Ko Ji-yong
| Ko Ji-yong | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 1, 1980 |
| Spouse(s) | Heo Yang Lim (m. 2013) |
| Children | Ko Seung-jae (b. 2014) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | K-pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1997–2000 |
| Labels | DSP Media (1997–2000) |
| Associated acts | Sechs Kies |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 고지용 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 高志溶 |
| Revised Romanization | Go Ji-yong |
| McCune–Reischauer | Ko Chi-yong |
Ko Ji-yong (born July 1, 1980)[1] is a member of Sechs Kies, a South Korean first generation K-pop idol dance group which disbanded in 2000 but reunited in 2016. Unlike most of the other members, Ko left the entertainment industry and started his own company. He made his first television appearance in years when he appeared at Sechs Kies' reunion special on Infinite Challenge. Due his family and work commitments he did not sign a contract with the group's new label YG Entertainment or promote with them as a performer but is considered to be part of the group. Since January 2017 he and his son have appeared on the reality show The Return of Superman.
Early life
A native of Seoul, Ko was elementary schoolmates with future Sechs Kies bandmate Kang Sung-hun and g.o.d member Son Ho-young.[2] He lost contact with Kang after the latter went to the United States to attend high school.
Career
SechsKies and retirement
Ko was recruited by Kang to join the boy band he and his high school friend Eun Ji-won were forming.[3][4] The group was eventually named Sechs Kies and debuted on April 15, 1997. Ko was the second youngest member.
Until the time the group disbanded in 2000, he was greatly loved by fans for his handsome looks and singing voice.[5] Unlike other members, he did not continue his career as a solo singer but he was cast as a host in an internet broadcast and an actor in television drama.[6] However, Ko Ji-yong chose to leave the entertainment industry to start his own business.[7]
In 2008, fellow SechsKies member and leader Eun Ji-won appeared in the entertainment program "Come to Play" and remarked that he had not seen Ko Ji-yong since the disbandment.[8]
Reunion
In 2016, Sechs Kies finally reunited after their disbandment in 2000 through a famous Korean variety TV show called Infinite Challenge.[9] Ko Ji-yong, who had left the entertainment business permanently after the disbandment to pursue a new career, surprised the members of SechsKies as well as all the fans by appearing in the reunion concert.[10] After Infinite Challenge aired, SechsKies earned many more fans; their hit songs ranked high in music charts and “Couple” was seen in 11th place in Music Bank.[11]
On May 11, the group concluded an exclusive contract with YG, along with the news that Sechs Kies would have a comeback but due to personal reasons, Ko Ji-yong did not join.[12] However, Ko Ji-yong never announced that he departed from SechsKies.
On July 18, Ko Ji-yong made a public appearance as a sponsor for a charity basketball event and held interviews with the media for the first time in 16 years. He stated that he is now living as a half-celebrity after Infinite Challenge has aired. Although there are difficulties arising from his work schedule, he is willing to participate in activities as a current member of SechsKies.[13][14]
On November 30, the producers announced that Ko Ji-yong has agreed to join The Return of Superman after much consideration. He said although he cannot participate in current SECHSKIES group activities as a family man, he has determined to keep his promise to "create opportunities to be with fans through activities he can participate." Also as he was unable to spend more time with his son, he hopes to make lots of memories with him through the program.[15][16]
Personal life
In October 2013, Ko Ji-yong married Heo Yang Lim, a professor of family medicine and a doctor.[17] On October the 6th 2014, their first son, Ko Seung-jae, was born.
Discography
Studio albums
- School Byeolgok (학원별곡) (1997)
- Welcome To The Sechskies Land (1997)
- Road Fighter (1998)
- Special Album (1998)
- Com’Back (1999)
Other albums
- Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves Musical OST (1998)
- 1020 Mix (1999)
- Sechskies Live Concert (1999)
- Blue Note (2000)
Music credits
| Artist(s) | Song Information |
|---|---|
| SECHSKIES |
|
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Seventeen: The Movie |
Awards
| Year | Awards |
|---|---|
| 1997 |
|
| 1998 |
|
| 1999 |
|
Music Program wins
Music Bank
Music Camp (Predecessor of Music Core)
Inkigayo
|
References
- ↑ (in Korean) 네이버 인물검색 - 고지용 Naver. December 22, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
- ↑ "손호영 “젝스키스 강성훈·고지용과 학교동창…재결성 반가워”". Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). July 5, 2016.
- ↑ 은지원, 젝키 시절 '학원 별곡' "창피했다" 고백 (in Korean). TvDaily. August 20, 2010. Archived from the original on April 13, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ 전종선 (June 2, 2016). "‘라디오스타’ 강성훈, 젝스키스 결성 비화 공개 "내가 원하는 멤버로 뽑았다"" ["Radio Star" Kang Sunghun Reveals the Secret behind SECHSKIES formation "I picked the members I wanted"]. 서울경제 (in Korean). Retrieved December 3, 2016.
- ↑ 기사입력 (June 2, 2016). "인기댄스그룹 '젝스키스' 해체 발표" [Popular dance group Sechs Kies decided to disband]. donga new (in Korean). Retrieved January 29, 2017.
- ↑ `젝키` 고지용, 연기자로 새출발
- ↑ Sechskies' Ko Ji Yong reveals why he quit the entertainment industry
- ↑ [ ]인터넷뉴스팀 (June 2, 2016). "은지원, "7년 동안 못 본 고지용, 보고 싶다. 연락해"" [Eun Jiwon "I saw Ko Ji Yong 7 years ago, miss you. Contact me"]. 스포츠조선 (in Korean). Retrieved January 29, 2017.
- ↑ Sechskies perform together for the first time in 16 years on 'Infinity Challenge'
- ↑ Sechskies' Ko Ji-yong appears on 'Infinity Challenge' after 17-year hiatus
- ↑ Sechs Kies re-emerges on Music Bank K-Chart with 1998 hit track, “Couple”
- ↑ Sechskies officially sign on with YG Entertainment!
- ↑ '사업가'로 돌아온 고지용, '젝스키스 넘버원 팬은 바로 나' [Ko Ji Yong returns as a 'businessman,' "SECHSKIES' number one fan is me"]. Star News (in Korean). 18 July 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-22.
- ↑ "(Video Interview) Ko Ji Yong returns as a 'businessman,' "SECHSKIES' number one fan is me"". Star News.
- ↑ [공식입장] 고지용, '슈퍼맨' 합류 "젝키 팬과의 약속 지키기 위해" [[Official Statement] Ko Ji Yong, joins 'The Return of Superman' to "keep his promise with Jekki fans"]. MyDaily (in Korean). 30 November 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-22.
- ↑ SECHSKIES’s Non-Active Member Go Ji Yong To Join “The Return Of Superman”
- ↑ Former Sechskies member Ko Ji Yong gets married!