Kim Hyung-jun (; born August 3, 1987)"Kim Hyung Jun's Official Website" . Retrieved June 15, 2013. is a South Korean entertainer, lead rapper and youngest member of boyband SS501 and SS301. In 2010, Kim left DSP Media, who managed him as part of SS501, and joined S-Plus Entertainment as a solo artist."SS501's Kim Hyung Joon joins S-Plus Entertainment". Allkpop. Retrieved June 16, 2013. He made his debut as a soloist in March 2011 with mini album My Girl,Kim Hyung Jun. My Girl. 2011. CD. and musical debut in Caffeine."SS501's Kim Hyung Joon and Kim So Jung collaborate for "Love Is"". Allkpop. Retrieved June 16, 2013. In 2012, Kim starred on his first main lead role as Kang-min in KBS Drama's My Shining Girl,"Kim Hyung Jun Goes All Out For Bed Scene". Enewsworld. Retrieved June 16, 2013. followed by SBS Plus's Late Blossom as Jung Min-chae in the same year."Kim Hyung-joon to star in Kang Pool's "Late Blossom – Drama"" . Hancinema. Retrieved June 16, 2013. At the end of the year, Kim received the Rising Star Award for his role in Late Blossom by the K-Drama Star Awards.
Early life Kim Hyung-jun was born on August 3, 1987, in Seoul, South Korea. His family consists of his parents and a little brother named Kim Kibum,"Kim Hyung Jun's bio" . JPopAsia. Retrieved June 16, 2013. who was a former member of U-KISS and Xing,"Xing" . JPopAsia. Retrieved June 16, 2013. and currently a soloist.
Kim studied in the Department of Information and Communication at Kyonggi University, a school affiliated with Dongguk University Teacher's College High School with fellow SS501 member Park Jung-min."Kim Hyung Joon (SS501)'s Bio" . Jpopasia. Retrieved February 23, 2013"[아이돌 스타, 연예 산업 판 바꾸다] 3040을 위한 아이돌 상식" . Korea Economic Daily. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
Career 2005–2009: SS501 Debut
Kim Hyung-jun debuted as a youngest member of SS501 on June 8, 2005, along with their debut album entitled Warning.. Mnet. Retrieved February 23, 2013"DSP Media History" . DSPmedia. Retrieved June 16, 2013. Their second mini album, Snow Prince was released in late 2005, five months after their debut.SS501. Snow Prince. 2005. CD. During this time, they also established their official fan club name, "Triple S", and its color, pearl green.Interview. SS501 2nd Fanmeeting & Triple S Fan Club Establishment. YTN Star News. Seoul, December 19, 2005. Television. The group earned popularity right away as they won many rookie awards after their debut.
Kim, along with the members of SS501 (except for Heo Young Saeng, who was recovering from the surgery), lent their voices to the Korean version of 2006 animated film Pi's Story.
SS501 soon promoted their first studio album S.T 01 Now."DSP Discography 2006" . Retrieved June 18, 2013. In late 2007, they expanded their activities in the Japanese market to challenge themselves outside Korea with the release of their Japanese single Kokoro,"Kokoro (Normal Edition)(Japan Version)" . YesAsia. Retrieved June 18, 2013. along with the establishment of "Triple S Japan". After the single debuted at No. 5,"Skull, TVXQ Hitting Overseas Charts" The Korea Times. August 7, 2007. Retrieved November 2, 2011 they had 2 more successful releases in Japan entitled Distance and SS501. Within one year in Japan, they received the Newcomer Award by Japan Gold Disc Award in January 2008; this was the first time for Korean artists to receive this award."The 22nd Japan Gold Disk Award 2008" Retrieved March 5, 2013
Having built their foundation as artists in Japan and Korea, they continually released singles and albums back-and-forth such as Deja Vu in South Korea"DSP Discography 2008" . Retrieved June 18, 2013. and Lucky Days in Japan, both released in 2008. However, they stopped their activities as a group for a period of time as Park Jung-Min and Kim Hyun-Joong were given solo projects for Grease musical Joongang Daily. July 29, 2010. Retrieved October 31, 2011 and Boys Over Flowers series respectively.Boys Over Flowers. Dir. Ki-sang Jun. Perf. Ku Hye-sun, Lee Min-ho, Kim Hyun Joong, Kim Bum, and Kim Joon. 2009. TV Series. Nevertheless, the three remaining members, with Heo as the leader, continued to promote, dubbed as the SS501 Project Group. They released a project album named U R Man in November 2008, with high tempo dance title track "UR Man".SS501. U R Man. 2008. CD. They also contributed to the Boys Over Flowers soundtrack with "내 머리가 나빠서" (Because I'm Stupid), Yesasia.com Boys Over Flowers Original Soundtrack: Part 1 album info January 23, 2009. Retrieved February 18, 2013 and appeared as a cameo in episode four, performing their track, "U R Man". The track won Song of the Month for February at the 32nd Cyworld Digital Music Awards on March 28, 2009."2NE1 dominates at 2009 Cyworld Digital Music Awards" . Retrieved February 18, 2013. as well as the Best OST of the year during the 2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards."2009 M.net Korean Music Festival Winners list" . MAMA. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
In 2009–2010, SS501 released All My Love,SS501. All My Love. 2009. CD. Solo Collection,SS501. Solo Collection. 2009. CD. Rebirth, and DestinationSS501. Destination. 2010. CD. consecutively before their contracts ended. During this time, Kim started writing lyrics along with his brother Kibum, which includes "Want It", "The One", and "I Am" from UR Man album, and "Hey G" from SS501 Solo Collection.SS501. SS501 Solo Collection. 2009. CD. He also wrote the lyrics for the song "Obsess" and his part of "완.두.콩." (Green Peas), a song written for their fans, released in their album Rebirth in 2009.SS501. Rebirth. 2009. CD.
