San E
정산
San E at the Friendship Super Show on October 14, 2017
Background information
Birth nameJung San
Born (1985-01-23) January 23, 1985 (age 38)
Bupyeong District, Incheon, South Korea
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2008 (2008)–present
Labels
Spouse(s)
Unknown
​
(m. 2022)​

Jung San (Korean: 정산; born (1985-01-23)January 23, 1985),[1] more commonly known by his stage name San E (Korean: 산이), is a South Korean rapper.[2] He debuted in 2010 under JYP Entertainment, where he was the label's first solo rapper. He left the company in 2013 to sign with hip hop label Brand New Music.[3] He left the company in 2018[4] and established hip hop label FameUs Entertainment in 2019.[5]

San E has released one full-length album: The Boy Who Cried Wolf (2015), and three extended plays: Everybody Ready? (2010), 'Not' Based on the True Story (2013), and Season of Suffering (2017).[3][6] San E has received several major awards, including Best Hip Hop Song at the 2010 Korean Music Awards,[7] Best Rap Performance at the 2015 Mnet Asian Music Awards,[8] and the Hip Hop Award at the 2016 Golden Disc Awards[9] and at the 2016 Seoul Music Awards.[10]

Early life

San E was born on January 23, 1985, in South Korea. He moved with his family to Atlanta, Georgia, US, when he was a middle school student because his parents had been struggling financially as a result of the 1997 Asian financial crisis.[11] He attended the University of Georgia, where he majored in graphic design.[12]

Career

2008–2009: Mixtapes and underground fame

San E released his first mixtapes Ready To Be Signed and Ready To Be Famous in 2008 and 2009, respectively. As a way to draw attention to his self-released music, San E jokingly dissed established underground rapper Verbal Jint in one of his songs. The diss brought him attention from the Korean hip hop community and from Verbal Jint himself, who invited San E to join his hip hop crew, Overclass.[2][13][14]

2010–2012: JYP Entertainment and Everybody Ready?

Still unsigned, San E won Best Hip Hop Song at the 2010 Korean Music Awards for the track "Rap Genius."[15] Soon after, he became the first solo rapper to sign with JYP Entertainment, one of the "big three" records labels in the k-pop industry.[16] That September, he released his first mini-album, Everybody Ready?, which featured fellow JYP Entertainment artists Min (of Miss A), and Joo and Yeeun (of Wonder Girls). He debuted several days later on the television music show, M Countdown, with his single "Tasty San," featuring Min.[17] In November, San E started another round of promotions for the single, "LoveSick," the music video for which starred label mate Sohee of Wonder Girls.[18]

In 2011, San E released several singles, including “Please Don't Go," a collaboration with rapper Outsider and singer Lee Changmin (of 2AM).[19] The song reached #14 on the Gaon Digital Chart, making it his highest charted song while contracted under JYP Entertainment.[20] He also collaborated that year with Verbal Jint, Beenzino, Swings, and other artists on the single "Stand Up, Japan!" which benefited Japan's relief efforts after the Tohoku tsunami.[21]

2013–2018: Brand New Music and top ten success

San E at the 2014 Seoul International Drama Awards

In April 2013, San E ended his contract with JYP Entertainment, saying that he was leaving on good terms.[22] That June, he joined hip hop label, Brand New Music, home to his Overclass crew mate, Verbal Jint.[23] San E achieved his first #1 hit on the Gaon Digital Chart with the song, "Story of Someone I Know," from the album 'Not' Based on the True Story.[24][25] His next three singles, "Where Did You Sleep?" (feat. Verbal Jint and Swings), "Break-Up Dinner" (feat. Sanchez of Phantom), and "What's Wrong With Me" (feat. Kang Min Hee), all reached the top ten of the Gaon Digital Chart.[26][27][28] San E's success continued with the single "A Midsummer Night's Sweetness," a collaboration with Raina (of After School). The song was an instant hit and achieved #1 on ten music charts shortly after its debut.[29] The song went on to win awards that year at the Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards, the MelOn Music Awards, and the Seoul Music Awards.[30][31][32] His next single, "Body Language" (featuring Bumkey), was also a #1 hit, topping both the Gaon Digital Chart and seven Korean real-time music charts shortly after its release, despite its 19+ rating.[33][34] In June 2017, San E was featured in Hyoyeon's single "Wannabe".[35] San E was also the rap mentor for KBS2's survival show, The Unit.[36]

