Zion.T
{{Short description|South Korean singer (born 1989)}}
{{Other uses|Zion (disambiguation)|}}
{{BLP sources|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Zion.T
| image = Zion.T at DMC Festival 2015 MBC Radio DJ Concert 02.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Zion.T at the MBC Radio DJ Concert in September 2015
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ko|자이언티}}}}
| birth_name = Kim Hae-sol{{cite web|url=http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/program/program_artist_detail.htm?No=107722|title=Zion.T|publisher=KBS World|access-date=January 26, 2014|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202164326/http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/program/program_artist_detail.htm?No=107722|url-status=dead}}
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|4|13}}
| birth_place = South Korea
| genre = {{flatlist|
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Singer
- songwriter}}
| years_active = 2011–present
| label = {{hlist|Amoeba Culture|The Black Label|Standard Friends}}
| website =
}}
{{Infobox Korean name
| color = khaki
| hangul = 김해솔
| hanja =
| rr = Gim Haesol
| mr = Kim Haesol
| hangulstage = 자이언티
| rrstage = Jaieonti
| mrstage = Chaiŏnt'i
| tablewidth = 245
}}
Kim Hae-sol ({{Korean|hangul=김해솔}};{{Cite web |last=Hwang |first=Jee-young |date=2018-11-09 |title=Glasses off, Zion.T has opened up to a pop sound: After “Yanghwa BRDG” became a hit, the singer realized he can’t do it alone |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3055432 |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Korea JoongAng Daily |language=en}} born April 13, 1989{{Cite web |date=2015-10-07 |title=자이언티, 황치열에 디스 당해? "말하는 게 답답해서…" |trans-title=Zion.T dissed by Hwang Chi-yeol? "The way he talks is frustrating..." |url=https://daily.hankooki.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=323221 |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Daily Hankooki |language=ko}}), known professionally as Zion.T ({{Korean|hangul=자이언티}}), is a South Korean hip hop and R&B singer-songwriter. He has released 2 studio albums, Red Light (2013){{Cite web|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/33499/zionts-new-album-red-light-is-released-on-april-9|title=Zion.T Releases New Solo Album with Dynamic Duo and Other Hip-Hop Artists|website=Mwave|access-date=May 5, 2016|archive-date=June 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601050518/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/33499/zionts-new-album-red-light-is-released-on-april-9|url-status=dead}} and Zip (2023),{{cite web|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2023-12-06/entertainment/kpop/INTERVIEW-RB-artist-ZionT-breaks-musical-silence-with-Zip/1928138|title=[Interview] R&B artist Zion.T breaks musical silence with Zip|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|last=Lim|first=Jeong-won|date=December 6, 2023|access-date=December 14, 2023}} as well as 3 EPs. He has also been featured on tracks by K-pop artists such as G-Dragon, Zico, and Psy.
Personal life
In a 2014 interview, Zion.T explained that he chose his stage name because "I am a Christian and so the "T" in my name is representative of the cross."{{cite web|url=http://www.kpopeurope.eu/endeplhurofrsknlsv-exclusive-interview-with-zion-t-part-1/?lang=en/|title=Exclusive Interview with Zion.T – Part 1|website=Kpopeurope|access-date=January 15, 2018|date=January 29, 2014}}
In a 2017 interview, he said he was influenced by the American musician T-Pain. "There was a time when T-Pain's style of hip hop vocals were in. I really like T-Pain, so I used to emulate him a lot. This is something only my friends know, but I even had the nickname 'Zion.T-Pain'."{{cite web |date=February 4, 2017 |title=자이언티가 직접 밝힌 개성 강한 창법의 비결 |trans-title=The secret of unique singing method revealed by Zion. |url=http://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=079&aid=0002926116 |access-date=February 26, 2018 |website=No Cut News |publisher= |language=ko |via=Naver}}
On April 5, 2024, JYP Entertainment confirmed that Zion.T was in a relationship with Twice member, Chaeyoung.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-05 |title=트와이스 채영, 자이언티와 열애 인정 "호감 갖고 만나는 중, 서로 응원" [공식] |script-title= |trans-title=Twice's Chaeyoung admits to dating Zion.T. "Meeting with good feelings, cheering on each other." [Official] |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/312/0000656674 |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Ten Asia |language=ko |via=Naver}}
Career
Zion.T made his musical debut in 2011, collaborating with Korean hip hop artists such as Dok2, Crucial Star, Simon D, Primary and Gray. His first single, "Click Me", featuring Dok2, was released in April 2011.