2010–2012: Leaving DSP Media, My Girl and Escape albums, musical and acting career In June 2010, upon the expiration of SS501's contract with DSP Media, he signed with S-Plus Entertainment in August 2010, to embark on his solo career."Kim Hyung Jun's Official Website" . Retrieved June 16, 2013. S-Plus Entertainment stated that SS501's activities are top priority in his contract and that they have not disbanded.Kim, Jessica "SS501 Kim Hyung-joon joins Kang Ji-hwan agency" 10 Asia. August 27, 2010. Retrieved October 31, 2011 In December, Kim and his younger brother Kibum launched 'HnB company', which stands for 'Happy n Bright'. It is a character design brand with its first product named PiroPiro, a bear with dark circles under its eyes, representing tired office workers and those who feel the strain of work."Boy band brothers launch design brand" The Korea Times. December 28, 2010. Retrieved October 31, 2011
In January 2011, Kim signed with Avex Entertainment for his Japanese activities. "SS501's Kim Hyung Jun signs with Avex, to release album in Japan キム・ヒョンジュン、待望の日本ソロ・デビュー" January 22, 2011. Retrieved November 2, 2011 On March 8, 2011, Kim finally released his debut solo mini album My GirlHong, Lucia. "Kim Hyung-jun reveals first solo album today" . 10 Asia. March 8, 2011. Retrieved November 2, 2011. with music videos for the two lead tracks "oH! aH!" and "Girl", in which Park Jung-min visited him during the music video shoot for the latter. "SS501's Park Jung Min visits Kim Hyung Joon on his MV film set" Naver News. February 27, 2011. Retrieved 2011-22-06 A Japanese version was released on April 6, 2011, with two bonus tracks of Japanese versions of the two lead tracks."My Girl (Japanese Edition) info" Avex Entertainment. April 6, 2011. Retrieved November 2, 2011 In June, Kim performed with other Korean artists in the Fantastic K-POP Concert in Jakarta, followed by concert in Singapore and in Hong Kong to promote his mini album."SS501's Kim Hyung-jun Makes Front Page News in Indonesia" Chosun Ilbo. June 22, 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2011
In October 2011, Kim made his theater debut in the romantic comedy musical Caffeine, where he played as a barista."SS501's Kim Hyung Joon to debut theatre career with “Caffeine”" Allkpop. Retrieved February 23, 2013. After his acting debut in Black City, Kim starred on his first main lead role in KBS Drama's romantic comedy series, My Shining Girl in March. He played Kang-Min's character, a top star in the Korean entertainment business who is a bit temperamental; charming but rude and attempts to transform from a singer into an actor. His acting career was followed by SBS Plus's Late Blossom in the same year."Kim Hyung Jun to make a special appearance at the 'KNTV Autumn Drama Parade'" . Allkpop. Retrieved February 23, 2013. The drama is based on a popular comic by Kang Full that has already been turned into a movie, which tells the love story between the elderly, and is SBS Plus' first feature-length drama to be produced in-house. Kim played the character Jung Min-chae, a smart public service officer."Kim Hyung Jun to star in a new drama, 'I Love You'" . Allkpop. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
In July, he released his second mini album entitled Escape with its single "Sorry, I'm Sorry".Kim Hyung Jun. Escape. 2012. CD. The album includes five songs, and a 25-minute drama MV starring Kang Ji-hwan, Lee Ki-woo, and himself."Kim Hyung Jun releases mini-album 'ESCAPE' & MV for 'Sorry I'm Sorry'" Allkpop. July 8, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2012 He, then, held his first solo live tour ‘2012 1st Story in Japan' in April and '2012 2nd Story in Japan' in August consecutively."Kim Hyung Jun to embark on his second live tour in Japan" KPopSugar. July 21, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2012
In November, he was cast in Rough Play (An Actor is an Actor) with Lee Joon, a film written and produced by Kim Ki-duk."Kim Hyung Jun to join Lee Joon on the cast of 'An Actor is an Actor'" Allkpop. November 23, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2012 When December came, he became active in attending several award shows and music festivals, including the 2012 Thailand Korea Friendship Festival and 2012 Malaysia Model Festival Awards where he met the world famous designer Jimmy Choo."Kim Hyung Jun returns home after schedules abroad Allkpop. December 16, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2012"SS501's Kim Hyung Jun hangs out with designer Jimmy Choo in Malaysia Allkpop. December 13, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2012 He also receives his first award in the 2012 K-Drama Star Awards where he was given the Rising Star Award for Late Blossom drama."'K-Drama Star Awards' winners + Kim Hyung Jun shares his feelings on winning" Allkpop. December 9, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2012
2013–present: Kim Hyung Jun "The First", South America tours In early 2013, Kim attended the 2013 Asian Model Awards where he received the Fashionista Award on the evening of January 15 at the Olympic Hall in Seoul Olympic Park."Kim Hyung Jun, 'Looking great in a suit' ... '2013 Asian Model Awards' ". January 17, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2013