Biography of Yesung
Kim Kang-hoon popularly known as Yesung is a South Korean singer, songwriter, actor, radio personality and television presenter. He debuted as a member of Super Junior in 2005 and was a member of its subgroups Super Junior-K.R.Y (2006) and Super Junior-H (2008). He participated in SM Entertainment’s project SM The Ballad (2014).
He is a versatile artist who has recorded several songs for television dramas, and movies. He participated in various television dramas, movies, musicals and radio hosting. He began his solo career with his first EP ‘Here I Am’ in 2016.
Early Life and Education
Yesung was born on 24 August 1984 in Seoul but later moved to Cheonan, South Chungcheong. He is the eldest son and has a younger brother, Kim Jong-jin. Yesung changed his name to Kim Kang-hoon.
From an early age, he showed a keen interest in singing and joined a broadcast singing competition, winning gold at the Cheon Singing Competition in 1999.
In 2001, his mother signed him up for SM Entertainment’s Starlight Casting System audition. He captivated the judges with his artistic voice and was selected as a trainee under SM Entertainment. He is a tenor and his label named him Yesung, which translates to an art-like voice.
Career
2005–2007
He officially debuted as a member of Super Junior 05 on 6 November 2005. They performed on SBS’s music programme Popular Song performing their first single ‘Twins (Knock Out)’. They released their debut album ‘SuperJunjor05′ on 5 December 2005.
Following the addition of the thirteenth member, Kyuhyun, the music group originally known as Super Junior 05 dropped the ’05’ and became officially known as Super Junior. The group released their first CD single ‘U’ on 7 June 2006 and released another hit single ‘Sorry, Sorry’ in 2009.
He hosted a radio program M.I.R.A.C.L.E for You and later left the show to concentrate on Super Junior’s second album, ‘Don’t Don’. The group released their second official album ‘Don’t Don’, which became Super Junior’s best-selling album and the second-highest-selling album in Korea.
Yesung and Super Junior members Ryeowook and Kyuhyun formed a subgroup Super Junior-K.R.Y, a group pursuing expertise in R&B ballads. The group debuted on 5 November 2006 on KBS’s Music Bank performing ‘The One I Love’.
He debuted as an actor in the mystery comedy film ‘Attack on the Pin-Up Boys’. He portrayed the character of a school rock star who gets attacked by a mysterious force.
2008–2013
On 9 May 2008, he was hospitalized for a leg injury during the 0 km 24-Hour Marathon of Hope. The event was a collaboration with the SBS charity program Hope TV 24 as a fundraiser to a Mongolian school in South Korea which was at risk of closing down. Due to the injury, he was unable to complete the marathon but appeared on stage with his fellow members.
In 2008, he became a member of Super Junior-H and released their first mini-album ‘Cooking? Cooking!’. He sang the ballad track ‘Love Really Hurts’ for the television drama ‘Tazza’.
In 2009 he made his musical theatre debut in ‘Namhansanseong’ (South Korean Mountain Fortress). The musical is based on the novel of the same name and narrates the historical incident of Byeongja Horan at the Namhansanseong in Gyeonggi-do. He played the villain role, and the musical was held at Seongnam Arts Centre Opera House. He appeared surprisingly on KBS Music Bank with label mates of SHINee performing ‘Ring Ding Dong’.
In 2010, he starred in the musical ‘Hong Gil Dong’ with Sungmin. The musical was held at Woori Financial Art Hall at the Olympic Park. He sang the OST of the drama ‘Cinderella’s Sister’ starring Moon Geun-young and Chun Jung-myung on 31 March 2010.
In 2010, he appeared with Leeteuk as MC for MBC’s Love Pursuer. The show presents the celebrity challenge to guess the secret admirer. In episode 10 of the show, he became the focus of admiration. He was the MC for the musical talk show MUZIT, with K. Will and veteran composer Yoo Young-suk.
In 2010, he starred in his third musical ‘Spamalot’ playing Sir Galahad. On 29 December 2010, he collaborated with Luna and sang ‘Loving You’, for part two of the KBS drama ‘President’. On 31 January 2011, he released his third solo song, the OST of SBS drama ‘Paradise Ranch’. He debuted the song live for the first time at the Super Junior K.R.Y The 1st Concert in Seoul.
In 2011, he temporarily replaced bandmate Eunhyuk as radio DJ partnering with Leeteuk. He participated in KBS’s Immortal Songs 2 and won the third episode, performing Boohwal’s song ‘The More I Love’.
He released his second duet ‘Jang Hyejin’ on 14 July 2011 through Korea’s digital charts and ‘I Am Behind You’ from the album Cooperation Part 1. On 18 July 2011, he released For ‘One Day’ for the OST SBS historical drama ‘Warrior Baek Dong Soo’. He performed the song live for the first time on 6 October 2011 at the K.R.Y Concert in Nanjing.
