# Sohyang

Kim So-hyang (Korean: 김소향; Hanja: 金昭享, born April 5, 1978), known mononymously as Sohyang, is a South Korean singer-songwriter.
According to Sohyang, her goal is to use her voice to comfort people who are going through difficult times. Sohyang is also an author of fiction, having published multiple fantasy novels since 2013, the most well-known of them being Crystal Castle and Anaxion. She has been dubbed by some journalists in the international media as the "Korean Mariah Carey".

## Career

Sohyang made her debut in 1996 with the song "Mr."(선생님). She was practicing in a recording studio and composer Jo Hwan-gon heard her singing and asked her to record a song with him. After being tested by him, Sohyang released her first single and then went on a tour with Jo Hwan-gon and participated in many concerts and musical performances. She joined her husband's family band "POS" and released several CCM albums. Sohyang became one of the most popular and influencing Christian Contemporary Music singers of Korea. She held concerts in around 50 countries until now. In 2014, she became the first non-American artist to sing the American national anthem at an NBA game. She achieved further fame when she sang with Kirk Franklin.
Since 2012, Sohyang has participated multiple times on various television music competition programs Immortal Songs 2, King of Mask Singer, and I Am a Singer 2, winning three times on Immortal Songs 2 with songs "Lean on Me", "Bridge over Troubled Water" and in 2023, "One Million Roses". She had also set a record on King of Mask Singer in 2017, before it was broken by Son Seung-Yeon.
After winning the Michael Bolton special episode on Immortal Songs 2 with a score of 442 points (fifth-highest ever), Michael Bolton—who described Sohyang as a "virtuoso"—asked Sohyang to tour South Korea with him, and they performed many concerts together throughout the country. Furthermore, her performance of "Lean on Me" won an award at the 2015 Banff World Media Festival.
In 2016 Sohyang was awarded the Grand Prize of the Seoul Success Award in the Culture category. In Disney's movie Moana, Sohyang provided the singing voice of the protagonist in the Korean-dubbed version. Sohyang also gives lectures about singing and vocal technique at Baekseok University in Cheonan City.
In the first half of 2017, Sohyang appeared on MBC's King of Mask Singer as "Spirited Lady" for the show's 2nd anniversary and became the winner six consecutive times (Generation 53-58), making her the female singer with the highest number of consecutive wins ever achieved to that time (second highest overall) before losing her crown in July 2017 and departing from the show after appearing for 14 consecutive weeks. Sohyang sang the main OST, "Wind Song" (바람의 노래), which is a remake of Cho Yong-pil's original song, for the Drama Confession Couple (고백부부). This OST was at No. 1 on the charts on Melon (online music service) for several weeks and additionally won the 1st place on Music Bank on November 24 in 2017. She was given a special stage on which to perform the main OST "Wind Song" at the KBS Drama Awards on the last day of 2017. Sohyang performed at the MBC Entertainment Awards 2017 and was awarded the Special Prize in the Music Show category for her participation in King of Mask Singer. She became the King of the show with the highest number of consecutive wins ever achieved as a female contestant at that time.
During the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, ice dancer Yura Min and Alexander Gamelin performed to Sohyang's rendition of "Arirang Alone". Furthermore, during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang Sohyang performed, together with Sumi Jo, the song "Here as One", which they both recorded specifically for this occasion.

## Personal life

Sohyang is a devout Christian. She first began singing in her local community, with no aspirations of pursuing a career as a professional singer. Sohyang's parents divorced when she was in her third year of high school. Due to this, Sohyang experienced great financial difficulties, and, according to her, was often very sad as a result. She has said that she used to listen to artists Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion often, whose music helped her to get through these difficult times. In 2017 she was quoted as having said that her favorite album is still Mariah Carey's Music Box.
In 1998, at the age of twenty, Sohyang married Kim Hee-jun, the drummer of her band POS. Soon afterwards she was diagnosed with uterine cancer; due to the early detection, she was able to survive the cancer, but was rendered infertile. Her sister-in-law is the guitarist JinJoo Lee from DNCE.

