Jungwoo

I. Introduction

Kim Jungwoo (김정우), known professionally as Jungwoo (Hangul: 정우), is a Korean singer and dancer. He is one of the lead vocalists and lead dancers in the permanent NCT sub unit, NCT 127. NCT 127 sings primarily in Korean, as well as songs in English and Japanese. He is also a singer and vocalist in the the rotational sub-unit, NCT U and the fixed member unit, NCT DoJaeJung.

II. Career

III. 2017-2018: SM Rookies

Jungwoo was born on February 19, 1998 in Sanbon-dong, Gunpo-si, Gyeonnggi-do. He is one of only 8 idols in SM Entertainment to pass SM's famously difficult Saturday audition and 1 of 2 idols in NCT. He was introduced as a member of the pre-debut SM Rookies group on April 17, 2017. Jungwoo began appearing with other members of SM Rookies in live performances and variety shows, including an appearance in Yesung's music video for "Paper Umbrella."

IIII. 2018: Empathy and first album

Jungwoo made his debut during the NCT 2018 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 "Boss." He is also a dancer in "Black on Black." It is Jungwoo's voice on the recognizable bridge and pre-chorus in "Boss."

Jungwoo debuted in NCT 127 on October 12, 2018 as a lead vocalist and dancer. His high and unique tone often serves as contrast to powerful raps or impact fully on bridges and pre-choruses, paired with the main vocalists. NCT 127 released its first full album Regular-Irregular on October 12, 2018, featuring a popular English version of its lead single, "Regular", that was utilized during the group's United States' based performances. It also released a repackage on November 23, Regulate. Jungwoo's voice is used to good impact on "Simon Says" on the repackage.

IIIII. 2019: First World Tour and hiatus

In January 2019, NCT 127 began its first concert tour, Neo City - The Origin, with worldwide stops until May.

The group also released its first full-length Japanese album, Awaken. The group then increased its publicity in the United States ahead of the release of its fourth EP, We Are Superhuman, including appearing at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. They also released an English version song "Highway to Heaven" of the Korean song on the EP and an accompanying video filmed in California. Jungwoo partners on the memorable bridge with Haechan.

Jungwoo took a hiatus from NCT 127 due to health issues from August 2019 to January 2020, returning for a full comeback with the launch of NCT 127's second full album.

IIIV. 2020: Neo Zone and Resonance

NCT 127 released its second full album, Neo Zone, on March 6, 2020, as well as a repackage Neo Zone: The Final Round on May 19. Jungwoo's voice is heard notably on the "fighting all day" line in "Kick It," as well as during the pre-chorus in "Punch."

He became a popular guest on Korean variety shows due to his energetic and outgoing personality.

Jungwoo 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 127's song "Music, Dance," as well as a part of NCT U combination units on 3 songs: "Work It," "Raise the Roof, "Volcano," "Dancing in the Rain" and "All About You." He also features in the combination single "Resonance," which combines multiple songs. The entire project also appeared on NCT World 2.0, a competition-focused show. This was Jungwoo's first appearance in an NCT-related reality television show.

IIV. 2021: Double Million seller, Music Core MC, second world tour and NCT 2021

NCT 127 released its second Japanese release, Loveholic, on Feb. 17. On June 4, NCT 127 released a digital single, "Save", a collaboration with the Korean hip hop label, Amoeba Culture.

On August 9, Jungwoo was announced as one of two new MCs for Show! Music Core, along with Stray Kids' Lee Know and existing MC Iz*One's Kim Min Ju, beginning on August 14th.

NCT 127 released its third Korean studio album Sticker on September 17, 2021, which was also certified as a 2 million seller. Additionally, Jungwoo appeared in a new season of NCT Life, NCT Life in Gapyeong, marking his first appearance on the show in 11 seasons and two other new shows Stick Together and Analog Trip NCT 127: Escape from Magic Island.

