Kim Jae-joong | |
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Background information | |
Native name | 김재중 |
Birth name | Han Jae-joon 한재준 韩在俊 |
Also known as | Jaejoong 재중 在中 Jejung (ジェジュン?) |
Born |
Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea |
26 January 1986
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 2003-Present |
Labels |
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Associated acts |
Kim Jae-joong | |
Hangul | 김재중 |
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Hanja | |
Revised Romanization | Gim Jae-jung |
McCune–Reischauer | Kim Chaejung |
Kim Jae-joong (Hangul: 김재중; Hanja: 金在中; born January 26, 1986), also known mononymously as Jaejoong, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, actor, director and designer. He is best known as a member of the Korean pop group JYJ, and was one of the original members of boy band TVXQ. Kim was also known by the stage names Hero Jaejoong (in South Korea), Jejung (ジェジュン) (in Japan), and 英雄在中 (영웅재중) (in China). Kim is now using Kim Jae-joong (JYJ) for his activities.
Kim has branched out to act in TV dramas including Sunao ni Narenakute, Protect the Boss, Dr. Jin, Triangle and most recently SPY and in films such as Heaven's Postman and Jackal is Coming. He was also the Executive Director for JYJ's 2011 Worldwide Tour and the 2011 LG Whisen Rhythmic All Stars.
In January 2013 he released his first EP, titled I, followed by a full-length album, WWW in October the same year.
Kim was born Han Jae-joon (한재준; 韩在俊) in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea. His real birthday, as revealed by his biological mother, was on 4 February, instead of 26 January. At a young age, he was given up for adoption by his biological mother to the Kim family, and his name was changed to Kim Jae-joong.
When Kim was fifteen, he moved to Seoul by himself in order to take part in the auditions held by SM Entertainment. Life in Seoul was financially difficult and he took various odd jobs to pay for rent, food, and training fees, he even appeared as an extra in movies. In an interview he admitted he used to be tone-deaf in primary school and was frequently ridiculed for his dream of becoming a singer. He practiced singing on his own.