Kim Dong-wan
Kim Dong-wan
Kim in 2018
Born (1979-11-21) November 21, 1979
Seoul, South Korea
EducationWhimoon High School
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actor
Musical career
Genres
Years active1998–present
Labels
Member ofShinhwa
WebsiteOfficial website
Korean name
Hangul
김동완
Hanja
金烔完
RRGim Dongwan
MRKim Tongwan

Kim Dong-wan (Korean: 김동완; born November 21, 1979) is a South Korean entertainer, known as a member of South Korean boy bandShinhwa. He has been acting since 2002, and has starred in television dramas such as A Farewell to Sorrow and Children of Heaven. He has said that given the opportunity he would prefer a career in acting rather than as a singer,[2] However, since the release of his debut album, he has stated that now he prefers singing more. From Shinhwa, Kim is the fourth member to go solo, following Lee Min-woo, Shin Hye-sung, and Jun Jin.

Early life

Kim was a child actor and starred in several dramas as a teenager but opted not to pursue acting as a career.[3] He later joined S.M. Entertainment as a trainee after being "streetcasted".[4] He was educated in Whimoon High School.[5]

Career

1998: Debut with Shinhwa

Kim made his debut in 1998 as a vocalist in the boy band Shinhwa. Although he is not the lead vocalist, he began singing bigger parts on Shinhwa's 7th album, Brand New. In one song from the album "Liar", Kim is the vocalist, and he is accompanied by Eric Mun's rapping. He also wrote, composed, and arranged a song on the album, titled "Set Free". Though he had branched out as a solo artist, he is part of Shinhwa and just released Shinhwa's 9th album.[6]

Kim was one of several Korean celebrities praised by the Japanese media for giving generous donations for flood victims in 2006.[7]

On April 16, 2007, Kim appeared as a guest on MC Mong's "Pleasure and Pain" radio show. When asked about an incident early in his career where he injured his nose, he confessed that he had undergone plastic surgery to change its shape.[8]

2007: Solo debut

Kim released his debut solo album, Kimdongwan Is, on July 5, 2007, which featured collaborations with his fellow Shinhwa members, including Lee Andy rapping in the song "Loving Summer", Shin Hye Sung singing a duet with Kim in "The One Left Alone", and Eric rapping in "My Love".[9] The other members have contributed to the album as well, with Lee Min Woo writing, composing and arranging the song "My Love" and Jun Jin helping him with choreography.[10] Kim expressed gratitude for their contributions, saying, "I’ve been working together with the group Shinhwa, thus there was a lot of pressure working on the solo album, but since the other members showed up and helped me with most of it, it has been a great big help for me". Kim's first single was the ballad, "Handkerchief", a song about a guy who consoles his girlfriend and wipes away her tears.

Despite Shinhwa's musical genre being predominantly American R&B and bubblegum pop, Kim said he wanted his album to be more J-pop influenced, having redone a song by GLAY×EXILE in the album. Lee Soo-man, founder of SM Entertainment, was an admirer of X Japan and instructed Kim to dress in X Japan-inspired makeup during the promotion appearances for the group's album T.O.P. in 1999.[11] Kim later performed Yoshiki's composition "Say Anything" at his first solo concert in 2008.[12]

For the debut album, Kim also lost a lot of weight, saying that "it's not good for a ballad singer to have a muscular image. Someone singing ballads should have a lean, 'hungry-looking' image." His album sold over 25,000 copies in two days, with 41,490 copies sold by the end of 2007; it was ranked 19th in album sales for the year.[13] In 2008, he released his 2nd solo album, The Secret; Between Us. The album featured collaborations with Tiffany of SNSD, Jade Valerie, Shinhwa bandmate Eric, and Heritage.

2008–2011: Military service and musical

Kim enlisted for mandatory military service in November 2008, at an army training camp in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province[14] He was discharged on 17 December 2010, after serving 24 months as an administrative worker at the Seodaemun-gu District Office.[15]

Upon being discharged Kim joined Shinhwa bandmate Shin Hye-sung at Liveworks Company and has since played the lead role of Hedwig in theatrical musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Sang Sang Art Hall in Seoul. In August 2011, Kim played the role of Korean independence activist, Lee Youk-sa in MBC two-part special drama, The Peak, also known as Life of Lee Youk-Sa, the Poet who Embraced Epoch. It was broadcast on Korea's Liberation Day, 15 August 2011. Lee Youk-sa was a poet during the Japanese Colonial Period who died in prison at the age of 40, leaving behind a collection of some 40 works of poetry.

