Ben (South Korean singer)

Lee Eun-young (Korean이은영; born July 30, 1991), better known by her stage name Ben, is a South Korean singer and songwriter.[1][2][3] She made her official debut in October 2012, with their first extended play 147.5. As of 2024 she released one studio album, five extended plays and twenty one singles.

Ben
Ben in January 2019
Born
Lee Eun-young

(1991-07-30) July 30, 1991 (age 33)
Incheon, South Korea
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Years active2010–present
Spouse
Lee Wook
(m. 2021; div. 2024)
Children1
Musical career
Genres
Labels
  • Y-WHO Enterprise
  • Happy Face
  • The Vibe
  • Major9
  • BRD Entertainment
Korean name
Hangul
이은영
Revised RomanizationI Eun-yeong
McCune–ReischauerYi Ŭn'yŏng
Stage name
Hangul
Revised RomanizationBen
McCune–ReischauerBen

Career

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She was a member of South Korean band Bebe Mignon [ko] from 2010 to 2011.[4] The band disbanded after the departure of member Gaeul, but she made the transition to vocal soloist thanks to her mentor, Vibe's Yoon Minsu.[5]

In October 2012, she released her first album, 147.5, as a solo vocalist, a compilation of sad ballads with string arrangements and piano,[3] with the title referring to her diminutive height, reported as between 147.5 cm and 153 cm, or around 4 feet 10 inches to 5 feet tall.[6]

In August 2015, she released her second EP My Name Is Ben, with nine tracks, including the title dance song "Looby Loo",[7] which differed from her past ballad style,[8] and other songs including jazz and R&B.[9]

In November 2015, she released another EP, Soulmate, which includes duets with singers MIIII and Sejun Im.[10][11][12]

She has recorded many soundtracks, abbreviated as OSTs, for South Korean films and Korean drama or k-drama for television in South Korea. In 2015, these included "Give Me A Hug" for Hello Monster, "Stay" for Oh My Ghost, "You" for Healer,[1] and "Darling You" for Oh My Venus,[2] a duet with Kim Tae-woo.[10] In 2016, she sang "Like a Dream" for Another Oh Hae-young,[13] recorded a duet with Xia Junsu for his fourth album, Xignature, entitled "Sweet Melody",[14] sang "Misty Road" composed by Jinyoung of B1A4 for Love in the Moonlight and in 2017, she sang "Memory", one of the OSTs for "Introverted Boss".

In 2018, she released her first studio album, Recipe which contains nine tracks overall, she also released her fifth extended play Off The Record which was released in April 2020.

Personal life

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Ben is married to businessman Lee Wook. Their wedding took place on June 5, 2021 in a small ceremony with family and friends.[15] On July 18, 2022, Ben announced that she was pregnant with her first child and gave birth to her daughter on February 1, 2023.[16][17]

On February 29, 2024, Ben announced her divorce from her husband.[18]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[19]
Recipe
  • Released: May 8, 2018
  • Label: Major9
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Love Recipe (skit)
  2. Iced Coffee
  3. Love,ing
  4. Bat
  5. Blank
  6. My Name
  7. Am I Right?
  8. Iced Coffee (instrumental)
  9. Love,ing (instrumental)
37

Extended plays

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Title EP details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[19]
147.5
My Name Is Ben
  • Released: August 25, 2015
  • Label: The Vibe Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
36
Soulmate
  • Released: November 24, 2015
  • Label: The Vibe Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
49
180˚
  • Released: December 7, 2018[21]
  • Label: Major9
  • Format: CD, digital download
35
Off the Record
  • Released: April 26, 2020[23]
  • Label: Major9
  • Format: CD, digital download
26

Singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Certifications Album
KOR
Circle

