# Lee Hong-gi

Lee Hong-gi (Korean: 이홍기; born March 2, 1990), also known mononymously as Hongki, is a South Korean singer, actor, and media personality. He is best known as the front man of rock band F.T. Island. In 2015, Lee debuted as a solo artist with the releases of his first Korean extended play FM302 and his first Japanese album, AM302. As an actor, Lee started his career by starring in children drama Magic Kid Masuri (2002). He later successfully transitioned to adult role and participated in various television dramas, notably You're Beautiful (2009) and A Korean Odyssey (2017). He started a YouTube career by launching personal channel Honggi Jonggi in April 2022.

## Acting career

Before Lee Hong-gi debuted as a singer with the band F.T. Island, he was a child actor, making his acting debut in 2002 with KBS2 TV series Magic Kid Masuri as Masuri's friend Kim Ji-hoon. This children drama gained popularity among elementary school students during its run. He was also featured in EBS children drama Kkangsooni, where he played the character of Eo Soo-bong, and sang for the drama's OST.
In 2008, he was offered the lead role in Master of Study, the Korean adaptation of Japanese drama Dragon Zakura. Master of Study should have aired in the beginning of 2009 but due to preproduction difficulties, the drama was postponed to the beginning of 2010 which led FNC Entertainment to refuse Lee's role because of his busy schedule with the band.
Lee then played Lysander in a Korean musical theatre version of A Midsummer Night's Dream, where he showcased his singing, acting and dancing skills. In 2009, after a five-year break, he made his acting comeback and took the role of the quirky but loveable drummer Jeremy in You're Beautiful. To promote the drama, he also contributed solo tracks to the OST, such as "Promise" and "Still/As Ever." He received a New Star Award at the 2009 SBS Drama Awards for his performance. You're Beautiful recorded modest ratings in South Korea, but it became an international success and with it, Lee's worldwide popularity increased.
In April 2011, Lee starred in the TBS Japanese drama Muscle Girl! opposite Yui Ichikawa. This was followed by a 90-minute Korean-Japanese co-production titled Noriko Goes to Seoul, in which he played a young aspiring singer who meets an older woman (Takashima Reiko) who inspires him through hardships to achieve his dream.
In June 2013, he made his big screen debut in the movie Rockin' on Heaven's Door (Korean title: Passionate Goodbye), with Baek Jin-hee, in which Lee portrayed as a rebellious music star who is sent to work in a hospice.
Lee began filming Bride of the Century with Yang Jin-sung. He went on a four-week rest after he dislocated his shoulder and suffered facial fractures during December 2013. He resumed shooting in January 2014, and the drama aired that February.
Lee also starred in SBS Modern Farmer alongside Park Min-woo, Lee Ha-nui, and others. The drama aired from October 18, 2014, to December 21, 2014, at 20:40 on Saturdays and Sundays.

## Music career
### F.T. Island

In 2007, Lee debuted in the band F.T. Island as the lead singer. He can also rap and beatbox.
Lee decided to pursue a career in singing after he starred in Kkangsooni, for which he sang a song for the soundtrack. At the end of the drama, he performed the song live on stage. He was 13 years old at that time. Impressed by his powerful vocal ability, a few music agents approached him, not wishing to waste his talent for singing. Then-fledgling label company FNC Music signed Lee and fully trained him to become the lead singer of F.T. Island.

### Solo debut

In 2015, Lee announced through social media that he was working on both a Korean and Japanese album, which was released in November and December respectively. The mini Korean album was revealed to be FM302, and the album was released on November 18, 2015, while the Japanese album was revealed to be AM302, and it was released on December 9, 2015. 'FM302' combines the radio terminology frequency modulation (FM) with Lee's birthday which is on March 2, to create the effect of his own radio frequency that resonates his music across the world. The title song "Insensible" is a ballad track and it tells the sad story of a man who is unable to forget his previous love. The music video was published on November 18, 2015. The lead actress of the music video is actress Park Shin-hye. Prior to his official music video release, a showcase was organised. Upon the release of FM302, it topped both Naver's real-time search chart, as well as Hanteo sales chart. The album still retained its position next week, selling more than 19,000 albums within two weeks. Moreover, six days after the release of the album, Lee won first place on SBS MTV's The Show for the first time. The album charted at No. 2 on Gaon Chart's national physical albums ranking, as well as No. 5 on the Gaon Social Chart in the 3rd week of November.
On the other hand, the music video for the lead single of the Japanese album AM302, "モノローグ (Monologue)", was published on November 11, 2015, on F.T. Island's Official Japanese YouTube channel. The Japanese album contained some tracks from the Korean album FM302, but was translated into Japanese. The album is also available in three different sets, namely, the original version, Primadonna version (for fans), and the limited edition DVD version. Upon release, it charted at #4 in the Oricon charts.

