Maps of Music

Black (2017)

Where the lyrics of Black take you, and where it was really made.

Lee Hyori returned after a four-year hiatus with an album she produced fully herself for the first time.

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Black: sixth studio album by South Korean singer-songwriter Lee Hyori
Released 4 July 2017 by Kiwi Media Group, distributed by LOEN Entertainment
First full-length album after a four-year hiatus since Monochrome (2013)
Ten tracks in total, including the pre-release single "Seoul" and the title track "Black"
Lee wrote eight and composed nine of the ten tracks
Fully produced the album for the first time

Her contract with B2M Entertainment expired before she signed with Kim Hyung Suk's Kiwi Media Group
May 2015: closed her blog and Twitter account and stopped all television activities
October 2015: her representative announced a two-year break from entertainment
October 2016: return confirmed through a photoshoot and an interview with Marie Claire Korea
Deleted all social media and came back with a new Instagram account
Her comeback plans kept her from attending the 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards
January 2017: Kim revealed on MBC's Video Star that Lee took on the bulk of the responsibility as executive producer
Singer-songwriter Lee Juck was featured on one track
Continues the progress begun with Monochrome, moving from her early pop sound toward a more mature, experimental sound
Focused on storytelling and a more personal side while keeping her sexy image

Debuted in 1998 as the leader of girl group Fin.K.L, one of the most popular South Korean girl groups of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Made her solo debut in August 2003 with the album Stylish..., whose hit single "10 Minutes" won numerous daesangs at year-end award ceremonies.
Korean media dubbed her popularity the "Hyori Syndrome" and nicknamed 2003 "The Year of Hyori".
Released the albums Dark Angel (2006), It's Hyorish (2008), H-Logic (2010), Monochrome (2013) and Black (2017).
Became the highest-paid female singer in South Korea when she signed with Mnet Media in 2006.
Formed the project groups SSAK3 and Refund Sisters in 2020.
Hosted numerous television programs, including Family Outing, Hyori's Homestay and The Seasons.

Has been a prominent animal rights advocate, publishing the photo-essay book Closer in 2012.

Released physically and digitally on 4 July 2017
Press conference and album showcase held on release day before a selected group of journalists
At the showcase, Lee announced plans to promote for only a week through music shows and to join Yoo Hee Yeol's Sketchbook
Pre-release single "Seoul" came with an official music video released on 28 June
Title track "Black" had its music video premiere on the album's release day
"White Snake" was promoted as the album's third single
Lee performed the title track on all music shows, with "Seoul" on Show! Music Core and Inkigayo and "White Snake" on Show Champion and Music Bank

Lee's first music show in four years was MBC's Show Champion, on 5 July 2017.
She appeared on the 17 and 24 June episodes of Infinite Challenge, having filmed with the cast on 8 June.
JTBC confirmed on 19 April that she would star in Hyori's Homestay with her husband Lee Sang-soon.
A teaser called Black Art Film No. 1 was released on 30 June, with its release set for 6 pm on 4 July.
Singer IU was part of the staff of the Hyori's Homestay show.