Song I-han
{{Short description|South Korean singer (born 1994)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Family name hatnote|Song||lang=Korean}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Song I-han
| image = 220612 송이한 홍대 버스킹.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Song busking in Hongdae, 2022
| birth_name = Song Byeong-hwa
| alias = Hwigyeong-dong
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|8|11}}
| birth_place = Bucheon, South Korea
| death_date =
| death_place =
| genre = R&B
| occupations = Singer-songwriter
| instruments = Vocals
| years_active = 2018–present
| label = Music Design
| website =
| module = {{Infobox Korean name/auto|child=yes
| hangul = %송병화
| hangulstage = %송이한
}}
}}
Song Byeong-hwa ({{Korean|hangul=송병화}}; born August 11, 1994), known professionally as Song I-han ({{Korean|hangul=송이한|labels=no}}), is a South Korean singer-songwriter. He competed in the blind audition program Blind Musician in 2018 and won the competition, immediately releasing his debut single "Reason". At the end of 2020, he released a special single entitled "I Will Be Your Shining Star" amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic. The ballad rose in prominence and was nicknamed "wedding song icon" upon the launch of a contest in which three soon-to-be-married couples would be selected for a free performance by Song at their wedding. Song received two award nominations at the 36th Golden Disc Awards.
Early life
Song I-han was born Song Byeong-hwa in Bucheon, South Korea, on August 11, 1994.{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Seung-a|script-title=ko:택배 상하차 알바 청년 인생을 바꾼 SNS 댓글 하나|url=https://misaeng.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2020/12/30/2020123001931.html|website=Misaeng|publisher=ChosunMedia|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=December 30, 2020}}{{cite web|title=Song I-han|url=http://music-design.co.kr/?page_id=776|publisher=Music Design|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko}}{{cite web|last=Jung|first=Han-bi|script-title=ko:'복면가왕' 길거리토스트=음원 강자 송이한...일반인 판정단에 '축가' 약속|url=http://www.heraldpop.com/view.php?ud=202206261829589396174_1|website=Herald Pop|publisher=Herald Corporation|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=June 26, 2022}} In his youth, he focused on becoming an architect. He visited a noraebang to sing with his friends for the first time in high school, whom expressed surprise at his vocal abilities. Song began to study music in his first year to become a vocal trainer.{{cite web|last=Kang|first=Hye-won|script-title=ko:송이한 "진심이 담긴 노래를 만들고 부르고 싶다"(인터뷰)|url=http://www.wikileaks-kr.org/news/articleView.html?idxno=26115|website=WikiLeaks Korea|publisher=Dongwha Enterprise|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=June 22, 2018}} He registered at an applied music hagwon's hobby class before taking the entrance exam for the professional department, which he failed. Song began his mandatory military service at age 20 and further developed his singing skills. Upon completing his duty, he worked various part-time jobs to invest in his music career. His father was ill between one and two years before dying in 2017.{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Hyeon-sik|script-title=ko:송이한, 13000 대 1 경쟁률 뚫고 음원돌풍 주인공으로 [인터뷰]①|url=https://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsId=01210326632196736&mediaCodeNo=258|website=Edaily|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=January 11, 2022}}{{cite web|last=Jung|first=Byeong-geun|script-title=ko:[인터뷰] 송이한, 아버지가 밝게 비춰준 소중한 1년|url=http://news.tf.co.kr/read/entertain/1909395.htm|website=The Fact|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=December 31, 2021}}
Career
In January 2018, entertainment company Music Design opened applications to the public for its blind audition talent competition Blind Musician.{{cite web|script-title=ko:실력파 뮤지션 발굴 오디션 '블라인드 뮤지션' 시작...'관심집중'|url=http://www.joongdo.co.kr/web/view.php?key=20180131000946241|website=Joongdo Ilbo|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=January 31, 2018}} Song was tagged by his friend in the company's Facebook post about the contest, which he decided to enter. Participants entered as the name of their place of residence and were evaluated by a judge panel from the contender's voice only; Song used the name Hwigyeong-dong. From a pool 13,000 applicants, Song advanced to the final four and their final entries were uploaded on social networking services; he performed a cover of MC the Max's "Wind That Blows". A showcase was held at COEX Convention & Exhibition Center on June 3 where Song was revealed as the winner; he released his debut single "Reason" on the same day.