Kan Mi-youn

In this Korean name, the family name is Kan.

Kan Mi-youn
Kan Mi-youn in 2021
Born	Kan Mi-yeon (1982-02-02) February 2, 1982 (age 42) Seoul, South Korea
Occupations	Singer actress radio host model fashion designer businesswoman
Spouse	Hwang Ba-wool ​ (m. 2019)​
Musical career
Genres	K-pop R&B
Instrument	Vocals
Years active	1997–present
Labels	DR H2 Source Mako Amusement Dream Stone
Formerly of	Baby V.O.X
Korean name
Hangul	간미연
Hanja	簡美妍
Revised Romanization	Gan Mi-yeon
McCune–Reischauer	Kan Miyŏn

Kan Mi-youn (Korean: 간미연; born February 2, 1982) is a South Korean singer, actress, radio host, model, fashion designer, and businesswoman. Kan joined the South Korean girl group Baby V.O.X. in October 1997, which went on to become one of the most popular girl groups of that time.^[1] Kan went on to become a solo artist after the group disbanded in February 2006.

Career

1997–2006: Baby V.O.X

Main article: Baby V.O.X

Kan Mi-youn debuted in October 1997 as a new member of the first generation girl group Baby V.O.X, replacing ex-member Cha Yu-Mi, who was injured on stage during a performance.^{[2][unreliable source?]} Kan was given the title of 'princess' by her fellow members and fans, and was known for her cute and comical traits. Kan was considered the main, and best, vocalist of the group, due to her ability to hit high notes.^[3]

Following the release of Baby V.O.X's third studio album, Come Come Come Baby, the lead single, Get Up, reached number one on Korea's pop charts, securing their spot as one of Korea's top pop music groups. The group gained a vast loyal fan base in Korea, China, Thailand and other Asian markets.^[4][2]

Despite garnering a large fan base, Kan was a frequent target of anti-fans.^[5] The most shocking incident was in 1999, when Kan was targeted for murder by a fan of the Korean boy group H.O.T.^[6] Kan was rumored to be dating H.O.T member Moon Hee Joon, which attracted many anti-fans and negative press. She received an envelope containing razor blades and a letter threatening to murder her.^[7]

2006: Solo career

In 2006, Kan made the decision to pursue a solo career and signed with H2 Entertainment, thus ending her eight years of activities as a member of Baby V.O.X. Following her departure, Baby V.O.X released one final album and disbanded.^[8]

On September 15, 2006, Kan released her first solo album, Refreshing. The album was a reflection on her personal life and maturing as a woman.^[9]

Following the release of her album, and after learning how to fluently speak in Mandarin, Kan made the decision to break into the Chinese music market.^[3][10]

2007–2009: Chinese market

While focusing on the Chinese market, Kan managed to reach a significant level of success.^[3] One of Kan's most notable feats was winning a famous Mandarin singing competition, 名声大震, with Chinese singer Anson Hu.^[11] It was this show that shot her into stardom, securing her as a successful artist in the Chinese music market.^[12]

In January 2008, Kan released a Chinese version of her debut Korean album, Refreshing.

Following the Sichuan earthquake in China, Kan collaborated with various Asian artists to release "Promise" and "I Love Asia" for a fund raising project that supported the victims of the earthquake.^[13][14][15]

Kan in 2009

In 2009, Kan left H2 Entertainment and moved to the then-newly launched Source Music label, founded by her then-manager So Sung-jin.

2010: Return to Korea

On July 1, 2010, Kan Mi-youn made her comeback in South Korea after a three-year absence. Despite her hiatus, Kan proved that she was still hot in the Korean industry. With her new short hair and sexy image, Kan released her first digital single, Going Crazy (ft. Mir of MBLAQ).^[16][17] The music video, which featured Lee Joon and Mir of MBLAQ, recorded over 200,000 views in under an hour on GomTV.^[18]

The song proved to be quite successful, and managed to peak at #11 on Korea's top music chart, Gaon.

