Kangta

Kangta worked across singer, actor, composer, songwriter and record producer. The registers place that work in K-pop. This article rests on 15 catalogued compositions and 18 issued recordings drawn from named institutional registers. Every statement below returns to a source shown in the evidence panel; where the record is silent or divided, the article says so instead of resolving it.

• Name — Kangta • Birth Name — An Chil-hyun • Born — 10 October 1979 • Birthplace — Seoul, South Korea • Occupation — * Singer-songwriter • composer • record producer • actor • radio personality • creative director

Kangta was discovered at Lotte World, a theme park, when he was 13 years old. He made his debut on-screen appearance as a backup dancer together with future bandmate Moon Hee-joon for labelmate singer Yoo Young-jin. Kangta eventually decided to become a singer with Moon and three others, Jang Woo-hyuk, Tony An, and Lee Jae-won to form H.O.T. in 1996. The group disbanded in 2001 when the group's contract expired and the members decided not to renew it.

Kangta released his first studio album Polaris on August 16, 2001, and began his solo career with the title track "Polaris". On this album, he wrote, composed and arranged seven songs and produced the album. Even at the beginning of the recession in the music market, it sold 300,000 copies within a week of its release, ranking first in record sales, and was a great success with sales close to 500,000 copies. In December of the same year, SM Entertainment's singers began to enter China in earnest, starting with performances in Beijing and Shanghai, China. From March 4 to October 20, 2002, he was the main DJ of Kangta's Declaration of Freedom at KBS 2FM, and from October 21 to April 20, 2003, he was a double DJ with Shin Hye-sung. Later in March, the heroine Seong-so (played by Lim Eun-kyung) was cast as the beloved singer Ga Jun-oh in Jang Sun-woo's film The Second Coming of a Match Girl and made a cameo appearance. On August 1 of the same year, he released his second studio album Pine Tree for the first time in more than a year, and as with his first album, he recorded more than 70% of his own songs. Prior to his broadcast activities after the album's release, his first solo concert Kangta 1st Concert 'Pine Tree' was held three times on Aug. 24 and 25 at Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium.

Kangta received several offers and accepted a drama offer in China. In 2004, he starred in a drama called Magic Touch of Fate together with Taiwanese actors and actresses, Ruby Lin and Alec Su. Kangta portrayed the role of the evil magician Jin-Xiu. A few months later, he starred in a KBS drama, Loveholic in Korea. In 2005, Kangta was appointed director when he re-signed with SM and received a portion of the down payment as a stock.

Kangta released his third album, Persona, in 2005. In July of the same year, the third studio album Persona was officially released in Taiwan and China. The album became a hot topic because it had 500,000 pre-orders. The title song "Persona" was a big hit in China. In 2005, Kangta was chosen as the best Korean singer overseas, according to Arirang International Broadcasting. A poll was issued over the internet, allowing only people outside of Korea to vote.

Kangta also acted in his second Chinese drama, Love in the City 2. In the series, Kangta portrayed the life of a successful CEO with a dull life. In March Kangta was announced to be playing a supporting role in JTBC's 2012 drama Happy Ending as Kim So-eun's love interest. In 2007, he filmed two dramas and Love in the City 2 aired on October 1, 2007. In January 2007, Kangta took part in the Hallyu Festival in Osaka, which also featured Jun Jin and Lee Min-woo of Shinhwa, SG Wannabe and actor Song Seung-heon at the Osaka Dome. Kangta enlisted for mandatory military service in April 2008 for 21 months of active duty. During which time he starred in military musical Mine with rapper Yang Dong-geun. It is about the true life story of Lieutenant Lee Jong-myung, who lost his legs in a land mine explosion near the demilitarized zone, in June 2000, when he saved fellow soldier, Sul Dong-seob from the minefield.

After two years and five months of hiatus from the entertainment industry due to Korean military service, Kangta released Chinese EP Breaka Shaka, which was released on September 14. In 2013, he produced the OST for That Winter, the Wind Blows, and "Gray Paper" and "And One" were written and composed by Kangta. He also produced Zhou Mi's album Rewind in 2014.

In March 2014, Kangta, alongside labelmate BoA, was appointed as a de facto creative director of S.M. Entertainment. In October 2016, S.M. Entertainment announced that Kangta would hold a concert to celebrate his 20th debut anniversary titled Coming Home, as a part of SM Entertainment's concert series The Agit. The concert was held from November 4 to November 6 at SMTown Theatre. On October 11, S.M. Entertainment confirmed that Kangta currently preparing his new album. On the same day, it was confirmed that Kangta would appear on JTBC's A Hyung I Know and would be aired on October 29. Kangta released his first Korean extended play Home' Chapter 1 on November 3. The album contains five tracks, with the lead single titled "Diner". In 2017, He released his digital single "Doll" with Wendy and Seulgi of Red Velvet.

