Ahn Chil-hyun, known professionally as Kangta or KangTa, is a South Korean singer, composer, songwriter, record producer, actor and radio personality. He is widely known as a member of South Korean boy band H.O.T under SM Entertainment.
II. Career
Kangta was born on October 10, 1979 in Seoul, South Korea. Scouted at an amusement park at the age of 13, Kangta was the first to join the boy group H.O.T. H.O.T. was very successful and are considered by many to be the first kpop idol group. During their career, they sold over 6.4 million records, becoming popular not only in Korea but also in China. Kangta was the first member of H.O.T. to release a solo album after the group disbanded in March 2001, as well as beginning an acting career.
Kangta released his first solo album Polaris in August 2001, which was highly successful, selling 492,843 copies and reached #1 on the Music Industry Association of Korea monthly charts. The lead song "Polaris" also earned him nominations for Best Ballad Performance and Best Male Artist at the 2001 MAMA awards. He won Best Male Artist award. He released his second album Pine Tree in 2002, which also sold well and reached #1, as well as earning nominations for Best Male Artist and Best Ballad Performance at the 2002 MAMA Awards for the song "Memories." On both albums, Kangta wrote, composed and produced many songs, as he would for all of his solo albums.
He began talking acting roles in China and Korea, as well as participating in a new group S with the main vocalist of Shinhwa, Shin Hue-sung, and singer Lee Ji-hoon. They have released one album, Fr. in Cl., and were nominated for a MAMA Award for Best Male Group and won a Hallyu Special Award at the Seoul Music Awards.
Kangta released his third album, Persona, in 2005 with music that was unlike the previous ballad-heavy albums. This album did not sell as well, but the lead single was still nominated for a MAMA award. His fourth album Eternity was released prior to his mandatory military service in South Korea. It reached #5 on the chart, while selling only 12,301 copies.
After his military service, he released his first Chinese EP, Breaka Shaka, then continued to work as an actor, DJ and TV show host. In 2014, he was appointed as a de facto creative director of SM Entertainment with labelmate, BoA. He also released a mini-album with the group S, titled Autumn Breeze.
In 2016, he celebrated his 20th debut anniversary with a special concert and extended play, 'Home' Chapter 1. For his 25h Anniversary in 2021, he released a pair of digital singles "Freezing" and "Cough Syrup."
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