Kim Yong-sun (Korean: 김용선, born February 21, 1991),[1] better known by the stage name Solar (Korean: 솔라), is a South Korean singer, songwriter and musical actress signed under RBW. She is the leader and main vocalist of girl group Mamamoo and its sub-unit Mamamoo+.[2] She made her solo debut with the single "Spit It Out" on April 23, 2020. She released her first extended play 容 : Face with its lead single "Honey" on March 16, 2022.[3] Solar ventured into musical acting through the musical Mata Hari for it's 2022 production on May 28, 2022, marking her first role as a musical actress.[4]
Solar | |
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![]() Solar performing in 2017 | |
Born | Kim Yong-sun (1991-02-21) February 21, 1991 (age 31) Gangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea |
Occupation |
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Musical career | |
Genres | K-pop |
Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Years active | 2014–present |
Labels | RBW |
Member of |
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Musical artist | |
Korean name | |
Hangul | |
Hanja | |
Revised Romanization | Gim Yong-seon |
McCune–Reischauer | Kim Yongsŏn |
Stage name | |
Hangul | |
Revised Romanization | Sol-la |
McCune–Reischauer | Solla |
Signature | |
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Kim Yong-sun was born in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea,[5] where she lived with her parents and elder sister, Yong-hee. She went to Hanyang Women's University with a major in tourism.
Solar debuted as a member and vocalist of Mamamoo on June 18, 2014, along with Moonbyul, Wheein, and Hwasa. She made a cameo appearance in the 2015 romance web drama Imaginary Cat as Jung Soo-In. On April 2, 2016, Solar was announced to be a part of We Got Married with Eric Nam and appeared in episode 316.[6] The pair completed their last appearance in November 19, 2016 in episode 348.[7] On December 29, 2016, she won 'Best Couple Award' at the 2016 MBC Entertainment Awards, marking her first variety show award as an entertainer. She was also nominated for 'Rookie Award (Female) in Variety Show' on the same night.[8] On April 24, 2018, she released her first solo EP, Solar's Emotion, which included previously released covers of several Korean pop songs and her solo version of Mamamoo's "Star Wind Flower Sun," which she wrote herself.[9]
She made her official solo debut with the single, "Spit It Out," which was released with a music video on April 23, 2020. The same day, Solar had her debut stage on Mnet's M Countdown.[10] On April 28, she won her first-ever music show award as a solo artist on SBS MTV's The Show.[11]
On November 8, 2020, Solar joined Boss in the Mirror as 'Idol Boss' in episode 81 to 85. She returned as a fixed guest star and panelist for episodes 107 on May 9, 2021 and would subsequently guest star in the following episodes (107 to 109, 115 to 120, and 124 to 126). She became the photoshoot model for Men's Health magazine alongside fellow boss Yang Chi-seung.[12] On May 12, 2021 it was announced that Solar joined Gummy, Lee Seung-chul, Bae Cheol-soo, Jung Jae-hyung, Kim Hyun-chul, and Winner's Kang Seung-yoon on KBS audition program 'The Song We Loved, New Singer' show as a judge, marking her first time as a judge in a singing/audition program.[13] On July 20, 2021, it was announced that Solar joined JTBC's 'Poongryu - Battle Between the Vocalist' as a judge alongside Song Ga-in, Lena Park, Sung Si-kyung, Kim Jong-jin, Lee Juck, and 2PM's Jang Wooyoung.[14] This marked her second time as judge for a singing competition. On December 25, 2021, Solar won her second award as an entertainer and first solo award as an entertainer as 'Best Entertainer in Show and Variety' at the 2021 KBS Entertainment Awards for her work in "The Legend, The New Singer” and “Boss in the Mirror.[15]
