Kang Ho-dong

South Korean comedian From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kang Ho-dong

Kang Ho-dong (born July 14, 1970) is a South Korean television host and comedian, who first became known to Koreans as one of the top Korean traditional wrestlers.

Quick Facts Born, Years active ...
Kang Ho-dong
Kang in 2016
Born (1970-07-14) July 14, 1970 (age 54)
Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea
Years active1993–present
EmployerSM C&C
GenresComedy
Spouse
Lee Hyo-jin (이효진)
(m. 2006)
Children1
Notable works and roles
Korean name
Hangul
강호동
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGang Ho-dong
McCune–ReischauerKang Hodong
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In 2008, Kang became the first comedian in history to win the Baeksang Arts Awards Daesang (Grand Prize) for Television category. This made him the first in history to achieve an entertainment awards Daesang grand slam, including KBS, MBC, SBS and Baeksang.[1]

Along with comedian Yoo Jae-suk, he has terminated his contract with De Chocolate E&TF (a.k.a. Stom E&F) for issues of non-payment.[2] On September 9, 2011, Kang announced that he would be taking a temporary leave of absence from the public eye due to rumors of tax evasion[3] (which were later found to be caused by mistake by one of his agency's accountants).[4] He announced his return to the entertainment industry in late 2012 with S.M. C&C as Kang's new agency.

Personal life

Kang was born in Jinju on July 14, 1970 (11th day of the 6th lunar month), to a family of one brother and three sisters. Kang first met his wife on arranged double blind date with Yoo Jae-suk and on November 12, 2006, Kang married Lee Hyo-jin.[5] They had their first child, a boy named Kang Si-hoo, on March 13, 2009.[citation needed]

Career

Summarize
Perspective

Kang graduated from Masan Business High School. After graduating from high school, he started participating actively in professional Ssireum (Korean wrestling) matches. Early in his wrestling career, he lost many matches. However, on July 8, 1989, at the 44th national ssireum championships, the unseeded Kang managed to defeat the legendary Lee Mangi and went on to win the tournament, which marked the start of his successful Ssireum career. Known as 'Devil on the sand' for his arrogant and fearless demeanor, he went on to win the Baekdujangsa Ssireum Championship seven times and the Cheonhajangsa Ssireum Championship five times. He was widely recognized as the youngest ever Cheonhajangsa title holder.

After Kang retired from wrestling, he began his MC and comedian career in 1993, appearing on MBC as a talent. He was influenced by Lee Kyung-kyu, who is a famous MC and comedian in South Korea. He later became the host of a number of popular variety programs such as X-Man, Love Letter and Ya Shim Man Man. Kang has won numerous entertainment awards, and is widely recognized as one of the best television hosts in Korean television history. In 2011, he hosted four popular variety programs – Happy Sunday - 2 Days & 1 Night,[6] Golden Fishery, Star King and Strong Heart.

In 2008, the 44th Baeksang Arts Awards, Kang became the first in history to win the TV category Daesang (Grand Prize) as a comedian. The Daesang had only been awarded to TV actors/actresses ever since its establishment and Kang is the first one to break this tradition.

On September 9, 2011, Kang held a press conference announcing his retirement from the entertainment industry due to his tax evasion controversy and demand for investigation by the National Tax Service.[7] Kang was investigated for tax evasion. He was initially laid with a fine due to a discrepancy in his numbers, but it seems that there were no formal charges or processes made against the multi-entertainer. On December 17, the Seoul District Prosecutor Office announced, "In the case of the fine being less than $500,000 USD (per year), the National Tax Service must file a charge of tax evasion in order for the subject to be a suspect of tax evasion. However, there has been no such charge up until now, so we have decided to drop the case as of the 16th." Kang Ho Dong's fine amounts to $700,000 USD for a combined three years, significantly less than the required $500,000 USD per year. The National Tax Service added, "Kang Ho Dong's annual fine is less than the required $500,000 USD. Furthermore, he did not commit acts of intentional evasion. It is merely a mistake made on behalf of his accountant, so we will not be charging him with tax evasion.[4]

On August 17, 2012, Kang signed an exclusive contract with SM C&C. CEO Lee Soo-man convinced Kang personally when he was retired along with fellow MC Shin Dong-yup SM Entertainment and made a comeback.

