L (entertainer)

Kim Myung-soo (Korean: 김명수; born March 13, 1992), also known professionally as L, is a South Korean singer and actor. He debuted as a vocalist of boy band Infinite in 2010 and its sub-group Infinite F in 2014.

In this Korean name, the family name is Kim.
L
L in 2019
Born
Kim Myung-soo

(1992-03-13) March 13, 1992
Seoul, South Korea
Alma materDaekyung University
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actor
AgentLuke Media
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocal
  • Guitar
Years active2010–present
Member of
Korean name
Hangul
김명수
Hanja
金明洙
Revised RomanizationGim Myeong-su
McCune–ReischauerKim Myŏng-su

Early life

Kim Myungsoo was born on March 13, 1992,[1] in Seoul, South Korea. He has a brother, Kim Moon-soo, who is two years younger than him. Kim attended Duk-soo High School and graduated from Daekyung University on February 15, 2013, majoring in practical music.[2]

Career

2010–2016: Music and acting career

As a high school student, L auditioned for Woollim Entertainment after being street cast for his good looks. He was selected as the first member of idol group Infinite.[3] He made his debut as a vocalist of the boy group in June 2010.[4] In 2011, he made his acting debut in Japanese drama Jiu Keishicho Tokushuhan Sousagakari, which aired on TV Asahi in July.[5] In 2012, he was cast in tvN's romance comedy series Flower Band, as a guitarist of a rock group.[6] He was also cast in MBC's sitcom What's The Deal, Mom?[7]

On May 15, 2013, L released a photo essay book titled L's Bravo Viewtiful, showing photos taken by him on a 93-day journey. The book was a best-seller, and reached No. 1 in pre-orders on online bookstores such as Yes24 and Kyobo.[8] In August 2013, he had a cameo in SBS's Master's Sun, playing the younger version of So Ji-sub's character.[9]

In 2014, he was cast in supporting roles in MBC's Cunning Single Lady and SBS's My Lovely Girl.[10][11]

With bandmates Sungyeol and Sungjong he comprised the subgroup Infinite F, which released a single album, Koi No Sign, in Japan on November 19, 2014, and a Korean album, Love Sign, in December 2014.[12]

In 2015, he was cast in his first film Mister Shark, about a boy who befriends a shark.[13]

In 2016, L was cast in the Korean-Chinese web drama My Catman.[14] He also starred in the drama special The Day After We Broke Up, which was his first lead role.[15]

2017–present: Rising popularity and military enlistment

In 2017, L starred in MBC's historical drama The Emperor: Owner of the Mask.[16] His portrayal of a commoner who stands in for the king earned viewers' approval, and he was named Actor of the Month in June by MBC Dramanet.[17]

In 2018, L starred in the legal drama Ms. Hammurabi portraying a judge.[18][19] His performance in the series was well-received, earning him increased recognition.[20][21][22]

In 2019, L starred in the fantasy romance drama Angel's Last Mission: Love.[23] In August 2019, L left Woollim.[24]

In 2020, L starred in the fantasy romance drama Welcome as a cat who turns into a human male.[25][26] In December 2020, L starred in historical comedy Royal Secret Agent.[27]

Before his enlistment, he released his debut single album Memory on February 3. He also held an online fan meeting on February 20.[28] While serving his military enlistment, it was announced on September 25, 2021 that L will make his musical theatre debut in the military musical Meisa's Song alongside EXO's Chanyeol, B.A.P.'s Daehyun and actor Moon Yong-suk.[29]

On March 7, 2023, L signed a contract with Luke Media.[30]

Personal life

Military enlistment

On February 22, 2021, L enlisted for his mandatory military service as a member of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.[31][32] L was discharged on August 21, 2022.[33] Later, on August 22, 2022, L posted on Instagram that he was discharged from military service.[34]

Discography
For L's works with Infinite & Infinite F, see Infinite discography and Infinite F § Discography.

