Kim Dong-ryul explained

Kim Dong-ryul
Background:	solo_singer
Birth Date:	15 March 1974
Birth Place:	Seoul, South Korea
Instrument:	Vocal, piano
Genre:	Pop, jazz, ballad
Occupation:	Singer-songwriter,, TV presenter, radio DJ
Years Active:	1993–present
Label:	Music Farm (2007–present) Woollim Entertainment (2004) Daeyoung AV (1993–2004)

Color:	khaki
Hangul:	김동률
Hanja:	金東律
Rr:	Gim Dong-ryul
Mr:	Kim Tongryul

Kim Dong-ryul (; born March 15, 1974) is a South Korean pop singer-songwriter. He composes, arranges, writes lyrics, produces, and performs his own music. He has been active since 1993.

Career

Exhibition era (1993–1997)

As an architectural major in Yonsei University, Kim Dong-ryul formed the duet Exhibition with his close friend, Seo Dong-wook. Dong-ryul composed their songs and played the piano while Dong-wook played bass guitar.

The duet became famous through an MBC University Song Festival in 1993.^[1] They emerged champion and won the special prize with the song "In Dreams" which Seo wrote and Kim composed. From then onwards, Kim began his career of singing, composing, and writing lyrics.

Kim's first album An Essay of Memory, which famous singer Shin Hae-cheol produced, was released in 1994. Even though the duet were new figures in the world of popular music, they did the composing, piano, bass, and computer programming themselves. The album received positive reviews and climbed onto the top ten chart, going on to sell over 600,000 copies.

In 1994, Kim and Seo enlisted in military service together. Upon release, the duet released their second album Strangers in 1996. The album was also produced by Shin Hae-cheol, and instrumentalists Yi, Byeong-Woo, Kim Se-hwang, and Jeong Won-young participated in it. Strangers also received positive reviews from critics, but there was a plagiarism dispute regarding "A Testament", a song on the album. The song came under suspicion because of its similarity to "The Girl Who Fell from the Sky", from the soundtrack in Studio Ghibli's animated film Laputa: Castle in the Sky. Experts decided that the main melody and ways of using instruments were similar, so "A Testament" became a dishonourable song for the duet.^[2]

In 1997, the duet decided to return to normal school life. They then released their last album Graduation with five songs which had special personal meanings for them. Especially, "First Love" which was composed by Kim Dong-ryul when he was 14 years old and "In Dreams" which was the song that made the duet very popular.^[3]

Carnival era

After disbanding, Seo Dong-wook became a normal student. But Kim Dong-ryul said, "The only thing I can do is music." He created the project group Carnival with Lee Juck, with whom he became close with through the Jam concert of a popular radio program, At Starry Nights. Both of them were 24, singers and composers. But their music styles were very different. Kim Dong-ryul's songs were still slightly naive and mostly standard classical ballads, while Lee Juck's songs were poignant and heretical.^[4]

The two decided to collaborate^[5] and their music was of the funk genre. They worked with world-famous brass session team, Jerry Hey, and Korean singer and jazz pianist, Kim Gwang-min; subsequently they released the album Carnival in 1997. It had a retro theme, and was a great success for them. They won the Golden Disc Award.

Solo era

After the success of Carnival, Kim composed several popular songs such as "For a Thousand Days" for Lee Seung-hwan and "Show" for Kim Won-jun. In 1998 he released his first solo album The Shadow of Forgetfulness with a piano-based sound recalling early Elton John.^[6] Critics wrote that he had managed to create a new ballad style which featured classical and polished melodies. After the first album, he held his first solo concert on Christmas Day in 1998.

Even though he was already successful and a well-acknowledged artiste, Kim decided to study music more. He entered Berklee College of Music in 1999 and majored in film scoring. While studying there, he wanted to make real Korean-style music and he became more interested in Korean traditional music and culture.