In late 2018, Brand New Music terminated San E's contract after the rapper made a series of controversial remarks about feminism.[4][37]

2019–present: CEO of FameUs Entertainment

In 2019, San E established hip hop label FameUs Entertainment and recruited rappers Errday, Malkey, and Be'O. They released their first compilation album God FameUs on April 9, 2020.[5]

Personal life

Relationship and marriage

On August 23, 2022, San E's agency announced that he will marry his non-celebrity girlfriend on September 24.[38] They married in a private ceremony on September 24, 2022, in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.[39]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak position Sales
KOR
[40]
The Boy Who Cried Wolf
(양치기 소년; Yangchigi Sonyeon) 		17 1,816+[41]

Extended plays

Title Album details Peak position Sales
KOR
[40]
Everybody Ready? 20 [No data available]
'Not' Based on the True Story
  • Released: November 21, 2013
  • Label: Brand New Music, LOEN
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 27 1,558+[42]
Season of Suffering
  • Released: January 23, 2017
  • Label: Brand New Music, LOEN
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 22 845+[43]
Ballad Rap Song
  • Released: December 12, 2019
  • Label: FameUs Entertainment
  • Formats: Digital download
 — —

Charted songs

Title Year Peak position Sales Album
KOR
[40]
"Tasty San" (feat. Min) 2010 45 [No data available] Everybody Ready?
"LoveSick" 19
"Someone's Dream" (feat. So Hyang) 2011 48 Dream High OST Pt. 3
"Please Don't Go" (feat. Outsider & Changmin) 14 407,462+ Non-album single
"Wish U To Be Unhappy" (feat. Bee of Rphabet) 54 242,259+
"Big Boy" (feat. Bee of Rphabet) 39 108,996+
"Story Of Someone I Know" 2013 1 1,139,790+ 'Not' Based on the True Story
"Where Did You Sleep?" (feat. Verbal Jint & Swings) 8 570,537+
"Break-Up Dinner" (feat. Sanchez of Phantom) 3 608,340+
"What's Wrong With Me" (feat. Kang Min-hee) 2014 4 952,054+ You're All Surrounded OST Pt.1
"A Midsummer Night's Sweetness" (with Raina) 1 2,176,748+ Non-album single
"Body Language"
(feat. Bumkey) 		1 727,872+
"Brand New Day" (with Brand New Music artists) 30 100,723+ Brand New Year Vol.3
"Coach Me"
(with Hyolyn) (Feat. Jooheon) 		2015 16 150,317+ No Mercy Part.1
"On Top Of Your Head"
(모두가 내 발 아래; Moduga Nae Bal Arae)
(feat. MC Gree) 		17 122,579+ The Boy Who Cried Wolf
"Me You"
(feat. Baek Yerin) 		2 1,127,476+[44]
"Like Father, Like Son"
(그 아버지에 그 아들; Geu Abeojie Geu Aduel) 		23 143,833+[45] Non-album single
"Sour Grapes"
(못 먹는 감; Mot Meongneun Gam)
(with Mad Clown) 		2 774,942+[46]
"Like An Airplane"
(마치 비행기; Machi Bihaenggi)
(feat. Gary) 		2016 12 250,502+
"Sugar and Me"
(달고나; Dalgona)
(with Raina) 		5 418,248+
"I Am Me"
(feat. Hwasa of Mamamoo) 		2017 61 28,700+ Season of Suffering
"Mohae"
(feat. Bolbbalgan4) 		5 158,185+[47] Non-album single
"A Midsummer Night's Sweetness: Summer Again"
(한여름밤의 꿀: 다시 여름; Hannyeoreumbamui Kkul: Dasi Yeoreum)
(with Raina) 		2021 62 Non-album single

