Wang Junkai

Wang Junkai (simplified Chinese: 王俊凯; traditional Chinese: 王俊凱; pinyin: Wáng Jùnkǎi, born 21 September 1999[1]), also known as Karry Wang, is a Chinese singer and actor. He was a trainee of TF Family since 2010 and debuted as the leader of TFBOYS in 2013.[2] He is estimated to have a personal net worth of 248 million yuan (US$36 million) as of December 2016.[3]

Wang Junkai
王俊凯
Wang in 2017
Born (1999-09-21) 21 September 1999 (age 24)
Chongqing, China
Alma materBeijing Film Academy
Occupations
  • Singer
  • Actor
Years active2013–present
Musical career
Also known asKarry Wang
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • Guitar
  • Piano
LabelsTime Fengjun Entertainment (2010–)
Karry Wang Studio (2017–)
The H Collective (2018–)
Shanghai Wang Junkai Film Studio (2018–)
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese王俊凱
Simplified Chinese王俊凯

Early life and education

Wang Junkai was born in Chongqing, China. Junkai grew up mostly under his grandparents' care due to his parents' busy work schedules. His father used to be a taxi driver and his mother used to work as a hairdresser. In late 2010, he became one of the trainees under the TF Entertainment, and became the only trainee later on.[4] Prior to his debut, Junkai participated in TF Family's mini album I Don't Want to Change. He has released several cover songs online, and participated in audition programs. In particular, his cover of "Onion" (originally by Aska Yang) received attention and was covered by several news outlets. He officially debuted as a member of TFBOYS on August 6, 2013, at the age of 13 alongside Roy Wang and Jackson Yee.[5]

In 2017, he was enrolled into the Beijing Film Academy after having passed the college entrance examination; which received much media fanfare.[6] He graduated in 2021.

Career

In 2016, Wang released his first solo single "Ode to A Tree", which he took part in composing.[7] In July, Wang released his second solo single, "Memory in Ferris Wheel" as part of the soundtrack of web series Finding Soul.[8] The OST reached number 1 on the Billboard China V Chart for 3 consecutive weeks.[9] The same year, Wang had a supporting role in Zhang Yimou's film The Great Wall.[10]

He released his third single "Homeward" in January 2017, produced by Li Ronghao.[11] "Homeward" was named as one of the Top 10 Songs at the Fresh Asia Chart Festival 2017. In April, he joined the cast of variety program Give Me Five.[12] The same year, Wang was named as the Chinese promotional ambassador for the film Kingsman: The Golden Circle and released the theme song "Become a Gentleman".[13] In September, Wang released a single titled "Karry On" as part of as eighteenth birthday celebration.[14] He then starred in the Chinese film adaptation of popular Japanese novel Miracles of the Namiya General Store, which premiered in December 2017.[15] He sang the theme song of the film, titled "Train in the Mist" with Li Jian.[16] Wang won the Golden Phoenix Awards for Best Newcomer with Namiya.[17]

In 2018, Wang starred in the youth adventure drama Eagles and Youngster.[18][19] The same year, it was announced that he will star in the fantasy animated film L.O.R.D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties 2.[20]

In 2019, Wang starred in the film Bureau 749 directed by Lu Chuan.[21]

On 1 November 2019, Wang held his first solo concert called Karry's Dream Concert 2019 in Cadillac Center.[22]

Other activities

Wang held the Guinness World Record Holder for having "the most reposted Weibo post" in 2015.[23]

In March 2017, Wang was invited by Nike to take part in the design process of the new Air Max sneakers.[24]In June, Wang made his walkway debut for fashion house Dolce & Gabbana during the Men's Spring/Summer 2018 fashion shows in Milan.[25] The same year, Wang became the youngest male celebrity to grace the front cover of Harper's Bazaar and L'Officiel Hommes.[26]

In December 2017, Wang was announced as the global brand ambassador for Swatch.[27] In the same month, it was announced that the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) will work with Visa China and Wang, to bring to the public tailor-made "Galaxy·Karry Wang" credit card.[28]

On 21 November 2018, Wang severed his ties with Dolce & Gabbana, ultimately ending his role as the ambassador for the brand after the Shanghai event controversy.[29]

In August 2019, he appeared as a special guest with Ashin at Mayday's concert (Mayday 2019 Just Rock It!!!"蓝| BLUE) held at Beijing National Stadium, performing "Onion" with the band.[30]

Social activities

In March 2017, Wang was appointed as one of the "Special Envoy of Youth Action" for "World Life Day", a joint campaign by the United Nations Environment Programme, International Fund for Animal Welfare and The Nature Conservancy.[31]