In October, NCT released a repackage album of Sticker, Favorite, which became a million seller. On November 3, the group released a digital single "Freeze" in collaboration with the video game Kartrider.

Jungwoo 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 NCT 127's song "Earthquake," as well as a part of NCT U combination units on 3 songs: the co-title track "Universe (Let's Play Ball)," "Birthday Party" and "Vroom." 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.

On December 19, NCT 127 started its second concert tour, Neo City: The Link, with 3 nights in Seoul. Jungwoo featured in a solo dance stage.

Jungwoo 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." He also appeared on the song "Goodbye" with Girls' Generation Sunny and NCT Dream's Renjun. He also appeared in the accompanying New Year's Day concert.

In September, NCT 127 released its 2 million selling fourth album, 질주 (2 Baddies). A new promotional series was also launched with the album, Fill It Up, which was similar to Stick Together, a mini reality series tied to Sticker promotions.

NCT 127 headlined at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul for their respective tours, joining only a handful of kpop groups who have headlined there. As part of the shows, Neo City: The Link+, the group debuted new mini sub-unit tracks. Jungwoo featured with Doyoung and Jaehyun on a r&b song "Can We Go Back."

Jungwoo also remained popular in Korean variety shows.

In November, he appeared in a new reality series with Shotaro, Sungchan, Doyoung of NCT 127 and Jeno of NCT Dream that introduces the SM Rookies members to NCT. The series, Welcome to NCT Universe, will feature all the NCT sub-units.

Johnny appeared with the other active members of NCT in December 2022 as part of the 2022 Winter SMTOWN: SMCU Palace album. Johnny featured on a song "Good to be Alive" with SNSD's Hyo, SHINee's Key, EXO's Chen, aespa's NingNing and djs Imlay, Ginjo, Raiden and Mar Vista.

IIVI. 2023: NCT DoJaeJung, Brand Ambassador

In March 2023, Jungwoo was announced as a member of the first NCT U fixed unit, NCT DoJaeJung. This group contained his 127 group mates, Doyoung and Jaehyun. The trio had performed a group number in the Neo City the Link+ concert, as well as year-end gayos. The group's debut EP, Perfume, became the best selling first week sub-unit debut of all time.

IIVII. 2023: More fashion appearances, opportunities

In January, NCT 127 released its million selling repackage, Ay-Yo.

In August, he featured with the rest of NCT 127 in the documentary NCT 127: The Lost Boys. He featured with the 127 members on the NCT all-unit album, Golden Age and the NCT Nation all-unit concerts. He appears on "The BAT", "PADO" and "That's Not Fair."

He also launched his own show, Ghost Club.

In September, he was announced as Tod's Korean brand ambassador. Tod's is an Italian luxury brand.

In October, NCT 127 released its fifth album, Fact Check.

III. Videography

IV. Photos

NCT 2020 Resonance

NCT 2023 Golden Age

V. Trivia

- His official NCT emoji is a 🐶 (dog face, after his love for Snoopy and his nickname Snoopy).

- Jungwoo was the last member of NCT 127 to add an Instagram account.

- Jungwoo has become increasingly popular as a guest on Korean variety shows, and is one of the most popular members in brand ranking polls in Korea.

- Jungwoo is 1 only 8 idols who passed SM Entertainment's extremely difficult and competitive Saturday open audition, and 1 of 2 in NCT (the other is Haechan). Most idols are identified and recruited by talent scouts and recruiters.

- Jungwoo has a fun, outgoing and friendly personality. He's also very funny and many of his quotes are highly popular in the fandom.

- His fans are called Snoopyzens, after his nickname Snoopy, or snoopers.

- The 11th season of NCT Life, NCT Life in Gapyeong, is Jungwoo's first appearance in the series. If he had not been on medical hiatus, he would have appeared in season 9.

- Jungwoo is a native Korean speaker.

- Jungwoo has an ongoing web series Finding a Person by Kim Jungwoo, where he spends time with NCT members and other experts learning their hobbies.

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

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