[Musician Focus] Jang Ki-ha Expands His Capabilities

With the song ‘Cheap Coffee’, Jang Ki-ha gave a refreshing jolt to the Korean music industry. He has become a unique musician with his creative music style. He also expands his capabilities as a musician, an actor and a model. It seems that there are no limits in his capacity.

♦ Jang Ki-ha as a musician

Jang Ki-ha is the vocalist from ‘Jang Kiha & The Faces’, which was formed in May 2008. At first, the band consisted of Jang Ki-ha (vocalist), Lee Min-ki (Guitarist), Jung Joong-yub (bassist), Kim Hyun-ho (drummer) and Mimi Sisters (backup dancers and chorus). Mimi Sisters left the band.

Currently, the members for the band include Jang Ki-ha (vocalist), Jung Joong-yub (bassist), Lee Jong-ming (Keyboard player), Hasegawa Yohei (Guitarist) and Jun il-joon (drummer).

The single ‘Cheap Coffee’ first made the band become famous. The members handcrafted their own albums. The single recorded the sales of little more than 10,000 copies. The band won 3 prizes at the 6th Korean Music Awards.

His distinct singing style that can be likened to whispering and the unique lyrics were refreshing in the Korean music industry. It the historic tipping point for Jan Ki-ha as a musician.

♦ Jang Ki-ha as an actor

Jang Ki-ha plays poor guitarist Jang Yul in tvN’s ‘Potato Star 2013QR3’.

As it is his first time to shoot a drama, it seems difficult for him to be considered Jang Yul. But he still looks like the singer Jang Ki-ha. But with each episode, he becomes more natural playing the role.

He was lucky to shoot a kissing scene with Seo Ye-ji, his partner in the drama. He sometimes played a poor guy or a rich guy in different episodes.
Despite the fact that it’s Jang Ki-ha’s first time to act, he has given the chances to act play various roles. The more you watch the drama, the more you think that he is perfect for the role.

♦ Jang Ki-ha as a model

Apart from singing and acting, he has started doing modeling. s wear brand KELBURN for the 2014 S/S collection.

It is a little surprising that he is the model for the brand that mostly makes slim fit men’s clothes of trendy designs. Some may have worried about the decision.

But all the concerns disappeared since the photo shoot for the catalogue.

Famous photographer Zo Sun Hi and stylist Chae Han Suk worked on the photo shot where Jang Ki-ha managed to take poses like a professional model. It was almost unbelievable that it was his first time to do modeling. The clothes fit him really well as he is tall and slim.

About the reason for choosing Jang Ki-ha as the model, a KELBURN representative said, “We chose him as the model for the brand because we like his image of being smart and free. His image fits the comfortable and trendy styles of KELBURN. And as he never tried modeling, we thought it could be really refreshing to choose him as our model. It is good for KELBURN as the brand is making a new leap forward”.

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Written by Han Jihee, Photo by KELBURN, Translated by Lee Sarah