Kim Jong-kook (singer)
Kim Jong-kook | |
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Kim Jong Kook at Shanghai for Running Man Fan Meeting China Tour 2015 | |
Native name | 김종국 |
Born |
Kim Jong-kook April 25, 1976 Hapcheon, South Korea |
Other names |
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Occupation | |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Years active | 1995 – present |
Labels |
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Associated acts | |
Website | Official Website |
Korean name | |
Hangul | 김종국 |
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Hanja | 金鐘國 |
Revised Romanization | Gim Jongguk |
McCune–Reischauer | Kim Chongguk |
Kim Jong-kook (Hangul: 김종국; Hanja: 金鐘國; born 25 April 1976) is a South Korean singer and TV personality. He was initially part of the Korean duo Turbo, however, he later pursued a successful career as a solo artist. Apart from being a 3 Daesang Award Winner Singer, he is also an active participant in variety shows such as X-man and Family Outing (since episode 19). Currently, he is a cast member in the variety show, Running Man. He is also known for hosting a documentary program called Escape Crisis No.1 (also known as Safety First!)
Education Background
- Elementary Education: Myeong Hak Elementary School
- Secondary Education: Shin Seong Middle and High School
- Tertiary Education: Hansei University
- Postgraduate: Dankook University (Master’s degree from the Pop Culture Performing Arts – School of Arts Department)[1]
Career
1995–2000: Debut with Turbo
Kim Jong-kook first entered the Korean music industry in 1995 as a member of the duo, Turbo, which became immensely popular for their catchy music. After the duo disbanded a few years later, he became a solo singer in 2001, mostly concentrating on ballads.[2] Although his unusually high tone of voice is often joked about (with many stars jokingly calling it a "mosquito voice"), he had many hit singles and has also been a frequent guest on many variety shows, most notably X-Man.[3] In addition, his muscular body is often considered one of the best in K-pop.[4]
2001–2005: Solo Artist, 3 Daesang Winner
Kim Jong-kook had a set back after Turbo as he faced difficulties settling down as a solo artist. Problems like lack of songs from composers, less support from his respected agency and also a change of taste within the fans caused his first album as a solo artist to fail. However he made a huge comeback with his second album (Evolution). One of the songs in the second solo album called Han Nam Ja (One Man) was the reason for all his success. This song became his trademark song and left a very deep impression on the listeners. Furthermore, a rumor between him and Yoon Eun Hye grabbed a lot of attention. This rumor started when both of them were permanent members of a famous variety show called X-Man. This rumor actually brought them close and they started to act like a couple in X-Man.[5]
On 2005, which was his tenth year in Korean Entertainment Industry, Kim Jong-kook became one of Korea's most popular artists when his third album sold more than 300,000 copies,[6] making it one of the year's best-selling albums in Korea. He capped off that year by sweeping the Daesang (Best Artist of The Year) from all 3 major Korean TV stations, SBS, KBS and MBC. In doing so, he became the second artist to ever accomplish this feat since Cho Yong-Pil in the 1980s. The lead single from the album, "Lovable", topped many charts. It was also included in Pump It Up and Audition Online. Apart from that, other songs like "Walking in One Spot" and "Star, Wind, Sunshine and Love" also topped many charts as well.
2006–2008: KBS Shootdori, Military Service & Return to Music Industry
On January 21, 2006, Kim Jong-kook, Jeon Hye-bin, and Im Tae-kyung participated in Thuy Nga's Paris by Night 81 Vietnamese concert in California. During the concert, Kim Jong-kook performed one of his song from his third album entitled "To Her Man".
