- For other people known as 'Min Kyu' or 'Mingyu', see Mingyu.
Cho Min Gyu (조민규), also spelled as Cho Min Kyu, is a South Korean singer. He is the leader of the crossover vocal quartet Forestella.
He made his solo debut on February 16, 2020 with the single "New Age : Parana".
Early life[]
Cho graduated from Seoul Arts High School and entered various regional and national-level vocal competitions, winning first prize or reaching the final in several of them. He earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in voice at Seoul National University and worked as a dorm assistant while in graduate school. After competing in the Montreal International Music Competition and reaching the semi-finals, he enlisted for his mandatory military service and was assigned to be a police officer.[1] He answered the open auditions for Phantom Singer 2 towards the end of his service.
Career[]
2017–2018: Phantom Singer 2, debut with Forestella[]
Initially Cho had only harbored ambitions of becoming an opera singer but was told by judges at a competition that his leggero tenor voice meant that he would never be offered a lead role.[1] He began exploring the crossover genre after listening to Andrea Bocelli. Seeing fellow SNU vocal department graduates Son Tae Jin and Kim Hyun Soo of Forte di Quattro, the winning team of Phantom Singer season 1, further convinced him that the crossover genre was more suited to his voice. While on Phantom Singer 2, he was nicknamed "Strategist" for his detailed analyses of audiences' musical tastes and being able to tailor his performances to appeal to the judges and the audience.[2] Ko Woo Rim was the first Forestella member he performed with on the show, having already been acquainted with him at university (he was in graduate school when Ko entered as a freshman). Bae Doo Hoon later became a trio with them. The trio were split up and Cho was randomly grouped into a quartet with Kang Hyung Ho, performing with him for the first time in the competition. Forestella was officially formed prior to the final stage. The quartet performed four songs in the final stage and won the competition.
The group officially debuted on March 14, 2018 with their first studio album, Evolution.
2020: Solo debut[]
On February 16, 2020, he made his debut as a solo artist with the release of the single album "New Age : Parana".[1] It also included "Be My Love", the song he sang during the auditions for Phantom Singer.
Discography[]
Single albums[]
- "New Age : Parana" (2020)
Digital singles[]
- "Wind" (2021)
- "Recuerdos de Buenos Aires" (2024)
Special singles[]
- "A Christmas Symphony" (2024)
Collaborations[]
- "Friend" (with Herz Analog) (2020)
OSTs[]
- "Hometown Sounds: Danyang OST Part.1" (with Ko Woo Rim) (2018)
Participation releases[]
- "Into My Playlist Pt. 12" ("Whistling") (2024)
Trivia[]
- He is the leader of the quartet but has stated that he was only their designated spokesperson and organizes their rehearsals and meals; all members actually have an equal say in the decision-making when planning for performances or releases.[3] During performances he is the one directing members when to start or end a phrase.
- His shoe size is 26.5cm.[citation needed]
Gallery[]
- Main article: Cho Min Gyu/Gallery
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 조민규 (포레스텔라) 신세계 : NEW AGE 프로필 촬영 현장. Melon magazine. February 17, 2020
- ↑ 태백서 매일 노래 부르던 아이 “무대를 통해 고향에 보답할 것”. Gangwon People's Daily. November 10, 2017.
- ↑ YouTube: 210513 점심어택 449회
Official links[]
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