Yong Jun-hyung (Korean: 용준형; born Yong Jae-soon on December 19, 1989),[1] commonly known as Junhyung, is a South Korean singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor. Junhyung rose to fame as a member of South Korean boy band Highlight (formerly known as Beast), formed in 2009. He departed from Highlight in 2019, amidst the controversy of admitting to watch illegal videos,[2][3] although the police stated that Junhyung was only considered as a witness at that point in time in the Burning Sun scandal.[4]
Junhyung was born in Seoul, South Korea. He changed his birth name Yong Jae-soon (Korean: 용재순) to his current name when he was in 6th grade.[9] In 2007, he joined the boy band Xing, which included Kevin Woo (ex-U-KISS). Junhyung was known by the stage name Poppin' Dragon while in Xing.[10]
Junhyung debuted under Cube Entertainment as a member of the boy band Beast in 2009. The group released their first extended play Beast Is the B2ST on October 14, 2009.[11] The group released a total of eight extended plays and three studio albums.[12][13]
In 2016, Beast left Cube Entertainment, and formed their own label, Around Us Entertainment. The group debuted under the new name of Highlight.[14] As Highlight, they released two extended plays.[15]
Solo activities
In 2010, Junhyung was featured as a rapper in songs by other artists, including Hyuna's debut single "Change,"[16] the Asian remix of Amerie's "Heard 'em All,"[17] and G.NA's single "I'll Back Off So You Can Live Better."[18] In 2011, Junhyung was featured on the songs "Heartsore Story" by Wheesung,[19] "A Bitter Day" by Hyuna,[20] "Be Quiet" by Kim Wan-sun,[21] and "Don't Act Countrified" by ALi.[22]
In February 2013, Junhyung released the single "You Got Some Nerve" with LE of EXID and Feeldog of Big Star.[27] The song reached #13 on the Gaon Digital Chart.[28] Starting in May, Junhyung starred in the Korean drama Monstar, alongside Ha Yeon-soo and Kang Ha-neul.[29] The series aired on Mnet and wrapped up in August.[30] Junhyung won Best New Actor at the 2013 Korean Drama Awards for his depiction of a teen idol in the series.[31]
Junhyung released his debut solo EP, Flower, on December 13, 2013.[32] The EP debuted at #4 on the Gaon Album Chart,[33] and the title track "Flower" peaked at #23 on the Gaon Digital Chart.[34]
In 2015, Junhyung starred in the Cube Entertainment online reality series, Yong Jun-hyung's Good Life, alongside his songwriting and music production partner Kim Tae-joo.[35] From 2016 to 2017, he co-hosted the third season of the variety show Hitmaker alongside comedian Jeong Hyeong-don.[36][37] In 2017, Junhyung was also a cast member on the first season of the variety show It's Dangerous Beyond the Blankets.[38] He returned to the show for the second season in 2018.[39]
Junhyung released his first solo full-length album, Goodbye 20's, on May 9, 2018.[40] The album debuted at #2 on the Gaon Album Chart.[41] That year, he also starred in the Korean drama, Coffee, Do Me a Favor, which is based on the webtoon of the same name.[8]
He quietly enlisted for his mandatory military service on April 2, 2019 as an active duty soldier.[42] On September 25, 2020, it was announced that Junhyung had suffered a knee injury, and he would complete the rest of his service as a public service worker.[43] He was discharged on February 26, 2021.[44]
On November 15, 2021, Junhyung left Around Us Entertainment after his contract expired.[45]
On September 27, 2022, it was announced that Junhyung would be releasing a new album in the near future, which would be his first solo comeback in four years and also his first since his departure from Around Us Entertainment.[46] On October 11, he announced his first EP Loner, set to release on October 30, under his independent label Black Made.[47]
