly popular anime "Kaleido Star". However, they had mediocre success in the South Korean market. Their last album has seen them go...
, where she was known by her stage names Ahyoomee during her Sugar and solo activities (stylized as AhYooMi as a misprint） and Ayumi Lee. Ito was born as a third generation Korean resident and raised in Japan for much of her younger life and is the reason for her Japanese accent, although she is now fluent in both languages. Although Ayumi's name is commonly believed to be Japanese in origin, she has explained that her name is hanja
Hanja
Hanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
-based. She has also attended Korea Kent Foreign School
Korea Kent Foreign School
Korea Kent Foreign School was founded in 1993 to provide education to international students in Seoul. More than 30 different nationalities are represented in the student body, with the majority of students coming from the United States...
.
Biography
Iconiq was born in Tottori PrefectureTottori Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region. The capital is the city of Tottori. It is the least populous prefecture in Japan.- History :Before the Meiji Restoration, Tottori encompassed the old provinces of Hōki and Inaba...
on August 25, 1984, to Korean parents. She lived in Japan until she was 15, after which she moved to South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. She was scouted by entertainment company Starworld at a H.O.T.
H.O.T.
H.O.T. was a popular five-member South Korean boy band in the mid to late 1990s. Their name is an acronym, standing for "High-five Of Teenagers". They were formed by SM Entertainment in 1996 and disbanded in 2001.H.O.T...
concert, debuting as part of the girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
Sugar
Sugar (group)
Sugar was a Korean girl group. Their 2003 singles "TAKE IT SHAKE IT" and "real identity" were the opening and ending theme songs respectively for season 1 of the highly popular anime "Kaleido Star". However, they had mediocre success in the South Korean market. Their last album has seen them go...
in 2002. The band released two albums in Japan and three in Korea, however were met with only moderate commercial success. In 2006, the group disbanded, and Iconiq released two solo singles as Ayumi. The first, a cover of the theme song for Cutie Honey
Cutie Honey
is a Japanese media franchise created by Go Nagai. Cutie Honey first appears on volume 41 of the 1973 edition of Shōnen Champion. According to Nagai, she is the first female to be the protagonist of a shōnen manga series....
(in the style of the Kumi Koda
Kumi Koda
, better known by her stage name , is a Japanese singer and songwriter from Kyoto, known for her urban and R&B songs. Having debuted in 2000 with the single "Take Back", Koda gained fame for her seventh single, "Real Emotion/1000 no Kotoba", the songs of which were used as themes for the video game...
's 2004 version), was released on July 13, 2006, however was criticized by Korean media for her "heavy accent" and the overall Japanese feel of performances. Her second digital single, "Jalmotdwin Mannam" was released on November 7, 2006, and is a cover of Kim Gun Mo
Kim Gun Mo
Kim Gun-mo is a South Korean singer and musician. He has released twelve albums. He was educated at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, and majored in Korean traditional music. His most famous songs include 핑계 , 잘못된 만남, and 짱가.- Biography :Kim debuted with Kim Gun Mo 1 in 1992, which was followed by...
's hit from 1995. She switched labels in February 2007, moving from Starworld to SM Entertainment
SM Entertainment
S.M. Entertainment is an independent Korean record label, talent agency, producer, and publisher of pop music, founded by Lee Soo-man in South Korea...
and started collaborating with SM Town on their summer and winter albums that year. However, she did not release any solo material in this time. In 2008, Iconiq moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to study dance, and find new inspiration as a musician.
Japanese debut
In late 2009, she changed her stage name to Iconiq, and debuted in Japan under Rhythm ZoneRhythm Zone
is a record label in the Avex Records Group which releases all kinds of urban contemporary Japanese music.-History:The label was founded in 1999 by Max Matsuura to address the need for a new urban music label, signing M-Flo as its first artist, then followed by Exile.In 2000, Koda Kumi was signed...
. Her first promotions were for Shiseido
Shiseido
is a major Japanese hair care and cosmetics producer. It is the oldest cosmetics company in the world and the fourth largest cosmetics company in the world.-History:...
's Maquillage cosmetics line, for which her song "I'm Lovin' You
I'm Lovin' You
-Chart rankings:-Release history:...
" (a duet with Exile vocalist Atsushi) was used in commercials, and Iconiq's images used in billboards. Iconiq was marketed around her buzz cut
Buzz cut
A buzz cut, induction cut or wiffle is a very short haircut.The cut is usually performed using hair clippers without a comb guard. The sides are cut closely and then the top is either shaped or cut to the same short length all over. The cut takes just a few minutes to perform. A buzz cut can...
hair-style, often called , along with the catch-phrase . Her hair style was suggested by her management as a strong image to compliment her desire for a theme of change.
Iconiq's official Japanese profile did not mention her past as a member of Sugar or her Korean heritage, however vaguely references starting activities "overseas" in 2002. Concerns about the motives of this were raised in the Korean media. Korean netizen reactions were mixed, with some seeing the decision as "embarrassment" of her past, while others reasoned Iconiq's Japanese career's stylistic differences were the cause. Tokyo Sports
Tokyo Sports
is a Japanese daily sports newspaper founded in 1958.- See also :*Tokyo Sports Film Award*Yellow journalism*Supermarket tabloid*Junk food news- External links :* http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp Official Website...
ran an article about Iconiq's past as a Korean idol, however later apologised to Iconiq's record label.
