Nam Jin

In this Korean name, the family name is Kim. In the stage name or pen-name, the surname is Nam.

Nam Jin (Korean: 남진; born September 27, 1946) is a South Korean trot singer.^[1] He debuted in 1965 with the album Seoul Playboy, and became one of South Korea's most popular singers of the 1960s and 1970s.^[2]

Nam Jin
Background information
Born	(1946-09-27) September 27, 1946 (age 78) Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, South Korea
Genres	Trot
Occupations	Singer
Years active	1965-present
Korean name
Hangul	남진
Hanja	南鎭
RR	Nam Jin
MR	Nam Chin
Birth name
Hangul	김남진
Hanja	金南鎭
RR	Gim Namjin
MR	Kim Namjin

Biography

Early life

Nam Jin was born Kim Nam-jin in 1946 in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, South Korea.^[1][3] His father Kim Moon-ok, was a publisher for Mokpo Daily, and was a notable figure for the opposition as a member of parliament, which made his family rich.^[4][5] His mother was Jang Gi-soon.^[6]

1960s

Originally Nam wanted to be an actor, but he trained in Han Dong-hoon's music academy for two years.^[7] Han eventually produced Nam's pop debut album Seoul playboy which was released in 1965 and failed commercially.^[7] After moving to oasis records, his 2nd album "Did I come here to cry?" became a huge hit.^[7] Since 1967 he also started his acting career with the 1967 film Heartbreaking.^[8] His film Longing Is Every Heart attracted 100,000 audiences in theaters.^[8] In 1968 he enlisted in the Blue Dragon Korean Marine Corp for the Vietnam War.

1970s

He discharged from the military in 1971.^[9] His 1972 single "Together with My Lover" (임과 함께) became a huge hit, which was pop.^[10] He married with singer Yoon Bok-hee in 1976.^[8]

1980s

Nam was suppressed by the government and was limited of his career in the 1980s.^[11] He immigrated to America and went back to South Korea in 1982 releasing "Empty Cup".^[11]

2000s

He often appears on the KBS 1TV Golden Oldies (Korean: 가요무대).^[12]

Filmography

Television shows

Year	Title	Role	Ref.
2021	With Rumors	Host	[13]
2022	Our Namjin		[14]
	Burning Trotman	Judge	[15]

Ambassadorship

• Hwasun-gun's public relations ambassador (2022)^[16]

Awards

Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards

Year	Category	Recipient	Result	Ref.
2017	Order of Cultural Merits	Nam Jin	Won	[17]

MBC Ten Singers Match

Year	Category	Recipient	Result	Ref.
1971	King of Ten Singers	"Should Have a Beautiful Heart" (마음이 고와야지)	Won	[18]
1972		"With My Dear" (님과 함께)	Won
1973		"Don't Change, My Dear" (그대여 변치마오)	Won

TBC Broadcast Music Awards

Year	Category	Recipient	Result	Ref.
1969	Best Song (Male Artist)	"My Heart Aches" (가슴 아프게)	Won	[18]
1971		"Should Have a Beautiful Heart"	Won
1973		"Don't Change, My Dear"	Won