Filmography

Television variety programs

Year Title Notes
2014 Show Me The Money 3 Appeared throughout season as producer on "Team Brand New Music."
2015 Show Me The Money 4 Appeared throughout season as producer on "Team Brand New Music."
Unpretty Rapstar Host of season 1
Unpretty Rapstar 2 Host of season 2
Off to School Cast member for episodes 44-46
2016 Hip Hop Nation Co-host with Shin Dong Yup
2016–2017 Battle Trip Co-host (until April 2017)
2017 The Unit Mentor/Host of season 1
2018 High School Rapper 2 Mentor
2021 Show Me the Money 10 Contestant

Awards and nominations

Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013 "Story of Someone I Know"[48] Song/Artist of the Year (August) Won
2014 "A Midsummer Night's Sweetness" (with Raina)[49] Song/Artist of the Year (July) Won

Golden Disk Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 "A Midsummer Night's Sweetness" (with Raina) Digital Bonsang Nominated
2016 The Boy Who Cried Wolf Best Rap/Hip Hop Award Won

Korean Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010 "Rap Genius" Best Hip Hop Song Won

MelOn Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014
[50] 		"A Midsummer Night's Sweetness" (with Raina) Best Song Nominated
Hot Trend Nominated
Rap/Hip Hop Won
"What's Wrong With Me?" OST Nominated

Mnet Asian Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014 "A Midsummer Night's Sweetness" (with Raina) Song of the Year[51] Nominated
"Body Language" Nominated
Best Rap Performance Nominated
"A Midsummer Night's Sweetness" (with Raina) Best Collaboration[51] Nominated
2015 "Me You" Song of the Year[52] Nominated
Best Rap Performance Won

Seoul Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014 San E & Raina Hip Hop/Rap Award Won
2015 San E Hip Hop/Rap Award Won

