Ali (South Korean singer)

ALi
Background information
Birth name	Cho Yong-Jin
Born	(1984-11-20) November 20, 1984
Origin	South Korea
Genres	K-Pop, R&B, Soul, Hip-Hop
Years active	2009 – present
Labels	Juice Entertainment
Associated acts	Leessang

Cho Yong-Jin (Korean: 조용진), famously known as Ali (stylized as: ALi), is a South Korean singer-songwriter famous for her work on Korean pop music in the early twenty-first century. Her stage name is a motif from Muhammad Ali. This is because for it to be engraved easily masses.^[1] Following her debut in 2009, she is primarily known for her strong vocals and her time as a contestant on the KBS program Immortal Songs 2.

Career

Following her debut in 2009, she had already gained fame for her appearances on music shows, most notably Immortal Songs 2 on KBS2. She also worked as a professor in applied musical arts at the Seoul Technical Arts College.^[2]

ALi released her first album SOULri in December 2011 ^[3] which was strangely two years after her official debut. One released track, "Na Young", garnered immediate controversy as its lyrics referenced a case of sexual assault that had been a very public case in South Korea, with many detractors criticizing the song to be insensitive to its subject. ALi would later address this controversy by revealing that she herself was a survivor of sexual assault.^[4]

Following the release of her album, she held her first independent concert.^[5]

She was also a vocalist on several Leessang songs including "Ballerino" and "I'm Not Laughing".

Education

• Dankook University, Bachelor of Music and Life
• Sang Myung University Graduate School of Culture and Arts Department of Music Technology

Discography

Studio Albums

Extended Plays

Singles

• [08.10.2009] 365 Days (365일)
• [24.05.2010] Hey Mr. (Hey 미스터)
• [13.04.2011] I Tried Everything (별 짓 다해봤는데)
• [24.09.2011] Rice Bowl (밥그릇)
• [29.11.2011] I'll Be Damned (뭐 이런게 다 있어)
• [14.10.2011] If I Confess, You'll be Surprised (내가 고백을 하면 깜짝 놀랄거야)
• [13.12.2011] Don't Act Countrified (촌스럽게 굴지마)(Feat. Jun Hyung of Beast)
• [11.01.2013] Selfish (이기적이야)
• [30.01.2013] Eraser/Ziugae (지우개)
• [26.02.2013] Rainy Gomoryeong (비 내리는 고모령) (feat.Double K & Yankie)
• [19.03.2014] Because Of Me (나 때문에)
• [14.04.2014] Tears Keep Falling (자꾸 눈물이 납니다)
• [05.06.2014] What Is LUV (feat LOCO)
• [15.07.2014] Let Me Say First (여자가 먼저)
• [30.10.2014] Song Can't Lies (노래는 거짓말을 못해요)
• [13.01.2015] Goodbye Mr. Kim (잘가요 Mr.Kim) (With LE of EXID)

Soundtracks

• [05.01.2009] Rage (울컥) - Terroir OST
• [15.12.2009] A Dream Come True (돌멩이의 꿈)(feat RP-T) - Telecinema Project / A Dream Comes True OST
• [06.04.2009] Come On, Antique! & Cake Paradise (with Kim C) - Antique OST
• [22.03.2012] Hurt - Rooftop Prince OST
• [21.08.2012] Carry On - Faith OST
• [30.07.2013] In My Dream - Empire Of Gold OST
• [14.02.2014] The Vow (서약) - Golden Rainbow OST
• [08.07.2014] Flower Through The Rock (돌 틈 꽃) - The Gunman In Joseon OST
• [25.03.2015] I Love You, I’m Sorry (사랑한다 미안해) - Angry Mom OST

Features and Collaborations

Filmography

TV show

Awards

• 2009 : Cyworld Digital Music Awards - Female Newcomer of the Year
• 2012 : Hong Kong Asian-Pop Music Festival - Best Vocal Performance^[6] & 2nd Asian Super Nova^[7]

References