Han Geng's Profile
Han Geng was born on February 9, 1984. He is a Chinese singer and actor well known for his powerful dance skills. He attended Guang Hua Elementary School from 1990 to 1996.
Han Geng started to learn dancing since he was young. By the age of 12, he was accepted into the dance department of the Central University for Nationalities. He left his family and his hometown in the Northeastern part of China to attend dance school in Beijing. During his years in the school, he mastered all 56 types of Chinese traditional dances from the 56 Chinese ethnic groups. During that time he also learned ballet and martial artsand performed in many countries including the United States, Russia, Taiwan, and Macau.
He is also nicknamed “Dancing King” and “King of Popularity” in China. He started his career, in 2001.
In December 2001, South Korea‘s biggest Entertainment Agency, SM Entertainment(SME), went to China to hold an audition in Beijing with hopes of finding new talents in the country. The audition was called H.O.T. CHINA Audition Casting. Han Geng, who was preparing for his graduation performance at the Central University for Nationalities, immediately caught the attention of the agency’s talent scouts and was invited to participate in the audition, but he wasn’t very interested as he never heard of the company before. One of his friends, however, was very interested and persuaded Han Geng in accompanying him to the audition. Although hesitant at first, Han agreed to audition with his friend. The competition rate was 3,000 to 1, and Han had no hopes of getting selected after auditions ended.
After the audition, Han began to work briefly as a cameo actor in short low-budget Chinese films and performing in local events across the country to earn a salary before entering college. In late August 2002, Han was notified that he had been selected by SM Entertainment. After Han’s graduation from the Central University for Nationalities, he was sent to South Korea in March 2003 and received private lessons in singing, dancing, acting, and Korean language. By mid-2003, Han had moved into dormitories and lived with other trainees who were under the same label and started to receive intense hip hop and street dance training. He started out as a Class C dancer (the lowest class for dancing), as he had zero knowledge in hip hop dance at the time, but in the short period of six months, he went straight to Class A, skipping Class B. At that time, there were only 3 people in Class A – Han Geng, Donghae, and Eunhyuk.
On February 6, 2005, Han was officially announced to be part of one of South Korea’s all-boy rotational musical groups, Super Junior, as a member of its first generation,Super Junior 05. Being the first group with a Chinese and foreign member to formally debut in South Korea, the media closely followed the group. Three months later after the announcement, Han made his first media appearance as a runway model along with fellow group member Choi Siwon in a fashion show organized by Bum Suk. The two members are extremely good friends, and have even considered themselves “sworn brothers.”
Han was one of the few members of Super Junior who actively appeared on variety shows, such as being a regular guest in Love Letter and Star Golden Bell. Being active in variety shows, his popularity within Super Junior grew and Han became popular overseas. Aside from South Korea, Han also became well known in China, where he made guest appearances in different Chinese variety shows, being one of the first K-pop idols to appear in them. Han became a national celebrity in China with the debut of Super Junior’s third subgroup Super Junior-M on April 8, 2008 in China, with Han Geng as the leader of the group. The subgroup released their first Chinese-language studio album, Me, on May 2, 2008. The album debuted on Taiwan’s G-music combo charts as #2 and #1 on many of China’s and Thailand’s music charts. Leading his fellow Korean members to develop in his home country, his popularity immediately soared in China. His overwhelming popularity set him apart from the rest of the group, catching the media’s attention and making him become in high demand by numerous TV shows, commercials and movies. However, his agency did not allow him to take part in such activities without the rest of the group, restricting his solo appearances.
Han Geng ceased activities with Super Junior and Super Junior-M, the sub-group that he was leading, after filing for contract termination from SM Entertainment on December 21, 2009.
On June 22, 2010, Han Geng officially announced his solo career at a press conference held at The Great Wall Of China, revealing the release of his first solo album titled Geng Xin 庚心, which hit stores throughout Asia on July 27. The name of the album literally means “Geng’s heart“, but it is also a play on words because it has the same pronunciation as “start anew” in Chinese. There is also a third meaning to it: the character Geng 庚 in his name comes from the evening star Hesperus/Venus (长庚星, Chang Geng Xin), which is what he’s named after. So his album’s title can also mean “Evening Star” or “Geng’s star”, since Xing 星 (star) and Xin 心 (heart) have similar pronunciation in Chinese. There are two versions of the album depending on the locations of where it was released. In Mainland China the albums came with the titles of the songs and the song lyrics written in simplified Chinese characters while in Hong Kong and Taiwan and oversea Chinese communities they are all written in traditional Chinese characters.
