Hwang Yoon-seok (Korean: 황윤석, born January 17, 1982), better known as Hwanhee (Korean: 환희), is a South Korean singer, actor and a member of South Korean R&B duo Fly to the Sky.

Hwanhee
Hwanhee in 2019
Hwanhee in 2019
Background information
Birth nameHwang Yoon-seok (황윤석)
Born (1982-01-17) January 17, 1982 (age 42)
Seoul, South Korea
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actor
InstrumentVocals
Years active1999–present
Labels
  • SM
  • PFull
  • H-Entercom
  • KeyEast
WebsiteHwanhee Official Website (in Korean)
Korean name
Hangul
황윤석
Revised RomanizationHwang Yun-seok
McCune–ReischauerHwang Yunsŏk
Stage name
Hangul
환희
Hanja
Revised RomanizationHwanhui
McCune–ReischauerHwanhŭi

Career

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Hwanhee graduated from Gwang Moon High School before his debut. He was encouraged to audition by a staff member working for SM Entertainment at his high school festival. He also attended Kyunghee University, majoring in post-modern music. Hwanhee is also known as one of the top male vocalists of the Korean Music Industry with his unique and powerful voice.[1]

1999: Fly to the Sky

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Officially debuting on November 21, 1999, he released the album Day by Day alongside fellow member Brian Joo.

2006-2011: Acting

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Hwanhee debuted as an actor in 2006, when he starred alongside Seo Ji-hye, Ji Hyun-woo and Kim Ok-bin in Korean drama Over the Rainbow as cocky rock star Rex. The rating of the show was mediocre throughout its airing, plummeting to 7% at one point.[2] His performance received mixed reviews. (SBS)[3]

He continued to pursue his acting career by participating in a 2008 drama "사랑해" ("I Love You") alongside actor Ahn Jae Wook. On 14 September 2008, Hwanhee appeared on the show We Got Married 우리 결혼했어요! together with Hwayobi, as one of the 3 new couples. They made their official exit from the show on January 18, 2009.

In 2010, he acted in a drama called Stormy Lovers. However, due to low ratings, MBC had to cut out about half of the episodes.[clarification needed]

Hwanhee also taken part in the movie Star, which was released in late 2011.

2009: Solo

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In 2009, after releasing their 8th album, Decennium, the group decided its time to focus on their solo career. In December 2009, Hwanhee signed an exclusive acting contract with KEYEAST Co., Ltd (previously known as Boundaries of Forest Entertainment "BOF").[4] KEYEAST will work with Hwanhee's current recording label, H-Entercom to manage his future acting, advertising, media publicity activities.

In October 2009, Hwanhee released his first solo mini-album "H-Soul". The album, produced by Hwanhee was released on 22 October 2009. After 10 years of performing with Brian as Fly to the Sky, Hwanhee made his comeback as a solo artiste on MBC Music Core on 24 October 2009.[5] His title track from the album was "심장을 놓쳐서" ("Because I Missed Your Heart").

He successfully hold a solo concert in Japan on 23 December 2009, captivating some 2,000 fans at the Japan's JCB Hall with his music.[6] During his solo promotion period in mid December 2009, Hwanhee also participated in the solo album of Song Ji Eun from Secret. He sang a duet with Song Ji Eun. The title song named "어젠" ("Yesterday") was also written by Hwanhee.

On 29 December 2009, Hwanhee's agency (H-Entercom) announced that Hwanhee would take a break from his first solo album's promotional activities due to an abrupt onset of health problems involving his vocal cords.[7] After a hiatus of five months, Hwanhee released a digital duet titled "바보가슴" ("Foolish Heart") with female newcomer singer, 숙희 "Sook Hee" in May 2010. Hwanhee also sang "바람이 되어서라도" ("Even Becoming Wind"), the OST for the highly anticipated Korean war[vague] drama, Road No. 1 starring So Ji-sub and Kim Ha-neul.

