Yirumas family biography

Yiruma

South Korean pianist and composer

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.

Early life

Yiruma 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

After 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 1FMYiruma'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

Yiruma 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

Studio albums

Compilation and special albums

Film soundtracks

Live albums

  • Yiruma: Live at HOAM Art Hall (2005)

Extended plays

Singles

References

  1. ^"Alumni". Purcell School for Young Musicians. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  2. ^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.
  3. ^. The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). 3 May 2002.
  4. ^. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). 11 March 2004.
  5. ^. The Hankyoreh (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 13 March 2006. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  6. ^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.
  7. ^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.
  8. ^"[e글중심] "K-뉴에이지의 시작?" … 이루마 빌보드 클래식 부문 1위". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). 22 May 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  9. ^. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 1 October 2010.
  10. ^. The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). 27 January 2011.
  11. ^. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 18 March 2013.
  12. ^"[SC초점]'손태영 형부' 이루마, '재산 7조 루머'인데 승소로 '음원 수익금' 26억도 받게 돼". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 7 April 2024.
  13. ^. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). 7 April 2024.
  14. ^ (in Korean). Korean Broadcasting System. Yonhap News Agency. 26 January 2006. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  15. ^. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 27 January 2006. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  16. ^ (in Korean). Korean Broadcasting System. 27 December 2006. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  17. ^ abKang, Young-soo (27 May 2007). . The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  18. ^Kang, Jeong-hoon (23 August 2008). . The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  19. ^. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Newsis. 18 April 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  20. ^Kim, Jun-seok (12 December 2013). . The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  21. ^Lee, Seul-bi (26 November 2011). . The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  22. ^ abc"Album Chart "이루마" Search". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  23. ^ abcd"Yiruma Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  24. ^Cumulative sales of First Love:
  25. ^Cumulative sales of From the Yellow Room:
    • (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
    • . Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  26. ^ ab (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  27. ^. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  28. ^Cumulative sales of Blind Film:
    • . Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
    • . Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  29. ^. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  30. ^. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  31. ^ ab"Discographie Yiruma". Austrian Charts (in German). Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  32. ^ ab"Suchen nach "Yiruma"". Offizielle Deutsche Charts (in German). Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  33. ^ ab"Discographie Yiruma". Swiss Hitparade (in German). Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  34. ^Cumulative sales of The Best: Reminiscent 10th Anniversary:
    • . Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
    • . Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
    • . Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
    • . Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  35. ^Cumulative sales of The Very Best of Yiruma: Yiruma & Piano:
    • . Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
    • . Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
    • . Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
    • . Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
    • . Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  36. ^. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  37. ^. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  38. ^ (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  39. ^"Digital Chart "이루마" Search". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  40. ^"Yiruma". Les Charts (in French). Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  41. ^"Yiruma - River Flows In You". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  42. ^"Gold-/Platin-Datenbank". Bundesverband Musikindustrie (in German). Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  43. ^Cumulative sales of "Kiss the Rain":

External links