On March 16, 2022, she released her first mini album 容 : Face and its lead single "Honey".[16] On August 10, 2022, Solar was announced to join as Star Maker/Judge for JTBC's 'A Star Is Born' alongisde Jung Jae-hyung, Sung Si-kyung, Jang Min-ho, Defconn, Yoo Se-yoon, and Kim Feel, marking her third time as a judge in a singing/audition competition.[17]
In October 2022, Solar will release the single "After Love" from the Casting in the Corner project with Yesung, It will be a remix of the 2006 version and will be released on October 20.[18]
On April 6, 2022, EMK Musical announced that Solar will be starring in the 3rd season of the musical Mata Hari alongside Ock Joo Hyun as the titular character "Mata Hari". The musical ran from May 28 to August 15, 2022.[19] Her performance as Mata Hari received acclamatory reviews from critics, highlighting her fresh take on the character, which emphasized the human side of Mata Hari who had a lot of scars. Subsequently, she brought her unique powerful vocal and refreshing energy, to express Mata Hari in her own way.[20] One review stated that they were attracted to Solar's style, as her clear notes and drawn tones exceeded expectations, and she "tore up" the stage.[21] In particular, Solar shined in Act 1 number "Become Mata Hari." In "Becoming Mata Hari," Solar delicately added Mata Hari's emotions to the oriental-style dance moves to steal the audience's attention. Another highlighted song was the final number of Act 2 "One Last Time" in which Mata Hari said goodbye to her loved ones, proved Solar's skill again as Mamamoo's main vocalist once again.[22] Additionally, many critics could not believe it was her first musical, highlighting her strong presence by perfectly imitating Mata Hari; her explosive singing skills, colorful dance performances, and delicate emotions that "it's unbelievable it's her first musical challenge".[23] Expectations and anticipation are high for the future of musical actress Solar.[24]
Solar was ranked as the 18th most popular K-pop idol and 10th most popular K-pop idol according to Women in the age range of 19-29 years old in 2016 in annual surveys conducted by Gallup Korea. Additionally, she ranked 19th most popular K-pop idol in 2017 in the same surveys conducted by Gallup Korea.[25][26]
On April 27, 2019, Solar was selected as Lipton's 5th Lipton Girl for their 'Iced Tea' Campaign.[27] On April 22, 2020, Solar was selected as brand muse for beauty brand Blancow. She was chosen for her "clean skin" and "bright and lively energy" that go well with the brand image that pursues bare-faced confidence.[28] On April 15, 2021, Solar renewed her contract with Blancow as an exclusive model. Solar's candid charms to pursue "bare-faced confidence", matched well with the image pursued by Blancow. It was considered positively that it brought about a synergistic effect.[29] On May 14, 2021, Solar was selected as one of the musicians and content creator collaborating with Samsung to commemorate the launch of Samsung's Galaxy Book series with a 'Galaxy Live Quiz Show' (Gala Show), as well as promotional advertisements alongisde fellow musician and content creator Gray.[30] On April 25, 2022, Solar was selected as the face for 'New Gyeonggi-do Song' titled "Relaxing in Gyeonggi-do" by the Gyeonggi Province to support residents who are exhausted from the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.[31][32]
Title | EP details | Peak chart positions | Sales | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
KOR [33] | |||||
Solar Emotion |
Track listing
