Kim Myung Jun (김명준; born March 5, 1994), professionally known as MJ (엠제이), is a South Korean singer-songwriter, musical actor, composer, and model signed under the label Fantagio. On February 23, 2016, he debuted as the main vocalist of the South Korean boy group ASTRO.
In August 2020, he became a member of the idol trot group Super Five after participating in the MBC trot reality show Favorite Entertainment. Soon after, he made his musical debut as Jamie in the musical of the same name.
On November 3, 2021, he made his solo debut with his digital single "Happy Virus".
Early life[]
Kim Myung Jun was born on March 5, 1994 in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. He attended Seoul Hansan Elementary School, Hansan Middle School, and Jinjeop High School. Starting in 2010, he auditioned for JYP Entertainment several times but was ultimately rejected. He also competed in the 2012 JYP Ent. X HUM Audition and won a one year scholarship from Seoul National University.
Career[]
2012–2015: Pre-debut[]
MJ started auditioning for Fantagio in 2012 but initially failed to get accepted. In 2013, he finally managed to become a trainee. He then took part in iTeen, a rookie talent development program managed by Fantagio. Unlike the other members, he wasn't introduced through a so-called "Photo Test Cut" but through a video cover of 2NE1's Lonely, which was released on March 12, 2015.[4] Prior to his debut, he starred in the web drama To Be Continued alongside his fellow group members.[5]
2016–2019: Debut with ASTRO and rising popularity[]
On February 23, 2016, MJ debuted as part of the six-member boy group ASTRO with their first extended play Spring Up.[6]
During the "The 2nd ASTROAD to SEOUL: STAR LIGHT" concert tour in December 2018, he performed the trot solo song "Don't Do It".[7] The studio recording of the song was included on the concert's DVD, which was released in June 2019.[8]
In February 2019, MJ sang his first OST titled "My Life's Everything" for the KBS2 drama My Only One.[9] In the same month, MJ travelled to Nha Trang with JIN JU, Hyomin, Heo Kyung Hwan, and Kang Tae Oh as part of the travel reality show You Have To Go To Know.[10] He also took part in another travel show titled Go Together, Travel Alone with JinJin.[11] The show was filmed in March in Saipan.[12] In June 2019, MJ co-hosted Insane Quiz Show Season 2 with BtoB's Ilhoon and Loona's Chuu.[13] The following month, he was confirmed as one of the MCs for the tvN D variety talk show Night Of Blanket Kicks alongside Sanha.[14] In August, he also competed in the 213rd and 214th episodes of King of Mask Singer under the pseudonym "Driver Kim."[15]
2020–present: Musical debut, Super Five, and solo debut[]
In April 2020, MJ sang another OST titled "Sweet Spring" for the Channel A drama Eccentric! Chef Moon.[16] The same month, he was cast as the titular character in the Korean version of the musical Jamie.[17] The British original was based on the true story of a teenager named Jamie, who aspired to become a drag queen. The musical's original run was scheduled from July 4 to September 11 at LG Arts Center in Gangnam.[18] On September 11, 2020, MJ successfully wrapped up his last show for Jamie.[19]
In July 2020, MJ was cast in the MBC reality trot show Favorite Entertainment and was eventually selected as one of the five winning members. On August 22, he made his official debut as one of the five members of the idol trot group Super Five, which was formed by Jang Yoon Jeong.[20] For his promotions with Super Five, he used his real name Kim Myung Jun.[21]
In 2021, MJ became the MC of the second season of Fact iN Star.[22] On October 14, Fantagio confirmed that MJ would be the first member of ASTRO to promote as a solo artist. He made his solo debut with the semi-trot single Happy Virus on November 3, 2021. The single was released digitally and produced by trot musician Young Tak.[23] The lead single, "Get Set Yo", featured child singer Kim Tae Yeon, who was also a contestant on Miss Trot 2.[24] Starting from November 9, he portrayed the long-time friend of the lead actress in the G-Market mystery romance thriller web drama Find Me If You Can.[25][26] On November 29, he placed first on SBS's The Trot Show, making him the first idol to do so.[27] He then went on to portray the main character Daniel in the musical production Jack the Ripper, which opened on December 3 at the KEPCO Art Center in Seoul.[28]
2022: Hiatus and military enlistment[]
On January 28, 2022, Fantagio announced that MJ would be going on hiatus due to health issues.[29]
In April 2022, it was confirmed that ASTRO's preparing for a full group comeback with their third studio album Drive to the Starry Road and that while MJ would be included in the music video, he would not be present during promotions due to his military enlistment. On May 9, 2022, MJ enlisted in the military.[30][31] He was discharged on November 8, 2023.[32]
Personal Life[]
MJ is currently attending the Department of Entertainment & Media at the Global Cyber University.
