No Min-woo (Korean노민우; born May 29, 1986) is a Japanese-born South Korean actor, musician, rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is also known under the stage names ICON and MINUE. He debuted as a drummer in TRAX in 2004, and left the band two years later. In 2008, he began acting in various television series and movies, such as Pasta, My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox and Full House Take 2, and he regularly contributes to movie and drama soundtracks. In 2013, No made a comeback as a singer under the stage name ICON. In 2016 he enlisted in the military, and returned in 2018. In 2020, he made a comeback as the lead singer and leader of the newly formed band The Midnight Romance.[3][4]

No Min-woo
No in June 2019
Born (1986-05-29) May 29, 1986 (age 38)
Japan[1]
Occupations
  • Actor
  • musician
  • rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2004–present
Agentn.CH Entertainment
Musical career
Also known asICON
MINUE
Instrument(s)
  • Piano
  • guitar
  • drums
  • bass guitar
  • saxophone
  • vocals
[2]
Years active2004–present
Labels
Member ofThe Midnight Romance
Formerly of
Korean name
Hangul
노민우
Hanja
Revised RomanizationNo Min-u
McCune–ReischauerNo Min-u

Career

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No Min-woo in 2014

No Min-woo was born in Japan while his mother, then 20 years old, was aspiring to become an enka singer there.[1]

He moved back and forth between Korea and Japan for a long time, and started playing the piano at age 7.[2]

He has a younger brother, No Jeong-hun, who is a singer under the pseudonym I'll (아일).[5]

He made his debut as the drummer (with the stage name Rose) in the rock band TraxX in 2004.[6] Prior to debut, No appeared in "2002 Survival Audition HeeJun vs. KangTa Battle of the Century" with bandmates Typhoon and Attack, as well as Kim Junsu, Super Junior's Sungmin and Eunhyuk.

No left TraxX in 2006, and briefly became a guitarist for The Romantist before it disbanded.

In 2009 he returned to the music scene as the leader of the project group 24/7, with Lee Jang-woo and Hyun Woo. They released the single 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week.

No began pursuing an acting career in 2008 and gained notice with his supporting roles in the 2010 South Korean television series Pasta and My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox. He landed his first leading role in the four-episode drama special Rock Rock Rock, a biographical film about the life of Boohwal lead guitarist Kim Tae-won.[7]

In 2011 for his role as a cancer patient in the SBS television series Midas, No lost 9.5 kilograms (21 pounds).[8] [unreliable source?]

His long-delayed television series Full House Take 2 (a loose sequel to the 2004 hit) secured air dates on Japan's TBS and Korean cable channel SBS Plus in 2012.[9][10] No was cast as the male lead in the Chinese television series Love Expiration Date, for which he will also serve as OST music director, composing and writing songs for the soundtrack.[11][12][13]

In 2012 his contract with Core Contents Media came to an end, and he established his own management company, MJ Dreamsys.[14]

In 2013, on July 1, No released his MV, ROCKSTAR, under his newly opened YouTube channel, officialminewTV.[15]

In 2014, No appeared in a minor role in Roaring Currents (released July 30, 2014),[16] which became the highest-grossing film of all time in South Korea. Later in 2014, No played one of the main characters in The Greatest Marriage.[17]

No starred in MBC Dramanet's My Unfortunate Boyfriend, which premiered on April 10, 2015.[18]

In 2019, No played a lead role in the MBC television series Partners for Justice 2 as Jang Chul, a talented but mysterious ER doctor.[19][20]

On May 17, 2020, his newly formed band The Midnight Romance (stylized in all caps) released their self-titled debut single of the same name which consisted of three songs.[21][4]

On January 19, 2022 it was confirmed that No signed an exclusive contract with n.CH Entertainment.[22]

Lawsuit

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In April 2015, No filed a lawsuit against his former agency, S.M. Entertainment, as well as reported the agency to the South Korea Fair Trade Commission. Documents from the lawsuit reveal that No originally signed a 17-year exclusive contract with S.M. No sought 100 million KRW for damages resulting from the agency's interference in his career.[23]

On July 21, 2016 No lost his damage suit against S.M as a result of insufficient evidence and the court ruled out the contract between S.M and No invalid.[24]

In June 2018, it was reported No had lost the appeal in his lawsuit against S.M. Entertainment due to the insufficient evidence to the above stated claims.[25]

Military enlistment

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No was confirmed to have quietly enlisted for his mandatory military service in October 2016.[26] He was discharged in July 2018.[27]

