Park Eun-hye (; born November 7, 1982), better known by the stage name Ivy (), is a South Korean singer and musical actress.
Career 2005: Debut A former JYPE trainee, Ivy first appeared in Lee Soo Young's music video "Holding onto the Flowers" in 2005. She officially debuted as a singer in 2005 with the single "What Happened Tonight" (). Her official second single "A-ha" was an uptempo R&B single whose dance routine was famously parodied by Park Kyung-lim on X-Man. Around the same time, Ivy also promoted "I Am a Fool" (), a ballad, which was performed in conjunction with "A ha". The album placed 48th for the year.총결산 국내 음반 판매량 집계 Although inactive for most of 2006, she has collaborated with Shinhwa for their album State of the Art on the track "Highway Star".
2007–2008: Breakthrough, controversy and hiatus
On February 12, 2007, Ivy's second album, Vol. 2 – A Sweet Moment, was released, with the lead single "Sonata of Temptation", which sampled Beethoven's Fur Elise, performing very well on the charts. Due to the song's popularity, she received the 2007 M.net KM Music Festival award for Best Female Solo Artist. Despite its success, the song's music video caused controversy, as it recreated a fight scene between Tifa Lockhart and Loz from Final Fantasy VII Advent Children, without proper permission (the disclaimer appearing on the video did not satisfy the rights to use it). In April, the Seoul Central District Court banned the music video from being shown on television, stating that "Most of the clip is noticeably similar to scenes from the film".Kim, Tong-hyong. Court Bans Ivy's Music Video. The Korea Times, April 6, 2007. Retrieved April 9, 2007. The story has received coverage on gaming blogs internationally, including Kotaku, which noted that the director has stated that he was unable to find the contact info for Square Enix.
On June 23, 2007, Ivy performed at American singer Christina Aguilera's Seoul concert as part of her Back to Basics Tour. Aguilera reportedly viewed video clips sent in by South Korean artists, as she wanted to choose the best. The artists were viewed for their dancing and singing abilities, as well as album sales. She performed as the opening act for the first concert on the first day, while Lee Min-woo of Shinhwa performed the following day.
In 2008, under the pseudonym "The Lighthouse", she wrote the lyrics for "Dear Mom..." for Girls' Generation's mini album Gee, and "마지막 선물" ("Last Gift") for Shinee's first album The Shinee World. The songs were composed by her boyfriend Kim Tae-Sung.
Ivy had a supporting role in the joint South Korean Japanese 2008 mini-drama series "Tokyo Sun Showers" as Eun Bi, an aspiring singer.
On September 24, 2009, she was announced to feature on MC Mong's repackaged album "Horror Show" in the song "나는..." ("I Am...").'아이비, 컴백 초읽기 'MC몽 신곡 피처링'". Daum.com. September 24, 2009. The song was released on October 26, 2009, with a promotional video on the same day.
2009: Comeback
After having her comeback further delayed by problems with her management company, 고현정 130억! 아니 이게 무슨 말이야? (Go Hyun Jung Worth 1.3 Billion Won? What is Going On?). SBS News. August 22, 2009. Retrieved August 22, 2009. Ivy released her third album "I Be..", with contributions from artists such as PSY and Nam Gyu-ri."남규리 vs 씨야, '얄궂은 운명' 재등장". October 28, 2009. She also switched from Fantom Entertainment to De Chocolate E&TF. 아이비, 고현정과 한 식구…3집 준비 박차 (Ivy Same Group as Go Hyun-jung...Preparations Start for Third Album). The Chosun Ilbo. August 20, 2009. Retrieved August 22, 2009.
The first song released was "눈물아 안녕" ("Goodbye Tears"), along with a promotional video. The song reached No. 1 on various online charts.'컴백' 아이비, 음원사이트 실시간 차트 1위. Daum.com. October 10, 2009. However, her title song was chosen to be "Touch Me", a techno dance track written by PSY.Lee, Kyeong-ran. 아이비, 미국서 앨범작업 10월 컴백 예정 (Ivy Preparing Album in States; Plans to Come Back in October) . Joins.com. July 27, 2009. Retrieved August 22, 2009. The music video was released on October 23, 2009. However, it was banned from broadcast three days later for being too inappropriate for viewing of minors with its sexual references.
Ivy also stars in her own 13-episode reality show on M.net called "IVY BACK", the first episode airing on October 27, 2009. After performing a special showcase for her new album, Ivy officially made her comeback debut with "Touch Me" on SBS's Inkigayo on November 1, 2009.
Due to problems between Ivy's ex-management company and MBC and KBS, she is unable to perform on weekly music shows such as "Music Core" and "Music Bank". Instead, she is only allowed to promote on M.net's M!Countdown. However, she was later given approval to perform and appear on SBS programs.
On December 13, 2009, Ivy returned for the second time on Inkigayo since her comeback with "Goodbye Tears"."TV복귀 아이비 "눈물아 안녕"" . Yahoo News. December 10, 2009. Promotions for her third album ended on January 24, 2010.
On January 10, 2010, Ivy's social security number was leaked onto the internet after an article reporting about an episode of IVY BACK failed to censor it out in a photo of Ivy holding her documents. Her company has stated they will take legal action against the netizens who have hacked into Ivy's personal accounts."아이비 주민번호 유출사고 '법적대응하겠다'". Nate. January 10, 2010.
2012–present: Comeback and Broadway Debut
On March 27, 2012, Ivy released a mini album titled Interview which featured five ballad-type songs. The song "찢긴 가슴"("Broken Heart"), which was released with a music video, was chosen as the lead single. It debuted on the Mnet Pop singles chart at 18.
