Hangeng (韓庚) or Hankyung (한경) is the only chinese member in Korean Boyband Super Junior, and also the leader of its subgroup, Super Junior-M.
Being one of the four lead dancers of Super Junior, he is also one of the two members in the group who frequently performs Chinese martial arts in Super Junior’s dance routines the other being Sungmin. Han is well-known for his dancing, being particularly skillful in Chinesetraditional dances from the 56 Chinese ethnic groups.As a member of a Korean music group, he is an important contributor to the Korean wave in China. One of the first and more influential Chinese artist in Korea, Han was elected as a torch bearer for the 2008 Beijing Olympics for his contribution to the cultural changes between China and South Korea.
After the audition, Han began to work briefly as a cameo actor in short low-budget Chinese films to earn a salary before entering college. In late August 2002, Han was notified that he had been accepted into SM Entertainment. After Han’s graduation at the Central University for Nationalities, he was sent to South Korea and received private lessons in singing, dancing, and acting, as well as learning the Korean language. Mid 2003, Han moved into dormitories and lived with other trainees who were under the same label. With the other trainees, he was enrolled in training classes. He started out as a Class C dancer (the lowest class for dancing), but later on he went straight to Class A, skipping Class B. At that time, there were only 4 people in Class A, including Han Geng.
Han Geng in Super Junior :
On February 6, 2005, Han was officially announced to be part of one of South Korea’s all-boy rotational musical groups, Super Junior, as a member of its first generation, Super Junior 05. Being the first group with a Chinese and foreign member to formally debut in South Korea, the media closely followed the group. Three months later after the announcement, Han made his first media appearance as a runway model in a Fashion Show organized by Bum Suk.
With a total of twelve members, Super Junior 05 officially debuted on November 6, 2005 on SBS’s music program Popular Songs, performing their first single, “TWINS (Knock Out)”. Their debut performance attracted over 500 fans and also garnered oversea viewers from both China and Japan. A full studio album was released a month later, which debuted at #3 on the monthly MIAK K-pop album charts. In March 2006, SM Entertainment began to recruit new members for the next Super Junior generation. However, plans changed when the company added in a thirteenth member, Kyuhyun, and the company declared a halt in forming future Super Junior generations. The group dropped the suffix “05″ and became officially credited as Super Junior. The re-polished group hit big after they released their first CD single “U” the following summer, which became Super Junior’s most successful single in the music charts until the release of “Sorry, Sorry” in March 2009.
Han was one of the few members of Super Junior who actively appears on variety shows, such as being a regular guest in Love Letter and Star Golden Bell. Being active in variety shows, his popularity within Super Junior grew and Han became popular overseas. Aside South Korea, Han is also well-known in China, where he has made guest appearances in over three different Chinese variety shows, being one of the first K-pop idols to appear in them. Han became a national celebrity in China with the debut of Super Junior’s third subgroup Super Junior-M on April 8, 2008 in China. The subgroup released their first Chinese-language studio album, Me on May 2, 2008. The album debuted on Taiwan’s G-music combo charts as #2 and #1 on many of China’s and Thailand’s music charts.
Han Geng Acting :
Han made a cameo appearance with band-mate Eunhyuk as a friend of Heechul in an episode of the MBC drama Rainbow Romance early 2006. In August 2006, Han played the role of a police officer in Zhang Liyin’s debut music video “Timeless”, starring alongside Lee Yeon-hee and band-mate Siwon. The two-part music video was separately released in September 2006. The music video was ranked #1 for a full four weeks on Melon’s Video Chart. In November 2007, Han starred as the lead role in Zhang’s debut Chinese music video, “I Will”, and “The Left Shore of Happiness” alongside Lee and Siwon. Both music videos were released in February 2008.
Han’s first big-scale film was Attack on the Pin-Up Boys, an SM Pictures production that starred all Super Junior members except Kyuhyun. He played the role of a popular basketball player who later got attacked by a mysterious force. Despite positive critical ratings, that film did not do well in the box-office. However, all four versions of the film’s DVD were sold out and broke chart records.
