Kim Jong-kook

Kim Jong-kook (; born April 25, 1976) is a South Korean singer, entertainer, and actor. Kim debuted as a member of South Korean duo Turbo in 1995. The duo was considered to be one of the most popular idols in that time and sold out millions of albums in South Korea and Asia. Following the disbanding of the duo in 2000, Kim released his debut solo album, Renaissance, in December 2001.

As a solo artist, Kim has received several awards, including three Golden Disc Awards, two Seoul Music Awards, two KBS Music Awards, two SBS Music Awards, two MBC Music Awards, one MBC Best 10 Music Award, one Mnet Asian Music Award, and one Melon Music Award.

Apart from his music career, Kim established himself as an entertainer, notably through his participation in variety shows including X-man, Family Outing and gained worldwide popularity following his participation in Running Man.

Early life and education Kim was born on April 25, 1976, in Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea.

His family consists of his parents and an older brother, who is a doctor.

Kim attended Myeong Hak Elementary School, Shin Seong Middle High School and graduated from Hansei University in Bachelor of Arts (music composition).

He then obtained a master's degree from the Pop Culture Performing Arts – School of Arts Department of Dankook University.

Career 1995–2000: Turbo Kim 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.

2001–2005: Solo career and music daesang Kim had a setback 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 successful comeback with his second album Evolution in 2004, which spawned the hit single "One Man". Kim then became a permanent cast member of the popular variety game show, X-Man, which further raised his popularity.

In 2005, Kim released his third album, This Is Me. The album sold over 300,000 copies and became one of the best-selling albums in Korea that year. The lead single, "Lovable" topped various music charts, and was included in online games such as Pump It Up and Audition Online. Kim swept the Daesang (Artist of the Year) Award from all three major Korean TV stations, SBS, KBS, and MBC, becoming the second artist to accomplish this feat since Cho Yong-pil in the 1980s.

2006–2014: Variety show, music releases, military service and rising popularity Kim was made the leader of the first series of Shootdori, where kids who are interested in soccer form teams and compete. However, he had to leave the team after receiving an enlistment notice. He wrote and sang a song for his team, titled "Toward a Dream". Kim enlisted in March 2006. Around that time, he released his 4th album, Volume 4 - Kim Jong-kook's Fourth Letter. The music video of the lead single, Saying I Love You, featured Yoon Eun-hye, who was previously involved in a love-line with him in X-Man. Though Kim was unable to directly promote the album as he was in the military, the album sold more than 100,000 copies and later won "Album of the Year" at the Melon Music Awards.

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 an interview, he said that he was "relieved". His fifth studio album, Here I Am, was released on October 22, 2008, with songs such as "Today More than Yesterday" and "Thank You".

Kim also returned to television, becoming a permanent member of reality-variety show Family Outing since episode 19, part of SBS's Good Sunday lineup. Family Outing has become one of the top-rated shows in Korea, consistently achieving the highest ratings for the Sunday mid-afternoon time-slot, and has gained online popularity among Hallyu fans.

His sixth album, titled The Eleventh Story was released on January 27, 2010. The album featured the singles "This is the Person" and "Don't Be Good to Me". The music video of the latter single featured fellow Family Outing cast member Park Ye-jin.

In 2010, Kim became a cast member of SBS' variety show Running Man. In 2011, he won the "Best TV Star Award" at the SBS Entertainment Awards. Kim gained pan-Asia popularity from the show, becoming one of the most searched Korean stars in Singapore, and having his showcase there sold out with more than 1,700 fans in attendance. He also enjoyed success in China, where he consistently topped polls such as being voted #1 Korean singer on the Chinese streaming website, Tudou, and being ranked second most popular Korean male celebrity on Baidu.

On November 1, 2012, following a pre-release of selected songs from his new album, Kim made a comeback to the music scene with the release of his seventh studio album, Journey Home, after three years. 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 single "Men Are All Like That". The same year, he began to host the documentary program Crisis Escape No. 1, which won him the "Best Entertainer Award" at the 2013 KBS Entertainment Awards.

In 2014, he formed a duo with fellow Running Man cast member Haha, known as Running Man Brothers. The musical duo held a concert tour in the United States in July and December.

2015–present: Acting debut, Chinese debut, Turbo reunion and entertainment daesang In 2015, Kim made his official acting debut with a supporting role in the KBS drama, The Producers, and was praised for his "solid acting chops".

In September 2015, he left Urban Works ENT after his contract expired. He later went on to sign an exclusive contract with Maroo Entertainment in October 2015.

In December 2015, he and fellow Turbo members Kim Jung-nam and Mikey reunited for Turbo's 20th anniversary album. The album titled Again was released on December 21, 2015. The eponymous lead single, 다시 (Again), which features Yoo Jae-suk, topped online music charts upon its release.

On August 23, 2016, he officially made his singing debut in China with his first single, "Hate That Happiness Came" , produced by JJ Lin and lyrics written by Vincent Fang.

