It's difficult to define Lee Yu-ka in a single word. The lyricism of indie is layered with the accessibility of pop, and sometimes the intensity of rock raises its head. Jazz elements are added to complete her unique musical identity.
Born in Seoul in 1994, she graduated from Baekseok Arts University's Applied Music Department and debuted in 2017 with the single 'Silhouette.' Starting her career with original compositions from the beginning, she established her distinctive color through songs like 'Sinabro,' 'Unusual,' and 'Nocturne.'
Her performances, described as 'musical-like stages where she acts out different characters with changing expressions and gazes for each song,' are like watching a drama unfold. She appeared as contestant #75 on JTBC's 'Singer Again 3' in 2023, leaving a strong impression on the public with her 'elegant madness.'
Lee Yu-ka's Story
Recently, Lee Yu-ka has been continuing active pursuits. During the 2024 university festival season, she performed at Soongsil University, Hanyang University ERICA, and Inha University festivals, and also participated in the 'Vitality Concert' series at Seoul City Hall's Citizen Hall. As an independent artist, she freely pursues her musical activities and meets a broader audience through the Singing Playground.
Lee Yu-ka's music doesn't offer grand consolation. Instead, it quietly sits beside you, simply being there with you. Though she sings of those tainted by desire, her music actually purifies the hearts of listeners.
Lee Yu-ka's Music
Nonol VOL 15. 이유카 ' 물들어버린 이들 '
Meet Lee Yu-ka at Nonol
Meet their music live at the Singing Playground.
🎵 "Sinabro"
The moment the first note rings out, you feel like you're sitting by a rainy window. 'Sinabro' is the song that best showcases Lee Yu-ka's musical spectrum. What to notice in the intro is her husky low register laid over the minor progression. Her vocal style that moves forward without vibration somehow recalls Fiona Apple's restrained emotional expression.
In this song, where she sings of human desire with eyes reminiscent of a fairy-tale witch, Lee Yu-ka shows herself to be a storyteller beyond just a singer-songwriter. Over a thousand people stopped in front of this stage.
🎵 "Unusual"
This song is the result of working through concerns about others' gazes in the studio during winter 2022. Originally conceived as a more restrained ballad, it took its current form when electric guitar was added during the arrangement process.
Particularly impressive is the vocal transition to falsetto in the chorus. The lyrics carrying the message 'I'm not strange, I'm special' drew empathy from many listeners. Nearly a thousand views tell the story — this song makes listeners reflect on themselves.
🎵 "Those Who Have Been Tainted (New Song Teaser)"
A tension flows that might echo when a secret inspector appears in a historical drama. This short teaser video alone conveys the song's powerful message. This work dealing with endless desires for love, money, power, and honor offers a glimpse into Lee Yu-ka's socially critical perspective.
The arrangement with added string sections shows an evolution from her previous acoustic-centered sound.
🎵 "Those Who Have Been Tainted (Subtitle Version)"
This song, which Lee Yu-ka herself introduced as 'a song I wrote while observing those who want more and more without end — love, money, power, honor — those who have lost their human scent,' is one of her representative works.
Looking at the song structure, she chose a modified A-B-A-C-B composition. Particularly, the bridge section where the melody descends with the lyrics 'softly heard sweet whispers' is a masterpiece that musically embodies the whispers of temptation. Over 12,000 people stopped for this song, and 62 likes prove its depth.
🎵 "Given to Me"
Lee Yu-ka's philosophy, as she revealed: 'I feel like I always need something filled in my heart to live. Whether it's bad or good, it seems to become the driving force that keeps me going,' is fully contained in this song.
Worked on together with Choi Jang-won, Won Jong-hyeon, and Lee Yu-bin, the bass line particularly stands out in this song. Lee Yu-bin's bass creates a groove over which Lee Yu-ka's vocals dance freely.
🎵 "Simon"
Classified in the ballad genre, this song best showcases Lee Yu-ka's lyrical side. Released through Mirrorball Music, this work proves how broad her musical spectrum is.
🎵 "Truth to Find"
This song, presented at the 'Listen Again' concert on January 28, 2024, is a video where you can meet Lee Yu-ka on the live stage. As she directly stated, 'Performance days are truly enjoyable and happy occasions,' she is even more vibrant on stage.
In this full band configuration, you can confirm her live performance skills. It exudes a different charm from the studio version, and you can feel the special energy created by the interaction with the audience.
🎵 "2months (with doyouka)"
In this video participating in KPOPPIN's 'The Tiniest Stage' series, you can see her performing under the name 'doyouka.' True to the concept of the world's smallest stage, her performance unfolding in a cozy and intimate atmosphere offers a unique charm.