After a three-year musical hiatus, the new song "Cough Syrup" was pre-released on SMTOWN LIVE 'Culture Humanity' on January 1, 2021. And it was officially released as SM STATION on January 15. SM Entertainment announced that Kangta would begin preparations for his twenty-fifth anniversary project throughout 2021. He first released the single "Freezing" on March 24. Kangta released the remake single "Free To Fly 2021" on July 14. The second single for the project "Christmas in July" was released on July 28. The third single "Maybe" was released on October 12. The fourth single "Slow Dance" was released on January 12, 2022. On August 17, 2022, it was announced that Kangta would be making a comeback on September 7 with his fourth studio album Eyes on You, marking his first almost two decades (since 2005). The lead single of the same name was released on the same day the ten-track album was released, and it included "Skip" featuring NCT Taeyong and "Love Song" featuring Paloalto. On April 22, 2023, SM STATION released its digital single, "When I Close My Eyes". The song was sung with Lee A-reum, a vocalist of Hanbitarts, in commemoration of Day of the Disabled.

In 2023, Kangta is the executive producer of SMASHHIT Productions Team, one of the four CICs of Kreation Music Rights, SM Entertainment's music publishing subsidiary. And in 2024, he expanded his field by working on songs with a number of singers, discovering various producers.

He is an experienced songwriter and composer, having written over 100 songs for H.O.T.'s albums as well as for other groups and singers like NRG and former labelmate Fly to the Sky. On February 4, 2020, it was confirmed that Kangta is in a relationship with actress Jung Yu-mi.

After planning for years, Kangta worked with his celebrity friends Shin Hye-sung from Shinhwa and Lee Ji-hoon to form the project group named 'S', an initialism for 'Supreme'. They released their first solo project album called Fr. In. Cl. (short for 'Friends in Classic'; 2003). They have won several awards since then. Their title track, "I Swear" was written, composed, and arranged by Kangta while Shin wrote the English lyrics. On 14 October 2014, it was announced that group 'S' would be making a comeback after over a decade with a new mini-album titled Autumn Breeze, scheduled to be released on October 27. SM Entertainment stated that "Kangta wrote and produced all the songs on the upcoming album. Kangta's unique music style and the trio's harmonious voices will create beautiful ballads that will satisfy the fans". On October 18, the group performed their new song "Without You" at SM Entertainment's agency-wide concert SM Town in Shanghai. The music video for the song was released on October 24, starring Yuri of Girls' Generation. The group was slated to be on Immortal Songs 2 on November 3 as part of their promotions.

Early 2006, Kangta collaborated with Vanness Wu of F4 from Taiwan, and formed Kangta & Vanness. Their debut was in Thailand ending the ceremony for the 2006 MTV Asia Awards. They released their single "Scandal" and promoted their single in Asia. "Scandal" was a success over Asia and a repackaged version was released in mid-July. On September 12, they held a showcase in Malaysia, Berjaya Times Square. On Arirang TV's talk show Heart to Heart, Kangta announced that he would be entering the Army in early 2008, during which activities were put on hold.

• Title — Album details — Peak chart positions — Sales • KOR • Polaris — * Released: August 19, 2001 * Label: SM Entertainment * Formats: CD, digital download — *KOR: 492,843 • Pine Tree — * Released: August 21, 2002 * Label: SM Entertainment * Formats: CD, digital download — *KOR: 264,463 • Persona — * Released: March 4, 2005 * Label: SM Entertainment * Formats: CD, digital download — *KOR: 50,060 • Eyes on You — * Released: September 7, 2022 * Label: SM Entertainment * Formats: CD, digital download — 18 — * KOR: 6,629

• Title — Album details • Kangta & Best — * Released: October 3, 2006 * Label: SM Entertainment * Formats: CD, digital download

• Title — Album details • 1st Concert Pinetree: 20020824 Live — * Released: March 28, 2003 * Label: SM Entertainment * Formats: CD, digital download

• Title — Details — Peak chart positions — Sales • KOR • Korean • Eternity — * Released: March 12, 2008 * Label: SM Entertainment * Formats: CD, digital download — *KOR: 12,301 • Home' Chapter 1 — * Released: November 3, 2016 * Label: SM Entertainment * Formats: CD, digital download — 13 — * KOR: 3,172 • Chinese • Breaka Shaka — * Released: September 14, 2010 * Label: SM Entertainment, Avex Taiwan * Formats: CD, digital download

