You probably know her as "Precious Jini", or "Theresa", or "That girl from Kiss", or "That girl who was on 'Last Fan Standing'
It's time to meet the woman behind these names...

[ THE STORY ]

Lee Ji Yeon was born on April 29, 1982 in Dae Gu, South Korea. At two months of age, her parents passed away in a car accident while she waited for them at her grandmother's house. Ji Yeon was taken in by her grandmother and lived in an extremely poor section of Dae Gu until she was five years old. The young girl did not even get to experience the basic living amenities in a home, without running water or electricity. Ji Yeon's grandmother, realizing that this was no life for a child, decided to give her up for adoption with the hope that she could find a better life with a loving family. Again Ji Yeon was separated from those she loved, and she was placed at Holt Christian Adoption Center in Seoul, Korea.

Ji Yeon went through seven different foster homes in the span of about one month, not willing to grow close to anyone else for fear of losing them, as she lost the others she had loved. At this point she was tired of the process and told the adoption center she would rather stay at the dorm there instead of going to any more foster families. There she stayed with around 200 other children who were waiting for their own chance at adoption. Ji Yeon still held hope of seeing her grandmother again, which she had been told she would.

One day, a large celebration was held, as was the tradition at the center when a child was adopted. Ji Yeon, not realizing that it was her turn, just behaved normally and ate all the food she wanted. Then she heard the announcement that she was the one who would be leaving. A woman who had visited the center earlier and paid special attention to Ji Yeon had returned to adopt her.

She stayed with the woman for approximately four months, after which they left to visit the woman's sister in Chicago. After a month there, they headed to Ohio, where the woman was greeted by a Caucasian man. Ji Yeon was surprised, as she had no prior contact with anyone but Koreans. The couple brought her to the upper middle class suburban community of Westerville, where she got her first glimpse of her new home. She was shocked to know she'd be living in such a large house. Although the house was of average size, to Ji Yeon it was a castle. She realized that this was her new family.

Ji Yeon couldn't contain her excitement during her first night in her home, and spent the night singing. This was the birth of her newfound love for singing. Ji Yeon could not attend school as of yet, and her mother home schooled her in English and math until she was ready to go to first grade. Throughout the year, Theresa, as she was now called, learned English from a tutor and by second grade; she was gradually forgetting the Korean language.

Piano lessons had become a part of Theresa's life at this point, and her instructor told her she had quite a bit of musical talent. At age seven, she had played Fur Elise for her teacher by ear. Participating in the school choir, continuing piano lessons, and starting viola when she was 10, Theresa wanted to go further with her music. She started to write short poems and a journal when she was eight years old, and used it as her outlet for whatever emotions she was going through. Her feelings became poems, and eventually, songs.

Theresa auditioned for a school talent show in fifth grade, and was accepted, doing two acts for the show. One of her acts was singing and dancing to a Donna Summer song. The school was impressed and Theresa was asked to participate in a showcase for the entire school. At this point, she knew she wanted to be a performer. She continued to take part in various contests and competitions for voice, piano, and viola. It was an escape for her from the pressures of being one of the few Asians in the area. But despite her achievements, she was still criticized and received many cruel racial remarks. Theresa started to prefer being seen with her father, thinking that his skin color would help her fit in. However, this raised even more questions about why she was Asian. She didn't explain her adoption, knowing that it would not help her already harsh situation.

Songwriting began for Theresa at 12, and she started to produce songs when she was 13, coming up with music on the piano for a melody she'd made. Her love for singing and performing was such a large part of her life that she secretly practiced at home with a microphone and stand she had borrowed from her choir director. Her parents as of yet still had no idea that this was her dream.

Theresa entered a karaoke contest at the age of 14. There were various record company recruiters present, and she received an offer. After finding the courage to tell her parents, she was simply met with laughter, especially from her mother, who for years had constantly been telling her she was ugly and that she would not accomplish anything. Her parents had never heard her sing, and not knowing her true passion for music, had assumed it was just another childish fantasy. She was not allowed to sign with the company. (Note: If Theresa had signed with the company, she would most likely have debuted before Britney Spears.)

Korean music came into Theresa's life when she was 16. She decided she wanted to start in Korea and make her way into the American music industry afterwards. She set this goal, and was determined to achieve it. She got in contact with Brothers Entertainment, who also discovered various members of Korean groups such as H.O.T, Shinhwa, and Fly to the Sky. They responded quickly, but their timeline was too long for Theresa, as she wanted to start a career sooner than they were planning for her. She again nervously told her parents, who told her to focus on school instead. Frustrated, Theresa told Brothers Entertainment that she was not allowed and that she would contact them again later on.

This was the hardest year of Theresa's life. One of Theresa's friends committed suicide. Through her depression, Theresa wanted to follow. Her parents then divorced, and her mother, who suffers from various psychological disorders, blamed it on Theresa. The stress was building on her too fast, and her life started to fall apart. Her grades fell, she skipped school, and her relationship with her father, who she was living with, started to deteriorate. Music even lost a part in her life. After considering suicide, she finally attempted it, and fortunately failed. Theresa realized this would be extremely selfish of her. One day, she heard the song "Hero" by Mariah Carey playing on the radio, and started to cry. She realized she had a calling, and she couldn't give up on her music. She told herself she would not give up until she had met every single one of her goals.

After Theresa turned 18, now free to do as she wished, she contacted Brothers Entertainment again, but after a year, went to Ark Entertainment instead. She was also online trying to gain advice from others as well as asking what people would like to see in a singer. By the summer of 2001, she was in Korea as the lead singer of KISS, and debuted in early 2002. Her first goal had been achieved. It was more difficult than Theresa had imagined, but she gave her everything to every performance. However, because of personal issues and a company decision, the group separated in March of 2002 and Theresa was left in the company by herself. But through keeping in touch with supporters from the States, she was given hope.

Theresa went back to the States to rest, disappointed but determined not to let it discourage her. She was also upset at not being able to do enough for her family, friends, supporters, and mostly her own dreams. Now back home, things were still hard. Many people who had never given a second look were now trying to be friends with her. But life in States took a turn for the better when Internet supporters helped her to win the "Last Fan Standing Contest" at MTV and was able to present the Viewers' Choice award at the 2002 VMAs. She felt grateful to her fans, and though her words of gratitude were not aired properly, she tried her best to express her thanks.

But in 2003, four days before she was to return to Korea, Theresa was in a serious car accident that would change her outlook on life. Thinking back on what happened that night, Theresa would probably have died, but walked away with only minor injuries. She felt that she had been given a second chance at life, and she needed to value this gift. The fragility of life became more apparent to her now more than ever, and she would never give up on her dreams. The little things are more important now, and she thanks God for every day she is given. Along with a miracle, Theresa was granted a new beginning.