J (South Korean singer)

J
J performing in 2005
J performing in 2005
Background information
Birth nameChung Jae-young
Also known asJ.ae
Born (1977-05-02) May 2, 1977 (age 47)
GenresK-pop, R&B/soul
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, television presenter
Years active1998–present
Korean name
Hangul
정재영
Revised RomanizationJeong Jae-yeong
McCune–ReischauerChŏng Chaeyŏng

Chung Jae-young (Korean정재영; born May 2, 1977),[1] better known by the stage names J and J.ae (Korean제이), is a Korean-American singer based in South Korea. She debuted in 1998 with the album, J: Gold.[2]

Early life

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J was born Chung Jae-young on May 2, 1977.[1] Her father is Chung Hee-taek, the former vocalist of the rock band He Six, and her aunt is Chung Hoon-hee, a singer.[3] When she was one year old, she immigrated to the United States with her family.[4] She grew up in San Francisco, California, and later Springfield, Virginia, where she attended West Springfield High School. Her mother entered her into the 1995 regional Miss Korea pageant in Washington, D.C., where she finished as the first runner-up and was scouted by a music producer.[4][5][6] She studied jazz at NOVA in Virginia, but took a leave of absence in 1997 and returned to South Korea in order to become a singer.[4][7]

Career

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J’s debut album was prepared over the course of two years.[8] During that period, J provided vocals for Yoo Seung-jun’s 1st and 2nd albums and contributed to the soundtrack of the movie Hallelujah.[4] Her debut album was released in November 1998 with two versions — J-Gold and J-Blue. J-Gold was described as "pure and innocent", while J-Blue was described as "emphasizing a sensuous feel." The two versions shared 7 tracks in common, while the remaining 4 differed.[8]

In 2002, J was invited to contribute her talent to the FIFA World Cup's official album. Her song "Gotta Get Love" was featured on The Official Album of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan Edition.[9][better source needed]

In 2007, she released a contemporary Christian album In My Lifetime. The album had a more R&B/hip-hop feel than her previous releases.[10]

In 2012, J hosted Arirang TV's The Sensation,[11] a music-focused series that introduced traditional Korean instruments, music, and dance through multiple venues including concerts, studio audience tapings, and award-winning documentaries geared towards a world-wide English-speaking audience.

Personal life

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On September 14, 2013, J married a U.S. soldier who was based in South Korea.[12] Following their marriage, the couple moved to the United States. They have one daughter, born on June 28, 2016.[2]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
(MIAK)
[13]
KOR
(Circle)
[14]
Gold
In Love
  • Released: April 20, 2000
  • Label: Seoul Records
7
Chocolate
  • Released: December 1, 2000
  • Label: Seoul Records
Beautiful Ones 6
Dim The Lights
  • Released: April 11, 2002
  • Label: Midas
11
The Crush of Love
  • Released: April 23, 2004
  • Label: Plyzen
In My Life
  • Released: January 1, 2007
  • Label: Rise Up Korea
In Love Again
  • Released: November 8, 2007
  • Label: Sponge Entertainment
29
Sentimental
  • Released: February 3, 2010
  • Label: CEN Entertainment
No data
SuperStar
  • Released: July 1, 2011
  • Label: Pony Canyon Korea
15

Extended plays

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Title Album details
Good Day
  • Released: October 24, 2012
  • Label: EM Company

Singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR
(Circle)
"Goodbye" (굿바이) 1998 Gold
"Like Yesterday" (어제처럼) 2000 In Love
"Undivided Love" Chocolate
"Light" (빛) 2001 Beautiful Ones
"Until Then" (그때까지) 2002 Dim The Lights
"Sad But True" (슬프지만 진실) 2004 The Crush of Love
"I Told You I Love You" (사랑한다 말했잖아) 2006 Non-album single
"Father's Song" 2007 In My Life
"In Tears" (눈물로) (feat. Lee Jung) Non-album single
"Just Ten Days" (열흘만) In Love Again
"Alcohol and Pure Love" (술과 순정) (feat. Eun Ji-won and Miryo) 2008
"You Don't Even Know" (모르면서) Love Child (digital single)
"Toast" (with Humming Urban Stereo) French Toast (digital single)
"Sweet Dream" 2009 Romance Zero OST
"Saying I Love You" (사랑한다는 말) (with Alex) SuperStar
"Dream" (feat. Supreme Team)
"No. 5" (feat. Eun Ji-won) 2010 44 Sentimental
"SuperStar" (feat. Jiggy Dogg) 2011 82 SuperStar
"Nightmare" (악몽) 76 Non-album single
"Two of Us" (둘이서) (with Lee Jae-hoon) 39 Good Day
"Good Day" (멋진 하루) 2012
"Blue Sky" (feat. HavyT) 2013 Non-album singles
"Happy Person"
"Starry Starry Days" (별의 별) (with lapin) 2017

Awards and nominations

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Award Year Category Nominee Result Ref.
Golden Disc Awards 2000 Popularity Award "Like Yesterday" (어제처럼) Won [19]
Mnet Asian Music Awards Best R&B Performance Nominated
2001 Best Female Artist "The Saddest Words" (가장 슬픈 말) Nominated
SBS Gayo Daejeon 2000 R&B Award J Won [20]
Seoul Music Awards Best New Artist Won [19]

References

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  1. ^ a b "제이". Daum Encyclopedia (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 8, 2018. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Kwon, Nam-yeong (June 29, 2016). "제이, 결혼 3년 만에 득녀…'미군 남편과 미국 생활'". Kukmin Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 6, 2018. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  3. ^ "J Rises to the Top". Korea JoongAng Daily. January 4, 2003. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d "'가수 3代(대)'신인 제이 스타가문 脈(맥) 잇는다". NAVER News Library. The Chosun Ilbo. November 14, 1998. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  5. ^ "J.ae (제이)". KBS World Radio. KBS. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  6. ^ "슈가맨 제이 남편, 작전 장교 출신 "훈남에 배려심 높아"". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). November 25, 2015. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  7. ^ "[대중음악]제이 2집 '인 러브'서 R&B로 180도 변신". Naver News (in Korean). The Dong-a Ilbo. May 9, 2000. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "국내 첫 더블 데뷔앨범 신인 여가수 제이 20세의 R&B는'당찬 완숙미'". NAVER News Library. Kyunghyang Shinmun. November 3, 1998. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  9. ^ "www.filmmusic.ru – 2002 FIFA World Cup Official Album – Songs of Korea/Japan (2002)". Archived from the original on March 28, 2014.
  10. ^ "사이좋은 사람들 싸이월드" (in Korean). Cyworld. Archived from the original on November 9, 2007. Retrieved June 14, 2007.(Google translation Archived June 23, 2015, at the Wayback Machine)
  11. ^ "Asia Heartbeat arirang". Arirang International Broadcasting Foundation. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  12. ^ Lee, Sun-min (March 30, 2013). "Singer J to marry U.S. soldier". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on September 6, 2018. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  13. ^ Music Industry Association of Korea monthly chart positions:
  14. ^ Circle (formerly Gaon) Album Chart positions:
  15. ^ "2000년 가요 판매량 순위집계" [Total 2000 K-Pop Album Sales]. Music Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 5, 2008. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  16. ^ "2001.06월 - 가요 음반 판매량" [June 2001 K-Pop Album Sales]. Music Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 7, 2008. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  17. ^ "2002년 - 가요 음반 판매량" [2002 Half Year K-Pop Album Sales]. Music Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 18, 2007. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  18. ^ "2007. 11월 - 가요음반 판매량" [November 2007 K-Pop Album Sales]. Music Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 23, 2008. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  19. ^ a b "[팝업TV]'백년손님' 제이, 뜬금포 예능 복귀? 이유 있어 더 반갑다". Herald Pop (in Korean). May 26, 2017. Archived from the original on October 11, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  20. ^ "[방송]서세원-채림 'SBS 가요대전' 공동 진행". The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). December 19, 2000. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2022 – via Naver News.
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