Kang had a rough time after his return to the industry. Multiple programs in three main public broadcasts were canceled because of low ratings. However, starting at the end of 2015, Kang hosted a number of new variety shows in cable broadcast including Knowing Bros, Let's Eat Dinner Together in JTBC and New Journey to the West series in tvN. All of these programs have received very good feedback and high ratings. Thanks to the popularity of the program New Journey to the West, a spin-off program called Kang's Kitchen was launched. As a result, Kang slowly regained his popularity and re-established his status of National MC.

He owns a chain of Korean barbecue restaurants called Baek Jeong.[8]

Notable programs

  • Happy Sunday - 1 Night 2 Days is a wild variety program that airs on Sundays. Six or seven members, originally Kang Ho-dong (main MC), Lee Soo-geun, Eun Ji-won, Kim Jong-min, Ji Sang-ryul and Noh Hong-chul, later members in season 1 were Lee Seung-gi, Kim C, MC Mong, and Uhm Tae-woong, go on a trip for 1 night and 2 days and they play games (Bok-bul-bok) and present the beautiful scenery of South Korea to the viewers. Kang won his first Daesang from KBS during the annual KBS Entertainment Awards in 2008 for hosting 2 Days & 1 Night.
  • Golden Fishery was a talk show that aired on Wednesdays. Kang Ho-dong played a "knee guru" to whom celebrities presented a current problem and Kang, along with popular comedian Yoo Se-yoon and All Rise Band, tried to come up with a solution.
  • Star King is a talent variety program that airs on Saturdays. Each week, there are different challengers who compete for the title "STAR KING" and guests stars are invited to be the judges of the competition.
  • Strong Heart was a talk show originally hosted by Kang Ho-dong and Lee Seung-gi. It aired on Tuesdays. Each week, 24 guest stars were invited to share their entertaining or heartwarming stories that are related to the theme assigned and the guest with the most touching story was presented with the "Strong Heart" title.
  • Barefooted Friends was a variety and travel show where the hosts visited various countries in Asia, blending in by living like the locals in that specific country. Kang Ho-Dong was permanent host to the end of the show, alongside Yoon Shi-yoon, Yoon Jong-shin, Yoo Se-yoon, Kim Bum-soo, Eunhyuk, Kim Hyun-joong and Uee
  • Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education or Cool Kiz on the Block is a variety sports show where the members play amateur sports games. When a sport ends, new members join the cast. Only the three permanent members stay, currently Kang Ho-dong (main MC), Jeong Hyeong-don, and Yang Sangguk. The members play against amateur or professional teams, and often fellow stars. At the KBS 2013 entertainment awards, Cool Kiz on the Block received a reward for the best teamwork.
  • New Journey to the West is a Korean reality TV series well known for reuniting the original cast and producer from the “golden era” of the KBS2 variety show “1 Night 2 Days, “New Journey to the West,” named after the Chinese legend “Journey to the West,” features a trip undertaken by Korean TV personalities Kang Ho-dong, Lee Soo-geun, Eun Ji-won and Lee Seung-gi for 1st season. The first season of the show garnered an accumulated 50 million views on domestic portals by April 19, 2016.[9]
  • New Journey to the West 2 is a sequel series of New Journey to the West starring South Korean comedians Kang Ho-dong, Lee Soo-geun, singer Eun Ji-won and actor Ahn Jae-hyeon replaced Lee Seung-gi due to his attend to serve active military duty. The sequel however was watched more than 211 million times on Tencent (http://v.qq.com) as of Friday, tvN said. It is the shortest time a video has ever taken on the website to break 1 million views, the South Korean cable network said, adding the show has remained No. 1 in the entertainment category since premiering 45 days ago. (reported by 2016-06-04 11:16)[10]

Filmography

Television drama

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Note
1992Windmills of LoveCameo
1992HotelCameo
1997Three Guys and Three GirlsCameo
2002Nonstop 3Cameo
2005Old Miss Diary Cameo
2016Listen to LoveCameo (ep.3)
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Television shows

