Son Dam-bi (; born September 25, 1983) is a South Korean singer, actress and entertainer. She began her career as a solo singer in 2007. She also made her acting debut in the 2009 Korean drama Dream.
Career Son first came to fame when she appeared in a commercial for an MP3 player alongside Poppin' Hyun Joon.
Prior to her debut, MSN Japan made a video documentary capturing her pre-debut training and rehearsals, which attracted 480,000 visitors in five days. Son trained with a well-known American choreographer in preparation for this album, and people began calling her the female version of Rain.
Son's debut single features five tracks that show off her vocal and dancing talents. Her debut single, "Cry Eye", was produced and composed by Jang Joon-ho, who previously wrote MC Mong's "180 Degrees" and Jang Woo-hyuk's "Last Game". The lyrics were written by Brian Kim, who also penned Shinhwa's Once in A Lifetime.
Son joined MBC's reality show We Got Married, being paired with Marco in late 2008 as part of the second group of couples. Their last episode was on February 2, 2009.
It was also announced that Son would be part of the cast for Hype Nation, a film that has been labelled a "world movie".손담비 주연 영화 '하이프네이션' 총괄 프로듀서 영 리, "한국이 대세"(Son Dam-bi's Film Hype Nation Summary: Producer Young Rhee, "Korea is Influential") . Asia Nation. February 6, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2009. However, as the movie was delayed, Son released an EL with the single "Toyoil Bamae" ("토요일 밤에", "On a Saturday Night"). Park, Jae-deok. 손담비 측 "드라마 주연? 물망에 오른 것 뿐" (Son Dam-bi Side "Drama Project? Just Prospective Possibilities") . JoyNews. May 8, 2009. Retrieved May 8, 2009. The song became her first #1 hit, topping various on- and offline charts, including M! Countdown (within 20 days), two wins on KBS' Music Bank, and a three-week chart-topping run on SBS' Inkigayo. Jeong, Kyeong-hui. 손담비, 앨범 출시 20여일만에 각종 차트 석권 (Son Dam-bi, Tops Various Charts Within 20 Days) . SportsChosun.com. April 23, 2009. Retrieved May 8, 2009. Ko, Jae-wan. 손담비 '토요일밤에', 3주 연속 '뮤티즌송' (Son Dam-bi "On Saturday Night", "Mutizen Song" 3 Weeks in a Row) . Asia Economy. May 3, 2009. Retrieved May 8, 2009. The songs' routine features Son in various 80's fashions, transforming her into a "retro fashionista". Song, Yun-se. 손담비, 80년대 복고풍 패셔니스타 눈길 (Son Dam-bi, 80s Retro Fashionista Look) . Joins.com/Newsen. April 16, 2009. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
She then starred in SBS drama Dream with Joo Jin-mo and Kim Bum, marking her debut as an actress. As a result of her portrayal in Dream, as the Taebo instructor Park So-yeon, it won her the SBS Drama Awards New Star Award.
Return to South Korea After training in the United States after "Cry Eye", Son returned to Korea and released an EP, Mini Album Vol.1, with a focus on electronica (departing from her previous style of crunk pop) on April 29, 2008. The lead single, titled "Bad Boy", was produced by Brave Brothers. Kahi (former leader of After School and Pledis labelmate) was her dance teacher and was featured in the "Bad Boy" music video.
In September 2008, she returned with the single "미쳤어" ("Crazy"). The song featured a "chair dance" that has become popular with the Korean public; it has since been upgraded to a "sofa dance".손담비 "의자춤 인기 모으는 것 기분 좋아" Son Dam-bi: "Chair Dance's Popularity Pleases Me" . Hankyung.com. December 11, 2008. Retrieved December 12, 2008. The dance has been copied and parodied by many people, including Hyun Young, Infinity Challenge comedy team member No Hongchul, comedian Shin Bong-sun, and Lee Soo-young.
Her follow-up song in 2009, "Toyoilbamae" (, "On a Saturday Night"), was a success.Kim, In-koo. Rocky Road for Solo Artist . JoongAng Daily. August 19, 2010. Retrieved August 19, 2010. She then released her next EP, The Queen.
2011–present: "Lights and Shadows" and "Dripping Tears" comeback Starting in 2011, Son starred in a drama called Lights and Shadows. It was first broadcast on November 28, 2011. She finished filming in June 2012, with the drama concluding on July 3, 2012. She also released an OST for the drama called "Everything" on January 10, 2012.
It was confirmed by Pledis Entertainment that Son would make a comeback in Korea sometime in the summer. Eventually, a representative from Pledis Entertainment stated that Son had finished recording her album and was in the midst of shooting photos for the album jacket. The album was pushed back before eventually being released on November 12, 2012. The lead single, "Dripping Tears", was produced by Brave Brothers. The album contained six songs, including the title track of the same name and a 'G. Remix version' of "Dripping Tears." The music video of "Dripping Tears" was released a day after the album. She first performed the song on November 15, on M Countdown.
