Nam Yu-jin (Korean남유진; born December 8, 1995),[1] formerly known by her stage name Eyedi (Korean아이디), is a South Korean singer-songwriter, composer, and actress. She debuted in 2016 under Bace Camp Studios with the self-written single "Sign" and released her first album, Mix B, in 2017. Later that year, Nam participated on the survival reality show Mix Nine, where she finished fifth out of the female contestants.[2] In 2019, she was a cast member on the reality show Studio Vibes,[3] and was then cast as Lee Eun-byul in the web drama Thumbs Up Feeds Me (2020).[4][5] She departed from Bace Camp Studios in 2024 following approximately four years of legal disputes.

Nam Yu-jin
남유진
Background information
Also known asEyedi
Born (1995-12-08) December 8, 1995 (age 28)
Suncheon, South Korea
OriginSouth Korea
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • composer
  • actress
Years active2016–2020, 2024–present
Labels
Korean name
Hangul
남유진
Revised RomanizationNam Yu-jin
McCune–ReischauerNam Yuchin

Name

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Nam derived her stage name "Eyedi" from ID (identity) in Korean, expressing her goal of people recognizing her when they listen to her music.[6]

In February 2024, Nam adopted her birth name, Nam Yu-jin, as her stage name, and announced that she would no longer use the name "Eyedi".

Career

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2016–2017: Debut, Mix B, and Mix Nine

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Nam became interested in music and dreamed of becoming a singer after joining the singing club in her second year of high school; however, she also wanted to become a fashion designer since she enjoyed art.[6] Nam made her debut on July 19, 2016, under Bace Camp Studios with the single "Sign", which she cowrote with Loopy and Francis and coproduced.[7] She contacted Loopy after watching his YouTube videos prior to his debut, and they began working together.[2] The music video for "Sign" was filmed in Los Angeles, but the footage was lost and behind-the-scenes footage was used instead.[7] On July 21, she attended 2016 International Fashion Week in Zhengzhou to perform "Sign" as well as "Firework" by Katy Perry. She held her first fan signing event on July 23. Nam appeared on SBS Radio and performed a cover of "What You Do" by Chrisette Michele.[8]

On November 8, Nam released the single album Not Lonely, including the title track "Not Lonely" and its instrumental version,[9] as well as an acoustic version of "Sign",[10] which she performed at the Acoustic X De Rêve Fashion Show'.[11]

On January 16, 2017, Nam released her third single album Chapter 21, featuring Korean and English versions of the song "Type" and an instrumental version. The Korean version featured Kim Hyo-eun, who appeared on Show Me the Money 3, and the English version featured Mario Winans.[2]

Nam announced the release of her song "Best Mistake" on March 17,[12] with the album name Mix B announced two days later with a teaser of the album uploaded. The album included a remastered version of "Sign" as well as five new tracks, of which the title track "Best Mistake" and "Falling" she wrote herself.[13] Mix B was released on March 21.[14] Nam attended 2017 F/W Seoul Fashion Week.[15] On April 14, she had her first music show performance with "Best Mistake" on Show Champion.[16] In June, Nam starred in her first commercial film for FUNPICK X Pikicast.[17] She held her second fan meeting on July 1.[18]

She released her first EP Tomorrowland on August 4 with the tracks "Tomorrowland" and "Dreamcatcher" along instrumentals for both tracks. "Tomorrowland" was written for a suicide prevention campaign, and Nam stated that she "ruminated on the lyrics as I wrote them in hopes of giving strength".[6]

On October 29, Nam and labelmate Jung Sa-ra auditioned for Mix Nine with "Spotlight" by Jennifer Hudson. In Episode 14, she ranked fifth, placing her in the debut line-up for the female team. However, the female team lost to the male team in the last episode, losing the opportunity to debut.[19] She later stated that when she joined the show, she was under the impression that Mix Nine was a show for underrated artists to showcase their talent, not an idol program, but found it a valuable experience and does not regret participating.[20]

2018–2024: Debut in Japan, acting debut, and hiatus

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Nam released her second EP Luv Highway with the title track of the same name and a second song "A Midsummer Night's Dream", as well as instrumentals for both tracks.[21] She uploaded music videos for both songs. The "Luv Highway" music video was supposed to be shot in Okinawa, but the schedule coincided with the Japanese holidays so she was unable to film there.[22] The music video features Nam and Lee Jong-won as a couple on a date.