On April 9, 2022, it was announced that MJ would be the first member of ASTRO to enlist in the military on May 9, in which he would serve in the military band.[33]
Discography[]
| Year | Song | Album | Notes | Peak chart positions | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | "Like Today" | FM201.8 | feat. Lucy of Weki Meki | — | [34] |
| 2019 | "Don't Do It" | The 2nd ASTROAD to SEOUL: STAR LIGHT | [35] | ||
| "My Life's Everything" | Non-album single | My Only One OST | [36] | ||
| 2020 | "Twist King" | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Kim Jong-guk x Turbo Part 1) | with Shin Joo Hyup & Jo Kwon | [37] | |
| "Sweet Spring" | Non-album single | Eccentric! Chef Moon OST | [38] | ||
| "Rain of Tears" | Digital single | Solo as part of his promotions with Super Five | [39] | ||
| 2021 | "NOW N NEW 2021" | Collaboration project between various artists | [40] | ||
| "Get Set Yo" | Happy Virus | feat. Kim Tae Yeon | 103 | [41] | |
| "Valet Parking" | — [note 1] | ||||
| 2022 | "Story" | Drive to the Starry Road | Solo track | — [note 2] |
[42] |
| "Walking in the Memory" | Non-album single | Crush of Spring OST | — [note 3] |
[43] |
Credits[]
◯ Participated
✖ Did not participate
| Year | Song | Album | Artist | Lyricist | Composer | Arranger | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | "You & Me" | Winter Dream | ASTRO | ◯ | ✖ | ✖ | [44] |
| 2018 | "By Your Side" | Rise Up | ◯ | ✖ | ✖ | [45] | |
| "Merry-Go-Round (Christmas Edition)" | Non-album single | ◯ | ✖ | ✖ | [46] | ||
| 2019 | "Merry-Go-Round" | All Light | ◯ | ✖ | ✖ | [47] | |
| "Bloom" | ◯ | ◯ | ✖ | [48] | |||
| 2020 | "ONE&ONLY" | ONE&ONLY | ◯ | ◯ | ✖ | [49] | |
| 2021 | "Gemini" | All Yours | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | [50] | |
| "Sunset Sky" | Switch On | ◯ | ◯ | ✖ | [51] | ||
| 2022 | "Light the sky" | Drive to the Starry Road | ◯ | ◯ | ✖ | [52] | |
| "Story" | ◯ | ✖ | ✖ | [53] |
Filmography[]
Television[]
| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Astro OK! Ready | Himself | MBC Music | Variety show | [54] |
| Astro Project A.S.I.A | [55] | ||||
| 2018-2019 | You Have To Go To Know | SBS MTV | [10] | ||
| 2019 | Go Together, Travel Alone | TV Chosun | [56] | ||
| King of Mask Singer | MBC | Contestant (Ep. 213-214) | [15] | ||
| 2020 | Favorite Entertainment | MBC | Contestant; as Kim Myung Jun | [57] | |
| 2021 | Fact iN Star Season 2 | TBS | Host | [22] |
Web series[]
| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | To Be Continued | Himself | Naver TV Cast MBC Every1 |
Pre-debut web drama | [5] |
| 2016 | My Romantic Some Recipe | Naver TV Cast | Guest appearance (Ep. 6) | ||
| 2017 | Revenge Note | oksusu | Guest appearance | [58] | |
| 2019 | Insane Quiz Show Season 2 | vLive | Host | [59] | |
| Night Of Blanket Kicks | tvN D | Host | [14] | ||
| Soul Plate | Raoniel | Naver TV Cast | Web drama | [60] | |
| 2020 | ASTRO's 1001 Nights | Himself | Seezn | Variety show | [61] |
| 2021 | ASTRO SSAP-Dance | UNIVERSE YouTube | [62] | ||
| ASTRO Chemi-Mate ZZG | [63] | ||||
| ASTRO Space Force A: Secret Golden Bowl | [64] | ||||
| ASTRO ZONE | ASTRO YouTube | [65] | |||
| Before Midnight | NAVER NOW | Host | [66] | ||
| Godiva Show | GODIVA SHOW TV YouTube | Panelist | [67] | ||
| Find Me If You Can | Seol Yoo Hwan | Gmarket Global Shop YouTube | Web drama | [68] |
Musicals[]
| Year | Title | Role | Original run | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Jamie | July 4 – September 12, 2020 | LG Art Center | [69] |
Trivia[]
- His stage name is made up of the initials of his real name Myung Jun.[3]
- His shoe size is 255mm.