Filmography

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Television drama

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YearTitleRoleNotes
1997Propose
2001Truth
2008Detective Mr. LeeSeo Joo-Heon
2009Tae-hee, Hye-kyo, Ji-hyunNoh Min Woo
Mrs. TownJackie Jung's younger lover
Jung Yak-yongCameo
2010PastaPhilip
My Girlfriend Is a GumihoPark Dong-joo
Rock, Rock, RockKim Tae-won
2011MidasYoo Myung-joon
2012Full House Take 2Lee Tae-ik
2013MonstarDaniel ParkCameo (episode 12)
Love Expiration DateLee Ti En
The Blade and PetalYeon Namsaeng
2014God's Gift - 14 DaysTheo
The Greatest MarriagePark Tae-yeon
2015My Unfortunate BoyfriendYoon Tae-woon
Eating ExistencePark Byeong
2019Partners of Justice 2Jang Chul / Dr. K
2022Behind Every StarOh Hyeon
2023The Forbidden MarriageBanju BantanCameo[28]

Film

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YearTitleRole
2008Story of WineTaek-jin
A Frozen FlowerMin-woo
2011GhastlyCheol-Woong
2014One Day, First Love Invaded MeMin-Hyuk
The Admiral: Roaring CurrentsHaru

Television shows

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YearTitleRoleRef.
2022Great Seoul InvasionConsultant[29]

Theater

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YearEnglish titleKorean titleRoleRef.
2022Elisabeth엘리자벳Death[30][31]

Discography

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  • The Midnight Romance - 1st Debut Single of THE MIDNIGHT ROMANCE (2020) [4][21]
    • Dream Baby Dream
    • Midnight Romance
    • 해줄래 (IMYT)
  • Partners for Justice 2 OST (2019)[32]
    • Dr. K
    • Poison (as composer of the track)[33]
  • Jupiter - Digital Single (Under the name MINUE) (2018)[4]
    • Intro/Motion Stop
    • Jupiter
    • Trust Me
  • Gravity - Japanese Debut Single (Under the name MINUE) (2016)
    • Gravity
    • We rock
    • Believe
  • My Unfortunate Boyfriend OST (2015)
    • I Love You
    • Shining Love
  • ICON the 1st Single Album (2013)
    • ROCKSTAR
    • Baby
    • Hello
    • Alive
  • The Greatest Marriage OST (2014)
    • Crazy Love
  • God's Gift - 14 Days OST (2014)
    • Snake Eyes
    • Heaven
  • Love Expiration Date OST (2013)
    • 1 Minute 1 Second
  • Full House Take 2 OST (2012)
    • Touch (singer)
    • Sad Touch (singer)
    • Hello Hello (singer)
  • Midas OST (2011)
    • 슬픈사랑 Seulpheun Sarang (lyricist, singer)
    • 사랑해도 되나요 Sarangaedo doinayo (composer, singer)
  • My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox OST (2010)
    • Trap
  • Story of Wine OST (lyricist, music director, singer; 2009)
    • 자작나무 (Love is you)  
    • Even now (Singer:Sunny)  
    • Firstsnow  
    • Nobody  
    • Confession
    • MyPerfect Romance  
    • Peaceof Melody  
    • Express
  • That guy's woman (2009)
  • Rhapsody Album (2005)
  • Blaze Away Album (2005)
  • Paradox Album (2004)
  • Scorpio Album[citation needed] (2004)

Awards and nominations

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YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRef.
2010KBS Drama AwardsBest Actor in a One-Act/Special/Short DramaRock, Rock, RockNominated
SBS Drama AwardsNew Star AwardMy Girlfriend Is a GumihoWon
2019World Star Entertainment

Awards 2019

Hallyu Global Award 2019

(Korean Wave Global Award)

Partners for Justice 2Won[34]
MBC Drama AwardsScene Stealer AwardPartners for Justice 2Won[35][unreliable source?]
2019Best Couple Award with Jung Jae-youngNominated

