Lee Ru-ma (Korean: 이루마; born 15 February 1978), better known by his stage name Yiruma (Korean: 이루마), is a South Korean pianist and composer.
Yiruma | |
|---|---|
이루마 | |
 Yiruma in 2017 | |
| Born | Lee Ru-ma 15 February 1978 Seoul, South Korea |
| Alma mater | King's College London |
| Occupation(s) | Composer and pianist |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Employer | Mind Tailor Music |
| Spouse |
Son Hye-Im (m. 2007) |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 이루마 |
| Revised Romanization | I Ruma |
| McCune–Reischauer | I Ruma |
| Website | mind-tailor.com |
Early life
editYiruma was born in Seoul. At five years old, he began learning the piano and moved to the United Kingdom, where he attended the Purcell School for Young Musicians[1] and graduated from King's College London.[2]
Career
editAfter graduation, Yiruma returned to South Korea and released his debut album, Love Scene, in 2001. His breakthrough came when the track "When Love Falls" was used as the theme for Choi Ji-woo's character in the hugely popular drama Winter Sonata. The surge of interest in his music led to him holding his first solo concert in April 2002.[3] He gained wider public recognition for composing the soundtrack of the animation Doggy Poo[4] and performing the piano versions of the soundtracks from the popular 2006 drama Spring Waltz.[5] After completing his military service, he made his comeback with a nationwide tour spanning twenty different cities and featured Kim Bum-soo and Lee Hyun-woo as guest singers. On 1 January 2009, he became a DJ for KBS 1FM Yiruma's Music from All Around the World.[6]
Yiruma's 2011 compilation album The Best: Reminiscent, 10th Anniversary debuted at number three in the Billboard classical charts in July 2020 and reached number one just two weeks later; Billboard's classical charts had done away with its rules of only counting albums sold in the United States and recognizing albums released in the last eighteen months.[7] His music has seen a resurgence in popularity due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in 2020. Several videos of his compositions posted on YouTube and other social media platforms have garnered millions of views, including "River Flows in You".[8]
From 2010 to 2011, Yiruma began presenting the MBC music program Wednesday Art Stage (수요예술무대) alongside singer Bobby Kim. The duo initially raised eyebrows due to their vastly different musical backgrounds and genres and the fact that they had no hosting or presenting experience but their candidness won audiences over.[9][10] He and Kim returned when the program was revived in 2013 and rebranded as TV Art Stage (TV 예술무대). They were joined by actress and former newsreader Kim Sung-kyung.[11]
In 2010, Yiruma filed a civil suit against his then-label Stomp Music to terminate his exclusive contract due to unfair payment percentages, with the judge mediating an agreement that the company should pay 30% of the profits to him. He filed a second lawsuit in 2018 as the company had failed to fulfill the condition. However, Stomp Music appealed the initial trial and the case was brought to the Supreme Court. In April 2024, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal and ordered the company to pay Yiruma his overdue share of the profits, which had amounted to 2.6 billion won (US$2,200,000) by then.[12][13]
Personal life
editYiruma previously held British citizenship, which he voluntarily renounced in order to enlist for mandatory military service.[14][15] He enlisted in the Republic of Korea Navy in July 2006 and was assigned to public relations duties.[16][17] He was discharged in August 2008.[18]
In April 2007, while on leave, Yiruma married his girlfriend Son Hye-im, the older sister of actress and former Miss Korea contestant Son Tae-young.[19][17] In 2008, they had a daughter.[20][21]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [22] |
US Class- ical [23] |
US New Age [23] | |||
| Love Scene |
|
— | — | — | |
| First Love |
|
67 | 3 | 4 |
|
| From the Yellow Room |
|
11 | — | — |
|
| Poemusic |
|
97 | — | — |
|
| H.I.S. Monologue |
|
— | — | — | |
| P.N.O.N.I. |
|
— | — | — | |
| Stay in Memory |