- He can speak basic English.
- His role model is Lee Seung Gi.
- His favorite colors are mint and yellow.
- His favorite Marvel character is Iron Man.[70]
- His favorite food is seafood.
- His hobby is drawing.
- His specialties are cracking corny jokes and doing impersonations of people and animals.[71]
- He says he wants to open a sushi restaurant one day.
- Sanha was the first person he befriended upon joining Fantagio.
- He is trypophobic, which is an aversion to the sight of irregular patterns or clusters of small holes or bumps.[72]
- He has a baby belly and doesn't want to get rid of it for abs. He says it's softer to lay on a belly like that.
- He is friends with MYTEEN's Kookheon[73], Pentagon's Hui and Hongseok, NU'EST's Ren, 2AM's Jo Kwon, BtoB's Ilhoon, A.cian's Hyeok Jin, and ONF's Hyojin and J-Us.
- If he wasn't a singer, he would be an architectural designer.
- He wanted to be an architect when he was young but gave up when he realized how much studying it entailed.
- If he wasn't an idol, he would be a design architect.
- He shares a dorm room with Rocky and Sanha.
- MJ's ideal type is someone with a nice smile and a good sense of humor, who is similar to him.[74]
- If he had to date another member, he'd date himself.[74]
Notes[]
- ↑ "Valet Parking" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but appeared at number 76 on the component Download Chart.
- ↑ "Story" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but appeared at number 80 on the component Download Chart.
- ↑ "Walking in the Memory" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but appeared at number 163 on the component Download Chart.
References[]
- ↑ Fantagio Official Website — MJ's Official Profile
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Astro Japan Official Website — MJ
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Hankyung Ten Asia — (My Name) 아스트로 (1) MJ 라키 문빈
- ↑ iTeen Official YouTube — 판타지오 아이틴 산하ㆍ빈ㆍ명준이의 Lonely(2ne1) Cover
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 TV Daily — (TD포토) 웹드라마 '투 비 컨티뉴드' 출연진 다함께 화이팅
- ↑ MBN Star — `데뷔` 아스트로, `2016년 기대주` (MBN포토)
- ↑ E Daily — 아스트로, 2nd 콘서트 성료…팬사랑으로 꽉 채운 180분
- ↑ Incheonilbo — 'The 2nd STAROAD to Seoul (더 세컨드 아스트로드 투 서울)' 그룹 아스트로 ASTRO 가 콘서트의..."
- ↑ Chosun News — 아스트로 MJ, '하나뿐인 내편' OST '내 삶의 전부' 공개…유이♥이장우 러브송
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 My Daily — 직접 검증하는 여행 리얼리티 ‘수상한 검증단, 가봐야 알지’ 시청 포인트 3!
