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Ayumi/Yumi Itō
아유미 / 伊藤 ゆみ
Born	Lee Ayumi (1984-08-25) August 25, 1984 (age 40) Tottori, Japan
Nationality	Korean
Other names	Yumi Itō (Japanese alias)
Education	Korea Kent Foreign School
Occupations	actress singer television personality
Years active	2001–present
Agent	Bonboo ENT
Spouse	Kwon Ki-beom ​(m. 2022)​
Children	1
Musical career
Also known as	Ahyoomee Iconiq
Genres	K-pop J-pop R&B Synthpop
Instrument	Vocals
Labels	Starworld (2001–2006) SM (2007) Avex (2009–2020)
Formerly of	Sugar SM Town
Website	Official website

Lee Ayumi (born August 25, 1984), professionally known as Ayumi in South Korea and Yumi Itō in Japan, is a Japanese-born South Korean singer, actress and television personality based in South Korea. She debuted under the stage name Ahyoomee in 2001, as the leader and lead vocalist of South Korean girl group Sugar, a position she served in until the group's disbandment in 2006. Following the disbandment, Lee embarked on a solo career in South Korea under SM, releasing two digital singles. In 2008, she returned to Japan and began an acting career under the Japanese stage name Yumi Itō. In 2009, she debuted as a solo singer in Japan, under Avex's Rhythm Zone, taking the stage name Iconiq, and released a studio album, an EP, and seven digital singles.

Early life

Lee Ayumi was born in Tottori, Japan on August 25, 1984, to a Korean mother from Seoul and a father who is a second generation ethnic Korean who lives in Japan. She lived in Japan until the age of 15 before moving to South Korea, later attending the Korea Kent Foreign School (ko).

Career

2001–2006: Sugar

Ahyoomee was scouted by the entertainment company Starworld at a H.O.T. concert, later debuting as a part of Korean girl group Sugar in 2001. The band released two albums in Japan and three in South Korea, to moderate commercial success.

During her career in Sugar, she and Park Soo-jin had a guest appearance on the Gag Concert 200th episode special, in the sketch Poncho Siblings (우비 삼남매), making them the first girl group to appear on the program. In December 2006, Starworld announced they would not offer Sugar new contracts, thus disbanding the group following the expiration of their contracts.

2006–2012: Solo career

Lee simultaneously changed her romanization of her stage name from Ahyoomee to AhYooMi and released her first digital single "Cutie Honey" on July 13, 2006. The single originally sung by Kumi Koda for the theme song to the Cutie Honey anime series. Her second single, a cover of Kim Gun Mo's song, "Wrongful Meeting", was released on November 7, 2006.

On February 15, 2007, Her previous label Starworld requested SM Entertainment to charges as her management following her contract expiration on February 13. Under SM Entertainment, Ayumi started collaborating with SM Town on their summer and winter albums that year. However, she did not release any solo material at this time.

In 2008, Ayumi moved to West Hollywood, California to study at dance and vocal schools. Through the study in California, she later find new inspiration as a musician.

In 2009, she returned to Japan and made her solo debut as Iconiq with signed Avex label Rhythm Zone. She began her solo activities in Japan with became model for Shiseido's Maquillage cosmetics line and released single "I'm Lovin' You" featuring Exile's Atsushi as a promotional single, where Lee's image was used in billboards for the promotion of the line. Iconiq was marketed around her buzz cut hair-style.

On March 10, 2010, Her debut album, Change Myself, which included the promotional singles "Change Myself" and "Bye Now!", which were used for advertising the Maquillage cosmetic line once more. The album debuted at #3 on Oricon's albums chart, the highest position for a debut album since Yui Aragaki's Sora in late 2007. On August 11, 2010, she released her debut single "Tokyo Lady", which was later included in her first EP Light Ahead in September. The EP was promoted with three music videos directed by Diane Martel. After a two-year hiatus from releasing music, Lee released two digital singles on March 14, 2012, titled LADIES and MAKE IT RIGHT.