"내가 더 아플게" ("I Will Hurt More"), a digital single written by Hwanhee was released in July 2010 and it quickly climbed to top of various Korean online music sites.[8] His second mini album "H-Hour", produced by Hwanhee was released on 5 August 2010. The title song of the album is "...하다가" ("...While Doing"). Hwanhee released a digital duet with May Doni titled "남남" ("Strangers") on 29 December 2010.

2010-2011: Studio album and military service

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Hwanhee was cast in a MBC daily drama, "Stormy Lovers" (previously known as Love is stronger than Death). where he played the role of "Im Hara", a prodigy PD with a playboy attitude. His attitude slowly changed after he met an older woman, Lee Tae Hee. The drama was aired in mid November 2010, after "Golden Fish" ").[9]

Shortly after releasing his 1st album in July 2011, Hwanhee signed on for the production of the movie "Star". As of this writing, the movie is undergoing pre-production. The story will reflect on the life of Romi, portrayed by Hwanhee. Romi is an internationally renowned superstar, and the film will shed some light on the lifestyle and problems such individuals go through during the course of their careers. There is no slated release date at the moment.

On July 28, 2011, Hwanhee released his first official album. He worked with a number of producers and songwriters to make this album. The music video of the title track "죽을 것만 같아" features actor Lee Jang-woo, who is his cousin as well. The original solo arrangement of 어젠 is also included in the album. A few weeks before the release of the album, Hwanhee and H-Entercom agreed to dispose of 20,000 copies of this album due to issues regarding mixing and mastering that did not meet the expectations of the artist.

H-entercom announced that Hwanhee will commence his mandatory military service on 27 October 2011. He served as a public service worker for 23 months after receiving four weeks of basic training at the Nonsan military camp in South Chungcheong Province.[10]

2022: solo concert

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On November 18, 2022, Hwanhee held his 2022 Hwanhee 'OVER THE SKY' concert on December 17 and 18.[11]

In February 2023, it was announced that Hwanhee would release the single Stay Still, which was set to be released on March 7.[12]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[13]
Hwanhee
  • Released: July 29, 2011
  • Label: H Entercom
  • Formats: CD, digital download
5

Extended plays

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[13]
H Soul
  • Released: October 22, 2009
  • Label: H Entercom
  • Formats: CD, digital download
26
H-Hour
  • Released: August 5, 2010
  • Label: H Entercom
  • Formats: CD, digital download
2

Singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Sales
(Digital)
Album
KOR
[15]
"Because I Missed Your Heart" (심장을 놓쳐서) 2009 H Soul
"Foolish Heart" (바보가슴) (with Suki) 2010 19 Non-album single
"I Will Hurt More" (내가 더 아플게) 23 H-Hour
"...While Doing" (...하다가) 22
"Strangers" (남남) (with May Doni) 32 Hwanhee
"Love Pain" (죽을 것만 같아) 2011 16
"So It Is" (그래) 2017 95 Non-album singles
"The Dawn" (새벽감성) 2018
"Everything" (with Babylon)
"Obvious" (뻔해) (feat. Jung Il-hoon)
"—" denotes release did not chart.

Soundtrack appearances

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Title Year Peak chart positions Sales
(Digital)
Album
KOR
[15]
"Even Though My Heart Breaks" (가슴 아파도) 2005 Fashion 70s OST
"Tomorrow" 2006 Over the Rainbow OST
"I Can't Help Missing You" (그리운 건 어쩔 수 없어)
"I Want U, I Need U"
"My Person" (내사람) 2008 Beethoven Virus OST
"Even Becoming the Wild" (바람이 되어서라도) 2010 9 Road No. 1 OST
"Don't Leave" (가지마) 2011 22 Padam Padam OST
"Only You" (너뿐인걸) 2012 Star: Radiant Love OST
"Propose" (프로포즈) (with Kang Yo-han)
"Go Away" (가버리라고)
"Take It No More"
"Heart-breaking" (아프다) 2015 54 Orange Marmalade OST
"Love Is Hurting" (사랑이 아프다) 2016 19 Uncontrollably Fond OST
"Sparkling" (반짝인다) 2017 The Emperor: Owner of the Mask OST
"—" denotes release did not chart.

