Jang Woo-hyuk (Korean: 장우혁; Hanja: 張佑赫; born May 8, 1978)[1] is a South Korean singer and rapper. He debuted in 1996 as a member of the best-selling K-pop boy band H.O.T. After the band broke up due to a contract dispute, Jang and two other former members formed the boy band jtL, which was active from 2001 to 2003.[2] Jang also released two full-length albums and two extended plays as a solo artist.[3] He is the founder of talent agency WH Entertainment.[4]
Jang Woo-hyuk | |
|---|---|
 Jang in 2013 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | May 8, 1978 Daegu, South Korea |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Formerly of | |
| Website | Official website |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 장우혁 |
| Hanja | 張佑赫 |
| Revised Romanization | Jang U-hyeok |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chang Uhyŏk |
H.O.T.
editAs a member of H.O.T. he was known for being a dancer of the group, and was known for his strong vocal screams in his rap. His nicknames have been "Hammer Boy" for his famous hammer dance from H.O.T.s debut single; Candy. Another well-known nickname of him was "tough guy". When H.O.T disbanded in 2001, Woo Hyuk and Tony An dropped out of SM and formed jtL.
JTL
editWhen JTL was created, H.O.T. fans had mixed feelings for JTL. Many of JTL's music videos were boycotted and their performance was hindered by the ex-agency SM Entertainment. However, things changed around when JTL held a 'Guerilla Concert' in front of 12,000 fans.[5]
Solo
editJTL unofficially disbanded in 2003 as its members began pursuing solo careers. Woo Hyuk became the CEO of Newest Entertainment (a dancing academy). Woo Hyuk collaborated with Kenzie, Pang Shi Hyuk, and many other talented K-pop musicians. Music lovers thirsting for groovy R&B style beats plus a flair of hip hop all blended with Woo Hyuk's inimitable vocals are well advised to check out the release of No More Drama. To prepare for his solo album, Jang Woo Hyuk underwent 10 months of dance training.[6]
Jang Woo Hyuk has become popular in the Chinese and Taiwanese markets. In a poll held on China's largest portal site, sina.com, Woo Hyuk topped two categories, beating out Rain by 500 votes in the poll: "Who do you think is the most popular South Korean singer in China?" and more than double the votes in dancing.[7] He has expressed his deep interest of making appearances in China and Taiwan. During the beginning of April 2006, he started his first promotion in China and finally created his official fan club in China; however, he has never held a concert in Taiwan.
On December 18, 2009, Jang Woo-Hyuk has recently finished his military service. After his exit, he had a short press conference and said "The biggest difference is my weight. Compared to myself from beginning of the military service, I had lost 14–15 kilograms [c. 30 lb]. Right before I started my military service, I had gained lots of weight." About 50 fans were also present during the press conference. He said to the fans, "I was surprised by the number of fans who came to see me. I will soon come back with an improved version of myself." In 2010 Jang Woo Hyuk signed a contract to sing in China. It is said that he might be rejoining H.O.T.[8]
His new album released May 25 entitled " I am The Future ", with singles including Time is [L]over, I am the Future, and Minimalism.
On May 28 Jang Woo Hyuk made his live comeback with the single " Time Is [L]over " on Strong Heart. The song has garnered interests from netizens, commenting on the videos praising him saying " If i saw him walking in the streets I would have never though he was 33 " and " He is a very good dancer, Eunhyuk was inspired by him thats why they both are very good. "
In July 2011, Jang Woo came out with a new single: Weekend Night.
On November 17, 2022, WH Creative announced that Jang will hold a Winter Story 'From echo' fan meeting, which will take place both online and offline on December 17.[9]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [10] | |||
| No More Drama |
Track listing
|
8 |
|
| My Way |
Track listing
|
5 |
|
Extended plays
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales (DL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [13] | |||
| I Am the Future |
Track listing
|
12 |
|
| Back to the Memories |
Track listing
|
9 |
|
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions |
Sales (DL) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [13] | ||||
| Korean | ||||
| "Rain Man" feat. Kang Hyeon-jeong of Bubble Sisters |
2010 | 39 | — | A Man Called God OST Part 1 |
| "Weekend Night" (Electro Remix) | 2011 | 70 | Weekend Night remix single album | |
| Chinese | ||||
| "Don't Go" (Secret Angel Edit) | 2012 | — | — | Secret Angel OST |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | ||||
Filmography
edit- Filial Son's Village (2022) - Cast Member[16]
- Love in the Office (2015)
- The Secret Angel (2012)
Awards
editMnet Asian Music Awards
edit| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Best Dance Performance | "Sun That Never Sets" (지지 않는 태양)[17] | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best Dance Performance – Solo | "Time is (L)over"[18] | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ 장우혁 소개 [Jang Woo-hyuk Profile]. Mnet (in Korean). Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ^ Kallen, Stuart A. (2014). K-Pop: Korea's Musical Explosion. Twenty-First Century Books. pp. 18–23. ISBN 9781467725491. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
- ^ 장우혁 앨범 [Jang Woo-hyuk Albums]. Mnet (in Korean). Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ^ Sunwoo, Carla (March 1, 2013). "Where do Korean idols go as the spotlight fades away?". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ^ KBS Artist Search – Tony Ahn
- ^ KBS Artist Search – Jang Woo Hyuk
- ^ Singer Jang Woo-hyuk Outshines Rain in China
- ^ Jang Woohyuk of “H.O.T” Joins Chinese Company Hua Yi Brothers; Return of H.O.T?
- ^ Jung, Hye-won (November 17, 2022). "장우혁, 12월 17일 온·오프라인 팬미팅 개최 "해외 팬 위한 특별한 시간" [Jang Woo-hyuk held an online/offline fan meeting on December 17th "Special time for overseas fans] (in Korean). Sports TV News. Retrieved November 17, 2022 – via Naver.
- ^ "K-Pop Record Sales Volume". Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 19, 2009. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
- ^ 2005년 가요음반판매량 [2005 K-Pop Record Sales Volume]. Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Retrieved April 10, 2018.
- ^ 2006년 가요음반판매량 [2006 K-Pop Record Sales Volume]. Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Retrieved April 10, 2018.
- ^ a b "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ^ "2011년 06월 Album Chart" [June 2011 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ^ "2011년 11월 Album Chart" [November 2011 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ^ Moon Ji-yeon (November 17, 2022). "[공식] 애정촌→솔로나라→'효자촌'..남규홍 PD 새 예능 공개" [[Official] Affection Village→Solo Country→'Hyoja Village'..Nam Kyu-Hong PD New Entertainment Revealed] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved November 17, 2022 – via Naver.
- ^ "2005 MKMF part 1" Archived February 1, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Mwave. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ "2011Mnet Asian Music Awards part 1" Archived December 9, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. MAMA. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
External links
edit- Official website (in Korean)