### Soundtrack appearances

Lee has sung many OSTs for different dramas such as You're Beautiful, Heartstrings and The Heirs.
On May 21, 2015, Dal Shabet's official YouTube channel uploaded a video titled "Joker" in Rock Version. The video was a collaboration with Lee and Subin singing Joker in rock version. It was believed that the two decided on a collaboration when Lee and Subin met on Hello Counselor.

### Compositions and lyric-writing

In recent years, Lee has also begun composing music, contributing the songs "Black Chocolate" and "Orange Sky" to F.T. Island's Japanese album Rated FT, as well as the title track "Memory" and the song "Always With You" on F.T. Island's Korean mini-album Thanks To, "Siren" from their album The Mood and title song "Wind" from their album Over 10 Years . He also composed Japanese songs "On My Way", "Just Please" and "Born to be a Rock n Roller".

## Personal life

Lee was enrolled in Kyunghee University studying theatre and film.
Lee started his own fashion brand 'Skullhong' in June 2014. He designs accessories, jewelry and various nail products. It was originally based in Seoul, but has since expanded its business to Hong Kong, and Tokyo, Japan.
On September 30, 2019, Lee began his mandatory military service, becoming the first F.T. Island member to enlist. Lee was discharged on April 18, 2021.

## Philanthropy

In August 2012, Lee, Jung Yong-hwa, and Park Shin-hye served as surprise guests at a fundraising event called 'Hopes, Dreams, Happy Trip to Korea' organized by the non-profit organization 'Good Friends Save Children' (GFSC). They met with 80 victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, who were students and staff from Ogatsu Middle School in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture. They provided gifts and offered words of encouragement.

## Discography
### Studio albums

| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
| Title | Album details | JPN | Sales |
| AM302 | Released: December 9, 2015 (JPN) Label: Warner Music Japan Formats: CD, download, streaming | 6 | JPN: 25,444 |
| Cheers | Released: December 5, 2018 (JPN) Label: Warner Music Japan Formats: CD, download, streaming | 10 | JPN: 13,585 |

### Extended plays

| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Sales |
| Title | Album details | JPN | KOR | Sales |
| FM302 | Released: November 18, 2015 (KOR) Label: FNC Entertainment Formats: CD, download, streaming | — | 2 | KOR: 36,925 |
| Do N Do | Released: October 18, 2018 (KOR) Label: FNC Entertainment Formats: CD, download, streaming | 38 | 2 | JPN: 2,056 KOR: 17,516 |
| Drawing | Released: September 22, 2021 (JPN) Label: Warner Music Japan Formats: CD, download, streaming | 11 | — | JPN: 6,633 |
| "—" denotes release did not chart. |||||

### Singles

| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | KOR | Album |
| "Insensible" (눈치 없이) | 2015 | 29 | FM302 |
| "Still Love You" (사랑했었다) (with Yoo Hwe-seung) | 2018 | — | Non-album single |
| "I Am" (with Cheetah) | 2018 | — | Do N Do |
| "Cookies" (feat. Jung Il-hoon) | 2018 | — | Do N Do |
| "Can I Love Again" (다시 사랑할 수 있을까) (with Baek Ji-young) | 2021 | 39 | Non-album single |
| "Only One Person (2023)" (한사람만 (2023)) (original by F.T. Island) | 2023 | 47 | Non-album single |
| "Heejae" (희재) (original by Sung Si-kyung) | 2023 | 90 | Non-album single |
| "Delete (삭제) (original by Lee Seung-gi) | 2023 | 140 | Non-album single |
| "You, Clouds, Rain" (비도 오고 그래서) (original by Heize) | 2023 | — | Non-album single |
| "—" denotes release did not chart. ||||

### Soundtrack appearances

| Title | Year | Album |
| "Lately I" (요즘 나는) (with Nam Gyu-ri) | 2007 | Unstoppable Marriage OST |
| "Still" (여전히) | 2009 | You're Beautiful OST |
| "Jump" | 2013 | Rockin' on Heaven's Door OST |
| "Goodbye" | 2013 | Rockin' on Heaven's Door OST |
| "Two of Us" (with Mina Fujii) | 2013 | We Got Married Global Edition OST |
| "I'm Saying" (말이야) | 2013 | The Heirs OST |
| "What I Wanted to Say" (아직 하지 못한 말) | 2014 | Bride of the Century OST |
| "When Love Comes" (사랑이 올 때) | 2014 | Modern Farmer OST |
| "Do Or Die" | 2014 | Modern Farmer OST |
| "Raise Me Up" | 2018 | Switch OST |
| "El's Word" | 2021 | Elsword OST |

