Kim Jong-hyeon

Not to be confused with Kim Jong-hyun.

In this Korean name, the family name is Kim.
Kim Jong-hyeon
Kim in 2019
Born
Kim Jong-hyeon

(1995-06-08) June 8, 1995 (age 29)[1]
Gangneung, Gangwon, South Korea
Other namesJR
EducationHanyang University Institute for Future Talents[2]
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • dancer
  • actor
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active2012–present
Labels
Formerly of
Korean name
Hangul
김종현
Hanja
金鍾炫
Revised RomanizationGim Jong-hyeon
McCune–ReischauerKim Chonghyŏn
Signature

Kim Jong-hyeon (Korean: 김종현; born June 8, 1995), formerly known by his stage name JR, is a South Korean rapper, dancer, songwriter and actor. He is best known as the leader, main dancer and main rapper of South Korean boy group NU'EST. Following his contract expiration with Pledis Entertainment in 2022, Kim signed an exclusive contract as a soloist and actor under Evermore Entertainment, debuting with the release of his first extended play Meridiem on November 8, 2022.

Career

Pre-debut

Jonghyeon was the first male trainee at Pledis Entertainment. He was a Pledis trainee for three years before debut. His first appearance was through Orange Caramel's "Bangkok City" music video, and was first introduced toward public in the show Hello Counselor by Kahi together with Baekho.[3] He was featured in Uee's solo song "Sok Sok Sok".[4] Jonghyeon also served as a back up dancer for After School Blue's "Wonder Boy" music video and live performances, together with NU'EST members and Seventeen's S.Coups.[citation needed] In December 2011, Kim and the other Pledis trainees dubbed as After School Boys performed together with After School on SBS Gayo Daejeon.[5]

2012–2022: NU'EST

Main article: NU'EST

On March 15, 2012, Kim debuted as the main rapper, main dancer and leader of the South Korean boy group NU'EST.[6]

Kim participated in the reality television series Produce 101 Season 2 during the first half of 2017 and he ranked 14th.[7] Following the conclusion of Produce 101 Season 2, Kim became a model for the cosmetics company Labiotte.[8] He also joined the JTBC variety show Night Goblin as a fixed cast member and the tvN music show Shadow Singer [ko] as a panelist.[9][10]

On June 27, 2018, Kim was confirmed as a member of Mnet's new romance reality show Love Catcher [ko]. He joined the celebrity-studded cast alongside four others, including Shin Dong-yup and Hong Seok-cheon.[11]

In 2019 Kim became the brand ambassador of beauty brand Origins[12] for South Korea. On April 13, 2020, he renewed his contract with the brand.[13]

In April 2021 Kim was cast in the role of Lee Shin in the SBS musical drama Let Me Be Your Knight.[14] On the same month, he became the main host of the Naver NOW audio show "Royal Comics".[15]

It was announced on February 28, 2022, that NU'EST's exclusive contract with Pledis Entertainment will expire on March 14, 2022, and Kim (alongside members Aron and Ren) will leave the agency, therefore concluding their 10-year career as a group.[16]

2022–present: Solo activities

In May 2022 Kim signed a contract with Evermore Entertainment as a solo artist and actor.[17]

In June 2022 Kim held his first fan meeting, Hi! (하이!) on July 2, 2022, at the Jamsil Student Gymnasium.[18] After the event, Kim also held hi-touch session with approximately 3,500 audience.

In September 2022 it was announced that JR debuted with his first solo album. It was released on November 8.[19] In October 2022, it was announced that Kim would release his first mini album "Meridiem" on November 8.[20] On October 31, the agency announced that the album release schedule has been postponed. A new date will be announced at a later date due to the Seoul Halloween crowd crush event.[21]

On December 28, 2023, Evermore announced that Kim would released his second EP Brilliant Seasons on January 3, 2024. In addition, he would also reveal the EP details and perform the tracks before its release during the "Sparkling Eternity" fan concert on December 29 to 30, 2023.[22]

Personal life

Military service

On August 18, 2024, Kim held a live broadcast announcing that he would have to fulfill his military mandatory service as an active duty soldier on September 23.[23][24]

Discography

For discography as part of NU'EST, see NU'EST discography.

