Thunder (singer) (original) (raw)

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South Korean singer

Thunder
천둥
Thunder in 2017
Born Park Sang-hyun[1][2] (1990-10-07) October 7, 1990 (age 34)Busan, South Korea
Occupations Singer-songwriteractormodel
Spouse Jung Mi-mi ​(m. 2024)​
Relatives Sandara Park (sister)
Musical career
Genres K-popdanceR&B
Instrument Vocals
Years active 2009–present
Labels J. Tune CampAPOP[3][4][5][6]
Member of CATtRIEVER
Formerly of MBLAQ
Korean name
Hangul 박상현
Revised Romanization Bak Sang-hyeon
McCune–Reischauer Pak Sanghyŏn
Stage name
Hangul 천둥
Revised Romanization Cheondung
McCune–Reischauer Chŏntung
Musical artist

Park Sang-hyun (Korean: 박상현; born October 7, 1990),[1][2][7] known by his stage name Thunder (Korean: 천둥; RR: Cheondung), is a South Korean singer, songwriter, actor and model. He is a former member of South Korean boy band MBLAQ. On December 16, 2014, it was announced that he had departed from the group to focus on studying music.[8] He signed with Mystic Entertainment's music label APOP on February 11, 2015[3][4] and released his debut extended play on December 7, 2016.

1990–2008: Early life and career beginnings

[edit]

Park Sang-hyun was born in Busan, South Korea, but grew up in the Philippines. He has two elder sisters, Sandara and Durami. Aside from his native Korean, he is also fluent in English and Tagalog, and can speak conversational Mandarin and Japanese.

His eldest sister, Sandara, achieved nationwide fame in the Philippines in 2004 after becoming the runner-up on the first season of Star Circle Quest, a talent search reality competition. He first appeared on national television when he attended the finale with his mother. Later on, as his sister began her hectic activities as a celebrity, a crew from one of South Korea's biggest television agencies recorded her daily life in the documentary My Name Is Sandara Park. This marked Thunder's first ever appearance on South Korean television.

Sandara's eventual decision to pursue activities in their home country led to their family's return to South Korea in 2007. By this time, Thunder had finished secondary education in the Philippines. It was later on revealed in a magazine interview that he had originally decided to pursue a professional career as a soccer player, specifically as a midfielder. He gave up and instead started auditioning for entertainment agencies, one of which was JYP Entertainment. He had taken dancing workshops offered by Sandara's home network back in the Philippines.

Thunder eventually became a trainee under LOEN Entertainment, where he met IU. He appeared in IU's debut music video for her song "Lost Child" and was also seen in a couple of videos with her wherein they sing Big Bang's "Lies" and Super Junior's "Sorry Sorry."

Thunder, Seung-ho, G.O, Lee Joon and Mir made their debut as MBLAQ on October 9, 2009, at Rain's Legend of Rainism concert where they performed various songs from their then-unreleased single album Just BLAQ.[9][10] On October 14, MBLAQ officially released their debut single album Just BLAQ, along with the "Oh Yeah" music video.[11] A day later, MBLAQ had their debut stage with their title song "Oh Yeah" on Mnet's M! Countdown.[12] Also in October, he was featured in Lyn's "New Celebration" music video.[13] In November, he starred in a commercial film with Wonder Girls for Cafe Mori.[14]

Because of his androgynous face and modelesque image he was featured in Elle Girl's February 2010 issue. He was given a 4-page spread, where he showed off his unique yet fashionista chic image.[15] In March 2010, Thunder alongside U-KISS' Dongho and Eli and Shinee's Key hosted a new variety show called Raising Idol.[16] In March 2010, he also appears in K.Will's "Gift" music video.[17] Thunder also participated in Mnet's Mnet Scandal.[18] He was also a host of The M-Wave, a music program which aired on Arirang TV with Krystal Jung.[19][20] Having lived in the Philippines, he participated in the cable TV show, Mom, I've gone crazy for English with Nicole Jung, where he was an English mentor to young children.[21] In 2010, Thunder was also chosen to become Alba Heaven spokesperson. It is a job search site, focusing on connecting users who want part-time jobs with potential businesses and employers, he participated in a TV CF which was broadcast on the airwaves.[22]

