An Chil-hyun (; born October 10, 1979), known professionally as Kangta (), is a South Korean singer, composer, songwriter, record producer, actor and radio personality. Known for his work as a member of boy band H.O.T., he is currently an executive at his longtime agency SM Entertainment since 2005. He is also the chief producer of Smashhit from SM's label Kreation Music Rights since 2023 and the general producer of SM's music label SMArt since 2025.
Career 1996–2001: H.O.T.
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.
2001–2002: Solo debut, Polaris and Pine Tree 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.
2004–2005 : Acting roles and Director of SM Entertainment 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.
2005 : the third studio album Persona 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.
2007 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.Lee Yong-sung "Osaka concert features Korean Wave stars" Korea Herald. 25 January 2007. Retrieved 2012-04-10
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.
2010: Chinese EP Breaka Shaka 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.
2016: 'Home' Chapter 1 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.
2021–2022: "Cough Syrup", 25th anniversary project and Eyes on You 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.
2023-present: Producers' activities 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.
Personal life 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.
Group projects
S (Supreme)
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.
Kangta & Vanness
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.
Music discography
Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions SalesKOR 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
Compilation albums Title Album details Kangta & Best Released: October 3, 2006 Label: SM Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download
Live albums Title Album details 1st Concert Pinetree: 20020824 Live Released: March 28, 2003 Label: SM Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download
Extended plays Title Details Peak chart positions SalesKORKorean 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: 3,172Chinese Breaka Shaka Released: September 14, 2010 Label: SM Entertainment, Avex Taiwan Formats: CD, digital download
Singles As lead artist Title Year Album Korean "Polaris" ()2001 Polaris "Memories" ()2002 Pine Tree "Persona" ()2004 Persona "Eternity" ()2008 Eternity "Diner" ()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
As featured artist Title Year Album "I Want"2001 The Promise "The Poem" Dream of Heaven "Confession" ()"2007 Vol. 2 There's So Much I Want to Say Promise "7989" Girls' Generation
Soundtrack appearances Title Year Album "너의 꿈 찾아"2001Atlantis: The Lost Empire soundtrack "Breath" "Seom" 2002 Resurrection of the Little Match Girl soundtrack "Breath" 2005 April Snow soundtrack "Still My Heart"2007 Dear My Love soundtrack "Perguntas" Air City soundtrack "Arrow" 2011 Athena soundtrack "Magic"2012 The Voice of Korea "Dear My Family" I Am soundtrack "미안합니다(Prod. By Muzie, Cho Jung Chi)" 2016 The birth of the song, TRACK 7 "Theme Of Prontera"2017 The Memory Of Ragnarok soundtrack "I Swear"Fantastic Duo2 Part.15 "Polaris"
Other appearances