Lee Hong-gi

Lee Hong-gi
Lee Hong-gi in 2019
Born (1990-03-02) March 2, 1990 (age 34)
NationalityKorean
Other namesLee Hong-ki
EducationKyung Hee University
Occupations
  • Singer
  • television personality
  • actor
Years active
  • 2002–present
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active
  • 2007–present
Labels
Member ofF.T. Island
Websitefncent.com/leehonggi
Korean name
Hangul
이홍기
Hanja
Revised RomanizationI Hong-gi
McCune–ReischauerYi Hongki

Lee Hong-gi (Korean이홍기; born March 2, 1990), also known mononymously as Hongki, is a South Korean singer, actor, and media personality. He is best known as the front man of rock band F.T. Island. In 2015, Lee debuted as a solo artist with the releases of his first Korean extended play FM302 and his first Japanese album, AM302. As an actor, Lee started his career by starring in children drama Magic Kid Masuri (2002). He later successfully transitioned to adult role and participated in various television dramas, notably You're Beautiful (2009) and A Korean Odyssey (2017). He started a YouTube career by launching personal channel Honggi Jonggi in April 2022.

Acting career

Before Lee Hong-gi debuted as a singer with the band F.T. Island, he was a child actor, making his acting debut in 2002 with KBS2 TV series Magic Kid Masuri as Masuri's friend Kim Ji-hoon. This children drama gained popularity among elementary school students during its run. He was also featured in EBS children drama Kkangsooni, where he played the character of Eo Soo-bong, and sang for the drama's OST.

In 2008, he was offered the lead role in Master of Study, the Korean adaptation of Japanese drama Dragon Zakura. Master of Study should have aired in the beginning of 2009 but due to preproduction difficulties, the drama was postponed to the beginning of 2010 which led FNC Entertainment to refuse Lee's role because of his busy schedule with the band.

Lee then played Lysander in a Korean musical theatre version of A Midsummer Night's Dream, where he showcased his singing, acting and dancing skills. In 2009, after a five-year break, he made his acting comeback and took the role of the quirky but loveable drummer Jeremy in You're Beautiful. To promote the drama, he also contributed solo tracks to the OST, such as "Promise" and "Still/As Ever."[unreliable source?] He received a New Star Award at the 2009 SBS Drama Awards for his performance. You're Beautiful recorded modest ratings in South Korea, but it became an international success and with it, Lee's worldwide popularity increased.

In April 2011, Lee starred in the TBS Japanese drama Muscle Girl! opposite Yui Ichikawa. This was followed by a 90-minute Korean-Japanese co-production titled Noriko Goes to Seoul, in which he played a young aspiring singer who meets an older woman (Takashima Reiko) who inspires him through hardships to achieve his dream.

In June 2013, he made his big screen debut in the movie Rockin' on Heaven's Door (Korean title: Passionate Goodbye), with Baek Jin-hee, in which Lee portrayed as a rebellious music star who is sent to work in a hospice.

Lee began filming Bride of the Century with Yang Jin-sung. He went on a four-week rest after he dislocated his shoulder and suffered facial fractures during December 2013. He resumed shooting in January 2014, and the drama aired that February.

Lee also starred in SBS Modern Farmer alongside Park Min-woo, Lee Ha-nui, and others. The drama aired from October 18, 2014, to December 21, 2014, at 20:40 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Music career

Lee in 2012

F.T. Island

In 2007, Lee debuted in the band F.T. Island as the lead singer. He can also rap and beatbox.

Lee decided to pursue a career in singing after he starred in Kkangsooni, for which he sang a song for the soundtrack. At the end of the drama, he performed the song live on stage. He was 13 years old at that time. Impressed by his powerful vocal ability, a few music agents approached him, not wishing to waste his talent for singing. Then-fledgling label company FNC Music signed Lee and fully trained him to become the lead singer of F.T. Island.

Solo debut

In 2015, Lee announced through social media that he was working on both a Korean and Japanese album, which was released in November and December respectively.[unreliable source?] The mini Korean album was revealed to be FM302, and the album was released on November 18, 2015, while the Japanese album was revealed to be AM302, and it was released on December 9, 2015. 'FM302' combines the radio terminology frequency modulation (FM) with Lee's birthday which is on March 2, to create the effect of his own radio frequency that resonates his music across the world. The title song "Insensible" is a ballad track and it tells the sad story of a man who is unable to forget his previous love. The music video was published on November 18, 2015.[unreliable source?] The lead actress of the music video is actress Park Shin-hye. Prior to his official music video release, a showcase was organised.[unreliable source?] Upon the release of FM302, it topped both Naver's real-time search chart, as well as Hanteo sales chart. The album still retained its position next week, selling more than 19,000 albums within two weeks. Moreover, six days after the release of the album, Lee won first place on SBS MTV's The Show for the first time.[unreliable source?] The album charted at No. 2 on Gaon Chart's national physical albums ranking, as well as No. 5 on the Gaon Social Chart in the 3rd week of November.[unreliable source?]