## Filmography
### Television series

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2002–2004 | Magic Kid Masuri | Kim Ji-hoon | recurring cast |
| 2003 | TV Tale: Bicycle Thief | Park Min-woo | main cast |
| 2003 | TV Tale: Devil's Temptation | Kim Young-ho | lead role |
| 2003 | TV Tale: Beautiful May | Sa Hong-jun | lead role |
| 2004 | There's Light at the Tip of My Fingernails | Han Joo-min/ Han Joo-myung | lead role |
| 2004 | Kkangsooni | Eo Soo-bong | main cast |
| 2004 | Freezing Point | Choi Hwan | supporting role |
| 2005 | Flower Butterfly and Sunflower | Min-woo | |
| 2005 | Winter Child | | |
| 2006 | Happy Time After School- Master of Hanja Dororong | Dororong's brother | educational skit |
| 2008 | Unstoppable Marriage | Hwang Sa-baek's friend | cameo, ep. 62 |
| 2008 | On Air | himself | cameo, ep. 1 |
| 2009 | Style | himself | cameo, ep. 6 |
| 2009 | You're Beautiful | Jeremy | main cast |
| 2010 | More Charming By the Day | chicken delivery guy | cameo, ep. 111 |
| 2010 | My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho | Jeremy | cameo, ep. 16 |
| 2011 | Muscle Girl! | Yoo Ji-ho | lead role / Japanese drama |
| 2011 | Noriko Goes to Seoul | Kim Min-ha | lead role |
| 2013 | Cheongdam-dong 111 | himself | reality show |
| 2014 | Bride of the Century | Choi Kang-joo | lead role |
| 2014 | Modern Farmer | Lee Min-ki | lead role |
| 2015 | Coming Out FTISLAND | himself | reality show (with F.T. Island members) |
| 2017 | A Korean Odyssey | P.K | main cast |
| 2019 | I Hate You, Juliet | Cha Yool | lead role |
| 2019 | Melting Me Softly | Son Hyeon-gi (young) | cameo |

### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2001 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone | Draco Malfoy | Korean dub |
| 2013 | Rockin' on Heaven's Door | Choong-ui | lead role |
| 2014 | How to Steal a Dog | Seok-gu | supporting role |

### Variety show

| Year | Title | Notes |
| 2001 | Love On The Air | reenactment scene actor |
| 2007 | Happiness in 10,000 Won | cast member |
| 2008 | Good Daddy | cast member |
| 2009 | Inkigayo | regular MC |
| 2009 | Scandal | cast member |
| 2010 | Oh! My School | cast member (ep.1-12) |
| 2011 | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend | regular performer (ep.4-7) |
| 2011 | Saddle The Wind | cast member (ep.3-9) |
| 2012 | MCountdown | regular MC |
| 2013 | We Got Married Global Edition | cast member (with Fujii Mina) |
| 2015 | A Look At Myself | cast member (ep.1-6) |
| 2015 | King of Mask Singer | contestant as "Blow Hot and Cold Bat Human" (ep.3) |
| 2017 | King of Mask Singer | contestant as "Lupin the Phantom Thief" (ep.105–106) |
| 2017 | The Life Academy | cast member |
| 2017 | Night Goblin | cast member (ep.2-32) |
| 2018 | Legendary Bowling | cast member |
| 2018 | Find F.T. Island | cast member |
| 2018 | Road to Ithaca | cast member (ep.2-7) |
| 2018 | Produce 48 | vocal trainer |
| 2019 | Produce X 101 | MC for "The Beginning" episode |
| 2019 | Playing Oppa | host |
| 2019 | Hackinssa Crew | host |
| 2021 | The Playlist | host |
| 2021 | Chosun Panstar | judge |
| 2021 | Alphabet together | cast member |
| 2021 | LoL The Next 2021 | host |
| 2021 | Lee Hong-ki's Playlist Once | host |
| 2022 | Eden, Descendants of Instinct | host |
| 2022 | Chuseok Idol Star Championships | host |
| 2022 | Eden 2 | host |
| 2022 | The Idol Band | producer (with F.T. Island) |
| 2022 | Mr. Trot 2 | master |
| 2024 | SCOOL | judge |

## Radio show

| Year | Title | Network | Notes |
| 2016–2018 | Lee Honggi Kiss The Radio (Hongkira) | KBS Cool FM | DJ from October 17, 2016, to April 15, 2018 |

## Musical theatre

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2009 | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Lysander |
| 2014 | Vampire | Dracula |
| 2016 | Those Days | Mooyoung |
| 2019 | I Loved You | Yoon Gichul |
| 2020 | Return: The Promise of The Day | Hyunmin |
| 2021 | 1976 Harlan County | Daniel |
| 2021–2022 | Jack the Ripper | Daniel |
| 2022 | Mata Hari | Armand |
| 2023 | Harlan County | Daniel |