Kim Jung-woo (; 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.
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.
He attended Gimpo Gochang Middle School and Gimpo Jeil Technical High School Computer's Department of Computer Applied Machinery.
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.
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. 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". 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 positions of dancer and vocalist.
In August 2019, in the middle of NCT 127's first world tour, Neo City – The Origin, it was announced that Jungwoo will be taking a temporary break due to health concerns after his noticeable absences from the group's activities.
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)".
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" (). Later that year, he was nominated alongside his co-hosts for the 2021 MBC Entertainment Awards' Rookie Award.
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. 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". 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.
In January 2024, Peripera revealed Jungwoo and Doyoung as the new faces of the cosmetic brand. The duo was initially introduced with the new Lucky Lottery Collection.
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.
In June 2024, KBS KPop Youtube channel announced a new web variety program, Nopogy, featuring Jungwoo and Monsta X Shownu. The program focuses on visiting old traditional Korean restaurants where the two hosts gets to taste the restaurants' signature meals or specialties, while having conversation with their exclusive guests.
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.
In November 2025, Jungwoo made his official solo debut with the digital single "Sugar" and its accompanying music video. The song is described as a vocal pop track with elements of groove and swing drums.
Following this debut, his first solo fan meeting titled "Golden Sugar Time" was held twice on November 28, 2025 at the Seoul Olympic Handball Gymnasium.
Personal life Military service In October 2025, it was announced that Jungwoo will enlist for his mandatory military service on December 8 and will be part of the army band.
Endorsements In September 2023, Italian luxury fashion house Tod's announced Jungwoo as their first male ambassador in South Korea.
Discography
Title Year Peak chart positions Album KORPeak chart positions on the Circle Digital Chart: "Sugar": KORDown.Peak chart positions on the Circle Download Chart (formerly Gaon Download Chart): "Goodbye": "Smile Goodbye Bye": "First Step": "Sugar": Lead artist "Sugar" 2025 27 1 Collaboration "Goodbye" () 2021 — 85 2021 Winter SM Town: SMCU Express Soundtrack appearances "Smile Good Bye" () 2024 — 63 Fubao and Grandfather Season 2 OST "First Step" () 2024 — 65 Check-in Hanyang OST Part. 2 "—" indicates that the song did not chart or was not released in that region.
Filmography Television shows Year Title Role Notes 2021–2023 Show! Music Core Host with Lee Know and Kim Minju
Web shows Year Title Role Notes 2021–2023 Kim Jungwoo's Finding this Person Host 7 Episodes, NCT 2023 Welcome Ghost Club 2 Episodes, TEO 2024–2025 Nopogy (노포기) with Shownu, KBS KPop
Music video appearances Year Song title Artist 2017 "Paper Umbrella" () Yesung
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 KBS Entertainment Awards 2024 Digital Content Award Himself and Shownu for Nopogy MBC Entertainment Awards 2021 Rookie Award Show! Music Core
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References