After two more promotional songs used in Maquillage commercials, "Change Myself
Change Myself (song)
"Change Myself" is Japanese/Korean musician Iconiq's second Japanese digital single, and the title track of her debut album, Change Myself. The song was central to much of the album's promotion, such as its use in commercials for Shiseido's Maquillage cosmetics range. The song's lyrics influenced...
" and "Bye Now!
Bye Now!
"Bye Now!" is a song by Japanese/Korean musician Iconiq, and the lead promotional track from her debut album, Change Myself, released in March 2010. It was widely played at radio stations during the album's release, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100...
," she released her debut album, Change Myself
Change Myself
Change Myself is Japanese pop musician Iconiq's debut album, released on March 10, 2010. The album was initially planned for a February 24 release, however postponed for two weeks.-Background:...
, on March 10, 2010. The album debuted at #3 on Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
's albums chart, the highest debut position since Yui Aragaki
Yui Aragaki
is a Japanese idol, model, actress, singer, seiyū and occasional radio show host of Ryukyuan ancestry.She is particularly recognized for her beauty and her movie projects.- Overview :...
's Sora in late 2007. Since then, she has released her debut single "Tokyo Lady
Tokyo Lady
"Tokyo Lady" is a song by Japanese/Korean musician Iconiq, released as her debut single of August 11, 2010. The single was originally planned for a July 28 release, however was postponed.-Writing:...
," and released an EP called Light Ahead
Light Ahead
-Chart rankings:- Reported sales :-Release history:...
in September. The EP was promoted with three music videos directed by Diane Martel
Diane Martel
Diane Martel is a music video director and choreographer.-Choreographer:1989*Bloodhounds of Broadway 1991*"Shiny Happy People" - R.E.M...
, including "Tokyo Lady."
Iconiq won a new artist award at the 52nd Japan Record Award
Japan Record Award
for outstanding achievements in the Japan Composer's Association, is major music awards show held annually in Japan.- Categories :The Japan Record Award are four awards which are not restricted by genre....
s in 2010, alongside Girls' Generation
Girls' Generation
Girls' Generation is a nine-member South Korean electropop girl group formed by S.M. Entertainment in 2007. The nine members are: Taeyeon , Jessica, Sunny, Tiffany, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung, Yoona and Seohyun...
, Madoka Kikuchi and S/mileage
S/mileage
is a Japanese girl group which originally consisted of four former Hello! Pro Egg members. They graduated from Egg status in 2010 and became full time members of Hello! Project. In 2010, they won the Japan Record Award for Best New Artist...
.
In January, 2011, her official homepage featured a sample of an unreleased song. Days later, it was removed without explanation. Since then, the homepage stated "New Song this Spring" and has revealed the title "I will love".
Album
| Year | Album Information | Oricon Oricon , established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc... albums charts |
Reported sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Change Myself Change Myself Change Myself is Japanese pop musician Iconiq's debut album, released on March 10, 2010. The album was initially planned for a February 24 release, however postponed for two weeks.-Background:...
|
3 | 64,000 |
Extended play
| Year | Album Information | Oricon albums charts |
Reported sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Light Ahead Light Ahead -Chart rankings:- Reported sales :-Release history:...
|
18 | 12,000 |
Japanese singles
| Release | Title | Notes | Chart positions | Oricon sales |
Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oricon singles charts |
Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Japan Hot 100 Japan Hot 100 The Japan Hot 100 is a music singles chart in Japan. It is compiled by Billboard and Hanshin Contents Link ever since February 2008. The chart is updated every Wednesday at billboard-japan.com and every Thursday at billboard.com .... |
RIAJ digital tracks RIAJ Digital Track Chart The is chart ranks the best selling digital singles in Japan, provided by the Recording Industry Association of Japan since April 2009. The chart measures cellphone downloads .... |
|||||
| 2010 | "I'm Lovin' You I'm Lovin' You -Chart rankings:-Release history:... " (Iconiq x Exile Atsushi) |
Digital download | — | — | 8 | — | Change Myself Change Myself Change Myself is Japanese pop musician Iconiq's debut album, released on March 10, 2010. The album was initially planned for a February 24 release, however postponed for two weeks.-Background:... |
| "Change Myself Change Myself (song) "Change Myself" is Japanese/Korean musician Iconiq's second Japanese digital single, and the title track of her debut album, Change Myself. The song was central to much of the album's promotion, such as its use in commercials for Shiseido's Maquillage cosmetics range. The song's lyrics influenced... " |
— | 73 | 20 | — | |||
| "Bye Now! Bye Now! "Bye Now!" is a song by Japanese/Korean musician Iconiq, and the lead promotional track from her debut album, Change Myself, released in March 2010. It was widely played at radio stations during the album's release, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100... " |
— | 8 | 47 | — | |||
| "Tokyo Lady Tokyo Lady "Tokyo Lady" is a song by Japanese/Korean musician Iconiq, released as her debut single of August 11, 2010. The single was originally planned for a July 28 release, however was postponed.-Writing:... " |
19 | 21 | — | 10,000 | Light Ahead Light Ahead -Chart rankings:- Reported sales :-Release history:... |
||
| "Light Ahead" | Promotional single | — | 49 | 62 | — | ||
Korean singles
- "Cutie Honey" July 3, 2006
- "Jalmotdwin Mannam" November 7, 2006