Extended plays

List of extended plays, showing selected details, selected chart positions, and sales figures
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[25]
Meridiem
Track listing
  1. "Intro (Into the Light)"
  2. "Blaze"
  3. "Lights"
  4. "décalcomanie" (반가워) (feat. MRCH)
  5. "Creator"
  6. "to.(&U)"
 7
Brilliant Seasons
  • Released: January 3, 2024
  • Label: Evermore Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
 14

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released, sales, and album name
Title Year Peak chart
positions 		Sales Album
KOR
[28]
As lead artist
"Daybreak"
(with Minhyun) 		2016 91 Canvas
"Lights" 2022 —[A] — Meridiem
"Motto" 2024 — — Brilliant Seasons
As featured artist
"Ssok Ssok Ssok" (쏙쏙쏙)[B]
(Uee featuring Jonghyeon) 		2011 64 Non-album promotional single
Soundtrack appearances
"Star" 2023 — — Sound Candy OST Part 1
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Other charted songs

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released, sales, and album name
Title Year Peak chart
positions 		Sales Album
KOR
Circle
[28] 		Hot
[C][32]
"With" 2017 33 11 W, Here
"I Hate You" 2018 —[D] — — Wake, N
"Doom Doom" 2021 —[E] — Romanticize
"Summer Drive"
(Yoon Ji-sung featuring Jonghyeon) 		2022 —[F] — Miro
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that region.

Filmography

For filmography as part of NU'EST, see NU'EST § Filmography.

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2016 Their Distance Ji-woo Japanese film [38]

Television series

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2015 Lonely Gourmet: Taipei Zhang Huai Shan / Zhang Si Nan Special appearance [citation needed]
2021–2022 Let Me Be Your Knight Lee Shin [14]

Web series

Year Title Role Ref.
2023 Sound Candy Kang Hae-sung [39]
It Was Spring Kim Bom [40]
2024 My Friend's Graduation Ceremony Kim Min-goo [41]

Television shows

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2017 Produce 101 Season 2 Contestant Finished at 14th place [42]
Night Goblin Cast member [43]
Shadow Singer Panelist [44]
Master Key Participant Episode 4, 6, 8, 11, 13 [45]
2018 Law of the Jungle in Patagonia Cast member Episode 302–305 [46]
Inkigayo Special MC Episode 943
For The First Time in My Life Participant Episode 9–12 [47][48]
M Countdown Special MC Episode 576
Looking for Trouble Season 2: Paradise Cast member 12 episodes [49]
Battle Trip MC, Participant Episode 98–99 (MC); 109 (participant) [50][51]
Two Yoo Project: Sugar Man Season 2 Show Man Episode 1
King of Mask Singer Panelist Episode 169–170
Happy Together Season 4 Special MC Episode 559 / Season 4 Episode 2
Love Catcher Panelist [52]
LAN Life MC [53]
Not the Same Person You Used to Know Episode 1; 3–6 [54]
2019 Inkigayo Special MC Episode 1001
UHSN MC 9 episodes [55]
2020 We Play Season 2 Cast member [56]
Stars' Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant Special MC Episode 30–33
Super Idol League Season 12 Cast member 6 episodes
2021 There Is No House for Us in Seoul Special MC Episode 20–21, 25
2022 Surfer Junior Cast member

Radio

Year Title Role Notes
2021 Royal Comics DJ / Host April 15, 2021 – July 15, 2021

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
Korea First Brand Awards 2019 Male Idol Variety Star Kim Jong-hyeon (JR) Won [57]
The Fact Music Awards 2018 Fan N Star Hall of Fame Award Won [58]