{{cite web|script-title=ko:'블라인드 뮤지션' 휘경동(송이한) 우승..'이유'로 데뷔 "너무 설레고 감사"|url=http://daily.hankooki.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=562257|website=Hankook Ilbo|publisher=Dongwha Enterprise|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=June 12, 2018}} Feeling that his birth name was old-fashioned, he adopted the moniker Song I-han for a more "refined and stylish" name.{{Cite AV media|date=January 27, 2021|title=QnA|language=ko|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAbNsNnEi_w|website=YouTube|publisher=Song I-han|access-date=November 1, 2022|time=1:28}} On March 25, 2019, his followup single "Means Goodbye" was released, where he contributed to the song's lyrics and composition.{{cite web|script-title=ko:가수 송이한, 25일 '안녕이라는 말' 공개하며..'이목집중'|url=http://www.ccdailynews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1002508|website=Chungcheong Daily News|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=March 25, 2019}} He also provided the track "You Don't Know" to the soundtrack of the web drama The Witch Store (2019).{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Yong-jun|script-title=ko:송이한 웹드 '마녀상점' OST 참여..'그대는 모르죠' 가을 감성 적신다|url=http://www.viva100.com/main/view.php?key=20191007001501429|website=Bridge Economic Daily News|publisher=Bridgenews Company|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=October 7, 2019}} By the end of the year, Song signed an exclusive contract with Music Design.{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Su-kyeong|script-title=ko:'13000: 1의 보컬' 송이한, 뮤직디자인과 전속계약...본격 활동 시동|url=https://tenasia.hankyung.com/topic/article/2019112140634|website=Ten Asia|publisher=Korea Entertainment Media|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=November 21, 2019}}
Song issued his first mini-album Fade Away and its lead single "U Everyday" on March 25, 2020. In addition to penning all songs on the album, he was also involved in producing the record.{{cite web|last=Baek|first=Yung-hee|script-title=ko:송이한, 데뷔 첫 미니앨범 발매! 전곡 프로듀싱 참여|url=http://star.fnnews.com/archives/390904|website=FN Star|publisher=Kyunghyang Company|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=March 25, 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326215545/http://star.fnnews.com/archives/390904|archive-date=March 26, 2020}} He supplied the song "It's Not Okay" for the television series Brilliant Heritage two months later.{{cite web|last=Yang|first=So-yeong|script-title=ko:송이한, '기막힌 유산' OST 합류|url=https://www.mk.co.kr/star/broadcasting-service/view/2020/05/526835/|website=Star Today|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=May 22, 2020}} On December 29, he released a special R&B single entitled "I Will Be Your Shining Star".{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Ye-na|script-title=ko:송이한, 오늘(29일) 신곡 발매 "응원과 기쁨의 선물 되길"|url=https://www.xportsnews.com/?ac=article_view&entry_id=1370975|website=Xportsnews|publisher=Xportsmedia|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=December 29, 2020}} In contrast to his previous breakup records, the track was a love song. He launched an event alongside its release in which three couples to wed amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic would be selected to win a free congratulatory performance by Song. It resulted in the single's gradual rise on music charts and was dubbed a "wedding song icon".{{cite web|script-title=ko:송이한, 2021 감성 발라더 급부상...마음 통한 이벤트로 '축가 아이콘'|url=https://www.wowtv.co.kr/NewsCenter/News/Read?articleId=A202103050243|website=Korea Economic Daily TV|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=March 5, 2021}} "I Will Be Your Shining Star" ultimately peaked at number nine of South Korea's weekly national Circle Digital Chart.{{cite web|script-title=ko:가온 38주차 노래방 차트 1위는 이무진...엠씨더맥스 5곡, 성시경 5곡|url=https://www.topstarnews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=14632138|website=Top Star News|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=September 23, 2021}} On Circle Chart's year-end report for 2021, the single ranked at number 18 on its list of best-performing singles.
