개리

Early Life

Gary, born Kang Hee-gun on February 24, 1978, in South Korea, initially pursued dancing over rapping during his youth. His middle school nickname, "Gae" (meaning "dog" in Korean), inspired his stage name. He showcased his dancing talent by winning a competition against future H.O.T. members Jang Woo Hyuk and Moon Hee Jun, who were later scouted by SM Entertainment. However, Gary declined the offer and instead trained as a bodyguard at Yong In University, while also engaging in amateur boxing for a decade.

Musical Career

Gary's music journey began in 1997 when he joined the hip-hop group X-Teen, where he met his future collaborator Gil. After a brief stint, they joined Honey Family, releasing two albums before forming the trio Leessang Trio, which later evolved into the duo Leessang in 2002. Over the years, Leessang produced eight albums, achieving significant success with their later works, including the hit "Turn Off the TV" from the album Asura Balbalta, which topped the Melon chart for 25 consecutive days. In 2014, Gary launched his solo career with the mini-album Mr.Gae, which, despite being banned from major TV broadcasts due to its mature content, topped various charts. He later formed a duo with Jung-in, releasing popular singles like "Your Scent" and "Bicycle."

Personal Life

In 2017, Gary shared on social media that he had married a non-celebrity woman known as "Miss Kim," who had worked at his company, Leessang, for five years prior to their marriage. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Kang Ha-oh, on October 15, 2017. Gary's multifaceted career also includes appearances on the popular variety show Running Man, where he became a beloved figure among fans.