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Kai (singer, born 1981)

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In this Korean name, the family name is Jung.
Kai
Born
Jung Ki-yeol

(1981-12-05) December 5, 1981 (age 43)
Seoul, South Korea
Alma materSeoul National University
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musical actor
Musical career
Genres
Years active2002 (2002)–present
LabelsEMK
Korean name
Hangul
정기열
Hanja
Revised RomanizationJeong Kiyeol
McCune–ReischauerChŏng Kiyŏl
Stage name
Hangul
카이
Revised RomanizationKai
McCune–ReischauerKa'i

Jung Ki-yeol (Korean: 정기열; born December 5, 1981), known professionally as Kai (카이), is a South Korean singer and musical theatre actor. He is a classically-trained baritone best known in musical theatre and has starred in Korean productions of A Tale of Two Cities, The Three Musketeers, Phantom, Jekyll & Hyde and Les Misérables. Outside of musical theatre, Kai has appeared as a panelist on various singing variety shows such as King of Mask Singer and was host of the classical music show Music of the World on KBS Classic FM.[1]

Early life and education

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Kai grew up in a musical home and began singing as a child at a local children's choir. He attended Seoul Arts High School and graduated from Seoul National University where he majored in voice.[1][2] He continued with graduate studies at his alma mater after completing his mandatory military service. In 2009, he completed his master's degree and wrote his thesis on the music of Modest Musorgsky.[3]

Career

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Early career

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Despite having an academic background in classical music, Kai decided to pursue a career in the classical crossover genre, which was still relatively new in South Korea at that time.[4][5] In a 2009 interview, Kai stated that he had shocked his professors and was met with opposition from most of them when he announced his intention to be a crossover singer rather than pursue a career in opera, as many of his peers had done.[6] His decision was influenced by his professor, retired tenor Park In-soo, whose 1989 hit duet "Nostalgia" (향수) with folk singer Lee Dong-won is considered to be one of the earliest commercially-successful classical crossover Korean songs;[7] Park himself was expelled by the Korea National Opera and ostracized by the domestic classical music community after the song was released due to the staunch conservative and segregationist attitudes still prevalent at that time.[8][9]

Kai split his time between performing popular music at various festivals and standard classical opera repertoire at concert halls in an attempt to challenge the prevailing perception that classically-trained singers would lose their singing skills if they dabbled in popular music.[8] He gained wider public recognition after featuring as a guest artist at the 2009 nation-wide concert tour of renowned Korean operatic soprano Sumi Jo.[10][11] Up until then, he had performed under the name "Kyul" (결), a portmanteau of his given name. Jo suggested "Kai" for his stage name as it was easier for non-Korean audiences to pronounce and he has used it ever since.[10]

In addition to performing, Kai also released a number of singles and albums and done guest vocals for other artists. For his 2009 maxi single, he collaborated with veteran K-pop composer and producer Kim Hyung-suk, known for his work with J. Y. Park among others, to produce original material rather than the common practice of reinterpreting traditional classical crossover repertoire.[6] He released his first full-length studio album I AM KAI in March 2011 and it debuted at #92[12] on the Gaon Album Chart and rose to peak at #26 within three weeks.[13] His releases have also topped the domestic classical charts, making him one of the earliest crossover artists to have charted in both the classical and Gaon charts simultaneously.[14][15][16]

Musical theater

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Kai made his musical theatre debut in the 2011 production of The Story of My Life. At that time, there were relatively few classically-trained singers active in musical theater, with fellow Seoul National University voice majors Ryu Jeong-han and Kim So-hyun being the two most prolific and well-known.[17] Most musical actors and actresses were either pop singers or trained actors who later received vocal training.

Kai has been cast as authoritarian or "lofty" characters due to his powerful voice[18] and starred as the protagonist in the Korean productions of many notable musicals, including A Tale of Two Cities, Phantom, The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo.[19] In 2017, he won critical acclaim and recognition for his roles as the eponymous character in the world premiere of Ben Hur, a Korean musical adaption of Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ,[20][21] and as Crown Prince Rudolf in Rudolf (promoted in Korea as The Last Kiss).[22][21] He was cast as King Arthur in the 2019 Seoul premiere of the Korean adaptation of Excalibur, which won rave reviews from both critics and audiences and was one of the best-selling musicals that year; due to its popularity, the musical was brought back in 2021 and Kai was one of several original cast members who returned.[23] In late 2020 he was cast in the musical adaptation of The Sorrows of Young Werther and was nominated for Best Lead Actor at the 5th Korean Musical Awards.[24][25]

Other activities

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From 2010 to 2014, Kai was a DJ on KBS Classic FM's popular classical music show 세상의 모든 음악 (ko) (Music of the World), the South Korean equivalent of BBC Radio 3.[26] He has also participated in singing variety shows such as Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend, the second season of I Am a Singer[27] and King of Mask Singer. From 2017 to 2021 he was a regular panelist on King of Mask Singer as one of five "music specialists".[28]