In 2011, Thunder was made a permanent cast member of the KBS show Imagination Arcade.[23] He was featured in a six-page spread on the October issue of Singles, showing a completely different image.[24] In December 2011, Thunder had a cameo role in jTBC drama Padam Padam where he played the role of Yang Kang-woo, the older brother of Yang Kang-chil (played by Jung Woo-sung).[25]

In 2012, he was featured in two magazines: he posed shirtless for the March issue of Harper's Bazaar[26] and the April issue of L'Officiel Hommes Korea;[27] both were an eight-page spread. Also in April, Wanna Girls magazine named him as new fashionista icon of 2012, along with Jessica Jung, Hyomin and Yong Jun-hyung. In July 2012, Thunder released a self-composed solo song titled "Don't Go" for "The BLAQ% Tour" album.[28] In October, Thunder started his career in runway as he walked for Lee Jae-ho's Coexistence Collection in S/S 2013 Seoul Fashion Week.[29] In November, he walked for Korean designer Park Jong-cheol's fashion show 'Bling Bling Party' as part of SUNY Korea Festival.[30]

In January 2013, Thunder was cast as the male lead in the MBC drama Nail Shop Paris, with Park Gyu-ri.[31] In 2014, he was cast in the dance musical Moon Night, along with Seung-ho and Two X's Jiyou. In 2014, Thunder released his first single "Gone" which he composed himself.[32] In March 2014, Thunder had graced the runway again for designer Lie Sang Bong's fashion show in 2014 F/W Seoul Fashion Week.[33] He released his second single "Monster" later that year.[34] On December 16, 2014, Thunder and Lee Joon officially withdrew from the group after their contracts expired.[8]

2015–present: Return to acting and Thunder

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In 2015, he was cast in the role of Kang Hyun-seo in the MBC drama Make a Woman Cry. Starting with this drama, he is being credited by his birth name (except for music-related projects). In 2016, he made a cameo appearance on another MBC drama, Woman with a Suitcase, as Cheondung, a lawyer interviewing for the same job as Ma Seok-woo (played by Lee Joon).

On November 23, 2016, Mystic Entertainment revealed that Thunder would release new music in December. His self-titled debut extended play as a solo artist was released on December 7, 2016, and featured guest appearances by Goo Hara, Basick and Giantpink. Thunder participated in writing and composing all five tracks. The music video for the promotional single "Sign" features his sister Sandara.[35]On February 6, 2017, it was announced that Thunder would be the first Korean idol to star in a Korean-Indonesian movie, titled Forever-Holidays in Bali.[36] On April 19, before going over to Bali to film the movie, Thunder appeared in Indonesian music show "Dahsyat" to perform.[37] It was a success with the hashtag #ThunderOnDahsyat trending second on Indonesian Twitter that morning.[38]

Thunder debuted as part of the duo CATtRIEVER on January 21, 2024.[39]

On July 13, 2023, Thunder announced he has been in a relationship with singer-actress Mimi, a former member of Gugudan, for four years.[40] On December 19, 2023, it was reported the couple would marry next May.[41] The couple married on May 26, 2024.[42]

Television show hosting

[edit]