2012: Shinhwa comeback and acting

In March 2012, Kim reunited with his Shinhwa bandmates for their comeback after four years, under the management of 'Shinhwa Company'. It is a joint venture agency for members to perform as a group, of which Eric and Lee Min-woo are co-CEOs and the remaining members are shareholders. The Company manages the group as a whole, whilst members' individual activities are managed by their respective agencies.[16] The group released their tenth studio album The Return on 23 March 2012,[17][18] launched their comeback concerts 2012 Shinhwa Grand Tour: The Return throughout Asia[19][20] and their first exclusive variety program Shinhwa Broadcast premiered on 17 March 2012 on cable channel JTBC.[21]

In July, Kim co-starred with Kim Myung-min and Lee Hanee in thriller Deranged as Jae-pil, a detective agonized with guilt for squandering his brother's money in the stock market.[22][23] In August, Kim was cast as the title role of Kim Tae-pyung in KBS' daily drama, Cheer Up, Mr. Kim!, about a male domestic cleaner and housekeeper, the guardian of three, later four, children, none of whom are his own. The series premiered in November and marked Kim's first television drama since Good Bye, Sadness in 2005.[24] At the 2012 KBS Drama Awards, Kim received the Best Actor in Daily Drama award for his portrayal of Mr Kim.[25]

Philanthropy

In April 2015, after the earthquake in Nepal, Kim was reported to have donated ₩36,000,000 (equivalent to approximately $33,660 USD) towards the relief fund.[26]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KORRIAK[27]
Kimdongwan Is
  • Released: July 5, 2007 (SDL-0009)[28]
  • Repackaged: October 4, 2007 (SDL-0051)[29]
  • Label: H2 Entertainment
  • Format: CD
4
The Secret
  • Released: May 13, 2008 (SDL-0111)[31]
  • Repackaged: July 22, 2008 (SDL-0140)[32]
  • Label: H2 Entertainment
  • Format: CD
2

Compilation albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
JPN[34]
Japan Premium Best
  • Released: December 15, 2010
  • Label: Tsubasa Records
  • Format: CD+DVD
57

Video albums

Title Details
Promise: The First Live Concert (약속: 첫번째 라이브 콘서트)
  • Released: June 18, 2009[35]
  • Format: DVD

Extended plays

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR[36]
D
  • Released: October 21, 2015
  • Label: CI Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
5
W
  • Released: November 27, 2015
  • Label: CI Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
6
Trace of Emotion
  • Released: November 14, 2017
  • Label: CI Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
9
...LER
  • Released: January 21, 2020
  • Label: Office DH
  • Format: CD, digital download
3

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KORJPN
"Handkerchief" (손수건) 2007 — — Kimdongwan Is
"Men's Love" (남자의 사랑) 2008 — — The Secret
"The Secret" (비밀) (narr. by Tiffany Young)— —
"Promise" (약속) (with Younha)— — Non-album singles
"My Summer Girl" 2011 — 109[41]
"He_Sunshine" 2014 — — W
"He_Starlight" (feat. Jeon So-min)— — Non-album single
"I'm Fine" 2015 66 — D
"Du Du Du" — — W
"After Image" (헤어지긴 한 걸까) 2017 — — Trace of Emotion
"The Reason the Earth is Pretty" (지구가 예쁜 이유) — — Non-album singles
"Neither Slumber Nor Sleep" (졸지도 않으시고) 2018 — —
"Red Shoes" 2020 — — ...LER

Filmography

Television dramas

Film

  • 2002 – Emergency Act 19 – cameo with Shinhwa
  • 2004 – Spin Kick, aka Taekwon Boys[44]
  • 2012 – Deranged - as Jae-pil, an investigator and younger brother of Jae-hyuk, played by Kim Myung-min[45]
  • 2015 – Springtime Fantasy
  • 2015 – Glory Day
  • 2015 – The Megalomaniac
  • 2021 – A Long Day[46]
  • 2022 – B Cut - as Seung Hyun[47]
  • 2022 – The Clown: The Singer as Fallen Yangban[48]

