MJ - Kim Myung Jun
Info
🙂 Native Name: 김명준 (Kim Myung Jun)
🌏 Nationality: South Korean
♂️ Gender: Male
🎂 Born: March 5, 1994
🏠 Birth Place: Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
🌌 Zodiac Sign: Pisces
📏 Height: 175 cm (5’9″)
💍 Spouse: None
👶 Children: None
Biography
Kim Myung-jun, known professionally as MJ, is a South Korean singer and actor born on March 5, 1994, in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. He began his entertainment career as a trainee under Fantagio’s iTeen program, where he was part of the pre-debut group iTeen Boys. MJ made his official acting debut in 2015 with the web drama “To Be Continued,” alongside his fellow ASTRO members. On February 23, 2016, he debuted as the main vocalist of the boy group ASTRO with their first mini-album “Spring Up.” His vibrant personality and strong vocal abilities quickly made him a fan favorite.
In 2020, MJ expanded his musical repertoire by joining the trot idol group Super Five, formed through MBC’s reality show “Favorite Entertainment.” Performing under his real name, Kim Myung-jun, he showcased his versatility by embracing the trot genre, traditionally favored by older audiences. That same year, he ventured into musical theatre, taking on the lead role of Jamie in the Korean adaptation of “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie,” earning praise for his performance.
MJ made his solo debut on November 3, 2021, with the digital single “Happy Virus,” featuring the title track “Get Set Yo.” The song’s upbeat tempo and MJ’s cheerful image resonated with fans, earning him the distinction of being the first idol to win on SBS’s “The Trot Show.” His solo activities further established him as a multifaceted entertainer capable of crossing genres.
On May 9, 2022, MJ enlisted for his mandatory military service, serving in the military band. He was discharged on November 8, 2023, and subsequently renewed his contract with Fantagio, reaffirming his commitment to ASTRO and his solo career. MJ’s journey reflects his adaptability and dedication to his craft, making him a beloved figure in the Korean entertainment industry.
Hobbies
Drawing and Doodling
MJ has shown a strong interest in drawing. He often sketches cute cartoon-like characters and has shared his artwork on social media and fan platforms.Playing Video Games
Like many idols, MJ enjoys gaming during his free time, especially multiplayer and rhythm games, which he says help him unwind.Writing Lyrics and Song Ideas
He has a habit of jotting down lyrical phrases or song ideas in his phone. While he hasn’t released self-written music yet, he enjoys exploring songwriting.Collecting Cute Items
MJ loves collecting quirky, cute stationery and figurines—something fans often gift him because of his bright, cheerful personality.Imitating Cartoon Voices
One of his well-known talents is voice impersonation, especially cartoon and animation characters, which he sometimes demonstrates in variety shows.
Interests
Musical Theatre
Since starring in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, MJ has developed a deep love for musicals and often studies performances for inspiration.Trot Music and Its History
After joining Super Five, he started diving into trot’s cultural roots and performance style, respecting its deep emotional delivery.Interior Design
He’s mentioned enjoying rearranging and decorating his room, with a love for cozy, themed setups and mood lighting.Fitness & Dieting Tips
Despite his playful image, MJ is disciplined with his workout and dietary habits, often giving tips to fans on maintaining energy and vocal health.Comedy and Variety Shows
He dreams of becoming a mainstay in variety shows someday and studies classic Korean comedic formats to improve his improvisational skills.
Facts
Real Name is Kim Myung-jun
Although known professionally as MJ, he often uses his real name when promoting in trot or musical theatre.Main Vocalist of ASTRO
He is the main vocalist of ASTRO and known for his high notes, powerful vibrato, and emotional expressiveness in ballads.First Idol to Win on “The Trot Show”
With his solo trot debut “Get Set Yo,” he became the first idol to win 1st place on the SBS trot program.Enlisted in Military Band
He enlisted on May 9, 2022, and served in the military band before being discharged on November 8, 2023.Nicknamed “Happy Virus”
MJ is widely loved for his cheerful, positive attitude and is affectionately called the “Happy Virus” of ASTRO by both fans and members.
Secrets
Almost Debuted as a Ballad Soloist
Before ASTRO’s debut, there were discussions about debuting MJ as a solo ballad artist due to his vocal skills.Has a Habit of Talking to Himself
He admitted to muttering scenarios or jokes to himself backstage as a way to relax before live performances.Worried About Being ‘Too Loud’
Despite his fun personality, he sometimes worries he might be overwhelming to quieter people and makes efforts to balance his energy.Gets Nervous Before Solo Performances
He’s confident in groups, but still gets butterflies when performing alone—especially in musical theatre or ballads.Used to Hide His Trot Singing
Before being accepted by fans and peers, MJ was hesitant to sing trot due to fear of being mocked for liking an “older” genre.
