Kun

I. Introduction

Qian Kun (钱锟), known professionally as Kun (Hangul: 쿤), is a Chinese singer, songwriter and producer. He is the leader and one of the main vocalists in the permanent NCT sub unit, WayV. WayV sings primarily in Chinese, as well as songs in Korean and English, bridging a gap between c-pop and kpop. He is also a part of a WayyV mini unit, WayV Kun & Xiaojun, as well as a main or lead singer in the rotational NCT subunit NCT U.

II. Career

III. 2015-18: SM Rookies and NCT

Kun was born in Taining County, Fujian on January 1, 1996. He was cast in 2015 at the SM Global Audition in Guangzhou, China, then introduced as a member of the pre-debut SM Rookies team on December 18, 2015. He began appearing with SM Rookies in live performances and variety shows. He made his debut in NCT on April 10, 2016, as part of NCT's rotating combination unit, NCT U. NCT U utilizes different members to match the song and its accompanying performance, as well as serving to debut new NCT members. Kun appeared on the Chinese version of "Without You" as one of the main vocalists.

He also appeared in the second season of NCT Life in Seoul in May-June 2016, featuring NCT members touring around Seoul and completing missions. Kun and fellow new Chinese member Winwin joined several of the other SM Rookies featured in Season 1, including Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung and Jaehyun.

Kun did not appear in NCT again until the NCT 2018 all-unit project on March 14, 2018, featuring all NCT members, and debuting three new ones. This project also included the first NCT full album, NCT 2018 Empathy. He appears as a singer on the rereleased "Without U" and a dancer in "Black on Black."

Kun appeared in another season of NCT Life: Hot & Young Seoul Trip in the summer of 2018, touring Seoul along with other foreign-born NCT members, including Johnny (USA), Yuta (Japan), Winwin (China), Lucas (China) and Mark (Canada).

SM announced plans to launch an NCT China unit on August 13, 2018. The formation of the group was finalized and announced on December 31, under a new China-exclusive label. Due to the political tensions between China and South Korea at the time, the group was not promoted as an NCT sub unit.

IIII. 2019: WayV debut

Kun debuted in the permanent Chinese NCT sub-unit WayV on January 17, 2019 with the EP The Vision. Kun’s voice is distinct in NCT, as it is a sweeter, more delicate, often heartbreakingly beautiful voice, compared to many of the power vocalists across the sub-units. His voice often sets up the build up to the other WayV main vocalists’ more powerful voices, creating a unique hallmark of their sound. WayV has a sleeker, sexier sound and style than the other sub-units, as well as a more fluid style of dance.

WayV released a second EP on May 9, 2019, Take Off, then released another EP on October 29, Take Over the Moon. WayV also appeared in its first reality series, WayV Dream Plan.

Kun also appeared separately on a number of television and web shows, such as a co-host of the makeup and skincare-oriented show, Pink Festa. He also recorded his own v-log, Kun's Cloud.

IIIII. 2020: First full album and NCT 2020

In March 2020, a repackage was released, Take Over the Moon the Sequel. WayV released its first full album Awaken the World on June 9, 2020, following its online live concert on Vlive. It also appeared on its own reality show, WayVision.

Kun wrote and produced several songs released on his SoundCloud channel and WayV's YouTube channel. He also participated in the NCT 2020 project in October 2020, featuring all NCT members, and debuting two new ones. This project also included a 2-part NCT full album, NCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 1 and NCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 2. He appears as a singer on WayV's song "Nectar," as well as a part of NCT U combination units on 5 songs: "Light Bulb," "Dancing in the Rain," From Home", "I.O.U." and "Raise the Roof." As in WayV, Kun's voice is utilized to harmonize with other vocalists or to provide contrast to rappers. He also appears in the combination single "Resonance," which combines multiple songs. The entire project also appeared on NCT World 2.0, a competition-focused show.

IIIV. 2021: Kick Back and new sub-unit

WayV released its third EP, Kick Back, on March 11, 2021, while simultaneously airing the second season of its reality show WayVision 2: Winter Sports Channel.

Kun released a digital cover on SM's YouTube channel with NCT Dream member Chenle of Honne's "Free Love." Kun arranged the song, including strings and co-arranging piano with producer SQUAR.

In June, it was announced that Xiaojun and group member Kun would debut as the first NCT sub-unit of a sub-unit. The sub-unit, WayV Kun & Xiaojun, released the single album, Back to You, on June 16. The album featured three songs in English and Mandarin.

