Kim Jung-woo (Korean: 김정우; 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.
In September 2023, Italian luxury fashion house Tod's announced Jungwoo as their first male ambassador in South Korea.
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.[1]
He attended Gimpo Gochang Middle School and Gimpo Jeil Technical High School Computer's Department of Computer Applied Machinery.[2]
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.[3]
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.[4] 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".[5][6]
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 position of dancer and vocalist.[7]
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.[8]
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)".[9][10]Jungwoo confidently continued working with NCT 127 activities for their 2nd repackage album, Neo Zone: The Final Round, and Japanese EP, Loveholic (EP), 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.[11] 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.[12]
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.[13] 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" (미소천사).[14][15] Later that year, he was nominated alongside his co-hosts for the 2021 MBC Entertainment Awards Rookie Award.[16] 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 SNSDSunny and NCT Dream Renjun.
In 2022, Jungwoo actively participated every month on the programs for NCT's variety show on YouTube, The NCT Show.[17][18][19] 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.[20] Jungwoo also joined the reality show, Welcome to NCT Universe, to guide the new SM Rookies to the world of "Neo City".[21][22]
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.[23] 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".[24] 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.[25][26]
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.[27] 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.[28]
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.[29][30]
In June 2024, KBS KPop Youtube channel announced a new web variety program, NOPOGY, featuring Jungwoo and Monsta XShownu. 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.[31]
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.[32]
^"Goodbye" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 85 on the Gaon Download Chart.[33]
^"Smile Good Bye" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 16 and 63 on the Circle BGM Chart and the Circle Download Chart, respectively.[34][35]
^ abKwon, Soobin (April 18, 2017). "예성, 두번째 솔로앨범 공개...SM루키즈 정우 뮤비 출연" [Yesung, second solo album released... Appeared in SM Rookies Jungwoo's music video] (in Korean). News1star. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
^Park, So-hyun (January 31, 2018). "NCT, 신개념 콘텐츠 'Year Book' 공개...새 멤버 정우·루카스·쿤, '시선집중'" [NCT unveils new concept content 'Year Book'... New members Jungwoo, Lucas, and Kun, 'attention']. Xportsnews. Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
^Shim, Eon-kyung (October 2, 2020). "'아이대' NCT, 레이싱 게임 아이템 팀전 우승..정우 '눈물의 실수' 딛고 활약 [종합]" ['ISAC' NCT won the racing game item team competition...Jungwoo overcame 'mistake of tears' and played an active part] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
^Park, Seohyun (November 6, 2022). "'NCT 월드 2.0' 유쾌 체육대회...정우, 2미터 30센티 뜀틀 성공→'우다필' 승리" ['NCT World 2.0' fun sports competition, Jungwoo succeeds in jumping 2 meters and 30 centimeters →'Wodapil' wins] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
^Jeong, Hee-yeon (August 9, 2021). "'NCT LIFE in 가평' 30일 첫 공개...정우 첫 합류 [공식]" ['NCT LIFE in Gapyeong' first released on the 30th... Jungwoo joins for the first time [Official]]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
^ abKim, Hyeyoung (August 19, 2021). "NCT 정우-Stray Kids 리노, '쇼! 음악중심' MC 발탁" [NCT Jungwoo-Stray Kids Lee Know, selected as new 'Show! Music Core' MCs] (in Korean). iMBC. Archived from the original on July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
^Yeon, Joon (August 14, 2021). "NCT 정우, 음중 첫 MC 소감 "우주호 사랑해 주세요"" [NCT's Jungwoo first impression as Music Core MC "Please give lots of love to WooJuHo"]. Starnews (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
^Lee, Mi-young (February 11, 2022). "NCT, 풍성한 자체콘텐츠...'THE NCT SHOW' 론칭" [NCT, rich in own content... 'THE NCT SHOW' launched] (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 28, 2024.
^Kim, Young-jin (April 19, 2022). "NCT, 자체 예능 '더 엔시티쇼'로 팬들과 만난다" [NCT meets fans through its own entertainment show 'The NCT Show'] (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 19, 2022.
^Kang, Min-kyung (April 30, 2022). "NCT 쟈니·도영·정우, '100만 유튜버' 곽윤기와 만난다...프로 아이돌 비법 전수" [NCT's Johnny, Doyoung, and Jungwoo meet '1 million YouTuber' Kwak Yoon-gi... Teaching professional idol secrets] (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 28, 2022.
^Ha, So-na (September 10, 2022). "'아육대' 양궁돌 NCT, 이변 없이 금메달" ['Idol Star Athletics Championships' archery idol NCT, wins gold medal] (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 24, 2024.
^ abLee, Min-ji (August 22, 2023). "전소미-NCT 정우, 김태호PD TEO와 파일럿 프로젝트 출격 [공식]" [Jeon So-mi, NCT's Jung Woo, Tae-ho Kim PD TEO and pilot project launch [Official]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
^No, I-seul (September 4, 2023). "NCT 정우, 토즈 한국 첫 남성 앰버서더로 선정...도재정 전원 '이탈리아 PICK'" [NCT's Jungwoo selected as TODS' first male ambassador in Korea... DoJaeJung all 'Italian PICK']. Sports W (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
^Lee, Yeji (September 5, 2023). "NCT 정우와 토즈의 랑데부" [Rendezvous between NCT Jungwoo and Tod's]. W Korea. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023.
^ abMoon, Youngsoo (January 11, 2024). "테이크원컴퍼니, 'NCT 존' 공식 OST 발매" [Take One Company releases 'NCT Zone' official OST]. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024.
^Cha, Chanhyuk (January 27, 2024). "NCT 도영·정우, 뷰티브랜드 새 얼굴로 변신" [NCT Doyoung and Jungwoo transform into new faces for beauty brand]. Archived from the original on March 24, 2024.
^ abLee, Seunghoon (March 23, 2024). "푸바오와 작별 인사..NCT 정우, '푸바오와 할부지' OST 발매" [Say goodbye to FuBao...NCT Jungwoo releases 'Fu Bao and Grandfather' OST]. Starnews (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
^ abLee, Soo-hyun (July 20, 2023). "엔시티(NCT) 정우, 푸바오 할아버지 강철원 사육사와 만난다" [NCT's Jungwoo meets with Fubao's grandfather, Kang Cheol-won, a zookeeper]. Topstar News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
^ abJeong, Hee-yeon (June 25, 2024). "몬스타엑스 셔누, NCT 정우와 뭉쳤다…노포 맛집 방문기 '노포기'" [Monsta X's Shownu and NCT's Jungwoo team up... Visit to a long-established restaurant 'Nopogy']. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 1, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
^ abKang, Bo-ra (December 27, 2024). "NCT 정우, '체크인 한양' OST '같이 걸을래' 내일(28일) 발매" [NCT Jungwoo, 'Check-in Hanyang' OST 'First Step' to be released tomorrow (28th)]. Single List (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 27, 2024. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
^2022년 1주차 Download Chart [Week 1 of 2022 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). December 26, 2021 – January 1, 2022. Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
^2024년 12주차 BGM Chart [Week 12 of 2024 BGM Chart]. Circle Music Chart (in Korean). March 17–23, 2024. Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
^2024년 12주차 Download Chart [Week 12 of 2024 Download Chart]. Circle Music Chart (in Korean). March 17–23, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
^Kim, So-Yeon (September 23, 2024). "'시골간Z' 정동원→NCT 정우·권은비, 수준급 몸개그" ['Countryside Z' Jeong Dong-won → NCT Jung Woo and Kwon Eun-bi, high-level body gags]. Star Today (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved December 27, 2024.