WoongSan (born Kim Eun Young) is a South Korean musician.[2] She has been a leading figure in the jazz music scene in Korea and Japan for over a decade, having performed live over 500 times since her 1998 Japanese debut. She is the first Korean-born musician to perform at New York City's historic Blue Note Jazz Club and has collaborated with many other well-known jazz musicians including Benny Green, Lonnie Plaxico, Rodney Green, Conrad Herwig and Suzuki Hisatsugu. She is also well known for training Ali (South Korean singer), a popular K-pop singer.
Woong San | |
|---|---|
 Woong San in 2021 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kim Eun Young |
| Born | April 18, 1973 Mungyeong, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea[1] |
| Genres | Jazz, blues |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1996~Present |
| Website | www |
Biography
editWhen she was 18, WoongSan spent a year and a half at a Buddhist temple in the Korean countryside. During her training she had a powerful realization: her calling in life was music.[3] Initially she played in a college rock band, but after a friend played her a Billie Holiday record, she began to dedicate herself to jazz. She spent several years performing as a solo artist then released her first album accompanied by a jazz ensemble in 1996. By the end of 1998 she was a recognizable figure in both Korea and Japan, and since then, she has released six albums, garnered numerous awards and critical acclaim, and continues to tour prolifically. She has also written many songs for films.
Last year, she proved her career was an ongoing path as a music performer on the stage collaborated with Lee Ritenour.[4]
Style
editWoongSan's style is a distinctive blend of jazz, blues, Latin and funk style. Her mid-low voice does not span as much tonal ground as other famous singers, but what she lacks in range she more than makes up for in creativity and malleability.[5] As an independent lyricist, Woong San has penned powerful ballads, cozy love numbers and everything in between. Buddhism has played a prominent role in her life, and it shines through in her songwriting: she often explores the themes of freedom, mindfulness and the beauty of change in her songs. Her work has been described as "soulful, fearless, sultry."
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [6] | |||
| Love Letters |
|
— | |
| The Blues |
|
— | |
| Yesterday |
|
— |
|
| Fall in Love |
|
—[a] |
|
| Miss Mister (1st Gift Album) |
|
— | |
| Close Your Eyes |
|
17 | |
| Once I Loved (2nd Gift Album) |
|
41 | |
| Tomorrow |
|
23 |
|
| I Love You |
|
17 |
|
| Temptation |
|
17 |
|
| I'm Alright |
|
— | |
| Love, Its Longing (사랑 그 그리움) |
|
48 | |
| Love, Its Longing, Vol. 2 (사랑 그 그리움2) |
|
98 | |
| Who Stole the Skies |
|
— | |
| Love, Its Longing, Vol. 3 (사랑 그 그리움3) |
|
61 |
|
Compilation albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [6] | |||
| The Best |
|
17 |
|
Extended plays
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [6] | |||
| Jazz Is My Life |
|
40 |
|
Soundtrack appearances
edit- "Saranghagineun Hangeongayo..." (사랑하기는 한건가요...; Mom and Sister, 2000)
- "Sad Song" (Man of the Sun, Lee Je-ma, 2002)
- "Elegy" (Capital Scandal, 2007)
- "Fate" (인연; Iljimae, 2008)
- "Mascara De Un Payaso" (Private Eye, 2009)
- "Damned Love" (지독한사랑; The Slave Hunters, 2010)
- "If You Love Me" (It's Okay, Daddy's Girl, 2010)
- "Have It All!" (Miss Conspirator, 2012)
- "Love is Strong" (Babel, 2019)
- "One" (Love Affair In The Afternoon, 2019)
- "You Make Me" (Kiss Sixth Sense, 2022)
Awards and nominations
edit| Award-giving body | Year | Category | Nominee/work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jazz Critique's Jazz Audio Disc Awards | 2011 | Gold Prize – Vocals | Once I Loved | Won | [15] |
| 2013 | Silver Prize – Vocals | I Love You | Won | [16] | |
| Korean Music Awards | 2008 | Best Jazz & Crossover Album | Yesterday | Won | [17] |
| Best Jazz & Crossover Song | "Yesterday" | Won | [18] | ||
| Musician of the Year | WoongSan | Nominated | [19] | ||
| MBC Campus Music Festival | 1993 | Popular Singer Award | WoongSan | Won | [20] |
| Swing Journal | 2010 | Gold Disk | Close Your Eyes | Won | [21] |
State honors
edit| Country | Year | Honor | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea[b] | 2021 | Prime Minister's Commendation | [25] |
Notes
edit- ^ Fall in Love ranked number 44 on the monthly Music Industry Association of Korea album chart for September 2008.[8]
- ^ Honors are given at the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards, arranged by the Korea Creative Content Agency and hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.[22][23] They are awarded to those who have contributed to the arts and South Korea's pop culture.[24]
References
edit- ^ "재즈 뮤지션 웅산, 문경시 홍보대사 위촉". 경북일보 (in Korean). 2022-09-17. Archived from the original on 2023-05-31. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ "Profile of Woong San". Woong San Jazz. Archived from the original on 8 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
