Lee Hong-gi

Lee Hong-gi (Korean: 이홍기; born March 2, 1990), also known mononymously as Hongki, is a South Korean singer and actor. He is best known as the lead singer of the South Korean rock band F.T. Island. In 2015, Lee debuted as a solo artist with the releases of his first Korean extended play FM302 and his first Japanese album, AM302. In 2018, his second extended play Do n Do was released.

Not to be confused with Ki Hong Lee.

In this Korean name, the family name is Lee.
Lee Hong-gi
Lee Hong-gi in 2019.
Background information
Also known asLee Hong-ki
Born (1990-03-02) March 2, 1990[1]
Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • actor
InstrumentsVocals
Years active
  • 2002–present
Labels
Associated actsF.T. Island
Websitefncent.com/leehonggi
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationI Hong-gi
McCune–ReischauerYi Hongki

As an actor, Lee has participated in various television dramas, notably You're Beautiful (2009), Bride of the Century (2014), Modern Farmer (2014) and A Korean Odyssey (2017).

Acting career

Before Lee Hong-ki debuted as a singer with the band F.T. Island, he was a child actor, making his acting debut in 2002 in the KBS2 TV series Magic Kid Masuri as Masuri's friend.[2] This sitcom gained popularity among elementary school students. He was also featured in Kkangsooni, where he played the character of Eo Soo-bong, and sang for the sitcom's OST.

In 2008, he was offered the lead role in Master of Study, the Korean adaptation of Japanese drama Dragon Zakura. Master of Study should have aired in the beginning of 2009 but due to preproduction difficulties, the drama was postponed to the beginning of 2010 which led FNC Entertainment to refuse Lee's role because of his busy schedule with the band.

Lee then played Lysander in a Korean musical theatre version of A Midsummer Night's Dream,[2] where he showcased his singing, acting and dancing skills. In 2009, after a five-year break, he made his acting comeback and took the role of the quirky but loveable drummer Jeremy in You're Beautiful.[3] To promote the drama, he also contributed solo tracks to the OST, such as "Promise" and "Still/As Ever."[4] He received a New Star Award at the 2009 SBS Drama Awards for his performance. You're Beautiful recorded modest ratings in South Korea, but it became an international success and with it, Lee's worldwide popularity increased.

In April 2011, Lee starred in the TBS Japanese drama Muscle Girl! opposite Yui Ichikawa.[5] This was followed by a 90-minute Korean-Japanese co-production titled Noriko Goes to Seoul, in which he played a young aspiring singer who meets an older woman (Takashima Reiko) who inspires him through hardships to achieve his dream.[6]

In June 2013, he made his big screen debut in the movie Rockin' on Heaven's Door (Korean title: Passionate Goodbye), with Baek Jin-hee, in which Lee portrayed as a rebellious music star who is sent to work in a hospice.[7][8]

Lee began filming Bride of the Century with Yang Jin-sung. He went on a four-week rest after he dislocated his shoulder and suffered facial fractures during December 2013.[9][10] He resumed shooting in January 2014, and the drama aired that February.[11][12]

Lee also starred in SBS Modern Farmer alongside Park Min-woo, Lee Ha-nui, and others. The drama aired from October 18, 2014 to December 21, 2014, at 20:40 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Music career
Lee in 2012

F.T. Island
Main article: F.T. Island

In 2007, Lee debuted in the band F.T. Island as the lead singer. He can also rap and beatbox.

Lee decided to pursue a career in singing after he starred in Kkangsooni, for which he sang a song for the soundtrack. At the end of the drama, he performed the song live on stage. He was 13 years old at that time. Impressed by his powerful vocal ability, a few people approached him, not wishing to waste his talent for singing. Then-fledgling label company FNC Entertainment Music signed Lee and fully trained him to become the lead singer of F.T. Island.