[24]
KOR
Hot
"Don't Go Today" (오늘은 가지마) 2012 147.5
"When You Do Well"
"I Love a Gangster" (언제 사람 될래 (부제: 아가씨와 건달들) 2015 * Soulmate
"I've Decided to Be Introduced" (소개받기로했어) 42 My Name Is Ben
"Looby Loo"
"Last Time" (마지막이니까) (with Im Se Jun) Soulmate
"Not Ok" (안 괜찮아) 2016 28
  • KOR: 71,051
Non-album singles
"Sweety" (달달해) (featuring Yo$sap) 2017
"Love Recipe" 2018 Recipe
"Iced Coffee"
"Love, ing" (열애중) 6 7
"180 Degree" (180도) 1 1 180˚
"Thank You for Goodbye" (헤어져줘서 고마워) 2019 1 1 Non-album single
"Bad" (나쁜 놈) 2020 26 29 Off the Record
"Lonely Night" (혼술하고 싶은 밤) 18 56 Lonely Night
"Because I Am a Woman" (여자이니까) 2021 109 Non-album singles
"Come & Talk" (지금 뭐해) 158 75
"Spring Days" (벚꽃이 피면 우리 그만 헤어져) 2022 47 53
"A Memorial Day" (기념일) 136 * "Talks About Memory"
"Waiting.." (늘..) 162 Non-album singles
"I Loved You Like a Movie" (한 편의 영화 같은 널 사랑했어) 2024 200
"Only You" (바보야) 146
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
"*" denotes the chart did not exist at that time.

Collaborations

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Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[29]
"Love in Spring"
(with Haegeum, Stranger, and Im Se-jun)
2012 Global Project Pt. 2
"Baby Baby"
(with Kim Won-joo of 4Men)
2013 The Serenade Part. 1
"Lonely Christmas" (나홀로 크리스마스)
(with Vibe, 4Men, Im Se-jun, MIIII, and Min Yeon-jae)
2014 47 Lonely Christmas (Made in the Vibe)
"Celebrate Love" (축가)
(with Vibe, 4Men, Im Se-jun, and MIIII)
2015 27 Celebrate Love (Made in the Vibe)
"Konus"
(Korean ver.) (Feat.bigtone)
Konus (Made in the VIbe)
"You Are My Christmas" (넌 나의 크리스마스)
(with Vibe, 4Men, Im Se-jun, and MIIII)
You Are My Christmas (Made in the Vibe)
"Don't Go Today"
(with Im Se-jun)
2016 Don't Go Today (Made in the Vibe)
"The Reason Why I'm Beautiful" (내가 예뻐진 이유)
(with Eunji and Jihyo)
2016 97 Inkigayo Music Crush Pt.1
"Each Other" (서로의 서로)
(with Shin Yong-jae of 4Men)
2017 Each Other (Made in the Vibe)
"The First Night" (첫날밤)
(with Kim Won-joo)
2018 Non-album singles
"Ordinary Love" (보통의 연애)
(with CSP)
2020 132
"Can Love Be Fair" (사랑이 공평할 순 없을까)
(with G.Soul)
2021 118
"That Man, That Woman" (그 남자 그 여자)
(with Shin Yong Jae)
130 That Man, That Woman (Revibe Vol.6)

Other songs

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Year Title Format Album Notes Ref.
2019
"Hee Jae" (희재) Digital download, streaming [Vol.4]You Hee Yul's Sketchbook 10th Anniversary Project: 2nd voice "Sketchbook X Ben", original song by [32]
"Purple Breeze" (보라빛 향기) [Vol.5] You Hee Yul's Sketchbook 10th Anniversary Project: 2nd Voice "Sketchbook X Ben" original song by [33]
2013 "To J" (J에게) Music Voyage Yesterday original song by Lena Park [32]

