SBS "KPOP STAR" finalist Lee Hi, who will now debut under the management of YG Entertainment, sings on the hit program aired between December 4, 2011 and April 29, 2012. [SBS]

Aspiring K-pop star Lee Hi is finally launching her professional singing career with the release of her debut album.

The songstress, who is known for bringing a range and vocal maturity for someone at her age, is to drop "1. 2. 3. 4" on October 29, according to YG Entertainment's blog, YG BLOG, Friday.

Lee will be the last to announce her debut among the three promising contestants of SBS "KPOP STAR" (2011-2012), as the No. 3 winner Baek A-yeon revealed her debut album on September 10 and the winner Park Ji-min is waiting to break into the music scene as a member of 15& next month.

The officials explained through a press release that Lee will begin promoting herself earlier than expected by featuring in labelmate Epik High's "It's Cold" [translated title], set to become available online on October 9.

According to the statement, "It's Cold" is one of the tracks listed in the trio's upcoming seventh album to be released on October 19.

Lee's debut is already causing online media frenzy as she was known to be one of YG Entertainment C.E.O Yang Hyun-suk's favorite contestants on the first season of "KPOP STAR."

What and how the firm will debut the audition star into the music scene is expected by many, for not a few number of YG Entertainment's affiliated artists--including Epik High, Big Bang's G-Dragon and 2NE1's CL--are famous for their talents in the hip-hop genre.


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