Lee Hong-gi (Korean: 이홍기; 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
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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.[3] 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 dramaDragon 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,[3] 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.[4] To promote the drama, he also contributed solo tracks to the OST, such as "Promise" and "Still/As Ever."[5][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.[6] 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.[7]
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.[8][9]
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.[10][11] He resumed shooting in January 2014, and the drama aired that February.[12][13]
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.
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.[14][unreliable source?] The mini Korean album was revealed to be FM302, and the album was released on November 18, 2015,[15] while the Japanese album was revealed to be AM302, and it was released on December 9, 2015.[16] '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.[17][unreliable source?] The lead actress of the music video is actress Park Shin-hye.[18] Prior to his official music video release, a showcase was organised.[19][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.[20][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.[21][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.[22] Upon release, it charted at #4 in the Oricon charts.[citation needed]
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.[23][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 .[24][25][unreliable source?] He also composed Japanese songs "On My Way", "Just Please" and "Born to be a Rock n Roller".[citation needed]
Lee started his own fashion brand 'Skullhong' in June 2014. He designs accessories, jewelry and various nail products.[26][unreliable source?] It was originally based in Seoul, but has since expanded its business to Hong Kong, and Tokyo, Japan.[27]
On September 30, 2019, Lee began his mandatory military service, becoming the first F.T. Island member to enlist.[28][unreliable source?] Lee was discharged on April 18, 2021.[29]
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.[30][31]
^"FT아일랜드 이홍기, 18일 미복귀 전역 '첫 군필자' [공식]" [FT Island Lee Hong-ki, 'first military writer' to return to the military on the 18th [Official]]. Naver (in Korean). April 18, 2021. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
^"이홍기, "1위 공약? '눈치 없이' 웃으며 부르겠다"" [Lee Hong-gi: "Promise for winning no.1? I'll sing 'Insensible' with a smile"]. Herald POP (in Korean). November 18, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
^"이홍기X유회승, 6단고음 감성 발라드 '사랑했었다' 오늘(8일) 공개" [Lee Hong-gi X Yoo Hwe-sung release ballad 'Still Love You' today (8th)]. Xports News (in Korean). April 8, 2018. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
^"이홍기, 치타와 호흡 맞춘 'I AM (With 치타)' 9일 선공개" [Lee Hong-gi and Cheetah prerelease 'I AM' on the 9th]. Sports Donga (in Korean). October 6, 2018. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
^"이홍기, 3년만에 솔로 컴백…18일 'COOKIES' 발표 [공식입장]" [Lee Hong-gi makes solo comeback after 3 years ... 'COOKIES' to be released on the 18th [Official statement]]. OSEN (in Korean). October 2, 2018. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
^"이홍기, FT아일랜드 대표곡 '한사람만' 다시 부른다" [Lee Hong-gi will sing F.T. Island's representative song 'Only One Person' again]. Sports Donga (in Korean). May 18, 2023. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
^ ab"성시경·이승기도 반할 음색…이홍기, 오늘(14일) '희재'·'삭제' 발매 | 텐아시아" [Sung Si-kyung and Lee Seung-gi will fall in love with his voice ... Lee Hong-ki to release 'Heejae' and 'Delete' today (14th)]. Ten Asia (in Korean). June 14, 2023. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
^Hwang Hye-soo (April 9, 2017). "'복면가왕' 여심잡은 '괴도루팡' 정체는 '이홍기'". News1 Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 20, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
^Kang Hui-jeong (July 17, 2017). "정형돈부터 종현까지, JTBC 日예능 '밤도깨비' 30일 첫방" [From Jung Hyung-don to Jonghyun, JTBC's Sunday entertainment 'Night Goblin' premiered on the 30th] (in Korean). Hankook Ilbo. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jeon Ah-ram (April 5, 2018). "[공식입장] '프로듀스48' 측 "이홍기, 보컬트레이너로 출연…韓·日 언어 능통"" [[Official position] 'Produce 48' side "Lee Hong-ki appears as a vocal trainer... Fluent in Korean and Japanese languages"] (in Korean). Xsportsnews. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jang Woo-yung (July 26, 2021). "[단독] MSG워너비 김정민·FT아일랜드 이홍기, '조선판스타' 심사위원 합류" [[Exclusive] MSG Wannabe Kim Jung-min and FT Island Lee Hong-ki join the judges of 'Chosun Panstar']. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kim Min-ji (September 18, 2021). "'가나다같이', 홍진경·전현무·이찬원 등 특급 라인업…10월9일 파일럿 첫방" [‘Like Canada’, Hong Jin-kyung, Jeon Hyun-moo, Lee Chan-won, etc. First episode of the pilot on October 9th]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021 – via Naver.
^Jeong Hee-yeon (November 4, 2021). "이홍기·최유정·이인권, '롤 더 넥스트 2021' 진행" [Lee Hong-ki, Choi Yoo-jung, and Lee In-kwon to host ‘Roll the Next 2021] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021 – via Naver.
^Park Soo-in (November 29, 2021). "이홍기, 음악 라이브 토크쇼 '원스' MC 발탁‥첫 게스트 김재중" [Hongki Lee, selected as MC for the music live talk show ‘Once’…First guest Kim Jaejoong] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on November 29, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee Da-gyeom (May 26, 2022). "파격 연애 리얼리티 '에덴' 론칭...이홍기·윤보미·시미즈 3MC" [Unprecedented love reality 'Eden' launched... Hongki Lee, Bomi Yoon, Simeez 3MC] (in Korean). Star Today, Maeil Economic Daily. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park Seung-hoon (July 19, 2022). "2022 추석특집 아육대', 전현무·이홍기·다현 메인MC 확정" [2022 Chuseok Special, ISAC', Jeon Hyun-moo, Lee Hong-ki, and Da-hyun confirmed as main MCs] (in Korean). iMBC. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jang Woo-young (November 8, 2022). "강다니엘·이홍기·츄, '미스터트롯2' 심사위원 출격 [단독]" [Kang Daniel, Lee Hongki, Chu, 'Mr. Trot 2' judges sortie [exclusive]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022 – via Daum.
^Jeong Hee-yeon (October 18, 2021). "이홍기 주연 뮤지컬 '1976 할란카운티' 온라인으로 본다" [The musical '1976 Harlan County' starring Hongki Lee is to be seen online] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021 – via Naver.
^Jeong Hee-yeon (October 18, 2021). "엄기준→이홍기·인성 뮤지컬 '잭더리퍼' 2021년 시즌 캐스팅 공개" [Ki-joon Um → Hong-ki Lee and Inseong Musical 'Jack the Ripper' cast for 2021 season revealed] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021 – via Naver.
^Park Soo-in (April 6, 2022). "옥주현 솔라→이홍기 이창섭, 뮤지컬 '마타하리' 캐스팅" [Ock Joo-hyun Solar → Lee Hong-ki and Lee Chang-seop cast in musical ‘Mata Hari’]. Newsen.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
^Kang Jin-ah (April 4, 2023). "류정한·안재욱·이건명·임태경, 뮤지컬 '할란카운티' 출연" [Ryu Jeong-han, Ahn Jae-wook, Lee Geon-myung, Lim Tae-kyung, appear in the musical 'Harlan County] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023 – via Naver.