On July 15, 2010, Kan officially launched her own fashion line named Kanderella. The line was eventually sold on exclusive websites and was reported to be in high demand.^[19]

2011: WATCH and OBSESSION

On February 8, 2011, Kan released a music video teaser for Sunshine (ft. Junsu), a pre-release single for her upcoming album. The full-length music video and song were released the following day.^{[20][unreliable source?]}

On February 14, 2011, a music video teaser for her lead single, Paparazzi, was released.^{[21][unreliable source?]} Two days later, the full-length music video of Paparazzi, (starring Kim Hyung-jun of SS501), was released. The full-length mini-album, WATCH, was digitally and physically released the following day.^{[22][unreliable source?][23][unreliable source?]} Promotions for Paparazzi began on February 18, 2011, on M! Countdown.^{[24][unreliable source?]} The song experienced much attention and even placed Kan in the top spots on music stations, as well as digital music charts.

On September 26, 2011, a music video teaser for Kan's new song, Won't Meet You, was released. Two days later, the full-length music video to Won't Meet You, as well as her second mini-album, OBSESSION, were released. Promotions for Won't Meet You began on September 29, 2011, on M! Countdown.

On October 24, 2011, Kan took over from Noh Hong-chul as DJ for MBC FM4U's Close Friends radio program. The program invites popular Korean singers to showcase their talents and interact with fans. Kan celebrated her 300-day anniversary in August 2012 and reported the program's ratings were higher than ever. Kan ended her position and handed over the baton to UV's Muzie on October 22, 2012. The show has since been canceled and replaced by FM Date.^{[25][26][unreliable source?][27][28][29][unreliable source?]}

2014—present

In May 2014, Kan signed a contract with Mako Amusement to further both her musical and acting career. She joined her fellow ex-Baby V.O.X member Shim Eun-jin who is also signed with Mako.^[30][31]

Personal life

Kan married musical actor Hwang Ba-wool on November 9, 2019, after three years of dating.^[32]

Discography

For Kan Mi-youn's works with Baby V.O.X, see Baby V.O.X.

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
		KOR [33]	CHI
Refreshing	Released: September 19, 2006 (KOR) Label: Stone Music Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download	—	—
Refreshing	Released: February 12, 2008 (CHI) Label: Stone Music Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download	—	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. Note - The Gaon Chart was established in February 2010. Releases before this date have no chart data.

Extended plays

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions	Sales
		KOR [33]
Watch	Released: February 21, 2011 Label: Source Music, Genie Music Formats: CD, digital download	8	KOR: 1,839+
Obsession	Released: September 29, 2011 Label: Source Music, Genie Music Formats: CD, digital download	21	KOR: 1,309+

Singles

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		KOR [34]
"Winter"	2007	—	Non-album release
"Sunshine (feat. Junsu)"	2011	82	Watch
"Good Love"		73	Feeling Project #1
"The Day the Light Disappeared"		96	Feeling Project #2
"Lose You"	2012	62	Feeling Project #3

Promotional singles

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		KOR [34]
"Going Crazy (feat. Mir)"	2010	11	Watch
"Paparazzi"(feat. Eric Mun)	2011	15
"Won't Meet You"		43	Obsession

Videography

Music videos

Title	Year
"Old Woman"	2006
"Kiss"
"여우별"	2007
"如果, 可以爱你"	2008
"陷入爱里面"
"巴黎铁塔"
"너에게 약속하는 7가지"
"情"情场大片"
"Going Crazy" (feat. Mir)	2010
"Sunshine (feat. Junsu)"	2011
"Paparazzi"
"Good Love"
"Won't Meet You"
"Us That Day"	2015

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2010	Nana's Rose War	Ping Guo (Apple)	Supporting role
TBA	Hantang		[35]

