Gary (rapper)
| Gary | |
|---|---|
| Native name | 강희건 |
| Born |
February 24, 1978 South Korea |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | |
| Instruments | Rapping |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts |
|
| Gary | |
| Hangul | 개리 |
|---|---|
| Revised Romanization | Gaeri |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kaeri |
| Birth name | |
| Hangul | 강희건 |
| Hanja | 姜熙建 |
| Revised Romanization | Gang Huigeon |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kang Hŭigŏn |
Kang Hee-gun (born February 24, 1978),[1] better known by his stage name Gary (Korean: 개리, often spelled as Garie[2]), is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, and television personalities. Besides a solo artist, he is also the rapper and lyricist of the hip-hop duo Leessang. Since their formation in 2002, the group has produced a total of eight albums and had several hits under their belt. In 2014, Gary made his debut as a solo artist with the mini-album Mr.Gae. Despite the album being banned by all major TV broadcast stations for its 19+ content, his songs still managed to top several charts.[3] He and long time collaborator Jung In later went on to form the duo, Jung In & Gary. The two released the singles "Your Scent" and "Bicycle."[4][5]
Aside from his own work, Gary has been featured in works by famous artists such as Psy, Baek Ji Young, Lee Hyori, Dynamic Duo, and MC Mong. He is also a former cast member of the variety show Running Man.[6] Gary has since left Running Man to focus on his music.
Biography
Gary was born on February 24, 1978. His nickname in middle school was "Gae" (meaning "dog" in Korean), which he adapted to become his stage name, after deciding between "gaemi" (ant) and "Gary". In his younger years, he was more interested in dancing than rapping.[7] Gary revealed that he participated in a dance competition and actually won, defeating other competitors, Jang Woo Hyuk and Moon Hee Jun, who eventually became members of H.O.T. Lee Soo Man scouted all three boys, and offered them a contract to SM Entertainment. Ultimately, Gary rejected the offer.[8]
Gary went to Yong In University and trained as a bodyguard. He was an amateur boxer for 10 years.[9]
Musical and Filmography career
X-Teen & Honey Family
In 1997, Gary joined X-Teen, a hip-hop group where he met his future Leessang partner, Gil. Gary participated in the group's album release in 1998 before being dropped along with Gil.[10] In an interview, Gary said they had neither the look or the talent which made them quit the group.[11]
Afterwards, Gary and Gil ended up joining "Honey Family" and released two albums in 1999 and 2000. Gary took part of the responsibility for the break up of the group by stating that he "started feeling like a celebrity" after their initial success.[11] Gary, Gil, and fellow Honey Family member Diggity decided to form "Leessam Trio ("sam" means three in Korean)". They released a compilation album called 2000 Korea, in the year 2000. When Diggity left the group, Gary and Gil changed the name to LeeSsang.[12]
Leessang
Leessang was created in 2002 by Gary and Gil. So far, the group has produced 8 albums with numerous hits. Although the duo achieve critical success from their earlier albums, they remained underground. Their last three albums, Hexagonal, Asura Balbalta, and Unplugged broke numerous records and guided their entry to the mainstream Korean music industry.[13][14] The title song from Asura Balbalta, "Turn Off the TV" managed to stay at the top of the Melon chart for 25 days in a row.[11]
Solo Debut
In January 2014 he released a mini album, Mr.Gae.[15] Three major TV broadcast stations, MBC, KBS, and SBS, all deemed the album unfitting for broadcast, stating reasons such as explicit lyrics and being too sexually provocative. Despite the ban, Gary‘s title track “Shower Later” clenched the number 1 spot on 8 real-time music charts.[16]
Gary later commented on the ban saying that he felt confined by his image and wanted to break the mold.
Collaboration With Jung-In
In May 2014, Gary and Jung-in released their first collaboration "Your Scent." The lyrics was penned by Gary while Jung-In and Duble Sidekick produced the music.[17] Despite not having any live promotions, Gary and Jung-In took the win on June 7 Music Core. In a testament to its popularity, the Gaon Chart ranked the single #6 on the year end national digital single ranking.[18] The two later released their second collaboration "Bicycle" in September 2014.[19]
Second Solo Album
In September 2015, Gary released his second solo album, 2002. The title track of the album is "Get Some Air" featuring Mi-woo of Leessang Company. Several other tracks in this album also featured Koonta, Deepflow, Skull, Jay Park, DJ Pumkin, Park Myung-ho Double K, Don Mills, Jung-in, John Park and Young-jun of Brown Eyed Souls.