🎵 "Hidden Stage Appearance"
Lee Yu-ka, who participated in season 2 of 'Hidden Stage,' a singer-songwriter competition hosted by News1, presented Radiohead's 'Creep' and her original song 'Unusual.' As introduced as 'a singer-songwriter of lyrical and intense music,' she stands out for not losing her own color even in cover songs.
🎵 "Nocturne (Kim Yoon-ah Cover) - Shorts Version"
Lee Yu-ka reinterpreted the dreamy atmosphere that Kim Yoon-ah created in the original even more poignantly. This is the result of layering 2020s sensibility over the 90s sophistication of Jaurim's original.
Particularly, the emotional intensity shown in the section 'the wind blows to cool my heated heart' gives a different resonance from the original. Kim Yoon-ah's masterpiece that contained Eastern fatalism of the red thread of fate in Western melody has been translated into a modern work in Lee Yu-ka's own way.
🎵 "Nocturne (Kim Yoon-ah Cover) - Subtitle Version"
This cover, introduced as 'Jaurim Kim Yoon-ah's representative song that Lee Yu-ka loves so dearly,' is a representative video where you can confirm her interpretative ability. While maintaining the original's parallel third harmony structure, she shows clear differentiation in vocal approach.
If Kim Yoon-ah's original maintained a cool distance, Lee Yu-ka's version feels like it comes closer and whispers. Nearly 10,000 views and 71 likes speak to the completeness of this interpretation.
I'm from India
@BISWAJIT_FILMS🎵 "AI Music Video Those Who Have Been Tainted"
What to notice in this song's intro is the tension created by the string section and piano. This version, featuring Choi Jang-won's keyboard arrangement, presents an upgraded sound from the original acoustic feeling.
The AI music video, inspired by the Russo Brothers' 'The Electric State' worldview, depicts a journey of a girl and robot. The concept of a world where emotions are being tainted perfectly matches the song's message. Over 16,000 people fell into Lee Yu-ka's world through this video.
🎵 "Official Music Video Those Who Have Been Tainted"
The comment 'I saw Singer Again and it's so good' received the most empathy. Viewers who discovered Lee Yu-ka through Singer Again 3 came to find Nonol.
This music video, personally produced by the artist for the Nonol project, recorded over 11,000 views and 160 likes. This song, written and composed by Chae Myeong-ju, was completed through Kim Young-sik's mixing and Choi Hyo-young's mastering.
Watched Sing Again and subscribed
@박무당-l4eYou sang so well. Cheering for you.
@시골살이-v3bI watched Sing Again and it's so good
@프른마늘-n6p🎵 "Full Version Live Set"
This full version video, introduced with 'a January morning that showed us the beauty of winter once again as we wait for spring,' is a comprehensive gift set where you can confirm Lee Yu-ka's charm all at once.
Filmed on a day when heavy snow was falling, this video allows you to listen to four songs in succession: 'Sinabro,' 'Unusual,' 'Nocturne,' and 'Those Who Have Been Tainted.' As the production team described, 'the way her expression and gaze completely change when the stage begins,' you can see how distinctly different she appears when singing versus in everyday moments.
Over 14,000 people watched this video, and 47 likes prove its completeness.
Why does it snow every day I go..
@Jonghyun_WonWow the atmosphere is insane, it's like they made it snow on purpose lol. It's like Jin Hwayoung is singing lol
@heoappqlrhThank you for filming us so beautifully🙏🏻❤️ You worked so hard in the cold!!!
@LEEYUKAWhat Fans Say About Lee Yu-ka
Wow the atmosphere is insane, it's like they made it snow on purpose lol. It's like Jin Hwayoung is singing lol
@heoappqlrhWhy does it snow every day I go..
@Jonghyun_WonThank you for filming us so beautifully🙏🏻❤️ You worked so hard in the cold!!!
@LEEYUKAWow~ the snowy day, the song, and the atmosphere 😮
@KoreaIndieMusic_officialI watched Sing Again and it's so good 😊
@프른마늘-n6pWatched Sing Again and subscribed ❤
@박무당-l4eI saw you on Sing Again, such a charming voice, cheering for you
@겨루-e5nYou sang so well. Cheering for you.
@시골살이-v3bYou sang so well, I can feel the deep emotion in your voice. Keep going♡ Fighting♡
@user-ni3od4wx7dJust watched it~ Such a shame, but since you said it's just the beginning, fighting! Cheering for you^^
@피오나-m6oLearn More About Lee Yu-ka
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If you're curious about her next story, meet her first at the Singing Playground. The musical journey of a girl who started in Seoul in 1994 has just begun its true voyage.
Better than the original by Kim Yuna
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