Man Crush Monday: Kang Hee Gun (강희건) ( Gary (개리)of LeeSsang)
Birthday: February 24, 1978
Most Likely Known For: Memeber of Khiphop Duo LeeSsang & Cast member on Running Man
Currently: Running Man & promoting solo music
Career Info:
Gary was born on February 24, 1978. His nickname in middle school was “Gae” (meaning “dog” in Korean), which he adapted to become his stage name, after deciding between “gaemi” (ant) and “Gary”. In his younger years, he was more interested in dancing than rapping. Gary revealed that he participated in a dance competition and actually won, defeating other competitors, Jang Woo Hyuk and Moon Hee Jun, who eventually became members of H.O.T. Lee Soo Man scouted all three boys, and offered them a contract to SM Entertainment. Ultimately, Gary rejected the offer.
Gary went to Yong In University and trained as a bodyguard. He was an amateur boxer for 10 years and his qualifications in various martial arts sum up to 8th dan.
In 1997, Gary joined X-Teen, a hip-hop group where he met his future Leessang partner Gil. Gary participated in the group’s album release in 1998 before being dropped along with Gil. In an interview, Gary said they had neither the look or the talent which made them quit the group.
Afterwards, Gary and Gil ended up joining “Honey Family” and released two albums in 1999 and 2000. Gary took part of the responsibility for the break up of the group by stating that he “started feeling like a celebrity” after their initial success. Gary, Gil, and fellow Honey Family member Diggity decided to form “Leessam Trio ("sam” means three in Korean)“. They released a compilation album called 2000 Korea, in the year 2000. When Diggity left the group, Gary and Gil changed the name to LeeSsang.
Leessang was created in 2002 by Gary and Gil. So far, the group has produced 8 albums with numerous hits. Although the duo achieve critical success from their earlier albums, they remained underground. Their last three albums, Hexagonal, Asura Balbalta, and Unplugged broke numerous records and guided their entry to the mainstream Korean music industry. All the songs in the albums entered the top positions on all major and minor charts upon release and held the position for at least three days, achieving a very rare "all kill”. The title song from Asura Balbalta, “Turn Off the TV” managed to stay at the top of the Melon chart for 25 days in a row.
Their success on the chart was dubbed the “LeeSsang syndrome”, “all-kill of music charts”, “long-term control of charts”, “music textbook”, and “musicians’ mentor.”
In January 2014 he released a mini album, Mr.Gae. Three major TV broadcast stations, MBC, KBS, and SBS, all deemed the album unfitting for broadcast, stating reasons such as explicit lyrics and being too sexually provocative. Despite the ban, Gary‘s title track “Shower Later” clenched the number 1 spot on 8 real-time music charts.
Gary later commented on the ban saying he felt confined by his image and wanted to break the mold.
In May 2014, Gary and Jung-in released their first collaboration “Your Scent.” The lyrics was penned by Gary while Jung-In and Duble Sidekick produced the music.The song was an immediate hit. Two hours after the release, the song already placed first on five real-time charts: MelOn, Olleh, Genie, Bugs, and Cyworld. The song eventually reached the top position on all eleven charts, thus achieving an all kill. It managed to keep its throne on top of the charts for 5 days straight, showing it’s high popularity. Despite not having any live promotions, Gary and Jung-In took the win on June 7th Music Core. In a testament to its popularity, the Gaon Chart ranked the single #6 on the year end national digital single ranking.
The two later released their second collaboration “Bicycle” in September of 2014.
Asides from his own work, Gary has written the lyrics and featured on many artists’ songs. Many of the songs he participated in were highly successful. In a ranking done by TvN, he was listed as one of the top earners on extraordinary celebrity earning billions(KRW) based on royalty fees only, with his name credited on over 157 songs.
In 2010, Gary joined Running Man as co-host, an urban variety show. He had a cameo on the movie Wonderful Radio, and in February 2014 another cameo, Emergency Couple.
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Subscribe to us here at HKCStudios. HKC's Music Corner Reaction to Kang Gary's new MV Shower Later.
Opening/Closing-Break Up Dinner by San E
Notice: All music and music video footage belongs to its respective owner, Kang Gary/Leessang. The video is solely for entertainment purposes
It's been over 6 months since I wrote the last one of this series! I apologize my friends! Besides being horribly busy, I've been stuck with this one. I must admit that Kang Gary was my first bias in Running Man, and yet I struggled with his post the most?! It's strange how you think you can capture your love for someone in a few words and when you go to do just that you discover said love is ever expanding, beyond your reach, like a galaxy. So this is just another feeble attempt at expressing that love.
Why I Love Kang Gary
He is incredibly loving and trusting. He's often found himself in situations simply because it never occurs to him that someone could be tricking him!
