WoongSan

WoongSan (born Kim Eun Young, April 18, 1973) is a South Korean musician. She has been a leading figure in the jazz music scene in Korea and Japan for over a decade, having performed live over 500 times since her 1998 Japanese debut. She is the first Korean-born musician to perform at New York City's historic Blue Note Jazz Club and has collaborated with many other well-known jazz musicians including Benny Green, Lonnie Plaxico, Rodney Green, Conrad Herwig and Suzuki Hisatsugu. She is also well known for training Ali (South Korean singer), a popular K-pop singer.

Biography When she was 18, WoongSan spent a year and a half at a Buddhist temple in the Korean countryside. During her training she had a powerful realization: her calling in life was music. Initially she played in a college rock band, but after a friend played her a Billie Holiday record, she began to dedicate herself to jazz. She spent several years performing as a solo artist then released her first album accompanied by a jazz ensemble in 1996. By the end of 1998 she was a recognizable figure in both Korea and Japan, and since then, she has released six albums, garnered numerous awards and critical acclaim, and continues to tour prolifically. She has also written many songs for films.

Last year, she proved her career was an ongoing path as a music performer on the stage collaborated with Lee Ritenour.

Style WoongSan's style is a distinctive blend of jazz, blues, Latin and funk style. Her mid-low voice does not span as much tonal ground as other famous singers, but what she lacks in range she more than makes up for in creativity and malleability. As an independent lyricist, Woong San has penned powerful ballads, cozy love numbers and everything in between. Buddhism has played a prominent role in her life, and it shines through in her songwriting: she often explores the themes of freedom, mindfulness and the beauty of change in her songs. Her work has been described as "soulful, fearless, sultry."

Discography

Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales KOR Love LettersReleased: December 12, 2003 Label: Universal Music Group— The BluesReleased: November 7, 2005 Label: Universal Music Group— YesterdayReleased: July 19, 2007 Label: Universal Music Group— KOR: 7,140 Fall in LoveReleased: September 16, 2008 Label: Universal Music Group — KOR: 2,593 I Love YouReleased: October 2, 2013 Label: Universal Music Group 17 KOR: 3,410 TemptationReleased: August 12, 2015 Label: Universal Music Group 17 KOR: 1,393 I'm AlrightReleased: September 5, 2018 Label: Universal Music Group — Love, Its Longing Released: May 13, 2020 Label: Universal Music Group 48 Love, Its Longing, Vol. 2 Released: January 18, 2022 Label: Universal Music Group 98 Who Stole the SkiesReleased: September 22, 2022 Label: Universal Music Group — Love, Its Longing, Vol. 3 Released: January 24, 2024 Label: Universal Music Group 61 KOR: 1,920

Compilation albums Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales KOR

Extended plays Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales KOR

Soundtrack appearances

"Saranghagineun Hangeongayo..." (사랑하기는 한건가요...; Mom and Sister, 2000) "Sad Song" (Man of the Sun, Lee Je-ma, 2002) "Elegy" (Capital Scandal, 2007) "Fate" (인연; Iljimae, 2008) "Mascara De Un Payaso" (Private Eye, 2009) "Damned Love" (지독한사랑; The Slave Hunters, 2010) "If You Love Me" (It's Okay, Daddy's Girl, 2010) "Have It All!" (Miss Conspirator, 2012) "Love is Strong" (Babel, 2019) "One" (Love Affair In The Afternoon, 2019) "You Make Me" (Kiss Sixth Sense, 2022)

Awards and nominations Award-giving body Year Category Nominee/work Result Jazz Critique 's Jazz Audio Disc Awards 2011 Gold Prize – Vocals Once I Loved 2013 Silver Prize – Vocals I Love You Korean Music Awards 2008 Best Jazz & Crossover Album Yesterday Best Jazz & Crossover Song "Yesterday" Musician of the Year WoongSan MBC Campus Music Festival 1993 Popular Singer Award WoongSan Swing Journal 2010 Gold Disk Close Your Eyes

State honors + Name of country, year given, and name of honor Country Year Honor South Korea 2021 Prime Minister's Commendation