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Kang Ho-dong

Kang Ho-dong
Born (1970-07-14) July 14, 1970 (age 54)
Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea
Years active1993–present
EmployerS.M. 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

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.

In 2008, Kang Ho Dong 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

[edit]

Kang Ho-dong 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 Ho-dong 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.

Career

[edit]

Kang Ho-dong 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 Ho Dong 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 Ho Dong 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

[edit]

Filmography

[edit]

Television drama

[edit]
Year Title Note
1992 Windmills of Love Cameo
1992 Hotel Cameo
1997 Three Guys and Three Girls Cameo
2002 Nonstop 3 Cameo
2005 Old Miss Diary Cameo
2016 Listen to Love Cameo (ep.3)

Television shows

[edit]

  Off-Air   On-Air

Year Title Role
1997 Open Comedy - Mother
1999, 2002 Joyful Super Sunday TV - MC Standby Cue
2002-2003 Kang Ho-dong's Soulmates
2002-2004 Beautiful Sunday
2003 Big Stars, First Looks
Saturday Wishes
2003-2007 X-Man Main Host
2003-2009 Ya Shim Man Man (S 1,2) Main Host
2004 Healthy Men and Women
Star Olympiad
Medical Non-Fiction! Last Warning
2004-2005 Experimental Show, Really?! Really!
2004-2006 Love Letter Main Host
2006-2011, 2012-2013 Golden Fishery
2007 Are You Ready
2007-2011 2 Days & 1 Night: Season 1 Regular Member
2007-2011, 2012-2016 Star King Main Host
2009-2011 Strong Heart Main Host
2013 Moonlight Prince Main Host
Barefooted Friends Main Host
2013-2016 Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education Main Host
2014 Star Gazing Main Host
2015 Invisible Man Regular Member
New Journey to the West: Season 1 Main Host
2015-2016 Mari and Me Regular Member
2015–present Knowing Bros Main Host
2016 National Chef Team Main Host
New Journey to the West: Season 2 Main Host
Strong Man Regular Member
Sunshine Art Fitness Regular Member
2016-2020 Let's Eat Dinner Together Main Host
2017 New Journey to The West: Season 2.5 Main Host
New Journey to The West: Season 3 Main Host
Real Class - Elementary School Main Host
Island Trio Main Host
New Journey to The West: Season 4 Main Host
Shadow Singer Main Host
2017-2018 Kang's Kitchen Owner and Main Chef
2018 Talkmon
For The First Time In My Life Main Host
Island Trio : Season 2 Main Host
Great Escape Main Host
A Battle of One Voice: 300 Main Host
New Journey to The West: Season 5 Regular Member
New Journey to The West: Season 6 Regular Member
2018-2019 Eating Out Day Main Host
We Will Channel You Regular Member
Amor Fati MC
2019 Everyone's Kitchen Main Host
The Great Escape: Season 2 Main Host
300 X2 Main Host
Kang's Kitchen 2 Regular Member
Kang's Kitchen 3 Regular Member
V-1 MC
We Play Regular Member
The Ramyeonator Main Host
2019-2020 New Journey to The West: Season 7 Regular Member
2019-2021 Eye Contact Main Host
2020 The Great Escape: Season 3 Cast
Eating Out Day: Season 2 Main Host
Regular Member
New Journey to The West: Season 8 Regular Member
2020-2021 Eat More Before You Leave MC
Do you eat rice - Kang Ho-dong's rice heart Host
2021 Job Estate
Voice King Host
Ho Dong's Camping Zone: Let's Choose Regular Member
The Great Escape: Season 4 Main 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]

Web shows

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

Music

[edit]

Awards and achievements

[edit]

Ssireum (wrestling)

[edit]
Year Competition Division Result
1987 11th Hoejanggijaengtaljeon National Wrestling Championships (장사급) Runner-up
1989 44th National Wrestling Championships 95.1 kg or more Won
1990 47th National Wrestling Championships 95.1 kg or more Won
1990 18th Wrestling Tournament Titans Freeweight Won
1991 54th National Wrestling Championships 95.1 kg or more Won
1991 21st Wrestling Tournament Titans Freeweight Won
1992 24th Wrestling Tournament Titans Freeweight Won