Collaboration with Gaeko
In January 2016, Gary released a single, "Lonely Night" featuring Gaeko of Dynamic Duo. A music video was released on the same day, featuring actress and fellow cast mate of Running Man, Song Ji-hyo. Gary was nominated as a no.1 candidate on SBS Inkigayo on January 10, 2016 and subsequently won the award.
Running Man
In 2010, Gary joined Running Man as a co-host, an urban variety show, along with 6 other original cast members, including Yoo Jae-suk, Haha, Ji Suk-jin, Kim Jong-kook, Lee Kwang-soo and Song Joong-ki while the only female member, Song Ji-hyo, joined the cast a few episodes afterward.
On October 2016, the producers of Running Man announced the departure of Gary, who has been a regular member for almost 7 years, to focus on his music career. His last filming with the main cast was for episode 324.[20] However, he made a brief return in the following episode 325 as a guest.
Filmography
Television series
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Emergency Couple | Cameo | tvN |
| 2015 | The Girl Who Sees Smells | Cameo with Running Man members | SBS |
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Dachimawa Lee | Cameo |
| 2014 | Wonderful Radio | Cameo |
Variety show
| Year | Title | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Strong Heart | SBS | Guest ep. 99 |
| 2010-2016 | Running Man | Cast member (ep. 1-324) Guest (ep. 325) | |
| 2011 | Infinite Challenge | MBC | Guest ep. 262, 263 |
| 2015 | Healing Camp, Aren't You Happy | SBS | Guest ep. 195 |
Discography
EP
- Mr. Gae (2014)
Albums
- 2002 (2015)
Singles
- "Your Scent" (사람냄새) with Jung-in (May 27, 2014)
- "Bicycle" (자전거) with Jung-in (September 1, 2014)
- "Lonely Night" (또 하루) with Gaeko (December 31, 2015)
- "Mei Guan Xi (It's Okay)" ( 沒關係) (May 14, 2016)
Featuring
| Year | Artist | Song |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Brown Eyes | I Wanna Fall in Love With You |
| 2004 | Kim Bum-soo | About Eternity |
| 2005 | BMK | Rainbow |
| Dynamic Duo | It's Alright | |
| Eun Jiwon | Gotta Go | |
| 2006 | Jang Hye-jin | Firework |
| 2009 | Fly to the Sky | Hide and Seek |
| 2010 | Lee Hyori | Swing |
| Kim Jong-kook | Come Back to Me | |
| Dynamic Duo | Keep The Change | |
| 2011 | Primary | Happy Ending |
| 2012 | Miryo | Party Rock |
| Baek Ji-young | Voice | |
| C-Luv, Crush | Where Do You Wanna Go? | |
| Kim Jong-kook | Words I Want to Say to You | |
| Haha, Taw | Love | |
| 2013 | Jung-in | Let's Walk a Little |
| 2014 | MC Mong | Broken Fan |
| 2015 | Young Jun | Thinking of You |
| 2016 | Park Myung-ho | Bed Room |
| San E | Like An Airplane | |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Mnet Music Video Festival | Hip-Hop Artist of the Year | Leessang | Won |
| 2003 | Hip-Hop Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2005 | Korean Music Awards | Hip-Hop Song of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2007 | Mnet/KM Music Awards | Hip-Hop Song of the Year | Nominated | |
| Music Video of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Song of the Year | Nominated | |||
| 2007 | Cyworld Digital Music Awards | Song of the Month | Won | |
| 2009 | Best Collaboration of the Year | Won | ||
| MIAK Golden Disc Awards | Hip-Hop Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Album of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | Music Video of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Hip-Hop Artist of the Year | Won | |||
| 2010 | 4th SBS Entertainment Award | Variety New Star Award | Running Man | Won |
| Cyworld Digital Music Awards | Bonsang | Leessang | Won | |
| Cyworld Digital Music Awards | Best Collaboration of the Year | Won | ||
| 2011 | MelOn Music Awards | Top 10 Artists | Won | |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | Best Rap Performance | Won | ||
| 2012 | 5th SBS Entertainment Award | Excellence Award in Variety | Running Man | Won |
| 2013 | NATE Awards | Best Couple with Song Ji-hyo | Won | |
| 7th SBS Entertainment Awards | Best Couple Award with Song Ji-hyo | Nominated | ||
| Melon Music Awards | Rap/Hip-Hop Award | Leessang – "Tears" (Korean: 눈물) | Nominated | |
| MelOn Music Awards | Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | Mnet Asian Music Awards | Best Rap Performance | "Shower Later" | Nominated |
| Best Collaboration with Jung-in | "Your Scent" | Nominated | ||
| Singapore Entertainment Awards | OMY Hot Star with Song Ji-hyo[21][22] | Nominated | ||
| 2nd Annual DramaFever Awards | Best Kiss with Song Ji-hyo | Running Man | Won | |
| Best Couple Not Meant To Be with Song Ji-hyo | Nominated | |||
| 2015 | 2014 Youku Night Awards | Entertainment Spirit Award[23] | Won | |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | Best Rap Performance[24] | "Get Some Air" (Korean: 바람이나 좀 쐐) | Nominated | |
| UnionPay Song of the Year[25] | Nominated | |||
| 9th SBS Entertainment Awards | Top Excellence Award in Variety with Song Ji-hyo[26] | Running Man | Won | |
| 2016 | Mnet Asian Music Awards | Best Rap Performance | "Lonely Night" | Pending |
| UnionPay Song of the Year | Pending |
Music programs
Show! Music Core
| Year | Date | Song |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | June 7 | Your Scent |
Inkigayo
| Year | Date | Song |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | January 10 | Lonely Night |
References
- ↑ http://www.dramafever.com/kang-gary/actor/1964/
- ↑ 리쌍 개리 "뒤풀이! 독수리 오남매" (in Korean). 이투데이. November 8, 2011.
