Junki Kono

In this Japanese name, the surname is Kono.
The native form of this personal name is Kono Junki. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.
Junki Kono
河野 純喜
Kono in 2023
Born (1998-01-20) January 20, 1998 (age 26)
Nara, Japan
EducationDoshisha University
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actor
Years active2019–present
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
LabelsLapone
Member ofJO1
WebsiteOfficial website
Japanese name
Kanji河野 純喜
Hiraganaこうの じゅんき
RomanizationKōno Junki
Korean name
Hangul코노 준키
Revised RomanizationKono Junki
McCune–ReischauerK'ono Chunk'i

Junki Kono (河野 純喜, Kōno Junki, born January 28, 1998) is a Japanese singer and actor. He debuted as a member and vocal leader of the Japanese boy band JO1 in 2020, after placing ninth in the first season of Produce 101 Japan. He hosted NHK Educational TV's Hangul! Navi (2022–2023) and was featured in SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]'s single "Outsiders" in 2022.

Early life

Junki Kono was born on January 20, 1998, in Nara, Japan.[1] Kono was an active child who played football for his local Heguri Football Club.[2] In 2018, he played for Horyuji Football Club as their midfielder and won the Kansai qualifying round of the 25th National Club Team Football Championships on September 9.[3][4]

Kono is a graduate of Doshisha University's Faculty of Policy Studies.[5][6] While attending university, he worked part-time as security in a concert venue, where he realized that he couldn't give up on his dreams of becoming a singer.[7]

Alongside his native Japanese, Kono is learning Korean.[8]

Career

2019: Produce 101 Japan

After graduation, Kono was job hunting and had received an offer, which he turned down to participate in Produce 101 Japan, a reality competition show that's a spin-off of the South Korean Produce 101 franchise.[9] In September 2019, Kono auditioned for the show as part of the audition group Six Packs.[10] The show ended in December, where he finished in ninth place with 159,057 votes.[11]

2020–present: Debut in JO1 and solo activities

After undergoing training in Korea,[7] Kono debuted in JO1 through their debut single, Protostar, which was released on March 4, 2020, under Lapone Entertainment.[12] In December, he appeared on The First Take, performing "Infinity" and "Voice" from Protostar and the group's first studio album, The Star.[13][14][15] His performance soon started trending on Twitter,[16] and on January 13, 2021, Kono released an acoustic version of both songs as digital singles.[13]

In April 2022, he had a regular role as a student on NHK-E's Hangul! Navi [ja], a Korean learning show.[17] In May, Kono co-wrote the song "Touch!" for JO1's second studio album Kizuna,[18] and was featured alongside bandmate Sho Yonashiro on SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]'s single "Outsiders", the ending theme song of the anime Fanfare of Adolescence.[19][20]

In 2023, Kono co-wrote the song "NEWSmile" for JO1's third studio album Equinox. It was used as the theme song of the morning news show Mezamashi 8 [ja].[12][21] On August 22, it was announced that Kono and bandmate Keigo Sato would be the MCs of the two-episode television program Case Study - Forbidden Love Experiment, a part of the channel segment Tuesday NEXT! [ja] on Fuji TV.[22]

In 2024, Kono was announced as a cast member of TBS Television's show Love It! [ja]. The cast is collectively known as the Love It! Family, and he appeared every Thursday from April to June.[23][24] On June 10, Kono was cast in the drama My Girlfriend's Child, which was broadcast on Kansai TV and Fuji TV from June 25. The drama is based on the eponymous manga series by Mamoru Aoi, with Kono playing the role of Iida Tomohiro, a second-year high school student and classmate of the main character.[25]

Discography

For Kono's discography with JO1, see JO1 discography.

Singles

Title Year Peak chart position Album
JPN
Hot
"Infinity" (無限大)
(from The First Take)[a] 		2021  —[A] Non-album singles
"Voice" (君の声)
(from The First Take)[a] 		 —[A]
Title Year Peak chart position Sales Album
JPN
[27]
"Outsiders"
(SawanoHiroyuki[nZk] feat. Junki Kono and Sho Yonashiro of JO1) 		2022 25 V

Songwriting credits

All song credits are adapted from the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers's database, unless otherwise noted.

Key
Indicates single release
List of songs, showing featured performers, associated album, credited lyricist(s), and year released
Title Year Artist Album Lyricist Ref.
Credited With
"Touch!" 2022 JO1 Kizuna Yes Jinli (Fullbloom) [18]
"NEWSmile" 2023 Equinox Yes Syoya, Sukai, Sho, Shosei [21]
"Love All Star" 2024 JO1, INI, DXTeen Non-album release Yes Sky, Hiromu, Koshin, Ken [28]
"Lemon Candy" JO1 Hitchhiker Yes Yuki Kokubo, Yhel, Jung Yong-hwa [29]

Filmography

For Kono's filmography with JO1, see JO1 § filmography.