On the other hand, the music video for the lead single of the Japanese album AM302, "モノローグ (Monologue)", was published on November 11, 2015, on F.T. Island's Official Japanese YouTube channel. The Japanese album contained some tracks from the Korean album FM302, but was translated into Japanese. The album is also available in three different sets, namely, the original version, Primadonna version (for fans), and the limited edition DVD version. Upon release, it charted at #4 in the Oricon charts.[citation needed]

Soundtrack appearances

Lee has sung many OSTs for different dramas such as You're Beautiful, Heartstrings and The Heirs.

On May 21, 2015, Dal Shabet's official YouTube channel uploaded a video titled "Joker" in Rock Version. The video was a collaboration with Lee and Subin singing Joker in rock version.[unreliable source?] It was believed that the two decided on a collaboration when Lee and Subin met on Hello Counselor.

Compositions and lyric-writing

In recent years, Lee has also begun composing music, contributing the songs "Black Chocolate" and "Orange Sky" to F.T. Island's Japanese album Rated FT, as well as the title track "Memory" and the song "Always With You" on F.T. Island's Korean mini-album Thanks To, "Siren" from their album The Mood and title song "Wind" from their album Over 10 Years .[unreliable source?] He also composed Japanese songs "On My Way", "Just Please" and "Born to be a Rock n Roller".[citation needed]

Personal life

Lee Hong-gi in Paris in 2015 at La Cigale

Lee was enrolled in Kyunghee University studying theatre and film.

Lee started his own fashion brand 'Skullhong' in June 2014. He designs accessories, jewelry and various nail products.[unreliable source?] It was originally based in Seoul, but has since expanded its business to Hong Kong, and Tokyo, Japan.

On September 30, 2019, Lee began his mandatory military service, becoming the first F.T. Island member to enlist.[unreliable source?] Lee was discharged on April 18, 2021.

Philanthropy

In August 2012, Lee, Jung Yong-hwa, and Park Shin-hye served as surprise guests at a fundraising event called 'Hopes, Dreams, Happy Trip to Korea' organized by the non-profit organization 'Good Friends Save Children' (GFSC). They met with 80 victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, who were students and staff from Ogatsu Middle School in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture. They provided gifts and offered words of encouragement.

Discography

Lee Hongki at the Music Core Concert in Hanoi, Vietnam, in November 2012

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
JPN
AM302
  • Released: December 9, 2015 (JPN)
  • Label: Warner Music Japan
  • Formats: CD, download, streaming
6
  • JPN: 25,444
Cheers
  • Released: December 5, 2018 (JPN)
  • Label: Warner Music Japan
  • Formats: CD, download, streaming
10
  • JPN: 13,585

Extended plays

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
JPN
KOR
FM302
  • Released: November 18, 2015 (KOR)
  • Label: FNC Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, download, streaming
2
  • KOR: 36,925
Do N Do
  • Released: October 18, 2018 (KOR)
  • Label: FNC Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, download, streaming
38 2
  • JPN: 2,056
  • KOR: 17,516
Drawing
  • Released: September 22, 2021 (JPN)
  • Label: Warner Music Japan
  • Formats: CD, download, streaming
11
  • JPN: 6,633
"—" denotes release did not chart.

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR
"Insensible" (눈치 없이) 2015 29 FM302
"Still Love You" (사랑했었다) (with Yoo Hwe-seung) 2018 Non-album single
"I Am" (with Cheetah) Do N Do
"Cookies" (feat. Jung Il-hoon)
"Can I Love Again" (다시 사랑할 수 있을까) (with Baek Ji-young) 2021 39 Non-album single
"Only One Person (2023)" (한사람만 (2023)) (original by F.T. Island) 2023 47
"Heejae" (희재) (original by Sung Si-kyung) 90
"Delete (삭제) (original by Lee Seung-gi) 140
"You, Clouds, Rain" (비도 오고 그래서) (original by Heize)
"—" denotes release did not chart.