She made her debut in Japan with an extended play under Pony Canyon titled coll[a]ction. The release contained a Japanese version of "Sign" featuring Jinmenusagi, and its music video was shot in Tokyo with a focus on color[23] and released on August 10. The name coll[a]ction is a portmanteau of "collection" and "action", with the desire for the release to express the feeling of capturing Eyedi's songs.[24]

Nam released her fifth single "Red" on September 21 alongside a music video. "Red" was described as "jazz-style soul classic R&B that embodies a deeper and more vintage sound than a trendy style". Eyed was selected to perform at 2018 MU:CON in Seoul.[25]

On October 21, Nam held her first solo concert "The Red Station",[26] performing her songs and also covering "If You Let Me" by Sinéad Harnett, "What You Do" by Chrisette Michele, and "Have I Told You Lately" by Olivia Ong.

Nam released "Caffeine" on December 17.

On April 6, 2019, Nam released the single "&New".[27] On June 6, Nam opened her YouTube channel Hey, Dream,[28] where fans submit stories via comment and she selects a winner whom she contacts. Nam appeared on Studio Vibes, covering "Make You Feel My Love" by Bob Dylan with another participant.[29]

She later released her second Japanese single "Perfect 6th Sense" with the intention of awakening the sixth sense with the music. It was described as depicting "the liberation of oneself to challenge music". Nam was involved in the songwriting, composition, and production process.[30] The music video was released on August 5, and Nam commented that it was "flashier" than her previous music videos, and the highlight was the colors used.[22]

On December 8, 2019, Nam participated in the MU:CON collaboration track "7UP",[31] helping write and compose the track alongside Kevin Wild of Bad Royale and others. The song was described as electronica and pop, with the bass rhythm and drum loop adding "a dreamy atmosphere".[citation needed]

On March 13, 2020, Nam released her tenth single "J.usT". On December 8, following a hiatus, she posted a snippet of a song, captioned to be released in 2021.

Nam returned to YouTube on March 5, 2021, announcing that she would be continuing "Hey, Dream". However, there were no updates following the announcement. On July 10, 2022, the CEO of Bace Camp Studios stated that Eyedi was on indefinite hiatus.[32]

2024–present: Departure from label and stage name change

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On February 19, 2024, Nam announced through KakaoTalk that she had departed from Bace Camp Studio following approximately four years of legal disputes, and that she would continue her career under her birth name, Nam Yu-jin.

Artistry

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Influences

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Nam has named Stevie Wonder and Beyoncé as influences,[6] and lists Lee Su-hyun from AKMU, Taemin from Shinee, and Jay Park as artists she would like to collaborate with.[33]

Songwriting

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Nam began composing prior to her debut, and she began to compose more of her releases after receiving recognition for "Tomorrowland" from the head of her agency. Her songwriting is influenced by colors, such as her single "Red", and she draws inspiration from sunsets and art galleries.[33]

Fashion

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Nam has expressed interest in fashion and has stated that 90% of the props and clothes used in her music videos are from her collection.[34]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[35]
Mix B
  • Released: March 21, 2017
  • Label: Bace Camp Studio
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Sign (Remastered) (feat. Loopy)
  2. Taste the Party (K) (feat. Juvie Train)
  3. Falling (feat. AKASTON)
  4. Best Mistake (K)
  5. Type (K) (feat. Kim Hyo-eun)
  6. The Night (feat. Sean2Slow)
  7. Not Lonely (외롭지 않아)
  8. Taste the Party (E) (feat. SKULL)
  9. Best Mistake (E)
  10. Type (E) (feat. Mario Winans)
  11. Falling (Inst.)
  12. Taste the Party (K) (Inst.)
  13. Best Mistake (Inst.)
49

