Kim Bum-soo (Korean김범수; born January 26, 1979),[1] is a South Korean singer who is widely considered one of the country's best vocalists.[2] Kim debuted in 1999 with the album, A Promise, and in 2001, he charted on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart with his song "Hello Goodbye Hello" which reached number 51.[3][4] He is best known for the song, "I Miss You," which was featured on the soundtrack for the 2003 Korean drama, Stairway to Heaven.[2]

Kim Bum-soo
Kim in 2014
Kim in 2014
Background information
Born (1979-01-26) January 26, 1979 (age 45)
OriginSouth Korea
GenresPop, R&B, soul
OccupationSinger
Years active1999–present
LabelsYoung Entertainment
Websiteyoungent.co.kr
Korean name
Hangul
김범수
Hanja
金範洙
Revised RomanizationGim Beomsu
McCune–ReischauerKim Pŏmsu

Early life and education

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Kim was born in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.[5] He later moved with his family to Seoul, where he attended Gangseo Technical High School. He later described himself as an "outsider" in high school, until he joined a church choir, where he was praised for his singing ability.[6]

He studied music at Soongsil University[6] and at Seoul Institute of the Arts.[7]

Career

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Kim made his debut as a singer in 1999 with the album, A Promise. While the album's title song was included on the soundtrack for the Korean drama, See and See Again (보고 또 보고),[8] the album only sold modestly well.[6]

After he released his second album, Remember, in 2000, Kim received an offer to record the title track, "Once Upon a Day" in English and to market it in the United States.[6] The English version of the song, which was named, "Hello Goodbye Hello," reached number 51 on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart dated December 22, 2001.[3][4]

Kim's big break in South Korea came in 2003, when the title track from his 2002 album, I Miss You, was included on the soundtrack for the Korean drama, Stairway to Heaven.[2] Both the song and the drama were hits, and Kim performed in Japan for the first time after the drama was aired there.[6]

Kim released his fifth album, So Long..., in 2006 before enlisting in the military.[9] From April 2006 to October 2008, Kim served as an "entertainment soldier" under the Ministry of National Defense to complete his mandatory military service.[10]

He returned with his sixth album Kim Bum Soo Vol. 6 August 19, 2008 with high expectations from the public. Kwak Jin-sung of OhmyNews felt that the various artists featured on the album such as Kim Yu-bin and Younha were intended to help attract listeners.[11] In December of the same year, he released "A Story Sadder Than Sadness (슬픔보다 더 슬픈 이야기)" as the titular song of the drama film More Than Blue.[12]

In 2009, he released the singles "Regrets to Forget (잊은만큼 후회해)", "Slow Man" and "Color Of City (Blue)" for the special project Color of City. In June 2010, he sang for the soundtrack of the television drama Giant with the song "Loving You".[13] In September, he released his next album Solista Part.1 with the lead single "It Will Pass (지나간다)".[14] He then released the song "Appear (나타나)" for the soundtrack of the SBS drama Secret Garden.

I will never forget that moment. It was the first time that I was in the center of all that attention. I felt like "I can be the hero. I can be applauded".

—Kim Bum-soo, during an interview with The Korea Herald in April 2018.[2]

He collaborated with Girls' Generation member Taeyeon for the single "Different (달라)" in January 2011 before appearing in the first season of the singing competition show I Am a Singer wherein South Korea's most established vocalists competed against each other, months later. Kim never thought of himself as one of the country's most popular singers before joining the show which he credits for helping his popularity to grow substantially.[2] He won consecutively for seven episodes which allowed him to be rewarded with a "meritorious graduation" by the show.[15] He then released his next album Solista Part. 2 in June with the lead single "Last Love (끝사랑)". The album also included "Different (달라)".[16] The next month, he released "Person, Love (사람, 사랑)" with Lena Park.[17] In November, he sang "Though I Don't Say It (말하지 않아도)" for the soundtrack of the SBS historical drama Deep Rooted Tree.

In May 2012, he released the single "Rock Star" and in November, he collaborated with Lena Park for a second time for the single "White Winter (하얀 겨울)".[18][19]

Kim was approached by Hong Myung-bo to sing the theme song for the Hong Myung-bo Scholarship Foundation Campaign in 2013, which was intended to raise funds for pediatric cancer treatment. "Higher" was released on December 27, 2013.[20] In September 2014, he released the single "Teardrop of My Heart (눈물나는 내 사랑)".[21] Kim released a studio album three years after his last album, titled HIM on November 12 with the lead single "Home Meal (집 밥)" featuring Geeks and Mrs. Kim.[22]

In February 2015, he sang for the SBS romantic comedy television series Hyde Jekyll, Me's official soundtrack and released "Only You (오직 너만)".[23] In April 2016, he released "Pain Poem (서툰 시)" as part of SM Entertainment's SM Station project.[24]

