Kangta

This is a Korean name; the family name is Ahn.

KangTa 강타
Birth name	Ahn Chil-Hyun
Also known as	KangTa
Born	October 10, 1979 (1979-10-10) Gumi, North Gyeongsang, South Korea
Origin	Seoul, South Korea
Genres	Pop, R&B
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, record producer, actor
Years active	1996–2008 ; 2010-present
Labels	SM Entertainment
Associated acts	SM Town, H.O.T., Group S, Kangta & Vanness
Website	Official Site

Kangta
Hangul	강타
Revised Romanization	Gangta
McCune–Reischauer	Kangt'a
Birth name
Hangul	안칠현
Hanja	安七炫
Revised Romanization	An Chil-hyeon
McCune–Reischauer	An Ch'il-hyŏn

Ahn Chil-Hyun (Hangul: 안칠현; born October 10, 1979), better known by his stage name Kangta (Hangul: 강타) is a South Korean pop, R&B singer, first known as the lead singer the boy band H.O.T. (High-five of Teenagers).

He is an experienced songwriter and composer, having written over 100 songs for H.O.T.'s albums as well as for other groups and singers like NRG and Fly to the Sky. When H.O.T. disbanded in March 2001, Kangta surprised many people by becoming the first member to debut solo. He released his first solo album "Polaris", which became a huge hit; it was followed by his second album "Pinetree" in 2002. His first solo concert took place in the summer of 2003.

In 2006, Kangta was chosen as a runner up for Best Korean Singer overseas, according to Arirang International Broadcasting. A poll was issued over the internet, allowing only people outside of Korea to vote. Shinhwa's song "Once In A Lifetime" won by 60% of the vote, beating Kangta, who came in second with 20.3 percent.^{[citation needed]}

In 2007, he filmed two dramas and Love in the city 2 aired on October 1, 2007.

Pre-debut & H.O.T.

Main article: H.O.T.

Kangta was discovered at Lotte World, a theme park, when he was only 13 years old. He debuted as a back-up dancer together with Moon Hee Jun (another H.O.T. member) for singer Yoo Young-jin. Kangta eventually decided to become a singer with Moon Hee Jun and three others, Jang Woo Hyuk, Tony An, and Lee Jae Won to form H.O.T. in 1996.

Group projects

S (Supreme)

Main article: S (group)

After planning for years, Kangta worked with his celebrity friends Shin Hye Sung from Shinhwa and Lee Ji Hoon to form the project group "S", standing for "Supreme". They released their first solo project album called "Fr. In. Cl." or Friends in Classic. They have won several awards since then. Their title track, "I Swear" was written, composed, and arranged by Kangta while Shin Hye Sung wrote the English lyrics.

Kangta & Vanness

Main article: Kangta & Vanness

Early 2006, Kangta collaborated with Vanness Wu of F4 from Taiwan, and formed Kangta & Vanness. Their first debut was in Thailand ending the ceremony for the 2006 MTV Asia Awards. They released their single "Scandal" and have been busy promoting their single all over Asia. "Scandal" was a success over Asia and a repackaged version was released in mid-July. On September 12, they held a showcase in Malaysia, Berjaya Times Square.

On Arirang TV's talk-show "Heart to Heart", Kangta announced that he would be entering the Army in early 2008, so activities have been put on hold.

Acting career

Kangta received several offers and has accepted a drama offer in China. In 2004, he starred in a drama called Magic Touch of Fate together with Taiwanese actors and actresses, Ruby Lin and Alec Su. Kangta portrayed the role of the evil magician Jin-Xiu.

Soon afterwards, Kangta returned to Korea and released his much-awaited third album. In 2005, Kangta released "Persona", which included tracks that were very different from his previous two albums. The main single of the album, "Persona" had a similar melody to Babyface's "The Loneliness". Kangta surprised his fans when he said he wanted to become an actor. A month later, he starred in a KBS drama, Loveholic.

Kangta also acted in his second Chinese drama, Love In The City 2. In Love In The City 2 Kangta portrayed the life of a successful CEO with a dull life.

Advertisements

During the promotion events of Kangta's third album "Persona", he was contracted to become the spokesperson for a Korean MP3 player.

As group 'S', Kangta, Shin Hyesung, and Lee Jihoon were in a commercial for IVY Club.

Military service

In 2008, Kangta was initially scheduled for military service at the beginning of the year, but SM Entertainment helped him defer it to April so he could release his last album "Eternity". The album was released on March 12, 2008. On March 29 and March 30, Kangta held his last solo concert before enlistment at Yonsei University's main auditorium. His concert, "Eternity", was aimed at looking back at his last twelve years as a singer and thanking his fans. On April 1, 2008, Kangta officially began his military duties in Euijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province. Every male in Korea is required to serve for two years in the military, and Kangta has completed his service period on February 19, 2010.

Comeback and Chinese debut

After two years and five months of hiatus from the entertainment industry due to Korean military service, Kangta comes back with his first Chinese mini album entitiled "静享七乐 (Rest in the Seven Luck)", with its lead single, Love, Frequency (Breaka Shaka). The digital single will be released online on September 13, 2010. The mini-album marks Kangta's entrance to the Chinese market. Meanwhile, the teaser for the single, as well as the digital mini-album, was released through SM Entertainment's official YouTube page on September 9, 2010. The mini album and the music video was released September 13, 2010.

Filmography

Film

• 2002: Emergency Act 19 (Cameo)
• 2002: Resurrection of the Little Match Girl

Television drama

• 2005: Magic Touch of Fate
• 2005: Loveholic (KBS)
• 2007: Love In The City 2 (CCTV)

Discography

H.O.T. albums

Main article: H.O.T.#Discography

Solo albums

• Polaris
  August 19, 2001
• Pine Tree
  August 21, 2002
• 1st Concert Pinetree: 20020824 Live
  March 28, 2003
• Persona
  June 13, 2005
• Kangta & Best
  October 3, 2005
• Eternity
  March 12, 2008
• Breaka Shaka
  September 9, 2010

Collaborations

• Fr. In. Cl.
  September 24, 2003
• Scandal
  May 19, 2006
• Scandal Special Edition
  July 20, 2006

Joint discography

• Christmas In SMTOWN
  December 15, 1999
• Christmas Winter Vacation In SMTOWN.com
  December 8, 2000
• Christmas Winter Vacation in SMtown.com - Angel Eyes
  December 4, 2001
• Summer Vacation In SMTown.com
  June 10, 2002
• 2002 Winter Vacation in SMTOWN.com - My Angel My Light
  December 6, 2002
• 2003 Summer Vacation in SMTOWN.com
  June 18, 2003
• 2004 Summer Vacation in SMTOWN.com
  July 2, 2004
• '06 SUMMER SMTOWN
  June 20, 2006
• 2006 WINTER SMTOWN - Snow Dream
  December 12, 2006
• 2007 SUMMER SMTOWN - FRAGILE
  July 5, 2007
• 2007 WINTER SMTOWN - ONLY LOVE
  December 7, 2007
• 2011 Winter SMTown – The Warmest Gift
  December 13, 2011

Related publications

• Kang Ta Bromide 'A Letter to my Polaris' Photo Album (July 26, 2002)
• Kang Ta Special Photo Album Vol. 2 - Dear Memories (December 29, 2002)
• Kang Ta's Sentimental Journey Limited Edition Photo Album (October 12, 2005)

External links

• (Korean) SM Entertainment's Official Site
• (Korean) H.O.T.'s Official Site