Eric Mun

Eric Mun
Eric in 2013
Born Mun Jung-hyuk
(1979-02-16) 16 February 1979
Seoul, South Korea
Spouse(s) Na Hyemi (m. 2017)
Musical career
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instruments
Years active 1998–present
Labels
  • E&J Entertainment
Associated acts Shinhwa
Website www.shinhwacompany.co.kr
Korean name
Hangul 문정혁
Hanja 文晸赫
Revised Romanization Mun Jeong-hyeok
McCune–Reischauer Mun Chŏnghyŏk

Eric Mun (born Mun Jung-hyuk on February 16, 1979) is a South Korean singer and actor. He is a member and leader of the South Korean boy band Shinhwa. He is also well known for several dramas such as Phoenix (2004), Super Rookie (2005) and Another Oh Hae-young (2016). He was with Top Class Entertainment from 2007 to December 2013. In 2014, Mun and his manager of 10 years, Lee Jong-hyun, set up a new management agency, E&J Entertainment, for his individual activities. Mun is also the CEO of Shinhwa Company, the home agency of his group, with Lee Min-woo as co-CEO since 2011, and with the remaining members—Kim Dong-wan, Shin Hye-sung, Jun Jin and Andy Lee—as shareholders.

Early life

Mun was born in Seoul. He is the youngest of the three siblings with two older sisters. He attended Daechi Elementary School located in Seoul. When his family moved to the U.S, he went to John Burroughs Middle School located in Los Angeles. Mun spent his years at Parks Junior High School and Sunny Hills High School, both of which are located in Fullerton, California. In 1996 he returned to Korea and joined SM Entertainment as a trainee and was featured as a rapper on label mate girl group S.E.S.' single "I'm Your Girl" along with Andy.[1] On March 24, 1998, with the stage name Eric, he debuted as leader and main rapper of group Shinhwa with their single "해결사" (The Solver) on KM Music Tank. He stated that their debut album, Resolver, did not perform well and the band almost disbanded. At the time, he thought seriously about giving up and returning to the U.S.[2]

In 2005, Mun graduated from Dongguk University with a major in Theater and Film.

Career

2004: Acting career beginnings

In 2002, Mun and his Shinhwa bandmates had cameo appearance in the movie Emergency 19 Act. In 2003 director Park Sung-soo cast him in a supporting role for MBC’s series Breathless (I Run).[3] In early 2004, he appeared in the drama [Phoenix (2004 TV series)|Phoenix]] (Bulsae).

2005-2006: Injury

In 2005, Mun starred in lead role in MBC's Super Rookie with actress Han Ga-in.[4] It was also broadcast on Fuji Television. It got solid rating in Korea during the broadcast. Super Rookie was also a big hit in Japan after Fuji TV paid ₩2 billion for the broadcast rights in Japan.[5] It was commercially successful in Japan when it was broadcast there. In December 2005, Mun went to promote Super Rookie in Japan, where he was greeted at the airport by a large crowd.[6]

In early 2006, Mun was injured on the set of MBC drama Wolf, resulting in it being pulled off air after four episodes. Mun was injured whilst shooting a scene, near Namdaemun in Seoul, where he was to save co-star Han Ji-min from being run over by a car. The stunt car driver, misunderstanding the instructions given to him, drove at them at 40 km/h and did not stop in front of them as planned.[7]

In August, after the successful run of Super Rookie, especially in Japan,[5] Mun collaborated again with its writers in Invincible Parachute Agent (also known as Korea Secret Agency).[8]

2008-2010: Military enlistment

Shinhwa's 10th Anniversary concert in March 2008, that marked the start of Shinhwa's hiatus as a group to fulfill mandatory military service. Before his army enlistment, Mun appeared in a period drama for the first time in his acting career with Strongest Chil Woo.[9] With 30 million wons per episode for Strongest Chil Woo, Mun was the highest paid singer-turned-actor in the industry at the time.[10]

Mun gave up his U.S. citizenship in 2003,[11][12] to be able to serve his military service. He was the first Shinhwa member to enlist for mandatory military service in October 2008. Because of his back injury from the filming of Wolf, Mun served non-active duty after undergoing four weeks of basic training. He was discharged on 30 October 2010.[13]

2011: Shinhwa Company

After being discharged, Mun's first project was supposed to be KBS's action drama Poseidon opposite Kim Ok-bin, set for broadcast in July 2011. However they dropped out when production was halted after the Bombardment of Yeonpyeong incident in November 2010.[14] Instead, he appeared in another KBS drama, Spy Myung-wol with Han Ye-seul in July, playing a Korean wave star who is at the center of a kidnap plot by North Korean agents.[15][16]

