Lee Sang-min (singer)

Quick Facts: Who was Lee Sang-min (singer)?

Subject:

Lee Sang-min (singer)

Known for:

South Korean singer, producer, and variety show personality known for Roo'ra.

Born:

1973-02-03

Century / Era:

1973s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Lee Sang-min (Korean: 이상민; Hanja: 李尙敏; born June 24, 1973) is a South Korean singer, songwriter, record producer and television personality. He is a former member of the hip hop and dance group Roo'ra. He is also best known for being a cast member of the variety shows Knowing Bros and My Little Old Boy. Lee Sang-min was born on June 24, 1973. Circumstances regarding his living situation made his family unable to record him on the South Korean family register for two years—his birthdate there was officially registered as February 3, 1975.

Career & Major Achievements

When Lee was six years old, his father died, and his mother worked various odd jobs to make a living. Lee first started thinking about becoming a singer after graduating high school, when he saw singers in person for the first time at a club called Moon Night. Dreaming of a singing career, he rented out a practice room and trained his skills with Shin Jung-hwan, an acquaintance who would join Roo'ra with him. He graduated high school in 1991; in 1995, he took the Korean CSAT, aiming to study music theory at college. He was admitted to Seoul Institute of the Arts in 1996 with a major in film, as he wanted to learn about film music.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Lee started his career as a member of the Korean pop group Roo'ra. He was the leader and rapper of the group, and his shouting rap (crying rap) made him popular. In 1996, when several songs from Roo'ra's third album were accused of plagiarism, Lee was reported to have attempted suicide. The injury did not put his life in danger, but he was admitted to the hospital and had his arm stitched. One of the songs accused of being copied was one Lee had written in memory of Kim Sung-jae, who had died a few months before—this was cited as the reason for Lee's attempt.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1973 (1973-02-03): Birth of Lee Sang-min (singer) — South Korean singer, producer, and variety show personality known for Roo'ra.
2. 1975: 1975 Milestone — Circumstances regarding his living situation made his family unable to record him on the South Korean family register for two years—his birthdate there was officially registered as February 3, 1975.
3. 1991: 1991 Milestone — He graduated high school in 1991; in 1995, he took the Korean CSAT, aiming to study music theory at college.
4. 1996: 1996 Milestone — He was admitted to Seoul Institute of the Arts in 1996 with a major in film, as he wanted to learn about film music.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Lee Sang-min (singer)

True or False: “Lee Sang-min was officially registered on the South Korean family register with his birth year of 1973.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Due to living circumstances, his birthdate was officially registered as February 3, 1975, two years after his actual birth.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Alla Rakha — Shared historical date (02-03 · Died) (2000): Iconic Indian tabla maestro, pivotal in introducing Hindustani music to the West.
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• Adrien Brody — Historical peer (Born in 1973) (1973): Acclaimed American actor known for intense, emotionally charged character portrayals.
• Aishwarya Rai — Historical peer (Born in 1973) (1973): Iconic Indian actress celebrated for beauty and versatile performances in Hindi and Tamil cinema.
• 50 Cent — Historical peer (Born in 1975) (1975): Iconic rapper, actor, and entrepreneur known for raw storytelling and business acumen.
• Alex Rodriguez — Historical peer (Born in 1975) (1975): Legendary former MLB star, A-Rod, transitioned into a powerful sports and business mogul.
• Abby Stein — Historical peer (Born in 1991) (1991): Israeli-American author, rabbi, and activist who speaks on faith and gender identity.
• 1973 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1973
• February 3 (02-03) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 3

Frequently Asked Questions about Lee Sang-min (singer)