# Hong Isaac

Hong Isaac (Korean: 홍이삭; born 12 May 1988), is a South Korean singer-songwriter best known for winning the third season of JTBC's show Sing Again, his appearance in JTBC's first season of Superband and for singing the track 'Fallin' from the Queen of Tears OST.

## Early life and education

Hong was born on 12 May 1988. Both of Hong Isaac's parents are Protestant missionaries, which led to him learning English while attending an international elementary school in Papua New Guinea for three and a half years. This period of Isaac's life had an impact on the music he later produced: "Learning music at church from a young age has had a significant influence...This was during my time in Papua New Guinea".
Hong attended Isabel Middle School in Busan, and went to Handong International School in Pohang for high school. In 2007, Hong entered Handong Global University to study Journalism and Information studies. He was a member of the university's song writing club, NEO. In 2009, he dropped out of Handong Global University and chose to attend Berklee College of Music, majoring in Music Education. He attended the university for three semesters starting in 2010, before taking a leave of absence due to "large enrolment fees and the burden of malocclusion surgery".

## Career
### 2013–2018: career beginnings

Issac made his broadcast debut in 2013 by winning a bronze medal with his self-composed song "봄아" (English Translation: Spring) at the 24th Yoo Jae-ha Music Contest (Korean: 제24회 유재하 음악경연대회).
In 2014, following his participation in the 24th Yoo Jae-ha Music Contest, Hong featured on the album released in celebration of the contest and joined various concerts promoting the album. The release of this album marked Hong's official debut in the music industry, as his song was published under the label Music&New as part of the commemorative album. Hong also participated in writing, composing, and arranging the album's group song, "한걸음 뒤에 서면 보이는 것들" (English Title: One Step Behind, English Translation: Things you can see when you stand one step behind). In 2015, Hong released his first EP titled As Time Passes By. The EP is 24 minutes long and features 6 songs. The title song shares the EP's name: "As Time Passes By." The release of this EP marks Hong's solo debut as a musician; it is the first musical work published solely under his name.
In 2016, Hong appeared on Mnet's show I Can See Your Voice season 2. He featured in the season's 12th episode, which aired on January 7, as a "good" singer. He made an appearance during the Evidence round, and was nicknamed "Primitive Soul from the Jungle." Following his appearance on I Can See Your Voice, Hong joined the Republic of Korea Armed Forces to fulfil his mandated service (January 25, 2016 - October 26, 2017) as an Army Sergeant. On 1 April 2018, Hong started a YouTube channel called 차곡차곡 (English translation: Step by Step) where he broadcast himself writing and composing songs in real time.