References

  1. ^ "산이(San E)". Mnet (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-12-06.
  2. ^ a b "Rapper San E living his dream". The Korea Herald. 2014-06-18. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  3. ^ a b "래퍼 산이, '이수역 폭행'에 신곡 '페미니스트' 발표 논란". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 2018-11-16. Retrieved 2018-12-06.
  4. ^ a b "래퍼 산이, 브랜뉴뮤직과 전속계약 종료(종합)". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). 2018-12-06. Retrieved 2018-12-06.
  5. ^ a b Kim, Suyeong (April 9, 2020). "산이 레이블 설립, 페임어스 대표됐다…소속 아티스트들과 9일 신보 발매". Hankyung.
  6. ^ "[SC줌人] 산이, 새 음반은 '자서전' 형식..진짜 힙합 들려준다". Sports Chosun (in Korean). 2017-01-18. Retrieved 2018-12-06.
  7. ^ "산이, 최우수 랩힙합 노래상[한국대중음악시상식]". Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). 2010-03-30. Retrieved 2018-12-06.
  8. ^ "[2015 MAMA]'베스트 랩 퍼포먼스' 산이 "아버지 힘 내세요"". E Daily (in Korean). 2015-12-02. Retrieved 2018-12-06.
  9. ^ "'골든디스크' 산이, 떼창 부르는 소울 힙합..역시 베스트 R&B 힙합상". Ten Asia (in Korean). 2016-01-20. Retrieved 2018-12-06.
  10. ^ "[25th 서울가요대상] 산이 "새 앨범 나온 범키에게 힘 불어넣어 달라"". Sports Donga (in Korean). 2016-01-14. Retrieved 2018-12-06.
  11. ^ "San E Reconciles With His Father About His Rough Childhood". Soompi. 2015-09-28. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  12. ^ "San E". Brand New Music (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  13. ^ "산이, 힙합의 대중화인가 대중화된 힙합인가". Pressian (in Korean). 2010-10-15. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  14. ^ "버벌진트 산이 케이준‥이젠 오버클래스가 대세". MK Star (in Korean). 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  15. ^ "7th Korean Music Awards winners". Indieful ROK 2.0. 2010-03-30. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  16. ^ "Why did San E join JYP Entertainment?". Allkpop. 2010-09-22. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  17. ^ "San E debuts with 'Tasty San' on M! Countdown". Allkpop. 2010-09-16. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  18. ^ "San E releases 'LoveSick' MV + autographed album giveaway!". Allkpop. 2010-11-02. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  19. ^ "San E release new track, "Please Don't Go"". Allkpop. 2011-04-25. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  20. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart - April 24-30, 2011 (see #14)". Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  21. ^ "Nuol, San-E, Verbal Jint & more collaborate for "Stand Up, Japan"". Allkpop. 2011-04-06. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  22. ^ "San E To Leave JYP Entertainment On Good Terms". KpopStarz. 2013-04-30. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  23. ^ "San E signs with Brand New Music after parting ways with JYPE + releases "Rap Circus" MV". Allkpop. 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  24. ^ "Hello Venus' Nara Has San E on the Couch in "Story of Someone I Know" MV". Soompi. 2013-08-01. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  25. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart - August 4-10, 2013 (see #1)". Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  26. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart - November 10-16, 2013 (see #8)". Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  27. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart - November 24-30, 2013 (see #3)". Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  28. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart - June 8-14, 2014 (see #4)". Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  29. ^ "San E and Raina achieve an all-kill with 'A Midsummer Night's Sweetness'". Allkpop. 2014-06-12. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  30. ^ "Winners from 'The 3rd GAON Chart Kpop Awards'!". Allkpop. 2014-02-12. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  31. ^ "After School's Raina captures fans attention with stunning figure + thank you speech by San E". Koreaboo. 2014-11-15. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  32. ^ "After School's Raina, Flower-Like Beauty 'Thank You For The Great Award'". KpopStarz. 2015-01-24. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  33. ^ "San E Sweeps Music Charts With Newest Single "Body Language"". Soompi. 2014-08-05. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  34. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart - August 3-9, 2014 (see #1)". Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  35. ^ "Girls' Generations' Hyoyeon to put out new solo track". Retrieved 2018-09-10.
  36. ^ "| 산이, KBS '더 유닛' 랩 선생님 된다.. 멘토 합류 (공식)텐아시아". 텐아시아 (in Korean). 2017-09-26. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  37. ^ Gibson, Jenna (2018-12-06). "Rapper Symbolizes Backlash Against South Korea's Feminists". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2018-12-06.
  38. ^ Lee Da-gyeom (August 23, 2022). "산이, 비연예인 연하 여자친구와 9월 24일 결혼[공식]" [San-E gets married to a non-celebrity girlfriend on September 24th [Official]]. Star Today (in Korean). Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  39. ^ Ahn Ha-na (September 24, 2022). "산이 결혼, 슈트 입고 싱글로 마지막 셀카 공개 [M+★SNS]" [San-E gets married, wears a suit and reveals her last selfie as a single [M+ SNS]]. MBN (in Korean). Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  40. ^ a b c "Gaon Music Chart - 산이". Gaon Music Chart.
  41. ^ "Gaon Album Chart, May 2015". Gaon. Retrieved 2015-04-21.
  42. ^ Monthly sales of Not Based on the True Story: "Gaon Album Chart - December 2013 (see #119)". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved 2018-03-29.
  43. ^ Monthly sales of Season of Suffering: "Gaon Album Chart - January 2017 (see #85)". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved 2018-03-29.
  44. ^ Cumulative monthly sales of "Me You":
  45. ^ Monthly sales of "Like Father, Like Son": "Gaon Download Chart - October 2015 (see #42)". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  46. ^ Cumulative monthly sales of "Sour Grapes":
  47. ^ Cumulative monthly sales of "Mohae":
  48. ^ "Winners from 'The 3rd GAON Chart Kpop Awards'!". Allkpop. 2014-02-12. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  49. ^ "Winners from 'The 4th GAON Chart Kpop Awards'!". Allkpop. 2015-01-28. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  50. ^ "2014 MelOn Music Awards". MelOn. LOEN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  51. ^ a b "MAMA vote 2014". Mwave. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  52. ^ "The 2015 Mnet Asian Music Awards: BIGBANG and EXO Take Home The Grand Prizes". Soompi. 2 December 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2015.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to San E.
Show Me the Money
JYP Entertainment
Brand New Music
Melon Music Award for Top 10 Artists
Melon Music Award for Best Rap/Hip Hop Song
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