Amber Liu
Amber Josephine Liu (born September 18, 1992) is a Taiwanese-American singer, rapper, songwriter, and producer best known as a member of the K-pop group f(x) and for her solo work across English, Korean, and Mandarin. Explore her journey, musical evolution, and public voice.
Introduction
Amber Liu—often known simply as Amber—is a Taiwanese-American artist active in the K-pop industry and beyond. She first gained recognition as the rapper and “tomboy” image member of the girl group f(x). Over time, she has carved a solo path across musical styles, languages, and media platforms.
Her career stands out for cross-cultural bridging, personal authenticity, and a refusal to fit neatly into stereotype.
Early Life and Background
Amber Josephine Liu was born on September 18, 1992 in Los Angeles, California, U.S. Her parents are Taiwanese immigrants, giving her a bicultural upbringing. She has an older sister named Jackie.
Amber attended El Camino Real High School in Los Angeles.
At around 15 or 16 years old, she auditioned for SM Entertainment’s global auditions in Los Angeles, successfully becoming a trainee and later relocating to South Korea to train.
Her parents reportedly had mixed feelings about her career choice initially—especially her father—but her mother was supportive and later helped convince her father.
Musical Career & Evolution
Debut with f(x) (2009 onward)
Amber debuted as a member of f(x) in September 2009 under SM Entertainment. In the group, she served as the main rapper, and her style and public persona often stood out from typical K-pop girl group images.
During her time with f(x), she co-wrote or contributed to lyrics/composition on group songs such as “Goodbye Summer” and “Summer Lover.” She also took part in side projects, OSTs, and collaborations with other SM artists and external artists.
While still affiliated with SM, Amber gradually built her solo identity.
Solo Career & International Expansion
Amber officially debuted as a solo artist on February 16, 2015 with the EP Beautiful. That title track “Shake That Brass” featured Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon. The EP performed well globally and helped her gain recognition outside of f(x).
Over the years, she has released a variety of singles, EPs, and mixtapes, covering English, Korean, and Mandarin languages. For instance:
-
Rogue Rouge (English mixtape) in 2018
-
X EP in 2020 after she formally ended her contract with SM
-
y? EP and songs in 2021, including “Neon”, “Blue”, etc.
-
Z! EP released in February 2022 with singles such as “Paradise” and “Bad Decisions”.
In July 2018, Amber joined Steel Wool Entertainment to manage her U.S. activities, while still maintaining global reach. In May 2021, she also teamed up with Ryce Entertainment for her activities in China, after her participation as a mentor on Produce Camp 2021.
Her song “Neon” is an example of her multilingual approach, with both Mandarin and English versions.
Beyond music, Amber has taken on television roles: she appeared in a Korean adaptation of Entourage in 2016. She also has hosted shows like M Countdown, A Song For You, among others. She also voiced a character in We Bare Bears: The Movie.
Style, Persona, & Public Voice
Amber is well known for challenging stereotypical norms in K-pop regarding femininity. She has often embraced a more androgynous or “tomboy” aesthetic—short hair, streetwear, menswear elements—at times pushing against conventional expectations of female idols. In interviews, she’s discussed how beauty is not a rigid standard and how she grappled with pressures to conform in her earlier days.
Her authenticity and openness have helped her resonate with diverse fans who seek representation beyond traditional molds.
In social matters, Amber has engaged publicly with issues and faced scrutiny. For example, she made a public apology after comments she made about a viral incident in 2019, acknowledging her mistakes and affirming her stance against racism.
Her artistic approach also shows DIY sensibilities—she’s been involved in directing music videos and creative input into her visual projects.
Legacy & Influence
Amber’s significance spans several areas:
-
Cultural bridge: As a Taiwanese-American in K-pop, she embodies cross-cultural fluency and helps engage fans across East Asia and the U.S.
-
Breaking molds: Her willingness to defy norms around femininity and idol aesthetics has inspired fans who don’t fit standard molds.
-
Multilingual & cross-market strategy: Her releases in English, Mandarin, and Korean show a forward vision for artists transcending single markets.
-
Artist control & transition: Her move from SM to independent label and creative autonomy is a model for K-pop artists asserting control over their path.
-
Platform for visibility: Her public voice—when successful, flawed, reflective—adds to the landscape of artists who engage honestly with issues beyond music.
She continues to evolve, and her journey reminds us that identity, creativity, and commerce can interweave in complex, inspiring ways.