Kim Hyun-joong is a well-known South Korean actor and singer, famous for his role as the lead and main rapper of the boyband SS501. He has gained popularity through his successful dramas such as ‘Playful Kiss’ and ‘Boys Over Flowers’. Considered a style icon in Korea, Kim’s Japan tour further elevated his fame. Despite being involved in legal controversies, his dedicated fanbase continues to support him. With major albums like ‘Unlimited’ and ‘Heat’, Kim has also made appearances in various TV shows and variety shows, showcasing his versatility. He even lent his voice to the film ‘Shark Bait / Pi Story’.
Quick Facts
- South Korean Celebrities Born In June
- Age: 37 Years
- Family: siblings – Kim Young Joong
- Actors
- South Korean Men
- Height: 6’0″ (183 cm)
- City: Seoul, South Korea
Childhood & Early Life
Kim Hyun-joong was born in Seoul, South Korea on June 6, 1986. He has an older brother. As a young kid, Kim was extremely sincere and studious. He excelled in academics and usually ranked 1st or 2nd in school. He was considered a champion in mathematics and art competitions and won numerous accolades in his early childhood. Despite his dedication to his studies, he was introduced to music in high school and started playing the bass guitar in the school band. This sparked his interest in pursuing a career in music.
Career
Kim made his music debut through his band SS501 in June 2005 with their first album, ‘Warning’. They later released their first studio album ‘S.T 01 Now’. In 2007, they expanded their music outside of Korea and launched their first Japanese single ‘Kokoro’. They also introduced the band SS501 in Japan through another single called ‘Distance’. In 2008, Kim played the lead character in the television drama ‘Boys Over Flowers’. The band released several singles from 2009-2010, including ‘All My Love’, ‘Solo Collection’, ‘Rebirth’, and ‘Destination’. After releasing four consecutive singles, Kim left DSP Media and joined KeyEast Entertainment Company in 2010. He also performed at the Asian Games in Guangzhou as a representative of South Korea. In 2011, he released his first solo mini-album called ‘Break Down’ and a month later, his second album ‘Lucky’. He continued to release solo albums and singles, including his most popular album ‘Unlimited’ in December 2012. Kim enlisted in the mandatory military service in May 2015 and was discharged in February 2017.
Major Works
Kim Hyun-joong’s most famous studio albums include ‘Unlimited’ and ‘Imademo’. He has excelled in extended plays in both Korean and Japanese languages. Some of his popular singles include ‘The Reason I Live’, ‘Beauty Beauty’, ‘Your Story’, ‘Break Down’, and ‘Kiss Kiss’. He has appeared in almost 20 music videos, all of which were super hits.
Awards & Achievements
Kim Hyun-joong has won numerous awards throughout his career. He won the ‘Best Asian Artist Award’ and the ‘Best Artist Award – South Korea’ at the Asia Song Festival Awards in 2012. He also won the Korean Entertainment Award in Japan for ‘Best Male Solo Singer’ in 2013 and the Mnet 20’s Award for ‘Most Influential Star’ in 2010. He has won around 16 Yahoo! Asia Buzz Awards in categories such as ‘Top Buzz Solo Artist’, ‘Popular Artist’, and ‘Most Searched’. He has also received awards for his roles in dramas such as ‘Boys Over Flowers’ and ‘Playful Kiss’.
Personal Life
Kim Hyun-joong is a practicing Roman Catholic and is known for his philanthropy. He has participated in various charitable campaigns and made notable donations to organizations such as the Korean Red Cross Association and the One Foundation. In his personal life, he has faced legal issues related to allegations of physical assault and domestic violence by his ex-girlfriend. However, these allegations could not be proved in court and the court ruled in favor of Kim. He was also diagnosed with the H1N1 virus in September 2009 and received treatment in Japan. Kim enjoys playing soccer and is a striker for the celebrity football club ‘FC Men’.