Son's contract with Pledis Entertainment ended in June 2015. It was soon announced that Son had signed with KeyEast for her future activities.
In 2019, she starred in the romantic comedy thriller When the Camellia Blooms.
In September 2020, Son signed with new agency H& Entertainment after leaving KeyEast. In August 2022, Son renewed her contract with H& Entertainment.
Personal life Son married former South Korean national speed skater Lee Kyou-hyuk on May 13, 2022 in a private ceremony. Their romantic relationship started in September 2021. On September 26, 2024, Son announced her pregnancy. She gave birth to a daughter on April 11, 2025.
Discography Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales KORType B Released: March 23, 2009 Label: Pledis Entertainment Format: CD, digital download colspan="2"
Compilation albums Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales KORSon Dam Bi Remix Vol. 1 Released: November 20, 2008 Label: Pledis Entertainment Format: Digital download colspan="2"
Extended plays Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales KORCry Eye Released: June 21, 2007 Label: Pledis Entertainment Format: CD 31 KOR: 1,185+Mini Album Vol. 1 Released: April 29, 2008 Label: Pledis Entertainment Format: CD, digital download 20 rowspan="4" The Second Mini Album Released: September 18, 2008 Label: Pledis Entertainment Format: CD, digital download 11The Queen Released: July 8, 2010 Label: Pledis Entertainment Format: CD, digital download 3Dripping Tears Released: November 12, 2012 Label: Pledis Entertainment Format: CD, digital download 3
Singles TitleYear Peak chart positionsSalesAlbum KORGaon Digital Chart peak positions:
"Can't U See" and "Queen": "dB Rider": "One Kiss": "Love Letter": "Dripping Tears": "Red Candle": "Cry Eye" 2007 rowspan="6" Cry Eye"Bad Boy" (feat. Kahi)2008Mini Album Vol. 1"Invisible Person" ()The Second Mini Album"Crazy" () (feat. Eric Mun)"On A Saturday Night" ()2009 Type B"Amoled" (feat. After School) "Can't U See"2010 12 KOR: 1,184,735The Queen"Queen" 3 KOR: 966,919"dB Rider" (New version) 70 rowspan="2" "One Kiss" (with FPM)2011 64"Love Letter" (with After School) 37 KOR: 276,337 Happy Pledis 2012"Dripping Tears" () 2012 10 KOR: 666,741 Dripping Tears"Red Candle" 2013 26 KOR: 46,049
Filmography Film Year Title Role 2018 The Accidental Detective 2: In Action Yoon Sa-hee Too Hot To Die Rose of Betrayal
Television series Year Title Role 2009 Dream Park So-yeon 2011–2012 Lights and Shadows Yoo Chae-young 2014 What Happens to My Family? Kwon Hyo-jin 2016 Mrs. Cop 2 Shin Yeo-ok 2019 When the Camellia Blooms Choi Hyang-mi / Choi Go-woon
Television show YearTitle RoleNotes 2008–2009 We Got Married Cast Member with Marco2018–2019Village Survival, the Eight Season 1–22019Try It2020–2021I Live Alone 2021 Sister Shoots Host 2022 Same Bed, Different Dreams 2: You Are My Destiny Cast Member Scance, not Hocance Host
Awards and nominations + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result APAN Star Awards 2021Best Supporting Actress When the Camellia Blooms Asia Model Awards 2011 BBF Popular SingerSon Dam-bi 2020Popularity Award in Female Actor Category Baeksang Arts Awards 2020 Best Supporting Actress – TelevisionWhen the Camellia Blooms Brand of the Year Awards 2020 Multi Entertainer Female of the YearSon Dam-bi Chinese TOP Awards Concert 2011 Foreign Artist with the Best Stage Presence Golden Disk Awards 2009 Digital Bonsang KBS Drama Awards 2014 Best Supporting Actress What Happens to My Family? 2019 Best New ActressWhen the Camellia Blooms Netizen Award, Actress Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards 2012 Best New ActressLights and Shadows Korea Drama Awards 2012 Excellence Award, Actress MBC Drama Awards 2012 Excellence Award, Actress in a Special Project Drama MBC Entertainment Awards2020Best Couple Award with Sung Hoon I Live Alone Excellence Award in Variety Category – Female Mnet Asian Music Awards2009 Best Female Artist Son Dam-bi "2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards Part1" . MAMA. Retrieved 2014-12-18. Best House & Electronic 2010 Best Female Artist"Queen" Mnet 20's Choice Awards 2009 Hot Body Female Son Dam-bi Hot Style Icon Hot Performance SBS Drama Awards 2009 New Star Award Dream 2016 Excellence Award, Actress in a Genre Drama Mrs. Cop 2 Seoul Music Awards 2009 Bonsang Son Dam-bi 2010 2011 2013 Popularity Award
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