Kim Hyun Joong
Info
🙂 Native Name: Kim Hyun Joong (김현중)
🌏 Nationality: South Korean
♂️ Gender: Male
🎂 Born: June 6, 1986
🏠 Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea
🌌 Zodiac Sign: Gemini
📏 Height: 1.82m
💍 Spouse: Married his non-celebrity first love in February 2022
👶 Children: A son, born in 2023
Biography
Kim Hyun Joong, born on June 6, 1986, in Seoul, South Korea, is a well-known actor, singer, and former leader of the boy band SS501. He gained immense popularity in the mid-2000s when he debuted with SS501 in 2005 under DSP Media. The group’s success in both Korea and Japan paved the way for Kim’s solo career. Alongside his music career, Kim Hyun Joong ventured into acting and quickly became a household name with his breakout role as Yoon Ji Hoo in the Korean drama Boys Over Flowers (2009). His portrayal of the sensitive and kind-hearted second lead won him widespread acclaim and established him as a heartthrob across Asia.
In 2010, Kim Hyun Joong further solidified his acting career by starring in the popular series Playful Kiss, an adaptation of the Japanese manga Itazura na Kiss. Although the drama had moderate ratings in Korea, it was a massive hit overseas, particularly in Japan and across Asia, increasing his international fan base. Concurrently, Kim launched a successful solo music career, releasing hit albums like Break Down (2011) and Lucky (2011), both of which topped charts in Korea and abroad.
Despite his professional success, Kim Hyun Joong faced personal challenges that affected his public image. In 2014, his career was rocked by legal disputes with his former girlfriend, who accused him of assault, resulting in a public legal battle that spanned several years. Although some of the charges were dropped, the controversy significantly impacted his reputation. After taking a hiatus to resolve his legal matters, Kim Hyun Joong made a comeback in the entertainment industry, continuing to release music and perform concerts, gradually regaining his fanbase.
In 2022, Kim surprised his fans by announcing his marriage to his first love, a non-celebrity. The couple welcomed their first child, a son, in 2023, marking a new chapter in his personal life. Despite the ups and downs in his career, Kim Hyun Joong remains an influential figure in the K-pop and Korean entertainment industry, with a dedicated global fanbase that continues to support his music and acting projects
Hobbies
- Playing soccer: Kim Hyun Joong has been an avid soccer fan for many years. He often participates in celebrity soccer matches and is known for his skills on the field.
- Swimming: Swimming is another hobby he enjoys, and he uses it as a way to stay fit and relax.
- Playing video games: Like many celebrities, Kim Hyun Joong enjoys spending his downtime playing video games. He has mentioned this in interviews as one of his favorite ways to unwind.
- Playing guitar: Aside from being a talented singer, Kim Hyun Joong loves playing the guitar. He has showcased his guitar-playing skills during concerts and fan meetings.
- Traveling: Exploring new places is something he enjoys, both for leisure and work. He has mentioned in interviews that traveling gives him inspiration and a break from his busy schedule.
Interests
- Cars and motorcycles: Kim Hyun Joong has a passion for cars and motorcycles. He has been spotted with various luxury vehicles and enjoys driving.
- Martial arts: He has an interest in martial arts, particularly Taekwondo, which he learned during his youth. This interest sometimes shows in his acting roles.
- Cooking: Kim Hyun Joong enjoys cooking and has mentioned that he finds it therapeutic. He occasionally shares his homemade dishes with fans.
- Music composition: As a musician, Kim Hyun Joong is deeply interested in composing music. He has written and produced some of his own songs.
- Fitness: Maintaining his health and physique is important to him, and he enjoys various forms of exercise, from weight training to cardio workouts.
Facts
- Former SS501 leader: Kim Hyun Joong was the leader of the popular K-pop boy group SS501, which debuted in 2005 and enjoyed considerable success in both South Korea and Japan.
- Boys Over Flowers: His role as Yoon Ji Hoo in Boys Over Flowers (2009) was a breakout moment for his acting career and catapulted him to international fame.
- Controversy and comeback: Kim faced a legal battle with his ex-girlfriend in 2014, which affected his career. Despite this, he made a strong comeback in both music and acting.
- Military service: He completed his mandatory military service in South Korea from May 2015 to February 2017. His service was highly publicized, and his fans eagerly awaited his return.
- Philanthropy: Kim Hyun Joong is known for his charitable activities. He has donated to various causes, including disaster relief efforts and children’s welfare organizations.
Secrets
- Secret marriage: Kim Hyun Joong kept his relationship with his wife, a non-celebrity, private for a long time before publicly announcing their marriage in 2022.
- First love: His wife is reportedly his first love, which adds a romantic element to their relationship, as they reunited later in life.
- Shy personality: Despite his confident on-stage persona, Kim Hyun Joong has revealed that he is naturally shy and introverted, especially in large social gatherings.