|
11 | — | — |
|
| Blind Film |
|
15 | — | — |
|
| Piano |
|
23 | — | — |
|
| Frame |
|
36 | — | — |
|
| "—" denotes release did not chart Note: The South Korean Gaon Music Chart was established in 2010. | |||||
Compilation and special albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUT [31] |
GER [32] |
KOR [22] |
SWI [33] |
US Class- ical [23] |
US New Age [23] | |||
| Piano Museum |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Destiny of Love |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
|
| Ribbonized |
|
— | — | 14 | — | — | — | |
| The Best: Reminiscent 10th Anniversary |
|
— | — | 8 | — | 1 | 1 |
|
| The Very Best of Yiruma: Yiruma & Piano |
|
— | — | 8 | — | — | — |
|
| The Very Best of Yiruma: River Flows in You |
|
72 | 29 | — | 84 | — | — | |
| Healing Piano |
|
— | — | 28 | — | — | — |
|
| Atmosfera |
|
— | — | 19 | — | — | — |
|
| Piano Serenade (너에게 보내는 피아노) |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | |
| The First Special Moment with Your Baby (아기와 나누는 첫 교감) |
|
— | — | 34 | — | — | — | |
| Yiruma: The Best Winter |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | |
| The Rewritten Memories |
|
|||||||
| "—" denotes release did not chart Note: The South Korean Gaon Music Chart was established in 2010. | ||||||||
Film soundtracks
editLive albums
edit- Yiruma: Live at HOAM Art Hall (2005)
Extended plays
edit| Title | EP details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [22] | |||
| Nocturnal Lights... They Scatter |
|
— |
|
| Movement on a Theme by Yiruma |
|
— | |
| Movement on a Theme by Yiruma: 2nd Movement |
|
— | |
| Room with a View |
|
90 | |
| "—" denotes release did not chart Note: The South Korean Gaon Music Chart was established in 2010. | |||
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Certifications | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [39] |
AUT [31] |
FRA [40] |
GER [32] |
SWI [33] | |||||
| "Un homme et une femme" (남(男) & 여(女)) | 2001 | — | — | — | — | — | Love Scene | ||
| "River Flows in You" | 24 | 11 | 62 | 20 | 41 | First Love / River Flows in You single album (2011) | |||
| "Kiss the Rain" | 2003 | — | — | — | — | — | From the Yellow Room | ||
| "Nocturnal Lights... They Scatter" | 2004 | — | — | — | — | — | Nocturnal Lights... They Scatter | ||
| "Wonder Boy" (가을과 겨울이 만났다) | 2005 | — | — | — | — | — | Poemusic | ||
| "Lord... Hold My Hand" | 2006 | — | — | — | — | — | H.I.S. Monologue | ||
| "Loanna" | 2008 | — | — | — | — | — | P.N.O.N.I. | ||
| "River Flows in You" (with Ruvin) | 2009 | 91 | — | — | — | — | Movement on a Theme by Yiruma | ||
| "To My Heart" (나에게로) (with Swin) | — | — | — | — | — | Movement on a Theme by Yiruma: 2nd Movement | |||
| "Kiss the Rain" (with Shin Yong-jae of 4Men, MIIII, Bigtone) |
2012 | 9 | — | — | — | — |
|
Non-album single | |
| "Stay in Memory" (기억에 머무르다) | — | — | — | — | — | Stay in Memory | |||
| "Blind Film" | 2013 | — | — | — | — | — | Blind Film | ||
| "Dance" | 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | Piano | ||
| "Sick of You" (해로운 너) (with Li Gyu-hwan) |
2017 | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Flower" | — | — | — | — | — | Frame | |||
| "Framed" (String Version) | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| "Couldn't Put in Words" (못다한 내 마음을) (with Danny Jung) |
2018 | — | — | — | — | — | The Way You Keep Friendship – SSaW Tribute Vol.5 | ||
| "Room with a View" | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | Room with a View | ||
| "Sunset Bird" | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| "Darling" (달링) (with 2Face, featuring Shallyn) | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |||
| "—" denotes release did not chart Note: The South Korean Gaon Music Chart was established in 2010. | |||||||||
References
edit- ^ "Alumni". Purcell School for Young Musicians. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ Shaw Roberts, Maddy (27 February 2019). "Yiruma's River Flows in You: from its meaning to its starring role in the Twilight saga". Classic FM. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ 뉴에이지 음악도 이젠 토종시대. The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). 3 May 2002.