On April 9, 2013, Zion.T's first studio album, Red Light, was released with the title track "Babay", featuring Gaeko.{{Cite web|url=http://music.naver.com/promotion/specialContent.nhn?articleId=3823#cbox_module |script-title=ko:네이버 뮤직 :: Zion.T [Red Light] 작업 노트|website=Naver|access-date=May 5, 2016|language=ko}}
That year, he featured on tracks by Infinite H, Dynamic Duo, Swings and G-Dragon.{{cite web|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/47407/zion-t-talks-about-working-with-g-dragon|title=Zion T was Grateful when G-Dragon Sent a Love Call|date=October 4, 2013|website=Mwave|access-date=January 26, 2014|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202114617/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/47407/zion-t-talks-about-working-with-g-dragon|url-status=dead}} In December, he released the EP Mirrorball ("{{lang|ko|미러볼}}") with the title track "Miss Kim" ({{lang|ko|미스 김}}).{{cite web|url=http://www.mtvk.com/blog-posts/zion-t-teases-fans-with-a-trot-dub-comeback/|title=Zion T. Teases Fans with a "Trot-Dub" Comeback|website=MTV|access-date=January 26, 2014|date=December 16, 2013|archive-date=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201183853/http://www.mtvk.com/blog-posts/zion-t-teases-fans-with-a-trot-dub-comeback/|url-status=dead}}
In 2014, he released the digital single "Yanghwa BRDG", which became a hit and contributed to his rising mainstream success as an artist in Korea.{{Cite web|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/77276/ziont-releases-mv|title=Zion.T Gets Emotional And Real With 'Yanghwa BRDG' MV|website=Mwave|access-date=May 5, 2016|archive-date=May 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510055719/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/77276/ziont-releases-mv|url-status=dead}}
He also appeared on the soundtrack of the television drama series Pinocchio with the song "Kiss Me",{{Cite web |last=허설희 |first= |title=자이언티, '피노키오' OST 6번째 주자…이종석·박신혜 희로애락 |trans-title=Zion T, the 6th player in the OST of 'Pinocchio'...Lee Jong-seok, Park Shin-hye, Hee-ro-ae-rak |url=https://www.mydaily.co.kr/page/view/2014122309502201118 |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=마이데일리 |language=ko}} and featured on songs by Seo In-young and The Quiett.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}
On February 1, 2015, he collaborated with the Korean R&B singer Crush on the single "Just" ({{lang|ko|그냥}}).{{cite magazine|title=Zion.T & Crush Drop Silky R&B Jam 'Just' |last=Oak | first=Jessica |magazine=Billboard |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/6458506/zion-t-crush-just-mv |access-date=August 10, 2015 |date=February 4, 2015}} The same year, he released the digital singles "Zero Gravity" ({{lang|ko|무중력}}), "Eat" ({{lang|ko|꺼내 먹어요}}){{cite web |title=Zion.T Tells You to ′Eat′ in New MV |last=Hong |first=Grace Danbi |website=Mwave |url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/92780/video-ziont-tells-you-to-eat-in-new-mv |access-date=August 10, 2015 |date=May 19, 2015 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061948/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/92780/video-ziont-tells-you-to-eat-in-new-mv |url-status=dead }} and "No Make Up" ({{lang|ko|노메이크업}}) and featured on singles by SHINee's Jonghyun, Yankie and Psy. That July, he participated in the biennial music festival event hosted by the MBC variety show Infinite Challenge, which resulted in a spike in domestic sales of his previously released singles.{{Cite web|url=http://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0003116918 |title=[뮤직톡톡] '무한도전'이 뒤흔든 음원차트…이건 예고편|trans-title=Music chart shaken by 'Infinite Challenge'... this is a preview|website=Naver|access-date=May 5, 2016}}{{Full citation needed|date=December 2024|reason=See WP:KO/RS#NA; should specify underlying publication used by news aggregator.}} For the event, he partnered with the Infinite Challenge cast member Haha to perform under the name Eutteugeottasi ({{lang|ko|으뜨거따시}}) with the song "$ponsor", later released in an album of the songs performed at the event.{{Cite web|title = ′Infinity Challenge′ Song Festival Team Profile Photos Released|url = http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/96952/infinity-challenge-song-festival-team-profile-photos-released|website = Mwave|access-date = January 1, 2016|archive-date = March 4, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073451/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/96952/infinity-challenge-song-festival-team-profile-photos-released|url-status = dead}}
- {{Cite web|title = 'Infinite Challenge' songs sweeping charts|url = http://kpopherald.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=201508231335326955253_2|website=Kpop Herald|author = Kim Yu-jin|date = August 23, 2015|access-date = January 1, 2016}}