### 2019–2023: JTBC's Superband, budding popularity

Beginning in April 2019, Hong "garnered popularity after participating in JTBC's" first season of Superband (TV program). Hong first appearance on the show is in Episode 2, during the audition round. Hong performed his original song "봄아" (English Title: "Spring"), while singing and playing acoustic guitar. From Episode 3 until Episode 9, Hong joined and created various bands, winning two out of three rounds. In Episode 10, Hong placed 7th out of 9 teams (with his team's highest judge score being 90 and lowest being 78). Hong joined his final team, 'Moné' (Korean name: 모네), making it to the show's finals. Moné finished the show in fourth place.
The same year, Hong released the singles "You liked me in my dreams" and "Campfire", as well as the song "Ruin" (which was released on the Original Sound Track for the Korean television show Strangers from Hell). Hong made his first appearance on Dreaming Radio, a radio program broadcast on MBC FM4U and hosted by the Korean music producer Park Kyung. Throughout 2019, Hong maintained a regular presence on the show, appearing 11 times that year. On the 6th of December 2019, Hong released an EP titled The Important Little Things. The EP is 15 minutes long and comprises four songs. On the 31st of December, Hong did his first interview (with Studio FLO).
In 2020, Hong released the single "Without You" and featured on the soundtrack of The Uncanny Counter with the song "Close Your Eyes". He made his acting debut as a guest actor in Lee Ji-Hyung's musical play The Home and also appeared on JTBC's show Hidden Singer 6 Episode 12 as a member of the show's celebrity panel. Hong also participated in the making and production of the musical film Da Capo (Korean title: 다시 만난 날들, English Translation: The days we met again), which was released on the 22nd of September 2020, as both an actor and a music director. Da Capo was the opening film of the 16th Jecheon International Music & Film Festival. As part of this project, Hong released his first album, titled Da Capo, on 22 September 2020.
In 2021, Hong released the song "Kiss me Kiss me" which featured on the OST for Lovestruck in the City, "Pain" for Happiness's soundtrack.".
On 4 September 2021, Hong appeared on KBS' show Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend. He appeared in Episode 521, winning against Song So-hee with Jeon In-kwon's song "Don't You Worry". Hong lost to Im Tae-kyung overall. He also completed narration and interviews for Hong Jin-kyung's show Hong Jin-kyung's glorious life as a devotee throughout 2021, with his first appearance being in Episode 10 (which was aired on 24 September 2021).
In 2022, Hong released the song "Can't Run Away," which featured on the soundtrack of Through the Darkness (TV series)., "Dive in" as part of Military Prosecutor Doberman's OST and featured on My Liberation Notes's OST with "I Think I Know". Hong also released ‘Since today’ which was followed by a pair of singles grouped under the title 있을게 (English Translation: Stay) named "Stay" and "Rain". Following these releases, Hong made his first appearances on Korean music broadcast shows, promoting his single ‘Stay’.
On 4 March 2022, it was announced that Hong signed an exclusive contract with the record/ entertainment company Achim Archive. From 9 June to 8 November 2022, Hong hosted the radio show Hong Isaac's Gleaning - How to become a lyricist (Native name: 홍이삭의 이삭줍기 - 작사가 되는법). The show was broadcast by EBS FM and has a total of 10 episodes. Hong also reappeared on KBS' show Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend and reunited with the Yoo Jae Ha Music Contest as the 33rd Contest's co-host alongside Choi Yu-ree.
On 29 January 2023, Hong appeared on Episodes 388 and 389 of MBC's show, King of Mask Singer as ‘가왕 할 만두’ (English Translation: Possibly Masked King Dumpling). In the first round, Hong competed against ‘감동 그 잡채’ (English Translation: I am so touched (by the) Japchae) (who was revealed to be Mija) where the pair sang ‘난 여자가 있는데’ (English Title: I have a Girl) by Park Jin-young. Hong won the first round, receiving 79 votes vs Mija's 20. In the second round he performed ‘꿈에’ (English Translation: In Dream) by Lena Park against 'Sister-In-Law With High Self-Esteem' (who was later revealed to be Moon Hee-Ok), who performed Sim Soo-bong's ‘비나리’ (English Translation: "Hymn of Dreams"). Hong received 38 votes, losing to his opponent who received 61 votes. The same year, Hong released the song '휘' (English Title: Wind) which featured on the OST of the Korean Drama Kokdu: Season of Deity., ‘그 밤을 내게 줘요’ (English Translation: Give me that night) as part of the Korean Drama, My Perfect Stranger's OST, and released a song for the OST of Perfect Shot (O'PENing) called 'Shoot At Me'. Hong returned to I Can See Your Voice as a guest panelist for season 10's 10th episode. He also appeared in Episode 1, performing a cover of BTS' song ‘Permission to Dance’ as the opening for Season 10 alongside various other past participants.
Hong was selected as a musician to take part of CJ Cultural Foundation's program Tune-Up as part of the 22nd selection group. This program, which "aims to support rookie and indie musicians producing, recording and promoting their music", allowed Hong to produce the EP everland alongside Jazz pianist Jin Soo-young. On April 26, 2023, the EP was released after "six months of close-knit collaboration" with Jazz pianist Jin Soo-young. The two musicians met through a mutual connection who suggested that they were musically compatible. The EP is a 22-minute listen featuring six songs, which are mostly sung in English. A pre-release of the EP's title track ‘(N)everland’ came out as a Korean version of the EP's title track 'everland' on April the 6th 2023, announcing the collaboration between Hong and Soo-young.
Hong opened his second YouTube channel on the 30th of October 2023, named mm음[音]. The primary type of content he uploads are short documentaries of his life as a musician (which also cover behind the scenes work both him and his team complete).

