Ko Ji-yong

Ko Ji-yong (born July 1, 1980)[1] is a member of Sechs Kies, a South Korean first generation K-pop idol dance group which disbanded in 2000 but reunited in 2016. Unlike most of the other members, Ko left the entertainment industry and started his own company. He made his first television appearance in years when he appeared at Sechs Kies' reunion special on Infinite Challenge. Due to his family and work commitments he did not sign a contract with the group's new label YG Entertainment or promote with them as a performer but is considered to be part of the group. From January 2017 to May 2019, he and his son appeared on the reality show The Return of Superman.

This is a Korean name; the family name is Ko.
Ko Ji-yong
Born (1980-07-01) July 1, 1980
Spouse(s)
Heo Yang-lim
(
m. 2013)
Children1
Musical career
GenresK-pop
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active1997–2000
LabelsDSP Media
Associated actsSechs Kies
Korean name
Hangul
고지용
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGo Ji-yong
McCune–ReischauerKo Chi-yong

Early life

A native of Seoul, Ko was elementary schoolmates with future Sechs Kies bandmate Kang Sung-hun and g.o.d member Son Ho-young.[2][3] He lost contact with Kang after the latter went to the United States to attend high school.

Career

Sechs Kies and retirement

Ko was recruited by Kang to join the boy band he and his high school friend Eun Ji-won were forming.[4][5] The group was eventually named Sechs Kies and debuted on April 15, 1997. Ko was the second youngest member.

Until the time the group disbanded in 2000, he was greatly loved by fans for his handsome looks and singing voice.[6] Unlike other members, he did not continue his career as a solo singer but he was cast as a host in an internet broadcast and as an actor in a television drama.[7] However, Ko Ji-yong chose to leave the entertainment industry to start his own business.[8]

In 2008, fellow SechsKies member and leader Eun Ji-won appeared in the entertainment program Come to Play and remarked that he had not seen Ko since the group's disbandment.[9] Fellow vocalist Jang Su-won revealed on Happy Together in 2014 that he was in contact with Ko and confirmed that he was running his own business.[10][11]

Reunion

In 2016, Sechs Kies reunited after their disbandment in 2000 through the variety show Infinite Challenge.[12] Ko, who had left the entertainment business permanently after the disbandment to pursue a new career, surprised the members of SechsKies as well as all the fans by appearing at the reunion concert and performing their hit song "Couple".[13] After Infinite Challenge aired, SechsKies earned many more fans; their hit songs ranked high in music charts and “Couple” was seen in 11th place in Music Bank.[14] The group officially reunited and signed a group contract with YG Entertainment in May that year.[15] However, Ko was the only one who did not sign, having been the only member to completely depart from the entertainment industry.

On July 18, Ko made a public appearance as a sponsor for a charity basketball event and held interviews with the media for the first time in 16 years. He stated that he is now living as a "half-celebrity" since appearing on Infinite Challenge.[16][17] On November 30, it was announced that Ko and his son would be joining the cast of The Return of Superman. He said although he cannot participate in current Sechs Kies group activities as a family man, he has determined to keep his promise to "create opportunities to be with fans through activities he can participate." Also as he was unable to spend more time with his son, he hopes to make lots of memories with him through the program.[18][19] In May 2019, Jiyong announced that he and his son would be leaving the cast of 'The Return of Superman'.[20]

Personal life

On December 2013, Ko Ji-yong married Heo Yang-im, a professor of family medicine and a doctor.[21][22] The couple have a son, Ko Seungjae, born in 2014.[23]

Discography

Studio albums
  • School Byeolgok (학원별곡) (1997)
  • Welcome To The Sechskies Land (1997)
  • Road Fighter (1998)
  • Special Album (1998)
  • Com’Back (1999)

Other albums
  • Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves Musical OST (1998)
  • 1020 Mix (1999)
  • Sechskies Live Concert (1999)
  • Blue Note (2000)

Music credits
Artist(s)Song Information
SECHSKIES
  • "Foe (적(敵)" - Com` Back

Filmography

Film
YearTitleRole
1998Seventeen: The Movie

Variety show
Year Title Network Role Note
2017–2019 The Return of Superman KBS2 Cast member Ep. 154–280[24]

