Home > Feature
Singer Lee Jin-ah keeps dream alive
As soon as it's released, her new songs will top most domestic music charts.
We're not talking about another idol band, pre-programmed to be famous with a wide fan base. This is the story of Lee Jin-ah, a competitor in season four of the television talent show competition "K-Pop Star," currently being aired on SBS.
Lee Jin-ah talks with the jury about writing her song "Time Slows Down" before she starts her performance during episode one of "K-Pop Star" on November 23. (SBS) |
Lee Jin-ah, who first came on the show on November 23, wasn't able to attract much attention until she actually started singing on stage. Neither the jury nor the spectators showed much interest in her at first, as she was plainly dressed and failed to hide her nervousness. Introducing herself as a singer-songwriter, Lee Jin-ah started at the piano. Her first notes alone were enough to surprise and touch the people gathered in the studio theater.
Lee's song was "different" and her high-pitched voice touched listeners' hearts. Yoo Hee-yeol, one of the jurors, said that she is, "a female singer for whom I was unconsciously waiting."
Actually, she is not an amateur. She released her first album, "Unvisible," in October, 2013. However, the album didn't catch the public's attention. She had sold around 50 albums. She said during her performance that she just wanted to hear what the professionals said about her voice and her songs, and how it sounded to the audience.
Lee Jin-ah sings 'My Own Way,' a song she wrote herself and which she played in episode two of 'K-Pop Star' on November 30. (SBS) |
In recognition of Lee's outstanding musical talents, the jurors refused to judge her songs. Pictured is Park Jin-young, one of the three jurors, mesmerized and excited by her song and unable to speak. (SBS) |
Two of the jurors have built their life-long careers as both singers and songwriters, and have produced a number of popular songs and albums. Praising her outstanding musical talents, they refused to judge her music. Yang Hyun-suk said, "This is the true power of music."
Lee Jin-ah's second song topped a number of music charts within two hours of going on air on November 30 and by December 15 the episode has been viewed online more than one million times, becoming the fastest video ever to hit one million views on SBS's homepage.
By Jeon Han, Korea.net Staff Writer