Kim Jong-kook was made the leader of the first series of Shootdori. Shootdori is a show where kids that are interested in soccer take a test (see if they have the basic knowledge and are involved in a soccer game) and are chosen by the production team to be involved in the team. Kim Jong-kook thought that the show would not succeed due to their first game which they lost 21 to 0. But the Shootdori team practiced hard and became a better team and had gotten lots of love from the viewers. However, Kim Jong-kook had to leave the team due to his sudden mandatory military service. He wrote and sang a song for the Shootdori team in his 4th album 'Volume 4 - Kim Jong-kook's Fourth Letter', which is called 'Toward A Dream'. On the day before he was enlisted, he spent his time with the Shootdori kids and telling them that he will no longer be able to see them for a while. He was devastated because he wanted to end the season with the kids but had to leave the kids and the show. Kim Jong-kook even shed tears bidding his goodbye through an interview. After he came back from his military service he went on the show 'KBS2TV Immortal Musical Classics' and the production team had gathered all of the Season 1 Shootdori members and had a reunion with Kim Jong-kook. When he saw the kids, he had tears in his eyes, and they sang their favorite song 'Lovable' by Kim Jong-kook together.
On March 2006, Kim Jong-kook received his mandatory military service enlistment letter at the height of his popularity and career. Kim Jong-kook also released his fourth album around that time. Since he was unable to directly promote it while in the military, he used unorthodox methods. To comply with the Korean law, the music video was shot so that his face would never be seen on screen. He asked Yoon Eun-hye, whom he is famous to have a love-line with, to star in the music video. Though there has been no direct promotion, his fourth album has sold more than 100,000 copies.[7]
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".[8] His fifth studio album, "Here I am" was released on October 22, 2008 with songs such as "Today More than Yesterday" and "Thank You." Proving false the "tradition" of not being able to rise once again after military service, Kim Jong-kook made a successful comeback, making one album, one digital single [Happy Virus] and one trot [Ddajo].
2009–2011: SBS Family Outing & Running Man
Kim Jong-kook also returned to television, becoming a permanent member of variety show Family Outing, part of SBS's Good Sunday lineup which earned him much popularity, especially with the love scandals between Lee Hyori and Park Ye-jin. Kim Jong-kook's Hoolala CF with Kim Sooro was released on July 2009. He has also posed for many clothing advertisements . His sixth album was released on January 27, and a preview of the album was released with the song "Don't Be Good to Me." However the title song for the album is titled "This is the Person". The music video for the song included Park Ye-jin who is famous for the "Family Outing Scandal" between Kim Jong-kook, Lee Hyori and Park Ye-jin. His sixth album is titled "The Eleventh Story" because in his music career, he has so far released 11 albums. It included 3 MV. Right now, he is a regular on SBS's Running Man.
On August 27, 2010 Kim Jong-kook received a lumbar microdiscectomy back disk surgery at Seoul’s Kwan Ahk Goo Chung Ryong Dong Kangnam Choice hospital. Kim Jong-kook’s management company, 101 Entertainment, stated, “Kim Jong-kook carried on with his daily activities without knowing that he had a ruptured disk. However, he did feel pain, but didn’t think much of it, and he endured his condition with painkillers while filming SBS Running Man."
Kim Jong-kook's active participation in SBS Running Man makes him one of the biggest names in Korean Variety Shows World. He has been called "SpartaKook" and "Mr.Capable", throughout the SBS Running Man and he has received a favorable evaluation leading the mission with his muscular body and extraordinary intelligence. This was proven when he won SBS 연예대상 (SBS Entertainment Awards) Best TV Star Award on 2011.[9]
2012–present: Variety shows, 7th Album & Music Collaborations
On 1 November 2012, following a pre-release of selected songs from his new album, Kim Jong-kook made a comeback to the music scene with the release of his seventh studio album Journey Home after three years.[10][11] His fellow Running Man co-stars HaHa and Gary participated in the album as well as former Running Man member Song Joong-ki, who starred in the music video for lead track "Men Are All Like That".[12] On 2013, he attended MAMA 2013 as a presenter along with Running Man co-host Song Ji-hyo.
