Lee Hong-gi

{{Update|section|date=May 2020}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/CU/CU_EN_8_7_1_7.jsp|title=F.T. Island|publisher=Korea Tourism Organization|access-date=April 3, 2014|archive-date=September 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918071950/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/CU/CU_EN_8_7_1_7.jsp|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|last=Choi|first=Ji-eun|title=A.N.JELL actors brighten up Minamishineyo|url=http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2009102719054148104|website=Asiae|access-date=February 22, 2014|date=October 27, 2009|archive-date=March 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301204115/http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2009102719054148104|url-status=dead}} To promote the drama, he also contributed solo tracks to the OST, such as "Promise" and "Still/As Ever."{{cite web|url=https://www.soompi.com/article/360797wpp/lee-hong-ki-sings-youre-beautifuls-still-in-mandarin|title=Lee Hong Ki Sings You're Beautiful's "Still" In Mandarin|website=Soompi|date=July 19, 2010|access-date=April 3, 2014|archive-date=April 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407072809/http://www.soompi.com/2010/07/19/lee-hong-ki-sings-youre-beautifuls-still-in-mandarin/|url-status=live}}{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2023}} 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.{{cite web|title=Ichikawa Yui and F.T. Island's Lee Hong-gi at the press conference for Muscle Girl|url=http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2011/04/ichikawa-yui-and-f-t-islands-lee-Hong-gi-at-the-press-conference-for-muscle-girl/|work=Tokyo Hive|access-date=February 22, 2014|date=April 14, 2011|archive-date=April 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414073553/http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2011/04/ichikawa-yui-and-f-t-islands-lee-Hong-gi-at-the-press-conference-for-muscle-girl/|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|last=Hong|first=Lucia|title=FTIsland's Lee Hong-ki to star in upcoming KBS one-act drama|url=http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2011081015234016352|work=TenAsia|access-date=February 22, 2014|date=August 10, 2011|archive-date=April 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407102856/http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2011081015234016352|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web|last=Hong|first=Lucia|title=FTIsland Lee Hong-ki to make big screen debut|url=http://www.tenasia.com/ftisland-lee-hong-ki-to-make-big-screen-debut/|work=TenAsia|access-date=February 22, 2014|date=July 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407084611/http://www.tenasia.com/ftisland-lee-hong-ki-to-make-big-screen-debut/|archive-date=April 7, 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Sunwoo|first=Carla|title=Not all is grim when the reaper pays a visit|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2972026|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616030838/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2972026|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 16, 2013|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|access-date=February 22, 2014|date=May 24, 2013}}

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.{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Sun-min|title=Lee Hong-ki injured on ice|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2982114|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|access-date=February 22, 2014|date=December 17, 2013|archive-date=February 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225053245/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2982114|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Hwang|first=Hye-jin|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/55672/ft-island-leehonggi-returns-to-film-drama-again|title=FT Island's Lee Hong Gi Resumes Drama Filming After Injury|work=enewsWorld|date=January 10, 2014|access-date=February 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113183614/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/55672/ft-island-leehonggi-returns-to-film-drama-again|archive-date=January 13, 2014|url-status=dead}} He resumed shooting in January 2014, and the drama aired that February.{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Na-rae|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/59034/ftisland-leehonggi-names-yangjinseong-as-his-ideal-type|title=FT Island's Lee Hong Gi Chooses Yang Jin Seong Over Park Shin Hye as Ideal Type|work=enewsWorld|date=February 19, 2014|access-date=February 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225004429/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/59034/ftisland-leehonggi-names-yangjinseong-as-his-ideal-type|archive-date=February 25, 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Han|first=Ji-hee|title=Interview: Bride of the Century Lee Hong-Ki – Yang Jin-Sung|url=http://www.getitk.com/interview-bride-of-the-century-lee-hong-ki-yang-jin-sung/?lang=en|work=Get It K|access-date=February 22, 2014|date=February 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707053153/http://www.getitk.com/interview-bride-of-the-century-lee-hong-ki-yang-jin-sung/?lang=en|archive-date=July 7, 2014|url-status=dead}}

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.

File:Lee Hong-ki on October 5, 2012.png

{{main article|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.

