Kei

Kim Ji-yeon (; 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 the EP, Over and Over on October 8, 2019. On November 16, 2021, she left Woollim Entertainment, although she remains as a member of Lovelyz. She joined Palm Tree Island in January 2022 to focus on her musical career, before moving to A2Z Entertainment later that year. In 2023, Kei participated in Mnet reality competition show Queendom Puzzle, debuting with the resulting project supergroup El7z Up in September of that year.

Biography Kei was born Kim Ji-yeon on March 20, 1995, in Incheon, South Korea. She graduated from Incheon Youngsun High School.

Career 2014–2015: Debut with Lovelyz

In November 2014, Kei debuted as the main vocalist of girl group Lovelyz with the release of the debut studio album, Girls' Invasion. In December 2015, she recorded the song Love Is Like That for the drama Oh My Venus. and was cast for a lead role in the web drama Matching! Boys Archery Club in the same year. On September 1, she released the collaborative song "Y". She also went on Duet Song Festival covering Kim Tae-yeon's song "I". Other shows she guested on was Running Man and Idol National Singing Competition.

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.

2019–present: Solo debut, departure from Woollim, musical project and EL7ZUP

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

On November 1, 2021, Woollim Entertainment announced that Kei would not renew her contract and she left the company on November 16, 2021.

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

In May 2022, Kei released a ballad, R&B project's 11th single 'Star Road' featuring KozyPop, which will be released on May 29, 2022.

In July 2022 it was announced that Kei would hold a fan meeting Kei from Kei on August 20, 2022, it marks her first solo fan meeting since debut and as well as her first in-person fan meeting after debuting as a full time musical actress.

In December 2022, Kei signed with A2Z Entertainment (Pop Music), with the intention of releasing a solo music album.

On May 26, 2023, Kei was confirmed to have joined the Mnet competition show Queendom Puzzle. She consistently ranked in the Top 7 as the show progressed and ultimately finished in 4th place, allowing her to debut with the winning group El7z Up.

On December 19, 2024, Kei released "Winter Garden".

Discography

Extended plays Title Details Peak chart positions SalesKOR Over and Over Released: October 8, 2019 Label: Woollim Entertainment, Kakao M Formats: CD, digital download, streaming 7 KOR: 14,480

Singles As lead artist Title Year Peak chart positions AlbumKOR "I Go" 2019 — Over and Over "Winter Garden" 2024 — "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Collaborations Title Year Peak chart positions Sales AlbumKOR 2016 49 KOR: 97,428 "Beautiful" — "Wanna Date" 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 AlbumKOR 2015 — Oh My Venus OST Part 6 "Tingle" 2016 — Lucky Romance OST Part 1"Star and Sun" 2017 — KOR: 18,134 The Emperor: Owner of the Mask OST Part 4 "These Days You & I" 2018 — Queen of Mystery 2 OST Part 2 "Let's Pray" — Rich Man OST Part 3 "If I Convey My Heart" — The Last Empress OST Part 3 "My Absolute Boyfriend" 2019 — My Absolute Boyfriend OST Part 4 "Ride Or Die" 2020 — Run On OST Part 2 "Good-Bye Days" 2021 — Midnight Sun OST Part 2 "Good-Bye Days" — Midnight Sun OST Part 3 "Good-Bye Days" — Midnight Sun OST Part 4 "Will My Day Ever Come" — Midnight Sun OST Part 5 "Good-Bye Days" — "A Fairy Tale" — Starting Point of Dating OST Part 2 "As I Become Your Wind – Noi Theme" — Blade & Soul 2 - I Become Your Wind OST "As I Become Your Wind – Noi Theme (Acoustic Ver.)" — Blade & Soul 2 - Pieces of Memory OST "Just Stay" — History of The Bible OST "Love Song" 2023 — Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 OST Part 2 "Wind Song" —Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 OST Part 4 "Summer Love Blues" — Summer, Lovemachine, Blues OST "Bye" — A Time Called You OST Part 2 "Falling" 2024 — Dreaming of Freaking Fairytale OST Part 1"—" 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.

Web series Year Title Role Notes 2016 Matching! Boys Archery Club Hong Shi-ah

Web shows Year Title Role Notes 2022 Idol Lyricist Idol Main Cast with Exy

Television shows Year Title Role 2023 Queendom Puzzle Contestant

Theatre YearTitle Role 2017 At The Age of Thirty Okhee 2021Midnight SunSeo Haena 2022 Xcalibur Guinevere Death NoteAmane Misa ONAIR DJ

Awards and nominations

+ Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result KBS Entertainment Awards 2018 Best New Actress in Talk & Show Music Bank