On December 12, 2021, Song released his second mini-album My Empty Space and its lead single "Memory of You".{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Hyeon-sik|script-title=ko:송이한, 겨울 감성 앨범 '나의 틈' 발매|url=https://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsId=01108646629276224&mediaCodeNo=258|website=Edaily|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=December 7, 2021}} The following January, he appeared on the music competition series Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend with Lee Jung and they sang a cover of "One's Way Back" by {{ill|Pak Sun-zoo|ko|박선주 (가수)}}.{{cite web|last=Park|first=Jin-yeong|script-title=ko:'불후' 송이한, 데뷔 5년만 첫 방송 "죽을 때까지 못 잊을 것" 눈물|url=https://www.joynews24.com/view/1441071|website=Joynews24|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=January 8, 2022}} Song recorded a rendition of Ali's debut single "365 Days" from her 2009 debut EP After the Love Has Gone, which he released on February 7, 2022.{{cite web|last=Maeng|first=Seon-mi|script-title=ko:송이한, 7일 알리 '365일' 리메이크 음원 발매...이별 감성 자극|url=http://enter.etoday.co.kr/view/news_view.php?varAtcId=219288|website=Biz Enter|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=February 3, 2022}} On June 12, Song released the single "My Eyes on You".{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Su-jin|script-title=ko:송이한, 자작곡 러브송으로 감성 저격..12일 홍대 버스킹 예고|url=https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2022060914593629616|website=Starnews|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=June 9, 2022}} He contended in the singing competition program King of Mask Singer wearing a mask of street toast to conceal his identity. He competed against a female vocalist donning a twisted doughnut mask and lost 59–40.
Musical style
Song identifies his "sweet" voice and high notes as his strengths. Writing for entertainment website Xportsnews, Kim Ye-na took note of his ability to bring listeners to tears through the sentiments expressed in his breakup ballads.{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Ye-na|script-title=ko:송이한 "실제 이별 경험담, 그저 감정만 기억" [엑's 인터뷰②]|url=https://www.xportsnews.com/article/1534059|website=Xportsnews|publisher=Xportsmedia|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=February 13, 2022}} His singing style has been compared to Yang Da-il, whose vocals he identified as an influence of his singing technique.{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Ye-na|script-title=ko:송이한 "양다일 가장 존경, 완성도 칭찬 기뻐" [엑's 인터뷰①]|url=https://www.xportsnews.com/article/1534058|website=Xportsnews|publisher=Xportsmedia|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=February 13, 2022}} Song cites Naul of Brown Eyed Seoul and Jung Key as his role models for singing and songwriting, respectively.{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Hyeon-sik|script-title=ko:송이한 "롤모델은 나얼, 오래 기억되는 가수되고파" [인터뷰]②|url=https://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsId=01220166632196736&mediaCodeNo=258|website=Edaily|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=January 11, 2022}} He expressed his interest in learning the "emotions and depth" of Naul's singing.{{cite web|script-title=ko:'블라인드 뮤지션' 송이한 "롤모델은 나얼 선배님, 들려주는 음악 만들고파"|url=http://daily.hankooki.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=563458|website=Hankook Ilbo|publisher=Dongwha Enterprise|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=June 3, 2018}} In terms of songwriting, Song incorporates the memories of his emotions into the lyrics, as opposed to what he feels at the time.
Philanthropy
On New Year's Day in 2020, Song and ten of his fans visited the foster care facility Sunduk Home in Seoul, where they provided snacks, played with the children, and cleaned the premises.{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Won-hee|script-title=ko:'13000 대 1의 보컬' 송이한, 설 맞아 따뜻한 선행... 팬들과 아동복지시설 봉사|url=https://sports.khan.co.kr/entertainment/sk_index.html?art_id=202001240956003|website=Sports Kyunghyang|publisher=Kyunghyang Company|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=January 24, 2020}}
Discography
=Albums=