  1. ^ a b "천둥 (박상현)" (in Korean). Naver People. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Park Sang Hyun (Thunder)". DramaFever. Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "천둥, 미스틱엔터테인먼트 에이팝과 전속 계약…윤종신 품으로" (in Korean). TenAsia Hankyung. February 11, 2015. Archived from the original on June 1, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "천둥, 미스틱 레이블 에이팝과 계약 "다양한 분야 지원할 계획"" (in Korean). Naver. February 11, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  5. ^ "엠블랙 전 멤버 천둥, 미스틱엔터테인먼트 레이블 에이팝과 전속계약" (in Korean). DongAh News. February 11, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  6. ^ "Former MBLAQ Member Cheon Dung Signs Contract with Mystic Entertainment". Mwave News. February 11, 2015. Archived from the original on April 30, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  7. ^ Mark Russell (April 29, 2014). K-Pop Now!: The Korean Music Revolution. Tuttle Publishing. p. 64. ISBN 978-1-4629-1411-1.
  8. ^ a b Cheondung's Departure from MBLAQ "Lee Joon and Cheon Dung Release Official Statement on Ending Promotions as MBLAQ" Archived December 16, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Mwave, December 16, 2014. Retrieved on December 16, 2014.
  9. ^ Han Sang, Hee (October 11, 2009). "Rain Wows Fans in 'Legend of Rainism'". Korea Times. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
  10. ^ Kim, Lynn (September 27, 2009). "Idol Group MBLAQ to debut at Rain's Concert". Asia Economy. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  11. ^ "MBLAQ's debut single set to release on October 14". asiae.co.kr. September 22, 2009. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  12. ^ "Rain's MBLAQ Makes Broadcast Debut". Korea Times. October 15, 2009. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  13. ^ "Lyn releases MV of "New Celebration" featuring MBLAQ's Thunder". Allkpop. October 23, 2009. Archived from the original on March 30, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  14. ^ "Wonder Girls and MBLAQ's Thunder Cafe Mori Full CF". Allkpop. November 13, 2009. Archived from the original on April 27, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  15. ^ "MBLAQ's Thunder for Elle Girl". Allkpop. February 21, 2010. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  16. ^ "Dongho, Eli, Thunder and Key to host a new variety show". Allkpop. March 2, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  17. ^ "K.Will presents his Gift MV". Allkpop. March 9, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  18. ^ 엠블랙 천둥, 일반인 여친과 길거리 데이트 '엠넷 스캔들' 24일 밤 11시 (in Korean). Asia Today. March 24, 2010.
  19. ^ "엠블랙 천둥 'F(x)의 무대 기대해주세요~" (in Korean). bnt news. May 18, 2010.
  20. ^ Sang-Hee Han (May 3, 2010). "Arirang TV to present global K-pop show". The Korea Times.
  21. ^ 카라 니콜-엠블랙 천둥, 어린이 영어 멘토로 깜짝 변신 (in Korean). TV Daily. June 28, 2010.
  22. ^ "MBLAQ's Thunder advertises for part time jobs". Allkpop. December 9, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  23. ^ "KBS 새 예능 '상상오락관' 신설, '가족오락관' 명성 이을까?" (in Korean). Nate News. January 7, 2011.
  24. ^ "Thunder transforms into rocker-punk-guy for Singles Oct issue". dkpopnews. September 24, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  25. ^ "MBLAQ's Thunder makes a surprise cameo appearance on 'Padam Padam'". Allkpop. December 5, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
  26. ^ "2NE1′s Dara is proud of MBLAQ's Thunder's 'white chocolate' abs". Allkpop. February 28, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  27. ^ "MBLAQ's Thunder poses 'L'Officiel Hommes Korea'". Allkpop. March 23, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  28. ^ "Thunder releases "Don't Go" for 'The BLAQ% Tour'". Allkpop. July 3, 2012.
