Kan Mi-youn

Kan Mi-youn (born February 2, 1982) is a South Korean singer, actress, radio host, model, fashion designer, and businesswoman. Kan joined the South Korean girl group Baby V.O.X. in October 1997, which went on to become one of the most popular girl groups of that time.[1] Kan went on to become a solo artist after the group disbanded in February 2006.

Kan Mi-youn
Born	Kan Mi-yeon (1982-02-02) February 2, 1982 Seoul, South Korea
Occupation	Singer actress radio host model fashion designer businesswoman
Musical career
Genres	K-pop R&B
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1997–present
Labels	DR Music Source Music Mako Amusement Dream Stone Entertainment
Associated acts	Baby V.O.X

Kan Mi-youn
Hangul	간미연
Hanja	簡美妍
Revised Romanization	Gan Mi-yeon
McCune–Reischauer	Kan Miyŏn

This is a Korean name; the family name is Kan.

Career

1997–2006: Baby V.O.X

Kan Mi-youn debuted in October 1997 as a new member of the first generation girl group Baby V.O.X, replacing ex-member Cha Yu-Mi, who was injured on stage during a performance.[2] Kan was given the title of 'princess' by her fellow members and fans, and was known for her cute and comical traits. Kan was considered the main, and best, vocalist of the group, due to her ability to hit high notes.[3]

Following the release of Baby V.O.X's third studio album, Come Come Come Baby, the lead single, Get Up, reached number one on Korea's pop charts, securing their spot as one of Korea's top pop music groups. The group gained a vast loyal fan base in Korea, China, Thailand and other Asian markets.[4][2]

Despite garnering a large fan base, Kan was a frequent target of anti-fans.[5] The most shocking incident was in 1999, when Kan was targeted for murder by a fan of the Korean boy group H.O.T.[6] Kan was rumored to be dating H.O.T member Moon Hee Joon, which attracted many anti-fans and negative press. She received an envelope containing razor blades and a letter threatening to murder her.[7]

2006: Solo career

In 2006, Kan made the decision to pursue a solo career, and signed with a new record label, thus ending her eight years of activities as a member of Baby V.O.X. Following her departure, Baby V.O.X released one final album and disbanded.[8]

On September 15, 2006, Kan released her first solo album, Refreshing. The album was a reflection on her personal life and maturing as a woman.[9]

Following the release of her album, and after learning how to fluently speak in Mandarin, Kan made the decision to break into the Chinese music market.[3][10]

2007–2009: Chinese market

While focusing on the Chinese market, Kan managed to reach a significant level of success.[3] One of Kan's most notable feats was winning a famous Mandarin singing competition, 名声大震, with Chinese singer Anson Hu.[11] It was this show that shot her into stardom, securing her as a successful artist in the Chinese music market.[12]

In January 2008, Kan released a Chinese version of her debut Korean album, Refreshing.

Following the Sichuan earthquake in China, Kan collaborated with various Asian artists to release "Promise" and "I Love Asia" for a fund raising project that supported the victims of the earthquake.[13][14][15]

2010: Return to Korea

On July 1, 2010, Kan Mi-youn made her comeback in South Korea after a three-year absence. Despite her hiatus, Kan proved that she was still hot in the Korean industry. With her new short hair and sexy image, Kan released her first digital single, Going Crazy (ft. Mir of MBLAQ).[16][17] The music video, which featured Lee Joon and Mir of MBLAQ, recorded over 200,000 views in under an hour on GomTV.[18]

The song proved to be quite successful, and managed to peak at #11 on Korea's top music chart, Gaon.

On July 15, 2010, Kan officially launched her own fashion line named Kanderella. The line was eventually sold on exclusive websites and was reported to be in high demand.[19]

2011: WATCH and OBSESSION

On February 8, 2011, Kan released a music video teaser for Sunshine (ft. Junsu), a pre-release single for her upcoming album. The full-length music video and song were released the following day.[20]

On February 14, 2011, a music video teaser for her lead single, Paparazzi, was released.[21] Two days later, the full-length music video of Paparazzi, (starring Kim Hyung-jun of SS501), was released. The full-length mini-album, WATCH, was digitally and physically released the following day.[22][23] Promotions for Paparazzi began on February 18, 2011, on M! Countdown.[24] The song experienced much attention and even placed Kan in the top spots on music stations, as well as digital music charts.

On September 26, 2011, a music video teaser for Kan's new song, Won't Meet You, was released. Two days later, the full-length music video to Won't Meet You, as well as her second mini-album, OBSESSION, were released. Promotions for Won't Meet You began on September 29, 2011, on M! Countdown.

