Jang Li Yin

This is a Chinese name; the family name is Zhang (张). Zhang Li Yin (Korean: 장리인, Jang Ri’in; Simplified Chinese: 张力尹; Traditional Chinese: 張力尹; Hanyu Pinyin: Zhāng Lìyǐn; born February 28, 1989) is the first (and currently the only) Chinese solo singer to break into the Korean music industry. Subject to much publicity, Zhang Li Yin has been nicknamed the “Chinese BoA” and the next leader of the Korean wave. She speaks both Mandarin (which is her first language) and moderate Korean and has released singles in both Korea and China, singing in both languages. She has also received lessons from a Chinese broadcaster on intonation and pronunciation to make her Sichuan accent disappear since they plan to use her to help break into the Chinese market.[1] Zhang Li Yin was discovered after Beijing partners informed the head of SM Entertainment of a young talent, and thus she started training in 2003 at the age of thirteen. The singer received three years of special singing and dance training under SM Entertainment. Under the direct direction from producer Lee Soo Man, Zhang discovered her R&B voice.[2]

[edit] Debut – Timeless

Zhang Li Yin’s debut single Cover TimelessZhang Li Yin’s debut was anticipated not only in Korea, but Asia, due to SM Entertainment’s advertising of her being the ‘Chinese BoA’ as well as Lee Soo Man himself stating he was training her to be the next leader of the Korean wave. Before her official debut, it was already known that her song was a duet with popular TVXQ member Xiah Junsu which generated even more interest and anticipation in her. Before the release of her song, “Timeless” was available for free download between August 31 and September 6 on her official website.[3] On September 8, 2006, Zhang released her first single, Timeless. She made her stage debut on MBC Music Core on September 9, 2006 singing “Timeless” with Xiah JunSu. The first day Zhang Li Yin debuted she was ranked #2 on the famous Korean music website, Melon[citation needed]; the following day she topped this chart and held her place respectively for two full weeks. The same day she also ranked #2 on the online charts of SBS Inkigayo, just after popular boy-band, Shinhwa’s “Throw My Fist”. “Timeless” also placed 1st on Daum’s Music Video chart as well as hitting the highest search number on the famous search engine, Naver.[citation needed]

The “Timeless” music video was ranked number one on Melon’s Video Chart for four full weeks. Within ten days of debuting, Zhang entered the “Take 7” chart on SBS Inkigayo (complied from internet and industry statistics).

[edit] First Mutizen Award Zhang received the Mutizen Award on television programme SBS Ingigayo just 16 days after her debut, which both grew suspicion for industry watchers and audiences on her instant fame.

Netizens questioned, “Zhang Li Yin receives Mutizen Award just 16 days after her debut? What were the judging criteria?” While some netizens weren’t pleased with the outcome, others seemed to be thrilled. A netizen by the ID name of PARK said, “I don’t think it’s the song that resulted in her getting the award after such a short time.” A group of netizens quoted, “This can also be seen on the rankings of music websites, she’s clearly number one. The result that SBS revealed on their website was correct.”

[edit] Rookie of the Month Zhang was selected as “Digital Music Award” September’s “Rookie of the Month”. The debut title track “Timeless” had the highest sales for a new singer in BGM ’s Cyworld mini homepage. Winners of the “Digital Music Award” are based on the data in BMG ’s Cyworld mini homepage. A singer can win the “Song of the Month” award when his or her song records the highest sales. For the “Rookie of the Month” award, a new singer must have stood out among other new singers.

[edit] Best New Solo Artist At the 2006 MKMF Music Video Festival, she won the Best New Solo Artist Award.

[edit] Zhang Li Yin’s visa Similar to fellow SM Entertainment artist, Han Kyung of popular K-pop group Super Junior; Zhang holds an E-6 (Entertainment industry) passport, for foreigners in South Korea. Foreign artists carrying out promotional activities have limitations in terms of location and other factors. HanKyung’s passport only allows him to work under SBS and KBS , while Zhang’s allows her to work only with SBS and MBC , which is why she only performs on the two stages.

[edit] 2007 activities Zhang Li Yin promoted the second track of her debut single, “Y (Why…)”, in the early months of 2007. SM Entertainment also released a “Timeless” single Documentary version of her “Y (Why…)” music video. This music video showcased her hardships during training, and many behind the scenes clips of her promoting “Timeless”, including never before seen footage of her and Xiah Junsu.

Zhang also performed with Korean boyband TVXQ at their second Korean concert in Seoul, Korea on February 23, 2007. She sung BoA’s part in the song “Tri-Angle”, which was previously performed by BoA, TVXQ and The TRAX .

She also performed “Timeless” with Xiah Junsu at the Hallyu Expo in Korea on March 8, 2007.

As of now, Zhang is recording her debut Chinese album and second Korean single. A Mandarin remake of the famous Korean classic, “Magic Castle”, sung by Zhang, is in the newest LOTTE commercial featuring Song Seung Hun.

She will also be participating in the SM Summer Concert, alongside SM Entertainment’s key performers TVXQ , Super Junior, Kang Ta, and Chun Sang Ji Hee.