- ↑ "Gary's "Shower Later" Ranks 1st on Music Charts Even Without TV Promotion". KpopStarz. January 21, 2014.
- ↑ "Gary and Jung In achieve an all-kill with the release of collaborative digital single 'Your Scent'". AllKpop. May 27, 2014.
- ↑ "Leessang's Gary and Jung In collaborate again with 'Bicycle'". AllKpop. August 31, 2014.
- ↑ "Running Man Official SBS website" (in Korean). July 11, 2010. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20131110034149/http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?a_id=2011090711063679487. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2013. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ "LeeSsang's Gary Was Supposed to Be a H.O.T. member?". mwave. May 23, 2012.
- ↑ '리쌍' 개리 예능감 뽐내...'입담마다 웃음 터져' : 네이버 뉴스 (in Korean). News.naver.com. September 29, 2009. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
- ↑ 힙합 듀오 리쌍 6집 음반 ‘헥새거늘’ 발표... 신곡 가요프로 1위 돌풍-국민일보 쿠키뉴스 (in Korean). News.kukinews.com. October 21, 2009. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
- 1 2 3 "[INTERVIEW] LeeSSang member Gary". www.tenasia.com(User: editorial). September 9, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ↑ [스타백과사전2.0] 리쌍, 사람 마음을 쥐락펴락 ‘진정한 광대 (in Korean). enews24.interest.me. May 25, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ↑ "Leessang's 7th album, 'AsuRA BalBalTa', achieves a perfect all-kill". allkpop.com. August 24, 2011. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
- ↑ "Latest K-pop news, Korean drama & movie – enewsworld". M.enewsworld.interest.me. May 25, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
- ↑ "Gary Reveals Jacket Photo and Album Name for His First Solo Project". www.soompi.com. January 7, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ↑ '19금 티저' 내건 개리 '조금이따샤워해', 8개 차트 1위 '대박' (in Korean). xportsnews.hankyung.com. January 15, 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
- ↑ "Gary and Jung In achieve an all-kill with the release of collaborative digital single 'Your Scent'". May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
- ↑ "Gaon Chart releases Yearly Album, Digital Ranking, Download, and Streaming Charts for 2014". AllKpop. January 13, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
- ↑ "Leessang's Gary and Jung In to return with new duet 'Bicycle'". AllKpop. August 27, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
- ↑ "Gary To Leave "Running Man" After 6 Years". soompi. soompi. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ↑ Singapore E-Awards 2014 / 《新加坡e乐大赏》. Sgeawards.omy.sg (April 9, 2014). Retrieved on 2015-10-14.
- ↑ Singapore Entertainment Awards 2014 Winners. sph.com.sg
- ↑ EXO, GOT7, and Kang Gary win awards at "2014 Youku Night" – Koreaboo. Koreaboo.com. Retrieved on October 14, 2015.
- ↑ "Nominees for Best Rap Performance Category". CJ E&M Mwave. Archived from the original on October 31, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
- ↑ "Voting page for all categories (see category #17 in page 5 for relevant information)". CJ E&M Mwave. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
- ↑ 정유진 (December 31, 2015). [포토엔]런닝맨 팀 등장에 코엑스가 들썩~(SBS연예대상2015). Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved January 3, 2016.
External links
| Studio albums |
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| Other albums |
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