Early life
A native of Seoul, Ko was elementary schoolmates with future Sechs Kies bandmate Kang Sung-hun and g.o.d member Son Ho-young. He lost contact with Kang after the latter went to the United States to attend high school.Career
Sechs Kies and retirement
Ko was recruited by Kang to join the boy band he and his high school friend Eun Ji-won were forming. The group was eventually named Sechs Kies and debuted on April 15, 1997. Ko was the second youngest member. Until the time the group disbanded in 2000, he was greatly loved by fans for his handsome looks and singing voice. Unlike other members, he did not continue his career as a solo singer but he was cast as a host in an internet broadcast and as an actor in a television drama. However, Ko chose to leave the entertainment industry to start his own business. In 2008, fellow Sechs Kies member and leader Eun Ji-won appeared in the entertainment program ''Come to Play'' and remarked that he had not seen Ko since the group's disbandment. Fellow vocalist Jang Su-won revealed on '' Happy Together'' in 2014 that he was in contact with Ko and confirmed that he was running his own business.Reunion
In 2016, Sechs Kies reunited after their disbandment in 2000 through the variety show '' Infinite Challenge''. Ko, who had left the entertainment business permanently after the disbandment to pursue a new career, surprised the members of SechsKies as well as all the fans by appearing at the reunion concert and performing their hit song "Couple". After Infinite Challenge aired, Sechs Kies earned many more fans; their hit songs ranked high in music charts and “Couple” was seen in 11th place in Music Bank. The group officially reunited and signed a group contract with YG Entertainment in May that year. However, Ko was the only one who did not sign, having been the only member to completely depart from the entertainment industry. On July 18, Ko made a public appearance as a sponsor for a charity basketball event and held interviews with the media for the first time in 16 years. He stated that he is now living as a "half-celebrity" since appearing on ''Infinite Challenge''. On November 30, it was announced that Ko and his son would be joining the cast of '' The Return of Superman''. He said although he cannot participate in current Sechs Kies group activities as a family man, he has determined to keep his promise to "create opportunities to be with fans through activities he can participate." Also as he was unable to spend more time with his son, he hopes to make many memories with him through the program. In May 2019, Ko announced that he and his son would be leaving the cast of 'The Return of Superman'.Personal life
On December 13, 2013, Ko married Heo Yang-im, a professor of family medicine and a doctor. The couple have a son, Ko Seung-jae, born on October 6, 2014.Discography
Studio albums
* ''School Byeolgok (학원별곡)'' (1997) * ''Welcome To The Sechskies Land'' (1997) * ''Road Fighter'' (1998) * ''Special Album'' (1998) * ''Com’Back'' (1999)Other albums
* ''Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves Musical OST'' (1998) * ''1020 Mix'' (1999) * ''Sechskies Live Concert'' (1999) * ''Blue Note'' (2000)Music credits
Filmography
Film
Variety show
Awards
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ko, Ji-yong 1980 births K-pop singers Living people People from Seoul DSP Media artists South Korean male idols Sechs Kies members Singers from Seoul South Korean male singers South Korean pop singers Anyang Arts High School alumni