## Discography
### Studio albums

| Title | Album details |
| As member of POS ||
| POS | Released: September 25, 2000 |
| Letter To The Sky | Released: September 19, 2001 Label: Kakao Entertainment |
| Butterfly | Released: September 8, 2004 Label: June Music |
| Dream | Released: September 12, 2007 Label: Maninae Media |
| Story | Released: February 3, 2009 Label: CCM Sky |
| As solo artist ||
| 15th Anniversary | Released: November 5, 2012 Label: June Music |
| Diva | Released: November 13, 2024 Label: Arche Entertainment |

### Singles
#### As lead artist

| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | KOR | Album |
| "Love You, I Love You" (사랑한다 널 사랑한다) (featuring Haha) | 2012 | 96 | Non-album singles |
| "Someday" (하늘을 날다) | 2013 | — | Non-album singles |
| "Rhapsody of Sorrow" (비의 랩소디) | 2014 | 81 | Non-album singles |
| "Fall in All In" (어떻게 내게) (featuring YDG and Dok2) | 2014 | — | Non-album singles |
| "Going Home" (집으로 가는 길) | 2016 | — | Non-album singles |
| "The Song Begins" (너의 노래) (featuring JinJoo Lee) | 2018 | — | Non-album singles |
| "Stay" | 2020 | — | Non-album singles |
| "My Soul Magnifies the Lord" (그가 내게) (featuring Heritage) | 2020 | — | Non-album singles |
| "Letter" (편지) | 2022 | — | Non-album singles |
| "Higher" | 2023 | — | Diva |
| "Blessing" (featuring YDG) | 2024 | — | Diva |
| "Surrender" | 2024 | — | Diva |

#### Collaborations

| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | KOR | Album |
| "Mermaid" (인어공주) (R&B Version) (with Lena Park and Lee Young-hyun) | 2011 | 33 | Diva Project |
| "Beside You" (곁) (with Lee Young-hyun) | 2014 | 81 | Non-album single |
| "On My Way Back" (회로) (with ALi) | 2020 | — | O Esca Viatorum |
| "Wind of Peace" (평화의 바람) (with Park Wan-kyu) | 2021 | — | Non-album single |
| "Lying" (사랑하는 척) (with Vibe) | 2022 | 130 | Lying (REVIBE, Vol. 7) |
| "Miracle" (기적) (with Min Woo-hyuk) | 2022 | — | Non-album singles |
| "Freedom" (with Petra) | 2022 | — | Non-album singles |
| "The Star" (with Petra) | 2022 | — | Non-album singles |
| "My Lord, Jesus" (with Petra) | 2023 | — | Non-album singles |

### Soundtrack appearances

| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | KOR | Album |
| "Only One Thing" (오직 단하나) | 2012 | 50 | The King's Doctor OST |
| "Don't Forget Me" (잊지말아요) | 2013 | 34 | Iris II: New Generation OST |
| "Home" | 2017 | — | Strongest Deliveryman OST |
| "Wind Song" (바람의 노래) | 2017 | 51 | Confession Couple OST |
| "Close My Eyes" (눈을 감아) | 2018 | — | The Time OST |
| "I Love You" (사랑합니다) | 2018 | — | My Only One OST |
| "Only My Heart Knows" (가슴만 알죠) | 2018 | — | The Hymn of Death OST |
| "Last Promise" (마지막 약속) | 2018 | — | A Pledge to God OST |
| "Starlight" | 2019 | — | Perfume OST |
| "Road" (길) | 2019 | — | Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life OST |
| "Hopefully Sky" (하늘바라기) | 2020 | — | Hi Bye, Mama! OST |
| "Once" | 2020 | — | When I Was the Most Beautiful OST |
| "Hello" | 2020 | — | 18 Again OST |
| "Beautiful Destiny" | 2020 | — | Birthcare Center OST |
| "Did You Forget?" (잊었니) | 2020 | 198 | Homemade Love Story OST |
| "Beautiful Words" (아름다운 말) | 2021 | — | Navillera OST |
| "I Hope So" (바래) | 2022 | — | It's Beautiful Now OST |
| "Sweet Dreams, My Dear" (Korean and English versions) | 2022 | — | Lost Ark OST |
| "Vincent" | 2022 | — | Why Her OST |
| "Luminous" (눈이 부시게) | 2022 | — | Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist OST |
| "Hello" | 2023 | — | Three Siblings Bravely OST |
| "Prayer" | 2023 | — | Brain Cooperation OST |
| "Beneath The Moonlight" (월하) | 2024 | — | Love Song For Illusion OST |
| "That Day" (그 날) | 2025 | — | Wongyeong: The Queen Who Crowns OST |