On 1 July 2011, Mun became CEO (with Lee Min-woo as co-CEO) of Shinhwa Company, a joint venture agency for members Shinhwa to perform as a group. The Company manages the group as a whole, whilst members' individual activities are managed by their respective agencies.[17]

As part of Top Class Entertainment he produced girl group Stellar, who debuted in August 2011 with the song "Rocket Girl".[18]

2012: Shinhwa reunion

In March 2012, Mun reunited with his Shinhwa bandmates for their comeback after four years, under the management of Shinhwa Company. The group released their tenth studio album The Return on 23 March 2012,[19][20] launched the concerts 2012 Shinhwa Grand Tour: The Return throughout Asia[21][22] and their first exclusive variety program Shinhwa Broadcast premiered on 17 March 2012, on cable channel JTBC.[23]

Mun's rap is featured on Brown Eyed Girls' Ga-in's digital single "Nostalgia", released on 30 November 2012.[24]

2013: Shinhwa tour and leaving Top Class Management

On February 8, 2013, Shinhwa’s agency announced the group’s 2013 Shinhwa Grand Tour: The Classic to commemorate the group’s 15 years since their debut was revealed. The album's name called The Classic.

Mun along with Shinhwa won Mwave Global Star Awards[25] as well as many music shows awards [26][27] and a Triple Crown on M Countdown [28] for their music comeback.

December 2013, Mun's contract with Top Class Entertainment came to an end. He did not re-sign another contract with Top Class Entertainment and no longer has any running of group Stellar whom he helped the management to produce and promote the original line up.[29][30]

2014: Return to acting

In March 2014, Mun successfully concluded the 16th Anniversary Concerts with Shinhwa. After several casting offers from KBS,[31][32] Mun returned to television in August 2014 with the drama Discovery of Love, which reunites him with Jung Yu-mi, who was his co-star in MBC's 2007 Que Sera, Sera.[33][34][35] It was also announced that he had formed his own management company, E&J Entertainment, with his manager of 10 years, Lee Jong-hyun.[36]

Despite its average 7% Nielsen rating, Mun and the team of Discovery of Romance received praise for their acting and Mun won a 'Triple Crown at KBS 2014 Year End Award (Excellent Actor, Best Couple, and Netizen Award). With this win, Mun had won acting awards at all three major Broadcasting Networks. In 2015, Discovery of Love was nominated for the 2015 Rockie Award[37] in the Melodrama category alongside 30 Vies (Canada), EastEnders (UK), Grey’s Anatomy (USA), My Sunshine (China), and Mysterious Summer (Japan). In an 2015 Instiz discussion post about viewers' favorite drama characters, Mun's Kang Tae-ha Discovery of Romance stays in top 10 at #6.[38]

2015: Comeback with Shinhwa

Mun released Shinhwa's 12th studio album We in 2015. Shinhwa broke their previous record with 10 wins (a Triple Crown at Mnet's M! Countdown) for this album. Mun and Shinhwa were on concert tour starting in May 2015, and ended with an Encore concert in Seoul in August. Shinhwa also performed at KCON LA for the first time in early August of that year.

2016: Another Oh Hae-young and Three Meals a Day

After Shinhwa's 18 Anniversary in March, Mun returned to acting and appeared in the South Korean TV cable (tvN) drama Another Oh Hae-young with Seo Hyun-jin. The drama premiered on May 2 with better rating than its predecessor Pied Piper. It broke its projected rating of 5% of on its 6th episode and becomes tvN's all-time highest rated drama for their Monday - Tuesday time-slot with the rating of 9.9% for its final episode. Another Oh Hae-young team was rewarded a trip to Thailand after the drama ended. At tvN10 Awards on October 9, Mun was awarded the title of "Ro-co King".[39] Seo Hyun-jin was also crowned "Ro-co Queen" for their roles in Another Oh Hae-Young.

On September 16, in a preview for the new season of tvN "Three Meals a Day", it showed Mun joined as a cast member for Season 3 of Three Meals A Day - Fishing Village 3[40] with Lee Seo-jin and Yoon Kyun-sang. This season of Fishing Village was filmed at Deukryang Island. The season premiere was on October 14. It was Mun's first appearance as a cast member of a variety show without Shinhwa. Mun surprised everyone with his great cooking skills that earned him the E-Chef title. The show had great rating of above 10% on average with the highest rating of 11.536% (AGB) 13% (TNmS).

At the end of November 2016, Mun and Shinhwa released a mini album Unchanging: Orange as part 1 of their 13th album.

Mun was chosen to be the model for Jean Michael Basquiat a new premium golf wears and accessories by CJ E&M and ULOS, a Men's cosmetics & skincare by Ostuka Korea.

2017-present

Shinhwa followed up with a comeback in January 2017 with Unchanging: Touch as the second part of their 13th album. On March 24, Shinhwa released Shinhwa 18th, their first self-produced variety show through Naver's paid subscription platform for Vapp+.