He also continues his variety and MC activities in Running Man and Safety First! His performance in these shows was well-received among Korean fans and he earned himself an Excellence award and Best Entertainer award at 2013 SBS and KBS Entertainment Awards.[13][14] He proves to be very popular among international fans as well. He ranked #1 in the list of most searched/googled Korean stars in Singapore in 2013 (beating the likes of Super Junior, Girls Generation, and Yoon Eun Hye).[15] His 2013 showcase sold out in Singapore and it was a huge success with more than 1,700 fans in attendance. In addition, 2,000 fans who were unable to attend the showcase crowded out the IMM Level 3 Garden Plaza where his fan signing session was held.[16][17] He was also voted as #1 Korean solo singer by Tudou (Chinese equivalent of YouTube) viewers. He received more than 1.75 million votes and beat popular K-pop idols such as G-Dragon, Kim Hyun-joong, and Lee Hyori by a surprisingly wide margin.[18] Kim Jong Kook continues to be successful amongst international fans. His first solo concert in Harbin, China sold out.

In 2014, he again joined fellow Running Man cast member Haha, this time as a musical duo, Running Man Brothers, and debuted in a concert tour in the United States in July and December.[19][20]
In January 2015, he was a guest on a popular talk show, Healing Camp, Aren't You Happy, where he shed light on many personal controversies, including his choice to work as a public service worker instead of an active-duty soldier during his mandatory military enlistment.[21]
In September 2015, he left Urban Works ENT as his contract with them had expired.[22] He later went on to sign an exclusive contract with Maroo Entertainment in October 2015.[23]
Discography
Solo Albums
Year | Album Information | Track listing |
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2001 | Volume 1 - Renaissance
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2004 | Volume 2 - Evolution
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2005 | Volume 3 - This Is Me
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2006 | Volume 4 - Kim Jong Kook's Fourth Letter
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2008 | Volume 5 - Here I am
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2010 | Volume 6 - Eleventh Story
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Kim Jong Kook Remake Album Song
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2012 | Volume 7 - Journey Home
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Track listing
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Group Albums (Turbo)
Year | Album Information | Track listing |
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1995 | 280 km/h Speed
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1996 | New Sensation
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X-Mas Dance Party Mix with Turbo
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1997 | Turbo Summer Remix
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Born Again
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1998 | Perfect Love
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1999 | Millennium Turbo Dance Megamix
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2000 | E-Mail My Heart
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Track listing
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2001 | History
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Track listing
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2015 | Again
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Track listing
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Digital singles
- December 1, 2005: Big4 Of Voices In My Dream (Kim Jong Kook, SG Wannabe, Vibe and M to M): 바람과 함께 사라지다 (Gone With The Wind)
- December 11, 2006: Kim Jong Kook and SG Wannabe: 바람만 바람만 (Only Wind, Only Wind)
- December 2005: Kim Jong Kook and Mikey: 스키장에서 (White Love)
- November 23, 2007: Turbo & Kim Jong Kook Digital Mini Album "2007 Hwesang (Recollection)" (part1)
- January 4, 2008: Turbo & Kim Jong Kook Digital Mini Album "2007 Hwesang (Recollection) " (part2)
- March 5, 2009: Kim Jong Kook ft. Shorry J (MM): 행복병 (Happy Virus)
- April 13, 2009: Kim Jong Kook: 따줘 (Give To Me)
- December 21, 2012: Kim Jong Kook ft. Sangchu (MM) and Joosuc: 2012 Remake: 회상 (Reminiscene)
- September 16, 2013: Kim Jong Kook: 모르나요 (How Come You Don't Know) for Good Doctor OST Part 5
- March 10, 2014: Kim Jong Kook: 눈물자국 (Tear Marks) for Love in Memory 2 - Dad's Notes OST
Others
- April 23, 2004: special appearance in "나가 남자이기 때문에" (Because I'm Still A Guy) (MC Mong's first album)