==Extended plays==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |
| scope="col" style="width:16em;"|Title{{cite web|script-title=ko:송이한|url=https://search.daum.net/search?w=profile2&q=송이한&DA=PRF&sck=datahub_homo%2Fperson%2F2198463|publisher=Daum|access-date=March 27, 2025|language=ko}}
! scope="col" style="width:18em;"|Details |
|---|
| scope="row"|Fade Away
|
|
| scope="row"|My Empty Space ({{Korean|hangul=나의 틈|rr=Naeui Teum|labels=no}})
|
|
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"|Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Year ! scope="col"|Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Certification ! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|KOR Peak positions on the Circle Digital Chart:
|
| scope="row"|"Reason" ({{Korean|hangul=이유|rr=Iyu|labels=no}})
| 2018 | — | | Blind Musician |
| scope="row"|"Means Goodbye" ({{Korean|hangul=안녕이라는 말|rr=Annyeongiraneun Mal|labels=no}})
| 2019 | 90 | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row"|"U Everyday" ({{Korean|hangul=매일 너를|rr=Mael Neoreul|labels=no}})
| rowspan="2"|2020 | — | | Fade Away |
| scope="row"|"I Will Be Your Shining Star" ({{Korean|hangul=밝게 빛나는 별이 되어 비춰줄게|rr=Balge Bitnaneun Byeol-i Doe-eo Bichwojulge|labels=no}})
| 9 |
| {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row"|"Memory of You" ({{Korean|hangul=추억에 묻어둔 채 살아갈게|rr=Chueok-e Mudeodun Chae Saragalge|labels=no}})
| 2021 | — | | My Empty Space |
| scope="row"|"365 Days" ({{Korean|hangul=365일|rr=365-il|labels=no}})
| rowspan="2"|2022 | — | | rowspan="6" {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row"|"My Eyes on You" ({{Korean|hangul=나의 두 눈은 그대를 바라보고|rr=Naeui Du Nuneul Geudareul Barabogo|labels=no}})
| — |
| scope="row"|"My World to You" ({{Korean|hangul=내 세상을 주고 싶어|rr=Nae Sesangeul Jugo Sipeo|labels=no}})
| rowspan="3"|2023 | — | |
| scope="row"|"After"
| — | |
| scope="row"|"Who Am I To" ({{Korean|hangul=내가 뭐라고|rr=Naega Mworago|labels=no}})
| — | |
| scope="row"|"My Heart Is Full of You" ({{Korean|hangul=내 마음은 너로 가득해서|rr=Nae Maeumeun Neoro Gadeukhaeseo|labels=no}})
| 2024 | — | |
=Guest appearances=
=Soundtrack appearances=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |
| scope="col" style="width:20em;"|Title
! scope="col"|Year ! scope="col"|Release |
|---|
| scope="row"|"You Don't Know" ({{Korean|hangul=그대는 모르죠|rr=Geudaeneun Moreujyo|labels=no}})
| 2019 | The Witch Store (Web Drama) OST – Part.2 |
| scope="row"|"It's Not Okay" ({{Korean|hangul=괜찮지가 않아|rr=Gwaenchanjiga Anha|labels=no}})
| 2020 | Brilliant Heritage OST Part.7 |
| scope="row"|"Nothing" ({{Korean|hangul=아무 일도, 아무것도|rr=Amu Ildo, Amugeotdo|labels=no}})
| 2022 | Beautiful Moment OST |
| scope="row"|"All I Need Is You" ({{Korean|hangul=너만 있으면|rr=Neoman Isseumyeon|labels=no}}) {{small|(with Yerin)}} | 2023 | The Witch Store Reopens OST Part 3 |
Filmography
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ Online series ! scope="col" style="width: 2em;"|Year ! scope="col" style="width: 17em;"|Title ! scope="col" style="width: 10em;"|Note(s) ! scope="col" class="unsortable" style="width: 2em;"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row"|2018
| Blind Musician | Contestant, winner |
|---|
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ Television series ! scope="col" style="width: 2em;"|Year ! scope="col" style="width: 17em;"|Title ! scope="col" style="width: 10em;"|Note(s) ! scope="col" class="unsortable" style="width: 2em;"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"|2022
| Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend | Contestant |
|---|
| King of Mask Singer
| Contestant, episode 361 |
Awards and nominations
{{Awards table|5}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"|2022
| rowspan="2"|Golden Disc Awards
| Digital Song Bonsang
| "I Will Be Your Shining Star"
| {{nom}}
|{{cite web|last=Hwang|first=Jee-young|script-title=ko:[36회 골든] 5월 발매 곡·카카오 유통 음원, 후보에 다수 포진|url=https://news.jtbc.joins.com/article/article.aspx?news_id=NB12039299|website=JTBC News|publisher=JTBC|access-date=November 1, 2022|language=ko|date=December 17, 2021}}
|-
| Seezn Most Popular Artist Award
| Song I-han
| {{nom}}
{{end}}
Notes
{{Notelist-ua}}