What’s next for former K-pop star and actor Kim Jong-kook? Highlights of his career
The South Korean celebrity, who turns 43 on April 25, has enjoyed success as a member of K-pop duo Turbo, the star of the show ‘Running Man’ and an actor in ‘The Producers’
Heart-throb K-pop star and actor Kim Jong-kook made his debut as an entertainer in 1995 as one half of the popular duo Turbo.
He and his fellow band member, Kim Jung-nam, formed one of the most popular idol groups at the time and enjoyed huge success across Asia thanks with hit singles such as Black Cat and My Childhood Dream.
The duo disbanded in 2000 and Kim Jong-kook embarked on a solo career.
Check out some of the highlights of his career.
Solo singing career
Kim’s solo career endured a rocky start with the release of his first album, “Renaissance”, in 2001, which was not a success.
However, he redeemed himself with the 2004 release of his second album, “Evolution”, which included the hit single, One Man, and earned him praise as a talented ballad singer.
His singing career picked up even further after the release of his third album, “This Is Me”, in 2005, when he won all three major Daesang – or artist of the year – awards from the three South Korean television stations, KBS, SBS and MBC.
Kim was the second performer to accomplish this feat following singer Cho Yong-pil in the 1980s.
Variety show success