- ↑ bnt News — (bnt포토) 일단 같이가 '여행 기대해주세요~'
- ↑ Celuv Media — 셀럽티비, 新개념 여행 예능 '일단 같이가' 제작…5월 중 방송 목표
- ↑ OSEN — 첫방 D-1 '이세퀴2' 정일훈·MJ·츄 함께할 新아이돌 퀴즈쇼
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Chosun News — (공식)"이불킥 사연 모집" 아스트로 MJ·윤산하, '이불차는밤' MC 확정→18일 첫방송
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Seoul Daily — '복면가왕' 아스트로 MJ, 판정단 사로잡은 대체불가 재간둥이 매력 발산
- ↑ Seoul Daily — 아스트로(ASTRO) MJ, 드라마 ‘유별나! 문셰프’ OST ‘봄날애(愛)’ 공개
- ↑ Naver News — 조권→뉴이스트 렌, 뮤지컬 ‘제이미’ 캐스팅 공개 “7월 개막”(공식)
- ↑ News Keolcheo — '제이미' 조권→뉴이스트 렌, 짙은 메이크업+밝게 빛나는 미소
- ↑ Hankyung — 아스트로 MJ, 첫 뮤지컬 '제이미' 성공적 마무리
- ↑ Chosun News — '최애엔터' 트롯돌 '다섯장'의 '시선고정' 뮤비 솔로버전 공개 예고
- ↑ Hankyung — '정희' 트롯돌 다섯장 출연…이특 "슈퍼주니어로 영입시키고파"
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Star News — 아스트로 MJ, '팩트인스타' MC 대성공…4개월 여정 마침표
- ↑ Naver News — (단독)아스트로 MJ, 트로트 곡으로 솔로 데뷔…영탁 손잡았다
- ↑ Naver News — 아스트로 MJ, 영탁 프로듀싱 트로트로 솔로 데뷔…녹음실컷 공개
- ↑ Single List — 아스트로 MJ·라키·한기찬, G마켓 글로벌샵 웹드 ‘숨은 그놈’ 출연
- ↑ Naver News — G마켓 글로벌샵, 웹드라마 ‘숨은 그 놈 찾기’로 K-컬처 붐 잇는다
- ↑ OSEN — 아스트로 MJ, '더 트롯쇼' 1위..솔로 데뷔곡 '계세요'로 트로트 샛별 입증
- ↑ Yeonhap News — 3년 만에 돌아오는 '잭 더 리퍼'…김바울·아스트로 MJ 합류
- ↑ Naver News — 아스트로 MJ 건강문제로 활동 중단 “휴식과 치료 필요”(공식)
- ↑ Daum Star News — 아스트로 MJ, 5월 9일 군악대 입대 "건강히 돌아올 것"(전문)
- ↑ Xports News — 아스트로 MJ, 5월 9일 현역 입대…"입대 장소·시간 비공개" (공식입장 전문)
- ↑ ASTRO's MJ completes military service
- ↑ Soompi — ASTRO’s MJ Tearfully Announces Military Enlistment Date
- ↑ bnt News — (bnt화보) 위키미키 루시 “아스트로 MJ와 호흡 맞춘 감성 발라드 ‘오늘처럼’서 처음 랩 선보여”
- ↑ NBN News — 아스트로, 단독 콘서트 DVD 발매
- ↑ Sports Donga — 아스트로 MJ, 5일 ‘하나뿐인 내편’ OST 발표…유이♥이장우 러브송
- ↑ TV Daily — 조권X신주협XMJ, '불후의 명곡' 김종국X터보 편 정동하 꺾고 1부 우승 (종합)
- ↑ TV Daily — 조권X신주협XMJ, '불후의 명곡' 김종국X터보 편 정동하 꺾고 1부 우승 (종합)
- ↑ Sports Kyeonghyang — (간밤TV) ‘최애 엔터’ MJ의 ‘눈물비’ 무대 #비주얼 #가창력 #에너지
- ↑ E Daily — 2021년판 '하나되어' 17일 발매
- ↑ Naver News — 아스트로 MJ 트로트 가수 데뷔…영탁 프로듀싱
- ↑ Hankyung News — 아스트로, '쳥량 끝판왕'으로 돌아온다
- ↑ Naver News — 아스트로 MJ, 웹드라마 ‘춘정지란’ OST 스페셜 트랙 참여…신곡 ‘봄날의 기억’ 5일 발매
- ↑ "You & Me" on Melon Music
- ↑ "By Your Side" on Melon Music
- ↑ "Merry-Go-Round (Christmas Edition)" on Melon Music
- ↑ "Merry-Go-Round" on Melon Music
- ↑ "Bloom" on Melon Music
- ↑ "ONE&ONLY" on Melon Music
- ↑ "Gemini" on Melon Music
- ↑ "Sunset Sky" on Melon Music
- ↑ "Light the sky" on Melon Music
- ↑ "Story" on Melon Music
- ↑ Naver News — 아스트로, 저녁 복불복? 좌충우돌 첫 'V'여행기
- ↑ Hankyung News — 아스트로, 단독 리얼리티 ‘아스트로 프로젝트 : 아.시.아’ 주인공 낙점
- ↑ Yeonhap News — 같이놀까? 따로놀까?…TV조선 여행예능 '일단 같이가!'
