Yohan Hwang

Yohan Hwang, also known as Yohan King, (born November 27, 1995) is a South Korean singer based in Manila, Philippines. He rose to fame after joining and eventually winning the first season of I Love OPM. Yohan later went on to perform a Korean-language cover of the Yeng Constantino single "Ikaw" for the Tagalog-language dub of Love in the Moonlight.

Biography

Early life and education Yohan Hwang was born in Gyeonggi-do Goyang-si Ilsan, South Korea to South Korean parents. He has an older brother named Joseph and a younger sister. In 2014, his family moved to the Philippines, during which he continued his studies at the De La Salle College Antipolo.

Music career

2016: I Love OPM One time at a function in La Salle, he performed Side A's "Ako'y Sayo" after his friend recommended him to perform a Filipino song. The cheers he received gave him confidence and it marked the start of his love for singing. Not long after, he joined ABS-CBN's new television format I Love OPM wherein non-Filipino and 100% foreigners competed against each other in a singing competition, performing only Filipino songs and most notably the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) genre. During the first-season auditions of the said program, which aired on February 27, 2016, Hwang performed IAXE Band's "Ako'y Sa'Yo at Ika'y Akin", popularized by Daniel Padilla. He was given all three approved marks from the Himigration officers (or judges) Toni Gonzaga, Lani Misalucha, and Martin Nievera, stating that he sounded like a true Filipino and his rendition was beautiful.

Hwang advanced to the semi-finals after consistently receiving high scores and praises from both the judges and the studio audience. Along with Harris Dio Smith, Hwang was the first finalist to advance to the finals after garnering one of the two highest votes from the studio audience. J Morning and Ryan Gallagher joined them later on after gaining the approval from the judges. Both Hwang and J Morning are South Korean finalists.

During the grand finals held at the Resorts World Manila on April 23, he performed Sugarfree's "Huwag Ka Nang Umiyak" with the Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble. It was the first time throughout the show that he showed his vocal range rather than his usual soft and sweet ballad performances. Hwang explained that he decided to sing a powerful ballad because he wanted to show and to prove to the critics that he is serious with his singing. He was proclaimed the winner at the end of the competition, winning 2 million pesos, a one-year recording contract from Star Music, and vacation package to Cebu. His winning song received praises from the judges. Gonzaga commented: "We were expecting that you were only going to serenade us..." while Misalucha added: "...you leveled up. You proved to us that you're more than just a heartthrob. You are a singing heartthrob." I Love OPM host Anne Curtis also remarked in a separate interview: "He did such an amazing job and I think he really proved himself. His purpose was to show everyone that he can really sing and that he is not just there to bring kilig to the audience. It radiated well in his heartfelt performance and I think that made him the Grand Touristar." I-Axe February 27, 2016 Three Approved marks(Toni Gonzaga, Martin Nievera, Lani Misalucha) Gate 2: The Bump-Off "Nasa 'Yo Na Ang Lahat" Daniel Padilla March 12, 2016 Judges' choice (92.3%) Gate 3: The Kababayan Bump-off "Gusto Kita" Gino Padilla April 2, 2016 Kababayan's Choice Gate 4: The Take Off "I Believe" Jimmy Bondoc April 17, 2016 Kababayan's Choice (with Harris Dio Smith) Gate 5: The Grand Destination (live performance) "Huwag Ka Nang Umiyak" (with Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble) Gary Valenciano April 23, 2016 Winner (32.82%)

Filmography

Television Year Program Title Role 2018 Wowowin Himself/ Performer Tadhana: My Korean Fairy Tale 2016 I Love OPM Contestant The Kababayan Playlist Reunion Concert Performer ASAP Performer/ Guest Artist

Discography

Awards and nominations Year Award Body Category Result 2016 I Love OPM Grand Touristar 2017 Push Awards Push Performance Song Cover of the Year: Ikaw (Noege)