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Kang Dae-ho (Korean: 강대호; born September 14, 1997), better known by his stage name Gaho (가호), is a South Korean singer, songwriter and producer under Planetarium Records.[2]
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Gaho was born on September 14, 1997.[1]
Career
[edit]2018–present: Solo debut
[edit]Gaho made his debut with the release of the soundtracks "Time", "Heart Is Beating" and "Not Over" for The Time, My Secret Terrius and The Last Empress respectively. On December 11, 2018 Gaho released his first mini album Preparation For a Journey. He released the singles "Fly" and "Pink Walk" in 2019. He rose to prominence with the original soundtrack "Start Over" for the JTBC drama Itaewon Class which charted number one on the Gaon Digital Chart.[3] On March 26, 2020 he released the single "A Song for You".[4][5] On May 24, 2021, he released "Rush Hour." On August 12, 2021, he released "Ride". On November 23, 2021, Gaho released his first studio album Fireworks. Praised for his unique vocals and wide range, Gaho is also known for his covers of KPop hit songs such as BTS' "Fire" and BlackPink's "How You Like That " and ''Shut Down'' often partnering with the band, KAVE.
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Album details | Peak chart position | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [6] | |||
| Fireworks |
Track listing
|
69 | — |
Extended play
[edit]| Title | EP details |
|---|---|
| Preparation for a Journey |
Track listing
|
Singles
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart position | Sales | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR Gaon [7] |
KOR Hot [8] | ||||
| As lead artist | |||||
| "Stay Here" (있어줘) | 2018 | — | — | — | Preparation For a Journey |
| "Preparation For a Journey" (떠날 준비) | — | — | |||
| "Fly" | 2019 | — | — | Non-album singles | |
| "Pink Walk" | — | — | |||
| "A Song For You" | 2020 | — | — | ||
| "Home" | 2021 | — | — | ||
| "Rush Hour" | — | — | Fireworks | ||
| "Ride" | — | — | |||
| "Right Now" | —[A] | — | |||
| Soundtrack appearances | |||||
| "Time" (시간) | 2018 | — | — | — | The Time OST Part 1 |
| "Heart Is Beating" (그렇게 가슴은 뛴다) | — | — | My Secret Terrius OST Part 1 | ||
| "Not Over" (끝이 아니길) | — | — | The Last Empress OST Part 2 | ||
| "Start Over" (시작) | 2020 | 1 | 1 | Itaewon Class OST Part 2 | |
| "Wish" (바람) | — | — | Stranger 2 OST Part 3 | ||
| "Running" (스타트업) | — | — | Start-up OST Part 5 | ||
| "Memories" | 2021 | — | — | Jirisan OST Part 2 | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | |||||
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Work(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4th Soribada Best K-Music Awards | Best Hallyu OST | "Start Over" | Won | [10] |
| 12th Melon Music Awards | Best OST Award | Nominated | |||
| 22nd Mnet Asian Music Awards | Best OST | Won | [11][12] | ||
| Song of the Year | Nominated | ||||
| 2021 | 30th Seoul Music Awards | OST Award | Nominated | [13] |
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Gaho Naver Profile" (in Korean). Naver.
- ^ "世路的故事他們來唱!隱藏在《梨泰院CLASS》OST的4位搖滾好聲音". KKBox (in Chinese). March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "朴敘俊《梨泰院CLASS》熱血OST!Gaho〈開始〉超激現場版,血液奔騰超帥氣!". Marie Claire (in Chinese). March 7, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "'음원차트 1위' 가호, 신곡 '어 송 포 유' 발매". Naver (in Korean). March 28, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
- ^ "'이태원 클라쓰' OST로 1위한 가호, 기세 잇는다". Naver (in Korean). March 28, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
- ^ "Fireworks – Week 48, 2021". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- "Start Over". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). March 15–21, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "Billboard Korea K-Pop 100 (week of March 21, 2020)". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
- ^ "2021년 48차 Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ ""값진 상 감사" 방탄소년단, '소리바다어워즈' 불참 속 대상 수상(종합)". News1 via Naver (in Korean).
- ^ "2020 MAMA Announces Nominees + Voting Begins". October 29, 2020.
- ^ "Winners Of 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards". December 6, 2020.
- ^ "Nominees Revealed For 30th Seoul Music Awards". December 10, 2020.