• Title — Year — Album • Korean • "Polaris" — 2001 — Polaris • "Memories" (사랑은 기억보다) — 2002 — Pine Tree • "Persona" — 2004 — Persona • "Eternity" (어느날 가슴이 말했다) — 2008 — Eternity • "Diner" (단골식당) — 2016 — Home' Chapter 1 • "Cough Syrup" — 2021 — Cough Syrup • "Freezing" — Eyes On You • "Free to Fly 2021" — Free to Fly 2021 • "Christmas in July" — Eyes On You • "Maybe" • "Slow Dance" — 2022 • "Eyes on You" • Chinese • "Breaka Shaka" — 2010 — Breaka Shaka

• Title — Year — Album • "I Want" (Fly to the Sky featuring Kangta and BoA) — 2001 — The Promise • "The Poem" (Song Kwang-sik featuring Kangta) — Dream of Heaven • "Confession" (hangul 고백)" (Chu Ga-yeoul featuring Kangta) — 2007 — Vol. 2 There's So Much I Want to Say Promise • "7989" (Taeyeon featuring Kangta) — Girls' Generation

• Title — Year — Album • "너의 꿈 찾아" — 2001 — Atlantis: The Lost Empire soundtrack • "Breath" • "Seom" — 2002 — Resurrection of the Little Match Girl soundtrack • "Breath"(in S) — 2005 — April Snow soundtrack • "Still My Heart" — 2007 — Dear My Love soundtrack • "Perguntas" — Air City soundtrack • "Arrow" — 2011 — Athena soundtrack • "Magic" (with Shin Seung-hoon, Baek Ji-young and Gil) — 2012 — The Voice of Korea • "Dear My Family" (with SMTown artists) — I Am soundtrack • "미안합니다(Prod. By Muzie, Cho Jung Chi)" (with Hanhae) — 2016 — The birth of the song, TRACK 7 • "Theme Of Prontera" — 2017 — The Memory Of Ragnarok soundtrack • "I Swear" (with Kim Jaeho, Yoon Bora, Cho Hyunrang) — Fantastic Duo2 Part.15 • "Polaris" (with Cho Hyunrang)

List of SMTOWN and SM Station • Title — Year — Album • "Angel Eyes" (with SMTown artists) — 2001 — Christmas Winter Vacation in SMTown.com – Angel Eyes • "White" • "The First Noel" • "Summer Vacation" (with SMTown artists) — 2002 — 02 SUMMER VACATION IN SMTOWN.com • "Blue" • "여름날의 추억" • "My Angel My Light (with SMTown artists)" — 2002 Winter Vacation in SMTown.com – My Angel My Light • "보내는 글" • "Silver Bell" (with Hyesung and Isak N Jiyeon) • "Hello! Summer!" (with SMTown artists) — 2003 — 2003 Summer Vacation in SMTown.com • "연가" • "그림으로 떠나는여행" (with Dana, Jung Ji-hoon(Black Beat), Jang Jin-young(Black Beat), Jiyeon(Isak N Jiyeon) • "두 번째 겨울 (Snowflake) (with SMTown artists)" — 2003 Winter Vacation in SMTown.com • "The Christmas Song" • "Hot Mail (여름편지) (with SMTown artists)" — 2004 — 2004 Summer Vacation in SMTown.com • "미쳐가나봐" • "Just One" (with Moon Hee Jun and Isak N Jiyeon) • "태양은 가득히" (with SMTown artists) — 2006 — 2006 Summer SMTown • "Summer Night Love" • "Snow Dream" (with SMTown artists) — 2006 Winter SMTown – Snow Dream • "White Christmas" • "여행을 떠나요" (with SMTown artists) — 2007 — 2007 Summer SMTown • "Last Year Summer Night Story" • "Only Love" — 2007 Winter SMTown – Only Love • "Winter Wonderland" • "For The First Time" — 2011 — 2011 Winter SMTown – The Warmest Gift • "Doll" (with Wendy, Seulgi) — 2007 — Doll - SM Station • "Dear My Family (Studio Ver.)" (with SMTown artists) — Dear My Family - SM Station • "Dear My Family (Live Concert Ver.)" (with SMTown artists) • "빛 (Hope from KWANGYA)" (with SMTown artists) — 2021 — 2021 Winter SM Town: SMCU Express • "The Cure" (with BoA, U-Know, Leeteuk, Taeyeon, Onew, Suho, Irene, Taeyong, Mark, Kun, Karina) — 2022 — 2022 Winter SM Town: SMCU Palace • "Happier" (with Yesung, Suho, Tae-il, Renjun) • "When I Close My Eyes" (with Lee A-reum) — 2023 — When I Close My Eyes - SM Station • "Thank You" (with SMTown artists) — 2025 — 2025 SM Town: The Culture, the Future • "Just a Feeling"