At the end of his first academic year, he released his second solo album Hope. In this album, he collaborated with not only the London Symphony Orchestra but also 'Samulnori' which is a traditional Korean percussion quartet. In 2001, he released his third solo album Homecoming. He continued to integrate Korean traditional music and classical sound. The critics commented on this album that it had a well-rounded sound and the overall atmosphere was natural and stable.^[7]

After graduating top of his class, Kim returned to Korea and released his fourth solo album Exposing in 2004. The song "At Long Last" (이제서야) from this album topped the KBS charts in April.^[8] Kim had tried to incorporate some new music styles in Exposing, such as bossa nova, samba, and pop-opera. His music became more comprehensive and mature. Especially, song arrangements were more refined than before.^[9]

Kim Dong-ryul held his second solo concert in Seoul and Busan in August 2004 and released the live recording album Invitation in 2005. He put his music and experience of the past ten years into this recording album. From 2005 to 2007 he hosted the TV music program Kim Dong-ryul's For You and the radio program Kim Dong-ryul's Music Island. A 'Best-Of' compilation album was released in 2007.

In 2008, Kim released his fifth album Monologue. It peaked at number one on the charts and sold nearly 100,000 copies. This record was momentous to the Korean music industry because the rate of physical album sales then had been very low.^[10] Most songs from the album became very popular among all generations.^[11]

After this breakthrough, Kim held three concerts in 2008. All the advance tickets were sold out in less than 20 minutes. The concerts were designed to be full-scale in every way and Kim rearranged his songs to be accompanied by an orchestra.

In January 2018, Kim released an EP, Reply,^[12] after a three-year hiatus which sold 14,374 copies in the first month of sales.^[13] In September, he will release a single titled "Song", which is an extension of his latest EP Reply.^[14]

Solo discography

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions			Sales
		KOR (MIAK) ^[15]	KOR (Circle) ^[16]	US World ^[17]
Shadow of Forgetfulness	Released: September 22, 1998 Label: Daeyoung A/V Formats: CD, cassette	5	—	—	KOR: 203,657^[18]
Hope (희망)	Released: August 16, 2000 Label: Daeyoung A/V Formats: CD, cassette	4	—	—	KOR: 190,758^[19]
Homecoming (귀향)	Released: October 26, 2001 Label: Daeyoung A/V Formats: CD, cassette	10	—	—	KOR: 267,828^[20]
Outpouring (토로)	Released: March 9, 2004 Label: EMI Formats: CD, cassette	2	22	—	KOR: 129,261^[21]
Monologue	Released: January 25, 2008 Label: Music Farm Formats: CD, LP	1	34	—	KOR: 112,662^[22]
Walking With (동행)	Released: October 1, 2014 Label: Music Farm Formats: CD, LP, digital download		2	3	KOR: 57,435^[23]

Live albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions		Sales
		KOR (MIAK)	KOR (Circle) ^[24]
2004 The Second Concert "Invitation"	Released: February 18, 2005 Label: EMI Formats: CD	16	—	KOR: 12,509^[25]
2008 Concert "Monologue"	Released: May 18, 2009 Label: Music Farm Formats: CD	77
Live 2012 "Gratitude" / 2014 "Walking With"	Released: August 6, 2015 Label: Music Farm Formats: CD, digital download		6	KOR: 7,728^[26]
Live 2019 An Old Song (오래된 노래)	Released: September 30, 2020 Label: Music Farm Formats: CD, LP, digital download		18

Extended plays

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions		Sales
		KOR (Circle) ^[27]	US World
KimdongrYULE	Released: November 15, 2011 Label: Music Farm Formats: CD, LP, digital download	1	—	KOR: 27,724^[28]
Reply (답장)	Released: January 11, 2018 Label: Music Farm Formats: CD, LP, digital download	6	7	KOR: 14,374^[29]

Band discography

Exhibition

• Exhibition (1994)
• Exhibition 2 (1996)
• Graduation (졸업) (1997)

Carnival

• Carnival (1997)

Verandah Project

• Day Off (2010)

Awards

Mnet Asian Music Awards

width="75%" class="wikitable sortable"
Year	Category	Work	Result
2008	Album of the Year	Monologue^[30]
Best Male Artist	align=center rowspan=2	"Let's Start Again"
Best Ballad/R&B Performance
2014	Best Vocal Performance – Male	"How I Am"^[31]

Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards

width="75%" class="wikitable sortable"
Year	Category	Result
2015	Song of the Year (October)