Zion.T finished the year with two wins at the annual Mnet Asian Music Awards,: Best Vocal Performance (Male) for "Eat " {{lang|ko|꺼내먹어요}} and Best Collaboration, with Crush, for the song "Just" {{lang|ko|그냥}}, beating more well-established artistes in an idol-focused industry.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mwave.me/kr/mama/history/winners/list?years=2015|title=MAMA History Winner 2015|website=Mwave|language=ko|access-date=May 25, 2018|archive-date=October 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023225318/https://www.mwave.me/kr/mama/history/winners/list?years=2015|url-status=dead}}
In 2016, following the end of his contract with the hip hop label Amoeba Culture, he signed with The Black Label, a sub-label of YG Entertainment.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2016/03/17/zion-t-becomes-family-bigbang-last|title=Zion . T becomes family with BIGBANG at last|website=SBS PopAsia|access-date=May 5, 2016}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2016/03/17/0200000000AKR20160317046100005.HTML?input=1195m|script-title=ko:자이언티, 아메바컬쳐 떠난다…YG '테디 레이블'로 이적|trans-title=Zion.T leaves Amoeba Culture... Transfer to YG 'Teddy Label'|last=Lee|first=Eun Jung|website=Yonhap News Agency|date=March 17, 2016|language=ko}} On February 1, 2017, he released his first EP under The Black Label, OO.{{Cite web|url=https://www.soompi.com/2017/01/31/watch-zion-t-drops-eccentric-charming-mv-self-composed-track-the-song/|title=Watch: Zion.T Drops Eccentric And Charming MV For Self-Composed Track "The Song"|last=K|first=J.|date=January 31, 2017|website=Soompi|access-date=February 1, 2017}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=See reliable sources list on WP:KO/RS|date=December 2024}}
In December 2017, he released his collaboration with the veteran singer Lee Moon-se, the song "Snow". It topped all major music charts in South Korea. Lee Moon-se said he listened to Zion.T's song more than 200 times to faithfully represent his song, and showed great affection towards Zion.T and his musical career.{{Cite web|url=http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2017/12/05/2017120501736.html|script-title=ko:이문세, 자이언티와 컬래버.."'눈' 200번 이상 들었다|trans-title=Lee Moon-se and Zion.|website=Chosun|date=January 14, 2018|language=ko}}
In August 2022, Zion.T established his own entertainment company, Standard Friends, and signed Wonstein as his first artist. He will still be represented by The Black Label as a singer.{{Cite news|last=Yim|first=Seung-hye|date=August 23, 2022|title=Korean singer-producer Zion. T starts company for creators, Standard Friends|work=Korea JoongAng Daily |publication-date=August 23, 2022|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2022/08/23/entertainment/kpop/zionT-standard-friends/20220823124653015.html |access-date=September 11, 2022}}{{Cite web|last=Park|first=Dong-jae|date=August 26, 2022|script-title=ko:원슈타인 전속계약, 자이언티 크리에이티브 회사 스탠다드프렌즈 합류 '관심↑'|url=https://www.breaknews.com/919275 |access-date=September 11, 2022|website=Break News|language=ko}}
Discography
{{Main|Zion.T discography}}
Studio albums
- Red Light (2013)
- Zip (2023)
Filmography
= Television shows =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year
! scope="col" colspan="2" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Network ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Role ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Notes ! scope="col" rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
|---|
| scope="col" | English
! scope="col" | Korean |
| scope="row"| 2016
| 쇼미더머니 5 | Mnet | Producer | with Kush | style="text-align:center"| |
| scope="row"| 2017–2018
| Mix Nine | 믹스나인 | rowspan="2" |JTBC | Judge | | style="text-align:center"| |
| scope="row"| 2018
| 히든 싱어 | Participant | (Season 5; Episode 11) | style="text-align:center"| |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| 2019
| My Major is Hip Hop | 내 전공은 힙합 | Cast Member | with Mino | style="text-align:center"| {{Cite web|url=http://www.slist.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=127989|title=V오리지널 새해 라인업 공개...참신+트렌디 예능·드라마 기대 UP - 싱글리스트|last=Jang|first=Min-su|date=January 15, 2020|website=Single List|language=ko|access-date=February 26, 2020}} |
| Sign Here
| 사인히어 | MBN | Judge | Episode 5 | style="text-align:center"| |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| 2020
| Song Farm! | 곡FARM! | rowspan="3" | Mnet | rowspan="3"| Producer | | |
| Show Me the Money 9
| 쇼미더머니 9 | with Giriboy | style="text-align:center"| |
| scope="row"| 2021