• Title — Year — Director • Korean • "Polaris" — 2001 • "Confession" — 2002 • "Memories" • "Propose" • "Persona" — 2005 — Lee Sang-kyu • "Eternity" — 2008 • "Diner" — 2016 • "Cough Syrup" — 2021 • "Freezing" • "Free To Fly 2021" • "Christmas in July" • "Slow Dance" — 2022 • "Eyes On You" • "Love Song" • "When I Close My Eyes" — 2023 • Chinese • "Breaka Shaka" — 2010 Produced album

• Polaris (2001) • Pine Tree (2002) • Fr. In. Cl. by S (2003) • Persona (2005) • Scandal by Kangta & Vanness (2006) • Eternity (2008) • Arrow soundtrack (2011) • That Winter, the Wind Blows soundtrack (2013) • Rewind by Zhoumi (2014) • Autumn Breeze by S (2014) • Cause You by Yeong-jun & Lee Ye-joon (2022) • Shiny day by Tony Ahn (2023)

• Year — Album — Artist — Song — Lyrics — Music — Notes • Credited — With — Credited — With • 1998 — Resurrection — H.O.T. — "Hope" • "The Promise of H.O.T." — Yoo Young-jin • "Techno Love" — Tony Ahn • "Wedding X-mas" • 1999 — I Yah! — H.O.T. — "My Girl" • "Celebrate" • "It's Been Raining Since You Left Me" • "Together, Forever" • Christmas in SMTown.com — SM Town — "Jingle Bell" • "Graduation" • "Together, Forever" • "Wedding X-mas" • "A Song For Love" • Fly to the Sky — Fly to the Sky — "In My Dream" • "A Song For Love"

• Year — Album — Artist — Song — Lyrics — Music — Notes • Credited — With — Credited — With • 2000 — Eternity Friend — Lee Ji-hoon — "For You......" • "Eternity Friend" • Age Of Peace soundtrack — H.O.T. — "The Best" • "TTTrack #1 (Techno Time Track #1)" • "TTTrack #2 (Techno Time Track #2)" • Outside Castle — H.O.T. — "Delight" • "We Can Do It!" • "My Mother" — Jang Woo-hyuk • "Pray for You" • "Goodbye For The Last" — Jang Woo-hyuk • "Illusion" • "Always My Love" • Winter Vacation In SM Town.com — SM Town — "Silver Bell" — a foreign folk song • 2001 — Special With... — Lee Ji-hoon — "Doll" • "My Romance" • The Promise — Fly to the Sky — "I Want" — Brian Joo • "Shy Love" — Brian Joo • Sorrow (悲) — NRG — "Sorrow (悲)" • Hey, Come On! — Shinhwa — "I Swear..." • Atlantis: The Lost Empire soundtrack — Kangta — "Faith" • Polaris — Kangta — "Polaris" • "My Life" • "In Your Eyes" • "Still" • "Last Summer Night" • "Blue Moon" • "Polaris" instrumental • Dana — Dana — "Pretty..." • Winter vacation in SMTOWN.com - Angel eyes — SM Town — "White" • "The First Noel" • 2002 — Pine Tree — Kangta — "Happy Happy" — Lee Yoon-jae • "Memories" • "Propose" • "Summer" • "The Best" • "Autumn" • "Memories#2" • "Flower" • "2032 in Cuba" — Yoon Hyo-sang • "Nocturne" • "One Snowing Day" — Song Kwang-sik • "Pine Tree" • No.1 — BoA — "Waiting" • "Beat It" • 2003 — Fr. in. Cl — S — "I Swear" — Shin Hye-sung • "Love Is..." • "Just One Moment" — Eric Mun • "Tears Of The Moon" • "I Was..." • "Sentimental" • Double — BoA — "Always" • 2004 — NR6G — NRG — "Shoulder To Shoulder" • 2005 — Persona — Kangta — "Persona" • "Illusion" • "Agape" • "Paralysis" • "Just One Day" • "Blue Snow" • "Always" • "Prayer" • April Snow soundtrack — S — "Breath" • 2006 — Scandal — Kangta & Vanness — "127 Days" • "One Day" • 2007 — Girls' Generation — Kangta and Taeyeon — "7989" • Eternity — Kangta — "Eternity" • "7989"

