# Hongjoong

Kim Hong-joong (Korean: 김홍중; born November 7, 1998), mononymously known as Hongjoong, is a South Korean rapper, singer, producer, and songwriter. He debuted as the leader of the South Korean boy band ATEEZ in 2018. As of January 2025, he has 152 songs credited under his name on the KOMCA.

## Early life

Kim Hongjoong was born November 7, 1998, in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. He attended Dongan High School [ko] before enrolling at the Global Cyber University [ko]. He wrote his first song when he was 16 years old.

## Career
### 2016–2017: Pre-debut

Hongjoong sent a letter and a mixtape to his label, KQ Entertainment, expressing interest in becoming an in-house composer. He initially became the first trainee of the company because of his admiration for Block B, a group managed under the same label.
In 2017, Hongjoong was one of the trainees who passed the audition for the JTBC survival reality show Mix Nine. He placed number seven on the "Just Dance" showcase but was eliminated in the tenth episode, with a final ranking of 42.
He was introduced as a member of the pre-debut group "KQ Fellaz" along with seven others, all of whom are now part of the boy group Ateez. During the pre-debut reality show KQ Fellaz American Training, the group released a song composed and produced by Hongjoong titled "From".

### 2018–present: Debut and solo activities

On October 24, 2018, Hongjoong officially debuted as the leader of KQ Entertainment's first boy group, "ATEEZ" with the debut EP Treasure EP.1: All to Zero.
From December 2019 to February 2025, Hongjoong released 8 songs by artists that he covered and interpreted in his own style (adding his own lyrics and arranging) under the project name "BY. HONGJOONG". The covered songs included "Space Oddity" by David Bowie, "Purple Rain" by Prince, "Black or White" by Michael Jackson, "모처럼" by Yoon Jong-shin, "Numb" by Linkin Park, "Lemon Tree" by Fools Garden, "Wonderwall" by Oasis, "Beat it" by Michael Jackson.
Hongjoong and fellow Ateez member Yunho were selected as the new DJs for MBC's Idol Radio Season 3, which aired from September 8, 2022, to December 27, 2023.
On November 8, 2023, he released the song "A Walker".
On March 11, 2024, singer Chungha released her digital single "Eenie Meenie" featuring Hongjoong, who participated in writing and composing the song.
On August 23, 2024, Hongjoong released the song "Why Do You Love" along with a music video.
Hongjoong and fellow Ateez member Jongho took part in KBS2' busking variety show Moving Voices in Germany, which aired from November 2024 to January 2025.
On January 15, 2025, Odetari released his digital single "SMB" featuring Hongjoong, who participated in writing the song. It became Hongjoong's first international collab and second in total.

## Other ventures
### Fashion

Hongjoong reformed clothes, experimented with various fashion styles throughout his career, often incorporating elements that challenge traditional gender norms. He has stated that on stage, he fuses music with fashion, creating a character for each performance that embodies both elegance and power. He has mentioned wanting to study fashion and start his own fashion line.
On March 4, 2023, Hongjoong made his fashion debut at Balmain Homme 2023 Fall/Winter presentation at Paris Fashion Week. On September 5, Hongjoong was named as a Balmain ambassador and was dubbed the "Balmain Prince" by the fashion brand. On September 27, Hongjoong made his debut appearance as a member of the "Balmain army" by attending Balmain spring-summer 2024 women’s collection show and the presentation of the Men's collection on September 29.
On June 21, 2024, Hongjoong attended the Comme des Garçons Homme Plus show in Paris. On September 25, Hongjoong attended the Balmain Spring-Summer 2025 show and on September 28, he attended the Vivienne Westwood Paris Womenswear Spring-Summer 2025 show.
On January 22, 2025, Hongjoong attended the Paul Smith fall 2025 menswear show and on January 26, he attended the Jacquemus fall 2025 show in Paris.