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.allkpop.com/article/2015/11/ft-islands-hongki-to-make-his-solo-debut |title=F.T. Island's Hongki to make his solo debut! |website=Allkpop |date=November 4, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-date=June 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624031044/http://www.allkpop.com/article/2015/11/ft-islands-hongki-to-make-his-solo-debut |url-status=live }}{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2023}} The mini Korean album was revealed to be FM302, and the album was released on November 18, 2015,{{cite web |url=http://ftisland-official.jp/news/detail.php?id=1028682 |title=FTISLAND official website |website=Ftisland-official.jp |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-date=June 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622094459/http://ftisland-official.jp/news/detail.php?id=1028682 |url-status=live }} while the Japanese album was revealed to be AM302, and it was released on December 9, 2015.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/fncmusicjapan/status/663551862507880448|title=FNC Music Japan INC.|work=Twitter|access-date=June 6, 2016|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305144307/https://twitter.com/fncmusicjapan/status/663551862507880448|url-status=live}} '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.{{cite web |url=http://www.allkpop.com/article/2015/11/ft-islands-hongki-reveals-solo-debut-mv-for-insensible-starring-park-shin-hye |title=F.T. Island's Hongki reveals solo debut MV for 'Insensible' starring Park Shin Hye |website=Allkpop |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-date=June 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624040815/http://www.allkpop.com/article/2015/11/ft-islands-hongki-reveals-solo-debut-mv-for-insensible-starring-park-shin-hye |url-status=live }}{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2023}} The lead actress of the music video is actress Park Shin-hye.{{cite web |url=http://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0002837324 |title=이홍기-박신혜, '미남이시네요' 이후 6년 만에 연기 호흡. 이홍기 뮤비에 박신혜 우정 출연 :: 네이버 TV연예 |language=ko |website=Entertain.naver.com |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112504/http://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0002837324 |url-status=live }} Prior to his official music video release, a showcase was organised.{{cite web|url=http://www.soompi.com/2015/11/13/super-juniors-heechul-to-mc-lee-hong-kis-first-solo-showcase/|title=Super Junior's Heechul to MC Lee Hong Ki's First Solo Showcase – Soompi|work=Soompi|date=November 14, 2015|access-date=June 6, 2016|archive-date=April 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426073925/http://www.soompi.com/2015/11/13/super-juniors-heechul-to-mc-lee-hong-kis-first-solo-showcase/|url-status=live}}{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2023}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.soompi.com/2015/11/24/lee-hong-ki-takes-1st-solo-win-with-insensible-on-the-show/|title=Lee Hong Ki Takes 1st Solo Win With "Insensible" on "The Show" – Soompi|work=Soompi|date=November 24, 2015|access-date=June 6, 2016|archive-date=April 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422100540/http://www.soompi.com/2015/11/24/lee-hong-ki-takes-1st-solo-win-with-insensible-on-the-show/|url-status=live}}{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2023}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.allkpop.com/article/2015/11/gaon-chart-releases-chart-rankings-for-november-15-november-21 |title=Gaon Chart releases chart rankings for November 15 - November 21 |website=Allkpop |date=November 28, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-date=June 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627104614/http://www.allkpop.com/article/2015/11/gaon-chart-releases-chart-rankings-for-november-15-november-21 |url-status=live }}{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2023}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/100668/ft-islands-lee-hong-gi-to-release-first-solo-album-am302-in-japan |title=KPOP NEWS - FT Island′s Lee Hong Gi to Release First Solo Album 'AM302' in Japan | Mwave |website=Mwave.interest.me |date=February 16, 2016 |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053533/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/100668/ft-islands-lee-hong-gi-to-release-first-solo-album-am302-in-japan |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }} Upon release, it charted at #4 in the Oricon charts.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.dkpopnews.net/2015/05/subin-and-lee-hongkis-flawless-rock.html |title=Subin and Lee Hongki's flawless rock version of 'Joker' ~ Daily K Pop News |website=Dkpopnews.net |date=May 22, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230304/http://www.dkpopnews.net/2015/05/subin-and-lee-hongkis-flawless-rock.html |url-status=live }}{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2023}} It was believed that the two decided on a collaboration when Lee and Subin met on Hello Counselor.