On December 19, 2020, Kim made history by becoming the first male celebrity, and 2nd person ever to win a Daesang in both Music and Entertainment. He received the Grand Prize Award (Daesang) at the 14th SBS Entertainment Awards for his participation in Running Man and My Little Old Boy.

On June 17, 2021, Kim launched a fitness-focused YouTube channel "Gym Jong Kook" with 100,000 subscribers in the first five minutes. Within 4 days, the channel reached 1 million subscribers. He was part of the My Little Old Boy cast that was honored with the Grand Prize Award at the 15th SBS Entertainment Awards in 2021.

On April 28, 2023, Kim won the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Male Variety Performer for his work on Running Man, My Little Old Boy, and Gym Jong Kook.

On September 10, 2025, Kim left Turbo JK Company, which he founded in 2012. This also marked the end of his 18-year partnership with his manager Kim Gap-jin, who had helped run the company. He subsequently signed with Galaxy Corporation and moved there with his field manager, Cha Seok-bin.

Personal life Kim speaks both Korean and English.

He is close friends with Jang Hyuk, Cha Tae-hyun, Hong Kyung-min and Hong Kyung-in. The group is known as the "Dragon Brothers" for being born in 1976, the Year of the Dragon.

In 2010, Kim underwent lumbar microdiscectomy surgery for a herniated disk. His back issues also influenced his decision to serve as a public service worker rather than as an active-duty soldier during his mandatory military enlistment, a topic he discussed on the talk show Healing Camp in 2015.

In 2019, his hernia surgery was documented on My Little Old Boy.

Family

Kim's father was a career soldier who was later recognized as a person of national merit. This status could have allowed one of his sons to complete only six months of supplementary service; however, his father reportedly delayed applying for recognition until both sons had completed their military obligations.

Kim has an older brother, Kim Jong-myung, who is a plastic surgeon. His brother reportedly completed his military obligation as a military doctor.

Kim's mother, Jo Hye-seon, joined the studio panel of the SBS television programme My Little Old Boy when Kim became a regular cast member on 25 February 2018. She temporarily stopped appearing in April 2022 because of health problems and returned to the programme in February 2023. She subsequently left the programme following Kim's marriage in September 2025.

Singer Soya is Kim's first cousin once removed. Kim publicly introduced Soya as his niece during a concert on 24 April 2010.

Military service On 17 June 1996, Kim received a Grade 4 classification during his military physical examination because of a herniated disc, assigning him to supplementary service as a public service worker. He began his service on 30 March 2006 and worked at the Hyochang Comprehensive Social Welfare Center in Yongsan District, Seoul. He was discharged from service on 23 May 2008.

Marriage On August 18, 2025, Kim announced in a handwritten letter on his fan cafe Papitus that he would marry his non-celebrity girlfriend. He wed on September 5 at J Hotel in Gangnam, Seoul, in a private ceremony attended by family, friends, and colleagues.

On the 300th episode of KBS 2's Problem Child in the House, Kim revealed that he and his non-celebrity wife were close friends before they got married.

Discography

Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales Renaissance Released: December 12, 2001 Label: Synnara Music

Released: June 18, 2004 Label: Synnara Music Formats: CD, cassette 6 KOR: 113,993 This Is Me Released: June 24, 2005 Label: Queen Entertainment Formats: CD, cassette 1 KOR: 303,049 Fourth Letter Released: April 13, 2006 Label: 101 Entertainment Formats: CD, cassette, digital download 21 KOR: 108,609 Here I Am Released: October 22, 2008 Label: Maroo Entertainment

Released: January 27, 2010 Label: 101 Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download 3 Song Released: September 9, 2010 Label: 101 Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download 15 Journey Home Released: November 1, 2012 Label: JK Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download 3 KOR: 10,138

Singles

KOR: 270,865 "Men Are All Like That" 2012 8 KOR: 587,696 Journey Home "Reminisce" 28

Soundtrack appearances Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album Good Doctor OST "Trace of Tears" 2014 74 KOR: 23,043 Love in Memory 2 OST "Fool" 2016 89 KOR: 18,861 Sweet Stranger and Me OST "Tear Thief" 2021 96 The Forbidden Marriage OST "My Love" 2022 200 Soundtrack #1 OST

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2012 Wonderful Radio Taxi Passenger Cameo 2015 Hurry Up Brother Film Himself

Television series Year Title Role Notes 2004 Banjun Drama Himself Cameo (Episode 17) Special TV Story Cameo 2005 Old Miss Diary Cameo (Episode 224) 2015 A Girl Who Sees Smells Cameo (eps 1) The Producers Kim Hong-soon Supporting role 2016 The Sound of Your Heart Jo Jong-kook / Jo Jong-wook Cameo (Episode 17–18)

