Iconiq

Ayumi Itō (born August 25, 1984) also known her stage name as Yumi Ito, Ayumi or Iconiq, is a Japanese singer and actress. She was a member of South Korean girl group Sugar.

Ayumi Itō was born in Tottori Prefecture as a third generation Korean Japanese on August 25, 1984. She lived in Japan until she was 15, after which she moved to South Korea. She attended Korea Kent Foreign School.

2001–06: Sugar

Ayumi was scouted by the entertainment company Starworld at a H.O.T. concert, debuting as part of South Korean girl group Sugar in 2001. The band released two albums in Japan and three in Korea, to only moderate commercial success. The group official disbanded in 2006.

2006–12: Solo career and Hiatus

In 2006, the band broke up, and Iconiq released two solo singles as Ayumi. The first, a cover of the theme song for Cutie Honey, was released on July 13, 2006, and was criticized by Korean media for her "heavy accent" and the overall Japanese feel of performances. Her second digital single, "Jalmotdoen Mannam" ("Wrongful Meeting") was released on November 7, 2006, and is a cover of Kim Gun Mo's hit from 1995.

She switched labels in February 2007, moving from SM Entertainment's sister label Starworld to SM Entertainment and started collaborating with SM Town on their summer and winter albums that year. However, she did not release any solo material at this time. In 2008, Iconiq was transfer to Avex Entertainment and made her acting debut. She later moved to Los Angeles to study dance, and find new inspiration as a musician.

In late 2009, she debuted in Japan under stage name Iconiq and signed Avex music label, Rhythm Zone. Her first promotions were for Shiseido's Maquillage cosmetics line, for which her song "I'm Lovin' You" (a duet with Exile vocalist Atsushi) was used in commercials, and Iconiq's images used in billboards. Iconiq was marketed around her buzz cut hair-style, often called "baby short hair" (ベビーショートヘア).

Her past as a member of Sugar and her Korean heritage were underplayed in the promotion in Japan, leading to concerns in the Korean media. Tokyo Sports ran an article about Iconiq's past as a Korean idol, and later apologised to Iconiq's record label.

After two more promotional songs used in Maquillage commercials, "Change Myself" and "Bye Now!," she released her debut album, Change Myself, on March 10, 2010. The album debuted at #3 on Oricon's albums chart, the highest debut position since Yui Aragaki's Sora in late 2007. Since then, she has released her debut single "Tokyo Lady," and released an EP called Light Ahead in September. The EP was promoted with three music videos directed by Diane Martel, including "Tokyo Lady."

In 2015, Ayumi appeared on a Korean program again, for the first time after nine years on JTBC program Witch Hunt.

2016–present: Acting career

It was announced that she returned her career as an actress under stage name Yumi Ito.

Studio album

Extended play

Singles

Film

Television drama

Japan Record Awards