On October 24, 2011, Kan took over from Noh Hong-chul as DJ for MBC FM4U's Close Friends radio program. The program invites popular Korean singers to showcase their talents and interact with fans. Kan celebrated her 300-day anniversary in August 2012 and reported the program's ratings were higher than ever. Kan ended her position and handed over the baton to UV's Muzie on October 22, 2012. The show has since been canceled and replaced by FM Date.[25][26][27][28][29]

2014—present

In May 2014, Kan signed a contract with Mako Amusement to further both her musical and acting career. She joined her fellow ex-Baby V.O.X member Shim Eun-jin who is also signed with Mako.[30][31]

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
		KOR [32]	CHI
Refreshing	Released: September 19, 2006 (KOR) Label: Source Music Formats: CD, digital download	—	—
Refreshing	Released: February 12, 2008 (CHI) Label: Source Music Formats: CD, digital download	—	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. Note - The Gaon Chart was established in February 2010. Releases before this date have no chart data.

Extended plays

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions	Sales
		KOR [32]
Watch	Released: February 21, 2011 Label: Source Music Formats: CD, digital download	8	KOR: 1,839+
Obsession	Released: September 29, 2011 Label: Source Music Formats: CD, digital download	21	KOR: 1,309+

Singles

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		KOR [33]
"Winter"	2007	—	Non-album release
"Sunshine (feat. Junsu)"	2011	82	Watch
"Good Love"		73	Feeling Project #1
"The Day the Light Disappeared"		96	Feeling Project #2
"Lose You"	2012	62	Feeling Project #3

Promotional singles

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		KOR [33]
"Going Crazy (feat. Mir)"	2010	11	Watch
"Paparazzi"(feat. Eric Mun)	2011	15
"Won't Meet You"		43	Obsession

Videography

Music videos

Title	Year
"Old Woman"	2006
"Kiss"
"여우별"	2007
"如果, 可以爱你"	2008
"陷入爱里面"
"巴黎铁塔"
"너에게 약속하는 7가지"
"情”情场大片"
"Going Crazy" (feat. Mir)	2010
"Sunshine (feat. Junsu)"	2011
"Paparazzi"
"Good Love"
"Won't Meet You"
"Us That Day"	2015

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2010	Nana's Rose War	Ping Guo (Apple)	Supporting role

Television series

Year	Title	Network	Role	Notes
2002	Nonstop 3	MBC	Herself	Supporting role
2012	The Strongest K-Pop Survival	Channel A		Special appearance
2015	Eve's Love	MBC	Oh Bit-na	Cameo appearance
	Kill Me, Heal Me	MBC	Shin Se Gi's girlfriend	Cameo (Ep. 1)
2016	Moorim School: Saga of the Brave	KBS2	Yoo-di	Supporting role
	Memory	tvN	Young-Jin's ex-girlfriend	Guest
2017	Missing 9	MBC		Supporting role
	Hit the Top	KBS2	Ha Soo-young	Special appearance (Ep. 16)

Variety shows

Year	Title	Network	Notes
2008	간미연의 트렌드섹션	ETN
2010	여자만세	QTV
2017	King of Mask Singer	MBC	Contestant as "Mrs. Curie" (Episodes 123–124)[34]

Awards

All awards listed below are referenced from Source Music & Naver[35][36]

Year	Awards
1998	Sports Seoul Music Awards: New Artist Award SBS Music Awards: Choice Award & Vocalist Award KBS Music Awards: New Artist Award
1999	10th Seoul Music Awards: Best Singer Award SBS Music Awards: Choice Award KBS Music Awards: Choice Award MBC Music Awards: Choice Award KMTVMusic Awards: Choice Award M-net Music Awards: Choice Award
2000	제1회 애견문화인의 상 11th Seoul Music Awards: Most Popular Award SBS Music Awards: Choice Award KBS Music Awards: Choice Award ITV Music Awards: Choice Award
2001	MBC Music Awards: Choice Award KBS Music Awards: Choice Award Golden Disk Awards: Most Popular Award Award Model Line: Best Dressed Singer Sports Seoul Music Awards: 선행상
2002	SBS Music Award: Most Popular Song Award KBS Music Award: Choice Award Golden Disk Awards: Choice Award KMTV Music Awards: Hallyu Special Award 13th Seoul Music Awards: Choice Award
2003	Korean Music Awards: Best Singer of the Year 14th Seoul Music Awards: Choice Award SBS Music Award: Choice Award KBS Music Award: Choice Award Golden Disk Awards: Choice Award Sports Seoul Music Awards: 본상
2004	15th Seoul Music Awards: Hallyu Award Channel V Thailand: Asian Sensation Award
2006	2006 International Audio Visual Exposition of China: Special Award
2007	2007 Chinese University Music Festival: Most Popular Foreign Singer 2007 Chinese TV Singing Competition "名声大震": Champion (with Anson Hu) 2007 International Entertainment Online: Best Upcoming Korean Female Star
2009	7th Southeast 동남 경폭 Music Awards: Best International Artist Award