### Other charted songs

| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | KOR | Album |
| "I Have Nothing" | 2012 | 27 | I Am a Singer 2: Group B July Competition (7월 B조 경연) |
| "Running in the Sky" (하늘을 달리다) | 2012 | 42 | I Am a Singer 2: Group A August Competition (8월 A조 경연) |
| "Never Ending Story" | 2012 | 23 | I Am a Singer 2: August Singer Exhibition (8월의 가수전) |
| "Dream" (꿈) | 2012 | 90 | I Am a Singer 2: 2012 King of Kings Opening Ceremony (2012 가왕전 개막제) |
| "Where Are You?" (그대는 어디에) | 2012 | 67 | I Am a Singer 2: 2012 King of Kings Round 7 (2012 가왕전 7강전) |
| "Saldaga" (살다가) | 2012 | 33 | I Am a Singer 2: 2012 King of Kings Round 6 (2012 가왕전 6강전) |
| "For a Thousand Days" (천일동안) (with The One) | 2012 | 31 | I Am a Singer 2: 2012 King of Kings Round 4 (2012 가왕전 4강전) |
| "Fate" (인연) | 2012 | 17 | I Am a Singer 2: 2012 King of Kings Round 4 (2012 가왕전 4강전) |

## Filmography
### Variety shows

| Year | Title | Notes |
| 2000 - 2024 | KBS Open Concert | Guest Performer |
| 2012 | I Am a Singer 2 | Contestant, 3rd place |
| 2014-2024 | Immortal Songs 2 | Contestant, 10 Episodes, 4 Wins |
| 2017 | King of Mask Singer | Spirited Lady, Episodes 105–118, 6 wins |
| 2020 | Begin Again | Cast member, Season 4, Episode 6-10 |
| 2021 | Voice King | Judge, Season 1 |

### I Am a Singer 2

| Month | Round | Song | Original Artist | Result |
| July | Group B | "I Have Nothing" | Whitney Houston | Rank 1 |
| July | Singer of July | "In the Flower Garden" (꽃밭에서) | Jung Hoon Hee | Rank 3 |
| August | Group A | "Running to the Sky" (하늘을 달리다) | Lee Juck | Rank 1 |
| August | Singer of August | "Never Ending Story" | Boohwal | Rank 1, Singer of August |
| September | Singer of September | "Beauty and the Beast" (duet with Park Wan-kyu) | Céline Dion | Special Stage |
| Super December | Opening | "Dream" (꿈) | Sohyang – POS | Rank 2 |
| Super December | Week 1 | "Where Are You" (그대는 어디에) | Yim Jae-beom | Rank 2 |
| Super December | Week 2 | "As I Live" (살다가) | SG Wannabe | Rank 2 |
| Super December | Week 3 | "I Always Miss You" (나 항상 그대를) | Lee Sun-hee | Rank 3 |
| Super December | Week 4 | "For Thousands Days" (천일동안) (duet with The One) | Lee Seung-hwan | Rank 2 |
| Super December | Week 4 | "Fate" (인연) | Lee Sun-hee | Rank 1 |
| Super December | Semi-finals | "O Holy Night" | Adolphe Charles Adam | Rank 2 |
| Super December | Semi-finals | "It's Only My World" (그것만이 내 세상) | Deulgukhwa | 3rd place / Drop out |
Sohyang achieved the highest average rank of every contestant on I Am a Singer 2 ever. Furthermore, she never placed outside of the Top 3 during the whole time she was present in the show.