- June 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)
- November 15, 2006: S.101 Digital Single "I'll Follow You (ParamMan ParamMan)" (ft.SG Wannabe)
- June 8, 2009: Family Outing - 패밀리의 하루
- Track 1 - 패밀리의 하루
- November 16, 2010: Soya - 매일매일 사랑해 (I Love You Everyday)
- Track 1 - 매일매일 사랑해 (I Love You Everyday)
- June 23, 2011: Mikey - All For You
- Track 1 - All for You
Filmography
Films
Year | Korean Title | English Title | Role | Film Production | Notes | With |
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2012 | 원더풀 라디오 | Wonderful Radio | Taxi Passenger | Showbox | Cameo Appearance | Kang Gary |
Dramas
Year | Korean Title | English Title | Role | Network | Notes | With |
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2004 | 대결! 반전 드라마 | Banjun Drama | Himself | SBS | Special Appearance/Cameo | None |
Special TV Story | MBC | |||||
2005 | 올드미스 다이어리 | Old Miss Diary | KBS2 | |||
2015 | 냄새를 보는 소녀 | The Girl Who Sees Smells | SBS | Running Man members | ||
프로듀사 | The Producers | Kim Hong-soon (PD of the variety division) | KBS2 | Supporting Role | Ye Ji-won |
Variety Shows and Guestings
Year | Korean Title | English Title | Network | Notes |
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2001-2003 | Dream Team | KBS | Main Cast | |
2002 | Star Survival | Guest | ||
2004-2006 | X맨 | X Man | SBS | Main Cast has a famous love line with Yoon Eun-hye |
해피 선데이 | Happy Sunday | KBS | Main Cast | |
2005-2006 | 리얼 로망스 연애편지 | Real Situation Saturday Love Letter | SBS | |
2008 | 김정은의 초콜릿 | Kim Jung-eun's Chocolate | Guest (September 3,2008) | |
Immortal Musical Classics | KBS | Guest (September 7,2008) | ||
해피투게더 | Happy Together | Guest (November 6,2008) | ||
스타골든벨 | Star Golden Bell | Guest (December 2,2008) | ||
황금어장 | Golden Fishery | MBC | Guest (December 3,2008) | |
2008-2010 | 패밀리가 떴다 | Family Outing | SBS | Main Cast |
2010 | 유희열의 스케치북 | You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook | KBS | Guest (January 29,2010) |
김정은의 초콜릿 | Kim Jung-eun's Chocolate | SBS | Guest | |
해피투게더 | Happy Together | KBS | Guest (February 11,2010) | |
2010-present | 런닝맨 | Running Man | SBS | Main Cast Gained World Wide Popularity |
2011 | 유희열의 스케치북 | You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook | KBS | Guest with Mikey (Jo Myung-ik) 마이키 (조명익) from Turbo (July 15,2011) |
2012 | 안녕하세요 | Hello Counselor | Guest | |
유희열의 스케치북 | You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook | |||
Come to Play | MBC | |||
2012-present | 위기탈출 넘버원 | Escape Crisis No.1 | KBS | Main Cast |
2013 | 히든 싱어 | Hidden Singer | JTBC | Guest (May 11,2013) |
2014 | 奔跑吧兄弟 | Hurry Up, Brother | Zhejiang TV | Guest (October 10,2014) & (November 07,2014) |
Everybody | JTBC | Guest | ||
God of the Dining Table | KBS | |||
2015 | 힐링캠프, 기쁘지 아니한가 | Healing Camp, Aren't You Happy | SBS | Guest (January 26,2015) & (February 2,2015) |
极速前进第二季 | The Amazing Race 2 (China) | Guest with Lee Kwang Soo (September 11,2015) |
Music Video
- 2011: Rosa by Haha
Awards
Year | Award |
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1995–1998 |
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2004 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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2008 |
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2009 |
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2010 |
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2011 |
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2012 |
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2013 |
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2014 |
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2015 |
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Music chart wins
SBS's Inkigayo
Year | Date | Song |
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2004 | 26 September | "One Man" |
3 October | ||
2005 | 7 August | "Walking in the Same Place" |
14 August | ||
21 August | ||
11 September | "Lovely" | |
25 September | ||
2 October | ||
2008 | 23 November | "Today More Than Yesterday" |
KBS's Music Bank
Year | Date | Song |
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2008 | 7 November | "Today More Than Yesterday" |
14 November |
References
- ↑ Kim Jong Kook graduates from Dankook University with a Master degree. 17 February 2011. Retrieved: 4 March 2011
- ↑ "Kim Jongkook to make a comeback to the music scene"
- ↑ "Xman 46 - EP 102"
- ↑ "Kim Jong Kook is Looking Good"
- ↑ "Kim Jong Kook and Yoon Eun Hye - XMan Story"
- ↑ April 2006 Album Sales. Music Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved April 2, 2009.