Outside of musical theater and concerts, Kai has performed at various Korea Tourism Organization-sponsored events throughout Asia to promote Korean musicals as a potential attraction for visiting tourists. He received a commendation from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for his work.[17][29]

Discography

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Albums

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# Title Album details Peak positions1 Sales
KOR
Weekly 		KOR
Monthly
1 I AM KAI
Track listing
  1. In the Name of Love
  2. I Believe
  3. Break-up Came Beforehand
  4. Did I Not Love You
  5. Punishment
  6. When I Close My Eyes
  7. Love Will Find the Lover
  8. This Is the Moment
  9. Winter Letter
  10. A Thousand Winds
  11. The Way of the Sun (with Kim Jae-hyung)
  12. Nella Fantasia
  13. I Believe (duet with Sohyang)
  14. You Raise Me Up
 26 82
2 Kai in Italy
Track listing
  1. O Sole Mio
  2. Lei (She)
  3. Volare
  4. 'A vucchella
  5. Parla Piu Piano
  6. Non Ti Scordar Di Me
  7. Con Te Partiro
 34 —

Maxi singles

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# Title Album details Notes
1 미완(未完)
Track listing
  1. 월하연(月下緣) (feat. 전소영)
  2. 어린사랑
  3. 그대에게로
 [33]
2 Edgewalker
Track listing
  1. 벌
  2. You Raise Me Up
  3. 벌 (instrumental)
  4. You Raise Me Up (instrumental)
 [34]
3 Clad Meets Piano
  • Released: February 2, 2010
  • Label: Universal Music Korea
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. 이별이 먼저 와 있다 (feat. Jeong Jae-il on the piano)
  2. 겨울에 쓰는 편지
  3. 이별이 먼저 와 있다 (instrumental)
  4. 겨울에 쓰는 편지 (instrumental)
 [35]

Soundtrack and singles contributions

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Year Track Album Notes
2009 눈물 Can't Stop Now OST [36]
2010 운명의 연인에게 (Did I Not Love You)
(Secret Garden ft. Kai) 		Non album single
With Special Guests (Korean Special Edition)
그대 내게 다시
(Jeon Jae-duck with Kai) 		A-LIVE Vol.1 김형석의 다락방

Theater

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Year English title Korean title Role Ref.
2012-2013 A Tale of Two Cities 두 도시 이야기 Charles Darnay
2014 Dracula 드라큘라 Jonathan Harker
2014-2015 Marie Antoinette 마리 앙투아네트 Axel von Fersen the Younger
2015-2021 Phantom 유령 Phantom
2016 The Three Musketeers 삼총사 D'Artagnan
Jack the Ripper 잭 더 리퍼 Daniel
2016-2021 The Count of Monte Cristo 몬테 크리스토 백작 Edmond Dantès, The Count of Monte Cristo
2017-2018 Rudolf 더 라스트 키스 Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria
2017-2019 Ben-Hur 벤허 Ben-Hur
2018-2022 Frankenstein 프랑켄슈타인 Henry Dupre/Monster
2019-2020 Rebecca 레베카 Maxim de Winter
2019-2021 Excalibur 엑스칼리버 King Arthur
2021-2022 Jekyll & Hyde 지킬앤하이드 Dr. Henry Jekyll/Mr. Edward Hyde
2023 Beethoven 베토벤 Beethoven [37]
2023-2024 Les Misérables 레 미제라블 Inspector Javert

Awards

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Vocal competitions

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  • 2002: Schubert Society of Korea Competition – consolation prize (semi-finalist)[6]
  • 2007: Dong-a Music Competition – 3rd place, voice (male)[38][39]
  • 2009: Osaka International Music Competition (jp) – 3rd place, voice/opera category[40]

