Kim Jong-hyeon (Korean: 김종현; born June 8, 1995), formerly known by his stage name JR, is a South Korean singer, 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.
Kim Jong-hyeon | |
|---|---|
_JR_%EB%94%94%EC%8A%A4%ED%8C%A8%EC%B9%98_15.png) Kim in 2019 | |
| Born | Kim Jong-hyeon June 8, 1995[1] |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Other names | JR |
| Education | Hanyang University Institute for Future Talents[2] |
| Occupations |
|
| Musical career | |
| Genres | K-pop |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Labels |
|
| Formerly of | |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 김종현 |
| Hanja | 金鍾炫 |
| Revised Romanization | Gim Jong-hyeon |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kim Chonghyŏn |
| Signature | |
 | |
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
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 as a panelist.[9][10]
On June 27, 2018, Kim was confirmed as a member of Mnet's new romance reality show Love Catcher. 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]
Discography
Extended plays
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [22] | |||
| Meridiem |
Track listing
| 7 |
|
| Brilliant Seasons |
| 14 |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [25] | |||||
| 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
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR | |||||
| Circle [25] | Hot [C][29] | ||||
| "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
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Their Distance | Ji-woo | Japanese film | [35] |
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] | |
| 2023 | My Friend's Graduation Ceremony | Kim Min-goo | [36] |
Web series
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Sound Candy | Kang Hae-sung | [37] |
| Kiss is the Start | Kim Bom | [38] |
Television shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Produce 101 Season 2 | Contestant | Finished at 14th place | [39] |
| Night Goblin | Cast member | [40] | ||
| Shadow Singer | Panelist | [41] | ||
| Master Key | Participant | Episode 4, 6, 8, 11, 13 | [42] | |
| 2018 | Law of the Jungle in Patagonia | Cast member | Episode 302–305 | [43] |
| Inkigayo | Special MC | Episode 943 | ||
| For The First Time in My Life | Participant | Episode 9–12 | [44][45] | |
| M Countdown | Special MC | Episode 576 | ||
| Looking for Trouble Season 2: Paradise | Cast member | 12 episodes | [46] | |
| Battle Trip | MC, Participant | Episode 98–99 (MC); 109 (participant) | [47][48] | |
| 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 | [49] | ||
| LAN Life | MC | [50] | ||
| Not the Same Person You Used to Know | Episode 1; 3–6 | [51] | ||
| 2019 | Inkigayo | Special MC | Episode 1001 | |
| UHSN | MC | 9 episodes | [52] | |
| 2020 | We Play Season 2 | Cast member | [53] | |
| 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
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Korea First Brand Awards | 2019 | Male Idol Variety Star | Kim Jong-hyeon (JR) | Won | [54] |
| The Fact Music Awards | 2018 | Fan N Star Hall of Fame Award | Won | [55] |
Notes
References
External links
- Kim Jong-hyeon at Evermore Entertainment