### Philanthropy

Since his debut, Hongjoong has actively contributed to the "Polished Man" campaign by consistently painting his pinky fingernail. This led to fans creating fundraising pages on the Polished Man's website, resulting in the collection of hundreds of dollars in 2019 and early 2020. Later in 2020, the group Ateez were announced as the ambassadors for the campaign. As of July 2021, the funds amassed through this collaboration with Polished Man have surpassed $30,000.
In November 2022, Hongjoong donated ₩10 million (US$7,658.95) to World Vision Korea under the name "Atiny", the group's fan base. According to the NGO, the contribution is designated to provide support for the Dreaming Children project.
In November 2023, it was reported that he donated ₩50 million (US$38,294.74) to the Korea Childhood Leukemia Foundation. This donation aims to support children diagnosed with cancer and other incurable diseases. The sum was raised from the proceeds of "Walker A" ticket sales and his added monetary contribution to the cause.
In May 2024, Hongjoong donated ₩50 million (US$38,294.74) to the NGO 'World Vision' in honor of the Children's Day celebrated in Korea. This contribution aims to support youth who take care of family members with illnesses or disabilities. In March 2024, he donated another ₩50 million (US$38,294.74) to the World Vision Global Drinking Water Project, intended to provide communities worldwide with access to clean water, sanitation and more. On May 20, he was appointed to the 'Bob Pierce Honor Club', an accolade designated for major donors who have contributed over ₩100 million to the NGO and have displayed empathy towards various global issues.
In November 2024, Hongjoong and official fan club ATINY, who participated in the '2024 Global 6K for Water Running' (G6K Running) campaign donated ₩60 million (US$45,953.68) to the NGO 'World Vision'. About 3,400 fans from Korea and abroad participated in the 'virtual running' (running at a time and place of their choice) held on November 1–7, to celebrate Hongjoong's birthday. The event was planned with the aim of empathizing with the difficulties of African children and raising awareness of the severity of water and sanitation issues by walking or running 6km, the average distance that African children walk every day to get water.

## Discography
### As featured artist

| Title | Year | Peak chart position | Peak chart position | Album |
| Title | Year | KOR | US World | Album |
| "Eenie Meenie" (Chungha featuring Hongjoong) | 2024 | 104 | 6 | EENIE MEENIE |
| "SMB" (Odetari featuring Hongjoong) | 2025 | — | — | Non-album single |

### Unofficial releases

| Title | Year | Album |
| "Draw & Draw" | 2021 | Non-album singles |
| "A Walker" | 2023 | Non-album singles |
| "Why Do You Love" | 2024 | Non-album singles |

## Filmography
### Television shows

| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2017–2018 | Mix Nine | Contestant | Ranked 42nd overall (Male category) | |
| 2024–2025 | Moving Voices | Cast | In Germany | |

### Radio shows

| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2022–2023 | Idol Radio | Host | Season 3; with Yunho | |

### Host

| Year | Title | Notes |
| 2020 | Show! Music Core | Special host, Episode 665 |
| 2022 | The Show | Special host, Episode 305 |
| 2023 | Idol Radio Live in Seoul | with Yunho |

