Known for her 1998 album Invitation and for such hit songs as "Tell Me," "I Don't Know," and "Betrayal of the Rose," this Mnet Asian Music Award-winning Korean vocalist also had a prominent career as an actress, delivering acclaimed performances in such popular films as Haeundae, Dancing Queen, and Marriage is a Crazy Thing.
She released her debut album, Sorrowful Secret, in 1993.
Her fifth studio album, the disco-influenced 005.1999.06, sold more than a million copies, making it the most commercially successful of her twelve 1990s and early 2000s recordings.
Born in South Korea's North Chungcheong province, she grew up as the child of music teacher Uhm Jin-ok and Yoo Gyeong-sook. Her brother, Uhm Tae-woong, also had a successful acting career.
She and fellow Asian pop singer Calvin Chen (of Taiwan) both launched successful clothing lines.