LeeHi, born Lee Ha-yi, is a South Korean singer and songwriter best known for her soulful R&B voice and her chart-topping 2012 debut single “1, 2, 3, 4,” which sold 667,549 downloads in its first week.
She first came to national attention as the runner-up on the SBS reality competition K-pop Star Season 1 in 2011, launching one of the most celebrated K-pop and R&B careers of her generation.
Who is Lee Hi Yi?
Lee Ha-yi, professionally known as LeeHi, is a South Korean singer and songwriter whose voice spans K-pop, R&B, soul, and blues.
She debuted under YG Entertainment in October 2012 after finishing as runner-up on K-pop Star Season 1 the previous year.
Over more than a decade, she has released four studio albums and built a reputation as one of South Korea’s leading R&B vocalists.
Her 2016 single “Breathe,” written by SHINee’s Kim Jong-hyun, became one of the most acclaimed songs of that year.
In March 2026, LeeHi went public with her relationship with rapper Dok2 and co-founded their joint label, 808 HI RECORDINGS.
She also serves as Chairwoman of the label, marking a significant new chapter in her career both as an artist and a music entrepreneur.
Early Life of Lee Hi Yi
Lee Ha-yi was born on September 23, 1996, in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. She grew up in Sang-dong, Wonmi-gu, and has one older sister.
Her artistic path became clear early. In December 2011, at just 15 years old, she auditioned for the SBS reality survival program K-pop Star, finishing as runner-up behind Park Ji-min.
YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun-suk signed her shortly after the show ended. Her potential was evident well before her official debut.
Lee Hi Yi Age / Birthday
LeeHi is 29 years old as of 2026, born on September 23, 1996. Her zodiac sign is Libra, a sign associated with balance, charm, and a strong sense of aesthetics.
As of 2026, she is also an active co-founder and artist at her own label, 808 HI RECORDINGS.
Lee Hi Yi Ethnicity and Nationality
LeeHi is South Korean by nationality, born and raised in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. She is of Korean ethnicity.
Her upbringing in South Korea’s vibrant music culture shaped her path toward a career in K-pop and R&B from a young age.
Lee Hi Yi Height and Weight
LeeHi stands at 5 feet 1 inch (156 cm). Her recorded weight is approximately 106 lbs (48 kg).
Despite her compact frame, her stage presence has always drawn attention for its authority and expressiveness.
Lee Hi Yi Musical Style and Influences
LeeHi’s sound draws heavily from R&B, soul, and blues, setting her apart from many of her K-pop peers.
Her voice carries a natural warmth and depth that critics have noted from her earliest appearances on K-pop Star.
She has worked across musical styles, from polished pop production at YG Entertainment to the more intimate hip-hop-inflected R&B of her AOMG years.
Collaborations with producers like Code Kunst and labelmates at AOMG helped deepen her artistic direction.
Her 2019 EP 24°C showed her growth as a songwriter. The EP included the self-written and self-produced track “20Min,” confirming her voice as more than just interpretive.
Lee Hi Yi Education
LeeHi attended the School of Performing Arts Seoul, a specialized secondary school focused on performing arts training.
The institution is known for producing some of South Korea’s leading entertainment figures.
Her time there sharpened her technical vocal skills ahead of her professional debut.
Graduating from such a program gave her a formal grounding in performance that shaped her stage craft.
Lee Hi Yi Career
LeeHi’s career began with her 2011 appearance on K-pop Star and has spanned more than a decade of releases, label changes, and artistic reinvention.
She has released four studio albums, numerous digital singles, and participated in high-profile collaborations across Korea’s pop and hip-hop scenes.
K-pop Star and Solo Debut (2011–2013)
In December 2011, LeeHi auditioned for the SBS survival show K-pop Star, finishing second behind Park Ji-min. YG Entertainment signed her shortly after.
