L (entertainer)
South Korean singer and actor (born 1992) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kim Myung-soo (Korean: 김명수; born March 13, 1992), also known professionally as L, is a South Korean singer and actor. He debuted as a vocalist of boy band Infinite in 2010 and its sub-group Infinite F in 2014.
L | |
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L in 2019 | |
Born | Kim Myung-soo March 13, 1992 |
Alma mater | Daekyung University |
Occupations |
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Agent | Look Media |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instruments |
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Years active | 2010–present |
Member of | |
Korean name | |
Hangul | 김명수 |
Hanja | 金明洙 |
Revised Romanization | Gim Myeong-su |
McCune–Reischauer | Kim Myŏngsu |
Early life
Kim Myungsoo was born on March 13, 1992,[2] in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea.[1] He has a brother, Kim Moon-soo, who is two years younger than him. Kim attended Duk-soo High School and graduated from Daekyung University on February 15, 2013, majoring in practical music.[3]
Career
Summarize
Perspective
2010–2016: Music and acting career
As a high school student, L auditioned for Woollim Entertainment after being street cast for his good looks. He was selected as the first member of idol group Infinite.[4] He made his debut as a vocalist of the boy group in June 2010.[5] In 2011, he made his acting debut in Japanese drama Jiu Keishicho Tokushuhan Sousagakari, which aired on TV Asahi in July.[6] In 2012, he was cast in tvN's romance comedy series Flower Band, as a guitarist of a rock group.[7] He was also cast in MBC's sitcom What's The Deal, Mom?[8]
On May 15, 2013, L released a photo essay book titled L's Bravo Viewtiful, showing photos taken by him on a 93-day journey. The book was a best-seller, and reached No. 1 in pre-orders on online bookstores such as Yes24 and Kyobo.[9] In August 2013, he had a cameo in SBS's Master's Sun, playing the younger version of So Ji-sub's character.[10]
In 2014, he was cast in supporting roles in MBC's Cunning Single Lady and SBS's My Lovely Girl.[11][12]
With bandmates Sungyeol and Sungjong he comprised the subgroup Infinite F, which released a single album, Koi No Sign, in Japan on November 19, 2014, and a Korean album, Love Sign, in December 2014.[13]
In 2015, he was cast in his first film Mister Shark, about a boy who befriends a shark.[14]
In 2016, L was cast in the Korean-Chinese web drama My Catman.[15] He also starred in the drama special The Day After We Broke Up, which was his first lead role.[16]
2017–present: Rising popularity and military enlistment
In 2017, L starred in MBC's historical drama The Emperor: Owner of the Mask.[17] His portrayal of a commoner who stands in for the king earned viewers' approval, and he was named Actor of the Month in June by MBC Dramanet.[18]
In 2018, L starred in the legal drama Ms. Hammurabi portraying a judge.[19][20] His performance in the series was well-received, earning him increased recognition.[21][22][23]
In 2019, L starred in the fantasy romance drama Angel's Last Mission: Love.[24] In August 2019, L left Woollim.[25]
In 2020, L starred in the fantasy romance drama Welcome as a cat who turns into a human male.[26][27] In December 2020, L starred in historical comedy Royal Secret Agent.[28][unreliable source?]
Before his enlistment, he released his debut single album Memory on February 3. He also held an online fan meeting on February 20.[29] While serving his military enlistment, it was announced on September 25, 2021, that L will make his musical theatre debut in the military musical Meisa's Song alongside EXO's Chanyeol, B.A.P.'s Daehyun and actor Moon Yong-suk.[30]
On March 7, 2023, L signed a contract with Look Media.[31]
2024–present: Projects and activities in the Philippines
On November 12, 2024, L has signed a contract with Universal Records Philippines and GLXY Talent Management.[32][33] A day after, he also made an appearance on a Filipino television variety show.[34]
Personal life
Military enlistment
On February 22, 2021, L enlisted for his mandatory military service as a member of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.[35][36] L was discharged on August 21, 2022.[37] Later, on August 22, 2022, L posted on Instagram that he was discharged from military service.[38]
Discography
Extended plays
Single albums
Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
---|---|---|---|
KOR [41] | |||
Memory |
|
5 |
|