In 2013, Ivy made her comeback with the lead single of her new album titled "I Dance" featuring Yubin of the Wonder Girls.
In 2022, Ivy held a two-day solo concert 'NEXT PAGE' at Nodeul Island Live House in Yongsan District, Seoul on August 13 and 14.
On August 17, 2026, Ivy will make her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in the revival of Chicago.
Discography
Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales KOR My Sweet and Free Day Released: July 19, 2005 Label: Yiga Entertainment Format: CD, cassette 14KOR: 40,420+ A Sweet Moment Released: February 12, 2007 Label: Fantom Entertainment Format: CD, cassette rowspan="2" rowspan="2" I Be.. Released: October 29, 2009 Label: D.Chocolate E&TF Format: CD, cassette
Extended plays Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales KOR Interview Released: April 27, 2012 Label: Polaris Entertainment Format: CD, digital download 12KOR: 3,112+ I Dance Released: June 16, 2013 Label: Polaris Entertainment Format: CD, digital download 12KOR: 1,579+
Singles Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album KOR "I'm A Fool" () 2005 rowspan="4" rowspan="4" My Sweet And Free Day "Cat's Eye" () 2006 Cashcat Cosmetic CF BGM "Sonata Of Temptation" () 2007 A Sweet Moment "Touch Me" 2009 I Be.. "Torn Heart" () 2012 4KOR: 812,3412012년 04월 Download Chart 2012년 05월 Download Chart Interview "I Dance" (feat. Yubin) 2013 13KOR: 473,8552013년 06월 Download Chart 2013년 07월 Download Chart I Dance "I'm Fine Thank You" (with Kim Bum-soo, Rumble Fish, Sunwoo, Han Hee-jun, Sojung) 2015 — rowspan="2" "The Woman" (with Noday) — Newtype EDM Vol. 2 (NODAY X Ivy)
Soundtrack appearances Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album KOR
"Good Person" () 2012 54KOR: 126,359+Cumulative sales of "Good Person":
The Chaser OST Part 3 "Memories of You" () 2013 18KOR: 167,857+Cumulative sales of "Memories of You":
Incarnation of Money OST Part 4 "Do You Know My Heart?" () 2014 91KOR: 23,682+Sales of "Do You Know My Heart?": Gunman in Joseon OST Part 5 "When The Cold Wind Blows" () 2017 — The Lady in Dignity OST Part 1 "Day by Day" — Bravo My Life OST Part 1"The Land I Long For" () (with Ensemble) 2019 — Ben-Hur: The Musical OST
Compilation appearances Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album KOR "Invitation" () 2013 — rowspan="12" Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Uhm Jung-hwa Part.2) "Love is Like a Glass" () — Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Youth Parade Special) "White Butterfly" () — Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Kim Jun-ho) "Again" () — Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (In Sooni) "Soyanggang Girl" () — Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Lunar New Year Special) "Beautiful Pain" () — Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Kim Min-jong) "Windmill that Doesn't Spin" () — Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Moon Joo-ran) "If I Had a Lover" () — Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Heartthrob Special with Nam Jin)"When We Meet Again" () 2016 —United Korea 4 the World"Cheer Up" —Singderella Special Song Vol.4"Your Eyes" () (with Min Woo-hyuk) 2017 — Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Uhm Jung-hwa)"I" () (as Gypsy Woman) 2018 — King of Mask Singer: Episode 140
Filmography Year Title Role 2005 Nonstop 5 Herself 2005 Banjun Drama Herself 2006–2007 High Kick! special patient (ep.97) 2008 Tokyo Sun Shower Eun-bi 2013 Monstar Shim Eun-ha (adult / ep.5)2015, 2018King of Mask SingerContestant 2017 Borg Mom Do Do-hye
Theater YearTitleRoleRef.2010Kiss Me KateLois Lane2012ChicagoRoxie Hart2013–2014Ghost the MusicalMolly Jensen2014–2016ChicagoRoxie Hart2015UrinetownHope Cladwell2016WickedGlinda Upland2016–2017AidaAmneris2017Ben-Hur the MusicalEsther2017–2018Memories of Matsuko the MusicalMatsuko Kawajiri2018Red BookAnna2018–2019ChicagoRoxie HartJekyll & HydeLucy Harris2019–2020AidaAmneris 2020RentMimi Marquez 2020–2021Ghost the MusicalMolly Jensen2021ChicagoRoxie Hart Red Book Anna 2021–2022 Jekyll & Hyde Lucy Harris 2022AidaAmneris 2022–2023Moulin RougeSatine20232:22 A GHOST STORYJenny2023–2024DraculaMina Murray2024–2025ChicagoRoxie Hart2025Jekyll & HydeLucy HarrisRed Book Anna
Awards
YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRef.2005Golden Disc AwardsRookie of the Year"What Happened Tonight" ()SBS Gayo DaejeonRookie Award2007Cyworld Digital Music AwardsSong of the Month (March)"Sonata of Temptation"Golden Disc AwardsDigital Song of the Year (Daesang)"If You're Gonna Be Like This" ()Digital Song BonsangMnet Km Music FestivalBest Female Artist"Sonata of Temptation""2007 M.net Korean Music Festival Winners list" . MAMA. Retrieved June 12, 2014.Mnet 20's Choice AwardsMost Popular Female Artist2012Korean Musical AwardsBest New ActressChicago2018Yegreen Musical AwardBest ActressRed Book
References