Kim released "I Love You (사랑해요)" for the soundtrack of the KBS2 drama Uncontrollably Fond on August 4, 2016 and on March 15, 2017, he released another single for a drama titled "Amnesia (기억상실증)" for the official soundtrack of Saimdang, Memoir of Colors.[25][26] Kim released a remake of Shin Hyo-beom's 1996 song "I Love You (난 널 사랑해)" for his single album re.MAKE20 #1 on April 26, 2018.[27]

Public image

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"Kim-Na-Park-Lee" is a known phrase in South Korea which refers to Kim Bum-soo, Naul, Park Hyo-shin and Lee Soo who are considered the country's top vocalists.[2] Kim struggled with being labelled a "faceless" singer (A term in South Korea for singers who are not considered visually appealing by the public) for a long time which also partly affected his career due to the industry avoiding putting him in the spotlight, despite being one of the country's best vocalists, because of South Korea's standards of looks being just as important as talent. In an interview with Cindy Zimmer of ATK Magazine in August 2016, he shared, "I was not happy that my song was judged by my appearance, not by my talent, or the song itself. I wanted to show and let them think how I was prepared, and listen to my song first. At first, I felt sad that only my appearance stood out." but believed the comments "made him stronger" and people have started to "take my songs and skills just as they are, and I really appreciate it".[2][28]

Discography

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  • A Promise (1999)
  • Remember (2000)
  • New Song & Special (2001)
  • I Miss You (보고 싶다) (2002)
  • Friends (2003)
  • The 4th Episode (2004)
  • So Long... (2006)
  • Kim Bum Soo Vol. 6 (2008)
  • Solista Part 1 (2010)
  • Solista Part 2 (2011)
  • Him (2014)

Filmography

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Television shows

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Year Title Role Ref.
2014 Superstar K 6 Judge [29]
2015-2016 I Can See Your Voice Host [30]
2015 Superstar K 7 Judge [31]
2016 Superstar K 2016 [32]
2021 Tomorrow's National Singer [33]
2022 The Second World [34]

Awards and nominations

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Award Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
KBS Music Awards 2004 Bonsang "Sun Sets in My Heart" (가슴에 지는 태양) Won [35]
MAMA Awards 1999 Best New Solo Artist "Promise" (약속) Nominated [36][37]
2003 Best Ballad Performance "I Miss You" (보고싶다) Nominated [38]
2011 Best Male Artist "Last Love" Nominated [39]
Melon Music Awards 2011 Best R&B/Ballad Award "Please" (제발) Won [40]