| Show Me the Money 10 | 쇼미더머니 10 | with Slom |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Year presented, name of the award ceremony, category, nominated work, and the result of the nomination ! style="width:50px;"|Year ! style="width:300px;"|Award ! style="width:260px;"|Category ! style="width:130px;"|Nominated work ! style="width:50px;"|Result |
| rowspan="1"|2014
| {{center|11th Korean Music Awards{{cite web|url=http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/02/28/2014022803482.html|script-title=ko:자이언티, 최우수 알앤비&소울 음반상.."불참 죄송"|date=February 28, 2014|website=Chosun|access-date=February 28, 2014|language=ko}}}} | Best R&B & Soul Album | {{center|Red Light}} | {{won}} |
|---|
| rowspan="8"|2015
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |7th MelOn Music Awards | Top 10 Artists | rowspan="4" {{NA}} | {{won}} |
| Artist of the Year
| {{nominated}} |
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" |17th Mnet Asian Music Awards
| {{nom}} |
| Artist of the Year
| {{nom}} |
| Best Vocal Performance - Male{{cite web|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=3029148|title=Zion.T readies new album with YG|date=January 26, 2017|access-date=February 20, 2017|website=Korea JoongAng Daily}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |"Eat" ({{Korean|hangul=꺼내 먹어요|labels=no}}) - Zion.T | {{won}} |
| rowspan="2"|Song of the Year
| {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |"Just" ({{Korean|hangul=그냥|labels=no}}) - Zion.T X Crush
| {{nom}} |
| Best Collaboration & Unit
| {{won}} |
| rowspan="8"|2016
| rowspan="3"|25th Seoul Music Awards{{cite web|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20160115000536|title=EXO wins third consecutive Grand Prize at Seoul Music Awards|date=January 15, 2016|access-date=February 20, 2017|work=The Korea Herald}} | Bonsang Award | rowspan="3" {{NA}} | {{won}} |
| Popularity Award
| {{nom}} |
| Hallyu Special Award
| {{nom}} |
| rowspan="4"|30th Golden Disk Awards
|Digital Daesang | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |"Eat" ({{Korean|hangul=꺼내 먹어요|labels=no}}) - Zion.T |{{nom}} |
| Digital Bonsang
|{{won}} |
| Popularity Award
| rowspan="4" {{NA}} | {{nom}} |
| Global Popularity Award
| {{nom}} |
| 5th Gaon Chart Music Awards
|R&B Discovery of the Year |{{won}} |
| rowspan="5"|2017
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |19th Mnet Asian Music Awards | Best Male Artist | {{nom}} |
| Best Vocal Performance - Male
| {{center|"The Song" ({{Korean|hangul=노래|labels=no}}) - Zion.T}} | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | 9th MelOn Music Awards
| Album of the Year | OO | {{nom}} |
| Top 10 Artists
| {{NA}} | {{nom}} |
| Best R&B/Soul Award
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | "The Song" ({{Korean|hangul=노래|labels=no}}) - Zion.T | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="7"|2018
| rowspan="2"|32nd Golden Disk Awards |Digital Bonsang |{{nom}} |
| Global Popularity Award
| rowspan="4" {{NA}} | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="3"|27th Seoul Music Awards
| Bonsang Award | {{nom}} |
| Popularity Award
| {{nom}} |
| Hallyu Special Award
| {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2"|7th Gaon Chart Music Awards
|Song of the Year – February | {{center|"The Song" ({{Korean|hangul=노래|labels=no}}) - Zion.T}} |{{nom}} |
| Song of the Year – December
| {{center| "Snow" ({{Korean|hangul=눈|labels=no}}) (feat. Lee Moon-se)}} |{{nom}} |
= Listicles =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"
|+ Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement |
| scope="col" | Publisher
! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Listicle ! scope="col" | Placement ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
|---|
| scope="row" | Forbes
| 2016 | style="text-align:center;" | 35th | style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|url=https://jmagazine.joins.com/forbes/view/310322|title=SPECIAL EDITION 13th (1) 2016 KOREA POWER CELEBRITY 40 LIST|last1=Cho|first1=Deuk-jin|last2=Kim|first2=Sun-yeop|date=February 23, 2016|work=JoongAng Ilbo|language=ko|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318040707/https://jmagazine.joins.com/forbes/view/310322|archive-date=March 18, 2016|access-date=May 22, 2021|via=Joins}} |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Zion.T}}
{{MAMA Award for Best Collaboration}}
{{Melon Music Award for Top 10 Artists}}
{{Melon Music Award for Rap/Hip Hop}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:South Korean hip-hop singers
Category:South Korean hip-hop musicians
Category:South Korean male pop singers
Category:South Korean record producers
Category:Korean Music Award winners
Category:21st-century South Korean male singers
Category:Melon Music Award winners