• Year — Album — Artist — Song — Lyrics — Music — Notes • Credited — With — Credited — With • 2010 — Breaka Shaka — Kangta — "Remember" • "Habit" • 2011 — 'Athena soundtrack — Kangta — "Arrow" • 2013 — That Winter, the Wind Blows soundtrack — Yesung — "Gray Paper" • Taeyeon — "Only One" • 2014 — Can You Here Me — Ji Se Hee — "Can You Here Me" • Once Again #2 — Shin Hye-sung&Im Chang-jung — "Doll" • Autumn Breeze — S — "Without You" • "One Last Memory" • "Utopia" — Song Kwang-sik — Song Kwang-sik • "One Fine Day" • "Secret Letter" • 2016 — Home' Chapter 1 — Kangta — "Diner" • 2017 — Doll — Kangta&Wendy&Seulgi — "Doll" • 2019 — Hope — Lee Jin-ah — "Hope"

• Year — Album — Artist — Song — Lyrics — Music — Notes • Credited — With — Credited — With • 2021 — Rewind: Blossom — Baekhyun&Doyoung — "Doll" • Christmas in July — Kangta — "Memories of Summer 2021" • 2021 Winter SM Town: SMCU Express — SM Town — "The Promise of H.O.T. (Jazz Ver.)" — Yoo Young-jin • "Hope from KWANGYA" • 2022 — Cause You — Yeong-jun & Lee Ye-joon — "Cause You" — Yeong-jun — Yeong-jun • Re-born Project — Ben — "Waiting.." • Eyes on You — Kangta — "Persona 2022" • 2023 — Pine Tree — Lee Woo — "Pine Tree" • Shiny Day — Tony Ahn — "Shiny Day" • — — Kim Woojin — "Camellia" — Kyle Lo, Petra • 2024 — Glow — Big O!cean — "Glow" — Mac Curly • Youth — Doyoung — "Warmth" — Dawnon, KimWook, Jae Do-gi, HYUN, NONE, Sondia • I Like The Way — Kim Woojin — "Hold" — Kim Woojin — eldon • Start Up! (Prod. KANGTA) — SOIONA — "Start Up! (Prod. KANGTA)" • LOVESTRUCK SISTERS Episode 8 soundtrack — Mytro — "Life Goes On" — Hickee, WONJUN • Ordinary Grace — Baek Ji-young — "Indeed, It Was Love" — Hickee, Klozer

• KANGTA 1st Concert: Pinetree (2002) • KANGTA Beijing Concert (2005) • KANGTA & VANNESS SCANDAL in Beijing (2006) • KANGTA 1st JAPAN CONCERT 2007 (2007) • 2008 KANGTA LIVE CONCERT "Eternity" (2008) • KANGTA Asia Tour 2010 IN Beijing (2010) • The Agit: Coming Home (2016)

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2002 — Man And Women-Happy Birthday — Dohyun — Lead role • 2005 — Magic Touch of Fate — Jin Xiu — Main role • Loveholic — Seo Kang Wook — Lead role • 2007 — Love In The City 2 — Zhang Wei Qi — Lead role • It's a Celebration for the Girls of Jeongga — An Chil-hyun — Lead role • 2011 — Pepper and Kimchi — Kang Woo-hyuk — Lead role • Di Jin — Ling Xuan — Lead role • 2012 — Happy Ending — Goo Seung Jae — Supporting role • 2016 — Circle of Friends • 2017 — Tri-Path Journey

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2012–2013 — The Voice of Korea — Judges — Seasons 1 and 2, did not return for season 3 • 2018 — Song One — MC — Ep 1-6 • 2019 — Super Hearer — Hearer — Ep 1–8

• Year — Title — Role — Note • 2002 — KBS 2FM Kangta's 'Freedom Declaration' — DJ — Solo DJ • 2002 – 2003 — KBS 2FM Kangta, Shin Hye-sung's 'Freedom Declaration' — Double DJ • 2016–2018 — MBC Starry Night — Solo DJ

Kangta is recorded with the occupation record producer. Recorded with the occupation songwriter. Recorded with the occupation composer. Recorded with the occupation singer. Recorded with the occupation actor. Classed in the genre K-pop. Recorded as singer, actor, composer, songwriter and record producer. Recorded at birth as 안칠현. Identity and origins. Recorded at birth as 안칠현. He also worked under the name 강타. The authorities additionally record the headings Kang Ta and Ahn Chil-hyun. His recorded language was Korean.