Musical theater

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2012 18th Korea Musical Awards (ko) Best Male Newcomer A Tale of Two Cities Won [41][42]
2017 9th Seoul Success Award Daesang (Grand Prize) / Musical Actor of the Year Ben-Hur Won [21]
2018 2nd Korea Musical Awards (ko) Best Lead Actor Ben-Hur Nominated [43][44]
2021 5th Korea Musical Awards Best Lead Actor Werther Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b "[star&] 카이, 나를 규정하려 들지 말라". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). April 14, 2011.
  2. ^ "즐거움으로 쌓아올린 그의 음악 이야기 한 챕터". SNU News (in Korean). Seoul National University. May 27, 2012.
  3. ^ Jung, Ki-yeol. Modest Musorgsky의 에 대한 연구 (Master of Music). Seoul National University. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  4. ^ "Crossover Singer Kai Aims to Bridge Gap". The Korea Times. December 27, 2009.
  5. ^ "KAI continues to widen his musical spectrum". Korea.net. November 11, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c "김형석.카이 "'클라드'로 새바람 낼게요"". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). December 9, 2009.
  7. ^ ""넓은 벌 동쪽 끝으로"…'향수' 가수 이동원 별세". The Hankyoreh (in Korean). November 14, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "[me] 오페라서 가요까지 '멀티 뮤지션'". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). June 17, 2008.
  9. ^ ""음악은 들어 즐겁기에 존재하는 것… 고귀함, 높낮음이 없다."". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). February 10, 2010.
  10. ^ a b "카이, 조수미와 김형석 사이 행복한 '비행'". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). November 5, 2011.
  11. ^ "[팝업] 조수미 파트너로 뜬 남자 '카이'". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). November 20, 2009.
  12. ^ "2011년 13주차 Album Chart" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
  13. ^ "2011년 15주차 Album Chart" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
  14. ^ "카이, 클래식 주간차트 12주째 1위". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). March 24, 2010.
  15. ^ "카이, 시크릿가든과 손잡고 클래식차트 1위". NowNews (Seoul Shinmun) (in Korean). March 16, 2010.
  16. ^ "카이 첫 정규 앨범, 온-오프라인 돌풍" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. April 11, 2011.
  17. ^ a b "성악가→팝페라가수→뮤지컬 배우 카이의 '뜻밖의 고백'". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). October 22, 2019.
  18. ^ "[LIVE TALK] <팬텀> 카이 [No.141]". The Musical (in Korean). June 30, 2015.
  19. ^ "뮤지컬 배우 카이, '팬텀' 매회 레전드 공연…"나에게 가장 잘 맞는 옷 같다"". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). May 11, 2021.
  20. ^ "'Ben-Hur' tops nominees for 6th Yegreen Musical Awards". Korea JoongAng Daily. November 7, 2017.
  21. ^ a b c "뮤지컬배우 카이, '서울 석세스 대상' 뮤지컬대상" (in Korean). KBS. November 28, 2017.
  22. ^ "뮤지컬 배우 카이, 황태자 루돌프役 완벽 소화..'호평세례'". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). December 27, 2017.
  23. ^ "[뮤지컬] '엑스칼리버' 카이 "韓뮤지컬 세계적 수준, 브로드웨이서도 못만날 사이즈와 완성도 볼 것"". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). August 23, 2021.
  24. ^ "마리 퀴리·썸씽로튼, '제5회 한국뮤지컬어워즈' 최다후보". The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). December 21, 2020.
  25. ^ "제5회 한국뮤지컬어워즈 — 수상후보 (배우 부문): 주연상(남자)" (in Korean). Korean Musical Awards.
  26. ^ "카이, 5년만에 '세상의 모든 음악 카이입니다' DJ 하차". 10Asia (Korea Economic Daily) (in Korean). December 23, 2014.
  27. ^ "<나가수2> 카이, 당신을 '팝페라'의 매력에 빠지게 할 이 멋진 남자!" (in Korean). MBC. August 6, 2012.
  28. ^ "뮤지컬 배우 카이, '복면가왕' 하차 "소중한 경험" 소감" (in Korean). Maeil Business Newspaper. April 9, 2021.
  29. ^ "뮤지컬 배우 카이, 문화체육관광부 장관 표창 수상". 10Asia (in Korean). December 28, 2018.
  30. ^ "I Am Kai". Naver. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  31. ^ "2011년 04월 Album Chart" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
  32. ^ "Kai in Italy". Naver. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  33. ^ "미완(未完) (Digital Single)". Mnet. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  34. ^ "Edgewalker (Single)". Mnet. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  35. ^ "Clad Meets Piano (Single)". Mnet. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  36. ^ "멈출 수 없어 OST". Mnet. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  37. ^ Park Soo-in (November 15, 2022). "박효신→옥주현, 뮤지컬 '베토벤' 캐릭터 포스터 보니" [Park Hyo-shin → Ok Joo-hyun, seeing the character poster of the musical ‘Beethoven]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved November 15, 2022 – via Naver.
  38. ^ "2007년 제47회 동아음악콩쿠르 수상자" (in Korean). The Dong-a Ilbo.
  39. ^ "한국 음악계 차세대 스타, 그 영광의 얼굴들". The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). October 16, 2007.
  40. ^ "10th Results / Section I: Vocal". Osaka International Music Competition.
  41. ^ "[뮤지컬대상] 카이, 남우신인상 수상 "1분 1초도 허투루 보내지 않겠다"". Seoul Broadcasting System. December 30, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  42. ^ "Kim Jun-su, Ock Joo-hyun Take Top Honors at Musical Awards". The Chosun Ilbo. October 30, 2012.
  43. ^ "제2회 한국뮤지컬어워즈 후보 발표...벤허 11개 부문, 레드북 9개부문 후보 올라" (in Korean). Naver. December 28, 2017.
  44. ^ "'벤허', 한국뮤지컬어워즈 대상…홍광호·전미도 남녀주연상 쾌거". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). January 22, 2018.
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