Lee Mink (; born February 15, 1984), better known as Mink (stylized in all lowercase) is a South Korean singer based in Japan. Mink debuted in Japan in 2005. In 2006, she became one of the first musical artists from South Korea to enter the U.S. Billboard charts, when her single "Glory of Life" reached number one on the Dance Club Songs chart.
Career
Mink was born and raised in Korea before traveling to Japan to further her education. While in Japan, she submitted demo tracks of "Don't know why", "When You Believe", and "Namida Sousou" to Avex Trax, one of Japan's leading J-pop labels. She was signed with them soon after.
In August 2005, her debut album "mink" was released and received a good reception while featuring "Beautiful", a song used for the film Initial D: The Movie. The album also included covers of "I Can't Tell You Why", "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing", "Suki", and "More than Words". In October, Mink performed live in the "es sadaharu hoshino" Paris collection held in Paris, France.
In early 2006, her song "Glory of Life" from her debut album was released and licensed to Rhythm Zone/King Street Records and remixed by Chris Cox, John Creamer and Stephane K. This song hit the #1 position on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. This placed her alongside Kumi Koda ("Trust Your Love") and Hikaru Utada ("Devil Inside"). as one of the first Asian Artists to have a #1 single in the USA. In March, she participated in the "Winter Music Conference" in Miami, USA. She was ranked 8th in the 2006 USEN Japanese Music Total HIT Ranking.
To follow her American success, her second single, "4 Love," was originally scheduled to be co-released in the USA. However, it was later canceled and was only released in Japan. Mink's "Eternal Love" from that single was remixed and used for the film Chisaki Yusha Tachi Gamera. In December, her "Here by my side" was used as the theme song for the 3D animated short Joe and Marilyn, part of the omnibus film Amazing Nuts! produced by Studio 4°C. This song was later released on her third album, "Shalom".
In January 2007, Mink's "Innocent Blue -Chi Hate Umi Tsukiru Made-" was released as the theme song for the Japan-Mongol epic film, Aoki Ookami. Her song "Together Again" was used in "Vexil -2077 Nihon Sengoku" and released in August.
In March 2008, she received the "Film Music Artist Award" during the 17th Japan Film Critics Award.
Discography
Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions JPNminkReleased: August 3, 2005 Label: Rhythm Zone Format: CD, digital download20e+motionReleased: December 7, 2005 Label: Rhythm Zone Format: CD, digital download23ShalomReleased: February 28, 2007 Label: Rhythm Zone Format: CD, digital download12
Other albums TitleAlbum detailsminkII ～endless love～Extended play Released: April 23, 2008 Label: Rhythm Zone Format: CD, digital downloadBest of My LoveCompilation album Released: December 10, 2008 Label: Rhythm Zone Format: CD, digital download
Singles Title Year Peak chart positionsAlbum JPN USDanceClub"Omajinai" (おまじない)2005——mink"All My Life"——"Glory of Life" (栄光の花)——"Beautiful" / "One Suitcase"——mink / e+motion"Glory of Life" 2006—1mink"4 Love"20—Shalom"Hold On To a Dream"40—"Innocent Blue"200739—"Together Again"—— rowspan="2" "Sense"——
Other charted songs Title Year Peak chart positionsAlbum USDanceClub"Everlasting Love" 200610 Rhythm Paradise
See also List of number-one dance hits (United States) List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
Notes
References
External links Official website (in Japanese)