  Off-Air   On-Air

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role
1997Open Comedy - Mother
1999, 2002Joyful Super Sunday TV - MC Standby Cue
2002-2003Kang Ho-dong's Soulmates
2002-2004Beautiful Sunday
2003Big Stars, First Looks
Saturday Wishes
2003-2007X-ManMain Host
2003-2009Ya Shim Man Man (S 1,2)Main Host
2004Healthy Men and Women
Star Olympiad
Medical Non-Fiction! Last Warning
2004-2005Experimental Show, Really?! Really!
2004-2006Love LetterMain Host
2006-2011, 2012-2013Golden Fishery
2007Are You Ready
2007-20112 Days & 1 Night: Season 1Regular Member
2007-2011, 2012-2016Star KingMain Host
2009-2011Strong HeartMain Host
2013Moonlight PrinceMain Host
Barefooted FriendsMain Host
2013-2016Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical EducationMain Host
2014Star GazingMain Host
2015Invisible ManRegular Member
New Journey to the West: Season 1Main Host
2015-2016Mari and MeRegular Member
2015–presentKnowing BrosMain Host
2016National Chef TeamMain Host
New Journey to the West: Season 2Main Host
Strong ManRegular Member
Sunshine Art FitnessRegular Member
2016-2020Let's Eat Dinner TogetherMain Host
2017New Journey to The West: Season 2.5Main Host
New Journey to The West: Season 3Main Host
Real Class - Elementary SchoolMain Host
Island TrioMain Host
New Journey to The West: Season 4Main Host
Shadow SingerMain Host
2017-2018Kang's KitchenOwner and Main Chef
2018Talkmon
For The First Time In My LifeMain Host
Island Trio : Season 2Main Host
Great EscapeMain Host
A Battle of One Voice: 300Main Host
New Journey to The West: Season 5Regular Member
New Journey to The West: Season 6Regular Member
2018-2019Eating Out DayMain Host
We Will Channel YouRegular Member
Amor FatiMC
2019Everyone's KitchenMain Host
The Great Escape: Season 2Main Host
300 X2Main Host
Kang's Kitchen 2Regular Member
Kang's Kitchen 3Regular Member
V-1MC
We PlayRegular Member
The RamyeonatorMain Host
2019-2020New Journey to The West: Season 7Regular Member
2019-2021Eye ContactMain Host
2020The Great Escape: Season 3Cast
Eating Out Day: Season 2Main Host
Regular Member
New Journey to The West: Season 8Regular Member
2020-2021 Eat More Before You LeaveMC
Do you eat rice - Kang Ho-dong's rice heartHost
2021Job Estate
Voice KingHost
Ho Dong's Camping Zone: Let's ChooseRegular Member
The Great Escape: Season 4Main Host
The Great Home Cooking Research Institute Main Host [11]
2021-2022 Mamma Mian Main Host[12]
2022 One Tree Table Cast Member[13]
Can't Cheat Blood Main Host[14]
All Table Tennis! Main Cast[15]
Daughter Thieves Host[16]
National Science Representative Host [17]
Round Table (Chuseok Special) Host[18]
2023 Hell Court Host[19]
Golf Battle: Birdie Buddies 5 Cast Member[20]
Strong Heart League Host[21]
Brother Ramyeon Cast member[22]
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Web shows

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Ref.
2020–2021 People Who Buy Time - About TimeMC
2021 New Journey To The West Special "Spring Camp"Cast Member
Merseon 129Host
True GolferRegular Member [23]
2022 Goblin Stealing Wisdom Host [24]
Gannawa [25]
2022–present Kang Ho-dong Neighborhood Room Main Cast [26]
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Music

  • 2005: "Oh! Happy Day" (Christmas carol featuring child actress, Chae Eun)
  • 2009: "Horror Show" (featured in MC Mong's repackaged album, Humanimal, also featured in the music video)
  • 2018: "I kicked my luck off" (SM Station, Kang Ho-dong & Hong Jin-young)

