Kang Ho-dong

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In this Korean name, the family name is Kang.
Kang Ho-dong
'한끼줍쇼' 제작발표회 현장 14s.jpg
Born (1970-06-11) June 11, 1970 (age 51)
Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea
Years active1993–present
EmployerS.M. Entertainment
GenresComedy
Spouse
Lee Hyo-jin (이효진)
​
(m. 2006)​
Notable works and roles
Korean name
Hangul
Revised RomanizationGang Hodong
McCune–ReischauerKang Hodong

Kang Ho-dong (born June 11, 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[]

Kang Ho-dong was born in Jinju on June 11, 1970 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. They had their first child, a boy named Kang Si-hoo, on March 13, 2009.

Career[]

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,[5] 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.[6] 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 exclusive contracts with SM C&C with Lee Soo-man convinced him personally when he is retired and 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.[7]

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.[8]
  • 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)[9]

Filmography[]

Television drama[]

Year Title Network Note
1992 Windmills of Love SBS TV Cameo
1992 Hotel MBC TV Cameo
1997 Three Guys and Three Girls MBC TV Cameo
2002 Nonstop 3 MBC TV Cameo
2005 Old Miss Diary KBS2 Cameo
2016 Listen to Love JTBC Cameo (ep.3)

Television shows[]

  Off-Air   On-Air

Year Title Network Role
1997 Open Comedy - Mother KBS
1999, 2002 Joyful Super Sunday TV - MC Standby Cue
2002-2003 Kang Ho-dong's Soulmates MBC
2002-2004 Beautiful Sunday SBS
2003 Big Stars, First Looks KBS
Saturday Wishes SBS
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! MBC
2004-2006 Love Letter SBS Main Host
2006-2011, 2012-2013 Golden Fishery MBC
2007 Are You Ready KBS
2007-2011 2 Days & 1 Night: Season 1 KBS2 Regular Member
2007-2011, 2012-2016 Star King SBS Main Host
2009-2011 Strong Heart Main Host
2013 Moonlight Prince KBS2 Main Host
Barefooted Friends SBS Main Host
2013-2016 Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education KBS2 Main Host
2014 Star Gazing MBC Main Host
2015 Invisible Man KBS2 Regular Member
New Journey to the West: Season 1 Naver TV Cast Main Host
2015-2016 Mari and Me JTBC Regular Member
2015-present Knowing Bros Main Host
2016 National Chef Team Main Host
New Journey to the West: Season 2 tvN, Naver TV Cast Main Host
Strong Man JTBC Regular Member
Sunshine Art Fitness CCTV, ZJTV, HBTV, CQTV Regular Member
2016-2020 Let's Eat Dinner Together JTBC Main Host
2017 New Journey to The West: Season 2.5 tvN Main Host
New Journey to The West: Season 3 Main Host
Real Class - Elementary School SBS Main Host
Island Trio tvN, O'live Main Host
New Journey to The West: Season 4 tvN Main Host
Shadow Singer Main Host
2017-2018 Kang's Kitchen Owner and Main Chef
2018 Talkmon O'live
For The First Time In My Life E-Channel Main Host
Island Trio : Season 2 tvN, O'live Main Host
Great Escape tvN 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 SBS Plus Main Host
We Will Channel You SBS Regular Member
Amor Fati tvN MC
2019 Everyone's Kitchen O'live Main Host
The Great Escape: Season 2 tvN Main Host
300 X2 Main Host
Kang's Kitchen 2 Regular Member
Kang's Kitchen 3 Regular Member
V-1 tvN, XtvN MC
We Play Sky Drama Regular Member
The Ramyeonator tvN Main Host
2019-2020 New Journey to The West: Season 7 Regular Member
2019-2021 Eye Contact Channel A Main Host
2020 The Great Escape: Season 3 tvN Cast
Eating Out Day: Season 2 SBS Plus Main Host
We Play: Season 2 NQQ Regular Member
New Journey to The West: Season 8 tvN Regular Member
2020-2021 People Who Buy Time - About Time Platform wavve MC
Eat More Before You Leave MBN MC
Do you eat rice - Kang Ho-dong's rice heart SBS Plus Host
2021 Job Estate Channel S
Voice King MBN Host
New Journey To The West Special "Spring Camp" TVING Cast
Ho Dong's Camping Zone: Let's Choose Discovery Channel Korea Regular Member
Merseon 129 Kakao TV Host
The Great Escape: Season 4 tvN Main Host
True Golfer TVING Regular Member [10]
The Great Home Cooking Research Institute Channel S Main Host [11]

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)[]

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[]

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
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
MBC Entertainment Awards Won
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
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
Program of the Year Award (Star King) Won
SBS 20th Anniversary Entertainment 10 Star Award Won
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

State honors[]

Name of country, year given, and name of honor
Country Year Honor Ref.
South Korea[note 1] 2020 Presidential Commendation [15]

Listicles[]

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Forbes 2010 Korea Power Celebrity 10th [16]
2011 10th [17]
2012 12th [18]
2018 27th [19]

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.[12][13] They are awarded to those who have contributed to the arts and South Korea's pop culture.[14]

References[]

  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. ^ Jump up to: 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. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "TV Host Cleared of Tax Dodging". chosun. December 19, 2011. Archived from the original on September 10, 2018.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Na's 'New Journey' kicks off today". Korea JoongAng Daily. April 18, 2016. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017.
  9. ^ "Korean reality show hits 200 million views in China". Korea Times. June 4, 2016. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020.
  10. ^ 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). naver. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  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. ^ 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.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Lee, Min-ji (October 28, 2020). "'대중문화예술상' 김희애X현빈 대통령표창 받는다(공식)". Newsen. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  16. ^ "In Pictures: Korea's Power Celebrity List". Forbes. July 19, 2010. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  17. ^ "Korea's Top Celebrities". Forbes. April 4, 2011. Archived from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  18. ^ "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.
  19. ^ 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.

External links[]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Tak Jae-hoon 		KBS Entertainment Awards - Daesang
2008 & 2009 		Succeeded by
Kang Ho-dong
Retrieved from ""