Solo debut

In 2015, Lee announced through social media that he was working on both a Korean and Japanese album, which was released in November and December respectively.[13] The mini Korean album was revealed to be FM302, and the album was released on November 18, 2015,[14] while the Japanese album was revealed to be AM302, and it was released on December 9, 2015.[15] 'FM302' combines the radio terminology frequency modulation (FM) with Lee's birthday which is on March 2, to create the effect of his own radio frequency that resonates his music across the world. The title song "Insensible" is a ballad track and it tells the sad story of a man who is unable to forget his previous love. The music video was published on November 18, 2015.[16] The lead actress of the music video is actress Park Shin-hye.[17] Prior to his official music video release, a showcase was organised.[18] Upon the release of FM302, it topped both Naver's real-time search chart, as well as Hanteo sales chart. The album still retained its position next week, selling more than 19,000 albums within two weeks. Moreover, six days after the release of the album, Lee won first place on SBS MTV's The Show for the first time.[19] The album charted at No. 2 on Gaon Chart's national physical albums ranking, as well as No. 5 on the Gaon Social Chart in the 3rd week of November.[20]

On the other hand, the music video for the lead single of the Japanese album AM302, "モノローグ (Monologue)", was published on November 11, 2015 on F.T. Island's Official Japanese YouTube channel. The Japanese album contained some tracks from the Korean album FM302, but was translated into Japanese. The album is also available in three different sets, namely, the original version, Primadonna version (for fans), and the limited edition DVD version.[21] Upon release, it charted at #4 in the Oricon charts.

Soundtrack appearances

Lee has sung many OSTs for different dramas such as You're Beautiful, Heartstrings and The Heirs.

On May 21, 2015, Dal Shabet's official YouTube channel uploaded a video titled Joker in Rock Version. The video was a collaboration with Lee and Subin singing Joker in rock version.[22] It was believed that the two decided on a collaboration when Lee and Subin met on Hello Counselor.

Compositions and lyric-writing

In recent years, Lee has also begun composing music, contributing the songs "Black Chocolate" and "Orange Sky" to F.T. Island's Japanese album Rated FT, as well as the title track "Memory" and the song "Always With You" on F.T. Island's Korean mini-album Thanks To, "Siren" from their album The Mood and title song "Wind" from their album Over 10 Years .[23][24] He also composed Japanese songs "On My Way", "Just Please" and "Born to be a Rock n Roller".[25][26]

Personal life
Lee Hong-gi in Paris in 2015 at La Cigale

Lee was enrolled in Kyunghee University studying theatre and film.[2]

Lee started his own fashion brand 'Skullhong' in June 2014. He designs accessories, jewelry and various nail products.[27] It was originally based in Seoul, but has since expanded its business to Hong Kong, and Tokyo, Japan.[28]

On September 30, 2019, Lee began his mandatory military service, becoming the first F.T. Island member to enlist.[29]

Discography
Main article: F.T. Island discography
Lee Hongki at the Music Core Concert in Hanoi, Vietnam, in November 2012

Albums
  • 2015: AM302 (Japanese)
  • 2018: Cheers (Japanese)
  • 2020: Mixtape (Japanese)

EPs
  • 2015: FM302 (Korean)
  • 2018: Do n Do (Korean)

Soundtrack contributions
YearFilmographySong's Title
2004KangsooniTo My Friend
2007Unstoppable MarriageLately I
2009You're BeautifulStill,
Promise
2011HeartstringsEven If It's Not Necessary
2013The HeirsI'm Saying
Rockin' on Heaven's DoorJump,
Goodbye
We Got Married Global Edition Sesson 1 OSTTwo Of Us
2014Bride of the CenturyWords I Have Yet To Say
Modern FarmerWhen Love Comes,
Do Or Die
2018SwitchRaise Me Up