Variety shows

  • 2003 – Yoon Do-Hyun's Love Letter “Lately” – KBS
  • 2004 – Yoon Do-Hyun's Love Letter “Cigarette Shop Girl” – KBS
  • 2005 – Public Relations – Officer of JeonJu International Film Festival
  • 2005 – Love Letter (ep 1 to 14) – SBS
  • 2005 – X-Man – SBS
  • 2006 – Heroine 6
  • 2006 – New X-Man – SBS
  • 2012–2013 – Shinhwa Broadcast (ep 1 - 49) - JTBC
  • 2015 – I Live Alone (ep 99 - 150) - MBC
  • 2015 – King of Mask Singer Contestant with the stage name "Holding the End of the Night" (Episode 29-30) - MBC
  • 2018 – Worldwide Correspondence - TVN
  • 2018 – Battle Trip - KBS
  • 2018 – 2 Days & 1 Night - (ep 705 - 706) - KBS
  • 2021 – Chosun Panstar - MBN (judge) [49]

MC

  • 2000–2002: DJ for Ten Ten Club
  • 2003–2005: Host for SBS Inkigayo
  • 2006: Host for SBS I Love My Teacher Day Concert
  • 2018: Host for Worldwide Correspondence of TVN

Stage

Musical

Musical performances
Year Title Role Ref.
English Korean
2011 Hedwig헤드윅 Hedwig [50]
2013 Le Passe Muraille /The Man Who Breaks Through Walls벽을 뚫는 남자 Dutilleul [51]
2014 Hedwig헤드윅 Hedwig [52]
2016 Edgar Allan Poe에드거 앨런 포 Poe [53]
2017 Cyrano시라노 Cyrano [54]
2018 Gentleman's Guide: Love and Murder젠틀맨스 가이드: 사랑과 살인편 Monty Navarro [55]
2022 Something Rotten썸씽로튼 Nick Bottom [56]
Seopyeonje서편제 Dong-ho [57]

Theater

Theater performances
Year Title Role Theater Date Ref.
English Korean
2020 Theatrical Battle 8 - Lungs연극열전8 - 렁스M Art One Theater Hall 2 March 9 to July 5 [58]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardsCategoryWorkResultRef
200425th Blue Dragon Film AwardsBest New ActorSpin KickNominated
2005KBS Drama AwardsBest New ActorA Farewell to SorrowWon
Best CoupleNominated
2007SBSInkigayoMutizen AwardHandkerchiefWon
Mnet Asian Music AwardsBest Ballad PerformanceNominated[59]
2012KBS Drama AwardsExcellence Award, Actor in a Daily DramaCheer Up, Mr. Kim!Won[25]
201349thBaeksang Arts AwardsMost Popular Actor (Film)DerangedWon[60][61]
6thKorea Drama AwardsExcellence Award, ActorCheer Up, Mr. Kim!Won
2015SBS MThe ShowThe Show Choice winnersI'm FineWon
2015MBC Entertainment AwardsExcellence Award, Variety ShowI Live AloneWon
2025KBS Drama AwardsBest Supporting ActorFor Eagle BrothersWon[62][63]