Single albums
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[35]
Memory 5

Singles
Title Year Peak chart
position		 Sales Album
KOR
[37]
As lead artist
"It's All For You" 2013 — — Non-album single
"Reminisce" 2018 — Top Seed
"Memory" (기억과 기억 사이) 2021 —[upper-alpha 1] Memory
Soundtrack appearances
"Love U Like U"
(with Kim Yerim)		 2012 27 Flower Band OST
"It's Okay Even If It's Not Me" (내가 아니어도 좋아) 2017 — — The Emperor: Owner of the Mask OST
"The Nights That I Miss You" (널 그리는 밤) 2019 — Angel's Last Mission: Love OST
Compilation
"Go Get Her" (그녀를 잡아요)
(with Park Jae-jung)		 2016 — — King of Mask Singer Ep. 63
"In the Rain" (빗속에서) —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Songwriting and producing credits
Year Album Artist Song Lyrics Music
Credited With Credited With
2013 Non-album single L "It's All For You" Yes — Yes —
2018 Top Seed L "Reminisce" Yes Jeong Min-ji No —

Filmography

Television series
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2011 Jiu Jiu Japanese drama [5]
Welcome to the Wara Store Himself Voice only [40][41]
2012 Flower Band Lee Hyun-soo [6]
Salamander Guru and The Shadows Himself Cameo, (Episode 3) [42]
What is Mom? Kim Myung-soo [7]
2013 Master's Sun Joo Joong-won (young) [9]
2014 Cunning Single Lady Gil Yo-han [10]
My Lovely Girl Shi-woo [11]
2015 The Time We Were Not in Love Ki Sung-jae Cameo (Episode 2–4) [43]
2016 One More Time Yoo Tan Drama special [15]
2017 The Emperor: Owner of the Mask Lee Sun [16]
2018 Ms. Hammurabi Im Ba-reun [18]
2019 Angel's Last Mission: Love Kim Dan [23]
2020 Welcome Hong-jo [25]
2020–2021 Royal Secret Agent Sung Yi-gyum [44]
2023 Numbers Jang Ho-woo [45]

Web series
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2016 My Catman Jung Ho-yeon Korean-Chinese web drama [14]
2024 Perfect Family Lee Seong-woo Cameo [46]

Hosting
Year Title Notes Ref.
2022 2022 Changwon K-POP World Festival with AleXa and Sua (Billlie) [47]

Theater
Year English title Korean title Role Notes Ref.
2021 The Meisa’s Song 메이사의 노래 Yeon Jun-seok Military musical [48][49]

Publication

Photobook
Year Title Publisher Ref.
2013 L's Bravo Viewtiful Tokyo [8]
L's Bravo Viewtiful Part. 2 Tokyo

Awards and nominations
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
APAN Star Awards 2018 Best New Actor Ms. Hammurabi Nominated [50]
Asia Artist Awards 2018 Best Icon L Won [51]
Asia Model Award 2019 Popular Star (Actor) Angel's Last Mission: Love Won [52]
KBS Drama Awards 2019 Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Nominated [53]
Best New Actor Won
Netizen Award, actor Nominated
K-Drama Hallyu Star Won
Best Couple Award Kim Myung-soo with Shin Hye-sun
Angel's Last Mission: Love		 Won
2020 Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Welcome Nominated
2021 Top Excellence Award, Actor Royal Secret Agent Nominated [54]
Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Nominated [55]
Korea Drama Awards 2013 Best Young Actor Master's Sun Nominated
2017 Best New Actor The Emperor: Owner of the Mask Nominated
2019 Angel's Last Mission: Love Nominated [56]
2022 Global Star Award Royal Secret Agent Won [57]
Korea First Brand Awards 2017 Male Acting Idol L Nominated
MBC Drama Awards 2017 Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries The Emperor: Owner of the Mask Nominated [58]
Best New Actor Nominated [59]
Popularity Award, actor Won [60]
Best Character Award, Fighting Spirit Acting Won
Seoul International Drama Awards 2021 Outstanding Korean Actor Royal Secret Agent Nominated [61][62]
Seoul Webfest Awards 2017 Best Rising Star My Catman Nominated
Special Award Won [63]
Soompi Awards 2018 Best Idol Actor The Emperor: Owner of the Mask Nominated [64]
The Seoul Awards 2017 Popularity Award, actor Nominated

Notes
  1. "Memory" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 62 on Gaon Download Chart.[38]

References
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  4. 포토엔,인피니트,긴장되는 첫 무대~ (in Korean). Newsen. June 9, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
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    • "Memory". January 31 – February 6, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
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  37. Charted songs:
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