Kim Myung-soo (Korean: 김명수; born March 13, 1992), known professionally as L, is a South Korean singer, actor, and model. He debuted as a vocalist of boy band Infinite in 2010 and its sub-group Infinite F in 2014. He left Woollim Entertainment in August 2019 but is still a member of the group.[1]
L | |
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![]() L in 2019 | |
Born | Kim Myung-soo (1992-03-13) March 13, 1992 (age 30) Seoul, South Korea |
Alma mater | Daekyung University |
Occupation |
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Agent |
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Musical career | |
Genres |
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Instrument(s) |
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Years active | 2010–present |
Labels | Woollim |
Member of |
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Musical artist | |
Korean name | |
Hangul | 김명수 |
Hanja | 金明洙 |
Revised Romanization | Gim Myeong-su |
McCune–Reischauer | Kim Myŏng-su |
Kim Myungsoo was born on March 13, 1992,[2] in Seoul, South Korea. He has a brother, Kim Moon-soo, who is two years younger than him. Kim attended Duk-soo High School and graduated from Daekyung University on February 15, 2013, majoring in practical music.[3]
As a high school student, L auditioned for Woollim Entertainment after being street cast for his good looks. He was selected as the first member of idol group Infinite.[4] He made his debut as a vocalist of the boy group in June 2010.[5] In 2011, he made his acting debut in Japanese drama Jiu Keishicho Tokushuhan Sousagakari, which aired on TV Asahi in July.[6] In 2012, he was cast in tvN's romance comedy series Flower Band, as a guitarist of a rock group.[7] He was also cast in MBC's sitcom What's The Deal, Mom?[8]
On May 15, 2013, L released a photo essay book titled L's Bravo Viewtiful, showing photos taken by him on a 93-day journey. The book was a best-seller, and reached No. 1 in pre-orders on online bookstores such as Yes24 [ko] and Kyobo.[9] In August 2013, he had a cameo in SBS's Master's Sun, playing the younger version of So Ji-sub's character.[10]
In 2014, he was cast in supporting roles in MBC's Cunning Single Lady and SBS's My Lovely Girl.[11][12]
With bandmates Sungyeol and Sungjong he comprised the subgroup Infinite F, which released a single album, Koi No Sign, in Japan on November 19, 2014, and a Korean album, Love Sign, in December 2014.[13]
In 2015, he was cast in his first film Mister Shark, about a boy who befriends a shark.[14]
In 2016, L was cast in the Korean-Chinese web drama My Catman.[15] He also starred in the drama special The Day After We Broke Up, which was his first lead role.[16]
In 2017, L starred in MBC's historical drama The Emperor: Owner of the Mask.[17] His portrayal of a commoner who stands in for the king earned viewers' approval, and he was named Actor of the Month in June by MBC Dramanet.[18]
In 2018, L starred in the legal drama Ms. Hammurabi portraying a judge.[19][20] His performance in the series was well-received, earning him increased recognition.[21][22][23]
In 2019, L starred in the fantasy romance drama Angel's Last Mission: Love.[24] In August 2019, L left Woollim.[1]
In 2020, L starred in the fantasy romance drama Welcome as a cat who turns into a human male.[25][26] In December 2020, L starred in historical comedy Royal Secret Agent.[27]
Before his enlistment, he released his debut single album Memory on February 3. He also held an online fan meeting on February 20.[28] While serving his military enlistment, it was announced on September 25, 2021 that L will make his musical theatre debut in the military musical Meisa's Song alongside EXO's Chanyeol, B.A.P.'s Daehyun and actor Moon Yong-suk.[29]
On February 22, 2021, L enlisted for his mandatory military service as a member of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.[30][31] L was discharged on August 21, 2022.[32] Later, on August 22, 2022, L posted on Instagram that he was discharged from military service.[33]
Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
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KOR [34] | |||
Memory |
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5 |
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Title | Year | Peak chart position |
Sales | Album |
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KOR [36] | ||||
As lead artist | ||||
"It's All For You" | 2013 | — | — | Non-album single |
"Reminisce" | 2018 | — | Top Seed | |
"Memory" (기억과 기억 사이) | 2021 | —[upper-alpha 1] | Memory | |
Soundtrack appearances | ||||
"Love U Like U" (with Kim Yerim) |
2012 | 27 |
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Flower Band OST |
