Lee Sun-hee

Lee Sun-hee (; born November 11, 1964) is a South Korean singer-songwriter. She is often referred to as South Korea's "National Diva" for her immense popularity, commercial success, and vocal ability.

Lee debuted in 1984 with the song, "To J," for which she won first prize in the MBC Riverside Song Festival. She released her first album, Ah! The Good Old Days, the following year in 1985. She released a string of successful albums in the 1980s and early 1990s, In 2011, Lee became the fourth South Korean singer to ever perform at Carnegie Hall. In 2018, she performed in Pyongyang as a part of Spring is Coming and became one of few South Korean singers to perform twice in North Korea. She released her 16th album, Anbu in 2020.

Early life and education Lee was born in 1964 in Poryong, South Chungchon, South Korea. She was raised near a secluded Buddhist temple by her mother and her father, a Buddhist monk who belongs to a sect of the religion that allows monks to marry and have children. She attended Sangmyung High School and graduated from Inchon City College in 1984 with a degree in environmental management.

Career While she was a student at Incheon City College, Lee participated in the 5th MBC Riverside Song Festival as a member of the singing duo Act 4 Scene 5 with fellow student Im Sung-kyun. They won the grand prize with the song, "To J", which became a hit, garnering Lee prizes for best new artist at the year-end KBS Music Awards and MBC Top 10 Singers Song Festival. Her signature boyish look was also a hit, causing a so-called "Lee Sun-hee syndrome," or craze, among female students who imitated her short haircut and round glasses.

Musical style Lee Sun-hee possesses a warm, lyric soprano voice with sturdy lows and bombastic highs. In addition to being a vocalist, Lee Sun-hee is also a songwriter, writing many of the songs on her later albums including the celebrated hit 'Fate'. During her 30th anniversary concert tour, Sun-hee broadcast a clip during the intermission revealing her three biggest musical influences: Barbra Streisand, Madonna, and Whitney Houston. She has mentioned South Korean vocalist Song Chang-sik as one of her influences and role models.

Discography Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales KOR Ah! The Good Old Days Released: January 25, 1985 Label: Jigu Records

Label: Jigu Records Formats: LP, cassetteI Want to Know Released: November 30, 1986 Label: Jigu Records Formats: LP, cassetteWhere the Love Falls / I Always Miss You

(사랑이 지는 이 자리 / 나 항상 그대를)Released: February 1, 1988 Label: Seoul Records Formats: LP, cassette KOR: 1,000,000+ My Street / A Bout of Laughter

(나의 거리 / 한바탕 웃음으로)Released: April 10, 1989 Label: Seoul Records Formats: CD, cassette KOR: 1,000,000+ My Life And BestReleased: March 26, 2001 Label: Yedang Entertainment Formats: CD, cassette38 KOR: 36,122+ Puberty Released: April 14, 2005 Label: Hook Entertainment Formats: CD, cassette15 KOR: 27,537+ Dear Love... (사랑아...)Released: February 25, 2009 Label: Hook Entertainment Formats: CD89SerendipityReleased: March 26, 2014 Label: Hook Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download4 KOR: 37,026+ Anbu Released: June 15, 2020 Label: Hook Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download20* There is no chart data for 2009, but Dear Love... charted on the Gaon Album Chart in 2013.

Collaborations Title Year Peak chart positions Album KORGaon KORHot "Hey Kid, Close Your Eyes" (with AKMU) 2021 24 15 Next Episode

OST albums KBS drama 《Fireworks》 released in 1984 MBC animation 《The Little Princess Sara》 released in 1986 MBC drama 《Blue Classroom》 released in 1987 KBS animation 《Run Hani》 released in 1988 KBS animation 《Reckless Hani》 released in 1989 SBS drama 《Fear With No Love》 released in 1992 MBC drama 《Gips Family》 released in 2000 Movie 《The Beauty In Dream》 released in 2002 Movie 《The King and the Clown》 released in 2005 Movie 《The Sword with No Name》 released in 2009 SBS drama 《My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho》 released in 2010 SBS drama 《Big Thing (TV series)》 released in 2010 SBS drama 《The Legend of the Blue Sea》 released in 2016 MBC drama 《The Red Sleeve》 released in 2021

Filmography Television shows Year Title Network Role Notes 2020–present Sing Again JTBC Judge Season 1–2 2022 The Road with Songs KBS2 Host with Lee Geum-hee

Awards Awards and nominations + Name of the award, year presented, award category, nominee and result of the nomination Award Year Category Nominee/work Result Ref. Baeksang Arts Awards 1999 Popularity Award (Theater Division) Bari, The Forgotten Lullaby Golden Disc Awards 1986 Main Prize (Bonsang) West Wind 1987 Singer of the Year (Bonsang) 1988 1989 1990 1994 1995 1996 MBC Gayo Daejejeon 1984 Best Popular Song "To J" (J에게) MBC Riverside Song Festival 1984 Grand Prize (Daesang) "To J" (J에게) Melon Music Awards 2018 Stage of the Year Lee Sun-hee Mnet Asian Music Awards 2014 Best Vocal Performance (Female) "Meet Him Among Them"

State honors Country Year Honor South Korea 2010 Prime Minister's Commendation