Ahead of her official debut, she featured on Epik High’s single “It’s Cold,” released on October 8, 2012. YG Entertainment announced her solo debut on October 24, 2012.
She debuted under the stage name LeeHi with the digital single “1, 2, 3, 4” on October 28, 2012, selling 667,549 downloads in its first week and reaching number one on the charts.
Her first music show appearance was on SBS’ Inkigayo on November 4, 2012. By November 8, she had claimed her first music show win on Mnet’s M Countdown.
“1, 2, 3, 4” topped the monthly Gaon Digital Chart for November, earning her the Song of the Year — November award from the Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards.
She released her second digital single, “Scarecrow,” written by Park Jin-young, on November 22, 2012.
Her debut full-length album, First Love, followed in two parts: the first part on March 7, 2013, and the second on March 28, 2013.
Seoulite and Sub-Unit Work (2014–2019)
In November 2014, LeeHi formed the sub-unit Hi Suhyun alongside Akdong Musician’s Lee Su-hyun.
They released the digital single “I’m Different,” featuring iKON’s Bobby, which peaked at number one in South Korea with 936,740 copies sold.
On March 9, 2016, she released the half-album Seoulite through YGE’s sub-label HIGHGRND, led by Epik High’s Tablo.
Its lead singles, “Hold My Hand” and “Breathe,” drew widespread acclaim. “Breathe” was written by SHINee’s Kim Jong-hyun and won LeeHi the Digital Bonsang at the 31st Golden Disc Awards.
The full studio album version of Seoulite followed on April 20, 2016, with lead single “My Star.”
On December 31, 2016, she appeared on MBC’s Infinite Challenge Hip-hop and History special, performing as a featured guest for Yoo Jae-suk and Dok2’s stage.
That appearance marked the beginning of her creative connection with Dok2.
In 2017, she collaborated with MAC Cosmetics on the Future Forward Collection, creating a limited matte red lipstick, one of the first such collaborations for a Korean musician with the brand.
Also that year, she featured on Epik High’s studio album We’ve Done Something Wonderful on the single “Here Come the Regrets.” On January 15, 2019, she released “XI” with Code Kunst.
Her comeback EP, 24°C, arrived on May 30, 2019, with lead single “No One” featuring former iKON member B.I, which topped all major Korean streaming charts including Melon, Genie, and Mnet.
She won her first music show win for “No One” through M Countdown on June 6, 2019. Her contract with YG Entertainment ended on December 31, 2019.
AOMG Era and 808 HI RECORDINGS (2020–Present)
On July 22, 2020, AOMG announced it had signed LeeHi and simultaneously released her single “Holo.”
The track peaked at number 7 on the Gaon Digital Chart and won R&B Track of the Year at the Korean Hip-hop Awards.
In June 2020, she joined the fourth season of the JTBC travel music show Begin Again as a cast member for episodes 4 to 6.
On September 9, 2021, she released her third Korean-language studio album, 4 Only, which included the hit single “Only,” charting across Gaon, Melon, and Bugs.
“Only” later won R&B Track of the Year at the 2022 Korean Hip-hop Awards. In March 2024, she chose not to renew her contract with AOMG.
On September 23, 2024, she signed with independent label Duover, founded by former AOMG labelmates Code Kunst, GRAY, and Woo Won-jae.
She departed Duover in March 2026. In spring 2026, LeeHi co-founded 808 HI RECORDINGS with rapper Dok2.
The label released its first single, “You & Me,” on March 28, 2026. In May 2026, the label announced its first world tour, set to begin in Asia and Oceania in August 2026.
Lee Hi Yi Discography
| Year | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | First Love | YG Entertainment | Debut studio album, two parts |
| 2016 | Seoulite | YG Entertainment / HIGHGRND | Second studio album |
| 2018 | Lee Hi Japan Debut Album | YG Entertainment | Japanese debut |
| 2021 | 4 Only | AOMG | Third Korean-language studio album |
Lee Hi Yi Awards and Recognition
LeeHi has won multiple major South Korean music awards across her career.