Continue to be Jean Michael Basquiat and ULOS brand representative, Mun was also chosen to be the representative for Bibigo[41] by CJ E&M, a global Korean food brand CJ Cheil Jedang. Mun together with Kim Sang-joong and Kim Myung-min were chosen by Netmarble Games for their new CF, Lineage 2 Revolution,[42][43] an online & mobile game. Netmmarble Game also released a web drama series featuring Kim Sang-joong, Kim Myung-min, and Mun and for their big-scale mobile MMORPG Lineage2 Revolution'. In the web drama, Mun plays a rookie employee that is trying to survive in the company while reigning as the King in Lineage2 Revolution. However, it was revealed that Mun is an actual high level player in real life.[42]

Personal life

After dating speculation came out from several news sources on February 23, 2017, management from both sides confirmed that Mun was dating actress and model Na Hye-mi.[44] It is said that they have been dating for more than four years, since the dating rumour first appeared back in 2014. On April 17, 2017, through Shinhwa Company's Facebook, Mun announced that he and Hyemi are to get married on July 1, 2017, with a private wedding ceremony at a church with family and friends.[45][46]

Filmography

Television series

Year Title Role Network
2003 Breathless Shin Sang-sik
MBC
2004 Phoenix Seo Jung-min
Banjun Drama (ep.1-10)
SBS
2005 Super Rookie' Kang Ho
MBC
2006 Wolf Bae Dae-chul
Invincible Parachute Agent Choi Kang
SBS
2007 Que Sera Sera Kang Tae-joo
MBC
2008 Strongest Chil-Woo Chil-woo
KBS2
2011 Spy Myung-Wol [47] Kang Woo
2014 Discovery of Love Kang Tae-ha
2016 Another Oh Hae-young Park Do-kyung
tvN

Film

Year Title Role
2002 Emergency Act 19 himself (cameo)
2005 A Bittersweet Life Tae-goo
Diary of June Kim Dong-wook

Variety show

Year Title Network Notes
2004-2005
 Love Letter (Season 1)
SBS
 Contestant with Shinhwa (ep.1-14)
2012-2014
 Shinhwa Broadcast
JTBC
 Host with Shinhwa (ep.1-70)
2016
 Three Meals a Day - Fishing Village 3
TVN
 Cast member with Lee Seo-Jin and Yoon Kyun-Sang
2017
 Shinhwa 18th
Naver Vapp +
 Cast member with Shinhwa
Three Meals a Day - Sea Ranch
TVN
 Cast member with Lee Seo-Jin and Yoon Kyun-Sang

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2004
 23rd MBC Drama Awards Best New Actor
Phoenix
 Won
Popularity Award, Actor Won
2005
 41st Paeksang Arts Awards Best New Actor (TV)
Super Rookie
 Won
Most Popular Actor (TV) Won
24th MBC Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor Won
2006
 42nd Paeksang Arts Awards Best New Actor (Film)
Diary of June
 Nominated
14th SBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries
Invincible Parachute Agent
 Won
Top 10 Stars Won
2014
 28th KBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor
Discovery of Love
 Nominated
Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Won
Netizen's Award, Actor Won
Best Couple (with Jung Yu-Mi) Won
2016
 5th APAN Star Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries
Another Miss Oh
 Nominated
Best Couple (with Seo Hyun-Jin) Nominated
tvN10 Awards Best Actor Nominated
Romantic-Comedy King Won