References

1. About Composers https://web.archive.org/web/20090712154618/http://www.urimalgul.com/?mid=music&document_srl=743&listStyle=list
2. Moneytoday http://star.moneytoday.co.kr/view/stview.php?no=2008011912510772195&type=1&SVEC
3. My Daily http://www.mydaily.co.kr/news/read.html?newsid=200706051739161134
4. IZM Neo Music Community https://web.archive.org/web/20071031123023/http://izm.co.kr/spac_view.asp?key=1&s_idx=78&page=1
5. IZM Neo Music Community https://web.archive.org/web/20090713052802/http://www.izm.co.kr/menu_view.asp?key=1&idx=14077&a_idx=21&view=2
6. IZM Neo Music Community https://web.archive.org/web/20090713052758/http://www.izm.co.kr/menu_view.asp?key=1&idx=117&a_idx=21&view=2
7. KBS http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/enter/music_top.htm?Rank_Date=2004-04-19
8. IZM Neo Music Community https://web.archive.org/web/20090713052852/http://www.izm.co.kr/menu_view.asp?key=1&idx=120&a_idx=21&view=2
9. Moneytoday http://star.moneytoday.co.kr/view/stview.php?no=2008021610235752019&type=1&outlink=1
10. IZM Neo Music Community https://web.archive.org/web/20090713052936/http://www.izm.co.kr/menu_view.asp?key=1&idx=15324&a_idx=21&view=2