### 2023–Present: JTBC's Sing Again 3, burst of fame

From 26 October 2023 to 18 January 2024, Hong appeared on JTBC's third season of their show Sing Again as ‘Singer Number 58’ the "Eternal singer with no expiration date". During the audition round, Hong performed Choi Yu-ree's song ‘Forest’, passing with all eight judges pressing the 'Again' button. From Episode 5 to 11, Hong competed in four rounds, winning all of them. During the first part of the final round, (which aired in Episode 12) Hong received the song, ‘I Love You’ (which was produced by the Korean producer Kim Do-Hun). Hong's highest individual judge score was 100 (received from Code Kunst), his lowest individual judge score was 94 (received from Kim Eana and Lee Hae-ri), his total score was 773, which meant he ranked 3rd out of seven contestants. During the second part of the final round (Episode 13), Hong performed Cho Yong-Pil's song ‘Song of the Wind’. His highest individual judge score was 97 (received from Kim Eana), his lowest individual judge score was 92 (received from Baek Ji-young), his total judge score was 761, which ranked him sixth out of seven contestants.
The show's winner was announced at the end of Episode 13's broadcast, where they also received the grand prize of 300,000,000 KRW. Hong got a score of 212.20 for Online early voting (first out of seven), 839.78 for Part 1 of the final (first out of seven), 282.85 for Part 2 of the final (sixth out of seven) and 1604.36 for the Real-Time voting score (first out of seven). Thus, Hong finished with an accumulated score of 2939.19 (around 1000 points more than second place), placing him in first and making him the show's winner.
In 2024, Hong released the single, ‘Because There Is Love’ (produced by Choi Yu-ree who he has interacted and worked with on multiple occasions), featured on the OST for season two of Gyeongseong Creature with his song ‘GRADATION IN LIGHT’, and released the song ‘Fallin’ on the soundtrack of the TV Show Queen of Tears. ‘Fallin’ "further skyrocketed his fame" as the TV show, and in turn the soundtrack, gained popularity. Hong was invited to perform at the 2024 KCON (music festival) held in Chiba, Japan over May the 10th to 12th. He also performed at the KCON in Los Angeles, America, on July 26–28th. These performances "on international stages...put his name on the map".
In 2025, Hong released the single 'Lovers'. He made his second appearance on KBS' show Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend. He appeared in Episode 688, in which he competed against Jeon Yu-Jin with Kim Kwang-seok's song "On the Street". Hong won against Jeon Yu-Jin during the first round, and was declared 688 Episode's final winner. On 20 January 2025, Hong began recruitment for his first official fan club, announcing that his fans would be referred to as 'Toast'.

## Discography
### Singles

| Title | English Title | English Translation | Single details |
| "하나님의 세계" | The World My Lord Resides In | God's World | Artist: Hong Isaac Running Time: 3 minutes 55 second Released: 30 January 2015 Label/Copyright: Sound republic, Hong Isaac Genre: Contemporary Christian music Formats: Digital download |
| "모닥불" | Campfire | - | Artist: Hong Isaac Running Time: 4 minutes 44 seconds Released: 2 February 2019 Label/Copyright: Hong Isaac (under licence to Genie Music Corporation) Genre: Folk, Blues Formats: Digital download |
| "오늘도 꿈에서 그대가" | You liked me in my dreams | Even today in my dream, you | Artist: Hong Isaac Running Time: 3 minutes 43 seconds Released: 11 September 2019 Label/Copyright: Hong Isaac, Dreamus Genre: R&B, Soul Formats: Digital download |
| "네가 없는 하루" | Without You | A day without you | Artist: Hong Isaac Running Time: 3 minutes 26 seconds Released: 5 May 2020 Label/Copyright: Hong Isaac, Dreamus Genre: Ballad Formats: Digital download |
| "있을게" | Stay | I'll be (there/ here) | Artist: Hong Isaac Running Time: 3 minutes 46 seconds Released: 21 August 2022 Label/Copyright: Hong Isaac, Archive Achim Genre: Ballad Formats: Digital download |
| "비" | Rain | - | Artist: Hong Isaac Running Time: 2 minutes 47 seconds Released: 21 August 2022 Label/Copyright: Hong Isaac, Archive Achim Genre: Ballad Formats: Digital download |
| "(n)everland" | - | - | Artist: Hong Isaac, Chin Sooyoung Running Time: 3 minutes 12 seconds Released: 6 April 2023 Label/Copyright: Archive Achim Genre: R&B, Soul, Jazz Formats: Digital download |
| "사랑은 하니까" | Because There Is Love | Because (I/we: ambiguous) Love (you: ambiguous) | Artist: Hong Isaac Running Time: 4 minutes 35 seconds Released: 29 February 2024 Label/Copyright: Archive Achim Genre: Ballad Formats: Digital download |
| "Lovers" | - | - | Artist: Hong Isaac Running Time: 4 minutes Released: 24 January 2025 Label/Copyright: Music Farm Ent., under license to Kakao Entertainment Genre: Ballad Formats: Digital download |

