Kim Wan-sun (Korean: 김완선;Hanja: 金緩宣; born May 16, 1969)[1] is a South Korean pop singer who was known in the mid-1980s and early 1990s as the "KoreanMadonna" and "the dancing queen of Korean popular music's renaissance era" as well as asex symbol for her "sexy" dancing and "charismatic" stage presence.[2][3][4][5]
Kim debuted in 1986 with the album,Tonight. Her fifth album, 1990'sPierrot Smiles at Us, sold 1 million copies.[2] She is considered to be one of the first wave ofHallyu artists due to her success inTaiwan in the mid-1990s.[6]
Kim Wan-sun was born Kim I-sun on May 16, 1969,[7] the third of her parents' five daughters.[8] When she was inmiddle school, Kim began training to be a singer and dancer under the guidance of her aunt, Han Baek-hee, who managed successful musicians including the singerInsooni.[9] Han rigorously trained Kim for three years, during which time Kim dropped out of school and did not visit her parents.[10] She studied digital art at theUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Kim made her official debut in 1986 at the age of 17 with her albumTonight. Her debut was different from the ballad singers who were popular then. She became known as the "dancing queen" and the "Korean Madonna" because of her energetic dancing and strong stage presence.[11] She won the Rookie of the Year award at several award ceremonies, including the 1stGolden Disc Awards and the 1986KBS Music Awards.[12][13] Her career included many popular songs. Her fifth album,Pierrot Smiles at Us, sold over 1 million copies in 1990, making it the first album by a Korean female solo artist to do so.[14]
Outside of Korea, Kim's fame also grew in Taiwan in the mid-1990s, where she was one of the first Korean stars to be successful.[15] In a 2011 interview, she also talked about her temporary "retirement" in 1992, which was her aunt's plan to help her in other parts of Asia. Kim said she cried when the announcement was made because she knew it was not true.[16]
After her "temporary retirement" in 1992, she moved to Taiwan and Hong Kong. Her aunt's plan was to promote her as an "Asian singer," not just a Korean one. She released three albums in Mandarin Chinese. During this time, it was revealed that she was in deep financial debt. She had not been paid for her work during the 13 years her aunt managed her, as her aunt had invested all her earnings in her husband's business, which later failed. This led her to take on side jobs as an actress and model.[11][17]
She returned to Korea in 1996, releasing her seventh album,Innocence. However, she did not regain the same level of popularity as her earlier career.[18]
After her aunt's death, Kim went on a long hiatus from music. She moved to Hawaii to study digital art at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, staying there for three years.[19] She made a comeback in 2002 with the albumS & Remake and releasedReturn in 2005.[20][21]
Beginning in 2011, Kim experienced a career resurgence. She released a new mini-album,Super Love, and made frequent appearances on television shows. Her candid confessions about her past and the public's nostalgia for her music helped her reconnect with a new generation of fans. In January 2013, she was selected as one ofMnet's "Legendary 100 Artists".[22] She was chosen as the new MC for MBC's Sunday late-night music programBeautiful Concert.[23] In March 2014, Kim was appointed as a visiting professor in the entertainment department at Kookje University.[24]
Since May 2015, Kim was a regular cast member on the SBS entertainment programBurning Youth.[25] She won the Rookie of the Year award at the 2015SBS Entertainment Awards.[26] In September, Kim made a surprise debut as an interior designer by collaborating with Hotel The Designers on celebrity-themed rooms. She designed a room for their locations in both Gangnam and Dongdaemun.[27]
Kim performing in 2019
In April 2017, Kim held a solo concert at Blue Square in Seoul to celebrate her 30th debut anniversary.[28] In addition, from July 1 to 3, 2022, she held a special exhibition titled 'Here I Am' at the Ulsan Exhibition Convention Center.[29]
In April 2025, Kim was chosen as the new model for Hyundai Pharmaceutical's dietary fiber beverage brand Miero Fiber.[30] She has since released new music, including digital singles and EPs and has collaborated with artists and even written songs for other projects.[31][32]
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