Kang Ta (강타)

Kang Ta and Yang Dong-geun to Star in Military Musical

2008/06/12 | Source | Permalink |

Former H.O.T. member Kang Ta and rapper/actor Yang Dong-geun will star in a musical celebrating the 60th anniversary of Korean military. The two singers have started their military duty in April and May, respectively.

The 60th anniversary musical is overseen by the Ministry of National Defense and produced by noted musical producers and staff members. The production team selected Kang Ta in a military-wide audition. The Defense Ministry insiders said that over 300 soldiers showed up for the audition and the final 35 were selected for various parts. However, it has not been decided which roles these star wannabes and Kang Ta will play.

On the other hand, Yang was not able to attend the audition because of his training, but he was included in the cast after he informed the producer that he wanted to take part in the musical as well. Yang has not been assigned a role, either. A production team member said the female lead will probably be played by a musical actress or a singer.

T...| More

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Singer Kang Ta Begins Military Duty in Euijeongbu

2008/04/02 | Source | Permalink |

Singer Kang Ta (29) officially began his military duties on April 1 in Euijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province.

Kang Ta held a farewell concert for his fans at the Main Hall of Yonsei University late last month. The day he was stationed at his military base, Kang Ta, showing off a short crew cut, said goodbye to his fans and said he will diligently fulfill his military duties.

Korean fans as well as Japanese, Chinese and Thai fans flocked to the military base to say goodbye to their favorite singer. Fellow members of group S, Shin Hye-sung and Lee Ji-hoon, as well as singer Kim Min-jong, also a member of SM Entertainment, were on hand to wish good luck to their friend.

Kang Ta is the third member of H.O.T--after Moon Hee-joon and Jang Woo-hyuk--to begin his military duty.
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Singer Kang Ta Bids Farewell at Concert

2008/03/31 | Source | Permalink |

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Kang Ta bid farewell to his fans at his last concert before leaving for the military, Sunday afternoon. The former member of boy band H.O.T, successful solo singer and a Hallyu (Korean wave) super star in China will become a soldier, as he will serve his 2-year-military service.

Fans from Korea, China and even Hong Kong were waiting outside the concert hall at Yonsei University, eager to get a glimpse of the star before the event.

At the press conference, which was packed with reporters from overseas ― including China and Hong Kong, Kang Ta looked tired from his previous concert the other day, but was eager to share his thoughts about leaving his fans and serving the military.

"It's not like any other performance because I'm leaving right away (on April 1). Now that I am really leaving (for the military), I am grateful for everything and to everyone", the 28-year-old singer said.

Kang Ta is one of many male celebrities scheduled to ...| More

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[THE HIGH TIDE OF THE KOREAN WAVE(26)] First generation 'Hallyu' star continues to shine

2008/03/25 | Source | Permalink |

In the last few years, Korean films, TV dramas and pop music have become immensely popular abroad, a phenomenon known as the Korean Wave. This is the 26th in a series of essays by a select group of scholars and journalists looking at the spread of Korean pop culture in Southeast Asian countries and beyond. - Ed.

The term "Korean Wave" or "Hallyu" was initially coined in China to describe a newfound interest in Korean pop culture in China in the late 1990s. At the center of it all was the now-defunct boy band H.O.T. (High-five of Teenagers), two of whose albums were exported to China in 1998.

Many people underestimate the strategic side of the iconic band's success in China, though, assuming that the quintet was simply lucky to become the first Korean pop musicians to be active in China, at a time when the country's music scene was not very well developed.

Until last year, Ahn Chil-hyun - lead singer of the band, and better known by his stage name, Kang Ta - was one of them.

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Kang Ta to Release New Album Before Joining Military

2008/03/04 | Source | Permalink |

Pop singer Kang Ta, who was at the forefront of the Korean Wave which swept Asia, will take a break from the entertainment business to finish his compulsory military service.

Kang Ta's agency SM Entertainment said Monday that he will release his first new album in three years around the middle of this month before joining the military on April 1.

Having focused on working in China by forming the pop duo Kang Ta & Vanness with Taiwanese singer Vanness Wu, acting in dramas and appearing at various award shows, the former member of now-disbanded boy band H.O.T. is expected to please local fans with the new album of ballads.

Kang Ta will also hold a solo concert at Yonsei University on March 29 to celebrate the album's release. Because it is his first solo performance in five years and his last before joining the military, it will likely draw great attention from fans not only in Korea but also in other Asian nations such as China and Japan.

Tickets will be available through In...| More

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