Awards and achievements

Ssireum (wrestling)

More information Year, Competition ...
YearCompetitionDivisionResult
198711th Hoejanggijaengtaljeon National Wrestling Championships (장사급)Runner-up
198944th National Wrestling Championships95.1 kg or moreWon
199047th National Wrestling Championships95.1 kg or moreWon
199018th Wrestling Tournament TitansFreeweightWon
199154th National Wrestling Championships95.1 kg or moreWon
199121st Wrestling Tournament TitansFreeweightWon
199224th Wrestling Tournament TitansFreeweightWon
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Entertainment

More information Year, Award ...
YearAwardCategory Results
1995TV Journal Star KingTop Excellence AwardWon
1998MBC Entertainment AwardsExcellence Award in a Comedy/SitcomWon
2002MBC Entertainment AwardsTop Excellence Award in a Variety ShowWon
2003SBS Entertainment AwardsSpecial Award, MC categoryWon
39th Baeksang Arts AwardsBest TV Entertainer (Soulmates)Won
SBS Drama AwardsSpecial Award Best Television MCWon
20054th KBS Entertainment AwardsSpecial Award, MC categoryWon
SBS Drama AwardsSpecial Award Best Television MCWon
2007SBS Entertainment AwardsDaesang (Grand Prize)Won[27]
6th KBS Entertainment AwardsTop Excellence Idea Corner AwardWon
SBS Entertainment AwardsKorean Wave Program Award (X-man)Won
200844th Baeksang Arts AwardsDaesang (Grand Prize)Won
7th KBS Entertainment AwardsWon[27]
MBC Entertainment AwardsWon[27]
20th Korean Producers' Award of KoreaBest Show Host (1 Night 2 Days)Won
SBS Entertainment AwardsNetizen's Choice Program of the Year Excellence Award (Star King)Won
2008 Famous Creative Entertainment"1 of top 50"Won
9th Korea Visual Arts AwardsPhotogenic Award, MC categoryWon
20098th KBS Entertainment AwardsDaesang (Grand Prize)Won[27]
Viewer's Choice Program (1 Night 2 Days)Won
SBS Entertainment AwardsBest Program Award (Strong Heart)Won
2010SBS Entertainment AwardsDaesang (Grand Prize)Won[27]
Program of the Year Award (Star King)Won[27]
SBS 20th Anniversary Entertainment 10 Star AwardWon[27]
Ministry of Culture, Sports and TourismAppreciation Plaque (1 Night 2 Days)Won
Korea Tourism Awards 2010Merit Division (1 Night 2 Days)Won
9th KBS Entertainment AwardsViewer's Choice Program (1 Night 2 Days)Won
2011SBS Entertainment AwardsExcellence Program Award (Talk Show Category) (Strong Heart)Won
2013SBS Entertainment AwardsProducer MC Award (Star King)Won
1st Gimcheon International Masters Diving CompetitionSpecial Award (Barefooted Friends)Won
SBS Entertainment AwardsProducers award (TV sector)Won
12th KBS Entertainment AwardsBest Teamwork Award (Cool Kiz on the Block)Won
Kind to Rookie Award (Cool Kiz on the Block)Won
2014SBS Entertainment AwardsExcellence Award for Programs (Talk Shows category) (Star King)Won
201514th KBS Entertainment AwardsBest Teamwork Award (Cool Kiz on the Block)Won
2016tvN10 AwardsBest Content Award, Variety (New Journey to the West)Won
2022 1st Blue Dragon Series Awards[28] Best Male Entertainer Won
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State honors

More information Country, Year ...
Name of country, year given, and name of honor
Country Year Honor Ref.
South Korea[note 1] 2020 Presidential Commendation [32]
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Listicles

More information Publisher, Year ...
Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Forbes 2010 Korea Power Celebrity 10th [33]
2011 10th [34]
2012 12th [35]
2018 27th [36]
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Notes

  1. Honors are given at the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards, arranged by the Korea Creative Content Agency and hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.[29][30] They are awarded to those who have contributed to the arts and South Korea's pop culture.[31]

References

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