Television shows

List of television programs, with release year, role and note
Year Title Role Note Ref.
2019 Produce 101 Japan Contestant Finished 9th [30]
2020 Colorful: Warau no Chikara de 77 Oku Saisei Host [31]
2022–2023 Hangul! Navi [ja] Student Cast member [17][32]
2023 Tuesday NEXT! [ja] Host On August 29 and September 5 [22]
2024 Love It! [ja] Cast member [23][24]

Television series

Year Title Role Note Ref.
2022 Short Program Wataru Matsumura Anthology series; lead role [33]
2024 My Girlfriend's Child Iida Tomohiro Supporting role [25]

Notes

  1. ^ a b "Infinity" and "Voice" are both songs by JO1, which were performed by Kono alone on The First Take.
  1. ^ a b "Infinity" (無限大) (from The First Take) and "Voice" (君の声) (from The First Take) did not enter the Hot 100, but appeared at number 73 and 79, respectively, on the download component chart.[26]

References

  1. ^ "オーディションから誕生の「JO1」の凄さと詳細プロフィール紹介". News Post Seven [ja] (in Japanese). April 15, 2020. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  2. ^ "～卒団生がNHK紅白歌合戦出場!!～" [A graduate student participated in NHK's Kōhaku Uta Gassen!!]. Heguri Football Club (in Japanese). November 26, 2022. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  3. ^ "【トップチーム】 第25回全国クラブチームサッカー選手権関西大会" [[Top Team] 25th National Club Team Football Championship in Kansai]. Horyuji Football Club (in Japanese). September 12, 2018. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  4. ^ "第25回全国クラブチームサッカー選手権大会" [25th National Club Team Football Championships]. JFA (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  5. ^ "JO1・河野純喜＆木全翔也「プレバト!!」初登場！夏井いつき氏「がくぜんとするほどつまらない方もいました」とバッサリ" [JO1, Junki Kono & Syoya Kimata "Prevato! First appearance! Mr. Itsuki Natsui, "There were some people who were so boring that I was shocked," he said.]. Monthly The Television (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. December 2, 2020. Archived from the original on January 6, 2024. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  6. ^ "『ハモネプ』大学日本一決定にスラダン主題歌&TikTok;人気曲登場 JO1河野純喜は母校出場に「感慨深い」" [JO1 Junki Kono was "deeply moved" by the appearance of his alma mater in the competition.]. Oricon News (in Japanese). May 27, 2023. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Morales, Iavana E. (May 24, 2023). "JO1 Open Up About "Tropical Night," Produce 101 Japan, and Their 3-Year Journey Since Debut". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on May 24, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  8. ^ "視聴者の皆さんと一緒に学んで、ハングルで会話できたら「ハングルッ！ナビ」生徒役・河野純喜（JO1）インタビュー 後編" [If we can learn together with our viewers and have a conversation in Hangul... Interview with Junki Kono (JO1) who's a student on 'Hangul! Navi' Interview with Junki Kono (JO1), Part 2]. Steranet (in Japanese). NHK. October 26, 2022. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  9. ^ "JO1 河野純喜さん 心に正直にやりきって" [JO1 Junki Kono, Be honest to your heart and work through it.]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). May 28, 2022. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  10. ^ "JO1 與那城奨×河野純喜の"ヨナ純"、ボーカル面で牽引するコンビ バラエティで発揮するトーク力がグループの入り口に" [JO1 "Yona Jun" of Sho Yonashiro and Junki Kono, a duo that leads in terms of vocals Talking ability demonstrated in variety shows is the approach to the group.]. Real Sound Japan [ja] (in Japanese). August 6, 2020. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  11. ^ "「PRODUCE 101 JAPAN」デビューメンバー11人決定 1位は最年少・豆原一成＜1位～20位最終順位＞" [11 debut members of 'PRODUCE 101 JAPAN' determined, with the youngest member, Issei Mamehara, in first place <final ranking from 1st to 20th>.]. Modelpress [ja] (in Japanese). December 11, 2019. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "JO1、セルフプロデュースした新曲「NEWSmile」が「めざまし8」新テーマソングに決定" [JO1's new self-produced song 'NEWSmile' is the new theme song for Mezamashi 8.]. Model Press [ja] (in Japanese). March 27, 2023. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  13. ^ a b "JO1河野純喜、THE FIRST TAKE版「無限大」「Voice」音源配信決定" [JO1 Junki Kono, THE FIRST TAKE version of 'Infinity' and 'Voice' sound sources to be distributed]. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. January 6, 2021. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  14. ^ "JO1、デビューシングル『PROTOSTAR』ビジュアル公開 リード曲「無限大」ラジオ初OAも". Real Sound (in Japanese). February 5, 2020. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  15. ^ "JO1が1stアルバム「The STAR」発売、オンラインライブ開催決定". natalie.mu (in Japanese). October 5, 2020. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  16. ^ "JO1 河野純喜、「THE FIRST TAKE」から感じた"歌"に対する情熱　「無限大(INFINITY)」の新たな輪郭見せる" [JO1 Junki Kono shows the passion for songs felt from 'THE FIRST TAKE' and the new sound of 'INFINITY'.]. Real Sound (in Japanese). December 18, 2020. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "JO1・河野純喜、Eテレの"ハングル"番組にレギュラー出演「自分のモノにできたら」" [JO1 Junki Kono, regular on E-TV's 'Hangul' program: 'I hope I can make it my own'.]. Oricon News (in Japanese). March 7, 2022. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  18. ^ a b "JO1河野純喜、「Touch!」の作詞担当「JAMの皆さんとタッチできたらいいなと...」" [JO1 Junki Kono, songwriter of 'Touch!': 'I wish I could reach every JAM...']. Mynavi News [ja] (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. May 25, 2022. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  19. ^ "SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]｜河野純喜＆與那城奨(JO1)がゲストボーカルとして参加するニューシングル『OUTSIDERS』5月25日発売｜アニメ「群青のファンファーレ」エンディングテーマ" [SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]｜New single "OUTSIDERS" with guest vocals by Junki Kono & Sho Yonashiro (JO1), released 25 May｜Ending theme for the anime "Gunsei no Fanfare".]. Tower Records Japan (in Japanese). April 11, 2022. Archived from the original on April 24, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  20. ^ Komatsu, Mikikazu (January 17, 2022). "Boy Band JO1 Members Perform TV Anime Fanfare of Adolescence Theme Songs". Crunchyroll News. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  21. ^ a b Miyake, Yoko (July 6, 2023). "【後編】JO1木全翔也が河野純喜と西海岸発のチルな寿司を満喫｜本音で木全寿司 Vol.14" [Part 2: JO1 Syoya Kimata enjoys chill sushi from the West Coast with Junki Kono | Honnen de Ki Zen Sushi Vol. 14]. Elle Gourmet (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  22. ^ a b "JO1河野純喜&佐藤景瑚、テレビ番組初MC 王道モテ&恋愛心理学に興奮「叫びっぱなし」で手つなぎも" [JO1 Junki Kono & Keigo Sato, first TV show MC Excitement over royal motives & romantic psychology, including hand-holding with 'shouting all the time'.]. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. August 22, 2023. Archived from the original on August 21, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  23. ^ a b "岩崎大昇、谷口愛季、河野純喜、菅原咲月が4～6月の「ラヴィット！ファミリー」担当" [Taisho Iwasaki, Airi Taniguchi, Junki Kono and Satsuki Sugawara are the April-June 'Rabbit! Family".]. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 5, 2024. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  24. ^ a b "JO1 河野純喜、TBS『 ラヴィット！ 』 レギュラー出演決定。4月から 6 月まで、毎週木曜 「ラヴィット！ファミリー 」に＜テレビ番組レギュラー出演決定のお知らせ＞" [JO1 Junki Kono will appear as a regular on TBS' Love It! From April to June, Junki Kono will appear as a regular on TBS's "Ravit! Family" every Thursday from April to June.]. Usen Encore (in Japanese). Usen [ja]. April 5, 2024. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  25. ^ a b "JO1河野純喜がドラマ「あの子の子ども」に出演、うれしくてメンバー全員に言う" [JO1's Junki Kono appears in the drama "My Girlfriend's Child" and is so happy he tells all the members]. Natalie (in Japanese). June 10, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  26. ^ "Billboard Japan Download Songs Chart – Week of January 20, 2021". Billboard Japan. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  27. ^ a b "週間 シングルランキング 2022年06月06日付" [Weekly Singles Chart; June 6, 2022]. Oricon (in Japanese). May 23–29, 2022. Archived from the original on October 10, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  28. ^ "JO1、INI、DXTEEN初の合同楽曲「LOVE ALL STAR」サプライズリリース". Barks (in Japanese). January 1, 2024. Archived from the original on April 20, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  29. ^ "JO1新章開幕。8thシングル詳細を発表、キャッチコピーは"愛を探して旅立つ HITCHHIKER"". Barks (in Japanese). March 14, 2024.
  30. ^ "『PRODUCE 101 JAPAN』JO1、デビューメンバー11人が決定 初代センターは最年少17歳の豆原一成". Oricon (in Japanese). December 11, 2019. Archived from the original on December 11, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  31. ^ "JO1、初主演ドラマ配信&ドキュメンタリー映画公開決定 ともに来年3月、メンバー全員が演技に初挑戦". Oricon (in Japanese). December 12, 2021. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  32. ^ "JO1の河野純喜、NHK Eテレの語学番組「ハングルッ！ナビ」に生徒役でレギュラー出演「目標はハングルで歌を歌うこと!!4月から一緒に頑張りましょう!」と意気込む" [JO1's Junki Kono regularly appears as a student in NHK E-television's language programme 'Hangul! Navi" as a student: 'My goal is to sing a song in Hangul! Let's work together from April!']. Screen Online (in Japanese). March 7, 2022. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  33. ^ "JO1、初主演ドラマ配信&ドキュメンタリー映画公開決定 ともに来年3月、メンバー全員が演技に初挑戦". Oricon (in Japanese). December 12, 2021. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.