- ^ '강아지 똥' 굴러굴러 미국까지. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). 11 March 2004.
- ^ 이루마·러브홀릭, 드라마 '봄의 왈츠' OST 참여. The Hankyoreh (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 13 March 2006. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- ^ ay_link (2 January 2009). "KBS1 93.1FM new radio DJ, Yiruma". Jazzholic. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
- ^ Lee, Minhyeong (7 July 2020). "How Yiruma Made It to the Top of the Classical Albums Chart For 17 Weeks". Billboard. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- ^ "[e글중심] "K-뉴에이지의 시작?" … 이루마 빌보드 클래식 부문 1위". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). 22 May 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- ^ 5년만에 부활한 '수요예술무대', 1일 녹화 진행돼. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 1 October 2010.
- ^ [스타 포커스] 바비킴·이루마 "어눌한 MC, 전통인가봐요…하하". The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). 27 January 2011.
- ^ 바비킴, 'TV 예술무대' 진행자로 활약 "수준높은 공연". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 18 March 2013.
- ^ "[SC초점]'손태영 형부' 이루마, '재산 7조 루머'인데 승소로 '음원 수익금' 26억도 받게 돼". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 7 April 2024.
- ^ 이루마 대법원서 승소…밀린 음원수익금 26억원 받는다. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). 7 April 2024.
- ^ 이루마, 英 시민권 포기하고 5월 입대 (in Korean). Korean Broadcasting System. Yonhap News Agency. 26 January 2006. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- ^ 피아니스트 이루마 "영국 시민권 포기 … 입대". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 27 January 2006. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- ^ 이루마, 해군 군악대와 송년 공연 (in Korean). Korean Broadcasting System. 27 December 2006. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- ^ a b Kang, Young-soo (27 May 2007). 군복무 이루마,손혜임과 결혼 "딸 하나만 낳고 싶어요". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- ^ Kang, Jeong-hoon (23 August 2008). 해군 이루마 제대 연주회. The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- ^ 이루마-손태영 언니 미스코리아 결혼. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Newsis. 18 April 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- ^ Kim, Jun-seok (12 December 2013). 손혜임 결혼 이루마 "처제 손태영 보다 아내가 더 예뻐". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- ^ Lee, Seul-bi (26 November 2011). 이루마, 붕어빵 딸 공개 '깜찍해'. The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Album Chart "이루마" Search". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Yiruma Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ Cumulative sales of First Love:
- 2004년 총결산 POP음반 판매량 (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- 2005년 POP 상반기 음반 판매량 (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on 18 July 2007. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- "2007 상반기 결산 판매량" (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ Cumulative sales of From the Yellow Room:
- 2004년 총결산 POP음반 판매량 (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- 2011년 09월 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ a b 2005년 POP 총결산 음반 판매량 (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ 2012년 05월 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ Cumulative sales of Blind Film:
- 2013년 12월 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- 2014년 03월 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ 2015년 10월 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ 2017년 11월 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Discographie Yiruma". Austrian Charts (in German). Retrieved 23 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Suchen nach "Yiruma"". Offizielle Deutsche Charts (in German). Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Discographie Yiruma". Swiss Hitparade (in German). Retrieved 23 November 2020.
- ^ Cumulative sales of The Best: Reminiscent 10th Anniversary:
- 2012년 12월 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- 2013년 Album Chart, Page 2. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- 2014년 Album Chart, Page 2. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- 2015년 Album Chart, Page 3. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ Cumulative sales of The Very Best of Yiruma: Yiruma & Piano:
- 2011년 12월 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- 2012년 11월 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- 2013년 Album Chart, Page 2. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- 2014년 Album Chart, Page 2. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- 2015년 10월 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ 2013년 11월 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ 2014년 06월 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ 2004년 총결산 POP음반 판매량 (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ "Digital Chart "이루마" Search". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ "Yiruma". Les Charts (in French). Retrieved 23 November 2020.
- ^ "Yiruma - River Flows In You". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank". Bundesverband Musikindustrie (in German). Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ Cumulative sales of "Kiss the Rain":
- 2012년 01월 Download Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- 2012년 02월 Download Chart. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 21 November 2020.