### Albums

| Title | English Title | English Translation | Album details |
| 시간이 지나도 | As Time Passes By | Even as time passes/ Even after a while | Artist: Hong Isaac Running Time: 24 minutes Released: 18 August 2015 Label/Copyright: HONG&I, 미러볼 뮤직 Formats: Digital download Track listing "지친하루" (English Title: A Weary Day, English Translation: Tired Day) "시간이 지나도" (English Title: As Time Passes By, English Translation: Even as time passes/ Even after a while) "구름" (English Title: Cloud) "Like A Fool" "길을 걷다" (English Title: A Walk, English Translation: Walk (the) Road) "봄아 - Piano Version" (English Title: Dear Spring - Piano Version, English Translation: Spring - Piano Version) |
| THE IMPORTANT LITTLE THINGS | - | - | Artist: Hong Isaac Running Time: 15 minutes Released: 6 December 2019 Label/Copyright: Dreamus, Hong Isaac Formats: Digital download Track listing "잠" (English Title: A Nap, English Translation: Sleep) "Let's Be Friends" "별 같아서" (English Title: Like A Star, English Translation: (It/you: ambiguous) is/are like a star) "소년" (English Title: A boy, English Translation: Boy) |
| 마음이 내려 쌓이면 | Heartfall | If you feel down and build up | Artist: Hong Isaac Running Time: 10 minutes Released: 10 December 2021 Label/Copyright: 미러볼 뮤직, HONG&I Formats: Digital download Track listing "마음이 내려 쌓이면" (English Title: Heartfall, English Translation: If you feel down and build up) "나쁘지 않아" (English Title: Not so Bad, English Translation: Not bad) "Little Lights" |
| everland | - | - | Artist: Hong Isaac, Chin Sooyoung Running Time: 22 minutes Released: 26 April 2023 Label/Copyright: Archive Achim Formats: Digital download Track listing "her" "everland" "pages" "a bird" "(n)everland" "her (director's cut)" |

### Sound Tracks (OSTs)
#### Drama/Series

Song title, year of release, album of release, and artist :
| Title | English Title | English Translation | Year | Album | Artist |
| "Ruin" | - | - | 2019 | Hell Is Other People (TV series) Pt.4 (Original Television Soundtrack) | Hong Isaac |
| "Farewell Restaurant" | - | - | 2020 | Farewell Restaurant OST | Joy Kim (featuring Hong Isaac & April Ahn) |
| "바다야 안녕(자취방 VER.)" | The Sea (Movie ver.) | Bye/Hi Sea (Movie ver.) | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "디스토리어(Practice Room Ver.)" | Destroyer (Practice Room Ver.) | - | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "설렘 (만들기 VER.)" | Spring Romance (Practice Room ver.) | Thrill (Practice Room ver.) | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "노잉유" | Knowing You | - | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "등대길" | Walking Romance | Lighthouse Road | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "대화" | Conversation | - | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "모르겠다 (Practice Room Ver.)" | IDK (Practice Room Ver.) | I don't know (Practice Room Ver.) | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "모르겠다" | IDK | I don't know | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "다시 만난 날들 interlude" | Da Capo interlude | The days we meet again interlude | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "재회" | Au Revoir | Reunion | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "재회 (제마 ver.)" | Au Revoir (Jemma ver.) | Reunion (Jemma ver.) | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "갈등" | Lonely Light House | Conflict | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "디스토리어" | Destroyer | - | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "안녕" | Friends Again | Hi/ bye | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "잠자리 지우개" | Dragonfly Eraser | - | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "바다야 안녕" | The Sea | Bye/Hi Sea | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "설렘" | Spring Romance | Thrill | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "노잉유 (현장 ver.)" | Knowing You (Movie ver.) | - | 2020 | Da Capo | Hong Isaac |
| "Close Your Eyes" | - | - | 2020 | The Uncanny Counter (Original Television Soundtrack), Pt.1 | Hong Isaac |
| "Kiss me Kiss me" | - | - | 2021 | Lovestruck in the City (Original Television Soundtrack), Pt.8 | Hong Isaac |
| "The Visitor" | - | - | 2021 | TIMES (Original Television Soundtrack), Pt.2 | Hong Isaac (featuring KLAZY) |
| "Pain" | - | - | 2021 | Happiness (South Korean TV series), Pt.2 (Original Television Soundtrack) | Hong Isaac |
| "Can't Run Away" | - | - | 2021 | Through the Darkness (TV series) OST Part.2 | Hong Isaac |
| "Dive in" | - | - | 2022 | Military Prosecutor Doberman, Pt.4 (Original Television Soundtrack) | Hong Isaac |
| "알 것도 같아" | I Think I Know | - | 2022 | My Liberation Notes OST Part 10 | Hong Isaac |
| "휘" | Wind | (sound of wind) | 2023 | Kokdu: Season of Deity (Original Television Soundtrack, Pt.2) | Hong Isaac |
| "내 밤을 내게 줘요" | - | Give me my night | 2023 | My Perfect Stranger OST Part.6 | Hong Isaac |
| "나를 쏘다" | Shoot At Me | - | 2023 | Perfect Shot (O'PENing)(Original Soundtrack) | Hong Isaac |
| "Be with you" | - | - | 2023 | A Time Called You (Original Soundtrack from the Netflix Series) | Hong Isaac |
| "Fallin'" | - | - | 2024 | Queen of Tears (Original Television Soundtrack), Pt.5 | Hong Isaac |
| "GRADATION IN LIGHT" | - | - | 2024 | Gyeongseong Creature S2 OST | Hong Isaac |

