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Leessang () was a South Korean hip hop duo, composed of Kang Hee-gun ("Gary" or "Garie") and Gil Seong-joon ("Gil"). Formed in 2002, the duo has released eight albums to date: two self-titled records in 2002 and 2003, Library of Soul in 2005, Black Sun in 2007, Baekajeolhyeon (백아절현) in 2009, Hexagonal in late 2009, Asura Balbalta in 2011 and Unplugged in 2012. Their last three albums broke numerous records and guided their entry to the mainstream Korean music industry.
Gary, Gil, and Diggity collaborated to form a "Leessam Trio" ( sam means three in Korean), and released a compilation album called 2000 Korea in the year 2000. Diggity eventually left the group. Gil and Gary changed the name to "Leessang". Diggity later stated in an interview that part of the reason he left is because when success went to his head he felt like a celebrity.
They released their second album, Jae,Gyebal (재,계발) on May 22, 2003. Jung-in once again provided the female vocals for their second hit song "Leessang Blues", written and composed by Gary. When they made their "best of" album titled Leessang Special, a workflow was developed that has loosely remained the same. Gary writes most of the lyrics, Gil does the music, and they both produce. Despite their success, they were still largely underground. Gary said in episode 98 of Strong Heart that they were so "unknown" that they were blocked by security when they came to receive their first major award.
It took them two years to release their fifth album, Baekajeolhyeon. The title track, "Champion", was dedicated to boxer Yo-Sam Choi, who was very close to Gary and Gil. Choi died on the ring in 2008. Gary decided to direct the music video, which was a move that set the precedent on all their succeeding music videos.
In 2009, Leessang signed with a new label Jungle Entertainment, founded by hip-hop legend Tiger J.K. (a.k.a. Drunken Tiger). It was later reported that Jungle is one of the few labels that give their artists more artistic control and gives probably the highest percentage in rights and royalties. Leessang and Ryoo Seung-Bum toured to Sydney, Australia for the first time in this year with show producer Leonard Dela Torre.
They released their sixth album, Hexagonal on October 6, 2009. The lead single, "Girl Who Can't Break-Up and Boy Who Can't Leave" featured Jung-in once more. The song went straight to No. 1 on KBS Music Bank where it stayed at No. 1 for three weeks straight. Another song in the album, "Let's Meet Now", was a collaboration with the band Jang Gi Hwa and Faces. It was used for Fish & Grill's TV Commercial.
In 2011, LeeSsang embarked on their first nationwide solo tour titled Leessang Theatre. Gary revealed on Strong Heart (TV series) that the inspiration to his songs "Leessang Blues", "I'm Not Laughing", "Ballerino", "Girl Who Can't Break up, Boy Who Can't Leave" and "You're the Answer to a Guy Like Me" was his ex-girlfriend of almost 7 years.
In May 2012, Leessang released their eighth album, Unplugged. It was a fulfillment of their long time dream to collaborate with different artists from different genres, using a full band via an analogue recording. That same month, the duo announced that they created Leessang Company. They intended to create live events that were geared towards putting up quality and innovative live shows. Jungle Entertainment remains their label but they will produce and direct all their live shows under the new company.
On July 15, 2012, Gary and Gil were both featured on Psy's "Seventy Seven 101." Psy, Kim Jin Pyo, and Leessang all worked together on the song. The song and the album were restricted because of explicit lyrics in "Seventy Seven 101".
In December 2012, they performed a one-night only show with the band YB with whom they collaborated for the song "Someday", "Run" and "Madman". After strong public demand, they decided to do a short nationwide tour with YB. They also went to their first U.S. Tour. They had a show in New York and Los Angeles, and both were sold out.
On July 14, 2015, Leessang reached the top of multiple charts with their single "Kaleidoscope" featuring Woo Hye-mi.
On April 6, 2017, it was reported that they may have disbanded as they have parted their own ways and work solely, after establishing their own music labels.
| "Who Are You Living For?" (누구를 위한 삶인가) | 2006 | Bloody Tie OST |
| "Dachimawa Lee" (다찌마와 리) with Epik High | 2008 | Dachimawa Lee OST |
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