Lee Yu Kyung (ALICE)
Who is Lee Yu Kyung?
Lee Yu Kyung is a South Korean singer and dancer who served as the main dancer, lead vocalist, and visual of the girl group ALICE, formerly known as ELRIS. Born on November 5, 1999, in Irwonbon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, she debuted on June 1, 2017, with the group's first extended play "We, First".
Yukyung was part of the original lineup when the group formed under Hunus Entertainment. The group initially debuted as ELRIS before undergoing management changes. In December 2021, management transferred to IOK Company, and the group rebranded as ALICE in April 2022 ahead of their digital single "Power of Love" release.
Standing at 158 cm tall, Yukyung earned recognition as the shortest member of the group. Her educational background includes graduation from Seoul Sejong High School, followed by enrollment at Sungshin Women's University. She was characterized by members and fans as smart and skillful, with a notable academic record that included serving as class president for five consecutive years and holding the position of Vice President of the Student Committee.
In May 2024, Yukyung announced her departure from both ALICE and IOK Company following the expiration of her exclusive contract.
Lee Yu Kyung's Career with ALICE
Debut with ELRIS in 2017
The original five-member lineup of ELRIS consisted of Karin, Sohee, Yeonje (then known as Hyeseong), Yukyung, and Do-A (then known as Bella) under Hunus Entertainment. Following the group's debut, ELRIS released their second extended play "Color Crush" on September 13, 2017, featuring five tracks with the lead single "Pow Pow". In February 2020, Hunus Entertainment confirmed the addition of two new members, EJ and Chaejeong, expanding the group to seven members. The group subsequently released their fourth extended play "Jackpot" on February 26, 2020, marking their first release as a seven-member lineup and their first comeback in nearly two years.
Group Rebranding to ALICE
Following the management transfer announcement, IOK Company rebranded the group as ALICE on April 11, 2022. Members Hyeseong and Bella changed their stage names to Yeonje and Do-A respectively, while Chaejeong was appointed as the new leader. The rebranding preceded their scheduled digital single "Power of Love", originally planned for May 3 but delayed to May 4.
Departure from IOK Company in 2024
Yukyung announced through an Instagram story on May 3, 2024, that her exclusive contract with IOK Company had expired.
.gif "Lee Yu Kyung (ALICE)")
.gif "Lee Yu Kyung (ALICE)")
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Lee Yu Kyung's Talents and Achievements
Traditional Korean Dance Background
Yukyung trained in traditional Korean dance for seven years, beginning from fourth grade of elementary school through first grade of high school. Her dedication to this classical art form resulted in a first prize victory at the Sungshin Women's University Dance Contest. This specialized training in Korean dance distinguished her from other idol competitors who typically trained in ballet.
ISAC Rhythmic Gymnastics Success
At the 2018 Chuseok Idol Star Athletics Championships, Yukyung competed in rhythmic gymnastics with ribbon as her apparatus, achieving a score of 12.95 points. This performance secured the gold medal and established three simultaneous records: the first rhythmic gymnastics gold medal for ELRIS and the group's first-ever ISAC medal. Subsequently, at the 2019 New Year ISAC, she faced APRIL's Rachel in a highly anticipated competition between Korean dance and ballet specialists. Yukyung scored 12.90 points against Rachel's 13.20 points, earning the silver medal. The 0.3-point difference resulted from a technical error during the hoop routine.
Acting and Variety Show Appearances
Yukyung participated as a regular member in multiple Idol Star Athletics Championships broadcasts, including the 2018 Chuseok Special, 2019 edition, and 2022 Chuseok Special.
The Next Chapter: Post-IOK Journey
In May 2024, a significant chapter in Yukyung's career drew to a close as she announced the expiration of her exclusive contract with IOK Company. This announcement marked the end of her journey with ALICE, coming alongside similar departures from fellow members.
Decision to leave the company
The timeline of departures unfolded rapidly in early May 2024:
May 2: Do-A announced her departure
May 3: Yukyung shared her contract conclusion
May 3: Yeonje and Karin also revealed their exits
Notably, the group prepared a final gift for their devoted fans - their last single "Milky Way," released on May 13, 2024. This farewell track served as a touching conclusion to their collective journey under the ALICE name.
Future aspirations and plans
As a result of these developments, Yukyung entered a period of hiatus. In fact, the sudden nature of these changes left many questions unanswered about her future direction in the entertainment industry. Meanwhile, her previous experiences, both as a traditional dancer and K-pop idol, position her uniquely for various artistic pursuits.
Messages to fans
Through her Instagram story, Yukyung chose to personally communicate the news of her departure to fans. Her dedication to connecting with supporters remained evident until the end, reflecting the same thoughtful approach she had shown throughout her career. The group's final single, "Milky Way," stands as a lasting testament to their appreciation for the fans who supported their journey.
.gif "Lee Yu Kyung (ALICE)")
.gif "Lee Yu Kyung (ALICE)")
.gif "Lee Yu Kyung (ALICE)")
.gif "Lee Yu Kyung (ALICE)")
FAQS
Fans often have questions about ALICE's talented performer. Here are the most commonly asked questions about Yukyung:
Q: What are Yukyung's vital statistics? A: Here are her key physical stats:
Height: 158.2 cm
Weight: 45 kg
Blood Type: A
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Q: What positions did Yukyung hold in ALICE? A: Undoubtedly, Yukyung served as the group's main dancer and lead vocalist, bringing her extensive dance background to enhance their performances.
Q: What special talents does Yukyung possess? A: Obviously, her traditional Korean dance expertise stands out, namely her ability to incorporate classical elements into modern K-pop choreography. She excels in using props like ribbons and hoops during performances.
Q: What achievements marked Yukyung's pre-debut period? A: Actually, before joining the K-pop world, she won first place in a traditional Korean dance competition at Sungshin Women's University. Surprisingly, she also maintained leadership roles throughout her school years, serving as class president for five consecutive terms.
Q: What is Yukyung's educational background? A: She completed her studies at Seoul Sejong High School, where she balanced her academic pursuits with her training period.
Q: What makes Yukyung unique among K-pop idols? A: Her seven-year background in traditional Korean dance sets her apart, coupled with her exceptional choreography memorization skills and natural leadership abilities.
Q: What are some interesting facts about Yukyung? A: Interestingly, two of her fansite masters found love through their shared appreciation of her artistry, even designing their wedding invitation like a fan event ticket card
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