References

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  1. ^ "김범수 소개" [Kim Bum-soo Profile]. Mnet (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Yoon, Min-sik (April 26, 2018). "20 years on, Kim Bum-soo's musical journey just starting". The Korea Herald. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Min, Kyung-won (May 8, 2018). "Kim Bum-soo reflects on 20 years". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Hot Singles Sales – BSK "Hello, Goodbye, Hello" 2001/12/22 No. 51 KukDo label". Billboardbiz.com. November 21, 2018. Archived from the original on November 25, 2018.
  5. ^ Yang, Gwang-sam (August 18, 2014). "김범수는 왜 잘나가는 건달이 되고 싶었을까?". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e "<노래 인생> 김범수 '난 상향평가돼…소리꾼 한길 가겠다'". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). October 27, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  7. ^ Park, Ju-won (November 27, 2014). "'컬투쇼' 박주원, 서울예대 3대 추남 '김범수가 그 시작이다'". The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  8. ^ Kim, Gyeong-hui (November 14, 2016). "'내가 부르면 뜬다', 드라마 OST 황제 '김범수'". Tong Plus (in Korean). Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  9. ^ "김범수 5집 발표와 함께 입대". The Hankyoreh (in Korean). March 27, 2006. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  10. ^ "'보고싶다' 김범수, 이제는 '볼 수 있다'…28일 군대제대". The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). March 29, 2008. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  11. ^ Kwak, Jin-sung (September 2, 2008). 돌아온 김범수, 반가운 그의 6집을 만나다. OhmyNews (in Korean). Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  12. ^ Jo, Kyung-ee (February 12, 2009). '슬픔보다 더 슬픈 이야기' OST, 5000장 한정 판매. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  13. ^ 러빙 유 (자이언트 Ver.). Mnet (in Korean). June 22, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  14. ^ 김범수 "홀로 묵묵히 빛나는 뮤지션이고 싶어". Digital Times (in Korean). October 27, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  15. ^ Park, Seung (June 14, 2018). "K-Pop Pick of the Day: I Miss You". Kotaku. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  16. ^ 김범수 "'나가수' 매번 기권 꿈꿨다". Digital Times (in Korean). June 19, 2011. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  17. ^ Yang, Ji-woong (September 18, 2011). 박정현-김범수가 부르는 사랑의 콘서트 '사람, 사랑'. Voice of the People (in Korean). Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  18. ^ Yoo, Sang-woo (May 17, 2012). 김범수, 나왔어요 댄스곡 'Rock Star'. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  19. ^ Jeong, Yoo-hyun (December 24, 2012). 김범수-박정현 콘서트, 로맨틱 보이스로 추위를 녹인 '그해 겨울'. E Today (in Korean). Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  20. ^ Pyo, Jae-min (December 27, 2013). 김범수·홍명보, 소아암 아동 위해 뭉쳤다..'하이어' 발표. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  21. ^ Kwon, Seok-jeong (September 22, 2014). 김범수, 23일 디지털 싱글 기습 발매 가을 감성 자극 예고. 10asia (in Korean). Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  22. ^ Kim, Min-jung (November 21, 2014). 김범수, 정규 8집 'HIM' 음원 21일 공개…따뜻한 '집밥' 감성 통했다 "역시 믿고 듣는 김범수". E Today (in Korean). Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  23. ^ Im, Eun-jung (February 17, 2015). 김범수, '하이드 지킬 나' OST '오직 너만' 불러 "내 몸에 맞는 곡". 10asia (in Korean). Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  24. ^ Kim, Joo-hyun (April 21, 2016). 김범수, '서툰 시'로 오늘밤 눈물샘 적신다... 22일 0시 공개. Beff Report (in Korean). Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  25. ^ Yoo, Chan-hee (August 3, 2016). 김범수, '함부로 애틋하게' OST 참여…'사랑해요' 발표. 10asia (in Korean). Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  26. ^ Kim, Ha-jin (March 15, 2017). 김범수, '사임당' OST 출격..'기억상실증'. 10asia (in Korean). Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  27. ^ Kim, Hyun-sik (April 19, 2018). 김범수, 신효범 '난 널 사랑해' 다시 불렀다. No Cut News (in Korean). Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  28. ^ Zimmer, Cindy (August 22, 2016). "Interview: Kim Bum Soo". ATK Magazine. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  29. ^ "[뉴스핌 포토] '슈퍼스타 K6' 김범수, '내가 심사를 할 줄이야!'" [[Newspim photo] Kim Bum-soo on 'Superstar K6', 'I never thought I would be a judge!']. NewsPim (in Korean). August 18, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  30. ^ "[Oh!커피 한 잔②] '너목보4' PD "능력자 김종국·배려왕 이특·음악인 유세윤"". OSEN (in Korean). July 24, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  31. ^ "김범수-백지영-성시경 '슈퍼스타 K7에서 만나요'" [Kim Bum-soo, Baek Ji-young, Sung Si-kyung meet for 'Superstar K 7']. Kuki News (in Korean). August 18, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  32. ^ "'슈퍼스타K 2016' 김범수 거미 김연우, '보컬의 神'들이 두 팔 걷고 나선 이유" [The reason why 'Superstar K 2016' 'vocal gods' Kim Bum-soo, Gummy, and Kim Yeon-woo gathered]. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). August 23, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  33. ^ Yeon Hwi-seon (August 31, 2021). "내일은 국민가수' 측 "김범수·백지영·케이윌·이석훈·김준수, 마스터 출연" [공식]" [Tomorrow's National Singer' side "Kim Beom-soo, Baek Ji-young, K.will, Lee Seok-hoon, Kim Jun-su, Master appearance" [Official]]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved August 31, 2021 – via Naver.
  34. ^ Kim Ye-eun (August 8, 2022). "유빈·신지민·미미·문수아…'두 번째 세계' 래퍼 8人 공개" [Yubin, Shin Ji-min, Mimi, Moon Soo-ah... 8 rappers from 'Second World' revealed] (in Korean). X-ports News. Retrieved August 8, 2022 – via Naver.
  35. ^ "비 'KBS 가수 왕중왕', "3년전 어머니께 대상 약속했는데.."" [Rain is 'KBS king of kings', "I promised my mother the grand prize 3 years ago..."]. Star News (in Korean). December 31, 2004. Retrieved June 8, 2023 – via Naver News.
  36. ^ "1999 M.net Korean Music Festival Winners list" Archived October 9, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. MAMA. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  37. ^ "1999 Video Music Award part 1" Archived May 20, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. MAMA. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  38. ^ "2003 MMF part 1" Archived August 21, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Mwave. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  39. ^ "Mnet Releases MAMA Awards Nominees' List". Soompi. November 1, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  40. ^ "2011 멜론 뮤직 어워드 '뮤직스타일상' R&B 발라드 김범수 수상" [Kim Bum-soo wins R&B/Ballad 'Music Style Award' at 2011 Melon Music Awards]. Aju Business Daily (in Korean). November 28, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
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