Soundtrack appearances

Title Year Album
"Lately I" (요즘 나는) (with Nam Gyu-ri) 2007 Unstoppable Marriage OST
"Still" (여전히) 2009 You're Beautiful OST
"Jump" 2013 Rockin' on Heaven's Door OST
"Goodbye"
"Two of Us" (with Mina Fujii) We Got Married Global Edition OST
"I'm Saying" (말이야) The Heirs OST
"What I Wanted to Say" (아직 하지 못한 말) 2014 Bride of the Century OST
"When Love Comes" (사랑이 올 때) Modern Farmer OST
"Do Or Die"
"Raise Me Up" 2018 Switch OST
"El's Word" 2021 Elsword OST

Filmography

Television series

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2002–2004 Magic Kid Masuri Kim Ji-hoon recurring cast
2003 TV Tale: Bicycle Thief Park Min-woo main cast
TV Tale: Devil's Temptation Kim Young-ho lead role
TV Tale: Beautiful May Sa Hong-jun lead role
2004 There's Light at the Tip of My Fingernails Han Joo-min/ Han Joo-myung lead role
Kkangsooni Eo Soo-bong main cast
Freezing Point Choi Hwan supporting role
2005 Flower Butterfly and Sunflower Min-woo
Winter Child
2006 Happy Time After School- Master of Hanja Dororong Dororong's brother educational skit
2008 Unstoppable Marriage Hwang Sa-baek's friend cameo, ep. 62
On Air himself cameo, ep. 1
2009 Style himself cameo, ep. 6
You're Beautiful Jeremy main cast
2010 More Charming By the Day chicken delivery guy cameo, ep. 111
My Girlfriend Is a Nine-Tailed Fox Jeremy cameo, ep. 16
2011 Muscle Girl! Yoo Ji-ho lead role / Japanese drama
Noriko Goes to Seoul Kim Min-ha lead role
2013 Cheongdam-dong 111 himself reality show
2014 Bride of the Century Choi Kang-joo lead role
Modern Farmer Lee Min-ki lead role
2015 Coming Out FTISLAND himself reality show (with F.T. Island members)
2017 A Korean Odyssey P.K main cast
2019 I hate you Juliet (literal title) Cha Yool lead role
Melting Me Softly Son Hyeon-gi (young) cameo

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2001 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Draco Malfoy Korean dub
2013 Rockin' on Heaven's Door Choong-ui lead role
2014 How to Steal a Dog Seok-gu supporting role

Variety show

Year Title Notes Ref.
2001 Love On The Air reenactment scene actor
2007 Happiness in 10,000 Won cast member
2008 Good Daddy cast member
2009 Inkigayo regular MC
Scandal cast member
2010 Oh! My School cast member (ep.1-12)
2011 Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend regular performer (ep.4-7)
Saddle The Wind cast member (ep.3-9)
2012 MCountdown regular MC
2013 We Got Married Global Edition cast member (with Fujii Mina)
2015 A Look At Myself cast member (ep.1-6)
King of Mask Singer contestant as "Blow Hot and Cold Bat Human" (ep.3)
2017 King of Mask Singer contestant as "Lupin the Phantom Thief" (ep.105–106)
The Life Academy cast member
Night Goblin cast member (ep.2-32)
2018 Legendary Bowling cast member
Find F.T. Island cast member
Road to Ithaca cast member (ep.2-7)
Produce 48 vocal trainer
2019 Produce X 101 MC for "The Beginning" episode
Playing Oppa host
Hackinssa Crew host
2021 The Playlist host
Chosun Panstar judge
Alphabet together cast member
LoL The Next 2021 host
Lee Hong-ki's Playlist Once host
2022 Eden, Descendants of Instinct host
Chuseok Idol Star Championships host
Eden 2 host
The Idol Band producer (with F.T. Island)
Mr. Trot 2 master

Radio show

Year Title Network Notes
2016–2018 Lee Honggi Kiss The Radio (Hongkira) KBS Cool FM DJ from October 17, 2016, to April 15, 2018

Musical theatre

Year Title Role Ref.
2009 A Midsummer Night's Dream Lysander
2014 Vampire Dracula [unreliable source?]
2016 Those Days Mooyoung
2019 I Loved You Yoon Gichul
2020 Return: The Promise of The Day Hyunmin
2021 1976 Harlan County Daniel
2021–2022 Jack the Ripper Daniel
2022 Mata Hari Armand
2023 Harlan County Daniel

Bibliography

Year Title Notes Ref.
2013 Lee Hong-gi's Nail Art
2014 Hongstargram

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2009 17th Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards Top 10 Singers Won
SBS Drama Awards New Star Award You're Beautiful Won
2010 16th Korean Entertainment Arts Awards Best Male Singer Won
2013 27th Golden Disk Awards InStyle Fashionista Award[unreliable source?] Won
2014 9th Seoul International Drama Awards Outstanding Korean Drama OST "I'm Saying" Nominated
16th Seoul International Youth Film Festival Best OST by a Male Artist Nominated

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