Entertainment

[edit]
Year Award Category Results
1995 TV Journal Star King Top Excellence Award Won
1998 MBC Entertainment Awards Excellence Award in a Comedy/Sitcom Won
2002 MBC Entertainment Awards Top Excellence Award in a Variety Show Won
2003 SBS Entertainment Awards Special Award, MC category Won
39th Baeksang Arts Awards Best TV Entertainer (Soulmates) Won
SBS Drama Awards Special Award Best Television MC Won
2005 4th KBS Entertainment Awards Special Award, MC category Won
SBS Drama Awards Special Award Best Television MC Won
2007 SBS Entertainment Awards Daesang (Grand Prize) Won[27]
6th KBS Entertainment Awards Top Excellence Idea Corner Award Won
SBS Entertainment Awards Korean Wave Program Award (X-man) Won
2008 44th Baeksang Arts Awards Daesang (Grand Prize) Won
7th KBS Entertainment Awards Won[27]
MBC Entertainment Awards Won[27]
20th Korean Producers' Award of Korea Best Show Host (1 Night 2 Days) Won
SBS Entertainment Awards Netizen's Choice Program of the Year Excellence Award (Star King) Won
2008 Famous Creative Entertainment "1 of top 50" Won
9th Korea Visual Arts Awards Photogenic Award, MC category Won
2009 8th KBS Entertainment Awards Daesang (Grand Prize) Won[27]
Viewer's Choice Program (1 Night 2 Days) Won
SBS Entertainment Awards Best Program Award (Strong Heart) Won
2010 SBS Entertainment Awards Daesang (Grand Prize) Won[27]
Program of the Year Award (Star King) Won[27]
SBS 20th Anniversary Entertainment 10 Star Award Won[27]
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Appreciation Plaque (1 Night 2 Days) Won
Korea Tourism Awards 2010 Merit Division (1 Night 2 Days) Won
9th KBS Entertainment Awards Viewer's Choice Program (1 Night 2 Days) Won
2011 SBS Entertainment Awards Excellence Program Award (Talk Show Category) (Strong Heart) Won
2013 SBS Entertainment Awards Producer MC Award (Star King) Won
1st Gimcheon International Masters Diving Competition Special Award (Barefooted Friends) Won
SBS Entertainment Awards Producers award (TV sector) Won
12th KBS Entertainment Awards Best Teamwork Award (Cool Kiz on the Block) Won
Kind to Rookie Award (Cool Kiz on the Block) Won
2014 SBS Entertainment Awards Excellence Award for Programs (Talk Shows category) (Star King) Won
2015 14th KBS Entertainment Awards Best Teamwork Award (Cool Kiz on the Block) Won
2016 tvN10 Awards Best Content Award, Variety (New Journey to the West) Won
2022 1st Blue Dragon Series Awards[28] Best Male Entertainer Won

State honors

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

Listicles

[edit]
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]

Notes

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  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

