Kim Bum Soo
Encyclopedia
Kim Bum Soo born January 26, 1979, is a South Korean R&B and soul singer (see also K-pop
) famous for his smooth vocals and emotive ballads.
Particularly, he is noted for the song 보고싶다 (bo go ship da), the title of which means 'I miss you' in English. This song became the theme song of Korean drama 천국의 계단
(Stairway to Heaven).
Kim Bum Soo is the first Korean artist to make a mark on the North American music charts, with his song 'Hello Goodbye Hello' ranked as the 51st spot on the US Billboard Hot 100
in 2001.
At Seoul Institute of the Arts
, Joongbu University, he majored in music. Shortly after graduating, Kim attended an audition where he landed a recording contract with the label 'Team Entertainment.' Subsequently, his debut album was not released for another two years.
Prior to 'bo go ship da', another of Kim's songs, 'Promise', from the album of the same name, had also been used for the popular MBC drama, 'Watch and Watch Again' (1999), establishing Kim's staple image as a ballad singer. Critic and writer Catherine Chan recalls the feeling surrounding the song as a 'sentimental lovers' favorite,' describing how the song 'had all the ingredients - a tender voice, lovely melody and dreamy lyrics.' (source: http://www.koreahkfriendship.org)
.
Just prior to beginning his service, Kim had produced the song 오아시스 (Oasis), which was released as a track on this.
The song has a slightly more commercially American R&B feel than the bulk of his music, demonstrating the stylistic growth Kim has experienced over the years.
On Kim's 5th album, he also pays homage to those that have inspired and influenced him on the track 'Like'. Amongst those he names are Stevie Wonder
, Eric Benet
, Brian McKnight
, Babyface, R Kelly, Mary J. Blige
and Lenny Kravitz
.
He has also incorporated covers of songs by some of these artists in his live concerts, noticeably Stevie Wonder's 'Lately' and R Kelly 'I Believe I Can Fly.'
The only of his albums to be produced in the US, 'Remember Kim Bum Soo 5th & So Long...' also references Kim's connection to the Christian faith, with the gospel-inspired CCM track, 'The One In My Life'. The song clearly alludes to Kim's childhood church choir days, giving the 'goodbye-and-remember'-themed album a nostalgic sense of 'ending at the beginning.'
Kim continues to do performances in several countries within East Asia, but also in other parts of the world—notably in North America, where Korean pop culture (drama and music) has skyrocketed in popularity within the last decade. Past events have been held in Hawaii, New York, Los Angeles, and Boston, as well as in parts of Canada.
K-pop
K-pop is a musical genre consisting of electropop, hip hop, pop, rock, and R&B music originating in South Korea...
) famous for his smooth vocals and emotive ballads.
Particularly, he is noted for the song 보고싶다 (bo go ship da), the title of which means 'I miss you' in English. This song became the theme song of Korean drama 천국의 계단
Stairway to Heaven (TV series)
Stairway to Heaven is a South Korean television drama series broadcast by SBS between late 2003 and early 2004. It stars Choi Ji-woo, Kwon Sang-woo, Kim Tae-hee, and Shin Hyun Joon.-Plot:...
(Stairway to Heaven).
Kim Bum Soo is the first Korean artist to make a mark on the North American music charts, with his song 'Hello Goodbye Hello' ranked as the 51st spot on the US Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in 2001.
Early career
Kim decided upon pursuing a music career at the age of 20, inspired and encouraged after singing with the local church choir throughout his youth.At Seoul Institute of the Arts
Seoul Institute of the Arts
Seoul Institute of the Arts was founded by Chi-Jin Yoo in 1962. The Ansan Campus was completed in February 2001 and is the designated centre of arts education, whilst the Namsan Campus is the center of art experience. SIA has 2400 students in 13 departments...
, Joongbu University, he majored in music. Shortly after graduating, Kim attended an audition where he landed a recording contract with the label 'Team Entertainment.' Subsequently, his debut album was not released for another two years.
Prior to 'bo go ship da', another of Kim's songs, 'Promise', from the album of the same name, had also been used for the popular MBC drama, 'Watch and Watch Again' (1999), establishing Kim's staple image as a ballad singer. Critic and writer Catherine Chan recalls the feeling surrounding the song as a 'sentimental lovers' favorite,' describing how the song 'had all the ingredients - a tender voice, lovely melody and dreamy lyrics.' (source: http://www.koreahkfriendship.org)
5th album
Kim's 5th album, 'Remember Kim Bum Soo 5th & So Long...' was so titled as a reference to the fact that he released it right before he was about to start his two-year compulsory military service. This is in accordance with South Korean nationality lawSouth Korean nationality law
South Korean nationality law defines who is a South Korean citizen, as well as the procedures by which one may be naturalized into South Korean citizenship or renounce it.-Basic definition:South Korean nationality can be acquired in a number of ways:...
.
Just prior to beginning his service, Kim had produced the song 오아시스 (Oasis), which was released as a track on this.
The song has a slightly more commercially American R&B feel than the bulk of his music, demonstrating the stylistic growth Kim has experienced over the years.
On Kim's 5th album, he also pays homage to those that have inspired and influenced him on the track 'Like'. Amongst those he names are Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, Eric Benet
Eric Benét
Eric Benét, is an American singer. His duet with Tamia, "Spend My Life With You" was a number one song for three weeks on the US Billboard R&B chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2000....
, Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
, Babyface, R Kelly, Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
and Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz
Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads...
.
He has also incorporated covers of songs by some of these artists in his live concerts, noticeably Stevie Wonder's 'Lately' and R Kelly 'I Believe I Can Fly.'
The only of his albums to be produced in the US, 'Remember Kim Bum Soo 5th & So Long...' also references Kim's connection to the Christian faith, with the gospel-inspired CCM track, 'The One In My Life'. The song clearly alludes to Kim's childhood church choir days, giving the 'goodbye-and-remember'-themed album a nostalgic sense of 'ending at the beginning.'
Kim continues to do performances in several countries within East Asia, but also in other parts of the world—notably in North America, where Korean pop culture (drama and music) has skyrocketed in popularity within the last decade. Past events have been held in Hawaii, New York, Los Angeles, and Boston, as well as in parts of Canada.
After military service
Kim returned to his music career after he completed his military service. His sixth album, released in 2008, was titled The Practical Usage of Sadness(슬픔활용법). While delivering several powerful ballads on this album, he also branched out into new genres, such as on the country tune "님아."Albums
- 1 - a promise, 1999
- 1. Promise
- 2. Love will leave
- 3. Love, just / Remake
- 4. Your starting
- 5.11 月 3 日 ...
- 6. Rain and
- 7. Before it's too late
- 8. Now go away
- 9.This Masquerade
- 10. First Love
- 11. Dreams
- 2 - remember, 2000
- 2.5 - new song & special, 2001
- 3 - I want to see, 2002
- 4 - The 4th Episode, 2004
- 5 - Remember Kim Bum Soo & So Long, 2006
- 6 - Kim Bum Soo 6th, The Practical Usage of Sadness (grief hwalyongbeop), 2008