Yong Jun-hyung

Biography

Yong Jun-hyung (Korean: 용준형; born Yong Jae-soon, December 19, 1989), known mononymously as Junhyung, is a South Korean singer-songwriter, record producer and actor. He rose to fame as a member of South Korean boy band Highlight (formerly known as Beast), formed in 2009. He departed from Highlight in 2019, amidst a controversy where he admitted to having watched a video of singer Jung Joon-young making out with a woman, which was filmed with consent but shared without.
As a solo artist, he released one extended play, Flower (2013), and one full-length album, Goodbye 20's×Goodbye 20's9 May 2018 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Intro1:172무슨 말이 필요해 (Go Away)3:253뜨뜨미지근3:364소나기 (Feat. 10cm)3:255컬렉션 (Collection) (Feat. 백아연)3:046소주한잔3:147Feel Ur Love3:198견딜 만해3:369Goodbye 20's3:22 (2018). He also starred in the Korean dramas Monstar (2013) and Coffee, Do Me a Favor (2018).

Early life and education

Yong was born in Seoul, South Korea. He changed his birth name Yong Jae-soon (Korean: 용재순) to his current name when he was in 6th grade.

2007: Pre-debut

In 2007, he joined the boy band Xing, which included Kevin Woo (ex-U-KISS). Yong was known by the stage name Poppin' Dragon while in Xing.

2009–2016: Debut with Beast (now known as Highlight)

Yong debuted under Cube Entertainment as a member of the boy band Beast in 2009. The group released their first extended play Beast Is the B2ST on October 14, 2009. The group released a total of eight extended plays and three studio albums.

2010–2018: Solo activities and discography with Highlight

In 2010, Yong was featured as a rapper in songs by other artists, including Hyuna's debut single "Change," the Asian remix of Amerie's "Heard 'em All," and G.NA's single "I'll Back Off So You Can Live Better." In 2011, Yong was featured on the songs "Heartsore Story" by Wheesung, "A Bitter Day" by Hyuna, "Be Quiet" by Kim Wan-sun, and "Don't Act Countrified" by ALi.
Yong released his first solo single, "Living Without You," on February 3, 2012. The song reached #8 on the Gaon Digital Chart. That summer, he made a cameo appearance on the sitcom Salamander Guru and The Shadows. Later that year, he produced fellow Beast member Yang Yo-seob's debut solo EP, The First Collage, and was featured on the lead single, "Caffeine."
In February 2013, Yong released the single "You Got Some Nerve" with LE of EXID and Feeldog of Big Star. The song reached #13 on the Gaon Digital Chart. Starting in May, Yong starred in the Korean drama Monstar, alongside Ha Yeon-soo and Kang Ha-neul. The series aired on Mnet and wrapped up in August. Yong won Best New Actor at the 2013 Korean Drama Awards for his depiction of a teen idol in the series.
Yong released his debut solo EP, Flower×Flower13 December 2013 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Nothing Is Forever1:182Flower3:203Anything3:264Slow3:085카페인 Piano Ver.3:33, on December 13, 2013. The EP debuted at #4 on the Gaon Album Chart, and the title track "Flower" peaked at #23 on the Gaon Digital Chart.
In 2015, Yong starred in the Cube Entertainment online reality series, Yong Jun-hyung's Good Life, alongside his songwriting and music production partner Kim Tae-joo. From 2016 to 2017, he co-hosted the third season of the variety show Hitmaker alongside comedian Jeong Hyeong-don. In 2017, Yong was also a cast member on the first season of the variety show It's Dangerous Beyond the Blankets. He returned to the show for the second season in 2018.
In 2016, Beast left Cube Entertainment, and formed their own label, Around Us Entertainment. The group debuted under the new name of Highlight. As Highlight, they released two extended plays.
Yong released his first solo full-length album, Goodbye 20's×Goodbye 20's9 May 2018 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Intro1:172무슨 말이 필요해 (Go Away)3:253뜨뜨미지근3:364소나기 (Feat. 10cm)3:255컬렉션 (Collection) (Feat. 백아연)3:046소주한잔3:147Feel Ur Love3:198견딜 만해3:369Goodbye 20's3:22, on May 9, 2018. The album debuted at #2 on the Gaon Album Chart. That year, he also starred in the Korean drama, Coffee, Do Me a Favor, which is based on the webtoon of the same name.

2019–2021: Career hiatus

On March 14, Yong announced on Instagram that he was leaving Highlight, following new revelations regarding the KakaoTalk chatrooms scandal, saying he had watched a video sent to him by Jung Joon-young, which was later revealed being a video of Jung and a woman making out in a bar which was filmed with consent but shared to him without, and in one other instance having got knowledge of Jung filming another woman without her consent.
On November 15, 2021, Yong left Around Us Entertainment after his contract expired.

2022–present: Solo activities

On September 27, 2022, it was announced that Yong would be releasing a new album in the near future, which would be his first solo comeback in four years and also his first since his departure from Around Us Entertainment. On October 11, he announced his first EP Loner, set to release on October 30, under his independent label Black Made.
In October 2022 it was confirmed that Yong will hold his solo concert 'LONER's ROOM' at Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul on November 4 and 5, and will make a comeback with his new EP album "Loner" on October 30. However, the label announced the postponement of the album due to the national mourning period following the Seoul Halloween crowd crush incident on the 29th. And his solo concert was postponed as well. Yong had confirmed the release schedule for the new album on November 10.
On March 2, 2023, Yong released "POST IT" (Feat. Xion) with the same name and "Til' the End", both composed by him.

Controversy

On March 11, 2019, the television program SBS Eight O'Clock News incorrectly reported that Yong was part of a group chatroom where musician Jung Joon-young shared hidden camera sex videos with acquaintances. On March 12, Yong clarified that, even though he had a chat with Jung, he was not part of the group chatroom. Seoul Metropolitan Police stated in April that they questioned him as a witness in the Jung Joon-young KakaoTalk chatrooms case. In December, KBS News reported that the video Jung had sent to Yong depicted Jung consensually touching and filming a woman in a bar in Gangnam in November 2015, but the video was shared without her consent.

Philanthropy

On March 7, 2022, Yong donated 10 million won to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help the victims of the massive wildfire that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk and has spread to Samcheok, Gangwon.

Military service

He quietly enlisted for his mandatory military service on April 2, 2019 as an active duty soldier. On September 25, 2020, it was announced that Yong had suffered a knee injury, and he would complete the rest of his service as a public service worker. He was discharged on February 26, 2021.

Relationship

On July 8, 2024, Hyuna and Yong's agencies jointly released an official statement saying that the two will be getting married in October. Their wedding ceremony will be held in private with their close friends.