Filmography

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Television series

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Year Title Role Network
2006 Over the Rainbow Rex MBC
2008 I Love You Park Byung Ho SBS
2010 Stormy Lovers Im Ha Ra MBC

Film

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Year Title Role
2012 Star: Radiant Love Romi
2015 Five Senses of Love

TV Show

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Year Title Network Notes
2008 We Got Married Season 1 MBC paired with Hwayobi
2014 Immortal Songs 2 KBS Heat of the Saturday Night Special! with Brian Joo

Summer Special with Gummy (2014.07.26)

2016 Law of the Jungle SBS Panama ep 200-202, with Lee Jang-woo
2017 King of Mask Singer MBC Contestant as "Hoppang Prince" (Episodes 93–100)[16]

References

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  1. ^ "환희(황윤석) 가수". Naver 인물검색. 5 March 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  2. ^ "'오버 더 레인보우', 시청률 7% '고전' (Over the Rainbow struggles with 7% rating)" (in Korean). 2006-08-31. Archived from the original on 2007-06-22. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  3. ^ "환희, 연기 변신 평가 '나쁘지 않네' (Reaction towards Fany's acting: Not bad!)" (in Korean). 2006-07-30. Archived from the original on 2007-05-23. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  4. ^ "환희, 배용준 품에…BOF와 전속계약 체결, 해외 진출 발판 (Hwanhee signed exclusive contract with BOF, a step of advancement to oversea market)" (in Korean). 2009-12-15.
  5. ^ "환희, 10년 만에 솔로 가수 첫 무대 '성공' (Hwanhee has a successful first stage as a solo artiste after 10 yrs)" (in Korean). 2009-10-24.
  6. ^ "Hwanhee's first solo concert in Japan a success". 2009-12-24.
  7. ^ "Hwanhee takes break for health problems". 2009-12-29. Archived from the original on 2010-03-06.
  8. ^ "환희, 신곡 '내가 더 아플게' 각종 온라인 음원 차트 상위권 등극 (Hwanhee, new song "I Will Hurt More" ranked high online charts)" (in Korean). 2010-07-15.
  9. ^ "환희, 천하의 바람둥이 천재PD (Hwanhee, the playboy prodigy PD)" (in Korean). 2010-10-12.
  10. ^ 10 Asia Hwanhee to enter military on Oct 27 Archived 2014-06-02 at the Wayback Machine 17 October 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-22
  11. ^ Jang, Ji-yoon (November 18, 2022). "환희, 12월 단독 콘서트 '오버 더 스카이' 개최" [Hwanhee to hold a solo concert 'Over the Sky' in December]. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved November 19, 2022 – via Naver.
  12. ^ Kim, Won-gyeom (February 28, 2023). "플라이투더스카이 환희, 3월7일 새 싱글 '가만히 있어' 발표…박원 작곡" [Fly to the Sky's Hwanhee releases new single 'Stay Still' on March 7th... Composed by Park Won] (in Korean). Sport TV News. Retrieved March 1, 2023 – via Naver.
  13. ^ a b "Gaon Album Chart "환희" Search". Gaon (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  14. ^ "2011년 07월 Album Chart". Gaon (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  15. ^ a b "Digital Chart "환희" Search". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  16. ^ Hwang Soo-jeong (February 26, 2017). '복면가왕' 봉구 추측 '강남제비' 가왕 등극…'쟨가' 박상민·'코끼리' 이수현·'진주소녀' 장희영·'호빵왕자' 환희 탈락 (종합). NewsPim (in Korean). Retrieved February 26, 2017.
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