Soundtrack appearances

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Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
Gaon
[24]
Hot
"Stop the Love Now" 2014 93 Marriage, Not Dating OST
"You" 2015 52 Healer OST
"Stay" Oh My Ghost OST
"Palpitations" 29 The Producers OST
"Hug Me" (안아줘요) 80 I Remember You OST
"Darling U"
(with Kim Tae Woo)
Oh My Venus OST
"Sometimes" (때론) 2016 One More Happy Ending OST
"Like a Dream" (꿈처럼) 6 Another Oh Hae-young OST
"My All" Second to Last Love OST
"Misty Road" 10 Love in the Moonlight OST
"Memory" 2017 Introverted Boss OST
"Can't Go" (갈 수가 없어) 67 Because This Is My First Life OST
"Love Me Once Again" (미워도 다시 한 번) 2018 73 75 Re:Playlist, Vol.3
"If We Were Destined" (운명이라면) A Korean Odyssey OST
"If You Were Me" 88 87 Mr. Sunshine OST
"Can You Hear Me?" (내 목소리 들리니) 2019 3 4 Hotel Del Luna OST
"Deep Sorrow" (한숨만) 158 Chief of Staff OST
"Dear My Love" (그대여 그대여 나의 그대여) 2020 Hyena OST
"I'll Be" Mystic Pop-up Bar OST
"Whenever Wherever Whatever" Alice OST
"I'm Still Here" 81 More Than Friends OST
"With Your Everything" 2021 Trickster M OST
"Leave Me" (떠나요) 154 94 She Would Never Know OST
"Dialog of Dream" (꿈의 대화) [B] Fly, Again OST
"Starlight Heart" (잠들지 않는 별) 169 The Red Sleeve OST
"My Only One" (내게 단 한 사람) 2022 Tomorrow OST
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Filmography

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TV series

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Year Title Role Network Notes
2015–present Mother's Spring herself TV Chosun Cast
2015–2016 I Can See Your Voice herself Mnet Regular panelist

Awards and nominations

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Year Category Recipient Result Ref.
2018 Discovery of the Year - Ballad Ben Won
2019 Artist of the Year - Digital Music (December) "180 Degree" Won
2020 Artist of the Year - Digital Music (July) "Thank you for Goodbye" Won
Year Category Recipient Result Ref.
2018 Song of the Year "Love, ing" Nominated [41][42]
"Can't Go" Nominated
Vocal Track (Female) "Love, ing" Nominated
OST Award "Can't Go" Nominated
Genie Music Popularity Award Ben Nominated
2019 The Female Solo Artist Nominated [43]
The Vocal Artist Nominated
Year Category Recipient Result Ref.
2022 Digital Song Bonsang "Lonely Night" Nominated [44]
Seezn Most Popular Artist Award Ben Nominated
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Year Category Recipient Result
2018 Best OST "Can't Go" Won
Year Category Recipient Result
2019 Top 10 Artists Ben Nominated
Song of the Year "180 Degree" Nominated
Best Ballad Nominated
Album of the Year Nominated
Year Category Recipient Result
2019 Best Vocal Performance – Solo "180 Degree" Nominated
Song of the Year Nominated
Worldwide Fans’ Choice Top 10 Ben Nominated

Notes

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  1. ^ Certification for downloads[26]
  2. ^ "Dialog of Dream" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but appeared at number 143 on the component Download Chart.[40]

