Kim Jong Min

Kim Jong Min (Korean: 김종민, 金鐘民/金鍾旼) (born September 24, 1979) is a South Korean dance music singer and entertainer, also well known as a member of Koyote. He is the male lead singer and the leader of the band. In 2000, Kim Jong Min replaced Cha Seung Min (Korean: 차승민), who returned to the United States for studies and officially made his debut in Koyote's third album, Passion. It was known that he got into Koyote because of his looks and popularity at the time

Before debuting as a member of Koyote, Kim Jong Min was a backup dancer for Uhm Jung Hwa, Lee Jung Hyun, Kim Wan Sun, R.E.F and many other artists. He was on the dance team "Friends" for five years. Kim Jong Min attended Dobong Information and Industrial High School and Mokwon University, Department of German Language and Literature.

Kim Jong Min has had a scandal with his Koyote member Shin Ji while they were recording for their fifth album in 2003. In September 2006, Kim Jong Min and TV show host and singer, Hyun Young, who is older by three years, developed feelings for each other during the recording of KBS Happy Sunday: Heroine 6. Kim Jong Min confessed his love for Hyun Young under the influence of alcohol. Their relationship was not announced publicly until the paparazzi's caught the two secretly on a date on New Year's Eve of 2008. In April 2009, the two broke-up due to Hyun Young's busy schedule and Jong Min's military service.

Kim Jong Min has been notable for being a popular mainstay of many Korean variety shows (such as KBS's Heroine 6 and Choi Hong Man Strong Friends and formerly SBS's Real Romance Love Letter), as he has become a goofy, naïve "character" known for silly comments and actions. He was also an assistant soccer coach on KBS's FC Shoot Dori. Kim Jong Min has also made appearances as a guest on MBC's King Saturday Driving School and Happy Shares Company, SBS's Love Choice (Selection Couple), X-Man, and Ya Shim Man Man, and KBS's Star Golden Bell and Happy Together Friends.

In 2007, Kim was a permanent member of KBS's Happy Sunday lineup as part of 1 Night 2 Days, in addition to promoting Koyote's Best album. It was reported in November that Kim has started his mandatory military service, and replacements are being sought out for his shows. During this time, Koyote performed as a duo. As of December 18, 2009. he was released from his military service.

Kim Jong Min has won many awards, the most recent of which was the Best Entertainer Award from KBS Entertainment Awards in 2006.

As soon as he finished his mandatory military service, he immediately became regular guest and permanent member on 3 different variety shows including SBS's Star King, KBS2's Sweet Night, and KBS2's 1 Night 2 Days which he was one of the members before he was enlisted. This was also noted to be the first time a Korean celebrity who went into the army returned to the same program he was on before. His return helped created high viewership for the variety shows that he appeared in. He was also on the first season of KBS2's Invincible Youth for a short time in the role of a mentor after the show had recently undergone a cast change.

However, his return performance was not well received by viewers and he was met with harsh criticism and many people signed petitions to request for him to leave the well-received show "1 Night 2 Days". Despite the negatives comments, he kept his determination to succeed.

In the first quarter of 2011, after 13 years since he joined the entertainment industry, he released his very first single name "Oppa Find Strength". His promotional clip from the MV depicted the negative comments that he received after his return from military service.