Funny Things
Famous for Overacting in Skits
MJ has a reputation for exaggerated acting in ASTRO’s skits, which often makes his members break character from laughter.Once Forgot His Lyrics During Live Performance
During a showcase, MJ hilariously improvised sounds mid-performance after forgetting a line, causing laughter among fans and staff.Creates Random Nicknames for Members
He invents funny and absurd nicknames for ASTRO members and insists on using them in group chats.Pretended to Be a Staff Member
He once snuck up behind Moonbin dressed like a crew member just to play a prank before a shoot.Always Tries to Rap—but Fails
MJ jokingly attempts rap verses during interviews or fan meets, which usually ends in laughter because of his overly soft delivery.
Fears
Losing His Vocal Range
As a main vocalist, he fears developing vocal nodules or any condition that would affect his ability to sing.Letting Fans Down
He takes his fanbase very seriously and often expresses fear of disappointing them with weak performances or lack of presence.Being Forgotten During Enlistment
Before joining the military, MJ openly worried about being “out of sight, out of mind” and losing momentum in his career.Criticism for Exploring Trot
Although now praised for it, he initially feared criticism from younger fans or media when stepping into the trot genre.Darkness
He once admitted during a variety show appearance that he doesn’t feel comfortable in complete darkness and sleeps with a light on.
News
1. MJ Completes Military Service and Reunites with Fans
On November 8, 2023, MJ was officially discharged from his mandatory military service. To celebrate his return, he reunited with fellow ASTRO members JinJin and Sanha in a live broadcast on ASTRO’s official YouTube channel, reconnecting with fans after his service.
2. Solo Debut with “Happy Virus”
MJ made his solo debut on November 3, 2021, releasing the digital single “Happy Virus.” The title track, “Get Set Yo,” is a semi-trot song produced by Young Tak and features “trot prodigy” Kim Tae-yeon. This release marked MJ as the first ASTRO member to debut solo.
3. Temporary Suspension of Activities Due to Health Issues
On January 28, 2022, Fantagio announced that MJ would temporarily suspend all activities due to health concerns. The agency emphasized the importance of MJ’s health and stated that he would focus on recovery before resuming activities.
4. Enlistment in the Military Band
MJ enlisted for his mandatory military service on May 9, 2022. He served as a member of the military band, fulfilling his duties while continuing to engage with fans through occasional updates.
5. Participation in Musical Theatre
In 2020, MJ expanded his artistic repertoire by starring in the Korean adaptation of the musical “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie,” playing the lead role of Jamie. His performance was well-received, showcasing his versatility as both a singer and actor.
TV Drama
Movies
Music / OST
MJ (Kim Myung Jun) – Verified Music Career Overview
MJ, born on March 5, 1994, in Suwon, South Korea, is the main vocalist of the K-pop boy group ASTRO, which debuted under Fantagio Music on February 23, 2016, with the EP Spring Up. Known for his clear, powerful vocals and bright stage presence, MJ quickly earned the nickname “Happy Virus” among fans and media.
ASTRO Activities
As ASTRO’s main vocalist, MJ has contributed to all of the group’s discography, including:
Spring Up (2016)
All Light (2019)
All Yours (2021)
Drive to the Starry Road (2022)
He is recognized for his stable live singing, emotional delivery, and ability to handle both upbeat and ballad-style tracks.
Solo Debut: “Happy Virus” and Trot Career
On November 3, 2021, MJ made his solo debut with the trot-inspired digital single Happy Virus. The title track, “Get Set Yo”, was produced by Young Tak and featured child singer Kim Tae Yeon. The song earned him:
A 1st place win on The Trot Show (SBS FiL), making him the first idol to do so.
Widespread acclaim for blending idol visuals with trot vocals, a genre traditionally associated with older audiences.
Super Five (다섯장)
In 2020, MJ participated in MBC’s trot survival show Favorite Entertainment and became a member of the project trot idol group Super Five. Promoting under his real name Kim Myung-jun, the group released:
“Hello” (2020)
“All Eyes On Me” (2020)
This project emphasized his vocal flexibility and his comedic, charismatic stage appeal.
OST & Musical Theatre
MJ contributed to the OST for ASTRO’s web drama To Be Continued and various group projects.
In 2020, he played the lead role of Jamie in the Korean version of the West End musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. His performance earned praise for emotional expression and vocal technique, reinforcing his potential as a musical actor.
Military and Post-Service Updates
MJ enlisted in the military band on May 9, 2022, and was discharged on November 8, 2023. Upon returning, he renewed his contract with Fantagio and has hinted at preparing new musical activities, including a potential trot comeback.
Conclusion:
MJ is one of the few K-pop idols to successfully transition into the trot and musical theatre scenes while maintaining his identity as a pop idol. His music career is marked by genre versatility, vocal excellence, and strong emotional delivery, making him a standout artist in the K-pop and crossover music landscape.
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