Iconiq

Iconiq
Birth name Ayumi Itō
Also known as Ayumi Lee
Yumi Ito
Ahyoomee
Born (1984-08-25) August 25, 1984
Tottori Prefecture, Japan
Genres
Occupation(s) Singer
Instruments Vocal
Years active 2001–2012 (on Hiatus)
Labels
Associated acts
Website iconiq.jp (Japanese)
Korean name
Hangul 이아유미
Hanja 李亞由美
Revised Romanization I Ayumi
McCune–Reischauer Yi Ayumi
Japanese name:
Itō Ayumi (伊藤亜由美 or 伊藤あゆみ)

Ayumi Itō[1] (born August 25, 1984[2]) better known her stage name as Iconiq in Japan and also known as Ayumi in South Korea, is a Japanese singer mostly active in South Korean and Japan. She is a former member of the Korean girl-group Sugar.

Early Life

Ayumi Itō was born in Tottori Prefecture as a third generation Korean Japanese[3] on August 25, 1984. She lived in Japan until she was 15, after which she moved to South Korea. She attended Korea Kent Foreign School.[4]

Career

Sugar

Ayumi was scouted by the entertainment company Starworld at a H.O.T. concert,[1] debuting as part of South Korean girl group Sugar in 2001.[2] The band released two albums in Japan and three in Korea, to only moderate commercial success. The group official disbanded in 2006.

Solo career

In 2006, the band broke up, and Iconiq released two solo singles as Ayumi.[1] The first, a cover of the theme song for Cutie Honey, was released on July 13, 2006, and was criticized by Korean media for her "heavy accent" and the overall Japanese feel of performances.[5] Her second digital single, "Jalmotdoen Mannam" ("Wrongful Meeting") 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.[6] However, she did not release any solo material at this time. In 2008, Iconiq moved to Los Angeles to study dance, and find new inspiration as a musician.[1][7]

In late 2009, she changed her stage name to Iconiq, and debuted in Japan under Rhythm Zone. 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.[8][9][10] Iconiq was marketed around her buzz cut hair-style, often called "baby short hair" (ベビーショートヘア).[9][11][12]

Her past as a member of Sugar and her Korean heritage were underplayed in the promotion in Japan, leading to concerns in the Korean media.[13][14][15] Tokyo Sports ran an article about Iconiq's past as a Korean idol, and later apologised to Iconiq's record label.[16]

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.[11] 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."

In 2015, Ayumi appeared on a Korean program again, for the first time after nine years on JTBC program Witch Hunt.[17]

Discography

Studio album

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions Sales (JPN)[18][upper-alpha 1]
JPN
[19]		 KOR
[20]		 KOR
Overseas
[21]		 TWN East Asian
[22]
Change Myself 3 47 15 20 64,000

Extended play

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions Sales (JPN)[18]
JPN
[19]
Light Ahead
  • Released: September 15, 2010 (JPN)
  • Label: Rhythm Zone
  • Formats: CD, CD/DVD, digital download
 18 12,000

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales (JPN)[18] Album
JPN Oricon
[19]		 JPN Hot 100
[23][upper-alpha 2]		 JPN RIAJ
Digital
Track
Chart
[upper-alpha 3][upper-alpha 4]
"Cutie Honey"[upper-alpha 5] 2006 — — — Non-album singles
"Jalmosdoen Mannam" (Korean: 잘못된 만남, "Wrongful Meeting")[upper-alpha 5] — — —
"I'm Lovin' You" (Iconiq x Exile Atsushi) 2010 — 47 8 Change Myself
"Change Myself" — 73 20
"Bye Now!" — 8 47
"Tokyo Lady" 19 21 — 10,000 Light Ahead
"Light Ahead" — 49 62
"Ladies" 2012 — — — Non-album singles
"Make It Right" — — —

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2009 Yakusoku no Chi Yumi Ito Lead role
Kafu wo Machiwabite Rika Aragaki Supporting role

Television drama

Year Title Network Role Notes
2006 Nonstop 6: Rainbow Romance MBC Ah Yoo Mi Supporting role; Sitcom
2008 Binbo Danshi NTV Kurata Watana Supporting role
Yottsu no uso TV Asahi Miyabe Supporting role
2012 Ataru TV Asahi Kashiwabara Yumi Cameo
2013 Machigawarechatta Otoko Fuji TV Erika Momoyama

Awards

Japan Record Awards

Year Recipient/Nominated work Award Result
2010 Iconiq "Change Myself" New Artist[32] Won
Best New Artist Nominated

Notes

  1. ↑ Sales provided by Oricon database and are rounded to the nearest thousand copies.
  2. ↑ Sources for chart positions are as follows: "I'm Lovin' You",[24] "Bye Now!",[25] "Change Myself",[25] "Tokyo Lady",[26] "Light Ahead".[27]
  3. ↑ The RIAJ Digital Track Chart is a depreciated chart that ran from 2009 until early 2012 and tracked full-length cellphone downloads.
  4. ↑ Sources for chart positions are as follows: "I'm Lovin' You",[28] "Change Myself",[29] "Bye Now!",[30] "Light Ahead".[31]
  5. 1 2 Released in South Korea under the name Ahyoomee.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Rising Star Set to Shine". The Japan Times. 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  2. 1 2 Sugar profile at Toy's Factory
  3. ↑ Ayumi is in love with J.League soccer star, Koreanmovie.com
  4. ↑ 엠파스 - 인물검색
  5. ↑ Chosun Ilbo. Ayumi's Hit Solo Debut Divides Online Critics. Retrieved 10 November 2006.
  6. ↑ (Korean) Sports Chosun.'큐티 하니' 아유미, 亞무대 활동위해 보아 소속사와 계약. Retrieved March 9, 2007.
  7. ↑ "PROFILE – ICONIQ Official Website" (in Japanese). Rhythm Zone. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  8. ↑ "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.
  9. 1 2 "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.
  10. ↑ "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.
  11. 1 2 "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.
  12. ↑ "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.
  13. ↑ 아유미 일본 공식 홈피, 신상정보에 한국 활동 언급 없어 (in Korean). Max Movie. December 10, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  14. ↑ 아유미 日활동 시작, 과거 한국활동 안밝혀 ‘대체 왜?’ (in Korean). Newsen. January 22, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  15. ↑ "韓国での過去は恥部？ 坊主頭の新人歌手ICONIQにバッシングと"悪行暴露"" (in Japanese). Men'z Cyzo. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  16. ↑ "「ICONIQは元韓国アイドル」報道で東スポがエイベックスに全面降伏していた" (in Japanese). Livedoor. Archived from the original on August 21, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Ayumi to appear on a Korean program for the first time in 9 years!". Allkpop. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  18. 1 2 3 "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. (subscription required (help)).
  19. 1 2 3 "ICONIQのリリース一覧" [List of Iconiq's Releases]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  20. ↑ "2010년 13주차 Album Chart 종합". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  21. ↑ "2010년 13주차 Album Chart 국외". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  22. ↑ "G-Music J-Pop Chart" (in Chinese). G-Music. 2010 week 13. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Hot 100｜JAPAN Charts｜Billboard JAPAN" (in Japanese). Billboard.
  24. ↑ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). December 16, 2009. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  25. 1 2 "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). March 17, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). August 18, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). September 22, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  28. ↑ "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.
  29. ↑ "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.
  30. ↑ "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.
  31. ↑ "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.
  32. ↑ Winners announced for the 52nd Japan Record Awards

External links

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