Toy (South Korean band)
Toy (Korean: 토이; RR: Toyi) is a one-man project band of Korean pop singer-songwriter and pianist You Hee-yeol.[1]
Toy | |
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Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
Genres | K-pop, electronica |
Years active | 1994–present |
Labels | Antenna Music |
Associated acts | You Hee-yeol |
Website | toymusic |
Members | You Hee-yeol, Hahm Choon-ho, Song Sung-kyung |
Past members | Yoon Jeong-oh Kim Yeon-woo |
Career
Toy started as a duo of You Hee-yeol and Yoon Jeong-oh, and was named after their two initials 'Y', as in Two + Y = Toy.
However, after releasing Toy's debut album, Yoon Jeong-oh left the band to study overseas and You Hee-yeol joined the navy for his mandatory military service. You Hee-yeol has been the sole member of Toy since 1996.[2]
After his discharge from military service, You released Toy's second studio album Yooheeyeol. The title song "Remember I Was Next to You" (Korean: 내가 너의 곁에 잠시 살았다는 걸; RR: Naega Neoui Gyeote Jamshi Sarattaneun Geol), sung by Kim Yeon-woo, became a big hit and the album was a commercial success.[2]
In 1997, Toy released the third studio album Present and also started a record label named Toy Music (currently Antenna Music). After a six-year hiatus from Fermata (2001), the band released their sixth studio album Thank You,[3] with the title song "A Passionate Goodbye" (Korean: 뜨거운 안녕; RR: Tteugeoun Annyeong) featuring vocals by E Z Hyoung.
Discography
Studio albums
- Da Capo (2014)
- Thank You (2007)
- Fermata (2001)
- A Night in Seoul (1999)
- Present (1997)
- Youheeyeol (1996)
- Inside My Heart (1994)
Live albums
- Toy Live (2001)
Compilation albums
- The History of Toy (2001)
Awards
Korean Music Awards
Year | Category | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | Musician of the Year | N/A | Won |
Best Pop Song | "A Passionate Goodbye" | Won |
Mnet Asian Music Awards
Year | Category | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | Album of the Year | Thank You[4] | Nominated |
Best Male Artist | "Rockin' On Heaven's Door"[4] | Nominated |
References
- He intentionally spells his family name as You instead of Yoo. See his album cover. Toy6
- Toy (You Hee-yeol) KBS World.
- Toy Vol. 6 – Thank You YesAsia.
- "2008 Mnet KM Music Festival Part1". MAMA. Retrieved 17 December 2014.