[edit]
  1. ^ "지상파 안 나와도 톱 찍는 예능인". 1boon (in Korean). August 31, 2018. Archived from the original on November 5, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  2. ^ "Yoo Jae-suk files lawsuit against KBS, MBC, SBS and former agency". Allkpop'. December 11, 2010. Archived from the original on July 8, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  3. ^ "Kang Ho Dong Holds Emergency Press Conference, Announces Temporary Retirement". Soompi. September 9, 2011. Archived from the original on July 9, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Court dismisses Kang Ho Dong's tax evasion case". Allkpop. December 17, 2011. Archived from the original on July 8, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  5. ^ Kim Hyun-rok (November 12, 2006). 강호동, 연예계 마당발다운 결혼식..축가는 김종국 [Kang Ho-dong, a wedding worthy of the entertainment industry.. The wedding song by Kim Jong-kook]. Daum News (in Korean). Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  6. ^ "South Korean celeb programs popular in North". The Korea Herald. March 27, 2011. Archived from the original on May 17, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  7. ^ "TV Host Cleared of Tax Dodging". chosun. December 19, 2011. Archived from the original on September 10, 2018.
  8. ^ Gold, Jonathan (November 10, 2012). "Counter Intelligence: The basics of life at Kang Ho-dong Baekjeong". Archived from the original on September 24, 2020 – via LA Times.
  9. ^ "Na's 'New Journey' kicks off today". Korea JoongAng Daily. April 18, 2016. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017.
  10. ^ "Korean reality show hits 200 million views in China". The Korea Times. June 4, 2016. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020.
  11. ^ Lee Seul-bi (August 3, 2021). "강호동X김준현, '위대한 집쿡 연구소' MC "꽉찬 재미" [공식입장]" [Hodong Kang X Junhyun Kim, ‘The Great Home Cooking Research Institute’ MC “Full of Fun” [Official Position]]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  12. ^ Baek A-young (September 30, 2021). "강호동X이수근, '맘마미안' 출연 확정...12월 첫 방송" [Kang Ho-dong X Lee Su-geun confirmed to appear in 'Mamma Mian'... First broadcast in December]. iMBC (in Korean). Retrieved September 30, 2021 – via Naver.
  13. ^ Jeong Hye-yeon (January 8, 2022). "외나무식탁' 강호동→김준현, 무명의 요리사 소개..먹방 장외 대결" ['One-wood table' Kang Ho-dong → Kim Jun-hyeon introduces an unknown chef.. Food show off-site confrontation] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Retrieved January 8, 2022 – via Naver.
  14. ^ Kim Hye-jeong (December 21, 2021). "강호동×이동국×김병현→김민경 '피는 못 속여' MC 뜬다" [Kang Ho-dong × Lee Dong-guk × Kim Byeong-hyeon → Kim Min-kyung 'I can't cheat blood' MCs appear] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved December 21, 2021 – via Naver.
  15. ^ Park Soo-in (January 6, 2022). "강호동 은지원, 탁구 부흥 위해 뭉쳤다 '올 탁구나' 1월 첫방송" [Kang Ho-dong and Eun Ji-won, united for the revival of table tennis 'All Table Tennis' premiered in January] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved January 6, 2022 – via Naver.
  16. ^ Choi Ji-yoon (March 6, 2022). "결혼 4개월차 장동민, 장인과 일상 공개…'딸도둑들" [Dong-min Jang, 4 months after marriage, reveals daily life with his father-in-law... 'Daughter Thieves] (in Korean). Newsis. Retrieved March 6, 2022 – via Naver.
  17. ^ Kim Myung-mi (March 22, 2022). "국과대표' 강호동-이진호-승희, 차세대 과학 영재 조명" [Representative of National Science’ Kang Ho-dong, Lee Jin-ho, and Seung-hee, next-generation science gifted lighting] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved March 22, 2022 – via Naver.
  18. ^ Ahn Tae-hyun (September 5, 2022). "강호동, 추석특집 '라운드 테이블' MC 낙점…6년만에 KBS 귀환" [Kang Ho-dong, Chuseok special 'Round Table' MC selected... Return to KBS after 6 years] (in Korean). News1. Retrieved September 5, 2022 – via Naver.
  19. ^ Yoo Jeong-min (December 27, 2022). "강호동, 4년만 SBS 귀환…한풀이 재판쇼 '지옥법정' MC 출격" [Kang Ho-dong returns to SBS after 4 years... Resentment trial show 'Court of Hell' MC scramble] (in Korean). iMBC. Retrieved December 27, 2022 – via Naver.