References

  1. ↑ "Way Back Wednesday: Shinhwa | allkpop.com". allkpop. Retrieved 2016-12-03.
  2. ↑ "Eric Steps Out of Character for Recruit". Chosun Ilbo. 7 April 2005. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  3. ↑ 수미 (17 July 2011). "[11.07.15] 10asia's 10 Line feature: Eric". wordpress.com. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  4. ↑ Kim, Jessica (29 October 2009). "Han Ga-in signs with Kim Ha-neul's agency". 10 Asia. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
  5. 1 2 "Is it all over already? Gloomy signs overshadow rosy statistics of 'Hallyu'". hancinema.net. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  6. ↑ "Huge Crowds Greet Eric's Arrival in Tokyo" Chosun Ilbo. 19 December 2005. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  7. ↑ "Eric Hurt in Gallant Attempt to Save Han Ji-min". Chosun Ilbo. 23 January 2006. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
  8. ↑ "Moon Jeong-hyeok Chooses Interesting Roles" Dong-A Ilbo. 31 August 2006. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  9. ↑ Han, Sang Hee. "Chil-woo to Bring Joseon Hero to TV". Korea Times. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
  10. ↑ "Shinhwa member Eric returns to TV as the highest-paid singer-turned-actor". AFspot. Sports Hankook. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  11. ↑ "Shinhwa Eric, Army Enlistment Date to be 2008".
  12. ↑ "Shinhwa Eric Mun gave up his American Citizenship to serve in the army".
  13. ↑ Choi Jun-yong "Shinhwa Eric discharged from military" 10 Asia. 1 November 2010. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
  14. ↑ Kim, Jessica (2 August 2011). "Choi Si-won, Lee Si-young embark Poseidon". 10Asia. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
  15. ↑ Hong, Luica (1 June 2011). "Eric to make comeback to small screen in Han Ye-seul starrer". 10 Asia. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
  16. ↑ Kwon, Mee-yoo (10 July 2011). "Drama explores inter-Korean love story". Korea Times. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  17. ↑ "Shinhwa Form Their Own Agency" Chosun Ilbo. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  18. ↑ "에릭, '김가영 걸그룹' 스텔라 프로듀서 변신" Naver News 16 May 2011. Retrieved 2012-04-05. (in Korean)
  19. ↑ 신화, 섬뜩한 뱀파이어 변신…23일 10집 발매. Nate News (in Korean). 17 March 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  20. ↑ "Shinhwa to release upcoming 10th album on March 23". 10 Asia. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
  21. ↑ Hong, Lucia (1 February 2012). "Shinhwa releases teaser video for upcoming concert". 10 Asia. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  22. ↑ Suk, Monica (26 March 2012). "CONCERT REVIEW: Shinhwa: Reborn with The Return". 10 Asia. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  23. ↑ Park, HyunMin (4 March 2012). "Shinhwa to have Shinhwa Broadcast". Mnet News. CJ E&M. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  24. ↑ Ho, Stewart. "BEG's Gain's 'Nostalgia' to Feature Shinwha Eric's Rapping". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  25. ↑ ""Shinhwa Thanks Global Fans for 20's Mwave Global Star Award at '20's Choice Awards"". Mwave. July 18, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Shinhwa Grabs 1st TV Music Show Crowns on Music Core". 10Asia. 10Asia. 20 April 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-11-15.
  27. ↑ "Shinhwa No. 1 on Mnet's music show with "Venus"". Mwave. 25 May 2013.
  28. ↑ "[M COUNTDOWN Hall of Fame] Shinhwa's 'Brand New'". Mwave. 7 June 2013.
  29. ↑ "[News] Eric doesn't produce Stellar anymore...already left his agency". tumblr.com. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  30. ↑ "에릭, 스텔라 프로듀싱에서 손 뗐다…소속사와 결별" (in Korean).
  31. ↑ "Eric announces an official position regarding casting in 'Trot Lover'". starnnews.com. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  32. ↑ "[News] Mention of Eric in 'Golden Cross' article". tumblr.com. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  33. ↑ "KPOP NEWS - Shinhwa's Eric Confirmed for 'Discovery of Romance' with Jung Yumi - Mwave". interest.me. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  34. ↑ "Eric Mun, Jung Yu-mi together again". joins.com. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  35. ↑ eric-confirmed-for-discovery-of-romance-reunites-with-jung-yu-mi-in-7-years Archived September 3, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
  36. ↑ "allkpop - Breaking K-pop news, videos, photos and celebrity gossip". allkpop.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  37. ↑ "2015 Rockie Awards". BANFF World Media Festival. Archived from the original on 23 April 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  38. ↑ "Netizens discuss their favorite male leads". koreaboo.com. 27 September 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  39. ↑ "» 2016 tvN10 Awards (Winners List) » Korean Drama". koreandrama.org. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  40. ↑ Hong, C. (16 September 2016). "Lee Seo Jin And Shinhwa's Eric To Appear On "Three Meals A Day"". soompi.com. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  41. ↑ "170202 CJ Cheil Jedang, Convenient Food 'Bibigo Yukgaejang' TV commercial with Shinhwa's Eric is on Air". ALL ABOUT ERIC MUN. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
  42. 1 2 "170331 Netmarble 'Lineage2 Revolution' Reveal Web Drama Feat. Kim Sangjoong, Kim Myungmin, Shinhwa's Eric". ALL ABOUT ERIC MUN. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
  43. ↑ 리니지2 레볼루션 (2017-03-30), [리니지2 레볼루션] 브로맨스 TV CF 공개!, retrieved 2017-04-15
  44. ↑ "Eric Mun & Na Hye Mi Reveal Past Dating Rumors To Be True". Korea Portal.
  45. ↑ "Shinhwa's Eric Mun announces plan to marry Na Hye Mi in July". ASZ News.
  46. ↑ "Shinhwa's Eric ties knot with actress Na Hye-mi". The Korea Herald. July 2, 2017.
  47. ↑ Oh, Jean (5 July 2011). "Eric comes back with TV rom-com". Korea Herald. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
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