## Composition credits

All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.
| Year | Artist | Song | Album |
| 2018 | ATEEZ | "Pirate King (해적왕)" | Treasure EP.1: All to Zero |
| 2018 | ATEEZ | "Treasure" | Treasure EP.1: All to Zero |
| 2018 | ATEEZ | "Twilight" | Treasure EP.1: All to Zero |
| 2018 | ATEEZ | "Stay" | Treasure EP.1: All to Zero |
| 2018 | ATEEZ | "My Way" | Treasure EP.1: All to Zero |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "HALA HALA (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive)" | Treasure EP.2: Zero to One |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Say My Name" | Treasure EP.2: Zero to One |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Desire" | Treasure EP.2: Zero to One |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Light" | Treasure EP.2: Zero to One |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Promise" | Treasure EP.2: Zero to One |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "From" | Treasure EP.2: Zero to One |
| 2019 | EDEN | "3 Things (feat. Maddox)" | Exhalant |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Utopia" | Treasure EP.3: One to All |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Illusion" | Treasure EP.3: One to All |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Wave" | Treasure EP.3: One to All |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Aurora" | Treasure EP.3: One to All |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Dancing Like Butterfly Wings" | Treasure EP.3: One to All |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Wonderland" | Treasure EP.Fin: All to Action |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Dazzling Light" | Treasure EP.Fin: All to Action |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Mist (안개)" | Treasure EP.Fin: All to Action |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Precious (Overture)" | Treasure EP.Fin: All to Action |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Win" | Treasure EP.Fin: All to Action |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "If Without You" | Treasure EP.Fin: All to Action |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Thank U (친구)" | Treasure EP.Fin: All to Action |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Sunrise" | Treasure EP.Fin: All to Action |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "With U (걸어가고 있어)" | Treasure EP.Fin: All to Action |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "HALA HALA (Traditional Treatment Mix)" | Treasure EP.Extra: Shift the Map |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Pirate King (Overload Mix)" | Treasure EP.Extra: Shift the Map |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Treasure (Smoothing Harmonies Mix)" | Treasure EP.Extra: Shift the Map |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Utopia (Japanese ver.)" | Treasure EP.Extra: Shift the Map |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Say My Name (Flavor of Latin with Juwon Park)" | Treasure EP.Extra: Shift the Map |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Illusion (Chillin' with BUDDY Mix)" | Treasure EP.Extra: Shift the Map |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Wave (Ollounder's Bold Dynamics Mix)" | Treasure EP.Extra: Shift the Map |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Aurora (Japanese ver.)" | Treasure EP.Extra: Shift the Map |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Twilight (Classic BUDDY Mix)" | Treasure EP.Extra: Shift the Map |
| 2019 | ATEEZ | "Promise (Notation from Senor Juwon Park)" | Treasure EP.Extra: Shift the Map |
| 2020 | ATEEZ | | |
| 2020 | ATEEZ | "Answer" | Treasure Epilogue: Action to Answer |
| 2020 | ATEEZ | "Horizon (지평선)" | Treasure Epilogue: Action to Answer |
| 2020 | ATEEZ | "Star 1117" | Treasure Epilogue: Action to Answer |
| 2020 | ATEEZ | "Precious" | Treasure Epilogue: Action to Answer |
| 2020 | ATEEZ | "Answer (Japanese ver.)" | Treasure EP. Map to Answer |
| 2020 | ATEEZ | "Better" | Treasure EP. Map to Answer |
| 2020 | ATEEZ | "Wonderland (Sean Oh's Skrt Remix) | Treasure EP. Map to Answer |
| 2020 | ATEEZ | "Sunrise (Atmospheric Mix by Spacecowboy)" | Treasure EP. Map to Answer |
| 2020 | ATEEZ | "Star 1117 (Buddy's Melody Mix)" | Treasure EP. Map to Answer |
| 2020 | ATEEZ | "Fever" | Zero: Fever Part.1 |
| 2020 | ATEEZ | "Thanxx" | Zero: Fever Part.1 |
| 2020 | ATEEZ | "To The Beat (춤을 춰)" | Zero: Fever Part.1 |