"It's Okay Even If It's Not Me" (내가 아니어도 좋아) | 2017 | — | — | The Emperor: Owner of the Mask OST |
"The Nights That I Miss You" (널 그리는 밤) | 2019 | — | Angel's Last Mission: Love OST | |
Compilation | ||||
"Go Get Her" (그녀를 잡아요) (with Park Jae-jung) |
2016 | — | — | King of Mask Singer Ep. 63 |
"In the Rain" (빗속에서) | — | |||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
Year | Album | Artist | Song | Lyrics | Music | ||
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Credited | With | Credited | With | ||||
2013 | Non-album single | L | "It's All For You" | Yes | — | Yes | — |
2018 | Top Seed | L | "Reminisce" | Yes | Jeong Min-ji | No | — |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
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2011 | Jiu | Jiu | Japanese drama | [6] |
Welcome to the Wara Store | Himself | Voice only | [39][40] | |
2012 | Flower Band | Lee Hyun-soo | [7] | |
Salamander Guru and The Shadows | Himself | Cameo, (Episode 3) | [41] | |
What is Mom? | Kim Myung-soo | [8] | ||
2013 | Master's Sun | Joo Joong-won (young) | [10] | |
2014 | Cunning Single Lady | Gil Yo-han | [11] | |
My Lovely Girl | Shi-woo | [12] | ||
2015 | The Time We Were Not in Love | Ki Sung-jae | Cameo (Episode 2–4) | [42] |
2016 | One More Time | Yoo Tan | Drama special | [16] |
2017 | The Emperor: Owner of the Mask | Lee Sun | [17] | |
2018 | Ms. Hammurabi | Im Ba-reun | [19] | |
2019 | Angel's Last Mission: Love | Kim Dan | [24] | |
2020 | Welcome | Hong-jo | [25] | |
2020–2021 | Royal Secret Agent | Sung Yi-gyum | [43] | |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
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2016 | My Catman | Jung Ho-yeon | unreleased | [15] |
Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
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2022 | 2022 Changwon K-POP WORLD FESTIVAL | with AleXa and Sua (Billlie) | [44] |
Year | English title | Korean title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
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2021 | The Meisa’s Song | 메이사의 노래 | Yeon Jun-seok | Military musical | [45][46] |
Year | Title | Publisher | Ref. |
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2013 | L's Bravo Viewtiful | Tokyo | [9] |
L's Bravo Viewtiful Part. 2 | Tokyo | ||
Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
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APAN Star Awards | 2018 | Best New Actor | Ms. Hammurabi | Nominated | [47] |
Asia Artist Awards | 2018 | Best Icon | L | Won | [48] |
Asia Model Award | 2019 | Popular Star (Actor) | Angel's Last Mission: Love | Won | [49] |
KBS Drama Awards | 2019 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Nominated | [50] | |
Best New Actor | Won | ||||
Netizen Award, actor | Nominated | ||||
K-Drama Hallyu Star | Won | ||||
Best Couple Award | Kim Myung-soo with Shin Hye-sun Angel's Last Mission: Love |
Won | |||
2020 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Welcome | Nominated | ||
2021 | Top Excellence Award, Actor | Royal Secret Agent | Nominated | [51] | |
Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Nominated | [52] | |||
Korea Drama Awards | 2013 | Best Young Actor | Master's Sun | Nominated | |
2017 | Best New Actor | The Emperor: Owner of the Mask | Nominated | ||
2019 | Angel's Last Mission: Love | Nominated | [53] | ||
2022 | Global Star Award | Royal Secret Agent | Won | [54] | |
Korea First Brand Awards | 2017 | Male Acting Idol | L | Nominated | |
MBC Drama Awards | 2017 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | The Emperor: Owner of the Mask | Nominated | [55] |
Best New Actor | Nominated | [56] | |||
Popularity Award, actor | Won | [57] | |||
Best Character Award, Fighting Spirit Acting | Won | ||||
Seoul International Drama Awards | 2021 | Outstanding Korean Actor | Royal Secret Agent | Nominated | [58][59] |
Seoul Webfest Awards | 2017 | Best Rising Star | My Catman | Nominated | |
Special Award | Won | [60] | |||
Soompi Awards | 2018 | Best Idol Actor | The Emperor: Owner of the Mask | Nominated | [61] |
The Seoul Awards | 2017 | Popularity Award, actor | Nominated | ||
Infinite | |||||
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Subgroups | |||||
Studio albums |
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Extended plays |
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Single albums |
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Singles |
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Tours | One Great Step | ||||
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Authority control ![]() |
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