Kim Jong Kook

Infobox musical artist
Name = Kim Jong Kook

Img_capt = Kim Jong Kook's 3rd album "This Is Me"
Background = solo_singer
Born = birth date and age|1977|4|25
Origin = flagicon|South Korea South Korea
Genre = K-pop, ballad
Occupation = singer
Years_active = 1995 - present
Label = CJ Music
Associated_acts = Turbo
URL = [http://kimjongkook.co.kr/ Official Site] Infobox Korean name
title=Korean name
hangul=김종국
rr=Kim Jong Kook
tablewidth=255
color=khaki

Kim Jong Kook (born April 25, 1977) is a South Korean singer. Initially part of a group, he became successful as a solo artist.

History

Kim first entered the Korean music industry in 1995 as a member of the group Turbo, which became fairly popular for their catchy music. After the group dissolved a few years later, he became a solo singer in 2001, mostly concentrating on ballads. Although his unusually high tone of his voice is often criticized and joked about (with many stars jokingly calling it a "mosquito voice"), he has had many hit singles and has also been a frequent guest on many variety shows, most notably "X-Man". In addition, his body is often considered one of the best in K-Pop, due to all his muscle training.

By 2005, Kim Jong Kook became one of Korea's most popular artists; his third album sold in excess of 300,000 copies [http://miak.or.kr/stat/Kpop_200604.htm] , making it one of the year's best-selling albums in Korea. He capped off that year by winning 3 out of the 4 possible "Artist of the Year" awards, losing only the "Golden Disk Award". The lead single from the album, "Lovely", topped many charts. It was also included in Pump It Up and Audition Online.

On January 21 2006, Kim Jong Kook, Jeon Hye Bin, and Tae Kyung Im participated in Thuy Nga's Paris by Night 81 concert in California. Kim Jong Kook performed "To Her Man".

In order to fulfill his duty to perform two years of mandatory service, Kim entered the military in 2006. However, he is still involved in the music business, releasing a fourth album in early 2006. Unable to directly promote it while in the military, he has taken to using unorthodox methods in order to do so. In order to comply with Korean law, the music video was shot so that his face would never be seen on screen. Also, in order to raise awareness, Kim's rumored girlfriend Yoon Eun Hye was asked to star in the music video. Though there has been no direct promotion, his latest album has sold in excess of 100,000 copies [http://miak.or.kr/stat/Kpop_200609.htm] .

It was announced in late April 2008 that the singer would end his military service on May 23 2008. On that day, he was greeted by fans, and during his interview, he said that he was "relieved". [ [http://www.mydaily.co.kr/news/read.html?newsid=200805231304411113 [MD동영상] 소집해제 김종국,"원더걸스와 소녀시대 반가워요~"] . "MyDaily". Retrieved May 23, 2008.]

His return to the music industry is estimated to be sometime in the fall.Fact|date=April 2008

Discography

Solo albums

Infobox Discography
Name = Volume 1 - Renaissance


Released = December 13, 2001
Label = CJ Music
Type = studio album
ChartPosition =
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = Infobox Discography
Name = Volume 2 - Evolution


Released = June 18, 2004
Label = CJ Music
Type = studio album
ChartPosition =
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = Infobox Discography
Name = Volume 3 - This Is Me
Released = July 1, 2005
Label = CJ Music
Type = studio album
ChartPosition =
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks = Infobox Discography
Name = Volume 4 - 김종국의 네번째 편지 (Kim Jong Kook's Fourth Letter)


Released = April 13, 2006
Label = CJ Music
Type = studio album
ChartPosition =
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks =

Group albums

* 2001: History
* 2000: E-Mail My Heart
*1999: Millennium Turbo Dance Megamix
*1998: Perfect Love
*1997: Born Again
*1997: Summer Remix
*1996: New Sensation
*1996: X-Mas Dance Party With Turbo
*1995: 280 km/h Speed

Digital singles

*December 11, 2006: Kim Jong Kook and SG Wannabe: 바람만 바람만 (Only Wind, Only Wind)

Others

*April 23, 2004: 2004.04.23] MC Mong - 180 Degree
**Track 4 그래도 남자니까 (Because I'm Still a Guy)
*July 22, 2004: 김장훈 - 二色英雄新聞
**Track 3 - 고속도로 로망스
*December 24, 2004: 통일염원 Special Album 사랑 (Love)
**Track 1 - 그날이 오면 (When That Day Comes)
*December 1, 2005: Big4 Of Voices In My Dream
**Track 2 - Untouchable

TV appearances

*2004: SBS's Banjun Drama, (special appearance)
*2004: MBC's Special TV Story
*2005: Old Miss Diary (special appearance)
*2005 to 2006: KBS's 슟돌이 Shootdori (coach)

Variety TV shows

*2001 to 2003: KBS　Dream Team
*2002: Star Survival
*2004 to 2006: SBS Good Sunday XMan
*2004 to 2006: KBS　Happy Sunday
*2005 to 2006: SBS Real Situation Saturday Love Letter

Awards

References

External links

*ko icon [http://kimjongkook.co.kr/ Kim Jong Kook's Official Website]
*en icon [http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/plaza/200509/kt2005092914571255260.htm Kim Jong Kook Interview on The Korea Times]