| 2020 | ATEEZ | "Inception" | Zero: Fever Part.1 |
| 2020 | ATEEZ | "Good Lil Boy" | Zero: Fever Part.1 |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "Fireworks (불놀이야 (I'm The One))" | Zero: Fever Part.2 |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "The Leaders (선도부)" | Zero: Fever Part.2 |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "Time Of Love" | Zero: Fever Part.2 |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "Take Me Home" | Zero: Fever Part.2 |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "Celebrate" | Zero: Fever Part.2 |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "Take Me Home (English ver.)" | Zero: Fever Part.2 |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "I'm The One (Heart-Topping ver.)" | Zero: Fever Part.2 |
| 2021 | Mayfly | "Playing with Colours" | - |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "The Real" | Kingdom 'Final: Who Is The King?' |
| 2021 | Rain, MONSTA X, Brave Girls, & ATEEZ | "Summer Taste" | Taste of Korea |
| 2021 | Kim Jong Kook & ATEEZ | "Be My Lover" | Season Songs |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "White Love" | Season Songs |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "Eternal Sunshine" | Zero: Fever Part.3 |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "Feeling Like I Do" | Zero: Fever Part.3 |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "Deja Vu" | Zero: Fever Part.3 |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "Rocky" | Zero: Fever Part.3 |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "All About You" | Zero: Fever Part.3 |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "Not Too Late" | Zero: Fever Part.3 |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "Turbulence (야간비행)" | Zero: Fever Epilogue |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "The Letter" | Zero: Fever Epilogue |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "Still Here (Korean Ver.)" | Zero: Fever Epilogue |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "Better (Korean Ver.)" | Zero: Fever Epilogue |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "The Real (흥 : 興 Ver.)" | Zero: Fever Epilogue |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "Wave (Overture)" | Zero: Fever Epilogue |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "Wonderland (Symphony No.9 "From The Wonderland")" | Zero: Fever Epilogue |
| 2021 | ATEEZ | "Answer (Ode to Joy)" | Zero: Fever Epilogue |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Don't Stop" | "Don't Stop" |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Deja Vu (Japanese Ver.)" | Beyond: Zero |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Rocky (Boxers ver.)" | Beyond: Zero |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "The King" | Beyond: Zero |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Turbulence (夜間飛行) (Japanese Ver.)" | Beyond: Zero |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Take Me Home (Japanese Ver.)" | Beyond: Zero |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Fireworks (I'm The One) (Japanese Ver.)" | Beyond: Zero |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Sector 1" | The World EP.1: Movement |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Cyberpunk" | The World EP.1: Movement |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Guerrilla" | The World EP.1: Movement |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "The Ring" | The World EP.1: Movement |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "WDIG (Where Do I Go)" | The World EP.1: Movement |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "New World" | The World EP.1: Movement |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Poppia KCON 2022 LA Signature Song" | - |
| 2022 | Hongjoong and Yunho | "Signal Song" | - |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Let's Get Together" | Mimicus OST |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Paradigm" | The World EP.Paradigm |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Cyberpunk (Japanese Ver.)" | The World EP.Paradigm |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Guerrilla (Flag Ver.)" | The World EP.Paradigm |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "New World (Japanese Ver.)" | The World EP.Paradigm |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Like That" | Lookism OST |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Halazia" | Spin Off: From the Witness |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Win (June One of Glen Check Remix)" | Spin Off: From the Witness |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "I'm The One (Eden-ary Remix)" | Spin Off: From the Witness |