References

1. "Biography: Baby Vox". Allmusic. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
2. JpopAsia. "Baby V.O.X - JpopAsia". JpopAsia.
3. "KBS WORLD Radio". world.kbs.co.kr.
4. "Perfect People: Baby V.O.X".
5. "'안티팬'이 부른 연예인 테러…과도한 집착이 보여준 단면". 네이트뉴스.
6. "[SC 페이퍼진] 연예인과 스토커". 네이트뉴스.
7. "Korean celebrities fear for their safety". Archived from the original on 2010-05-09. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
8. "KBS News: Kan Mi-youn Returns as Soloist". Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
9. "간미연 "섹시함? 쑥스러웠어요"". 네이트뉴스.
10. "Metroseoul News: "홀로 선 무대 사실 두렵죠"". Archived from the original on 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
11. "iFensi News:胡彦斌简美妍技压众星 《名声大震》夺冠". Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
12. "KBS News: Kan Mi-youn Tops Chinese Popularity Poll". Archived from the original on 2012-07-08.
13. "组图：简美妍连夜录制赈灾歌曲 为灾区送祝福-搜狐娱乐". yule.sohu.com.
14. "Korean Stars Sing to Deliver Message of Hope to Quake Victims".
15. "Songs for the Earthquake Victims (June 5, 2008)". Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
16. "이 간미연이 그 간미연? 환골탈태 '미쳐가'".
17. "'컴백' 간미연, 엠블렉 미르와 섹시 퍼포먼스". 네이트뉴스.
18. "[news] Kan Mi Yeon's crazy music video hits 200,000 views in 1 day".
19. NewDaily: 간미연도 '쇼핑몰 CEO' 변신?
20. "Kan Mi Youn releases 'Sunshine' MV feat. 2PM's Junsu".
21. "Kan Mi Youn reveals "Paparazzi" MV teaser starring SS501's Kim Hyung Joon".
22. "Kan Mi Youn releases "Paparazzi" MV starring SS501's Kim Hyung Joon".
23. "Kan Mi Youn releases first mini-album, "WATCH"".
24. "Kan Mi Youn makes a "Paparazzi" comeback on M! Countdown".
25. <친한친구> DJ데뷔 간미연 위해 베이비복스 멤버들 '응원왔어요~' [<Close Friends> DJ Debut for Kan Mi-youn, Baby V.O.X members "Come to give support"] (in Korean). Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation. 2011-10-26. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
26. "Baby V.O.X gathers to support Kan Mi-youn's radio DJ debut". Allkpop. 2011-10-27. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
27. Jang, Young-Jun (2012-08-24). '간미연의 친한친구', 300일 특집 공개방송 'Thank U 4 U' 개최 [Kan Mi-youn's 'Close Friends' holds 300-day feature broadcast "Thank U 4 U"]. TV Report (in Korean).
28. UV, MBC라디오 ‘친한친구’ DJ 발탁…간미연과 바통 터치 [UV, MBC Radio 'Close Friends' DJ chosen...Kan Mi-youn passes the baton] (in Korean). The Dong-a Ilbo. 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
29. "Roy Kim and Jung Joon Young's 'Close Friends' gets canceled + 'FM Date' to be revived as its replacement". Allkpop. 2013-08-27. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
30. 간미연, 마코어뮤즈먼트와 전속계약…베이비복스 심은진과 한솥밥 [Kan Mi-youn, exclusive contract with Mako Amusement...along with Baby V.O.X Shim Eun-jin] (in Korean). Korea Economic Daily. 2014-05-14. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
31. "Kan Mi-youn's Artist Profile on Mako". Mako Amusement (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
32. "Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved December 16, 2017.
33. "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved December 16, 2017.
34. Yoo Ji-hye (August 13, 2017). '복면가왕' 영희, 2연속 가왕 등극...마돈나=김연자 [종합]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved August 14, 2017.
35. Olimiko. "sourcemusic.co.kr". www.sourcemusic.co.kr.
36. "베이비복스 :: 네이버 인물검색". people.search.naver.com.

External links

• Kan Mi-youn on Twitter
• 간미연 (Kan Mi-youn) on Cyworld (in Korean)