References

  1. ^Kim Na-yeon (March 31, 2022). "신화 김동완, 전진X신혜성X이민우와 한솥밥..라이브웍스컴퍼니 계약[공식]" [Shinhwa Kim Dong-wan, Jeon Jin X Shin Hye-sung X Lee Min-woo and Hansotbap..Liveworks Company Contract [Official]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Retrieved March 30, 2022 – via Naver.
  2. ^"Shinhwa's Kim Dong Wan to Star in KBS Series"Archived 2006-11-30 at the Wayback MachineKBS Global. 8 June 2005. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
  3. ^"[Interview - Part I] Kim Dong Wan Wants to be a Real Actor". Mnet Global. July 8, 2012. Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  4. ^"Way Back Wednesday: Shinhwa". allkpop.com. April 5, 2012.
  5. ^임, 은향 (May 9, 2006). "신화 김동완, 모교 휘문고 100주년행사 진행". OSEN. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  6. ^"김동완 '노래 있어 연기도 가능했다..가수는 내 고향'"Star News. 4 July 2007. Retrieved 2011-11-08 (in Korean)
  7. ^Korean Stars Praised for Generosity in JapanArchived 2007-02-19 at the Wayback Machine. KBS Global, August 14, 2006. Retrieved on December 13, 2006.
  8. ^"Kim Dong-wan's Surprising Plastic Surgery Confession"Archived 2007-04-25 at the Wayback Machine, KBS World, April 16, 2007. Retrieved on May 5, 2007.
  9. ^"김동완 '솔로 준비에 앤디가 가장 반대'"Star News. 1 July 2007. Retrieved 2011-11-08 (in Korean)
  10. ^Garcia, Cathy Rose A (2007-06-26). "Shinhwa Members Go Solo This Summer". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on 2007-06-28. Retrieved 2007-06-26.
  11. ^"'힐링캠프' 김동완 "과거 꽃미남, 난해한 분장으로 인기하락"". m.entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  12. ^"'신화 아닌 김동완', 홀로서기 입증한 마지막 콘서트". m.entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  13. ^"2007 Year-end Sales". Recording Industry Association of Korea. 2006-07-18. Archived from the original on 2008-05-08. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
  14. ^"Boot camp beckons for boy band balladeer"Joongang Daily. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 2011-11-08
  15. ^"Shinhwa singer discharged"Joongang Daily. 9 December 2010. Retrieved 2011-11-08
  16. ^"Shinhwa Form Their Own Agency"Chosun Ilbo. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-05
  17. ^신화, 섬뜩한 뱀파이어 변신...23일 10집 발매. Nate News (in Korean). 17 March 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  18. ^"Shinhwa to release upcoming 10th album on March 23". 10 Asia. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
  19. ^Hong, Lucia (1 February 2012). "Shinhwa releases teaser video for upcoming concert". 10 Asia. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  20. ^Suk, Monica (26 March 2012). "CONCERT REVIEW: Shinhwa: Reborn with The Return". 10 Asia. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  21. ^Park, HyunMin (4 March 2012). "Shinhwa to have Shinhwa Broadcast". Mnet News. CJ E&M. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  22. ^Chung, Hyun-mok (16 July 2012). "Kim Dong-wan sees great success at box office". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  23. ^Oh, MiJung (20 June 2012). "Kim Dong Wan Opens Up on ′Deranged′, Shinhwa and Kim Myung Min". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  24. ^Hong, Grace Danbi (27 August 2012). "Shinhwa's Kim Dong Wan Chosen as Main Lead for Cheer Up, Mr. Kim". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  25. ^ abJun, Ji Young (2 January 2013). "2012 KBS Drama Awards". KBS Global. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  26. ^"Shinhwa's Dongwan Has Donated $33,660 Towards Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund". Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  27. ^Recording Industry Association of Korea monthly chart positions:
  28. ^"김동완 1집 - Kimdongwan Is". Hanteo (in Korean). Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  29. ^"김동완 1집 - Kimdongwan Is[repack.]". Hanteo (in Korean). Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  30. ^"Miak.or.kr" 2007.총결산 판매량. Recording Industry Association Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on 16 December 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  31. ^"김동완 2집 - The Secret". Hanteo (in Korean). Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  32. ^"김동완 2집 - The Secret: Between Us Part Ii[repack.]". Hanteo (in Korean). Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  33. ^"2008. 5 월 - 가요음반 판매량". Recording Industry Association Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on 12 November 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  34. ^Oricon chart positions:
  35. ^"김동완 - 약속: 첫번째 라이브 콘서트(SRN)[사진집 포함]". Hanteo (in Korean). Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  36. ^Gaon Album Chart positions:
