Kim Jonh-kook Biography: Age, Wife, Height, Net Worth, Songs, Running Man, Brother, Albums

Kim Jong-kook is a South Korean singer, entertainer, and actor who first won widespread attention as half of the dance-pop duo Turbo, emerging in the mid-1990s.

Following Turbo’s disbandment, he launched a solo career with the 2001 album Renaissance and gained broader recognition on variety shows such as X-man, Family Outing, and particularly Running Man, where his energetic presence drew international focus.

Profile

• Full name: Kim Jong-kook
• Date of birth: April 25, 1976
• Age: 49 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Yongsan, Seoul
• Nationality: South Korean
• Profession: Singer, entertainer, actor
• Height: 1.70 m
• Weight: 88 kg
• Eye color: Black
• Hair color: Brown
• Parents: Mother – Cho Hye-seon
• Siblings: Older brother, Kim Jong-myeong (a doctor)
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: Single
• Religion: Buddhist
• Ethnicity: Asian
• Net worth: USD16 million

Early Life and education

Kim Jong-kook is now 49 years old and was born on April 25, 1976. He was born in Yongsan, Seoul.

He grew up with an older brother, Kim Jong-myeong, who later became a doctor, and his mother, Cho Hye-seon.

Kim attended Myeong Hak Elementary School, Shin Seong Middle-High School, then earned a Bachelor of Arts in music composition from Hansei University and a master’s degree in pop culture performing arts from Dankook University’s School of Arts.

Personal Life

Kim Jong-kook remains unmarried and has no children. He is the uncle of singer Soya.

Among his close relationships, he belongs to the circle known as the “Dragon Brothers,” friends born in 1976 including Jang Hyuk, Cha Tae-hyun, Hong Kyung-min, and Hong Kyung-in.

He suffered a herniated disk and underwent lumbar microdiscectomy surgery in August 2010; this back issue influenced his choice during military enlistment to serve as a public service worker instead of active duty.

Career

Kim Jong-kook entered the music scene in 1995 as part of Turbo, a dance-pop duo that achieved massive popularity in South Korea and across Asia. Turbo sold millions of albums before disbanding in 2000.

He debuted as a solo artist in December 2001 with the album Renaissance, though it initially met with challenges.

His second album Evolution (2004) produced the hit single “One Man,” which helped solidify his solo success.

In 2005, his album This Is Me featured the chart-topping song “Lovable,” and that year he won the Daesang (Artist of the Year) award from the three major Korean broadcasters.

Transitioning into television, he became a regular on variety shows such as X-man, Family Outing, and especially Running Man, where his appeal reached an international audience.

He is also part of the pop duo “Running Man Brothers” with fellow cast member Haha since 2014.

Awards

• 2010: Best TV Star (SBS Entertainment Award) for Running Man
• 2011: Outstanding Award: Variety Category (SBS Entertainment Award)
• 2013: Asia’s Most Charismatic Korean Host (Yahoo! Asia Buzz Award); Male Outstanding Award and Viewers’ Choice Popularity Award (7th SBS Entertainment Award)
• 2014: Most Outstanding Award: Variety Shows (8th SBS Entertainment Award)
• 2016: Best Bromance (with Lee Kwang-soo) (DramaFever Award)
• 2018: Producer Award; Best Teamwork (Running Man cast); Best Couple (with Hong Jin-young) (12th SBS Entertainment Award)

Net worth

Kim Jong-kook’s net worth is estimated at USD 20 million, accumulated through his music career (Turbo and solo), variety show appearances, endorsements, concerts, tours, and business ventures such as real estate and fitness investments.

Social Media

• Instagram: @kjk76
• YouTube: Gym Jong Kook

Filmography

• Banjul Drama
• Old Miss Diary
• The Girl Who Sees Smells
• The Producers
• The Sound of Your Heart
• Dream Team, X-Man
• Happy Sunday
• Everybody
• Talents For Sale
• Let’s Go with Mom
• Big Picture
• I Can See Your Voice
• My Little Old Boy
• Five Cranky Brothers

Discography

• Renaissance (2001)
• Evolution (2004)
• This Is Me (2005)
• Kim Jong-kook’s Fourth Letter (2006)
• Here I Am (2008)
• Eleventh Story (2010)
• Journey Home (2012)
• Again (2025 Turbo reunion album)