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 .{{cite web|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/common_prog/newsprint.php?ud=20130910000666&dt=2|title=FT Island to release EP|date=September 10, 2013|access-date=April 3, 2014|publisher=The Korea Herald|archive-date=October 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008204637/http://www.koreaherald.com/common_prog/newsprint.php?ud=20130910000666&dt=2|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.soompi.com/2013/11/25/ft-island-beats-miss-a-and-trouble-maker-to-top-weekly-sales-chart/|title=FT Island Beats miss A and Trouble Maker to Top Weekly Sales Chart|date=November 25, 2013|publisher=Soompi|access-date=April 3, 2014|archive-date=April 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407073915/http://www.soompi.com/2013/11/25/ft-island-beats-miss-a-and-trouble-maker-to-top-weekly-sales-chart/|url-status=live}}{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2023}} He also composed Japanese songs "On My Way", "Just Please" and "Born to be a Rock n Roller".{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

File:FTISLAND in Paris, La Cigale, 10.JPG ]]

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.soompi.com/2014/06/10/ftislands-lee-hong-ki-launches-website-for-his-fashion-brand-skull-hong/|title=FTISLAND's Lee Hong Ki Launches Website for His Fashion Brand "Skull Hong"|date=June 10, 2014|access-date=March 23, 2015|publisher=Soompi|archive-date=December 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204114543/https://www.soompi.com/2014/06/10/ftislands-lee-hong-ki-launches-website-for-his-fashion-brand-skull-hong/|url-status=live}}{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2023}} It was originally based in Seoul, but has since expanded its business to Hong Kong, and Tokyo, Japan.{{cite web |author=Irene Kok |url=http://www.koreastardaily.com/tc/news/80319 |title=FTISLAND李洪基時尚品牌SKULL HONG 即將進軍日本 - KSD 韓星網 (明星) |website=Koreastardaily.com |date=August 17, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-date=August 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808104458/https://www.koreastardaily.com/tc/news/80319 |url-status=live }}

On September 30, 2019, Lee began his mandatory military service, becoming the first F.T. Island member to enlist.{{Cite web|url=https://www.soompi.com/article/1355880wpp/ftislands-lee-hong-ki-enlists-in-the-military|title=FTISLAND's Lee Hong Ki Enlists In The Military|date=September 30, 2019|website=Soompi|language=en|access-date=October 3, 2019|archive-date=October 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001135549/https://www.soompi.com/article/1355880wpp/ftislands-lee-hong-ki-enlists-in-the-military|url-status=live}}{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2023}} Lee was discharged on April 18, 2021.{{cite web |url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=312&aid=0000477787 |title=FT아일랜드 이홍기, 18일 미복귀 전역 '첫 군필자' [공식] |language=ko |trans-title=FT Island Lee Hong-ki, 'first military writer' to return to the military on the 18th [Official] |date=April 18, 2021 |website=Naver |access-date=April 18, 2021 |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418021343/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=312&aid=0000477787 |url-status=live }}

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.{{cite web |date=August 13, 2012 |script-title=ko:정용화 박신혜 이홍기, 日대지진 피해어린이들에 '훈훈한 격려' |url=http://m.hankooki.com/m_view.php?WM=sp&FILE_NO=c3AyMDEyMDgxMzIwMzAzNTk2MDEwLmh0bQ== |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107132428/http://m.hankooki.com/m_view.php?WM=sp&FILE_NO=c3AyMDEyMDgxMzIwMzAzNTk2MDEwLmh0bQ== |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |access-date=January 6, 2017 |work=Hankook Ilbo |language=ko}}{{Cite web |date=2012-08-13 |title=정용화 박신혜 이홍기, 日대지진 피해어린이들에 '훈훈한 격려' |url=https://sports.hankooki.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=4541898 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204085121/https://sports.hankooki.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=4541898 |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=스포츠한국 |language=ko}}

{{main article|F.T. Island discography}}

File:Lee Hong Ki (F.T. Island).jpg

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{commons category|Lee Hong-gi}}

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{{SBS Drama Awards for Best New Actor}}

{{F.T. Island}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Hong-gi}}

Category:1990 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Bundang District

Category:Male actors from Seongnam

Category:Singers from Gyeonggi Province

Category:FNC Entertainment artists

Category:South Korean pop rock singers

Category:South Korean television personalities

Category:South Korean male television actors

Category:South Korean male web series actors

Category:South Korean male film actors

Category:South Korean male child actors

Category:South Korean male idols

Category:South Korean male musical theatre actors

Category:F.T. Island members

Category:Kyung Hee University alumni

Category:21st-century South Korean male singers

Category:21st-century South Korean male actors

Category:Japanese-language singers of South Korea

Category:21st-century South Korean singer-songwriters