References

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  1. ^ a b Kim, Areum (August 10, 2015). 가수 벤, 종영 앞둔 ‘너를 기억해’ OST ‘안아줘요’ 발매…OST 여제로 등극할까 (in Korean). Newsway. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "벤" (in Italian). iTunes. March 6, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Kim, Hyeong (October 10, 2012). 베베미뇽 벤, 첫솔로앨범 ‘147.5’ 발표 (in Korean). The Dong-a Ilbo. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  4. ^ Choi, Ji-ye (2016-02-06). "[한복인터뷰②]벤 "데뷔 후 연습생으로 유턴, 참 많이 울었어요"". My Daily. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  5. ^ "Ben's Vocal Analysis". 21 July 2016.
  6. ^ '홀로서기' 벤, 앨범명 '147.5' 속 숨겨진 비밀은? (in Korean). Daily Asia Economy. October 10, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  7. ^ POP, 헤럴드 (2015-11-24). "[오늘뭐듣지] 벤과 임세준의 '감성 입맞춤'…'마지막이니까'". pop.heraldcorp.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  8. ^ "BEN's 2nd mini album 'My Name Is BEN' 제 이름은 '벤'입니다". Culture M Magazine. August 26, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  9. ^ Kim, Jin-Kyung (August 25, 2016). [포토] 벤 'My Name Is BEN' (in Korean). JoongAng Ilbo. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  10. ^ a b 벤, 신곡 ‘마지막이니까’ 24일 12시 공개… 임세준-미 지원자격 (in Korean). The Dong-a Ilbo. November 24, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  11. ^ Won, Jinhae (November 24, 2015). 新OST 강자 벤, 겨울감성으로 돌아왔다…‘소울메이트’ 발매 (in Korean). New Daily. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  12. ^ Chung, So-Young (November 24, 2015). 벤(Ben), 임세준과의 인증샷 공개로 미니앨범 ‘Soulmate’ 홍보… ‘훈훈 케미’ (in Korean). Top Star News. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  13. ^ Son, Ji-hyoung (May 16, 2016). "Next 'Oh Hae-young Again' soundtrack song features actress". The Korea Herald. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  14. ^ 4집 XIGNATURE (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  15. ^ Lee Woo-joo (June 4, 2021). "벤♥이욱, 내일(5일) 미뤘던 결혼식 올린다 "축가는 김태우·2F" [공식]". Naver (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  16. ^ Jeong Bit (July 18, 2022). "[단독]'이욱♥'벤, 임신 3개월…혼인신고 2년 만에 새 생명(종합)" [[Exclusive] 'Lee Wook ♥' Ben, 3 months pregnant... New life after 2 years of marriage registration (comprehensive)] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved July 18, 2022 – via Naver.
  17. ^ Park Sang-hoo (February 2, 2023). "벤, 1일 딸 출산 "여러 감정들에 복받쳐 울었다"" [Ben, gave birth to a daughter on the 1st "I cried because I was overcome with various emotions"] (in Korean). JTBC. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  18. ^ Lee, Ji-hyun (February 29, 2024). ""남편의 귀책 사유로"…황정음에 벤까지. 파워 당당한 그녀들의 '이혼사유' [SC이슈]" [“Because of my husband’s fault”… From Hwang Jung-eum to Ben. Powerful women’s ‘reason for divorce’ [SC Issue]] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved February 29, 2024 – via Naver.
  19. ^ a b "Gaon Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Studio albums: Extended plays:
  20. ^ "2018년 05월 Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  21. ^ "벤(BEN), 새 앨범 타이틀곡 '180도' 멜론 포함 5개 음원 차트 1위 등극". www.wowtv.co.kr (in Korean). 10 December 2018. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  22. ^ "2018년 12월 Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  23. ^ SEDAILY. "가수 벤, 새 미니앨범 '오프 더 레코드(Off The Record)' 오는 26일 발매" (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  24. ^ a b "Gaon Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
  25. ^ Cumulative sales for "I've Decided to Be Introduced":
  26. ^ a b c "South Korean single certifications – Ben" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA). Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  27. ^ "Love, ing" was certified platinum for 100 million streaming in March 2019. and for 2.5 million downloads in September 2019.
  28. ^ "Gaon Certification - Streaming". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  29. ^ "Gaon Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
  30. ^ Cumulative sales for "Lonely Christmas":
  31. ^ Cumulative sales for "Celebrate Love":
  32. ^ a b "그대 내 맘에 들어오면은". Melon.
  33. ^ "You Are Crying". Melon.
  34. ^ Cumulative sales for "Stop the Love Now":
  35. ^ Cumulative sales for "You":
  36. ^ Cumulative sales for "Palpitations":
  37. ^ Cumulative sales for "Hug Me":
  38. ^ Cumulative sales for "Like a Dream":
  39. ^ Cumulative sales for "Misty Road":
  40. ^ 2021년 47주차 Download Chart [Week 47 of 2021 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  41. ^ "2018 MBC Plus X Genie Music Awards Announces Nominees + Voting Begins". Soompi. October 1, 2018.
  42. ^ ""BTS·워너원·트와이스·볼빨간"…'2018 MGA' 후보 공개, 투표 시작". Naver (in Korean). October 1, 2018.
  43. ^ "Here's the 2019 M2 X Genie Music Awards nominees". SBS PopAsia HQ (in Korean). June 20, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  44. ^ Kim, No-eul (December 8, 2021). "BTS·임영웅·김호중·아이유…제36회 골든디스크 어워즈 후보 공개" [BTS, Lim Young-woong, Kim Ho-joong, IU...Candidates for the 36th Golden Disc Awards.]. X Sports News. Archived from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.