He's extremely respectful to everyone on the show, he never speaks informally to anyone, even when joking, and he also refrains from going overboard with making fun of people.
He's very considerate of his friends/dongsaengs as seen by the way he treats Haha, Gwangsoo, and Jihyo; as equals, not as people that owe him anything because of the social structure.
He's incredibly poetic as a rapper, and sometimes he brings that into his comedy as well.
He can't lie with a straight face! Sometimes he complains that it brings him down in games, but always telling the truth is a virtue few people have left.
His butterfly dance is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen!
Sometimes he can be incredibly naive, and misses things entirely. How many times has he simply walked past where ever he's supposed to stop?
I'll say it since you're all thinking it; he has the nicest butt.
When the MuDo concert controversy broke out, Gary and Gil both resigned from their variety positions, even thought nothing was their fault, and they were simply being harassed by a group of few, angry netizens. Gary resigned because he didn't want that controversy to touch anyone else from the cast, or taint Running Man in any way. He sacrificed himself to protect the rest of the show and that is the most noble thing he could have done.
Peaceful Gary. That is all.
What Kang Gary has taught me:
Be true to yourself. In his music Gary often expresses that you can't acheive anything, can't be satisfied with anything until you're satisfied with yourself. Learn to love yourself first.
Bad things come and go, be strong and don't waver, and everything will work out.
"Hard work will never betray you" -- Kang Gary
There's nothing wrong with being too truthful, or with wearing your heart on your sleeve. Love everyone openly and as truthfully as you can.
When you love someone very much, then you'll be willing to let them go, willing to let them be happy and successful even if it means you're not with them during that time. And that sacrifice you make is a declaration of your love.
Why I love: Ji Suk Jin | Yoo Jae Suk | Kim Jong Kook | Kang Gary | HaHa
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Running Man 101 - An easy guide through the world of 7 wonderful idiots
So I have a few followers and some of them are my friends and some are random amazing people who follow me, and to those people I wanna say HI! I thank you for following my useless blog. Ha!
So maybe some of you are asking what the hell is this girl talking about? What the hell is Running Man? So I will give a little bit background for it, and maybe some of you might be interested in watching. First thing to say, it's magical, it can turn a bad day into a good one seriously!
If you want to read sensical explanation easy go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_Man_(TV_series)
But I will be explaining it on my own way. Read more to become aware of all the craziness this show can bring you! Find out about it's theme, it's milestones, and the members behind the laughs it can bring.
So first! Where to watch/download it. There are few websites that sub the show:
1. isubs-squad.com - you need to register but it's free, the subs here are flawless regardless of some minimal grammar errors but it's the best although it's kinda late since today it has 115 episodes subbed while there are 146 episodes and still ongoing. I download their videos by keepvid.com since I don't have any idea what the hell is HJ split.
2. kshownow.net - the most famous Running Man subbers, but it has a lot of grammar errors (sorry) but I appreciate it, damn they don't sleep for us to understand what the members are saying. So just like isubs it has five parts and I download it through keepvid.
3. http://freekdramaengsub.blogspot.com/2012/09/running-man.html - This is where I'm currently downloading while waiting for isubs to keep up, it's easier since it's in torrent form and you don't need to keepvid 5 parts of videos. It's softsubbed though so some episodes are late in timing and it only started with episode 100, so for 99 down isubs or kshownow is your choice dude. Bonus in this website is they have a lots of dramas too, Kdramas are really addicting, seriously.
Running Man is what they call a variety show in Korea. So, a variety show here in the Philippines is where they dance, sing and perform but in Korea that folks is called a music show, a variety show is where people particularly artists does a "variety" of things like challenges, gags, and sitcom. So that is a variety show, most of them do games, the absurd ones and they always have guests, those artists or idols that need promotion will be appearing once in a while.
So Running Man on the first few episodes focuses on Korean culture and landmarks, which are beautiful tourists spots on Korea, but nowadays since Running Man is popular the places they go into becomes popular instead. They have mini-games but their mostly concern is the "Race". A race is where they remove the name tag pasted by velcro on the back of a member or a guest and the last team or man standing wins prizes or receives punishment.
Running Man unlike other Korean variety shows receive much more international attention since they don't block the subbed videos online while some other K-varieties such as Infinite Challenge (which is btw the show that has the most number of ratings in Korea eversince it aired) suspend the videos uploaded by subbers and now the only subbing site of the show has been officially closed. *creys*
It has a unique charm that other K-varieties don't have, since the amazing writers and PD's are so creative you can never get tired to it. If you're into non-scripted comedy, slapstick and wit humor then you're in for a treat.
A brief history of the show. I shall give milestones of the show.