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— | — | ||
容 : Face |
Track listing
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7 |
| ||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
---|---|---|---|
KOR [33] | |||
Spit It Out |
|
2 |
|
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KOR [36] |
KOR Hot [37] |
SGP Reg. [38] |
US World [39] | ||||
"Spit It Out" (뱉어) | 2020 | 71 | 37 | 19 | 6 | Spit It Out | |
"Honey" (꿀) | 2022 | —[upper-alpha 1] | — | — | 13 | 容 : Face | |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart. |
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|
KOR [40] | ||||
"Lived Like a Fool" (바보처럼 살았군요) | 2015 | 43 |
|
Solar Emotion Part.6 |
"Only Longing Grows" (그리움만 쌓이네) | 69 |
| ||
"In My Dreams" (꿈에) | 2016 | 72 |
| |
"Happy People" (행복을 주는 사람) | 2017 | 49 |
| |
"Autumn Letter" (가을 편지) | — | — | ||
"Alone People" (외로운 사람들) | —[upper-alpha 2] |
| ||
"Nada Sou Sou" (눈물이 주룩주룩) | 2018 | —[upper-alpha 3] | — | |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart. |
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|
KOR [46] | ||||
"Coffee & Tea" (with Eddy Kim) |
2015 | 53 |
|
Dokkun Project Part.4 |
"Angel" (with Wheein) |
2016 | 26 |
|
Memory |
"Mellow" (꿀이 떨어져) (with Hwang Chi-yeul) |
48 |
|
Fall In, Girl Volume.2 | |
"Honey Bee" (with Luna and Hani) |
2017 | 38 |
|
Non-album singles |
"Charm of Life" (with Heechul, Shindong, Eunhyuk) |
— | — | ||
"A Song from the Past" (이 노랜 꽤 오래된 거야) (with Kassy) |
2020 | 58 | ||
"Promise U"[upper-alpha 4] (with Moonbyul) |
2021 | 172 | Revibe Vol.1 | |
"Bada Boom" (with Moonbyul, Mismolly & Turns) |
2022 | —[upper-alpha 5] | Street Dance Girls Fighter (SGF) Special | |
"After Love" (with Yesung) |
— | Non-album singles | ||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart. |
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|
KOR | ||||
"Love Again" (Yang Da-il feat. Solar) |
2016 | —[upper-alpha 6] |
|
Non-album single |
"Cloudy" (Kiggen feat. Solar) |
2017 | — | — | Cloudy |
"Lie Ya" (Cosmic Girl feat. Solar) |
2018 | — | Non-album single | |
"Leopard" (Ravi feat. Solar) |
2019 | — | Nirvana II | |
"Bubble Love" (MC Mong feat. Solar) |
2021 | 143 | 20th Anniversary Edition "Dark Hole" | |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart. | ||||
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|
KOR | ||||
"Star" (별) (with Kim Min-jae) |
2015 | 68 |
|
Twenty Again OST Part. 6 |
"Blue Bird" |
2020 | —[upper-alpha 7] | — | Run On OST Part. 3 |
"Adrenaline" | 2021 | —[upper-alpha 8] | Vincenzo OST Part. 3 | |
"Always, Be with You" (나는 그대고 그대는 나였다) | 153 | Lovers of the Red Sky OST Part. 2 | ||
"Winter Flower" (겨울꽃) | —[upper-alpha 9] | School 2021 OST | ||
"Dun Dun Dun" (던 던 던) |
2022 | —[upper-alpha 10] | - | Kill Heel OST Part. 4 |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart. |
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|
KOR | ||||
"Like Yesterday" (어제처럼) (with Moonbyul) |
2015 | 54 |
|
Two Yoo Project Sugar Man |
"Hello" (Solar solo) | 2018 | —[upper-alpha 11] | — | Blue;s |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart. |
All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.[54]
Year | Artist | Song | Album | Lyrics | Music |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Mamamoo | "Um Oh Ah Yeh" (음오아예) | Pink Funky | ![]() |
![]() |
"Um Oh Ah Yeh" (Acapella version) | |||||
2016 | "Taller Than You" (1cm의 자존심) | Melting | |||
"My Hometown" (고향이) | ![]() | ||||
"Recipe" (나만의) | |||||
"You're the Best" (넌 is 뭔들) | ![]() | ||||
"Décalcomanie" (데칼코마니) | Memory | ||||
"I Love Too" (놓지 않을게) | |||||
"Memory" (그리고 그리고 그려봐; Draw & Draw & Draw) | |||||
2017 | "Yes I Am" (나로 말할 것 같으면) | Purple | |||