Notes

  1. ^ "Lights" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 10 on the Circle Download Chart.[30]
  2. ^ "Ssok Ssok Ssok" was released as a promotional single in collaboration with Le Coq Sportif Golf Korea.
  3. ^ The Kpop Hot 100 was launched on August 25, 2011, and was discontinued on July 16, 2014. The chart was re-established on June 4, 2017, but was discontinued on April 30, 2022.
  4. ^ "I Hate You" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 33 on Gaon Download Chart.[34]
  5. ^ "Need It" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 32 and 174 on Gaon Download Chart and Gaon BGM Chart, respectively.[35][36]
  6. ^ "Summer Drive" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 140 on Gaon Download Chart.[37]

References

  1. ^ "JR (뉴이스트)" [JR (NU'EST)]. Genie Music (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  2. ^ "뉴이스트∙세븐틴 멤버, 한양대학교 미래인재교육원 학점은행제 실용음악과정(KPOP) 입학". March 16, 2020. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  3. ^ "애프터스쿨 보이즈 동호-종현 '수줍은 미소년' 기대감 UP". entertain.naver.com.
  4. ^ "르꼬끄골프 콜라보레이션, 유이의 쏙쏙쏙". Music Naver (in Korean). Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  5. ^ "플레디스 보이즈, 애프터스쿨과 SBS '가요대전' 출격". entertain.naver.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  6. ^ Kim, Young-jin (February 9, 2012). "유이, 뉴이스트 '백호' 직접 작명.."이름 어때요?"" (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on August 15, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  7. ^ Kim, Ha-jin (February 24, 2017). "뉴이스트 측 "'프로듀스 101' 출연 확정"". Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  8. ^ Bae, Hyo-joo (July 13, 2017). "뉴이스트 김종현-최민기, 화장품 모델 발탁 "깨끗한 이미지"". Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  9. ^ Jo, Yoon-sun (July 17, 2017). ""밤도깨비 어니부기"…뉴이스트 김종현, 열일하는 中". Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  10. ^ Choi, Na-young (August 4, 2017). "'수상한 가수' 측 "뉴이스트 김종현, 판정단 합류"". OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  11. ^ "[공식] '러브캐처' 신동엽부터 홍석천·뉴이스트W JR까지…5인5색 왓쳐 합류" (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  12. ^ "뉴이스트 JR, 자연주의 뷰티 브랜드 광고 모델 발탁…거침없는 대세 행보". 뉴스렙 (in Korean). September 19, 2019. Archived from the original on June 26, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  13. ^ OSEN (April 13, 2020). "뉴이스트 JR, 뷰티 브랜드 광고 모델 재계약 확정 "놀라운 시너지 효과"". mosen.mt.co.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 25, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  14. ^ a b Lee, Younhee. "뉴이스트 김종현, '너의 밤이 되어줄게' 출연 확정" [NU'EST Kim Jong-hyun confirmed to appear in 'I'll become your night'] (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 30, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  15. ^ StarNews (April 14, 2021). "뉴이스트 JR, 네이버 NOW. '로얄 코믹스' 단독호스트 데뷔[공식]". 스타뉴스 (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
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  17. ^ Hong Se-young (May 16, 2022). "뉴이스트 김종현, 에버모어엔터와 전속계약 "배우·솔로 동시에" [공식]" [[Official] NU'EST's Jonghyun Kim, an exclusive contract with Evermore Entertainment, "Actor and solo at the same time" [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022 – via Naver.
  18. ^ Kim, Soo-jin (June 3, 2022). "뉴이스트 출신 김종현, 단독 팬미팅 7월 2일 'Hi 하이' 개최" [Kim Jong-hyun from NU'EST held a solo fan meeting 'Hi High' on July 2nd] (in Korean). MT StarNews. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022 – via Naver.
  19. ^ Park, Sang-hoo (September 28, 2022). "뉴이스트 출신 김종현, 10년 만 솔로 데뷔… 11월 발매" [Kim Jong-hyun from NU'EST to debut solo after 10 years... November release] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022 – via Naver.
  20. ^ Song, Soo-min (October 11, 2022). "김종현, 11월 8일 솔로 데뷔…첫 앨범명은 'MERIDIEM'" [Kim Jonghyun, solo debut on November 8th... The name of the first album is 'MERIDIEM'] (in Korean). Dispatch. Archived from the original on October 11, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022 – via Naver.