References

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  1. ^ a b "드라마 '파스타'의 꽃미남 셰프 노민우". Kyunghyang Shinmun. February 4, 2010. Archived from the original on July 28, 2014. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "A Musical and Movie ICON". Seoul Journal. Archived from the original on April 4, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  3. ^ "THE MIDNIGHT ROMANCE - genie". www.genie.co.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 24, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d "MJ DREAMSYS". mjdreamsys.co.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  5. ^ "노민우 "동생 아일, 지금처럼 겸손하게 쭉 가길" 응원 전해" (in Korean). The Korea Economic Daily. July 30, 2019. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  6. ^ Hong, Lucia (May 14, 2012). "No Min-woo to celebrate 27th birthday with fans in Seoul". 10Asia. Archived from the original on April 25, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  7. ^ '락락락' 노민우, 부활 공연서 김태원과 함께 노래한다. Asiae (in Korean). December 24, 2012. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  8. ^ "No Min Woo lost 9.5 kg for Midas". Allkpop. April 1, 2011. Archived from the original on December 27, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  9. ^ Ho, Stewart (October 9, 2012). "Full House Take 2 Starring Park Ki Woong, Hwang Jung Eum, Noh Min Woo Premieres on SBS Plus on Oct 22". enewsWorld. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  10. ^ Lee, Hye-ji (October 19, 2012). "No Min-woo "I Looked Like Grandpa When Dancing"". 10Asia. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  11. ^ Ho, Stewart (June 21, 2012). "Noh Min Woo Cast in Chinese Drama, Will Direct the Drama's OST". enewsWorld. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  12. ^ Suk, Monica (June 21, 2012). "No Min-woo to play male lead in Chinese TV series with Li Qin". 10Asia. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  13. ^ Lee, Tae-ho (October 11, 2012). "Actor No Min-woo to Debut as Music Director with Soundtrack to Chinese Drama". 10Asia. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  14. ^ 노민우, 1인 기획사 설립…한·일서 단독콘서트 개최. Nate (in Korean). December 7, 2012. Archived from the original on April 24, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  15. ^ "ICON – ROCKSTAR [OFFICIAL VIDEO]". YouTube (in Korean). July 1, 2013. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  16. ^ "'명량'이 여럿 살렸다… 노민우 연기 재조명" (in Korean). JoongAng Ilbo. August 8, 2014. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  17. ^ "No Min Woo to Play a Rich Boy in ′Greatest Marriage′". Mnet America. July 7, 2014. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  18. ^ "No Min Woo already has his next drama lined up". Drama Fever. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  19. ^ "'검법남녀 시즌2' 노민우X강승현 출연..新 얼굴(공식)" (in Korean). Star News. April 4, 2019. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  20. ^ "'검법남녀2' 노민우 다중인격 정체 드러나…시청률 두자릿수 돌파". The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). July 25, 2019. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  21. ^ a b "THE MIDNIGHT ROMANCE / THE MIDNIGHT ROMANCE - genie". www.genie.co.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  22. ^ Lee Seung-gil (January 19, 2022). "노민우, n.CH엔터테인먼트 전속계약…'국민가수' TOP10과 한솥밥" [Minwoo Noh signed an exclusive contract with n.CH Entertainment... 'National Singer' TOP 10 and Hansotbap] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022 – via Naver.
  23. ^ "노민우, SM엔터 상대 소송제기…"JYJ처럼 17년 노예계약" 충격". The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). May 11, 2015. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  24. ^ "노민우, SM 상대 1억원 손배소 패소…법원 " 매니지먼트 소홀 근거 없어"". Asiae (in Korean). July 21, 2016. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  25. ^ "SM 상대로 대법원 간 노민우, 결국 패소 확정". Nate (in Korean). June 20, 2018. Archived from the original on July 31, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  26. ^ 노민우 측 "10월말 현역 입대, 군생활 중이다" 공식입장. My Daily (in Korean). December 6, 2016. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  27. ^ "노민우 7월 제대 앞둬 "복귀와 함께 활동 예정"" (in Korean). Newsen. April 5, 2018. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  28. ^ Yoo Jung-min (January 5, 2023). "노민우, '금혼령' 특별출연…공냥총 단주 반란탄役 변신" [No Min-woo, special appearance in 'The Forbidden Marriage'... Transformation into the role of Banju Banju, the shooting gun] (in Korean). iMBC. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Naver.
  29. ^ Lee Da-gyeom (June 3, 2022). "적재→권은비 멘토...차세대 밴드 발굴 '그레이트 서울 인베이전'" [Jaejae → Mentor Kwon Eun-bi... Discovering the next-generation band 'Great Seoul Invasion'] (in Korean). Star Today, Maeil Economic Daily. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022 – via Naver.
  30. ^ Kwak Hyun-su (June 8, 2022). "노민우 데뷔 후 첫 뮤지컬 도전…'엘리자벳' 캐스팅 (공식)" [Minwoo Noh's first musical challenge after debut... Casting of 'Elisabeth' (Official)] (in Korean). YTN. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022 – via Naver.
  31. ^ Kim Na-yeon (June 13, 2022). "엘리자벳' 10주년, 옥주현·이지혜→신성록·김준수 초호화 캐스팅[공식]" ['Elisabeth' 10th anniversary, Ock Joo-hyun, Ji-hye → Shin Seong-rok, Kim Jun-su super luxurious casting [Official]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 – via Naver.
  32. ^ "노민우, '검법남녀2' OST 'Dr.K' 발표...샤우팅으로 녹인 닥터K" (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  33. ^ "'검법남녀2' 노민우, "OST 작사-작곡 참여… 슈퍼밴드 아일이 불렀다"". iMBC 연예 (in Korean). July 8, 2019. Archived from the original on September 8, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  34. ^ https://www.mjdreamsys.co.kr/MINUE[permanent dead link] Artist
  35. ^ "Winners Of The 2019 MBC Drama Awards". Soompi. December 30, 2019. Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
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