Television series

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2002	Nonstop 3	Herself	Supporting role
2012	The Strongest K-Pop Survival		Special appearance
2015	Eve's Love	Oh Bit-na	Cameo appearance
	Kill Me, Heal Me	Shin Se Gi's girlfriend	Cameo (Ep. 1)
2016	Moorim School: Saga of the Brave	Yoo-di	Supporting role
	Memory	Young-Jin's ex-girlfriend	Guest
2017	Missing 9		Supporting role
	Hit the Top	Ha Soo-young	Special appearance (Ep. 16)

Variety shows

Year	Title	Notes
2008	간미연의 트렌드섹션
2010	여자만세
2017	King of Mask Singer	Contestant as "Mrs. Curie" (Episodes 123–124)[36]
2021	Goal Girl	Cast Member Season 2[37]

Awards

All awards listed below are referenced from Source Music & Naver^{[38][39][unreliable source?]}

Year	Awards
1998	Sports Seoul Music Awards: New Artist Award SBS Music Awards: Choice Award & Vocalist Award KBS Music Awards: New Artist Award
1999	10th Seoul Music Awards: Best Singer Award SBS Music Awards: Choice Award KBS Music Awards: Choice Award MBC Music Awards: Choice Award KMTVMusic Awards: Choice Award M-net Music Awards: Choice Award
2000	제1회 애견문화인의 상 11th Seoul Music Awards: Most Popular Award SBS Music Awards: Choice Award KBS Music Awards: Choice Award ITV Music Awards: Choice Award
2001	MBC Music Awards: Choice Award KBS Music Awards: Choice Award Golden Disk Awards: Most Popular Award Award Model Line: Best Dressed Singer Sports Seoul Music Awards: 선행상
2002	SBS Music Award: Most Popular Song Award KBS Music Award: Choice Award Golden Disk Awards: Choice Award KMTV Music Awards: Hallyu Special Award 13th Seoul Music Awards: Choice Award
2003	Korean Music Awards: Best Singer of the Year 14th Seoul Music Awards: Choice Award SBS Music Award: Choice Award KBS Music Award: Choice Award Golden Disk Awards: Choice Award Sports Seoul Music Awards: 본상
2004	15th Seoul Music Awards: Hallyu Award Channel V Thailand: Asian Sensation Award
2006	2006 International Audio Visual Exposition of China: Special Award
2007	2007 Chinese University Music Festival: Most Popular Foreign Singer 2007 Chinese TV Singing Competition "名声大震": Champion (with Anson Hu) 2007 International Entertainment Online: Best Upcoming Korean Female Star
2009	7th Southeast 동남 경폭 Music Awards: Best International Artist Award