Late 2008, Han filmed the CCTV mini drama called Stage of Youth in China. He plays Xia Lei, a young man who has to go through numerous obstacles and challenges in order to achieve his dream to become the new generation’s dancing star. The 12-episode drama was a Chinese New Year Special and also a tribute to the Beijing Olympics 2008. It aired on CCTV-Children (少儿频道) from January 19–31, 2009.
News source in China released information in December 2009 that Han filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment (SME) for unfair activity-scheduling. Han is said to have developed gastritis and kidney illness due to his busy schedule assigned by SME and is seeking termination for his exclusive contract with the company. With a legal representative, the lawsuit was filed on December 21, 2009 with the Seoul District Court.
Han Geng Lawsuit with SM Entertainment
According to the litigation, it has been two years since Han had rested from his continuous activities SME has designated to him and it was rejected every single time Han requested to return to China for rest. Due to the contract obligation and heavy penalties, Han is not to skip any activity even during bad health. It was revealed later on that the non-stopping schedule is not the only unfair element presented in the contract; other problems deemed unsuitable include: that the contract was in SME’s favor, a 13-year exclusive contract is too long, the real amount of Han’s responsibilities and rights are different from those of the contract, real profit earned by Super Junior members is too low, etc.
SM Entertainment stated that for the sake of Han and Super Junior, they will be in talks to resolve the dispute.
On 9th of March 2010, one month after Han Geng’s birthday, he appeared in an interview for the first time. In the interview, he talked about his future plans after leaving SM Entertainment and claimed that he did not regret the path that he has chosen.
Han Kyung is leaving SM Entertainment
Looks like SM Entertainment just might lose another star… After the JaeChunSu trio turned their backs against their company in regards to their unfair contract, Hankyung (Hangeng) of Super Junior decided to follow their lead and attempt to opt out as well.
According to a related source in China, Hankyung filed a request at the Seoul Central District Court to make his contract with SM Entertainment null and void at noon on the 21st.
Hankyung, who is well-known as the only Chinese member in Super Junior, is popular amongst both the Asian youth and media. With his good reputation and talent, many speculated that the singer would go on to have a very successful solo career as well. However, rumor has it that the contract forbade Hankyung from pursuing a solo career, creating a rift that led to this contract termination request.
The press stated,
“No specific details have yet been released towards this termination request. However, it is likely the reason is because of the unfairness the contract holds in regards to Hankyung’s personal development.”
“No specific details have yet been released towards this termination request. However, it is likely the reason is because of the unfairness the contract holds in regards to Hankyung’s personal development.”
Currently, Hankyung’s legal representative is remaining silent. However, allkpop will be sure to provide further details of this hot news.
Han Kyung/ Han Geng information :
-He was the only Chinese member of the group.
-He was the leader of Super Junior- M.
-His favorite color is black.
-He always carry a Chinese-Korean dictionary.
-He is the Mr. Beijing Fried Rice of Super Junior.
-He didn′t know any Korean word when he arrived Korea.
-He was the leader of Super Junior- M.
-His favorite color is black.
-He always carry a Chinese-Korean dictionary.
-He is the Mr. Beijing Fried Rice of Super Junior.
-He didn′t know any Korean word when he arrived Korea.
Korean Stage Name: Hankyung 한경
Birth Name: Han Geng 韩庚
Height:181cm(6ft)
Religion:Atheist
Blood type: B
Nationality: Chinese (ethnicity- Hezhe)
Date of Birth: February 9, 1984
Casting: H.O.T. CHINA Audition Casting 2001
Genre(s): K-pop, Mandopop, R&B, hip hop
Instrument(s): Singing, piano
Voice type(s): Tenor
First Appearance: May 2005
Associated Acts: SMTOWN, Super Junior, Super Junior-M
SJM Position: leader, sub vocal, lead dancer