Running Man's first episode was aired on July 11, 2010, it was also the first time there was SBS HD, anyways it was a rainy evening on the rooftop of SBS building in Seoul. 7 awkward permanent members let the rain fall on their head. 7 men, Yoo Jaesuk, Kim Jongkook, HaHa, Garie, Ji Sukjin, Song Joongki and Lee Kwangsoo introduced themselves bashfully including two female guests and one of them is Lee Hyori. So they started the games and that started the addicting show.
On their 7th episode a female member was added. She was gorgeous, and turns out she was the pretty ballerina from Princess Hours/Goong and her name is Song Ji Hyo
On the 41st episode Song Joongki left. The ambitious, confident and active flower boy Song Joongki, he left with the reason of him focusing more on his acting career.
Their 100th episode must have been the most important milestone that have passed as of now, in Korea they always celebrate in their 100th day whether relationships, or companies, so even in shows their 100th, 200th, 300th and so on episode is important and special, but now they passed that first 100 episodes and they are into their journey of 100 more. As of today they are down to their 146th episodes of perfection and still on going, and I dread for the day where they will have their last episode, I really can't imagine that. *wails*
One of the biggest milestones of Running Man was their overseas episodes and how people welcome them. As a hardcore fan I feel proud and sometimes sends tears in me. I feel so happy that they are being so popular throughout Asia at least if not the world.
Episode 50 - 51 Their first overseas which is in Thailand, it was so near to me. Thai fans are lucky.
Episode 61 - 62 Imagine racing through the Great Wall of China, that is epic.
Episode 72 - 73 Jackie Chan acting as their guide they fly all the way to Hongkong, that is so seriously near in the Philippines.
Episode 97 - They went to Thailand again and two of the members get to play on 2012 Asian Dream Cup.
Episode 133, 134, 136 these episodes did it, they are literally the variety show that is known throughout Asia, they flew to Macau and Vietnam and people flock to everywhere they go.
Of course despite having writers and producers that have brilliant minds if the casts are dull and boring then the show world be right then unsuccessful, but with the cast members' wit and comedy skills you will be thrown off to your chair, rolling on the floor for their gags and stupidity and be on the edge of your seat once their competitive side awakens and give a good game to watch.
The members:
Yoo Jae Seok (40)
NICKNAMES: The Grasshopper, Nation's MC, Yooruce Willis, Yoomes Bond, Yooneu-nim (Yoo-God), Master of Chasing, Yoo Hyeok.
The center of the show and the leader. Known as the nation's MC and popular for being the kind, humble and diligent MC. He is loved by his junior and senior comedians because of his golden heart and sense of care towards people around him. He has the ability to make everyone around comfortable so as they say. He is the main MC, he is a chatterbox and often teased by his protruding teeth and ridiculed with his looks especially when his glasses are taken off. First, he was known one of the weakest but now he is considered as one of the most powerful member alongside Kim Jongkook and Song Jihyo.
He is my fave, cuz he is such a genuine person, I don't even believe in him being ugly, there is something so attractive about this old man IDE. But I will definitely marry someone as hardworking and responsible of a man he is!
Ji Seok Jin (45)
NICKNAMES: Impala, Weakest Hyung, Big Nose Hyungnim, Race Starter.
The weakest hyung but the oldest. He always uses his age as an excuse. A funny describtion of him is "the mind wants to do things, but the body can't" resulting into funny body gags that beyond explanation. He's so greasy and likes to make-up cringing songs. He is known as an impala because he's on the bottom of the foodchain alongside with Kwangsoo. But despite this he is a very good hyungnim to his dongsaengs and he takes care of them detailed especially their only little sisrter Jihyo.
He is the least liked member since he is always a race starter but I still love him so much, because most of the time I laugh so much due to his stupid body gags especially with the Easy brothers team and the recent Betrayers' cross!
Kim Jong Kook (37)
NICKNAMES: Sparta-kooks, The Commander, Kookie, Coach Kkuk, Tiger
The muscleman of the group, once you hear the fierce growl of the tiger followed by the eradicating scream of "spartaaa" you shall run for your life cause you will die, but you should actually beg for your life because you will never outrun him. He takes the villain image in the group. The most powerful and most hated by the members, but truthfully he has a cutie side which spells to kookie, the members cringe to his cuteness and makes them want to beat him to pulps.
Kim Jong Kook is hated by many due to his prowess against the members, I was one of them until I get to know him, he is actually a nice fellow, quite gullible and hopeless romantic, but kind just like his mentor Yoo Jae Suk.