2015–present: Acting career and return to South Korea

In 2015, Lee returned to South Korea, appearing on the JTBC program Witch Hunt, marking her first television appearance in South Korea after nine years.

In August 2016, in an interview with SENSE (ja) magazine, Lee stated she would be going back to being an actress, using the name Yumi Itō. In September of the same year, she starred as Michiru Saiki in the stage play adaption of the manga ReLIFE.

In May 2017, Lee was cast in a Fuji TV drama, Code Blue Season 3. In August 2017, Lee officially resumed her Korea activities with confirmed as a cast member of MBN's new South Korean variety show Flight Girl.

In March 2019, Lee announced that she had signed a contract with the South Korean agency BONBOO Entertainment. On January 20, 2020, Lee announced on her blog that, after eleven years, she would be leaving Avex, after the expiration of her contract.

Personal life

In September 2022, Lee released a pre-wedding photo revealing that she would marry her non-celebrity foreign boyfriend who is two years older than her on October 30. Her husband, Kwon Ki-beom, is working as a businessman. On January 9, 2024, she announced the pregnancy of her first child. On June 15, Lee announced that she gave birth to her first child, a baby girl, on June 10.

Discography

Studio album

Extended play

Singles

Filmography

Film

Television drama

Television shows

Awards

Korean Music Awards

Notes

1. Sources for chart positions are as follows: "I'm Lovin' You", "Bye Now!", "Change Myself", "Tokyo Lady", "Light Ahead".
2. The RIAJ Digital Track Chart is a depreciated chart that ran from 2009 until early 2012 and tracked full-length cellphone downloads.
3. Sources for chart positions are as follows: "I'm Lovin' You", "Change Myself", "Bye Now!", "Light Ahead".
4. ^ Released in South Korea under the name Ahyoomee.

