Gong Gil

From Clumsy Media

Mae Gong Gil (born April 19, 1993) more commonly known by his stage name Gong Gil, is a Korean singer-songwriter, composer and stage actor, specialising in musicals.

Born in Ulsan, South Korea to a lower class family, Mae often travelled around the country, having both of his adoptive parents working in a moving active circus. Since an early age he was noted to have displayed great understanding in music, especially so in Korean classicals. By the time he reached sixteen he left the family and traveled to Seoul by himself to pursue a career in music. Despite performing in various clubs and cafes to gain experience, he regularly attended school and maintained the top marks in his grade. When he was eighteen, whilst performing in a underground show case he was spotted by veteran singer Lee Sun Hee and was soon signed under her independant label.

Gong was trained by Lee for a period of time before being transferred to his current agency Clumsy Media. In 2012 he completed producing his debut album, Prologue. His debut was announced in the same year but was pushed back several times until he made his debut in August.

Contents

Background Information

Hangul: 매공길 / 梅孔吉
Age: April 19, 1993
DOB: December 29th
Nationality: Korean
Graudate: Seoul Arts University (2011-current)
Management: Clumsy Media (2011-current) || Mnet Media (2013-current)

Early Life

Mae was born as Gong Min and was adopted under the official registered name Mae Gong Gil when he was several months old. There are no known record of his birth parents and his life before adoption. The adoptive parents both work for the circus and travels frequently around the country. He revealed they never distorted truth and was told they're not his birth parents from the very beginning.

Since a young age he had been moving around with the circus and travelled to all the provinces by the time he was eight. Despite the early influence to performance he remains unfazed and discovered his passion and talent for music instead. His passion for music was evident after he entered school and was actively involved in the performing assemble as a pianist and guitarist - both instrunments self taught. His musical teachers has all admitted to being impressed with his natural talents. Unfortunately due to the constant moving and attending new school of his parents' occupation he never had a chance to be taught by a professional. By the time he was fifteen he was attending a local music school in Gyeongsan and seeing his talent, his vocal tutor suggested him to 'test his luck' in a bigger city - namely Seoul. Taken by this advice he decided to travel by himself to the capital the very next year with his parents' acceptance.

Career

2008-2011: Performing and hardships

After arriving in Seoul he was able to find a community home to stay in with other older university students. He travelled around the city easily, equipped by his knowledge due to his constant travel trips in his childhood. However he was noted to have found difficulty in living due to his age. He slept in the park for the first week on arrival and wasn't under several months later he was able to find a part-time job, supporthing himself financially. Being underaged he enrolled himself in an academically lose school so he could focus more on music. He performed at many cafes, mostly in the Jong-Dae district where classical music is often appreciated.

Afrer his debut he recalls that period of time as most free in terms of musical style but also difficult. "The pay was low and sometimes the environment would be bad." During this time he was approached by several agencies, hoping to score him in as an artist. He eventually rejected it all as the contracts all stated he would be placed into an idol group and he will have to take mandatory lessons in dance and variety skills which he has no interest in. Despite never revealing his appearance after debut, previous account record him to be of a charming height as well as having an idol-capable face. Eventually this continued for two years until a head representative at Loen Entertainment saw his performance at a cafe in Gang-nam and immediately offered him a position as a solo artist. By this time Gong Gil has made exceptional progress in his instrunments and singing and even starting writing and composing his own songs. He credits being other underground artists as a main factor of benefit.

He would go on and sign the contract and begins his training in the company until a visit several months later made by veteran singer Lee Sun Hee. Seeing his potential she took him into a small indie label instead, saying his talent will shine more. During this time she also personally coached him in singing, making him the second student after artist Lee Seung Gi. By the time he was ready to debut Lee Sun Hee suggested a different route - finding a company where it would allow musical freedom but promote himself well out to the public. Under singer producer Ophelia's guidance he eventually joined under the same company and became an artist under Clumsy Media.

2012-2015: Début, Muse and theatre advancement

He was able to finish his album in a duration of three months, much of the tracks produced during his time as an underground musician. In 2012 he completed producing his debut album, Prologue. His debut was announced in the same year but was pushed back several times until its release in February 2013. Prior to debut he was featured in rapper Jeanie's digital single Kill (Love You Baby), which was a great commerical success, peaking at the top of the charts, further raising anticipation for his debut.

In February 2014 he collaborated with Jeanie once again, being featured on the single Mi Amor. On March 17 he released his second studio album Muse. Soon after it was announced that he would make his stage debut as a musical actor in Bonnie & Clyde. Gong's debut performance received critical acclaims from professionals, labelled as the "welcomed musical prodigy". He was soon cast into his second musical, the award winning Korean original The Devil. Shortly after completion, on September 27 it was revealed he was cast into his third musical of the year, Marie Antoinette.

Discography

Albums

  • 2013: Prologue (Studio Album), Loen Entertainment
  • 2014: Muse (Studio Album), Mnet Media

Featurings

Written

Album
  • 2014: "Serendipity" (by Lee Sun Hee)

Filmography

Plays

Musicals

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