Nothing beats the focus of this guy. He sometimes is dumb but he is the member who does his best in games and challenges but will be the weakest in front of his Monday Girlfriend. He is poetic and cheesy, his lines are actually so lovey dovey sometimes you fall in love with him, but beware he sleeps naked, stripped naked. He is new to variety and known as a troublemaker since his issue about him quitting it. He is quite famous to ladies but always has been loyal to Song Jihyo.
I'm in love with his songs, it's straight on hiphop and the lyrics are so touching and I never knew Gary could be a hella funny guy, I'm not even kidding. He makes me laugh so much.
HaHa/Ha Dong Hoon (33)
NICKNAMES: Haroro, Roro, Schemer, Penguin, Playboy, Leg tripping specialist
A playboy before his marriage to Byul, his expertise is rage and screaming. Seriously, I don't know where in his 168 cm of height does he get his energy. He's so cute like a penguin and he's a reggae artist, he's one of the weakest but his manipulation is no joke, he mostly win in races due to his schemes and betrayal, but that's what makes him so great, his so funny and evil at the same time, always plotting something against Kim Jong Kook. But behind the scenes his a bestfriend to the muscle man and he is the number one follower of God Yoo, and he is known as a shadow to him, since his two shows have Yoo Jae Seok in it.
I envy his energy and comedic sense is really the greatest. I also love the way he treats female guests, nothing special, then he starts to leg trip them and beat them to the ground eversince he got married and can't act as a playboy anymore, for me that's the funniest.
Song Ji Hyo/Cheon Seong Im (31)
NICKNAMES: Bad Jihyo, Ace Jihyo, Mong Jihyo, Monday Girlfriend, Miss Mong, Song Ji-yok, Cat Jihyo
She is not called as the ace for nothing. She is Running Man's precious stone, she is a treasure, dubbed as "better than the 6 men combined", the only female member of Running Man. Although she is of the opposite sex she isn't viewed in any more than a family member to the others, she is often thrown away if there are female guests but well at least not her Monday Boyfriend. Her wits and strength can win against anyone even Kim Jong Kook if she is not in her Blank mode and if she's not too Dazed.
She is the prettiest person alive on earth. She's in her freaking 30's, and I look older than her. She is not only a pretty actress but she's also talented well not in terms of dancing and singing, but well she's talented in variety she's funny and strong. She really is my role model in life.
Lee Kwang Soo (27)
NICKNAME: The Betrayer, The Giraffe, Framer Kwangsoo, Asian Prince, Kwang-vatar
190 cm of awkwardness, once a ramp model but now have his image ruined by being one of the best in varieties. Believe it or not, with his numerous witty gags, Running Man is his first variety show, he's a rookie but the most famous next to the nation's MC. The "variety gods" are always in his favor as so they say, but his highlight is his betraying skills and being such a loser in almost everything. He is the reason why children in Korea says that the sound giraffe makes is "betray betray". Despite his betrayals he is often seen as a kind Maknae, he takes care of his older brothers and older sister and also guests and makes sure that thaye are comfortable. Then again he is one of the many followers of Yoo Jae Suk, so he follows his principles.
Many hates him because they said his betrayals are going too far, but what the hell it's a show. They all need characters and this fits him the most. Him being an asshole is actually one of the funniest in the show, I'm relieved because he is kind on real life and fr me his acting is world class.
Song Joong ki (27) EX MEMBER
Nickname: Flower boy, Brain Joong-ki, Active Young Man
He left the show for his acting but he is a hardworking and handsome member of Running Man. He showed his over confident poise in a lot of challenges but seem to lack a lot of strength and always the first one to be eliminated in "find the guests" challenge. He is the same-aged friend of Kwangsoo but the members said that they are so different physically, and mentally and even when Joongki did something all that he will receive will be praise but when Kwangsoo does the same thing he get angered at.
I love him so much, I cried when he left the show. I thought it was the end of me, but then Running Man is still an awesome show without him. But still I await the day that he will come back and become permanent again.
That's the end of Running Man 101, all I can say is watch it yourself you will be surprised that you will be hooked eventually. I got my sisters, my brother, my sis-in-law, my niece and my nephew, even my grandma watch this show and they all laugh their asses of. I also have friends who got hooked on this when I introduced the show to them. One of my friends actually told me that it has some kind of magic because when she have a bad day she simply watch the show and voila! she's happy again. If you're in for laughs this is definitely for you.
So yeah! I go tired in writing this but it's worth it and I thank you for those who read it. Pardon if there's some typographical and grammar errors. It's too long for me to edit it even if I saw them while re-reading them. That's all!
<3
*****CREDITS FOR THE RIGHTFUL OWNERS OF THE PICTURES USED, THEY ARE NOT MINE, ESPECIALLY THE GIFS, MOST OF THEM CAME FROM KPOPCORNGIFS.TUMBLR.COM*****