On his 18th birthday, Wang announced the set up his own charity foundation – "Kindle Blue Fund". Its first project is to build a library for children who lived in the mountain area.[32]

In April 2018, Wang was appointed by United Nations Environment Programme as the UN Environment National Goodwill Ambassador.[33]

In 2019, Wang ranked 12th on Forbes China Celebrity 100 list.[34]

In 2020, Wang ranked 10th on Forbes China Celebrity 100 list.[35]

Discography

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
CHN
Billboard China Top 100

[36]
As lead artist
"Young" (样)2016Non-album single
"Ode to A Tree" (树读)
"Homeward" (小棉袄)2017
Imperfect Child (不完美小孩)
"Karry On" (焕蓝·未来)
"Fulfill Our Generation's Dream" (圓夢一代)[37]2018
"You're Mine" (我的)[38]50
"Awake" (醒着)[39]71
"Growing" (生长)[40]201922
"Ain't got no love"[41]
"My Way" (流星)[42]
Collaborations
"China's Dream" (中国梦) (with various artists)[43]2017
"Gravity" (心引力) (with Jolin Tsai)[44]2019
Soundtrack appearances
"Memory in Ferris Wheel" (摩天轮的思念)2016Finding Soul OST
"Train in the Mist" (雾中列车)2017Namiya OST
"Proud Youth" (骄傲的少年) (with cast members)Give Me Five theme song [45]
Promotional singles
"Become a Gentleman" (冷暖)2017Promotional song for Kingsman: The Golden Circle
"At The Free-Flowing Stream in Zhu Xian" (我在诛仙逍遥涧)[46]2018Theme song of mobile game Zhu Xian
"Starry Sea" (星辰大海) (with 31 other actors)2019For China Movie Channel Young Actors Project[47]
"Home Coming"(万里归途)2022Promotional song of the same name for "Home Coming"

Filmography

Film

YearEnglish titleChinese titleRoleNotesRef.
2015Pound of Flesh致命追击Cameo[48]
Mr. Six老炮儿[49]
2016The Great Wall长城The Emperor[10]
2017Namiya解忧杂货店Xiao Bo[15]
2020My People My Hometown我和我的家乡Jiang Xiaoyi[50]
L.O.R.D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties 2冷血狂宴Han Shuangshi
2021Ne Zha叱咤风云Guest Role
19211921Deng Enming
2022The Fallen Bridge断桥Meng ChaoMain Role
2022Home Coming万里归途Cheng LangMain Role[51]
To be broadcastHedgehog刺猬Zhou ZhengMale protagonist[52]
To be broadcast749 Bureau749局Ma ShanMale protagonist

Television series

YearEnglish titleChinese titleRoleNotesRef.
2016Noble Aspirations青云志teenage Lin JingyuCameo[53]
Love for Separation小别离Li Xiang[54]
Finding Soul超少年密码Xia Chang'an / 001Main Role[55]
2017Boy Hood我们的少年时代Wu TongMain Role[56]
2018Eagles and Youngster天坑鹰猎Zhang BaoQingMain Role[18]
2019I Am The Head Teacher我是班主任Bao YanCameo[57]
2020Guardians of the Ancient Oath山海经之上古密约Baili HaoHeSupporting[58]
2021Faith Makes Great理想照耀中国Ling MingMain Role
2022Be Reborn重生之门Zhuang WenJieMain Role

Variety show

YearEnglish titleChinese titleRoleRef.
2017Give Me Five高能少年团Cast member[12]
2018Give Me Five Season 2高能少年团2[59]
Chinese Restaurant Season 2中餐厅2[60]
2019Chinese Restaurant Season 3中餐厅3[61]
2020Me to Us我们的乐队[62]
2021Oh Youth恰好是少年

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultsRef.
2015Guinness World RecordMost forwarded Weibo postWon[63]
2016Fresh Asia Chart FestivalTop Ten Songs"Young"Won[64]
2017"Imperfect Child"Won[65]
"Homeward"Won
2018L'Officiel NightGeneration Breakthrough AwardWon[66]
201917th Golden Phoenix AwardsNewcomer AwardNamiyaWon[17]
16th Esquire Man At His Best AwardsFashion Figure of the YearWon[67]
Most Commercially Valuable ArtistWon
2020Weibo Awards CeremonyPopular Artist of the YearWon[68]
2021Musician of the YearWon

Forbes China Celebrity 100

YearRankRef.
201912th[34]
202010th[35]
20219th[69]

References

External links