1975–1984: Debut Sanulrim and commercial success and disbandment After Kim graduated in 1975, he and his brothers made their professional career debut and changed their band's name to
Sanulrim (산울림 meaning "Mountain Echo"). Kim Chang-wan took the role of lead vocalist and guitarist, Kim Chang-hoon played rhythm guitar, bass and keyboards, and Kim Chang-ik played drums. In 1977, Sanulrim released their first album
What, Already?, which became a critical and commercial success. The band's
psychedelic rock/
hard rock sound was music Koreans hadn't heard before, and Sanulrim revitalized the Korean music scene, which was currently devastated after several major musicians were arrested for
marijuana possession in the 1970s. From 1977 to 1984, they released more than 10 albums and became one of the most influential and beloved figures in the Korean rock music scene. With the
K-pop retrospective boom during the 1990s, all of their albums were
reissued and a
tribute album was released. They held a 30th anniversary concert in 2007 and made plans to release a 14th album.
1982–present: Writing, disbandment of Sanulrim, eponymous band and acting career His 1990 book
I Want to Live Just Until 20 Years Old was adapted into a 1992 film. On January 29, 2008, drummer Kim Chang-ik was killed in a traffic accident in
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Sanulrim disbanded after his death. In 2008, Kim founded the eponymous Kim Chang-wan Band, with himself on vocals, keyboardist Lee Sang-hoon, bassist Choi Won-sik, drummer Kang Yoon-gi and guitarist Yeom Min-yeol. They released one album,
Bus, and several
EPs. Kim also contributes to soundtracks and collaborates with younger artists, such as
IU. Having worked as a
music director and
film score composer in the early 1990s, Kim Chang-wan also began acting onscreen. He has appeared in
supporting roles in film and
television, notably in
dramedy The Happy Funeral Director,
omnibus Beating Heart,
medical drama Behind the White Tower, and
romantic comedies Coffee Prince,
Queen of Housewives, and
My Love from the Star. In 2013, he played the leading role of a psychopathic
plastic surgeon in the
slasher film Doctor. The versatile Kim has also starred in a
stage play (
A Nap in 2010), hosted variety shows and radio programs, and written several books (some containing poetry). == Discography ==