At the 27th Golden Disc Awards in January 2013, she won Best Rookie Award for “1, 2, 3, 4.” She won the Seoul Music Awards New Artist Award the same year.
The 31st Golden Disc Awards in January 2017 brought her the Digital Single Bonsang for “Breathe.”
That same song earned her the Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards Song of the Year nomination for March 2016.
At the Korean Music Awards, she won Female Musician of the Year via Netizen Vote in 2014.
She won R&B Track of the Year at the Korean Hip-hop Awards in both 2021 for “Holo” and 2022 for “Only.”
- 27th Golden Disc Awards — Best Rookie Award (2013)
- Seoul Music Awards — New Artist Award (2013)
- Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards — Song of the Year, November (2012)
- Korean Music Awards — Female Musician of the Year, Netizen Vote (2014)
- 31st Golden Disc Awards — Digital Single Bonsang for “Breathe” (2017)
- Korean Hip-hop Awards — R&B Track of the Year for “Holo” (2021)
- Korean Hip-hop Awards — R&B Track of the Year for “Only” (2022)
Lee Hi Yi Tours and Concerts
LeeHi toured Japan following the release of her Japanese debut album in March 2018.
In June 2017, she performed at the K-pop Star and Friends concert staged by SBS.
In May 2026, 808 HI RECORDINGS announced the label’s first world tour, set to begin in Asia and Oceania in August 2026.
The tour marks LeeHi’s most ambitious live run to date under her own label.
Lee Hi Yi Partner
In March 2026, LeeHi and rapper-producer Dok2 publicly confirmed their relationship through social media.
On March 28, LeeHi posted photos with Dok2 and referred to him as “MY MAN,” while Dok2 posted a photo with his arm around her and addressed her as “MY LADY.”
Entertainment outlet Dispatch reported that the couple had been together for approximately five years, having first connected in 2016 on MBC’s Infinite Challenge.
Their romantic relationship reportedly began around late 2022. The two co-founded 808 HI RECORDINGS together, with LeeHi serving as Chairwoman and Dok2 as a co-founder.
Their first release as a couple and co-founders was the duet single “You & Me,” released on March 28, 2026. Dok2, born in 1990, is six years older than LeeHi.
Lee Hi Yi Net Worth
LeeHi’s estimated net worth is $5 million as of 2026.
Her income comes primarily from over a decade of music releases, digital streaming royalties, and physical album sales across four studio albums released under major labels including YG Entertainment and AOMG.
She has also earned through brand partnerships, including her 2017 collaboration with MAC Cosmetics on a limited-edition matte red lipstick as part of the Future Forward Collection.
That deal placed her among a small group of Korean musicians to partner with the global brand.
As co-founder and Chairwoman of 808 HI RECORDINGS, LeeHi now has a direct stake in her label’s revenue streams.
The label’s first world tour, announced in May 2026, is expected to add a significant touring revenue stream.
Her long-running presence on streaming platforms, including the chart-topping single “No One” in 2019 and “Only” in 2021, continues to generate ongoing royalty income.
Lee Hi Yi Social Media
LeeHi is active on Instagram under the handle @leehi_hi, where she has built an audience of over 4 million followers.
She also operates under the 808 HI RECORDINGS YouTube channel, which has been used to release vlogs and music content since the label’s launch in March 2026.
Her social media presence reflects her role as both an artist and a label founder. Posts from mid-2026 include behind-the-scenes footage from photoshoots and her personal relationship with Dok2.
Conclusion
LeeHi has moved from teenage reality show contestant to chart-topping R&B artist and label co-founder across a career of more than fourteen years.
Her voice, her body of work from First Love to 4 Only, and her 2026 establishment of 808 HI RECORDINGS with Dok2 show the full arc of an artist who has consistently expanded her role in the Korean music industry.