Extended plays

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
JPN
[36]
coll[a]ction
  • Released: October 17, 2018
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Sign (Japanese Ver.) (feat. Jinmenusagi)
  2. もう ひとりじゃない (Not Lonely)
  3. Type (feat. Kim Hyo-eun)
  4. Best Mistake
  5. Tomorrowland
  6. Luv Highway
  7. 車を止めて (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
  8. Sign (Acoustic Ver.) (feat. Loopy)
"—" denotes album did not chart.

Singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR
[37]
JPN
[38]
Korean
"Sign"
feat. Loopy
2016 Mix B
"Not Lonely" (외롭지 않아)
"Type"
feat. Kim Hyo-eun
2017
"Best Mistake"
"Tomorrowland" Non-album singles
"Luv Highway" 2018 67[A]
"Red"
"Caffeine"
"& New" 2019
"J.us.T" 2020
Japanese
"Sign"
feat. Jinmenusagi
2018 coll[a]ction
"Perfect 6th Sense" 2019 Non-album single
"—" denotes song did not chart or was not released in that region.

Filmography

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Web series

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2020 Thumbs Up Feeds Me Lee Eun-byul [39][3]

Reality television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2017–2018 MixNine Contestant [5]
2019 Studio Vibes Cast member [40]

Notes

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  1. ^ The physical version of "Luv Highway" charted on the Gaon Album Chart.

