Career Timeline

Zhang Liyin was originally recruited into DR Music back in 2003-2004, but left the company by signing a contract with SM Entertainment instead. She debuted on September 9, 2006, after nearly 3 years of training.

2006–2017: SM Entertainment

2006	Debuted September 9 with the single “Timeless”, featuring former TVXQ member, Xiah Junsu. Won first-ever award on SBS Inkigayo for “Timeless”. Won Rookie of the Month award from Cyworld, for the month of September. Won Best New Solo Artist award from Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), for “Timeless”. Performed in China for the first time.
2007	Performed follow-up single “Y (Why…)” on Korean music shows. Performed in Beijing, China for the first time. Performed “Timeless” with Xiah Junsu for the last time. Performed at the first SMTOWN concert, held in Seoul on June 30 and July 1.
2008	Released first full album, I Will. Held first-ever album showcase, hosted by pre-debut Super Junior-M member, Zhou Mi. Appeared on her first TV variety show, Jiangsu TV’s Super Star, followed by appearances on Hunan TV’s Yue Ce Yue Kai Xin, and Guangdong’s Star. Won the ‘Female Newcomer with the Most Potential’ award from Music King Awards. Won Best Mainland Newcomer at the Fujian Southeast Music Ranking. Won Most Popular Female Singer at the Tencent Star Ceremony. Won Most ‘Attention Grabbing’ Newcomer at the Top Chinese Music Awards. Performed “TRI-ANGLE” and “I Will” at the Taipei stop in TVXQ’s concert tour. Performed at SMTOWN concerts in Seoul and Shanghai.
2009	Released second single, “Moving On”. Performed at SMTOWN concert in Bangkok.
2010	Performed “7989” and “Moving On” at Kangta’s Beijing concert. Performed at SMTOWN concerts in Seoul, Los Angeles, and Shanghai.
2011	Performed “Wrongly Given Love” with Jonghyun at the Taipei stop in SHINee’s concert tour.
2012	Performed at SMTOWN concerts in Taiwan and Seoul.
2013	Performed at SMTOWN concert in Beijing.
2014	Released the Chinese version of “Breath” as a member of SM The Ballad, along with duet partner EXO member Chen. Released third single, “Agape”. Released fourth single, “Not Alone”. Won the Most Popular Female Artist award from Anhui TV’s Mad for Music. Held media showcase and mini-concert for the release of “Not Alone”. Performed at SMTOWN concerts in Seoul, Shanghai, and Taiwan.
2017	Left SM Entertainment after over 10 years of being under their management, and signed with Show City Times.

2018–Present: Return to China

2018	Released a duet single, “Lonely”, with Chinese singer Henry Huo.
2019	Released the song, “The Answer”, an interlude song for the Chinese television drama The Remedy.
2020	Left Show City Times after three years, and signed with Beijing S.W. Culture Media. Released the song, “Ashes of Time”, a soundtrack song for the Chinese movie Sword and Fire.
2021	Released the song “For Dear You”, a soundtrack song for the Chinese television drama Once Given Never Forgotten.
2022	Released the song, “Light of Life”, a recommended song by the city of Chengdu, Sichuan. Released the single, “The Tide of Life”. Left Beijing S.W. Culture Media after two years, and confirmed that she had signed with Xunfei Music. Released the singles: “Sanxingdui”, “Flowers Aglow”, “You Who Passed Through My World”, “Obviously”, “The Whale that Fell from the Stars”, and “The Solitude of Klein Blue”. Released the song, “Emotion”, her first Korean-language single since 2014, through the Adding Memory Project.
2023	Released four different songs within the first three months: “Green Growing Upwards”, “Where Has Forever Gone”, “Be Unfaithful to One’s Word”, and “Give It to TA”.