Min Kyung-hoon

Min Kyung-hoon (; born October 6, 1984) is a South Korean singer and television personality. He is the lead vocalist of the rock band Buzz and one-half of the duo Universe Cowards with Kim Hee-chul. His first solo album, Im·pres·sive, was released on December 5, 2007. His second solo album, Picnic, was released on June 27, 2011. He is a regular cast member of South Korean variety show Knowing Brothers (JTBC).

Career Audition-related and trainee days During his early childhood, Min never thought that he would become an entertainer. Once he entered high school, he worked with a group of peers who liked to sing. In his third year of high school, Min was recommended to audition for an entertainment company as he was famous among students for both his strong vocals and "flower boy" visuals.

Min went to the audition for AYON Entertainment along with a friend without thinking seriously about it. He auditioned for the company, which would later become Buzz's first agency, in a karaoke room. Once the company heard him sing, they liked him and wanted to immediately sign a contract with him. Min would then record songs under this agency and become a singer.

He signed a contract with the company in late spring 2002 and gave up on both sports and school to focus on singing. Min joined Buzz in June 2002 as the group's vocalist. The band's members practiced instruments together for two years. Min, having been added to the band later, often had to stay up at night and practice his vocals without rest.

2003-2007: Buzz activity days

Buzz made their official debut with "Morning Of Buzz" on October 11, 2003. Their second studio album "Effect" included songs like "Coward", "Thorn", and "Travel to Me" that gained extreme popularity. In their third album "Perfect", the song "You Don't Know Men" was well received. He was given the nickname "Ssamja" because he made a mistake singing this song. On May 17, 2007, Buzz disbanded temporarily as the members, with the exception of Min, began their mandatory military service. Min was confirmed to continue solo activities while the members are serving the military. On June 25, 2007, Buzz released the single "Love Is My Heart, Part 2".

2007-2014: Solo activity and military life On December 4, 2007, Min released his first solo album "Im · pres · sive", with the advice of Buzz members and the solicitation of his former agency. Until 2009, Min and Buzz took a hiatus. During this time, Min hardly left his house and suffered from severe depression and weight gain. He claims that during this "slump", he drank alcohol as soon as he woke up, and drank again to fall asleep.

Min recovered and returned to music. On February 4, 2010, the mini-album "Reunion" was announced officially. The title song "I Love You" is one of his most popular solo songs. Min released the digital single "It's Alright" on March 29, 2010 and the soap opera My Life Is Beautiful OST "My Eternal Love", but there was no follow-up activity. In October and November 2010, he participated as a guest vocalist by singing his digital single "Wounded" and "Buzz 2" album "Fuzz-Buzz".

On June 27, 2011, Min released his second solo album "Picnic". The album had many new attempts, including fast tempo and lively songs, a change from rock ballads, a genre Min is known for. It had lower album sales compared to the previous album.

On March 6, 2012, after the release of his digital single "Look Back" on March 2, Min suddenly began his military service. He joined the Uijeongbu 306 supporters and served for 21 months. While Min was serving in the military band, he performed military band performances and concert train performances. Min finished his military service on December 5, 2013, and fans and Buzz members gathered and congratulated him.

2014-present: Buzz re-union, Knowing Bros and Universe Cowards On April 8, 2014, Min returned as the singer of Buzz as the band announced their comeback.

In December 2015, he joined JTBC's new variety show, Knowing Bros, as a cast member. Fellow cast members include comedians Kang Ho-dong and Lee Soo-geun and Super Junior member Kim Hee-chul.

In fall 2016, Min and Kim Hee-chul released a duet titled "Sweet Dream". The two stars are known as "Universe Cowards" when they promote their music. The song proved successful, topping the South Korean Gaon Digital Chart, an achievement known as an "all-kill". In 2017, "Sweet Dream" won the Best Rock Song award at the MelOn Music Awards.

Following the success of "Sweet Dream", in February 2018, Universe Cowards returned with "Falling Blossoms". It was composed by Lee Sang-joon and Cha Gil-wan and features lyrics written by Min, and peaked at number 15 on Gaon Digital Chart. Billboard described it as "soft pop-rock tune that grows to a soaring, emotional cacophony" and complimented how their music video was one of the most inclusive music videos South Korea's seen in some time.

In December 2020, Universal Cowards collaborated with producer DinDin and Bibi to produce the traditional hip-hop track "Hanryang".

Personal life On July 10, 2024, it was reported that Min would marry JTBC producer Shin Ki-eun, who previously was a producer on Knowing Bros, in November. The ceremony was held on November 17 at Hotel Shilla in Seoul.

Discography

Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales KOR Im·pres·siveReleased: December 4, 2007 Label: A1 People Formats: CD 6 KOR: 17,859 Picnic (소풍)Released: June 27, 2011 Label: IS Entermedia Group Formats: CD, digital download 4 KOR: 4,828

Extended plays

Soundtrack appearances Title Year Album "Climax" 2008 The Lawyers of The Great Republic Korea OST "Life is Beautiful" 2010 Life Is Beautiful OST "Hero" 2015 SPY OST "Love You" 2016 The K2 OST "Here I am" 2017 Live Up to Your Name OST "Waiting here for you" 2018 Money Flower OST "Forever Love"2019 Kill It OST "Welcome 2 Life" Welcome 2 Life OST "Lost Life" 2020 Rugal OST "The Time is Now"2022The Golden Spoon OST "Confession of My Youth"Mental Coach Jegal OST

Filmography Television YearTitleRoleNotesRef. 2015–present Knowing Bros Cast Episodes 2 – present I Came Alone Chuseok Pilot Special What Shall We Eat Today - Delivery Cast 2018 Human Intelligence – The Most Perfect A.I. Users 2018–2023 Problem Child in House Cast Member 2022 Secret Man and Woman Host

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref 2016 2nd JTBC Awards Best Duo Award with Kim Hee-chul Knowing Bros 2017 6th Gaon Chart Music Awards Song of the Year (November) with Kim Hee-chul "Sweet Dream" 9th Melon Music Awards Best Rock Song with Kim Hee-chul 2019 8th Gaon Chart Music Awards Song of the Year 17th KBS Entertainment Awards Excellence Award in Entertainment Category Problem Child in House 2020 18th KBS Entertainment Awards Excellence Award in Show/Variety Category