Artist
Kim Hyuk Gun
Lead vocalist of the Korean rock band THE CROSS · Korean name 김혁건
KIM HYUK GUN is the lead vocalist of the Korean rock band THE CROSS. After winning the Grand Prize in the Rock Solo category at the 2001 Mnet Music Festival, he debuted with THE CROSS, and the 2003 song "Don't Cry" from the band's first album "Melody Quus" made his name.
In 2005 he formed Rockband Cross with fellow musicians, releasing "Rebirth," "Goal! Corea!" and "Legend." As a solo artist he released "Warrior" (2007) and "When You Need" (2011).
A traffic accident in 2012 brought his activities to a halt. From 2015 he returned to television and the stage, appearing on KBS2's "Immortal Songs," singing the national anthem at the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Paralympics, and appearing on JTBC's "Sugar Man 3" (2020) and KBS1's "Morning Forum."
For the band's 20th anniversary in 2023 he released "Don't Cry (2023)," "Poem of the Wind" and "To Reach You," and JTBC's "Re:Alive" aired a special stage by THE CROSS. He played the Busan International Rock Festival in 2024 and released "Interlude of Farewell" in 2025.
He is the author of the essay "You Can Do It" (2016) and a vocal method book. He gives talks and performances at the FKI CEO Summer Forum, universities, public institutions and churches.
Education
- Ph.D. in Applied Arts (Practical Music), Graduate School, Kyung Hee University (2019)
Academic
- 2020.09–Adjunct Professor, Department of Social Welfare, Osan University
- 2006Guest lecturer at Hanyang, Baekseok Arts, Sehan, Seoul Arts, Kookje and Kyungbok universities
Awards
- 2025Bundang Central Church Culture Award
- 2025Herald Korea Future Management Award
- 2017–2018Winner, KBS2 "Immortal Songs"
- 2015Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation, Korea Disability Arts and Culture Awards
- 2001Grand Prize, Rock Solo category, Mnet Music Festival
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- How is Kim Hyuk Gun's name written in English?
- The official English spelling is KIM HYUK GUN, as used on the covers of his solo albums "Warrior" and "When You Need." His Korean name is 김혁건.
- Which band does Kim Hyuk Gun sing for?
- He is the lead vocalist of the Korean rock band THE CROSS, which debuted in 2003 with the album "Melody Quus." In 2005 he also formed Rockband Cross.
- What is his best-known song?
- "Don't Cry" from THE CROSS's first album (2003). For the band's 20th anniversary it was re-recorded and released as "Don't Cry (2023)."
- When were his solo albums released?
- "Warrior" was released on November 1, 2007, and "When You Need" on October 21, 2011 (CD on October 25, 2011).
- What has he released recently?
- "Poem of the Wind" and "To Reach You" in 2023, "Just One Step (Comfort)" in 2024, and "Interlude of Farewell" in 2025.
- How can I book him for a concert or talk?
- Use the Booking page on this site or email 99rock@naver.com. Program length and terms are arranged with each organizer; programs are presented in Korean and interpretation can be arranged.
CAREER
From the official career record
- 2025
- Dangjin Sangnok Culture Festival
- Hoengseong Forest Festival; Cheongju Eoullim Festival
- Bundang Central Church Culture Award
- Judge, Paju Youth Arts Festival
- Herald Korea Future Management Award
- Seoul Safety Festival
- "We Are Team Korea" concert, Lotte Concert Hall
- Talk at Yangcheon Fire Station
- 2024
- Busan International Rock Festival
- THE CROSS single "A Little Ball Launched by a Dwarf"
- Solo single "Just One Step (Comfort)"
- Jeonju Gamaek Festival
- 2023
- THE CROSS singles "Poem of the Wind" and "To Reach You"
- JTBC "Re:Alive" THE CROSS special concert
- THE CROSS "Don't Cry (2023)"
- Retro Super Concert, Seoul and Jeonju
- 2022
- Talk "Not an END but an AND," Ansan Lifelong Learning Center
- Guest performance with Hyegwang Blind Orchestra
- MBN "Special World"
- "You Can Do It" lecture, Osan University
- 2021
- SBS donor stars feature on THE CROSS
- Autumn Thanksgiving Concert, Gyeonggi Arts Center
- Health awareness campaign hosted by Bard Korea
- OBS documentary feature
- 18th Milal Concert "Together"
- 2021 PyeongChang Disability Forum (Paralympics 3rd anniversary)
- 2020
- EBS "Paranmanjang"; YTN Radio
- OBS star profile on THE CROSS
- KBS1 "Morning Forum"
- Adjunct Professor, Social Welfare, Osan University
- THE CROSS single "Spike"
- Donated 10,000 masks to the Korea Spinal Cord Injury Association
- MBN feature on THE CROSS
- Talk, Hwasun Office of Education
- SBS "Night of TV Entertainment"
- Model, Lotte Department Store online premium mall
- NAVER NOW "Heize's Diary"
- JTBC "Sugar Man 3"
- 2019
- Seoul Economic TV
- 2nd Snail Music Festival, Hwawoo Foundation
- Collaboration with rock band Girl, "One Step Forward"
- Hosted an arts seminar at the National Assembly Members' Office Building
- Talks and festivals including the A+ Festival and Donghae Office of Education
- CGNTV "Sweet Sounds"; KTV
- YouTube vocal lessons; vocal method book
- 2015–2018
- Sang the national anthem at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Paralympics opening ceremony; talk at Samsung Electronics headquarters in Suwon (2018)
- Winner, KBS2 "Immortal Songs" (2017–2018)
- Closing talk, FKI CEO Summer Forum (2017)
- Essay "You Can Do It" book launch and single (2016)
- Talks at Hyundai·Kia new-employee training retreats, Haevichi, Jeju (2015–2017)
- TV appearances on MBC, SBS and KBS programs (2015–2017)
- Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation (2015)
- 2003–2014
- Solo concert, Daeyang Hall, Sejong University (2014)
- 2nd solo album "When You Need" (2011)
- Musical "Voyage of Life" (2010)
- Korea-China-Japan Peace Concert, Sejong Center (2006–2009)
- Guest lecturer at six universities (2006)
- 1st solo album "Warrior" (2007)
- Formed Rockband Cross (2005)
- THE CROSS first album: "Don't Cry" on TV (debut broadcast on Mnet; KMTV, MTV, Arirang TV and the three terrestrial networks) and national tour (2003)
- Grand Prize, Rock Solo category, Mnet Music Festival (2001)