  29. ^ "제이호 옴데스프릿, 2013 S/S '환상과 현실의 경계선을 그리다'". FTstyle (in Korean). October 18, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  30. ^ 한국뉴욕주립대, 오는 5일 첫 가을 축제. Daily UNN (in Korean). October 31, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  31. ^ 박규리 정극연기 데뷔 연기자 변신..천둥과 호흡. Newsen (in Korean). January 5, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  32. ^ "MBLAQ's Thunder set to release his first solo single". DramaFever. January 23, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2016.[_permanent dead link_‍]
  33. ^ [포토엔]이상봉 패션쇼 모델된 천둥 ‘강렬한 눈빛으로’. Newsen (in Korean). March 23, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  34. ^ "MBLAQ's Thunder confirmed to be dropping his solo release 'Monster' on September 5". Allkpop. September 3, 2014.
  35. ^ "Watch: Thunder Makes First Solo Comeback In Two Years With "Sign" MV Featuring Sandara Park". Soompi. December 6, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  36. ^ "Thunder Is First Korean Idol To Star In Korean-Indonesian Movie". Soompi. February 6, 2017.
  37. ^ "Tampil di Acara 'DAHSYAT', Thunder Eks MBLAQ Bikin Heboh". KapanLagi.com.
  38. ^ @bantenplus (April 20, 2017). "trending #NapiMengaji #ThunderOnDahsyat #TogethermoreLotteChocoPie #DGITM #BulanBaktiBKIPM2017 #Milad19PKS…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  39. ^ Park, Seo-hyun (January 1, 2024). "'결혼' 천둥♥미미, 캣트리버로 팀 데뷔한다 "아이돌로서도 인생 2막"[전문]" [‘Marriage’ Thunder ♥ Mimi debuts as a team with CATtRIEVER “The second act of life as an idol” [Full text]] (in Korean). HeraldPOP. Retrieved May 27, 2024 – via Nate.
  40. ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (July 14, 2023). "엠블랙 천둥 "♥미미와 내년 결혼식 희망, 양가 상견례 아직"[직격인터뷰]" [MBLAQ Cheondung “Hope for next year’s wedding with ♥ Mimi, a meeting between both families yet” [Direct Interview]] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved July 13, 2023 – via Naver.
  41. ^ Choi, Hye-jin (December 19, 2023). "[단독]천둥♥미미, 내년 5월 26일 결혼..아이돌 부부 탄생" [[Exclusive] Thunder♥Mimi gets married on May 26th next year...an idol couple is born] (in Korean). StarNews. Retrieved December 19, 2023 – via Naver.
  42. ^ Baek, A-young (May 26, 2024). "하희라, 천둥♥미미 결혼식 공개 "수종 씨도 저도…눈물 참느라…" [소셜in]" [Ha Hee-ra, Thunder ♥ Mimi's wedding revealed, "Soo-jong and I... had to hold back tears..." [Social in]] (in Korean). iMBC. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via Nate.
  43. ^ "Gaon Album Chart". Archived from the original on March 26, 2015.
  44. ^ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!". gaonchart.co.kr.
  45. ^ a b <천둥> 에 대한 검색결과 입니다 (in Korean). Gaon Chart. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  46. ^ Lee Jae-hoon (February 18, 2022). "2AM 진운·AOA 혜정·원걸 유빈·2NE1 공민지, 뮤지컬영화 캐스팅" [2AM Jinwoon, AOA Hyejeong, Wongirl Yubin, 2NE1 Gong Minji, cast for musical movie] (in Korean). NEWSIS. Retrieved February 18, 2022 – via Naver.
  47. ^ 엠블랙·샤이니가 90년대 아이돌로 변신, '문나이트90'. Nate News (in Korean). October 12, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  48. ^ 엠블랙 천둥, '빠담빠담' 첫회 깜짝 등장…연기자 데뷔. MyDaily (in Korean). December 5, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  49. ^ "엠블랙, 'K-POP 최강 서바이벌' 카메오 깜짝출연". Nate News (in Korean). March 14, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  50. ^ 엠블랙 천둥, 드라마 '네일샵 파리스' 캐스팅..첫 주연 (in Korean). Star. March 25, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  51. ^ 엠블랙 천둥, 애교쟁이 네일아티스트 변신. Nate News (in Korean). March 25, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  52. ^ "This Former Idol-Turned-Solo Artist Showcases His Vocals On "King Of Masked Singer"". Soompi. January 8, 2017.
  53. ^ "Korean mentors ng "Dream Maker" kinaloka ng mga netizen". Abante News (in Tagalog). November 7, 2022.

Media related to Thunder (vocalist) at Wikimedia Commons