Kim Jong-kook
Kim Jong-kook is the South Korean singer and Running Man regular behind GYM JONG KOOK, where celebrity workouts, bodybuilding sessions and football trips meet everyday conversation.
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Latest
Jong-kook’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
YouTube
SBS
MusicOverview
- Name in Korean
- 김종국
- Born
- April 25, 1976
- Based in
- South Korea
- Started out
- Debuted with Turbo in 1995; began his solo career in 2001.
- Solo breakout
- “One Man” from Evolution (2004).
- On YouTube
- Launched GYM JONG KOOK on June 17, 2021.
Mini bio
From Turbo to ballads.
Kim Jong-kook began in 1995 as a singer in Turbo. He went solo in 2001, then found a breakthrough with “One Man” on his 2004 album Evolution. This Is Me followed in 2005, with “Lovable” among its best-known songs. That year, he won the top music prizes at SBS, KBS and MBC.
Finding his voice on television.
He credits X Man with helping him become an entertainer. Watching Yoo Jae-suk and Kang Ho-dong helped him relax on camera. Family Outing and Running Man gave him room to build his own character, with Running Man part of his career from 2010.
Sharing life in the gym.
He opened GYM JONG KOOK in June 2021 to share the experience he had built through years of exercise. The channel pairs workouts with conversations, bringing singers, actors and athletes into the gym. His 2023 Baeksang Best Male Entertainer award recognised this move into YouTube.
Creditschronological, newest first
Online and television
- 2021 onwardGYM JONG KOOKCreator and host
- 2010 onwardRunning ManCast member
- 2008–2010Family OutingCast member
Music
- 2026KJK Original Series Edition 01 : Roy KimVocalist and executive producer
- 2025–2026The Originals30th-anniversary concert performer
- 2005This Is MeSolo artist
- 2004EvolutionSolo artist; album includes “One Man”
- 1995TurboDebut as a member
Awards
Quotes
There would be no reason for people to watch anything that everyone else can make. So I try to do something unique to me.Kim Jong-kook, Korea JoongAng Daily interview
In June 2023, he explained how he develops ideas for GYM JONG KOOK after winning at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
Trivia
- The “GYM” in GYM JONG KOOK turns his name into a nod to his love of exercise.
- He told the Korea JoongAng Daily that he once felt so shy on television that he would say little beyond hello and goodbye.
- Roy Kim wrote both the lyrics and music for his 2026 single “한 번만 안아보자.”
Find Jong-kook
Follow him for workouts, guest sessions and life beyond the gym.
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