External links
[edit]Biography
Early life and education
Kang Dae-ho, known professionally as Gaho, was born on September 14, 1997, in Seoul, South Korea.[13] There is limited public information available regarding Gaho's family background and early childhood, though he grew up in a typical urban South Korean environment. His initial exposure to music came during his youth, where he developed an interest through Western influences, particularly the band Imagine Dragons, whose energetic and explosive style resonated with him and later shaped elements of his own musical approach.[14][15] Gaho graduated from Pangyo High School, where he encountered opportunities to explore music more actively through auditions, fostering his passion for the field. He briefly attended Dong-ah Institute of Media and Arts, majoring in applied music, but did not complete his studies.[13][16] His early musical interests naturally progressed toward a professional path in the industry.[15]Pre-debut training
Gaho began his journey in the K-pop industry as an idol trainee around age 18, driven by a deep passion for music production and performance.[17] Motivated by his early influences from Western rock bands like Imagine Dragons, he entered formal training in 2015 under Planetarium Records, embracing the demanding trainee lifestyle that emphasized skill development in vocals, dance, songwriting, and performance.[14][13] During this period, Gaho underwent rigorous daily routines typical of K-pop trainees, including intensive dance classes that honed his stage presence and ability to convey energy in performances, alongside vocal training and lessons in music composition.[14] He also participated in collaborative music-making sessions with future PLT members, whom he met during high school, which exposed him to production techniques and sparked his interest in creating original tracks.[18] These experiences, while challenging due to the competitive and physically taxing nature of trainee life, built his foundational skills in arranging and performing multifaceted music.[18] Recognizing the limitations of the group idol path, Gaho decided to pursue a solo career to gain greater creative control and ownership over his music, realizing through his high school collaborations that he could succeed as an independent singer-songwriter rather than solely as an idol.[18] This pivot allowed him to focus on his strengths in composition and production, leading to early pre-debut contributions such as serving as composer, lyricist, and arranger for the OST "Come to Me," performed by Lee Jong-suk for the 2017 drama While You Were Sleeping.[19]Career
Solo debut and early releases (2018–2019)
In 2018, Gaho signed with Planetarium Records and made his solo debut on May 3 with the digital single "Stay Here," a heartfelt track that highlighted his vocal range and emotional delivery.[20] This release marked his transition from pre-debut training, where he honed production skills as part of the Alphadict crew, to an independent artist blending pop and R&B elements.[3] Later that year, on December 11, Gaho released his debut extended play, Preparation for a Journey, featuring five tracks including the title song of the same name and an intro version of "Stay Here."[20] The EP showcased his singer-songwriter style, with self-produced emotional ballads emphasizing introspective lyrics and smooth R&B influences, establishing him as a multifaceted producer-artist.[3] Tracks like "Going On" and "Summer" further demonstrated his ability to craft melodic, relatable narratives about personal growth and fleeting moments. Building on this foundation, Gaho issued follow-up singles in 2019, including "Fly" on July 19 and "Pink Walk" later that year, which incorporated rhythmic pop elements while maintaining his signature emotive tone.[20] These releases achieved modest chart performance on platforms like Gaon, reflecting initial visibility in the competitive K-pop landscape.[2] Gaho cultivated an early fanbase through live performances and covers shared on social media, fostering connections via intimate showcases of his vocal and production talents.[3]Breakthrough and OST success (2020–2022)
Gaho's breakthrough came in March 2020 with his contribution to the soundtrack of the JTBC drama Itaewon Class, where he performed the main theme "Start Over." The track, which captures themes of resilience and new beginnings, quickly rose to the top of major South Korean music streaming charts, including Melon and Genie, upon its release.[21] Its official music video surpassed 100 million views on YouTube by early 2023, reflecting its enduring popularity and emotional resonance with audiences.[21] Critics and fans praised the song for its raw emotional depth, blending pop-rock elements with heartfelt vocals that amplified the drama's narrative of overcoming adversity.[19] Building on this success, Gaho solidified his reputation as an OST specialist through subsequent contributions to popular dramas. In October 2020, he released "Running" for the tvN series Start-Up, a motivational track that underscored the show's entrepreneurial themes and charted prominently on platforms like Bugs and Soribada.[22] By 2021, he provided "Memories" for Jirisan and collaborated on "Half of Half" with MAMAMOO's Moon Byul for the webtoon Hanyang Diaries, further showcasing his versatility in evoking introspective and dramatic moods.[17] These works, released amid a surge in K-drama popularity, helped establish Gaho as a go-to artist for emotionally charged soundtracks, with his songs often lingering on charts and playlists.[23] In parallel, Gaho advanced his solo career with the release of his debut studio album Fireworks on November 23, 2021, under Planetarium Records. The 12-track project, featuring the lead single "Right Now," explored themes of youth, love, regret, and personal growth through a mix of pop, R&B, and rock influences.[19] The album received acclaim for its cinematic quality and Gaho's production skills, with tracks like "Lost My Way" and "Part Time Lover" highlighting his evolution as a singer-songwriter. In 2022, he continued with singles such as "Beautiful Night" in August, delving deeper into nostalgic reflections on maturity.[13] Gaho's rising profile extended internationally during this period, as evidenced by his feature in YouTube Music's Artist on the Rise program in November 2021, which spotlighted his journey from OST contributor to multifaceted artist through exclusive performances and interviews.[24] He also gained attention for covers, including a live rendition of Zayn's "Dusk Till Dawn," demonstrating his interpretive range and appealing to global audiences via platforms like YouTube.[25] These efforts marked a pivotal expansion beyond domestic drama soundtracks, fostering broader recognition.Group activities and expansion (2023–2025)