In June, WayV released its first OST song, "Everytime", for the Running to You Soundtrack. In July, Kun released a remix of WayV's single "Action Figure" that he produced and remixed.

In September, Kun took over for NCT Dream's Chenle as the host of the Akdong Seoul radio show, as well as creating his own musical intro for it. He also co-wrote a song for group mate Hendery, that was released through the WayV Play V series.

Kun participated in the NCT 2021 project in December 2021, featuring all active NCT members at the time. This project also included a NCT full album, NCT 2021 Universe. He appears as a singer on WayV's song "Miracle," as well as a part of NCT U combination units on 2 songs: "Vroom" and the vocally driven "Sweet Dream," featuring 5 NCT main vocalists. He also features in the all-unit song "Beautiful." As part of NCT 2021 promotions, he also appeared in a special short digital series EuMARKJUNGsim, co-hosted by NCT group mates Mark and Jungwoo, and NCT 2021 YearDream, around the group's lore.

Kun appeared with the other active members of NCT in December 2021 as part of the 2021 Winter SMTOWN: SMCU Express album on the song "Hope for Kwangya." Additionally, he performed that song and "Back to You" with Xiaojun as part of the New Year's Day concert.

IIV. 2022: First SM Station and Phantom

In April 2022, it was announced that Kun would be the next member featured as part of the SM Station NCT Lab series, which highlights solo tracks, self-composed titles and more from NCT members. SM reported he would write and produce, as well as performing and directing the music video. In July, it was announced the song would also feature Taeil of NCT 127 and YangYang of WayV. The song "Rain Day" was released on July 19 as a NCT U song and had a corresponding episode of Music Space.

WayV released its fourth mini, Phantom, on Dec. 28, 2022. The album became the group's highest first week sales of their career and then embarked on a multi-country fan meeting tour.

IIVI. 2023: Second SM Station and 2nd WayV album

WayV embarked on a series of fanmeetings around the world. However, Kun suffered an ankle injury that limited his activity - he continued to appear in some of the appearances but missed WayV's American debut at KCON. During this time, he completed a remix of "Phantom" that the group used in its first Chinese appearance in 3 years. He returned to activity to complete the fan meeting tour and joined NCT Golden Age album promotions and NCT Nation concerts. He appeared on two Golden Age songs: "Not Your Fault" and "Kangaroo." It was also announced he would have another song in the NCT Lab SM Station.

III. Discography

IIIIII. Filmography

IV. Radio Show

2021- Akdong Seoul (host)

V. Photos

NCT 2020 Resonance

NCT 2023 Golden Age

VI. Trivia

- His official NCT emoji is a 🐻 (bear face.)

- Kun was in the original NCT U units on the Chinese version of "Without You."

- Kun is tied with Ten for the longest wait from debut in NCT to placement in a permanent unit at 33 months. They both debuted in the first NCT U units in April 2016, but did not debut with their permanent unit until January 2019.

- Kun is a native Mandarin speaker who is very fluent in Korean and speaks some English. Kun is considered the best Korean speaker in WayV and the group often lets him speak or looks to him for language help.

- Kun is a producer and songwriter.

- Kun plays the piano.

- Kun has a Chinese and Korean drivers' license.

- Kun can do magic tricks, which has been highlighted in NCT social content.

- Kun is the only member of NCT with a college degree, in Pop Vocal Performance from Beijing Contemporary Music Academy.

- Kun is an avid photographer and has a separate IG dedicated just to photography: https://www.instagram.com/11xn_d/

- Kun is a good cook and hosts cooking videos on social media in addition to cooking for the WayV members.

- Kun often serves as the parent to the WayV members, and is good-natured, kind-hearted and friendly - but not without a dramatic eye roll, like any long-suffering parent. He complains about them, but is always the first to make a meal or pack a suitcase.

- Kun knows how to fly a plane and is working to obtain his pilot license.

- Kun has a sky-diving license.

- He has a license to fly a drone.

- His fans are called NuoYis, which is also a pun on his Chinese name.

- Kun and Sungchan are paired together for It's Awkward, But It's OK, but they even mention that they trained together. As one of the oldest members, Kun often mentored or took care of the younger members.

- Winwin requested the other members dress up for his birthday. He is Snow White in WayV's Princess performance of their song "Bad Alive" in the WINformation web series.

- SM released a video using the audio from NCT's MAMA performance that captures the journey of the members through their career.

- NCT members have participated in a NCT 24 Hour Relay Cam that gives a snapshot of their daily lives.