  37. ^"2015년 11월 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  38. ^"2015년 12월 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  39. ^"2017년 11월 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  40. ^"2020년 02월 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  41. ^"My Summer Girl(初回限定盤)". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  42. ^Suk, Gee-hyun (12 June 2013). "Top 7 successful idol-turned-actors". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  43. ^Heo, Sul-hee (21 August 2017). "김동완 측 "tvN 단막극 '소풍 가는 날' 출연 확정"". My Daily (in Korean).
  44. ^Kim, Gab-Sik (21 July 2004). ""Don't Underestimate Third-Rate": Overturning Life with a Spin Kick". The Dong-a Ilbo. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  45. ^Ho, Stewart (14 June 2012). "Shinhwa's Kim Dong Wan Transforms Into an Investigator for Upcoming Movie". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  46. ^Jang Ah-reum (December 2, 2021). "김동완·남보라·신소율·서준영 '긴하루' 12월 개봉...포스터 공개" [Kim Dong-wan, Nam Bo-ra, Shin So-yul, Seo Jun-young 'A Long Day' opens in December... poster release] (in Korean). News1. Retrieved December 2, 2021 – via Naver.
  47. ^Jo Ji-young (January 26, 2022). "[공식] 김동완 주연 범죄 스릴러 영화 'B컷', 2월 개봉 확정" [[Official] Kim Dong-wan's crime thriller movie 'B-cut' confirmed for release in February] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved January 26, 2022 – via Naver.
  48. ^Lee Chun-pil (February 11, 2022). "확 바뀐 영화 '소리꾼' "북한 풍경 자연스럽게 담으려 했다" [The completely changed movie 'Sorikun' "I tried to capture the North Korean landscape naturally] (in Korean). OhmyNews. Retrieved February 11, 2022 – via Naver.
  49. ^Han Jeong-won (July 29, 2021). "신화 김동완-판소리계 BTS 이봉근 '조선판스타' 판정단 합류(공식)" [Shinhwa Kim Dong-wan - Pansori BTS Lee Bong-geun Joins the ‘Chosun Panstar’ Judging Team (Official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  50. ^Lee Jun-hyung (April 28, 2011). "뮤지컬 '헤드윅'에 김동완·김재욱 캐스팅" [Cast Kim Dong-wan and Kim Jae-wook in the musical 'Hedwig'] (in Korean). E2News. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  51. ^Lee Eun-jung (September 23, 2013). "신화 김동완, 뮤지컬 '벽을 뚫는 남자' 주연" [Shinhwa Kim Dong-wan, starring in the musical 'The Man Who Breaks Through Walls'] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved December 31, 2022 – via KBS News.
  52. ^Um Dong-jin (July 7, 2014). "신화 김동완, 뮤지컬 '헤드윅' 10주년 공연 캐스팅" [Shinhwa Kim Dong-wan cast for the 10th anniversary of the musical ‘Hedwig’] (in Korean). Jtbc news. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  53. ^Park Se-yeon (May 12, 2016). '에드거 앨런 포' 팀은 왜김동완을 선택했나 [Why did the 'Edgar Allan Poe' team choose Kim Dong-wan?] (in Korean). Maekyung. Retrieved December 31, 2022 – via MBN News.
  54. ^Lee Jae-hoon (May 19, 2017). "류정한·홍광호·김동완 '시라노', 3천석 2분만에 매진" [Ryu Jeong-han, Hong Kwang-ho, Kim Dong-wan's 'Cyrano', 3,000 seats sold out in 2 minutes] (in Korean). Newsis. Retrieved December 31, 2022 – via Naver.
  55. ^Shin Seong-ah (November 9, 2018). "'젠틀맨스 가이드' 김동완·유연석·오만석...개막 준비 끝" ['Gentleman's Guide' Kim Dong-wan, Yoo Yeon-seok, Oh Man-seok... preparations for opening] (in Korean). Newdaily. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  56. ^Kang Jin-ah (January 10, 2022). "김동완·최재림, 뮤지컬 '썸씽로튼' 추가 캐스팅...2월 합류" [Kim Dong-wan and Choi Jae-rim, additional castings for the musical 'Something Rotten'... join in february] (in Korean). Newsis. Retrieved January 10, 2022 – via Naver.
  57. ^Kang Jin-ah (June 8, 2022). "이자람·차지연·양지은·홍지윤, 뮤지컬 '서편제' 캐스팅" [Ja-ram Lee, Ji-yeon Cha, Ji-eun Yang, Ji-yoon Hong, cast in musical 'Seopyeonje] (in Korean). Newsis. Retrieved June 8, 2022 – via Naver.
  58. ^"연극 '렁스' 5월 개막, 김동완·이동하·성두섭·이진희·곽선영 출연". 뉴스컬처 (NEWSCULTURE) (in Korean). 2020-03-23. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  59. ^"2007 Mnet KM Music Festival Part1"Archived 2014-10-26 at the Wayback Machine. MAMA. Retrieved 2014-12-14.
  60. ^An, So Hyoun (10 May 2013). "Yoo Jae Suk and Ryu Seung Ryong Take Home Daesangs at the Paeksang Arts Awards". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  61. ^Lee, Hye Ji (10 May 2013). "2013 Paeksang Arts Awards: He Said, She Said". 10 Asia. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  62. ^Park, Ha-na (December 31, 2025). 안재욱·엄지원, 'KBS 연기대상' 영예…11관왕 '독수리 오형제'(종합) [Ahn Jae-wook and Uhm Ji-won honored at KBS Drama Awards... "Five Eagle Brothers" wins 11 awards (Comprehensive)]. News 1 (in Korean). Retrieved December 31, 2025 – via Naver.
  63. ^Choi, Ji-yoon (December 31, 2025). 안재욱·엄지원 'KBS 연기대상'…이순재 추모 눈물 [Ahn Jae-wook and Uhm Ji-won shed tears of joy at the KBS Drama Awards, remembering Lee Soon-jae]. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved January 1, 2026 – via Naver.
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