External links

• at MusicFarm Records

Notes and References

1. Kim Dong-ryul's official website – Profile page
2. Web site: 김동률의 작곡 이야기 – 김동률이 씀. July 7, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20090712154618/http://www.urimalgul.com/?mid=music&document_srl=743&listStyle=list. July 12, 2009. dead.
3. http://star.moneytoday.co.kr/view/stview.php?no=2008011912510772195&type=1&SVEC "불화 없었다", 김동률이 말하는 전람회 해체 이유 – 머니투데이:스타뉴스
4. Web site: ▒ NO1.뉴미디어'마이데일리 ▒.
5. Web site:
   • IZM – New Stream *
   . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071031123023/http://izm.co.kr/spac_view.asp?key=1&s_idx=78&page=1. October 31, 2007.
6. Web site:
   • IZM – New Stream *
   . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090713052802/http://www.izm.co.kr/menu_view.asp?key=1&idx=14077&a_idx=21&view=2. July 13, 2009.
7. Web site:
   • IZM – New Stream *
   . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090713052758/http://www.izm.co.kr/menu_view.asp?key=1&idx=117&a_idx=21&view=2. July 13, 2009.
8. Web site: 페이지를 찾을 수 없습니다.. world.kbs.co.kr.
9. Web site:
   • IZM – New Stream *
   . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090713052852/http://www.izm.co.kr/menu_view.asp?key=1&idx=120&a_idx=21&view=2. July 13, 2009.
10. http://star.moneytoday.co.kr/view/stview.php?no=2008021610235752019&type=1&outlink=1 김동률-앤디, 2008년 첫달 음반판매 1, 2위 – 머니투데이:스타뉴스
11. Web site:
    • IZM – New Stream *
    . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090713052936/http://www.izm.co.kr/menu_view.asp?key=1&idx=15324&a_idx=21&view=2. July 13, 2009.
12. Web site: Kim Dong-ryul to drop new EP 'Reply'. Kpop Herald.
13. Web site: Gaon Chart – January 2018. Gaon Chart. February 10, 2018.
14. Web site: Kim Dong-ryul releases orchestra-influenced single 'Song'. Kpop Herald.
15. Music Industry Association of Korea chart positions:
    • Web site: Shadow of Forgetfulness charting . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/19990822122917/http://riak.or.kr/riak/sale/f-sale.html . August 22, 1999 . February 17, 2020.
    • Web site: Hope charting . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20060702092055/http://miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200008.htm . July 2, 2006 . February 17, 2020.
    • Web site: Homecoming charting . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080605194253/http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200112.htm . June 5, 2008 . February 17, 2020.
    • Web site: Outpouring charting . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20040629210157/http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200403.htm . June 29, 2004 . February 17, 2020.
    • Web site: Monologue charting . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20090228163001/http://miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200801.htm . February 28, 2009 . February 17, 2020.
    • Web site: 2004 The Second Concert "Invitation" charting . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20050320053838/http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200502.htm . March 20, 2005 . February 17, 2020.
16. Circle (formerly Gaon) Album Chart positions:
    • Outpouring: Web site: 2014년 49주차 Album Chart . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924051534/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=49&hitYear=2014&termGbn=week . September 24, 2015 . July 1, 2023 . . ko.
    • Monologue: Web site: 2014년 45주차 Album Chart . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20161120214408/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=45&hitYear=2014&termGbn=week . November 20, 2016 . July 1, 2023 . . ko.
    • Walking With: Web site: 2014년 41주차 Album Chart . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170701090918/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=41&hitYear=2014&termGbn=week . July 1, 2017 . July 1, 2023 . . ko.
17. Web site: Kim Dong Ryul Chart History: World Albums . July 1, 2023 . . en.
18. Web site: February 1999 K-pop Album Sales Volume. Recording Industry Association of Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20070718173035/http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_199902.htm. July 18, 2007. dead. December 5, 2018.
19. Web site: 2000 K-pop Album Sales Volume. Recording Industry Association of Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20070516070806/http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_2000_2h.htm. May 16, 2007. dead. December 5, 2018.
20. Web site: February 2002 K-pop Album Sales Volume. Recording Industry Association of Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20050331001038/http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200202.htm. March 31, 2005. dead. December 5, 2018.
21. Web site: 2004 K-pop Album Sales Volume. Recording Industry Association of Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20090228012919/http://miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_2004.htm. February 28, 2009. live. December 5, 2018.
22. Web site: August 2008 K-pop Album Sales Volume. Recording Industry Association of Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20090227061552/http://miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200808.htm. February 27, 2009. live. December 5, 2018.
23. Cumulative sales of Walking With:
    • Web site: 2014 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart. ko. December 5, 2018.
    • Web site: February 2015 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart. ko. December 5, 2018.
24. Circle (formerly Gaon) Album Chart positions:
    • 2008 Concert "Monologue": Web site: 2016년 02주차 Album Chart . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307175835/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=02&hitYear=2016&termGbn=week . March 7, 2022 . July 1, 2023 . . ko.
    • Live 2012 "Gratitude" / 2014 "Walking With": Web site: 2015년 33주차 Album Chart . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210620120711/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALBUM&targetTime=33&hitYear=2015&termGbn=week . June 20, 2021 . July 1, 2023 . . ko.
    • Live 2019 An Old Song: Web site: 2020년 49주차 Album Chart . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20220119191659/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=49&hitYear=2020&termGbn=week . January 19, 2022 . July 1, 2023 . . ko.
25. Web site: March 2005 K-pop Album Sales Volume. Recording Industry Association of Korea. ko. https://web.archive.org/web/20050609023152/http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200503.htm. June 9, 2005. dead. December 5, 2018.
26. Web site: August 2015 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart. ko. December 5, 2018.
27. Circle (formerly Gaon) Album Chart positions:
    • KimdongrYULE: Web site: 2011년 48주차 Album Chart . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20220318113237/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=48&hitYear=2011&termGbn=week . March 18, 2022 . July 1, 2023 . . ko.
    • Reply: Web site: 2018년 02주차 Album Chart . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20220318233702/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=02&hitYear=2018&termGbn=week . March 18, 2022 . July 1, 2023 . . ko.
28. Web site: 2011 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart. ko. December 5, 2018.
29. Web site: January 2018 Album Chart. Gaon Music Chart. ko. December 5, 2018.
30. http://mwave.interest.me/mnettv/videodetail.m?searchVideoDetailVO.clip_id=87840 "2008 Mnet KM Music Festival Part1"
31. Web site: [Full Ver.] 2014 Mnet Asian Music Awards Part1]. mwave. MAMA. January 28, 2015. December 8, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151208225100/http://mwave.interest.me/mnettv/videodetail.m?searchVideoDetailVO.clip_id=165563. dead.