Lee Ki-seop, commonly known as Kiseop, is a South Korean singer, dancer, actor and model. He is best known for being a former member of South Korean boy groupU-KISS formed by NH Media in 2008. He joined U-KISS in November 2009.
Early life
Kiseop was born on January 17, 1991 in Seoul, South Korea where he lived with his parents and his older sister. He attended Yatab High School and was known for being a "Yatab Ulzzang", girls would follow him home and ask for his number. Kiseop was also active in the dance circle during the High School years.
Career
2008:Pre-debut and joining U-KISS
Before debuting, Kiseop auditioned for numerous entertainment companies but he got rejected. He went into depression and thought about committing suicide but his parents helped guide him out of his suicidal stages. Kiseop's first ever TV appearance was with Girls' Generation on PKL's Wonderful Outing. He was modeling for a friend before he auditioned and got into U-KISS. Before officially joining U-KISS, Kiseop appeared in their debut music videoNot Young.
2009-2010: Debut with U-KISS, CountiUkiss, ManManHani
In August 2009, U-KISS started recording new tracks for a follow-up to Bring It Back 2 Old School. The group released the EP ContiUKiss on November 5, 2009. The same day it was Kiseop's first TV appearance as the new U-KISS member. The single was produced by Brave Brothers. A Japanese-language version was released on February 29, 2012, as part of their first Japanese album, A Shared Dream. Kiseop has appeared on the second season of Ulzzang Shidae but was taken off the show because of U-KISS' tight schedule.
2011-2013: Acting and Musicals
In 2011, Kiseop started his acting career in an MBC sitcom titled Real School along with his fellow member Eli Kim. The duo acted in a 40-episode series, transforming into high school students who reside at an "English Village" in an attempt to face and crack their fear of speaking English. Kiseop along with bandmates Dongho, Hoon and Soohyun filmed a movie with Jay Park, Kim Soo Ro and Park Yejin with the working title Mr. Idol in February 2011. In 2012, Kiseop, Soohyun, Eli and Kevin participated in the drama KPOP The Ultimate Audition, having small cameo appearances in three episodes acting as a senior idol group to the main cast. In 2013, Kiseop participated in his first musical Summer Snow along with his fellow members Soohyun and Kevin. The same year he also was cast in Goong Musical with Hoon from July 11, 2013 to July 15, 2013. In 2014, Kiseop was cast again in Goong Musical with his bandmates Soohyun, Hoon and Kevin.
2019: Departure from U-KISS and Marriage
On May 16, 2019 NH Media announced that Kiseop’s contract with NH Media had expired and he had decided not to renew it along with other fellow U-KISS member Eli. On August 1, 2019, Kiseop announced through his Instagram that he would be marrying model/actress Jung Yoo Na.