On July 6, Han Geng published a complete demo version of his album’s title song “My Logo”. The song was produced by American producers, Craig Williams and Rene Van Verseveld. Remarkably, Han Geng and Craig Williams invited Travis Payne and Stacey Walker (best known as Michael Jackson’s choreographers) along with Michael Jackson’s This Is It dancers – Dres Reid, Shannon Holtzapffel, Tyne Stecklein, and Daniel Celebre to join the choreography for the MV of this song. The lead track “My Logo” is listed at number 26 on Hit Fm Taiwan’s Hit Fm Annual Top 100 Singles Chart (Hit-Fm年度百首單曲) for 2010.
Han Geng also held his first two solo concerts in Beijing on July 17 and 18. Tickets for the 2 concert days were sold out in a record time of 37 minutes. His first solo album has topped various major music charts in China, Taiwan, Singapore and Thailand. It has sold more than 350,000 copies within only 2 months after its release, and to celebrate such remarkable results, a special celebratory version of the album was released on October 1 with a limited number of 20,000 copies. In addition of the 10 songs in the album, the special version contains 7 MVs and a karaoke disc. As of December 2010, the album has sold more than 530,000 copies. The DVD for his Beijing concerts was released on 20 May 2010, and quickly took the number 1 position on various online retail charts.
Han Geng quickly became one of the most marketable young idols in the Mandopop scene, and since the start of his solo career has received over 20 awards. He has also picked up several major endorsements, most notably with China Mobile, Meng Niu Yogurt, Yishion clothing store, which signed an eight year contract with him due to the overwhelming positive feedback, Nokia, X-step Athletic-wear’s Urban Series, Royal Wind Shampoo, online store Lumei, and the video game Tian Xia 2 (ended in 2011), which features a character in his likeness. Due to his overwhelming popularity, Han Geng was invited to perform in the 2011 CCTV Spring Festival, where he sang the opening and performed a short dance.
Han Geng also received much love from the Chinese fashion industry in 2011, constantly gracing the covers of top-tier fashion magazines. He is currently the youngest person to ever grace the cover of Harper’s BAZAAR China at the age of 26 and the youngest artist for the cover of the MR Hong Kong at the age of 27. He is also the first ever mainland Chinese artist to appear on the cover of L’OFFICIEL HOMMES China, the issue was also a double cover, both featured Han Geng.
Han Geng also already announced a second album, to feature rock music elements, and an Asia-wide tour expected in the Summer of 2012.
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Han & SME
On December 21, 2009, Han Geng filed for contract termination from his former company SM Entertainment. The following day, December 22, 2009, Han Geng’s lawyer released the reasons for the contract termination: the contract had provisions in SM Entertainment’s favor, the 13-year contract length was unlawful, it would take an unfair sum of money to end the contract, he was not allowed to request to revise his contract, he was forced to do things that were not in his contract, he was forced to do things against his will, he was fined if he disobeyed the company, missed any events or was late, and there was unfair profit distribution. Along with this, it was disclosed that because of SM Entertainment’s refusal to give him a day off in over two years, he had developed gastritis and kidney disease.
Han Geng’s current manager, Sun Le, also submitted a statement to the Korean courts citing SM Entertainment’s violation of Han Geng’s rights. This statement was later leaked to the public via the internet. Though many suspected the statement to be fan created, it was later confirmed as legitimate. Sun Le’s statement contended that Han Geng was forced to wear a mask due to SM Entertainment’s ill handling of the visa issue, SM Entertainment purposely discriminated against Han Geng and his family, SM Entertainment refused to cooperate or listen to any of Han Geng’s suggestions, SM Entertainment purposely turned down individual activities for Han Geng (including Ariel Lin’s “Fireflies” music video, which later starred two other Super Junior members) and SM Entertainment treated Han Geng’s potential endorsers poorly.
On 21 December 2010 the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of Han. However a representative of SM Entertainment said that they will file an immediate appeal to reverse the decision. On September 25, 2011, the Seoul Courts announced that they had received a request from Han Geng ‘s attorney to retract his claim made against SM Entertainment on the 21st.
As of September 27, 2011, Han Geng and SM Entertainment have officially come to a mutual agreement regarding Han Geng’s contract, closing the case. Han Geng will not continue his exclusive contract with SME and no longer has any legally binding connection with SME, as stated by Yue Hua Entertainment, Han Geng’s current management company.
In relative news, Han was chosen as a torch bearer for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, becoming the first boy band member in history to hold this role.
