Kim Kyung-ho (Korean: 김경호; born June 7, 1971) is a South Korean singer who is referred to as a "legend of rock" for his efforts in bringing rock music to South Korea and his four octave vocal range.[1][2] He makes frequent appearances on South Korean variety shows.[3]
Biography
Kim was born in Mokpo, South Korea. He is known as the National Rock Star with charismatic presence on stage and later on called as Rock Unnie or National Sister because of his long hair and feminine look.
He made his first appearance on Korea's music scene in 1989 on an annual competition for talented youths hosted by KBS.
In 1991, he also joined on MBC's University Music Festival where he got bronze award for his self-composed song Long Goodbye which was also included on his first album.
His debut album released in 1995 entitled "Kim Kyung Ho", and while not commercially successful earned him some recognition among Korean rock music fans. His more novel second album, "kim:kyungho 1997" was much better received and the song People Who Make Me Sorrow top on music charts which made him popular. Since then he rise to mainstream success and release numerous hit songs such as Forbidden Love,Heartless,Until the day we love beautifully,My Love, even in the heaven,Though I Love You,Wine,Father etc., as well as a special album.
He also collaborated to the soundtrack of the 2002 Korean drama series Empress Myeongseong and 2004 (of which he covered Within Temptation song; "Mother Earth").
After Several years of popularity things took a downturn for him in 2003 when he was diagnosed with cord nodules. In 2007 Kim was diagnosed with Avascular necrosis.[4]
Kim in 2014
Kim Kyung-ho renewed his popularity through his participation in variety shows, and numerous appearances in televised singing competitions as part of an entourage of industry-veteran vocalists. In September 2011 he joined the hit Show I Am a Singerand with his long hair and charming dance move, he gained the title as Rock Unnie. He was the fifth artist to graduate from the show, doing so in the final round. His popularity continues as he appears on other variety shows such as Hidden Singer,Happy Together,Running Man etc. In 2014, he started to join the Immortal Songs 2: Singing the Legend where he won the trophy for several times and gained the title Grim Reaper for making his opponents lights-off. In May 15 and May 22, 2016, he appeared on King of Mask Singer" (episodes 59–60) and had a powerful performance.[5]
Kim Kyung-ho was married on November 8, 2014 to a Japanese woman working in finances whom he met through mutual friends in 2011. Though he recently announced his divorce to his wife of 4 years back in August stating they have been divorced since June 2018.[6]