Television shows

Year Title Role Notes 2001–2003 Dream Team Main Cast 2004–2006 X Man Happy Sunday 2005–2006 Real Situation Saturday Love Letter Shoot Dori 2008–2010 Family Outing 2010–present Running Man Main Cast 2012–2016 Escape Crisis No.1 Host 2014 Everybody 2015 Ding Ge Long Dong Qiang Main Cast 2016 Talents for Sale Host 2017 Let's go with Mom Main Cast Dragon Club – Childish Bromance with Jang Hyuk, Cha Tae-hyun, Hong Kyung-min, Hong Kyung-in 2017-2020 I Can See Your Voice Host with Yoo Se-yoon and Leeteuk 2018–2025 My Little Old Boy Main Cast Leaves show due to marriage 2018 The Call Cast member (1st line-up) Ep 1–2, 5 2019 In Sync Host with Soyou The Call S2 Kill Bill 2019–2020 Rewind Team Leader 2019–2020 Five Cranky Brothers Cast member 2019 Pink Festa MC 2020 Fly Shoot Dori — New Beginning Episode 1-19 The Voice of Korea (S3) Coach Red-Cheeked Ramyun Lab Cast Trot God is Here 2 - Last Chance Special MC Ep.38 2021 Crazy Recipe Adventure Main Cast Ceremony Club with Pak Se-ri and Yang Se-chan Wild Idol Host Running Man VietnamGuestEp.10 2022–present Problem Child in House Cast Member Ep. 174 - ongoing 2022 With the Silk of Dohpo Flying Cast Member with Ji Hyun-woo, Noh Sang-hyun, Joo Woo-jae and Hwang Dae-heon Kick the Number Host with Dindin 2023 Authorized Personnel Only Cast Member with Yang Se-hyung and Lee Yi-kyung Express Delivery Mongolia Edition Cast Member with Jang Hyuk, Cha Tae-hyun, Hong Kyung-min, Hong Kyung-in and Kang Hoon 2024 Couple Palace Host with Yoo Se-yoon and Lee Mi-Joo 2024 Stingy Man Host Last episode: November 13, 2024 with Jang Do-yeon, Lee Joon, Im Woo-il, Lee Seung-hoon, and Park Young-jin 2025 I am Boxer Host Season 1 Last episode: January 22, 2026 with Ma Dong Seok and Dex 2026 King of Survival 2 Host Premiering in first half of 2026 on Netflix Korean team: Kim Jong Kook (Host), Kim Byung Man, Yook Jun Seo, Kim Young Hoon The Boyz 2026 SBS Plus' The Travel Method of Real Men Host Premiering in April 2026 Kim Jong Kook, Yoshihiro Akiyama

Web shows Year Title Role Notes 2017–2019 Big Picture Main cast with Haha 2021 Outrun by Running Man Cast member Running Man spin-off

Direct-to-video series

Hosting Year Title Notes 2018 Gaon Chart Music Awards With Nancy 2018 SBS Entertainment Awards With Park Soo-hong and Han Go-eun 2021 APAN Music Awards With Jeon So-min

Awards and nominations

+ Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee(s) / Work(s) Result Asian Model Awards 2008 BBF Popular Singer Award Kim Jong-kook Baeksang Arts Awards 2023 Best Male Variety Performer Gym Jong Kook, Running Man, and My Little Old Boy Brand of the Year Awards 2022 Celebrity YouTuber of the Year Kim Jong-kook Brand Customer Loyalty Award 2021 Multitainer – Male DramaFever Awards 2016 Best Bromance Kim Jong-kook Running Man Golden Disk Awards 2004 Popularity Award Kim Jong-kook 2005 Bonsang Award 2006 KBS Entertainment Awards 2005 Best Entertainer Award Shootdori 2013 Escape Crisis No. 1 KBS Music Awards 2004 Bonsang Award Kim Jong-kook 2005 Grand Prize (Daesang) – Best Artist Korean Entertainer Awards 2005 Ballad Award Korean Broadcasting Awards 2021 Popularity Award Running Man Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards 2015 Prime Minister's Award Kim Jong-kook KU Music Asian Music Awards 2016 Asia's Most Focused Artist Award MBC Best 10 Music Awards 2004 Bonsang Award MBC Music Awards 2005 Most Popular Singer "Lovable" Grand Prize (Daesang) – Best Artist Best Ballad Performance 2009 "Today More Than Yesterday" SBS Entertainment Awards 2010 Best TV Star Award Running Man 2011 Excellence Award (Variety Category) Netizen Popularity Award 2013 Excellence Award (Male) Viewers Choice Popularity Award 2014 High Excellence Award Sohu China Netizen Popularity Award 2015 2018 PD's Award Running Man and My Little Old Boy Best Couple Award Kim Jong-kook Running Man and My Little Old Boy 2019 Top Excellence Award in Reality Category Running Man and My Little Old Boy Grand Prize (Daesang) 2020 Golden Content Award with Running Man members Grand Prize (Daesang) Running Man and My Little Old Boy 2021 with My Little Old Boy members Entertainer of the Year Award Running Man and My Little Old Boy 2022 Best Couple Award Kim Jong-kook Grand Prize (Daesang) Running Man and My Little Old Boy 2023 Award for Short Clip with Highest Views Good Partner Award with My Little Old Boy members SBS Music Awards 2004 Bonsang Award Kim Jong-kook 2005 Grand Prize (Daesang) – Best Artist "Loveable"