  20. ^ Jeong, Hee-yeon (March 2, 2023). "강호동, 이경규와 제대로 맞붙는다…'편먹고 공치리5' 합류 [공식]" [Kang Ho-dong and Lee Kyung-gyu properly face each other... Joined ‘Eat and Go Gongchiri 5’ [Official]] (in Korean). Sports DongA. Retrieved March 2, 2023 – via Naver.
  21. ^ Kim Ji-hye (March 20, 2023). "강호동X이승기, 12년 만에 뭉쳤다..돌아온 '강심장리그' MC[공식]" [Kang Ho-dong X Lee Seung-gi, united after 12 years.. Returning 'Strong Heart League' MC [Official]] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Retrieved March 20, 2023 – via Naver.
  22. ^ Han Hae-sun (March 21, 2023). "강호동·이승기·배인혁, '형제라면'으로 뭉친다[공식]" [Kang Ho-dong, Lee Seung-gi, and Bae In-hyuk unite as 'Brother Ramen' [Official]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Retrieved March 21, 2023 – via Naver.
  23. ^ Shin Young-eun (June 22, 2021). "골신강림' 강호동X신동엽, 골프 레전드와 무모한 대결" [Gang Ho-dong X Shin Dong-yeop, a reckless confrontation with a golf legend]. Star Today (in Korean). Retrieved June 22, 2021 – via Naver.
  24. ^ Ahn Tae-hyun (April 5, 2022). "강호동·이용진·양세찬, '지혜를 빼앗는 도깨비'로 뭉친다…5월 첫 공개" [Kang Ho-dong, Lee Yong-jin, and Yang Se-chan unite as 'Goblin Who Steals Wisdom'... First release in May] (in Korean). News1. Retrieved April 5, 2022 – via Naver.
  25. ^ Lee Kyung-ho (June 3, 2022). "강호동, 토크쇼 MC 컴백...8일 첫방 '걍나와' 기대↑" [Kang Ho-dong, talk show MC comeback... Expectation for the first episode of 'Gangna' on the 8th↑] (in Korean). MT Star News. Retrieved June 3, 2022 – via Naver.
  26. ^ Hwang Hye-jin (December 16, 2022). "유튜브에 진심인 강호동, 여행 리얼리티 '강호동네방네' 도전" [Kang Ho-dong, who is serious about YouTube, challenges travel reality ‘Kangho Neighborhood Room] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved December 17, 2022 – via Naver.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g Jang, Jin-ri (December 31, 2010). 'SBS 연예대상', 강호동 대상, 이승기 2관왕..이변은 없었다(종합) ['SBS Entertainment Awards', Kang Ho-dong Grand Prize, Lee Seung-gi won 2 crowns... There was no surprise (comprehensive)]. Joynews24 (in Korean). Retrieved February 4, 2023 – via Naver.
  28. ^ Jo Ji-young (July 19, 2022). "'국민MC' 강호동X'개그걸그룹' 셀럽파이브, 올해 최고의 예능인상 수상[청룡시리즈어워즈]" ['National MC' Kang Ho-dong X 'Gag Girl Group' Celeb Five, Best Entertainer of the Year [Blue Dragon Series Awards]] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved July 19, 2022 – via Naver.
  29. ^ Hicap, Jonathan (October 18, 2018). "BTS, Red Velvet win at Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on October 18, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  30. ^ Yeo, Yer-im (October 25, 2018). "BTS gets award upon their return home". Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2021 – via Korea JoongAng Daily.
  31. ^ Lee, Sang-won (October 25, 2016). "Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards announces winners". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  32. ^ Lee, Min-ji (October 28, 2020). "'대중문화예술상' 김희애X현빈 대통령표창 받는다(공식)". Newsen. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  33. ^ "In Pictures: Korea's Power Celebrity List". Forbes. July 19, 2010. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  34. ^ "Korea's Top Celebrities". Forbes. April 4, 2011. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  35. ^ "Forbes Korea's Top 'Power Celebrity 40' ranking". Manila Bulletin. February 28, 2012. Archived from the original on August 20, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2021 – via Yahoo! News.
  36. ^ Yang, Mi-sun (March 23, 2018). 한국 연예계의 세대교체 [Generational change in Korean entertainment industry]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 27, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Joins.
[edit]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Tak Jae-hoon
KBS Entertainment Awards - Daesang
2008 & 2009
Succeeded by
Kang Ho-dong