Jungwoo

Kim Jung-woo (; born February 19, 1998), known mononymously as Jungwoo, is a South Korean singer. He is a member of the SM Entertainment South Korean boy group NCT and its sub-units NCT 127 and NCT DoJaeJung.

Early life

Kim Jungwoo was born on February 19, 1998, in Sanbon-dong, Gunpo, South Korea, and right after he was born, they moved to Gimpo, where he was raised.

He attended Gimpo Gochang Middle School and Gimpo Jeil Technical High School Computer's Department of Computer Applied Machinery.

Career

2014–2017: Pre-debut

Jungwoo started training in 2014 after passing the SM's ''Saturday Open Auditions''. He trained alongside SM Rookies and NCT members. Fans have been familiar with Jungwoo as an SM trainee as he was often seen together with SM Rookies and noticed him performing during the SM Rookies Show.

On April 18, 2017, Jungwoo was introduced in the new batch of SM Rookies, SR17B. On the same day, he appeared in label-mate Super Junior member Yesung's music video, "Paper Umbrella" as his first public appearance.

2018–2019: Debut with NCT, Hiatus

In January 2018, it was announced that Jungwoo, alongside SM Rookies ''"3 Lucky People"'', Kun and Lucas, will be debuting with NCT. Jungwoo debuted on February 18, 2018, as part of NCT U for the lead single of NCT's debut studio album ''NCT 2018 Empathy'', " Boss".
In October of the same year, he joined the Seoul-based unit NCT 127 with the title "Regular" for their first studio album '' Regular-Irregular'', with the positions of dancer and vocalist.

In August 2019, in the middle of NCT 127's first world tour, it was announced that Jungwoo will be taking a temporary break due to health concerns after his noticeable absences from the group's activities.

2020–present: Comeback, solo activities

In January 2020, SM Entertainment confirmed that Jungwoo will be returning with NCT 127 for their 2nd studio album '' Neo Zone'' and title " Kick It (영웅)". Jungwoo confidently continued working with NCT 127 activities for their 2nd repackage album, ''Neo Zone: The Final Round'', and Japanese EP, '' Loveholic'', while filming multiple variety web shows together.

On September 14, 2020, Jungwoo competed on MBC's '' Idol Star eSports Championship - Chuseok Special'' for the KartRider tournament. Jungwoo proved to be a KartRider ace on the Speed Category for individual and team rounds by initially leading the races but fell short on the last seconds of the races. However, NCT team won 1st place for the Item Team Race category. In the last quarter of 2020, the 2nd studio album of NCT, ''NCT 2020 Resonance'', was released. Jungwoo participated in the tracks, "Volcano" (reunited with members of "Boss" unit), "Dancing in the Rain", and NCT 127's "Music, Dance" for Part 1. For Part 2, he participated in the additional songs, "All About You", "Raise the Roof", and one of the lead track, "Work It". As part of the NCT 2020 Project, Mnet broadcast the variety show, NCT World 2.0. In the Sports Meet episode, Jungwoo was awarded the MVP title after successfully jumping over 2.3 meters high vaulting box.

2021 continued to be a busy year for Jungwoo. He appeared on the 11th season of NCT's variety show, NCT Life, for the first time, where he traveled with NCT 127 members to Gapyeong for the summer. In July 2021, Jungwoo was announced as one of new hosts for ''Show! Music Core'' with Stray Kids' Lee Know, joining former Iz*One member Minju. He debuted as an MC on August 14, where he performed Sung Si-kyung's "Smiling Angel" (). Later that year, he was nominated alongside his co-hosts for the 2021 MBC Entertainment Awards' Rookie Award. From September to December, Jungwoo returned on stage with NCT 127 for their 3rd studio and repackage albums, ''Sticker'' and ''Favorite'', NCT U with the title track "Universe (Let's Play Ball)" of NCT's 3rd studio album ''Universe'', and participated in the collaboration track "Goodbye" for '' 2021 Winter SM Town: SMCU Express'' with SNSD Sunny and NCT Dream Renjun.

In 2022, Jungwoo actively participated every month on the programs for NCT's variety show on YouTube, The NCT Show. With the return of MBC's '' Idol Star Athletics Championships'' after 2 years in September 2022, Jungwoo, along with Sungchan, and Shotaro, were selected as representatives for NCT, where they competed against other male groups and won the gold medal for Men's Archery Team category. Jungwoo also joined the reality show, ''Welcome to NCT Universe'', to guide the new SM Rookies to the world of "Neo City".

Alongside his fellow NCT 127 members, Doyoung and Jaehyun, Jungwoo debuted in a new NCT fixed sub-unit NCT DoJaeJung on April 17, 2023, with their debut EP ''Perfume''. August of the same year, Channel TEO launched "Welcome Ghost Club" featuring Jungwoo as part of their pilot project, ''Fantastic Lab''. ''Welcome Ghost Club'' is a mystery adventure YouTube series where club president, Jungwoo, hunts for ghosts to debunk the broadcasting industry myth, "Seeing ghosts bring prosperity". The following month, Italian luxury fashion house, Tod's, announced Jungwoo as their first-ever Korean male ambassador. Following the announcement, Jungwoo was featured and further introduced as Tod's Ambassador in ''W'' Korea September issue.

Take One Company released the NCT Zone OST "Do It (Let's Play)" for the NCT adventure mobile game in January 2024. The official soundtrack is sung by Jungwoo alongside Xiaojun, Jeno, Yangyang, and Chenle. At the same month, Peripera revealed Jungwoo and Doyoung as the new faces of the cosmetic brand. The duo was initially introduced with the new Lucky Lottery Collection.

On March 23, 2024, Jungwoo's official soundtrack "Smile Good Bye" for ''Fubao and Grandfather Season 2'' was released. The soundtrack contains the message of remembering and supporting Fubao, a popular giant panda born in South Korea returning to China. It gives a deep lingering feeling and comfort to all the fans, like Jungwoo, who love Fubao.

In June 2024, KBS KPop Youtube channel announced a new web variety program, ''Nopogy'', featuring Jungwoo and Monsta X Shownu. The program focuses on visiting old traditional Korean restaurants where the two hosts gets to taste the restaurants' signature meals or specialties, while having fun conversation with their exclusive guests.

In December 2024, he released his first drama official soundtrack "First Step" for Channel A historical romance drama, '' Check-in Hanyang''. It is a ballad characterized by a soft, repetitive piano melody, and a soothing guitar accompaniment. Jungwoo delivers heartfelt vocals that deeply amplify the emotional sorrow of unrequited love.

Endorsements

In September 2023, Italian luxury fashion house Tod's announced Jungwoo as their first male ambassador in South Korea.

Discography

Filmography

Television shows

Web shows

Music video appearances

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

{{NCT (group)

NCT (group) members
Living people
1998 births
SM Rookies members
21st-century South Korean male singers
South Korean singers
21st-century South Korean singers
K-pop singers
SM Entertainment artists
Singers from Gimpo