- ^ "Beautiful, Brooding Sound". Bubblews. Archived from the original on 27 June 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ "The Collaboration of Eastern and Western Musicians: WoongSan & Lee Ritenour". YTN. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- ^ "Styles of Woong San Music". Japan beyond 3.11 Stories of Recovery. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ a b c Circle Album Chart positions:
- Close Your Eyes: "Album Chart, 2010 Week 13". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 3, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- Tomorrow and Once I Loved: "Album Chart, 2011 Week 42". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 5, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- I Love You: "Album Chart, 2013 Week 41". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- The Best: "Album Chart, 2014 Week 47". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- Temptation: "Album Chart, 2015 Week 34". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- Jazz Is My Life: "Album Chart, 2016 Week 45". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- Love, Its Longing: "Album Chart, 2020 Week 20". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 4, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- Love, Its Longing, Vol. 2: "Album Chart, 2022 Week 04". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- Love, Its Longing, Vol. 3: "Album Chart, 2024 Week 21". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ Cumulative sales of Yesterday:
- "2007. 총결산 POP음반 판매량" [2007 Total Pop Album Sales]. Music Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 11, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- "2008. 상반기결산 POP음반 판매량" [2008 Mid-Year Pop Album Sales]. Music Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 1, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ a b "2008년 9월 가요순위건" [September 2008 K-Pop Ranking]. Music Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ "Album Chart, 2011.10 Month". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 5, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ Cumulative sales of I Love You:
- "2013년 Album Chart (국내)" [2013 Album Chart (Domestic)]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). p. 4. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- "2014년 Album Chart (국내)" [2014 Album Chart (Domestic)]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). p. 4. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ "2015년 Album Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). p. 4. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ "Circle Album Chart – Week 21, 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ "2014년 Album Chart (국내)" [2014 Album Chart (Domestic)]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). p. 4. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ "Album Chart, 2016.11 Month". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ "재즈한류 웅산, 다시 속 꽉 채웠다…'Tomorrow'". Newsis (in Korean). 2011-10-10. Archived from the original on 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-05 – via Naver.
- ^ "웅산, 일본 '재즈 오디오 디스크 대상' 은상" [WoongSan wins silver prize at Japan’s Jazz Audio Disc Awards]. KBS World News (in Korean). 2014-03-06. Archived from the original on 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ "웅산, 한국대중음악상 '최우수 재즈&크로스오버 음반상' 수상" [WoongSan wins Best Jazz & Crossover Album at Korean Music Awards]. Star News (in Korean). 2008-03-05. Archived from the original on 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ "웅산, 한국대중음악상 '최우수 재즈&크로스오버 노래상' 수상" [WoongSan wins Best Jazz & Crossover Song at Korean Music Awards]. Star News (in Korean). 2008-03-05. Archived from the original on 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ "[AM7]이적·에픽하이 ＇多관왕 후보＇" [[AM7] Lee Juck, Epik High nominated for multiple crowns]. Munhwa Ilbo (in Korean). 2008-02-13. Archived from the original on 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ "재즈 디바 '웅산' 함양서 'Fun Fun Fun Jazz'" [Jazz diva WoongSan brings 'Fun Fun Fun Jazz' to Hamyang]. Gyeongnam Ilbo (in Korean). 2014-12-07. Archived from the original on 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ "웅산, 日 재즈전문지 '스윙저널' 골드디스크 선정 "한국인 최초"" [WoongSan the first Korean to be selected for a Gold Disk by Japanese jazz magazine 'Swing Journal']. Newsen (in Korean). 2010-01-08. Archived from the original on 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ Hicap, Jonathan (October 18, 2018). "BTS, Red Velvet win at Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on October 18, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
- ^ Yeo, Yer-im (October 25, 2018). "BTS gets award upon their return home". Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2021 – via Korea JoongAng Daily.
- ^ Lee, Sang-won (October 25, 2016). "Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards announces winners". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
- ^ Jo Eun-mi (October 28, 2021). "'2021년 대한민국 대중문화예술상' 오늘(28일) 개최..윤여정, 금관문화훈장 수훈" [‘2021 Republic of Korea Popular Culture and Arts Award’ held today (28th)..Yeojeong Yoon, awarded with the Order of Cultural Merit] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021 – via Naver.