In 2023, Gaho focused on solo endeavors and preparations for new collaborative ventures, building on his prior contributions to the project collective PLT from 2018–2020, where he provided vocals and production.[17][3] That year, Gaho released his second mini-album Diamond on March 20, featuring the lead single "Love Me," which highlighted his evolving pop sensibilities and marked a transitional phase in his career.[26] He supported the release with his first solo concert, 2023 Gaho's Concert 'Diamond', held on March 25 at Nodeul Island Live House in Seoul, where he performed a setlist drawing from his discography and engaged fans through live renditions.[27] In October, he contributed to a remix of his earlier hit "Start Over" in collaboration with the Japanese band The Beat Garden.[28] Gaho's expansion into group activities accelerated in 2024 when he officially joined the rock-pop band KAVE as lead vocalist, a project he had been developing with high school and college friends since at least 2023.[29] KAVE debuted on July 24 with the EP Flight of Ideas, blending rock instrumentation with pop melodies; key tracks like the title song "Flight of Ideas" and "Say My Name" demonstrated Gaho's vocal range alongside bandmates Kekinu (drums), Jisang (guitar), and Hyun (keyboard).[30] The band followed up with their second EP Say My Name on November 11, featuring double title tracks "Stone" and "You," and performances at events like the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival, establishing a dynamic sound that fused Gaho's solo style with group synergy.[31][32] In 2025, Gaho balanced KAVE commitments with solo releases, including the featured single "Hey Mama" with Leroy Sanchez on July 25, which explored upbeat, international collaboration.[33] He also composed and performed "Go On," the second part of the OST for the baseball-themed series Burn to Win (also known as Flaming Fighters), released on May 25; the track's energetic guitar riffs and anthemic chorus captured themes of resilience, arranged with input from KAVE members.[34] Gaho's global outreach expanded with his debut performance in Dubai on April 11 at the Korea 360 K-POP Concert, held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel's Exhibition Center, where he shared the stage with artists like EXO's Chen and CIX, marking his first Middle Eastern appearance and signaling broader international ambitions.[35] On November 7, 2025, Planetarium Records announced the end of Gaho's exclusive contract, along with KAVE's, without renewal, concluding a significant chapter that began with his PLT involvement.[17] The agency expressed gratitude for his contributions, while Gaho's team indicated ongoing projects, positioning him for potential independent pursuits or a new label affiliation.[36]Discography
Extended plays
Gaho's extended plays form the core of his multi-track discography, showcasing his evolution as a singer-songwriter with thematic depth and personal expression. As of November 2025, he has released two EPs in his solo career, alongside one full-length studio album. His debut EP, Preparation for a Journey, was released on December 11, 2018, by Planetarium Records. The 5-track project emphasizes introspective themes of self-reflection and transition, with the title track exploring readiness for change amid emotional uncertainty. The tracklist includes "Stay Here (Intro)", "Preparation for a Journey", "Going On", "Then", and "Heaven".[37][38] Gaho's second EP, Diamond, was released on March 20, 2023. The 6-track project includes the title track "Love Me", along with "Beautiful Night", "Diamond", "Only You", and "Lonely". It explores themes of resilience and emotion.[39][40]Singles
Gaho's debut single, "Stay Here," was released on May 3, 2018, as a heartfelt ballad that introduced his emotive vocal style and marked his entry into the solo music scene under Planetarium Records. The track, composed by Kenzie and arranged to emphasize acoustic elements, received modest attention upon release, accumulating over 20 million streams on Spotify as of November 2025.[41][42][43] In 2019, Gaho demonstrated his versatility with the upbeat singles "Fly" and "Pink Walk," both released as digital singles that blended R&B influences with pop sensibilities. "Fly," dropped on March 5, 2019, featured Gaho's co-writing credits and energetic production aimed at capturing youthful energy, while "Pink Walk" followed on September 28, 2019, with similar rhythmic elements to expand his stylistic range. These releases helped build his fanbase.[44][45][46] Following his breakthrough period, Gaho issued the single "Beautiful Night" on August 4, 2022, as a post-EP release that explored themes of joy and perseverance through its uplifting melody and synth-driven arrangement. The track, produced by Gaho alongside collaborators, underscored his growing commercial presence.[47] In 2023, amid his expanded solo activities, Gaho released the EP Diamond on March 20, with the title track "Love Me" serving as a key single that resonated with fans through its resilient lyrical content, reflecting his evolving artistry.[39] Marking a new phase, Gaho featured on the collaborative single "Hey Mama" by Leroy Sanchez, released on July 25, 2025, which blended pop and R&B for a summery vibe. The track highlights Gaho's international appeal.[48][49]| Single | Release Date | Peak Chart Position | Notable Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Stay Here" | May 3, 2018 | N/A | 20M+ Spotify streams (as of Nov 2025) |
| "Fly" | March 5, 2019 | N/A | Co-written by Gaho |
| "Pink Walk" | September 28, 2019 | N/A | Showcased R&B versatility |
| "Beautiful Night" | August 4, 2022 | N/A | Uplifting pop single |
| "Love Me" (from Diamond) | March 20, 2023 | N/A | Title track of second EP |
| "Hey Mama" (feat. Gaho) | July 25, 2025 | N/A | International collaboration |