#### Records and statistics

| Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 | Average Rank |
| 4 Times | 5 Times | 3 Times | 1,9 (highest ever) |

### Immortal Songs 2

(If the number of rounds won is written in bold, this means that she won the most rounds in that episode.)
| Date | Episode Title | Episode No. | Song | Original Artist | Order | Result |
| October 18, 2014 | Michael Bolton Special | Ep. 169 | "Lean on Me" | Bill Withers | 7/7 | 442 Votes, 1 Round won, Final Win |
| February 21, 2015 | Traditional Folk Songs Special | Ep. 187 | "Arirang Alone" (홀로 아리랑) | Jang Sa-ik | 1/7 | 411 Votes, 1 Round won |
| May 9, 2015 | English Pop Songs Special | Ep. 198 | "Bridge Over Troubled Water" | Simon and Garfunkel | 4/7 | 416 Votes, 4 Rounds won, Final Win |
| December 26, 2015 | The Immortal Big Match Special | Ep. 230 | "Everyone" (여러분) | Yoon Bok Hee | 4/7 | 0 Rounds won |
| July 23, 2016 | Summer Story With Friends Special | Ep. 261 | "Childish Adult" (어른 아이) (duet with JK Kim Dong-wook) | Gummy | 1/7 | 0 Rounds won |
| May 12, 2018 | Shane Filan Special | Ep. 354 | "You Raise Me Up" | Secret Garden | 3/6 | 414 Votes, 2 Rounds won |
| February 26, 2022 | Jang Sa-ik Special | Ep. 545 | "Wind Song" (바람에 노래) | Cho Yong Pil | Special performance | Special performance |
| February 26, 2022 | Jang Sa-ik Special | Ep. 545 | "I Will Give You Everything" (나 그대에게 모두 드리리) (duet with Jang Sa-ik) | Lee Janghee | Special performance | Special performance |
| April 30, 2022 | Korean Music History Special | Ep. 553 | "Wild Flower" (야생화) (duet with Min Woo-hyuk) | Park Hyo Shin | 1/5 | 3 Rounds won |
| April 1, 2023 | Sim Soo-bong Special | Ep. 600 | One Million Roses (백만송이 장미) | Sim Soo-bong | 5/5 | 1 Round won, Final Win |
| July 15, 2023 | King of Kings Special | Ep. 615 | Part of Your World | Jodi Benson | 3/4 | 0 Rounds won |
| December 28, 2024 | Oh My Star #5 Special | Ep. 687 | O Holy Night & All I Want For Christmas Is You (duet with Ahn Shin-ae) | John Sullivan Dwight & Mariah Carey | 5/5 | 1 Round won, Final Win |

### King of Mask Singer

| Generation # | Episode # | Round # | Song | Original Artist | Opponent | Result (Score) | Notes |
| 53 | 106 | 1 | "I Miss You" (보고 싶다) | Kim Bum-soo | Minzy | Win (58:41) | Advanced to the second round |
| 53 | 106 | 2 | "Atlantis Princess" (아틀란티스 소녀) | BoA | Lee Sang-woo [ko] | Win (60:39) | Advanced to the third round |
| 53 | 106 | 3 | "Dear Love" (사랑아) | The One | Bae In-hyuk (Romantic Punch) | Win (74:25) | Advanced to the final round |
| 53 | 106 | Final | Voting based on the first three songs | N/A | Lee Hae-ri of Davichi | Win (58:41) | Mask Queen 1st time |
| 54 | 108 | Final | "Do You Know" (아시나요) | Jo Sung-mo | Park Seon-joo [ko] | Win (66:33) | Mask Queen 2nd time |
| 55 | 110 | Final | "Hug Me" (안아줘) | Jung Joon-il [ko] | Lee Se-jun (Yurisangja) | Win (77:22) | Mask Queen 3rd time |
| 56 | 112 | Final | "Mona Lisa" (모나리자) | Cho Yong-pil | Hwang Chi-yeul | Win (67:32) | Mask Queen 4th time |
| 57 | 115 | Final | "Breathe" (한숨) | Lee Hi | Park Hye-na [ko] | Win (76:23) | Mask Queen 5th time |
| 58 | 117 | Final | "Home" | Park Hyo-shin | John Park | Win (74:25) | Mask Queen 6th time |
| 59 | 119 | Final | "Day Day" | Bewhy | Johan Kim | Lose (43:56) | Drop out |