  21. ^ Kim, Na-yeon (October 31, 2022). "지상파·종편만? 이태원 참사에 스타 콘텐츠 '올스톱'[★NEWSing]" [Terrestrial and general only? Star content 'All-Stop' in the Itaewon disaster [NEWSing]]. MT Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022 – via Naver.
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  23. ^ Yoo, Soo-yeon (August 18, 2024). 김종현, 오는 9월 현역 입대..."금방 돌아올게요" 심경 언급 [Kim Jong-hyeon, enlisting in the military in September..."I'll be back soon" Expressing His Feelings] (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved August 19, 2024 – via Naver.
  24. ^ Lee, Soo-jin (August 19, 2024). 뉴이스트 출신 김종현, 9월 23일 육군 현역 입대 [공식] [Kim Jong-hyeon from NU'EST to enlist in the military on September 23 [Official]] (in Korean). Ilgan Sports. Retrieved August 19, 2024 – via Naver.
  25. ^ "Meridiem". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  26. ^ Cumulative sales of Meridiem:
  27. ^ Cumulative Sales of Brilliant Seasons:
  28. ^ a b Peak chart positions on Circle Digital Chart (formerly Gaon Digital Chart):
  29. ^ 2017년 25주차 Download Chart [Week 25 of 2017 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). June 18–24, 2017. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  30. ^ "Download Chart – 2022 Weeks 46". Circle Chart. November 6–12, 2022. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  31. ^ 2011년 06월 Download Chart [June 2011 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). July 14, 2011. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  32. ^ Peak chart positions on Billboard's K-pop Hot 100:
    • "With". Billboard Korea (in Korean). October 22, 2017. Archived from the original on December 27, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  33. ^ 2017년 41주차 Download Chart [Week 41 of 2017 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). October 8–14, 2017. Archived from the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  34. ^ 2018년 48주차 Download Chart [Week 48 of 2018 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart. December 1, 2018. Archived from the original on December 6, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  35. ^ 2021년 17주차 Download Chart [Week 17 of 2021 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart. April 18–24, 2021. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  36. ^ "BGM Chart 2021 Weeks 17". Circle Chart. April 18–24, 2021. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  37. ^ 2022년 18주차 Download Chart [Week 18 of 2022 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart. April 24–30, 2022. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  38. ^ "NU'EST Ren, Minhyun, and JR's Movie [Their Distance] Confirmed Premiere Date in Korea". Kstar Live. September 4, 2017. Archived from the original on December 28, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  39. ^ Kang, Hyo-jin (February 28, 2023). "[단독]뉴이스트 출신 김종현, 드라마 '소리사탕' 주연…연기 활동 박차" [[Exclusive] Kim Jong-hyun from Nu'est, starring in the drama 'Sori Candy'... spur of acting] (in Korean). SpoTV News. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023 – via Naver.
  40. ^ Yang So-young (March 28, 2023). 김종현, '시작은 키스' 출연 확정...이현주·차선우와 호흡 [Kim Jong-hyun confirmed to appear in 'Kiss is the Beginning'... Breathing with Lee Hyun-joo and Cha Seon-woo]. MK (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023 – via Naver.
  41. ^ "'내 친구의 졸업식' 크랭크업…박철민 ·김종현·정예인 출연". NSP (in Korean). July 31, 2023. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
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  57. ^ "[영상M] 스트레이 키즈 방찬 "음악으로 저희의 메시지 전할게요" | 대한민국 퍼스트브랜드 대상 포토월". 매일일보 (in Korean). December 19, 2018. Archived from the original on December 20, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  58. ^ "All the winners & performances from The Fact Music Awards". SBS PopAsia. April 25, 2019. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
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