Kim Jong-hyeon

Not to be confused with Kim Jong-hyun.

In this Korean name, the family name is Kim.

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.

Kim Jong-hyeon
Kim in 2019
Born	Kim Jong-hyeon (1995-06-08) June 8, 1995 (age 30)[1] Gangneung, Gangwon, South Korea
Other names	JR
Education	Hanyang University Institute for Future Talents[2]
Occupations	Singer musician actor
Musical career
Genres	K-pop
Instrument	Vocals
Years active	2012–present
Labels	Pledis Evermore
Formerly of	NU'EST NU'EST W
Korean name
Hangul	김종현
Hanja	金鍾炫
RR	Gim Jonghyeon
MR	Kim Chonghyŏn
Signature

Career

Pre-debut

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

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

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]

On December 28, 2023, Evermore announced that Kim would released his second EP Brilliant Seasons on January 3, 2024. In addition, he would also reveal the EP details and perform the tracks before its release during the "Sparkling Eternity" fan concert on December 29 to 30, 2023.^[22]

Personal life

Military service

On August 18, 2024, Kim held a live broadcast announcing that he would have to fulfill his military mandatory service as an active duty soldier on September 23.^[23][24]

Discography

For discography as part of NU'EST, see NU'EST discography.

Extended plays

List of extended plays, showing selected details, selected chart positions, and sales figures

Title	Details	Peak chart positions	Sales
		KOR [25]
Meridiem	Released: November 8, 2022 Label: Evermore Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download, streaming Track listing "Intro (Into the Light)" "Blaze" "Lights" "décalcomanie" (반가워) (feat. MRCH) "Creator" "to.(&U)"	7	KOR: 46,500[26]
Brilliant Seasons	Released: January 3, 2024 Label: Evermore Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download, streaming	14	KOR: 25,318[27]

Singles

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

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Sales	Album
		KOR [28]
As lead artist
"Daybreak" (with Minhyun)	2016	91	KOR: 25,874[29]	Canvas
"Lights"	2022	—[A]	—	Meridiem
"Motto"	2024	—	—	Brilliant Seasons
As featured artist
"Ssok Ssok Ssok" (쏙쏙쏙)[B] (Uee featuring Jonghyeon)	2011	64	KOR: 240,196[31]	Non-album promotional single
Soundtrack appearances
"Star"	2023	—	—	Sound Candy OST Part 1
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Other charted songs

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

Title	Year	Peak chart positions		Sales	Album
		KOR
		Circle [28]	Hot [C][32]
"With"	2017	33	11	KOR: 41,395[33]	W, Here
"I Hate You"	2018	—[D]	—	—	Wake, N
"Doom Doom"	2021	—[E]	—		Romanticize
"Summer Drive" (Yoon Ji-sung featuring Jonghyeon)	2022	—[F]	—		Miro
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that region.

Filmography

For filmography as part of NU'EST, see NU'EST § Filmography.

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2016	Their Distance	Ji-woo	Japanese film	[38][unreliable source?]

Television series

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2015	Lonely Gourmet: Taipei	Zhang Huai Shan / Zhang Si Nan	Special appearance	[citation needed]
2021–2022	Let Me Be Your Knight	Lee Shin		[14]

Web series

Year	Title	Role	Ref.
2023	Sound Candy	Kang Hae-sung	[39]
	It Was Spring	Kim Bom	[40]
2024	My Friend's Graduation Ceremony	Kim Min-goo	[41]

Television shows

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2017	Produce 101 Season 2	Contestant	Finished at 14th place	[42]
	Night Goblin	Cast member		[43]
	Shadow Singer [ko]	Panelist		[44]
	Master Key	Participant	Episode 4, 6, 8, 11, 13	[45]
2018	Law of the Jungle in Patagonia	Cast member	Episode 302–305	[46]
	Inkigayo	Special MC	Episode 943
	For The First Time in My Life	Participant	Episode 9–12	[47][48]
	M Countdown	Special MC	Episode 576
	Looking for Trouble Season 2: Paradise	Cast member	12 episodes	[49]
	Battle Trip	MC, Participant	Episode 98–99 (MC); 109 (participant)	[50][51]
	Two Yoo Project: Sugar Man Season 2	Show Man	Episode 1
	King of Mask Singer	Panelist	Episode 169–170
	Happy Together Season 4	Special MC	Episode 559 / Season 4 Episode 2
	Love Catcher [ko]	Panelist		[52]
	LAN Life	MC		[53][unreliable source?]
	Not the Same Person You Used to Know		Episode 1; 3–6	[54]
2019	Inkigayo	Special MC	Episode 1001
	UHSN	MC	9 episodes	[55]
2020	We Play Season 2	Cast member		[56]
	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

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2021	Royal Comics	DJ / Host	April 15, 2021 – July 15, 2021

Awards and nominations

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

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee / Work	Result	Ref.
Korea First Brand Awards	2019	Male Idol Variety Star	Kim Jong-hyeon (JR)	Won	[57]
The Fact Music Awards	2018	Fan N Star Hall of Fame Award		Won	[58]

Notes

1. "Lights" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 10 on the Circle Download Chart.^[30]
2. "Ssok Ssok Ssok" was released as a promotional single in collaboration with Le Coq Sportif Golf Korea.
3. The Kpop Hot 100 was launched on August 25, 2011, and was discontinued on July 16, 2014. The chart was re-established on June 4, 2017, but was discontinued on April 30, 2022.
4. "I Hate You" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 33 on Gaon Download Chart.^[34]
5. "Need It" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 32 and 174 on Gaon Download Chart and Gaon BGM Chart, respectively.^[35][36]
6. "Summer Drive" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 140 on Gaon Download Chart.^[37]