In October 2022 it was confirmed that Yong will hold his solo concert 'LONER's ROOM' at Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul on November 4 and 5, and will make a comeback with his new EP album "Loner" on October 30.[48] However, the label announced the postponement of the album due to the national mourning period following the Seoul Halloween crowd crush incident on the 29th.[49] And his solo concert was postponed as well.[50] Yong has confirmed the release schedule for the new album on November 10.[51]
On March 2, 2023, Yong will release "POST IT" (Feat. Xion) with the same name and "Til' the End", both composed by Yong.[52]
Controversy
On March 11, 2019, the television program SBS Eight O'Clock News incorrectly reported that Yong was part of a group chatroom where musician Jung Joon-young shared hidden camera sex videos with acquaintances.[3][53][54] On March 12, Yong clarified that he was not part of the group chatroom, but that he and Jung had a one-on-one chatroom with each other.[53][55] On March 14, Yong announced on Instagram that he was leaving Highlight, saying he had watched an illegally filmed video sent to him by Jung.[3]Seoul Metropolitan Police stated in April that they questioned Yong as a witness in the Jung Joon-young KakaoTalk chatrooms case, part of the Burning Sun scandal.[56] In December, KBS News reported that the video Jung had sent to Yong was filmed in a bar in Gangnam in November 2015 and depicted Jung touching an unspecified body part of a woman.[57] According to the report, Jung had filmed the woman with her consent, but she had not consented to the video being shared.[57]
Philanthropy
On March 7, 2022, Yong donated 10 million won to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help the victims of the massive wildfire that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk and has spread to Samcheok, Gangwon.[58]
^Gong, Min-na (October 13, 2022). "자숙 마친 용준형, 컴백→11월 단독 콘서트 개최" [Yong Junhyung, who has finished self-reflection, makes a comeback → Held a solo concert in November] (in Korean). SpoTV News. Retrieved October 13, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee Ge-eun (October 30, 2022). "예능 대거 결방→용준형, 컴백 연기, '자백'·'리멤버' 무대 인사 취소...이태원 참사로 연예계 올스톱 [SC이슈]" [A large number of entertainment absences → Yong Jun-hyung postponed comeback, canceled 'Confession' and 'Remember' stage greetings... All-stop entertainment industry due to the Itaewon disaster [SC issue]] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved October 30, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Young-jae (November 1, 2022). "3년 7개월+α'...용준형, 신보→콘서트 연기 [공식]" ['3 years and 7 months + α'... Yong Junhyung, new album → Concert postponed [Official]] (in Korean). TV report. Retrieved November 1, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Ji-hye (November 7, 2022). "용준형, 홀로서기 시작..10일 새 EP 'LONER' 발매" [Yong Junhyung, starting to stand alone.. New EP 'LONER' released on the 10th]. Herald POP (in Korean). Retrieved November 7, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kwak, Hyun-su (March 2, 2023). "용준형, 오늘(2일) 새 싱글 'POST IT' 발매" [Yong Junhyung releases new single 'POST IT' today (2nd)] (in Korean). YTN. Retrieved March 2, 2023 – via Naver.
^"로이킴, 피의자 전환…음란물 유포 혐의로 입건 (속보)" [Roy Kim, a new suspect ... charged with spreading obscene materials (Breaking news)]. E Daily (in Korean). 2019-04-04. Archived from the original on 2019-09-21. Retrieved 2024-01-21 – via Naver.
^ ab"[단독] 정준영 판결문 살펴보니…하루 세번 밥먹듯 불법 '촬영·유포'" [[Exclusive] Jung Joon-young's ruling... Illegal "filming and distribution" as if eating three times a day]. KBS (in Korean). 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2024-01-22 – via Naver.
^Yoon Sang-geun (March 6, 2022). "용준형, 산불 피해 복구 1000만원 기부 "작은 힘이라도 보탤게요" [Yong Jun-hyung, donate 10 million won for forest fire damage recovery "I'll add even a small force] (in Korean). MT Star News. Retrieved March 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^Son Bong-seok (January 25, 2023). "용준형, 3월 단독콘서트 'LONER's ROOM'개최 확정" [Yong Junhyung confirmed to hold his solo concert ‘LONER’s ROOM’ in March] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved January 27, 2023 – via Naver.