- Song inspirations: Some of his songs are believed to be inspired by personal experiences, including heartbreaks and struggles he faced during the legal controversies in his life.
- Avoiding the spotlight: After facing legal issues, Kim took several years away from the limelight to focus on himself and reflect on his life, a decision he rarely discusses in detail.
Funny Things
- He once bought an iguana: Kim Hyun Joong once impulsively bought an iguana because he thought it would be fun to have as a pet. However, he later realized he had no idea how to care for it.
- Playful with fans: During fan meetings, Kim often displays a playful and goofy side, sometimes mimicking funny expressions or doing silly dances to entertain his fans.
- Mischievous pranks: When he was younger, he was known to play pranks on his fellow SS501 members, including hiding their belongings or scaring them with fake spiders.
- Spicy food challenge: He once tried to eat an extremely spicy dish on a variety show but couldn’t handle the heat, resulting in a hilarious reaction that fans still talk about.
- Unusual sleep habits: He has admitted in interviews that he sometimes falls asleep in strange places, including backstage at concerts, due to his busy schedule.
Fears
- Fear of failure: Kim Hyun Joong has expressed that one of his biggest fears is failing, whether in his career or personal life. This fear drives him to work harder and always strive for improvement.
- Public scrutiny: After facing intense media attention during his legal issues, Kim developed a fear of public judgment and scrutiny, which made him more guarded in interviews and appearances.
- Losing his voice: As a singer, one of his greatest fears is losing his voice or damaging it in a way that would prevent him from performing.
- Height phobia: Kim has mentioned that he isn’t comfortable with extreme heights, which is why he avoids activities like bungee jumping or skydiving.
- Disappointing fans: Despite his fame, Kim fears letting down his loyal fanbase, especially after the controversies he faced. This fear motivates him to continuously give his best in his career.
News
Marriage Announcement (2022)
Kim Hyun Joong surprised fans by announcing his marriage to his first love, a non-celebrity, during his concert at the Gurumare Theater in February 2022. The announcement came after years of keeping his relationship private, marking a significant moment in his personal life.Birth of His First Child (2023)
In July 2022, Kim Hyun Joong’s agency confirmed that his wife was expecting their first child. The couple later welcomed a healthy baby boy in 2023, starting a new chapter for the actor and singer as a father.Legal Controversies (2014–2015)
Kim Hyun Joong was involved in a public legal battle with his ex-girlfriend in 2014, who accused him of physical assault. This scandal deeply affected his career, leading to legal proceedings that continued for several years. Some charges were dropped, but it left a lasting impact on his public image.Military Service Completion (2017)
Kim Hyun Joong completed his mandatory military service from May 2015 to February 2017. His fans supported him throughout his enlistment, and his return to the entertainment industry was eagerly anticipated.Comeback and Concerts Post-Scandal
After his legal troubles and military service, Kim Hyun Joong made a successful comeback in 2018, releasing new music and performing concerts. He also held a world tour, proving that his fanbase remained loyal despite the challenges he had faced.
TV Drama
Movies
Music / OST
Kim Hyun Joong’s music career has been diverse and marked by significant achievements as both a group member and a solo artist. He first gained attention as the leader of the popular K-pop boy band SS501, which debuted in 2005 under DSP Media. SS501 became one of the most prominent second-generation K-pop groups, releasing several hit albums such as S.T 01 Now and Rebirth. The group found success in both Korea and Japan, garnering a large international fanbase.
In 2011, Kim Hyun Joong ventured into a solo music career, releasing his debut mini-album Break Down. The album was a commercial success, topping South Korea’s Gaon Album Chart and achieving sales of over 100,000 copies. The title track, “Break Down,” showcased a more mature, charismatic side of Kim and helped solidify his position as a solo artist. That same year, he released his second mini-album Lucky, which also performed well on the charts, with the title track, “Lucky Guy,” reflecting a more playful and upbeat style.
Following his solo debut, Kim Hyun Joong continued to expand his discography with full-length albums, such as Unlimited (2012) in Japan, which topped the Oricon charts, demonstrating his strong presence in the Japanese music market. Over the years, he has toured extensively in Asia and other regions, performing in numerous countries including Japan, China, and Peru.
Despite the personal controversies that affected his public image, Kim Hyun Joong continued to produce music and connect with his fans. In 2018, he released the album Haze, marking a return to the stage after his legal battles and military service. His later works, including Salt and A Bell of Blessing, further demonstrated his resilience and dedication to his craft, reflecting personal growth and artistic evolution.
Throughout his career, Kim Hyun Joong has shown versatility in music, shifting between various genres such as pop, rock, and ballads, which has helped maintain his relevance in the competitive K-pop industry. His ability to engage fans across different languages and cultures has made him a global star in the K-pop scene.
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