Singles
Year
|
Song Title
|
Notes
|
2008
|
“北京欢迎你/(Beijing Welcomes You)”
| with Various Artists, for 100-day countdown of 2008 Beijing Olympics |
“青春梦想/Youth Dreams”
| OST for drama “青春舞台/Youth Stage” | |
2010
|
“世界看中国/The World Watches China”
| China Element Theme Song for 2010 Shanghai Expo |
“不能忘却的纪念/Unforgettable Memories”
| with Tan Jing for 150th anniversary of burning of the Old Summer Palace | |
“大手小手/Big Hand, Small Hand”
| with Olivia Ong for Music Radio Kappa 1200 Schooling Aid | |
“回家过年/Returning Home for New Years”
| solo version of Opening Performance for 2011 Spring Gala | |
“孩子/Children”
| with various artists for Anti-Child Trafficking Awareness Campaign | |
“亚运有我精彩之极/With me the Asian Games Become Exciting”
| with Zhou Bichang for the 2010 Asian Games | |
“我是火焰/I am a Flame”
| theme song for the volunteers of the 2010 Asian Games | |
“虹/Iris”
| theme song for the torch of the 2011 Summer Universiade | |
2011
|
“如梦令/Like a Dream”
| OST for movie “大武生/My Kingdom” |
Film and Television
Title
|
Year
|
Role
|
Notes
|
| Nonstop (TV drama) | 2006 | Himself | Cameo appearance (Season 6, episode 136) |
| Attack on the Pin-Up Boys | 2007 | Hankyung, the basketball player | Supporting role, ensemble cast |
| Stage of Youth (TV drama) | 2009 | Xia Lei | Leading role (12 episodes) |
| My Kingdom | 2011 | Meng Erkui | Leading role |
| The Founding of a Party | 2011 | Deng Xiaoping | Cameo appearance |
| The First President | 2011 | Hu Hanmin | Supporting role |
Music Video Appearances for Other Artists
Year
|
Song Title
|
Artist
|
2006
|
“Timeless”
| Zhang Liyin (Feat. Xiah of TVXQ) |
2008
|
“I WILL”
| Zhang Liyin |
“The Left Shore of Happiness”
| Zhang Liyin |
Individual Achievements
Music Awards
Year
|
Date
|
Award Show
|
Award Won
|
2010
|
04/11
|
Meng Niu Music Billboard Awards
| Most Promising Newcomer[citation needed] |
8/21
|
Meng Niu Future Star Festival
| Children’s Favorite Male Singer | |
10/18
|
CCTV-MTV Music Awards
| Won Mainland Most Popular Male Singer[26] | |
12/19
|
Meng Niu Newcomer Awards
| Best Newcomer | |
12/29
|
Tencent Star Awards
| Male Singer of the Year | |
2011
|
01/08
|
China Power Fashion Awards
| Most Talented Male Singer of the Year |
01/19
|
Sina Network Awards
| Male Singer of the Year | |
02/17
|
CCTV My Favorite Spring Gala Program
| Music Category 2nd Place – Returning Home for New Years | |
01/21
|
Sprite Chinese Music Awards
| Best Male Singer of the Year | |
| Favorite Idol of the Year | |||
| Golden Melody of the Year: Heartache Notebook | |||
02/07
|
Baidu Entertainment Hottest Awards
| Golden Song of the Year – My Logo | |
03/19
|
Eastern Billboard Annual Awards
| All-Round Entertainer of the Year | |
| Golden Song of the Year: My Logo | |||
04/09
|
Global Chinese Golden Chart Awards
| Most Popular Newcomer | |
| Singapore 100.3 Radio Most Dedicated Song – My Logo | |||
| Top 20 Golden Songs – Say No | |||
04/11
|
Meng Niu Music Billboard Awards
| Most Popular Male Singer of the Year | |
04/15
|
Channel [V] Music Awards
| Won Mainland Most Popular Male Singer | |
04/24
|
Music Radio China Top Chart Awards
| Most Popular Newcomer | |
| Best Mainland All-Round Artist | |||
| Top 15 Golden Songs of the Year – Say No | |||
05/05
|
L’OFFICIEL HOMMES Fashion Star Award Ceremony
| Music Scene New Power | |
06/24
|
China Mobile 5th Wireless Music Ceremony
| Artist of the Year | |
| Most Popular Singer Search Term | |||
08/21
|
LUX Fashion Power Awards
| Asian Idol of the Year | |
11/02
|
Bazaar Successful Individual of the Year Awards
| Absolute Star Attraction Award | |
11/16
|
East Fashion 50 Most Beautiful People Ceremony
| Beauty of Hard Work | |
12/04
|
BTV Influential People of the Decade Ceremony
| Most Popular Idol Singer |
Acting Awards
Year
|
Date
|
Award Show
|
Award Won
|
2010
|
11/27
|
Avant-Garde Star Ceremony
| Most Anticipated Collaboration |
2011
|
03/01
|
Hua Ding PASSAT Awards
| Most Anticipated Mainland Chinese Actor |
11/11
|
New York Chinese Film Festival
| Most Popular Asian Artist | |
12/04
|
BTV Influential People of the Decade Ceremony
| Most Popular New Actor |
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