"Aze Gag" (아재개그) | ![]() | ||||
2018 | "From Winter to Spring" (겨울에서 봄으로) (intro) | Yellow Flower | |||
"Star Wind Flower Sun" (별 바람 꽃 태양) | |||||
Solar | "Star Wind Flower Sun" (별 바람 꽃 태양)[upper-alpha 12] | Solar Emotion | |||
Mamamoo | "Sleep in the Car" (잠이라도 자지) | Red Moon | |||
Cosmic Girl (feat. Solar) | "Lie Ya" | Non-album single | |||
Mamamoo | "No More Drama" | Blue;s | |||
"Hello" [upper-alpha 13] | |||||
2019 | "Gogobebe" (고고베베) | White Wind | ![]() | ||
Ravi (feat. Solar) (prod. Cosmic Boy) | "Leopard" | Nirvana II | ![]() | ||
Mamamoo | "I'm Your Fan" | Reality in Black | |||
2020 | Solar & Kassy | "A Song from the Past" (이 노랜 꽤 오래된 거야) | Non-album single | ![]() | |
Solar | "Spit It Out" (뱉어) | Spit It Out | ![]() | ||
2021 | Mamamoo | "Decalcomanie 2021" | I Say Mamamoo: The Best | ![]() | |
"Gogobebe" (Rock ver.) (고고베베) | |||||
"Yes I Am" (Funk boost ver.) (나로 말할 것 같으면) | |||||
"You're the Best 2021" (넌 is 뭔들 2021) | |||||
"Um Oh Ah Yeh 2021" (음오아예 2021) | |||||
2022 | Solar | "RAW" | 容 : Face | ||
"Honey" (꿀) | ![]() | ||||
"Chap Chap" (찹찹) | |||||
"Big Booty" | |||||
Mamamoo | "Decalcomanie" (Japanese ver.) | I Say Mamamoo: The Best (Japan Edition) | ![]() | ||
"gogobebe" (Japanese ver.) | |||||
"1,2,3 Eoi!" (하나둘셋 어이!) | Mic On | ||||
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Imaginary Cat | Jung Soo-in | Episode 2, 5 and 7 | [55] |
2016 | Entourage | Herself | Cameo (Episode 1) | [56] |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | King of Mask Singer | Contestant | Episode 21–22 as "Single Hearted Sunflower" | [57] |
2016 | Duet Song Festival | Episode 1, 21, 23-24 | [citation needed] | |
We Got Married | Cast member | Episode 316–348 with Eric Nam | [58] | |
2020 | Gamsung Camping | with Park Na-rae, Ahn Young-mi, Son Na-eun, Park So-dam | [59] | |
Boss in the Mirror | Episode 81–85, 107–109, 115–120, 124-126 | [citation needed] | ||
2021 | The Song We Loved, New Singer | Judge | Episode 1-10 | [60] |
Poongryu - Battle Between the Vocalist | Episode 1-12 | [61] | ||
2022 | Local Dining Table | Special MC | Episode 3-4 | [62] |
Late Night Ghost Talk Season 2 | MC | Episode 49–present | [63] | |
Star Birth | Star Maker/Judge | Episode 1-present | [64] |
Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | |||
2016 Gaon Chart Music Awards | With Leeteuk | [citation needed] | |
2017 | KBS Gayo Daechukje | With Mingyu, Yerin and Kang Daniel | [65] |
2019 | Genie Music Awards | Ambassador with Yoon Bomi | |
2021 | KBS Entertainment Awards | Award Presenter with Park Myungsoo |
Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | Dream Radio | DJ Special (2 weeks) | [66] |
Year | English title | Korean title | Role | Venue | Dates | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | Mata Hari | 마타하리 | Mata Hari | Charlotte Theater | 2022.05.28-2022.08.15 | [19] |
Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MBC Entertainment Awards | 2016 | Best Couple | Solar (with Eric Nam) in We Got Married | Won | [68] |
Female Rookie Award in Variety Show | We Got Married | Nominated | [citation needed] | ||
KBS Entertainment Awards | 2021 | Best Entertainer Award in Variety Show | The Song We Loved, New Singer & Boss in the Mirror |
Won | [69] |
Excellence Award in Reality Category | Nominated | [70] |
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Studio albums | |
Compliation albums | |
EPs | |
Singles |
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Television |
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Related articles |
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General |
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National libraries | |
Other |
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