Awards
Year Awards
1997
  • 12th Korea Visual and Records Grand Prize Award (Golden Disc Awards), Bonsang
  • Seoul Music Awards, Bonsang
  • KMTV Korean Music Awards, New Artist
  • KBS Music Awards, Bonsang
  • MBC Music Festival, Best 10 Artist Award
  • SBS Music Awards, Best 10 Artist Award
1998
  • 13th Korea Visual and Records Grand Prize Award (Golden Disc Awards), Bonsang
  • 9th Seoul Music Awards, Daesang (Shared With H.O.T.)
  • 9th Seoul Music Awards, Bonsang
  • KMTV Korean Music Awards, Popularity Award
  • KBS Music Awards, Artist Of The Year (Teen Category)
  • MBC Music Festival, Popularity Award (Voted By Under 30)
  • SBS Music Awards, Best 10 Artist Award
1999
  • 14th Korea Visual and Records Grand Prize Award (Golden Disc Awards), Bonsang
  • 10th Seoul Music Awards, Bonsang
  • KMTV Korean Music Awards, Bonsang
  • KBS Music Awards, Bonsang
  • MBC Music Festival, Best 10 Artist Award
  • SBS Music Awards, Best 10 Artist Award
2018
gollark: > very slyYes. You have been very subtle. It took lots of detective work to figure out your hints.
gollark: Or you could photograph the car with a sheet of paper saying "hello I am wsa on discord and own this tesla".
gollark: Anyway, I am not saying that nationalized healthcare is a bad idea, just that it does *not* magically mean nobody actually pays for it.
gollark: 20% apparently, which is lower than I thought.
gollark: It probably isn't 0.5%. I think the UK's national health service runs to about a third of government expenditure? Not certain, I can check.

References
  1. (in Korean) 네이버 인물검색 - 고지용 Naver. December 22, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  2. "손호영 "젝스키스 강성훈·고지용과 학교동창…재결성 반가워"". Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). July 5, 2016.
  3. "Episode 195: A Midsummer Night's Honey". The Return of Superman. August 13, 2017. KBS2.
  4. 은지원, 젝키 시절 '학원 별곡' "창피했다" 고백 (in Korean). TvDaily. August 20, 2010. Archived from the original on April 13, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  5. 전종선 (June 2, 2016). ‘라디오스타’ 강성훈, 젝스키스 결성 비화 공개 "내가 원하는 멤버로 뽑았다" ["Radio Star" Kang Sunghun Reveals the Secret behind SECHSKIES formation "I picked the members I wanted"]. 서울경제 (in Korean). Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  6. 기사입력 (June 2, 2016). 인기댄스그룹 '젝스키스' 해체 발표 [Popular dance group Sechs Kies decided to disband]. donga new (in Korean). Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  7. `젝키` 고지용, 연기자로 새출발
  8. Sechskies' Ko Ji Yong reveals why he quit the entertainment industry
  9. 인터넷뉴스팀 (June 2, 2016). 은지원, "7년 동안 못 본 고지용, 보고 싶다. 연락해" [Eun Jiwon "I saw Ko Ji Yong 7 years ago, miss you. Contact me"]. 스포츠조선 (in Korean). Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  10. "Jang Su Won Says Sechs Kies′ Lee Jae Jin is Now Working as YG′s Nanny". Mnet. December 17, 2014.
  11. ""I Am the Best" Special". Happy Together. Season 3. Episode 377. December 18, 2014. KBS2.
  12. Sechskies perform together for the first time in 16 years on 'Infinity Challenge'
  13. Sechskies' Ko Ji-yong appears on 'Infinity Challenge' after 17-year hiatus
  14. Sechs Kies re-emerges on Music Bank K-Chart with 1998 hit track, “Couple”
  15. Sechskies officially sign on with YG Entertainment!
  16. '사업가'로 돌아온 고지용, '젝스키스 넘버원 팬은 바로 나' [Ko Ji Yong returns as a 'businessman,' "SECHSKIES' number one fan is me"]. Star News (in Korean). 18 July 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-22.
  17. "(Video Interview) Ko Ji Yong returns as a 'businessman,' "SECHSKIES' number one fan is me"". Star News.
  18. [공식입장] 고지용, '슈퍼맨' 합류 "젝키 팬과의 약속 지키기 위해" [[Official Statement] Ko Ji Yong, joins 'The Return of Superman' to "keep his promise with Jekki fans"]. MyDaily (in Korean). 30 November 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-22.
  19. SECHSKIES’s Non-Active Member Go Ji Yong To Join “The Return Of Superman”
  20. Father-son duo Ji Yong, Seung Jae leaving "The Return of Superman" [[Official Statement] Ko Ji Yong, joins 'The Return of Superman' to "keep his promise with Jekki fans"]. MyDaily (in Korean). 18 May 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
  21. Former Sechskies member Ko Ji Yong gets married!
  22. Sung Jin-woo, The Korea (13 December 2013). "Former idol to wed medical doctor". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  23. Lee In-kyung. "[Exclusive] Ko Ji Yong is Expecting Honeymoon baby". www.mnetamerica.com. MNET America. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  24. 슈퍼맨이돌아왔다' 승재 "소원은 가족사진, 아빠 고지용 좋다" 뭉클 작별 [종합]. TV Daily (in Korean). Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  25. "[종합] '2018 KBS 연예대상' 이영자 데뷔 27년만에 첫 대상 "웃기고 뭉클" (수상소감)". sports.donga.com (in Korean). 23 December 2018. Retrieved 2019-01-06.
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