Introduction
Jo Sung-mo (Korean: 조성모; born March 11, 1977) is a South Korean pop ballad singer. He debuted in 1998 with the album To Heaven, and went on to release several of the all-time best-selling albums in South Korea.
Biography
Jo Sung Mo was born in Seoul in 1977.
Shortly after high school, he was part of a dance group called 4004 (also called 4Angels). The dance group never had an official debut before disbanding.
Jo Sung Mo debuted in September 1998. He chose an unconventional method of releasing no information about the album or himself featuring actors (Lee Byeong Heon and Kim Ha Neul) in his debut instead of personally appearing in the video. It became known as the "mysterious concept".[1]
His gamble paid off, and he became widely popular. Listed as one of the top sellers of Korean albums of all time, he earned the title "Crown Prince of Ballads".
Jo Sung Mo entered mandatory enlistment on March 30, 2006, and completed his service on May 23, 2008.
Jo Sung Mo got married in 2010 to former model and designer, Goo Min Ji. They met in 2007 and dated for 3 years prior. They had their first child, a boy, on October 26, 2015.
His fanclub goes by the name Sungmo Maria
Controversy
In 2015, Jo was taken to court over breech of contract and substandard performances for his 2014–2015 concert tour. He was originally agreed to hold 18 concerts, but he stopped after 16 due to a discrepancy with the performance agency over money. On October 25, 2015, the Seoul Central District Court ruled against Jo and ordered him to pay 100 million won ($890,000 US) to the production house.
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| To Heaven |
|
4 |
|
| For Your Soul |
|
1 |
|
| Classic |
|
2 |
|
| Let Me Love |
|
1 |
|
| No More Love |
|
1 |
|
| A Singer (歌人) |
|
1 |
|
| My First |
|
5 |
|
| Classic 1+1 Grand Featuring |
|
1 |
|
| Second Half |
|
N/A* | N/A* |
Compilation albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Don't Forget To Remember |
|
8 |
|
| The Essential Jo Sung Mo |
|
9 |
|
Extended plays
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meet Brave |
|
3 | N/A* |
| Wind of Change |
|
9 |
|
Awards and nominations
Golden Disc Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Album Grand Prize | For Your Soul | Won | |
| Album Main Prize | Won | |||
| 2000 | Album Grand Prize | Let Me Love | Won | |
| Album Main Prize | Won | |||
| 2003 | Album Grand Prize | A Singer | Won | |
| Album Main Prize | Won | |||
| 2005 | My First | Won |
KBS Music Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Best Song Award | "For Your Soul" | Won |
Mnet Asian Music Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Best Ballad Performance | "For Your Soul" | Won | |
| Best Male Artist | Nominated | |||
| 2000 | Music Video of the Year | "Do You Know" | Won | |
| Best Male Artist | Nominated | |||
| Best Ballad Performance | Won | |||
| 2001 | Best Male Artist | "Goodbye My Love" | Nominated | |
| 2003 | "Piano" | Nominated | ||
| Best Ballad Performance | Won | |||
| 2004 | Best OST | "By Your Side" (Lovers in Paris OST) | Won | |
| 2005 | Best Male Artist | "Mr. Flower" | Nominated |
Seoul Music Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | New Artist Award | Not applicable | Won | |
| 1999 | Grand Prize | For Your Soul | Won | |
| Main Prize | Won | |||
| 2000 | Grand Prize | Let Me Love | Won | |
| Main Prize | Won |