Kim Jong-hyeon

Kim Jong-hyeon

Kim in 2019

Born Kim Jong-hyeon

June 8, 1995 (age 28)[1]

Gangneung, Gangwon, South Korea

Nationality South Korean

Other names JR

Education Hanyang University Institute for Future

Talents[2]

 Singer
Occupations
 musician
  actor

Musical career

Genres K-pop

Instrument(s) Vocals

Years active 2012–present

Labels  Pledis

 Evermore

Formerly of  NU'EST

 NU'EST W

Korean name

Hangul 김종현

Hanja 金鍾炫

Revised Romanization Gim Jong-hyeon

McCune–Reischauer Kim Chonghyŏn

Signature

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.
Career[edit]
Pre-debut[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
For discography as part of NU'EST, see NU'EST discography.
Extended plays[edit]

List of extended plays, showing selected details, selected chart positions, and sales figures
 Peak
chart
positions
Title Details Sales

KOR
[22]

 Released: November 8, 2022

 Label: Evermore Entertainment
 Formats: CD, digital  KOR:
Meridiem 7
download, streaming 46,500[23]
show
Track listing
 Released: January 3, 2024
Brilliant  Label: Evermore Entertainment  KOR:
14
Seasons  Formats: CD, digital download, 25,318[24]
streaming

Singles[edit]

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released, sales, and album name

Peak
chart
position
s
Title Year Sales Album

KOR
[25]

As lead artist

"Daybreak"  KOR:
2016 91 Canvas
(with Minhyun) 25,874[26]

"Lights" 2022 —[A] — Meridiem

"Motto" 2024 — — Brilliant Seasons
As featured artist
"Ssok Ssok Ssok" (쏙쏙쏙)[B]  KOR: Non-album
2011 64
(Uee featuring Jonghyeon) 240,196[28] promotional single
Soundtrack appearances
 Sound Candy OST
"Star" 2023 — —
Part 1
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Other charted songs[edit]

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released, sales, and album
name

Peak chart
positions

Title Year KOR Sales Album

Circle Hot
[25] [C][29]

 KOR:
"With" 2017 33 11 W, Here
41,395[30]

"I Hate You" 2018 —[D] — Wake, N

Romanticiz
"Doom Doom" 2021 —[E] — — e
"Summer Drive" 2022 —[F] — Miro
(Yoon Ji-sung featuring Jonghyeon)
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that region.

Filmography[edit]
For filmography as part of NU'EST, see NU'EST § Filmography.
Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

Their
2016 Ji-woo Japanese film [35]

Distance

Television series[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

 Zhang Huai Shan / Zhang Si Special
2015 Lonely Gourmet: Taipei [citation needed]

Nan appearance

2021–
Let Me Be Your Knight Lee Shin [14]

2022

My Friend's Graduation
2023 Kim Min-goo [36]

Ceremony

Web series[edit]

Year Title Role Ref.

Sound Candy Kang Hae-sung [37]

2023
Kiss is the
Kim Bom [38]

Start

Television shows[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

Produce 101 Season 2 Contestant Finished at 14th place [39]

Night Goblin Cast member [40]

2017
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:

Cast member 12 episodes [46]

Paradise

MC, Episode 98–99 (MC); 109

Battle Trip [47][48]

Participant (participant)

Two Yoo Project: Sugar Man Season

Show Man Episode 1
2

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 [50]

MC
Not the Same Person You Used to
Episode 1; 3–6 [51]

Know

Inkigayo Special MC Episode 1001

2019
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[edit]

Year Title Role Notes

Royal
2021 DJ / Host April 15, 2021 – July 15, 2021
Comics

Awards and nominations[edit]

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the
result of the nomination

Nominee /
Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Work

Korea First Brand

2019 Male Idol Variety Star Won [54]

Awards

Kim Jong-hyeon
(JR) [55]

The Fact Music Fan N Star Hall of Fame

2018 Won
Awards Award

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Jong-hyeon