- ↑ Single List — 아스트로 MJ, 주말 안방극장 싹쓰리...예능감+고막힐링
- ↑ Seoul Daily — (현장) '복수노트' 차은우, "아스트로 멤버들 카메오 출연, 함께 있어서 든든해"
- ↑ OSEN — '이세퀴2' 1차 티저, MC 정일훈이 공개한..#하우스 #마스코트 #MJ·츄
- ↑ Seoul Daily — (공식) 차은우, 웹드라마 '소울플레이트' 출연..오는 25일 최초 공개
- ↑ New Daily — KT, 리얼리티 예능 '아스트로의 천일야화' 16일 첫 선
- ↑ UNIVERSE Official Twitter — SSAP-DANCE 아스트로｜Teaser
- ↑ UNIVERSE Official Twitter — New UNIVERSE ORIGINALS this week! ASTRO - 케미 끌올 짝짝꿍 ASTRO.
- ↑ Yeonhap News — (방송소식) tvN '마우스', 종영 3회 앞두고 몰아보기 편성
- ↑ Top Daily — 아스트로, 리얼리티 ‘아스트로 세상’ 최종화 공개
- ↑ Naver Now — 아스트로 불토파티 LAST 스위치 온🔥
- ↑ Naver News — '고디바 SHOW' 제아·김용명→자이언트핑크·낸시, 패널 8인 공개
- ↑ Naver News — 아스트로 MJ·라키 주연 ‘숨은 그놈 찾기’ 9일 첫방
- ↑ The Korea Herald — (Herald Review) ‘Jamie’ kicks out hate with red high heels
- ↑ Billboard — ASTRO: Interview With K-Pop Band
- ↑ ALL THE K-POP Official YouTube — (Weekly Idol EP.279) Funny MJ
- ↑ DUM DUM STUDIO Official YouTube — (SUB) 아스트로 MJ, 쩡이집 비니? 뺏으러 왔다?! (쩡이집비니 EP.10-1)
- ↑ Chosun News — '데뷔' 마이틴 "아스트로와 친해, 같이 활동하니 신기해"
- ↑ 74.0 74.1 TV Chosun Official YouTube — (미공개X인터뷰) 아스트로 인터뷰 최초공개! 아스트로의 이상형은? (아이돌잔치) 7회 20170109
[]
| |
|---|---|
| JinJin • MJ • Cha Eunwoo • Moonbin • Rocky • Sanha | |
| Korean Discography | |
| Studio Albums | All Light • All Yours • Drive to the Starry Road |
| Mini Albums | Spring Up • Summer Vibes • Autumn Story • Dream Part.01 • Dream Part.02 • Blue Flame • Gateway • Switch On |
| Special Albums | Winter Dream • Rise Up |
| Single Albums | ONE&ONLY |
| Digital Singles | Merry-Go-Round (Christmas Edition) • No, I Don't • We Still (Be With U) |
| Collaborations | Because I'm a Fool • Language Test • Like a King • Like Today • Star (FM201.8) • All I Want |
| OSTs | Rainbow Falling • Together • My Life's Everything • Please Remember • One More Chance • Break • Sweet Spring • Shiny Blue • Love So Fine |
| Japanese Discography | |
| Mini Albums | Venus |
| Digital Singles | All Good (Japanese ver.) |
| Filmography | |
| Astro OK! Ready • Astro Project A.S.I.A • To Be Continued • Soul Plate | |
| |
|---|---|
| Moonbin • Sanha | |
| Korean Discography | |
| Mini Albums | In-Out • Refuge • Incense |
| |
|---|---|
| JinJin • Rocky | |
| Korean Discography | |
| Mini Albums | Restore |