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart position |
Sales | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|
KOR [43] | ||||
As lead artist | ||||
"It's All For You" | 2013 | — | — | Non-album single |
"Reminisce" | 2018 | — | Top Seed | |
"Memory" (기억과 기억 사이) | 2021 | —[A] | Memory | |
"What’s Not To Love" | 2024 | — | 24/7 | |
Soundtrack appearances | ||||
"Love U Like U" (with Kim Yerim) |
2012 | 27 |
|
Flower Band OST |
"It's Okay Even If It's Not Me" (내가 아니어도 좋아) | 2017 | — | — | The Emperor: Owner of the Mask OST |
"The Nights That I Miss You" (널 그리는 밤) | 2019 | — | Angel's Last Mission: Love OST | |
Compilation | ||||
"Go Get Her" (그녀를 잡아요) (with Park Jae-jung) |
2016 | — | — | King of Mask Singer Ep. 63 |
"In the Rain" (빗속에서) | — | |||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
Songwriting and producing credits
Year | Album | Artist | Song | Lyrics | Music | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Credited | With | Credited | With | ||||
2013 | Non-album single | L | "It's All For You" | Yes | — | Yes | — |
2018 | Top Seed | L | "Reminisce" | Yes | Jeong Min-ji | No | — |
Filmography
Television series
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | Jiu | Jiu | Japanese drama | [6] |
Welcome to the Wara Store | Himself | Voice only | [46][47] | |
2012 | Flower Band | Lee Hyun-soo | [7] | |
Salamander Guru and The Shadows | Himself | Cameo, (Episode 3) | [48] | |
What is Mom? | Kim Myung-soo | [8] | ||
2013 | Master's Sun | Joo Joong-won (young) | [10] | |
2014 | Cunning Single Lady | Gil Yo-han | [11] | |
My Lovely Girl | Shi-woo | [12] | ||
2015 | The Time We Were Not in Love | Ki Sung-jae | Cameo (Episode 2–4) | [49] |
2016 | One More Time | Yoo Tan | Drama special | [16] |
2017 | The Emperor: Owner of the Mask | Lee Sun | [17] | |
2018 | Ms. Hammurabi | Im Ba-reun | [19] | |
2019 | Angel's Last Mission: Love | Kim Dan | [24] | |
2020 | Welcome | Hong-jo | [26] | |
2020–2021 | Royal Secret Agent | Sung Yi-gyum | [50] | |
2023 | Numbers | Jang Ho-woo | [51] | |
2024 | Perfect Family | Lee Seong-woo | Cameo | [52] |
Dare to Love Me | Shin Yoon-bok | [53] |
Web series
Hosting
Theater
Publication
Photobook
Year | Title | Publisher | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | L's Bravo Viewtiful | Tokyo | [9] |
L's Bravo Viewtiful Part. 2 | Tokyo | [citation needed] |
Awards and nominations
This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (December 2022) |
Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
APAN Star Awards | 2018 | Best New Actor | Ms. Hammurabi | Nominated | [57] |
Asia Artist Awards | 2018 | Best Icon | L | Won | [58] |
Asia Model Award | 2019 | Popular Star (Actor) | Angel's Last Mission: Love | Won | [59][unreliable source?] |
KBS Drama Awards | 2019 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Nominated | [60] | |
Best New Actor | Won | ||||
Netizen Award, actor | Nominated | ||||
K-Drama Hallyu Star | Won | ||||
Best Couple Award | Kim Myung-soo with Shin Hye-sun Angel's Last Mission: Love |
Won | |||
2020 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Welcome | Nominated | ||
2021 | Top Excellence Award, Actor | Royal Secret Agent | Nominated | [61] | |
Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Nominated | [62] | |||
Korea Drama Awards | 2013 | Best Young Actor | Master's Sun | Nominated | |
2017 | Best New Actor | The Emperor: Owner of the Mask | Nominated | ||
2019 | Angel's Last Mission: Love | Nominated | [63] | ||
2022 | Global Star Award | Royal Secret Agent | Won | [64] | |
Korea First Brand Awards | 2017 | Male Acting Idol | L | Nominated | |
MBC Drama Awards | 2017 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | The Emperor: Owner of the Mask | Nominated | [65] |
Best New Actor | Nominated | [66] | |||
Popularity Award, actor | Won | [67] | |||
Best Character Award, Fighting Spirit Acting | Won | ||||
2023 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Numbers | Nominated | [68] | |
Seoul International Drama Awards | 2021 | Outstanding Korean Actor | Royal Secret Agent | Nominated | [69][70] |
Seoul Webfest Awards | 2017 | Best Rising Star | My Catman | Nominated | |
Special Award | Won | [71] | |||
Soompi Awards | 2018 | Best Idol Actor | The Emperor: Owner of the Mask | Nominated | [72][unreliable source?] |
The Seoul Awards | 2017 | Popularity Award, actor | Nominated |
Notes
- "Memory" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 62 on Gaon Download Chart.[44]
References
External links
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