References

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  1. ^ '작업실' 가수 아이디(남유진 Eyedi), 청초한 일상 눈길 "뭔가 학교를 졸업한 느낌"(feat.믹스나인) ['Studio' singer Eyedi (Nam Yu-jin Eyedi), neat daily look, "I feel like I graduated from school" (feat. Mix Nine)]. Top Star News (in Korean). May 2, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Cy (December 30, 2019). ""I Try to Show My Honest Self": An Interview with Retro-R&B Artist Eyedi". HiphopKR. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "<좋아요가 밥 먹여줍니다>". Eyedi Official Facebook (in Korean). June 3, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  4. ^ "Eyedi to appear in new web drama 'Okay, I'll feed you'". Allkpop. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Kim, Hyeon-sik (May 10, 2018). "'믹스나인' 남유진, 다시 아이디로…16일 컴백". CBS No Cut News (in Korean). Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d "INTERVIEW | Mix It Up With Eyedi". OH! Press. July 8, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  7. ^ a b 아이디(Eyedi) - Sign (Feat. Loopy), retrieved March 29, 2021
  8. ^ [SBS]최화정의파워타임, What You Do(원곡 Chrisette Michele ), 아이디 라이브, retrieved March 29, 2021
  9. ^ Eyedi - 외롭지 않아, retrieved March 29, 2021
  10. ^ Sign (Acoustic Ver.) (Feat. Loopy), retrieved March 29, 2021
  11. ^ 아이디(Eyedi) 'Sign(사인)' 어쿠스틱X드레브 패션쇼 콜라보 무대, retrieved March 29, 2021
  12. ^ [Teaser] Eyedi(아이디) - Best Mistake (K), retrieved March 30, 2021
  13. ^ Eyedi(아이디) The 1st Album [Mix B] Preview, retrieved March 30, 2021
  14. ^ Eyedi(아이디) - Best Mistake (K) Official Music Video, retrieved March 30, 2021
  15. ^ Eyedi(아이디) - 2017 FW Seoul Fashion Week, retrieved March 30, 2021
  16. ^ Show Champion EP.224 EYEDI - Best Mistake, retrieved March 30, 2021
  17. ^ Eyedi(아이디) - FUNPICK X Pikicast ad [2017.06.09.], retrieved March 30, 2021
  18. ^ Eyedi(아이디) - FAN MEETING(UNION ART FAIR 2017) [2017.07.01.], retrieved March 30, 2021
  19. ^ Ko, Daniel (February 25, 2019). "Mixnine Final Rankings (Female Team)". PlayLive.fm. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  20. ^ [루키인터뷰 : 얘 어때?③] 아이디(Eyedi) "'믹스나인' 출연, 얻은 게 더 많은 값진 경험" [[Rookie Interview: How is She?③] Eyedi "I gained more valuable experience from appearing on 'Mix Nine'"]. Sports DongA. December 21, 2018.
  21. ^ "아이디(Eyedi) [Luv Highway] 자켓 촬영 현장 공개 + 10문 10답". m.post.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  22. ^ a b 日本オリジナル楽曲「Perfect 6th Sense」をリリースしたEyedi、自身の"6th Sense"とは [Eyedi, who released the Japanese original song "Perfect 6th Sense", what is her "6th Sense"?]. Recochoku (in Japanese). August 9, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  23. ^ 韓国のR&Bシンガー・Eyedi、Jinmenusagiとコラボした日本デビュー曲のMVティザー映像が公開 [Korean R&B singer Eyedi releases MV teaser video for her Japanese debut song in collaboration with Jinmenusagi]. Spincoaster (in Japanese). July 23, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  24. ^ Eyedi(アイディ)、日本ファースト・ミニ・アルバム『coll[a]ction』 [Eyedi, first Japanese mini album coll[a]ction]. Tower Records. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  25. ^ 알앤비 퀸 아이디Eyedi 컴백 빈티지 사운드 RED 21일 발표 [R&B queen Eyedi comeback vintage sound RED announced on the 21st]. Wow TV (in Korean). September 21, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  26. ^ 아이디, 생애 첫 콘서트 성료…RED STATION '아이디X가은' 정상급 무대 눈길 [Eyedi successfully completes her first concert... RED STATION 'Eyedi X Ga-eun' Top stage attention]. Herald Business (in Korean). October 22, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  27. ^ [M/V] Eyedi(아이디) - & New, retrieved March 30, 2021
  28. ^ "해드림! Hey, Dream : 네이버TV". tv.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  29. ^ [미공개 영상(tvN 작업실)] 아이디, 최낙타 - Make You Feel My Love, retrieved March 28, 2021
  30. ^ 韓国R&BシンガーソングライターEyedi(アイディ)、初の日本オリジナル曲を配信リリース [Korean R&B singer-songwriter Eyedi releases her first Japanese original song]. Barks (in Japanese). July 29, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  31. ^ 7UP, retrieved April 8, 2021
  32. ^ Twitter https://twitter.com/eyediupdate/status/1546187339491319809. Retrieved November 24, 2022. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  33. ^ a b [Pops in Seoul] LIVE ATTACK with Eyedi(아이디)! Red / Luv Highway, retrieved March 30, 2021
  34. ^ 아이디는 언제나 봄 [Eyedi is always spring]. Women's Donga (in Korean). May 2, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  35. ^ "Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).
  36. ^ "週間 合算アルバムランキング" [Weekly Combined Album Ranking]. Oricon News (in Japanese).
  37. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).
  38. ^ "週間 合算シングルランキング" [Weekly Combined Single Ranking]. Oricon News (in Japanese).
  39. ^ Lim, Kyu-soo (June 5, 2020). "스튜디오 룰루랄라 웹드라마 '좋아요가 밥 먹여줍니다' 런칭". TGN (in Korean). Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  40. ^ Kim, Eun-jin (May 2, 2019). "Music makes the sparks fly on 'Studio Vibes': The tvN reality show let stars be themselves, much to their delight". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
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