#### Records and statistics

| Most Wins (Females) | Most Wins | Average Score |
| 2nd rank | 3rd rank | 66 of 99 Votes |
| former 1st rank | former 2nd rank | 66 of 99 Votes |
Sohyang was the first female singer to ever achieve 6 consecutive victories at that time and therefore set a new record, which was later broken by Son Seung-yeon ("The East Invincibility"). Sohyang received an average of 65.96 votes out of 99 every round, which was ranked in Top 10 of highest average scores of all Mask Kings and Top 3 highest average score of all female Mask Kings for a period of time.

### Begin Again - Season 4 "Begin Again Korea"

In 2020, Sohyang was a cast member of Begin Again Korea for a total of 5 episodes (Ep. 6 - 10 of Season 4), and sang a total of 20 songs as the lead artist.
| Episode | Song Name | Featuring Artist | Original Artist |
| 6 | "Hey, Hey, Hey" | Lee Suhyun, Lee Hi | Jaurim |
| 6 | "I Will Always Love You" | | Dolly Parton |
| 6 | "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" | Lee Hi | Frankie Valli |
| 6 | "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow" ko. 첫눈처럼 너에게 가겠다 | | Ailee |
| 7 | "Wind Song" ko. 바람의 노래 | | Cho Yong Pil |
| 7 | "My Heart Will Go On" | Jung Seung Hwan, Lee Suhyun | Céline Dion |
| 7 | "I'll Be There" | Hareem | Jackson 5 |
| 7 | "Flashlight" | Lee SuHyun | Jessie J |
| 7 | "I Won't Give Up" | | Jason Mraz |
| 8 | "Back In Time" ko. 시간을 거슬러 | | Lyn |
| 8 | "Stuck With U" | Crush | Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande |
| 8 | "Please" ko. 제발 | | Lee So Ra |
| 9 | "Never Enough" | | Loren Allred |
| 9 | "My Favorite Things" | Lee Suhyun | Julie Andrews |
| 9 | "Misty" | | Erroll Garner |
| 9 | "You Are The Reason" | Jung Seung Hwan | Calum Scott |
| 10 | "That I Love You" ko. 널 사랑하는 걸 | | Sohyang |
| 10 | "Marvin Gaye" | Henry Lau | Charlie Puth, Meghan Trainor |
| 10 | "Day Day" | Begin Again Cast | Bewhy |
| 10 | "If I Ain't Got You" | | Alicia Keys |

## Awards

| Year | Awards | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 2016 | 8th Seoul Success Awards | Culture Grand Prize | — | Won |
| 2017 | MBC Entertainment Awards | Special Award in Music Show | King of Mask Singer | Won |
| 2019 | Ten Korean Winners | Singer | Herself | Won |
| 2020 | Korea Day Awards | Special Singer | Herself | Won |
| 2021 | K-Model Awards | Global Artist | Herself | Won |
| 2022 | Person of the Year | Culture & Art | Herself | Won |

### KBS's Music Bank

| Year | Date | Song | Album | Ref. |
| 2017 | November 24 | Wind Song (바람의 노래) | Confession Couple (Original Television Soundtrack), Pt. 2 – Single | |