### Features

Song title, date of release, album of release, and artist :
| Title | English Title | English Translation | Year | Album | Artist |
| "봄아" | Spring | - | May 30, 2014 | The 24Th You Jae Ha Music Competition | Hong Isaac |
| "한걸음 뒤에 서면 보이는 것들" | One Step Behind | Things you can see when you stand one step behind | May 30, 2014 | The 24Th You Jae Ha Music Competition | Hong Isaac, You Bo Young, Young Won, Lee Seol Ah, Almond, Lee Yerin, Minju, D.Avant |
| "To You" | - | - | October 12, 2015 | 1집 동화됙다 | Hong Isaac, 모노이 (as part of the 모노이 project) |
| "클레멘타인" | Clementine | - | April 27, 2018 | Clementine | Hong Isaac X 모노이 |
| "On the Road (feat. 홍이삭)" | - | On the Road (feat. Hong Isaac) | December 28, 2018 | On the Road (feat. 홍이삭) | Hong Isaac, Jin Ju Yu |
| "So Nice (feat. So Soo Bin, Stella Jang, OuiOui, Lee MinHyuk, Zai.ro, Hong Isaac)" | - | - | October 2, 2019 | So Nice (feat. So Soo Bin, Stella Jang, OuiOui, Lee MinHyuk, Zai.ro, Hong Isaac) GMF 2019 | Hong Isaac, So Soo Bin, Stella Jang, OuiOui, Lee MinHyuk, Zai.ro |
| "Home" | - | - | October 2, 2019 | Our Yoo Jae Ha Vol.4 - YoodongTV | Hong Isaac, An Sion, D'avant, Shin Young Lee, JOAERAN, YUNINI, Haepa, Seung-Hwan Paik, SURIM, Kimhwol |
| "LOVED YOU BETTER (feat. Isaac Hong)" | - | - | December 11, 2019 | LOVED YOU BETTER | Hong Isaac, Holland (singer) |
| "KNOCK KNOCK (with Hong Isaac)" | - | - | February 10, 2021 | Discovery | Hong Isaac, JUNHA PARK |
| "저 별처럼 18" | Like a Star (feat. Isaac Hong) | - | February 25, 2021 | Like a Star | Hong Isaac, Mellow Kitchen |
| "Since today" | - | - | August 5, 2022 | Since today | Hong Isaac (as part of +memory project under license to YG PLUS) |
| "My Love Beside Me (feat. Isaac Hong)" | - | - | May 16, 2024 | Famous Singers And Street Judges EP.10 | Hong Isaac, Tejong |

## Awards

| Year | Award/ competition | Ranking |
| 2013 | 24th Yoo Jae-ha Music Contest | Bronze Medal (Third place) |
| 2013 | 24th Yoo Jae-ha Music Contest | Alumni Association Award |
| 2024 | Sing Again 3 | First Place |
| 2024 | 2024 Universal Superstar Awards | Universal Indie Icon Award |
| 2024 | 2024 Brand of the Year Awards | Best Male Vocal |
| 2025 | 2025 Immortal Song 2 [Sing a Legend] Episode 688 | Part 1 Winner |

## Other activities

* Seoul Museum of Art 'Music + Museum Night' - 'Obsession' Music Director
* Seoul Arts Centre Creative Music 'All That Shanghai' - Nierl (Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic)
* First and second fan signing events were held 17 and 31 March 2024 in celebration of the release of 'Because There Is Love'
* Participated in writing the lyrics for and composing Good Neighbors Effect Soung Source's 'Good Neighbours by Your Side' on May 31, 2024
* Participated in Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's project 'Blooming Together' on May 31, 2024