GT5

**Gangnam Troupe 5** better known as its acronym **GT5** is a South Korean boyband formed by RS Entertainment. They consist of members, Jaeyong, Hyunjun, Kangmin, Taeho, and Yeonjin and are signed to Epic Records. They made their debut single, "Roll Out" which gone viral on social media in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic, peaking at number 5 on the Circle Digital Charts, but in 2021, they were featured Blue Butterfly's hit single, "Automatic" which went straight to number 1 and was certified 4× Platinum in South Korea which was featured in their debut album, *Spotlight* released in 2021.

## Career

GT5 was formed in late 2018/early-2019 by RS Entertainment, Jaeyong and Hyunjun knew each other before they auditioned in hopes of becoming professional singers. The two met Kangmin, Taeho, and Yeonwoo during the auditions and they became fast friends, despite auditioning for solo careers. Unfortunately, they didn't make it to the solo boot camp challenge, due to their chemistry towards each other and how well they sang together. Instead, they were placed in the group section where they were set to perform in front of various record label executives along with various groups. Eventually, Jaeyong, Hyunjun, Kangmin, Taeho, and Yeonwoo were chosen by Epic Records, signing them into their label.

The group participated in songwriting sessions, each of them done poetry back in their younger years, resulting in writing their first song, "Roll Out" which was written both in English and Korean and was released as a single in early 2020 which performed very well on social media and peaked in number 5 on the charts in South Korea, followed by their second single, "Girlfriend" which peaked at number 2. In 2021, GT5 was featured in the song, "Automatic" by girl group, Blue Butterfly and it skyrocketed to number 1 in South Korea and was certified 4× Platinum. The three singles were featured in their debut album, *Spotlight* on July 2021, peaking at number 1 in both South Korea and in the United States.

## Members

**Jaeyong** (재용): Leader, vocalist
**Jason Ryuichiro Kajihara,** better known as **Jaeyong Kim** was born in Portland, Oregon to a Japanese mother and a Korean father. He had been singing since he was a child participated in talent shows until his family moved to Seoul, South Korea where he met his future bandmate, Hyunjun. As part of GT5, Jaeyong serves as the leader and vocalist of the group.

**Hyunjun** (현준): vocalist, dancer
**Mark Hyunjun Choi**, known by his mononym **Hyunjun** was born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Since he was a child, Hyunjun was born in a family of musicians where his father led his own band, performing all over Canada and the United States. When he was around 10 years old, he moved to Seoul, South Korea where he met his future bandmate, Jaeyong. As part of GT5, he serves as a vocalist and second-in-command of the group.

**Kangmin** (강민): vocalist, rapper
**Kangmin Paek**, better known his mononym, **Kangmin**  was born in Seoul, South Korea. Coming from a family of musicians, Kangmin started off as a sibling group with his two brothers and three sisters and they would perform in different venues and music festivals. He even performed with them in talent shows until the group split up for different career paths, leaving him to pursue his own career in music. As part of GT5, Kangmin serves as a vocalist and rapper of the group.

**Taeho** (태호): vocalist, dancer
**Seung-hoon Chung**, better known by his stage name **Taeho** was born in Hong Kong but moved to South Korea when he was only 2 years old. Taeho gained experience in dancing from the influence of classic American musicals, followed by being placed in gymnastics while taking singing lessons and joining choirs in school. In his dance routines, he is known for performing flips and showing his flexibility. As part of GT5, Taeho serves as a vocalist and dancer of the group.

**Yeonwoo** (연우): vocalist, rapper, spokesperson
**Yeong-jun Woo**, better known by his stage name **Yeonwoo** was born in Busan, South Korea, being raised by his single father. Yeonwoo is multilingual, being fluent in Korean, English, and Japanse, being fluent in the first two and gained influence from American and British R&B and hip-hop artists, practicing on his singing and rapping and with the help and support from his father, Yeonwoo began to write songs which eventually becomes part of the group's music. As part of GT5, Yeonwoo serves as the vocalist, rapper, and spokesperson of the group.

Discography

### Albums

* Label: Epic
* Format: CD • streaming • download