- ↑ September 2006 Album Sales. Music Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved April 2, 2009.
- ↑ [MD동영상]소집해제 김종국,"원더걸스와 소녀시대 반가워요~". MyDaily. Retrieved May 23, 2008.
- ↑ Winners from the 2011 SBS Entertainment Awards. AllKpop. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
- ↑ "Kim Jong-kook Hopes to Reclaim Singing Career". Chosun Ilbo. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
- ↑ Hong, Grace Danbi (1 November 2012). "Kim Jong Kook Says ‘Men Are All Like That’ with Song Joong Ki". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
- ↑ Ho, Stewart (29 October 2012). "Song Joong Ki Appears in Kim Jong Kook’s MV For Free". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
- ↑ http://www.allkpop.com/article/2013/12/winners-from-the-2013-sbs-entertainment-awards
- ↑ http://www.soompi.com/2013/12/21/winners-and-performances-from-the-2013-kbs-entertainment-awards/#.Uz5Vz61dWQY
- ↑ http://www.tnp.sg/content/singapores-top-10-most-searched-korean-stars-2013
- ↑ http://www.modeentertainment.com/index.php/event/item/39-running-man-sparta-kim-jong-kook-singapore-fan-meet-2013
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJjCVSPUTto
- ↑ http://www.tudou.com/listplay/34ll--L77sg/j0agEQjrPj4.html
- ↑ benightedxflame (December 2, 2014). "Exclusive: Win Tickets to See Running Man’s Kim Jong Kook and Haha in NYC, Dallas". Soompi. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
- ↑ Lee, Min Ji (November 27, 2014). "Kim Jong Kook and Haha to Hold ‘Running Man Bros’ Concert in America". CJ E&M MWave. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
- ↑ http://www.soompi.com/2015/02/03/kim-jong-kook-regrets-choice-he-made-when-enlisting-in-military-and-talks-about-love-in-healing-camp/
- ↑ 윤효정 (September 10, 2015). 김종국 측 "소속사와 계약만료, 1인기획사로 활동". Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved October 21, 2015.
- ↑ 김은애 (October 21, 2015). 김종국 1인기획사 아닌 마루기획 택했다 "대표와 친분"(공식입장). Sports Today (in Korean). Retrieved October 21, 2015.
- ↑ "2005 M.net Korean Music Festival Winners list". MAMA. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
- ↑ Lee, Nancy "Yoo Jae Suk Wins Big, Winners from 2011 SBS Entertainment Awards" CJ E&M enewsWorld. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 2012-04-14
- ↑ Kim Jong Kook Takes Home the MC Award from the “Yahoo Asia Buzz Award 2013”. 02 December 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-06
- ↑ 21 December 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-21
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTiCxrBvzYo
- ↑ http://www.allkpop.com/article/2013/12/winners-from-the-2013-sbs-entertainment-awards#axzz2oyit7PaF
- ↑ . 30 December 2014. Retrieved 2014-12-31
- ↑ Ko Soo-jin (29 October 2015). "Kim Jong Kook Thanks ′Running Man′ at ′Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards′". CJ E&M enewsWorld. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kim Jong-kook (singer). |
- Kim Jong Kook's Agency Official Website (Korean)
- Papitus Kim Jong Kook Official Fanclub
- Kim Jong Kook on Instagram
- Kim Jong Kook on Sina Weibo
Awards and achievements | ||
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Preceded by Shinhwa |
SBS Gayo Daejun Award - Daesang Award 2005 |
Succeeded by TVXQ |
Preceded by Rain |
KBS Music Award - Daesang Award 2005 |
Succeeded by Discontinued |
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