References

1. "Biography: Baby Vox". Allmusic. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
2. JpopAsia. "Baby V.O.X - JpopAsia". JpopAsia. Archived from the original on October 16, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
3. "KBS WORLD Radio". world.kbs.co.kr. Archived from the original on November 27, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
4. "Perfect People: Baby V.O.X". Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
5. "'안티팬'이 부른 연예인 테러...과도한 집착이 보여준 단면". Nate News. Archived from the original on August 20, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
6. "[SC 페이퍼진] 연예인과 스토커". Nate News. Archived from the original on August 20, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
7. "Korean celebrities fear for their safety". Archived from the original on May 9, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
8. "KBS News: Kan Mi-youn Returns as Soloist". Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
9. "간미연 "섹시함? 쑥스러웠어요"". Nate News. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
10. "Metroseoul News: "홀로 선 무대 사실 두렵죠"". Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
11. "iFensi News:胡彦斌简美妍技压众星 《名声大震》夺冠". Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
12. "KBS News: Kan Mi-youn Tops Chinese Popularity Poll". Archived from the original on July 8, 2012.
13. "组图：简美妍连夜录制赈灾歌曲 为灾区送祝福-搜狐娱乐". yule.sohu.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
14. "Korean Stars Sing to Deliver Message of Hope to Quake Victims". Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
15. "Songs for the Earthquake Victims (June 5, 2008)". Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
16. "이 간미연이 그 간미연? 환골탈태 '미쳐가'". Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
17. "'컴백' 간미연, 엠블렉 미르와 섹시 퍼포먼스". Nate News. Archived from the original on June 16, 2019. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
18. "[news] Kan Mi Yeon's crazy music video hits 200,000 views in 1 day". Archived from the original on June 16, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
19. "NewDaily: 간미연도 '쇼핑몰 CEO' 변신?". Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2010.
20. "Kan Mi Youn releases 'Sunshine' MV feat. 2PM's Junsu". Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
21. "Kan Mi Youn reveals "Paparazzi" MV teaser starring SS501's Kim Hyung Joon". Archived from the original on January 30, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
22. "Kan Mi Youn releases "Paparazzi" MV starring SS501's Kim Hyung Joon". Archived from the original on February 19, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
23. "Kan Mi Youn releases first mini-album, "WATCH"". Archived from the original on February 20, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
24. "Kan Mi Youn makes a "Paparazzi" comeback on M! Countdown". Archived from the original on February 20, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
25. <친한친구> DJ데뷔 간미연 위해 베이비복스 멤버들 '응원왔어요~' [<Close Friends> DJ Debut for Kan Mi-youn, Baby V.O.X members "Come to give support"] (in Korean). Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation. October 26, 2011. Archived from the original on December 24, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
26. "Baby V.O.X gathers to support Kan Mi-youn's radio DJ debut". Allkpop. October 27, 2011. Archived from the original on December 24, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
27. Jang, Young-Jun (August 24, 2012). '간미연의 친한친구', 300일 특집 공개방송 'Thank U 4 U' 개최 [Kan Mi-youn's 'Close Friends' holds 300-day feature broadcast "Thank U 4 U"]. TV Report (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
28. UV, MBC라디오 '친한친구' DJ 발탁...간미연과 바통 터치 [UV, MBC Radio 'Close Friends' DJ chosen...Kan Mi-youn passes the baton] (in Korean). The Dong-a Ilbo. October 16, 2012. Archived from the original on December 24, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
29. "Roy Kim and Jung Joon Young's 'Close Friends' gets canceled + 'FM Date' to be revived as its replacement". Allkpop. August 27, 2013. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
30. 간미연, 마코어뮤즈먼트와 전속계약...베이비복스 심은진과 한솥밥 [Kan Mi-youn, exclusive contract with Mako Amusement...along with Baby V.O.X Shim Eun-jin] (in Korean). Korea Economic Daily. May 14, 2014. Archived from the original on July 20, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
31. "Kan Mi-youn's Artist Profile on Mako". Mako Amusement (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
32. Choi Min-ji (November 9, 2019). "황바울♥간미연 결혼, 3년 열애 끝 부부 되는 날" [Hwang Paul ♥ Gan Mi-yeon Marriage, the day they become a couple after 3 years of devotion] (in Korean). The Korea Economic Daily. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
33. "Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 27, 2015. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
34. "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
35. Son Bong-seok (August 29, 2022). "영화 '한탕' 윤기원, 간미연과 커플 인증샷...에로영화를 둘러싼 두 사람 이야기?" [Movie 'Handang' Yoongi-won, Kan Mi-yeon and couple authentication shot... The story of two people surrounding an erotic movie?] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on August 29, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022 – via Naver.
36. Yoo Ji-hye (August 13, 2017). '복면가왕' 영희, 2연속 가왕 등극...마돈나=김연자 [종합]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
37. Won Se-na (October 21, 2021). "유빈, '골때녀' 합류... 'FC 탑걸' 멤버 "배워보고 싶었다" [Yubin joins 'Goal Girl'... 'FC Top Girl' member "I wanted to learn] (in Korean). The Fact. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021 – via Naver.
38. Olimiko (May 13, 2023). "sourcemusic.co.kr". www.sourcemusic.co.kr. Archived from the original on August 16, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
39. "베이비복스 :: 네이버 인물검색". people.search.naver.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2010.

External links

• Kan Mi-youn at IMDb 
• 간미연 (Kan Mi-youn) on Cyworld (in Korean)