On 27 September 2011, he performed with Eunhyuk and Shindong for Kim Jang-hoon’s latest single ‘Breakup Are So Like Me’ on Music Bank and Show! Music Core. He was a part of Super Junior and performed in the New York SM Town concert at Madison Square Garden on 23 October 2011.
Super Junior held a concert tour in Japan Super Junior K.R.Y Special Winter Concert, releasing their first single 6 years after debut. The teaser Promise You was released on 21 November 2012, following the single on 23 January 2013.
2014–2015
The same year, he released the OST ‘Gray Paper’ for the SBS melodrama ‘That Winter, the Wind Blows’. The track was composed by label mate Kangta and was performed on SBS’s music program Inkigayo. He joined the ballad group SM the Ballad and for the group’s second album, he sang a solo song ‘Blind’ released in Korean and Japanese versions.
Upon completing military duty he reunited with Super Junior-K.R.Y and began the ‘Super Junior-K.R.Y. A Japan Tour’ was started in Yokohama. With a total of 11 performances held at arenas in Kobe, Fukuoka, and Nagoya, the concert tour was a success. In 2015, Super Junior-K.R.Y. held their Asia tour in Seoul at the Olympic Hall and released the Japanese single ‘Join Hands’ on 5 August 2015.
He re-joined with Super Junior for the special album ‘Devil’ released to celebrate the group’s 10th anniversary. He released the solo song ‘Dreaming’, the OST for the MBC drama ‘Splendid Politics’. He played a role in the Korean drama ‘Songgot: The Piercer’.
2016– Present
He released his first EP ‘Here I Am’ on 19 April 2016 with seven tracks and the lead single ‘Here I Am’. He made his solo debut on M Countdown and held his first solo concert, ‘Sweet Coffee’ in the same year.
He was in the supporting cast in the crime thriller television series ‘Voice’. He released his second EP ‘Spring Failing’ with six tracks and a lead single ‘Paper Umbrella’. In 2018, he released a digital single ‘Whatcha Doin’?’ in collaboration with Chungha. The following year, he released a digital Jazz single ‘Carpet’ with Bumkey.
He released his first Japanese album ‘Story’ on 20 February 2019 with eleven tracks and the lead single ‘Because I Love You’. He kick-started the tour Super Junior-Yesung Special Live – Y’s STORY, in 2019 performing shows in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka.
On 3 May 2021, he released his fourth EP ‘Beautiful Night’ with seven tracks and the lead single with the same name. He released the single ‘After Love’, in collaboration with Solar from the Casting in the Corner project in 2022.
Achievements
Yesung is a member of Super Junior and a successful solo artist who has achieved significant success. He has released hit solo albums, and singles. He has performed in various musicals, dramas, movies and variety shows. His contributions to Super Junior and solo endeavours rose him to stardom in the K-pop industry.
- Yesung won the Song of the Month (April) and Best OST Award at Cyworld Digital Music Awards in 2011.
- Yesung won the Hall of Fame at the BGM Cyworld in 2010.
Military Life
Yesung enlisted on 6 May 2013 and served as a public service worker after four weeks of basic training.
Personal Life
Yesung is single and not dating. Much about his personal life is not known to the public.
Net worth and Lifestyle
Yesung has a net worth of 5-6 million US dollars.
He lives a luxurious life due to his successful music career, acting, and brand endorsements. He earns his income from album sales, concert tours, acting, musical theatre, and endorsements. He resides in a high-end apartment and has a keen sense of fashion and accessories.
Awards
- Cyworld Digital Music Awards (2011)
Best OST Award – It Has To Be You - BGM Cyworld (2010)
Hall of Fame – It Has To Be You
Song of the Month – It Has To Be You
Interesting Facts about Yesung
- Yesung owns a cafe with his brother called ‘Mouse Rabbit Coffee’.
- Yesung has mentioned that he’s scared of heights.
- Yesung mentioned that he’s afraid of big dogs and people.
- Yesung is a huge fan of Red Velvet.
- Yesung is viewed as the most bizarre member of SUPER JUNIOR.
- Yesung likes to talk to his pets when he is bored.
- Yesung used to have two tortoises named Ddangkoma and Morahaji.
- In 2011, Yesung donated his tortoise Ddangkkoma to the COEX Aquarium in Seoul.
FAQs
- Is Yesung popular in Korea?
With Super Junior Yesung, he has now entered the top 10 on the Gaon Albums chart. - Did Super Junior disband?
Super Junior’s active members are Leeteuk, Heechul, Yesung, Shindong, Eunhyuk, Siwon, Donghae, Ryeowook and Kyuhyun. However, in 2023 Donghae, Eunhyuk, and Kyuhyun had decided not to renew their contracts. - How old is Yesung?
As of 2024, he is 40 years old. - What is Yesung’s Instagram ID?