Filmography

Television series
YearNetworkTitleRoleNotes
2002EBSTV Original Fairytale: Bicycle ThiefEducational TV series
KBS2Magic Kid MasuriMasuri's friendMain cast
2004EBSThere's Light at the Tip of My Fingernails
EBSKkangsooniEo Soo-bongEducational TV series
MBCFreezing PointHwan-yiSupporting role
2005EBSFlower Butterfly and SunflowerEducational TV series
EBSWinter ChildEducational TV series
2008KBS2Unstoppable MarriageHwang Sa-baek's friendCameo, Ep. 62
SBSOn AirhimselfCameo, Ep. 1
2009SBSStylehimselfCameo, Ep. 6
SBSYou're BeautifulJeremyMain cast
2010MBCMore Charming By the Daychicken delivery guyCameo, Ep. 111
SBSMy Girlfriend Is a Nine-Tailed FoxJeremyCameo, Ep. 16
2011TBSMuscle Girl!Yoo Ji-hoLead role
KBS2Noriko Goes to SeoulKim Min-haLead role
2013tvNCheongdam-dong 111himselfReality show
2014TV ChosunBride of the CenturyChoi Kang-jooLead role
SBSModern FarmerLee Min-kiLead role
2015SBS MTVComing Out FTISLANDhimselfReality show (with F.T. Island members)
2017tvNA Korean OdysseyP.KMain cast[30]
2019Oksusu (mobile platform)I hate you Juliet (literal title)Cha YoolLead role
tvNMelting Me SoftlySon Hyeon-gi (young)Cameo

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
2013Rockin' on Heaven's DoorChoong-uiLead role
2014How to Steal a DogSeok-guSupporting role

Variety show
YearTitleNetworkNotes
2008Good DaddySBSCast member
2009InkigayoSBSRegular MC
Mnet Scandal Idol ShowMnet
2010100 Points Out of 100 aka Oh! My SchoolKBS2Cast member (Ep. 1 – Ep. 12)
Oh My SchoolKBSCast member
2013We Got Married Global EditionMBCCast member (with Fujii Mina)
2015King of Mask SingerMBCContestant as "Blow Hot and Cold Bat Human" (Ep. 3)
2017King of Mask SingerMBCContestant as "Lupin the Phantom Thief" (Ep. 105–106)[31]
The Life AcademytvNCast member
Night GoblinJTBCCast member (Episode 2-32)
2018Legendary BowlingTV ChosunCast member
Find F.T. IslandFNC Ent. (YouTube)Cast member
Road to IthacatvNCast member
Produce 48MNETCast member (Vocal Trainer)
2019Produce X 101MNETMC for the Beginning Episode

Radio show
Year Title Network Notes
2016-2018 Lee Honggi Kiss The Radio (Hongkira) KBS Cool FM DJ from October 17, 2016 to April 2018

Musical theatre
YearTitleRoleNotes
2009A Midsummer Night's DreamLysanderMain role
2014Vampire[32]DraculaMain role
2016Those Days[33]MooyoungMain role
2020 Return[34] Hyunmin

Bibliography
YearTitleNote(s)
2013Lee Hong-gi's Nail Art[35]
2014Hongstargram[36]

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2009 17th Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards[2] Top 10 Singers N/A Won
SBS Drama Awards[37] New Star Award You're Beautiful Won
2010 16th Korean Entertainment Arts Awards[2] Best Male Singer N/A Won
2013 27th Golden Disk Awards InStyle Fashionista Award[38] N/A Won
2014 9th Seoul International Drama Awards Outstanding Korean Drama OST "I'm Saying" Nominated
16th Seoul International Youth Film Festival Best OST by a Male Artist Nominated

