L
L in 2019
Born
Kim Myung-soo

(1992-03-13) March 13, 1992
Alma materDaekyung University
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actor
AgentLuke Media
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocal
  • Guitar
Years active2010–present
Member of
Korean name
Hangul
김명수
Hanja
金明洙
Revised RomanizationGim Myeong-su
McCune–ReischauerKim Myŏng-su

Kim Myung-soo (Korean: 김명수; born March 13, 1992), also known professionally as L, is a South Korean singer and actor. He debuted as a vocalist of boy band Infinite in 2010 and its sub-group Infinite F in 2014.

Early life

Kim Myungsoo was born on March 13, 1992,[2] in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea.[1] 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]

Career

2010–2016: Music and acting career

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 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]

2017–present: Rising popularity and military enlistment

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.[25]

In 2020, L starred in the fantasy romance drama Welcome as a cat who turns into a human male.[26][27] In December 2020, L starred in historical comedy Royal Secret Agent.[28]

Before his enlistment, he released his debut single album Memory on February 3. He also held an online fan meeting on February 20.[29] 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.[30]

On March 7, 2023, L signed a contract with Luke Media.[31]

Personal life

Military enlistment

On February 22, 2021, L enlisted for his mandatory military service as a member of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.[32][33] L was discharged on August 21, 2022.[34] Later, on August 22, 2022, L posted on Instagram that he was discharged from military service.[35]

Discography

Single albums

Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[36]
Memory 5

Singles

Title Year Peak chart
position
Sales Album
KOR
[38]
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 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.

Songwriting and producing credits

Year Album Artist Song Lyrics Music
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

Filmography

Television series

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2011 Jiu Jiu Japanese drama [6]
Welcome to the Wara Store Himself Voice only [41][42]
2012 Flower Band Lee Hyun-soo [7]
Salamander Guru and The Shadows Himself Cameo, (Episode 3) [43]
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) [44]
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 [26]
2020–2021 Royal Secret Agent Sung Yi-gyum [45]
2023 Numbers Jang Ho-woo [46]

Web series

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2016 My Catman Jung Ho-yeon Korean-Chinese web drama [15]
2024 Perfect Family Lee Seong-woo Cameo [47]

Hosting

Year Title Notes Ref.
2022 2022 Changwon K-POP World Festival with AleXa and Sua (Billlie) [48]

Theater

Year English title Korean title Role Notes Ref.
2021 The Meisa’s Song 메이사의 노래 Yeon Jun-seok Military musical [49][50]

Publication

Photobook

Year Title Publisher Ref.
2013 L's Bravo Viewtiful Tokyo [9]
L's Bravo Viewtiful Part. 2 Tokyo

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
APAN Star Awards 2018 Best New Actor Ms. Hammurabi Nominated [51]
Asia Artist Awards 2018 Best Icon L Won [52]
Asia Model Award 2019 Popular Star (Actor) Angel's Last Mission: Love Won [53]
KBS Drama Awards 2019 Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Nominated [54]
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 [55]
Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Nominated [56]
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 [57]
2022 Global Star Award Royal Secret Agent Won [58]
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 [59]
Best New Actor Nominated [60]
Popularity Award, actor Won [61]
Best Character Award, Fighting Spirit Acting Won
2023 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Numbers Nominated [62]
Seoul International Drama Awards 2021 Outstanding Korean Actor Royal Secret Agent Nominated [63][64]
Seoul Webfest Awards 2017 Best Rising Star My Catman Nominated
Special Award Won [65]
Soompi Awards 2018 Best Idol Actor The Emperor: Owner of the Mask Nominated [66]
The Seoul Awards 2017 Popularity Award, actor Nominated

Notes

  1. "Memory" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 62 on Gaon Download Chart.[39]

References

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