References

1. "ICONIQ - Ayumi Lee". www.jpopasia.com. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
2. "'비행소녀' 아유미, '한국 국적이에요'...누리꾼 '일본인 아니었어?'". 6 September 2017.
3. "뉴스 : 네이버 Tv연예".
4. "아유미 :: 네이버 인물검색".
5. "뉴스 : 네이버 Tv연예".
6. ^ "Rising Star Set to Shine". The Japan Times. 2010-05-28. Archived from the original on 2011-08-31. Retrieved 2019-09-12.
7. "Sugar profile at Toy's Factory". toysfactory.co.jp. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
8. Ayumi's Hit Solo Debut Divides Online Critics Archived 2008-02-07 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 November 2006.
9. "뉴스 : 네이버 Tv연예".
10. (in Korean) Sports Chosun.'큐티 하니' 아유미, 亞무대 활동위해 보아 소속사와 계약. Retrieved March 9, 2007.
11. "Profile – Iconiq Official Website" (in Japanese). Rhythm Zone. Archived from the original on July 25, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
12. "뉴스 : 네이버 Tv연예".
13. "謎の"坊主"女性アーティスト、Iconiq 。 Atsushi （Exile） とのコラボ曲が、資生堂「マキアージュ」CM曲に決定" (in Japanese). CDJournal. 2009-11-24. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
14. ^ "Atsushi（Exile）の心を動かした新人・Iconiq が、2009年新人最高DL記録を樹立" (in Japanese). Barks. 2009-12-17. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
15. "新人美女アーティストが Exile ・ Atsushi との"丸刈り2ショット"で衝撃デビュー" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2009-12-09. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
16. ^ "新人・Iconiq が初登場3位、デビューアルバム Top3 入りは新垣結衣以来2年3ヶ月ぶり" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2010-03-16. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
17. "Iconiq 、 レコチョクウィークリーも2作品連続1位獲得" (in Japanese). Barks. 2010-01-28. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
18. "Ayumi to appear on a Korean program for the first time in 9 years!". Allkpop. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
19. "「伊藤ゆみ」で再始動のICONIQ、女優業本格復帰の第1弾を発表". Model Press. Net Native. 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2016-11-26.
20. "伊藤ゆみインタビュー「プロとしての責任感を表現できれば」『コード・ブルー～ドクターヘリ緊急救命～』に出演｜TVLife web - テレビがもっと楽しくなる！". TV Life.
21. ^ "뉴스 : 네이버 Tv연예".
22. "伊藤ゆみ、所属事務所を退所 今後も活動の場を広げ「全力を尽くす」". ORICON NEWS. oricon ME. 2020-01-31. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
23. Gong, Yeo-ju (September 30, 2022). "10월 결혼' 아유미, 야외 웨딩화보...영화 한 장면 같네" [October Marriage' Ayumi, outdoor wedding pictorial... It's like a scene from a movie] (in Korean). YTN. Retrieved September 30, 2022 – via Naver.
24. Han, Su-ji (January 2, 2023). "아유미 남편 권기범, 직업-회사 어디?…규모-매출 주목" [Ayumi's husband, Kwon Ki-beom, occupation - where does he work?... Size-sales focus] (in Korean). Topstarnews. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
25. "元「ＩＣＯＮＩＱ」伊藤ゆみ、第１子妊娠を発表「新たな命に感謝しながら心穏やかに」２２年に一般男性と結婚". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 2024-01-09. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
26. INC, SANKEI DIGITAL (2024-06-15). "元ＩＣＯＮＩＱの伊藤ゆみ、第１子女児を出産「初めて聞く元気な産声が今でも耳から離れません」". サンスポ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-06-16.
27. ^ "伊藤ゆみの作品" [Works by Yumi Ito]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved January 25, 2023.
28. "Album Chart 2010 Weeks 13". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 25, 2023.
29. ^ "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree']. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved September 29, 2014.
30. "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). December 16, 2009. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
31. ^ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). March 17, 2010. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
32. "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). August 18, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
33. "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). September 22, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
34. "レコード協会調べ 2010年01月27日～2010年02月02日 ＜略称：レコ協チャート（「着うたフル(R)」）＞" [Record Association report: 2010.01.27~2010.02.02 <abb. Reco-kyō Chart 'Chaku-uta Full'>] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. February 5, 2010. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
35. "レコード協会調べ 2010年03月03日～2010年03月09日 ＜略称：レコ協チャート（「着うたフル(R)」）＞" [Record Association report: 2010.03.03~2010.03.09 <abb. Reco-kyō Chart 'Chaku-uta Full'>] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. March 12, 2010. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
36. "レコード協会調べ 2010年03月31日～2010年04月06日 ＜略称：レコ協チャート（「着うたフル(R)」）＞" [Record Association report: 2010.03.31~2010.04.06 <abb. Reco-kyō Chart 'Chaku-uta Full'>] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. April 9, 2010. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
37. "レコード協会調べ 2010年09月15日～2010年09月21日 ＜略称：レコ協チャート（「着うたフル(R)」）＞" [Record Association report: 2010.09.15~2010.09.21 <abb. Reco-kyō Chart 'Chaku-uta Full'>] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. April 9, 2010. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
38. Won Se-na (October 21, 2021). "유빈, '골때녀' 합류… 'FC 탑걸' 멤버 "배워보고 싶었다" [Yubin joins 'Goal Girl'... 'FC Top Girl' member "I wanted to learn] (in Korean). The Fact. Retrieved October 21, 2021 – via Naver.
39. Jang Jin-ri (October 31, 2022). "[단독]'결혼' 아유미, '동상이몽2' 합류…남편 첫 공개" [ 'Marriage' Ayumi joins 'Same Bed, Dream 2'... husband's first] (in Korean). Sports TV News. Retrieved October 31, 2022 – via Naver.

External links

• Official website (in Japanese)

• 1984 births
• Living people
• South Korean women pop singers
• Japanese-language singers of South Korea
• Avex Group artists
• Zainichi Korean musicians
• South Korean female idols
• Singers from Tottori Prefecture