References
  1. Mark Russell (April 29, 2014). K-Pop Now!: The Korean Music Revolution. Tuttle Publishing. p. 60. ISBN 978-1-4629-1411-1.
  2. "F.T. Island". Korea Tourism Organization. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  3. Choi, Ji-eun (October 27, 2009). "A.N.JELL actors brighten up Minamishineyo". TenAsia. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  4. "Lee Hong Ki Sings You're Beautiful's "Still" In Mandarin". Soompi. July 19, 2010. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  5. "Ichikawa Yui and F.T. Island's Lee Hong-gi at the press conference for Muscle Girl". Tokyo Hive. April 14, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  6. Hong, Lucia (August 10, 2011). "FTIsland's Lee Hong-ki to star in upcoming KBS one-act drama". TenAsia. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  7. Hong, Lucia (July 30, 2012). "FTIsland Lee Hong-ki to make big screen debut". TenAsia. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  8. Sunwoo, Carla (May 24, 2013). "Not all is grim when the reaper pays a visit". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  9. Lee, Sun-min (December 17, 2013). "Lee Hong-ki injured on ice". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  10. Hwang, Hye-jin (January 10, 2014). "FT Island's Lee Hong Gi Resumes Drama Filming After Injury". enewsWorld. Archived from the original on January 13, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  11. Lee, Na-rae (February 19, 2014). "FT Island's Lee Hong Gi Chooses Yang Jin Seong Over Park Shin Hye as Ideal Type". enewsWorld. Archived from the original on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  12. Han, Ji-hee (February 20, 2014). "Interview: Bride of the Century Lee Hong-Ki – Yang Jin-Sung". Get It K. Archived from the original on July 7, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  13. "F.T. Island's Hongki to make his solo debut!". Allkpop.com. November 4, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  14. "FTISLAND official website". Ftisland-official.jp. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  15. "FNC Music Japan INC". Twitter.
  16. "F.T. Island's Hongki reveals solo debut MV for 'Insensible' starring Park Shin Hye". Allkpop.com. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  17. "이홍기-박신혜, '미남이시네요' 이후 6년 만에 연기 호흡. 이홍기 뮤비에 박신혜 우정 출연 :: 네이버 TV연예". Entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  18. "Super Junior's Heechul to MC Lee Hong Ki's First Solo Showcase – Soompi". Soompi.
  19. "Lee Hong Ki Takes 1st Solo Win With "Insensible" on "The Show" – Soompi". Soompi.
  20. "Gaon Chart releases chart rankings for November 15 - November 21". Allkpop.com. November 28, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  21. "KPOP NEWS - FT Island′s Lee Hong Gi to Release First Solo Album 'AM302' in Japan | Mwave". Mwave.interest.me. February 16, 2016. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  22. "Subin and Lee Hongki's flawless rock version of 'Joker' ~ Daily K Pop News". Dkpopnews.net. May 22, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  23. "FT Island to release EP". Korea Herald. September 10, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  24. "FT Island Beats miss A and Trouble Maker to Top Weekly Sales Chart". Soompi. November 25, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  25. blog.koreaboo.com "Ft Island Releases Track list For Their "FTISLAND Japan Best All About" Album"
  26. kpopstarz.com 5.30.14 "Band FTISLAND New Japan Album 'New Page' Tops Japan Ring Tone Chart"
  27. "FTISLAND's Lee Hong Ki Launches Website for His Fashion Brand "Skull Hong"". Soompi. June 10, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  28. Irene Kok (August 17, 2011). "FTISLAND李洪基時尚品牌SKULL HONG 即將進軍日本 - KSD 韓星網 (明星)". Koreastardaily.com. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  29. "FTISLAND's Lee Hong Ki Enlists In The Military". Soompi. September 30, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  30. "[이슈IS]'화유기', 오늘 주연진 첫 만남 "이승기 제외"". Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  31. Hwang Hye-soo (April 9, 2017). "'복면가왕' 여심잡은 '괴도루팡' 정체는 '이홍기'". News1 Korea (in Korean). Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  32. "FTISLAND's Lee Hong Ki to Star as Dracula in New Musical "Vampire"". Soompi. July 1, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  33. "이홍기 '그날들'로 2년만 뮤지컬 복귀 - 손에 잡히는 뉴스 눈에 보이는 뉴스 - 뉴스엔". Newsen.com. June 17, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  34. "'군복무' 엑소 디오X시우민, 육군 창작뮤지컬 '귀환' 출연 확정(공식)". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  35. "FT Island boy publishes nail art book". Korea JoongAng Daily. June 25, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  36. "FTISLANDのイ・ホンギ写真集『HONGSTARGRAM』12/3発売". October 24, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  37. Ko Jae-wan (January 4, 2010). "Jang Seo-hee wins grand prize at SBS Drama Awards". 10Asia. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  38. "Winners from the 27th Golden Disk Awards (Day 2)". Allkpop. January 16, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
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