Vocal Range

E3 ~ B5 (2 Octaves, 3 notes and 1 semitone)

Supported Range

A3/Bb3 ~ B4/C5

Voice Type

Full-Lyric Soprano

Strengths/Achievements Second strongest vocalist in Brown Eyed Girls Able to consistently keep a stable larynx up into the fifth octave around C5 Able to keep a stable larynx at times down to G3 Support is present in the lower range around Bb3/A3 and up Support is quite consistent up until C5 Resonance is present in her voice and may at times be achieved in a range around and below C#5 Possesses a falsetto that is generally relaxed around G#5 and below Consistently able to produce an even and healthy vibrato Good at harmonizing and blending her voice with the rest of the Brown Eyed Girls’ members Possesses a more unusual voice type and therefore is able to stand out from most K-pop groups Weaknesses Back of the throat often closes and creates a tight pushed sound in her mix Breathiness is too often present and causes intonation issues Falsetto is at times pushed and tight with an airy improper vocal cord connection Larynx raises and throat closes quite considerably above D5 Support is inconsistent even in her supported range around C#5/D5 Notes below Bb3/A3 are often airy, quiet and unstable in placement and cord connection Often places her voice in her nose when not raising her soft palate Falsetto notes can at times be pitchy and lose control Vocal runs are often messy and lack proper precision and separation of notes Often gets tighter and more nasal on the “Aye (애)” vowel Registers Lower register: Her lower range is often airy and unstable even within her supported range, around A3 and Bb3, at times. Her range below G3 is often airy, unprojected and disconnected in sound, showing almost no care for proper support and projection. Mixed register: Consistently able to keep support up until C5, with occasional resonance and has also been able to show a consistent stable larynx up until C#5. Notes above D5 are often pushed and strained, with a high larynx and whiny placement. Upper register: Falsetto is often relaxed up until about E5 but generally becomes pushed as she ascends in range and possesses an undesirable amount of airiness and disconnection of tone and support. Agility

Jea’s voice is that of a Soprano but due to the extra weight it possesses, it may find itself less comfortable with vocal embellishments. Regardless of skill, she is a vocalist who often adds ornamentations and attempts different vocal runs in her vocal performance. For that reason, her vocal runs often lack proper pitch separation and clarity of tone, notes are often more like slides from one note to another and lack proper precision and a careful thought-through process of preparation beforehand. Examples include her runs during her performance of “고향이 남쪽이랬지” and “Because You Loved Me“.

Overall analysis

As one of Korea’s most well acclaimed and respectable vocal idol groups, it would be of no surprise to the public that someone like Jea would be one of Korea’s most respected and well praised vocalist. Surprising, however, would be to know that although very respected, she would not stand as high vocally as the public would have her be, when it comes to pure vocal technique and skill. Possessing a light voice with a certain degree with brightness, it is Jea’s slightly darker tone that helps it stand out from most other vocalists. Having a voice that lies closer to that of a Full Lyric Soprano, her voice possesses an extra weight and size in volume that allows for it to be naturally bigger and stand out from other vocalists and from the other vocalists in her group. Although there is more of a mature sound to her voice, she has yet to show enough vocal qualities of a full lyric soprano to be classified as one, so she may either be a light or a full lyric soprano.

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