| 2022 | ATEEZ | "Take Me Home (IDIOTAPE Remix)" | Spin Off: From the Witness |
| 2023 | ATEEZ | "Limitless" | Limitless |
| 2023 | ATEEZ | "Diamond" | Limitless |
| 2023 | xikers | "The Tricky's Secret" | House of Tricky: Doorbell Ringing |
| 2023 | xikers | "Doorbell Ringing" | House of Tricky: Doorbell Ringing |
| 2023 | xikers | "Tricky House (도깨비집)" | House of Tricky: Doorbell Ringing |
| 2023 | xikers | "Dynamic (清亮 (청량))" | House of Tricky: Doorbell Ringing |
| 2023 | xikers | "Rockstar" | House of Tricky: Doorbell Ringing |
| 2023 | xikers | "Xikey" | House of Tricky: Doorbell Ringing |
| 2023 | xikers | "Oh My Gosh" | House of Tricky: Doorbell Ringing |
| 2023 | ATEEZ | "This World" | The World EP.2: Outlaw |
| 2023 | ATEEZ | "Dune" | The World EP.2: Outlaw |
| 2023 | ATEEZ | "Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers)" | The World EP.2: Outlaw |
| 2023 | ATEEZ | "Django" | The World EP.2: Outlaw |
| 2023 | ATEEZ | "Wake Up (최면)" | The World EP.2: Outlaw |
| 2023 | ATEEZ | "Outlaw" | The World EP.2: Outlaw |
| 2023 | xikers | "Skater" | House of Tricky: How To Play |
| 2023 | xikers | "Home Boy" | House of Tricky: How To Play |
| 2023 | xikers | "Do or Die" | House of Tricky: How To Play |
| 2023 | xikers | "Koong" | House of Tricky: How To Play |
| 2023 | xikers | "Run" | House of Tricky: How To Play |
| 2023 | xikers | "Sunny Side" | House of Tricky: How To Play |
| 2023 | Hongjoong | "A Walker" | - |
| 2023 | ATEEZ | "WE KNOW" | The World EP.Fin: Will |
| 2023 | ATEEZ | "Emergency" | The World EP.Fin: Will |
| 2023 | ATEEZ | "Crazy Form (미친 폼)" | The World EP.Fin: Will |
| 2023 | ATEEZ | "ARRIBA" | The World EP.Fin: Will |
| 2023 | ATEEZ | "Silver Light" | The World EP.Fin: Will |
| 2023 | ATEEZ | "Dreamy Day (꿈날)" | The World EP.Fin: Will |
| 2023 | ATEEZ | "MATZ" | The World EP.Fin: Will |
| 2023 | ATEEZ | "Deja Vu (Film Ver.)" (Vinyl (X ver.) only) | The World EP.Fin: Will |
| 2023 | ATEEZ | "Eternal Sunshine (Outdoor Ver.)" (Vinyl (X ver.) only) | The World EP.Fin: Will |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "Not Okay" | Not Okay |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "Days" | Not Okay |
| 2024 | xikers | "We Don't Stop" | House of Tricky: Trial And Error |
| 2024 | xikers | "Red Sun" | House of Tricky: Trial And Error |
| 2024 | xikers | "Every Flavor Jelly (온갖 맛이 나는 젤리)" | House of Tricky: Trial And Error |
| 2024 | Chung Ha | "EENIE MEENIE" | EENIE MEENIE |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "Blind" | Golden Hour: Part.1 |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "Work" | Golden Hour: Part.1 |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "Empty Box" | Golden Hour: Part.1 |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "Shaboom" | Golden Hour: Part.1 |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "Siren" | Golden Hour: Part.1 |
| 2024 | Hongjoong | "WHY DO YOU LOVE" | - |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "ARRIBA(LIGHT VER.)" | GOLDEN HOUR Part.1 'WORK TO LIVE VER.' |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "GUERRILLA(FLAG VER.)" | GOLDEN HOUR Part.1 'WORK TO LIVE VER.' |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "SILVER LIGHT(LIGHT VER.)" | GOLDEN HOUR Part.1 'WORK TO LIVE VER.' |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "UTOPIA(FINALE VER.)" | GOLDEN HOUR Part.1 'WORK TO LIVE VER.' |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "MEOS (THE REAL)(LIGHT VER.)" | GOLDEN HOUR Part.1 'WORK TO LIVE VER.' |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "BUL NOL I YA (I M THE ONE)(LIGHT VER.)" | GOLDEN HOUR Part.1 'WORK TO LIVE VER.' |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "TURBULENCE(ORCHESTRA VER.)" | GOLDEN HOUR Part.1 'WORK TO LIVE VER.' |
| 2024 | Yunho | "BE ALRIGHT" | - |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "Deep Dive" | Golden Hour: Part.2 |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "Ice on My Teeth" | Golden Hour: Part.2 |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "Man on Fire" | Golden Hour: Part.2 |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "Enough" | Golden Hour: Part.2 |
| 2024 | ATEEZ | "Selfish Waltz" | Golden Hour: Part.2 |
| 2024 | San | "눈꽃 (Snowflake)" | - |