Kim Jong-hyeong (Korean: 김종형, born April 13, 2002), better known mononymously as Jonghyeong, is a South Korean singer and musical actor. He is the leader of the South Korean boy bandDKZ and a member of its sub-unit Nine to Six. He starred in musical productions such as Equal, Dracula, and The Secret Garden.
Early life and education
Kim Jong-hyeong was born on April 13, 2002, in Gumi, North Gyeongsang, South Korea. Jonghyeong enjoyed watching music shows when he was young which inspired him to become an idol.[1][2] Before debuting, he was leading a dance club at school and was even elected as the overall vice president during his elementary days.[2] In 2022, he entered Global Cyber University as a Broadcasting and Entertainment major.[3]
Jonghyeong was the fourth member to join his current label and was a trainee for several months.[4] He officially debuted on April 24, 2019, as the youngest member of the quintet boy group, Dongkiz.[5] In an interview, Jonghyeong mentioned Dean and Monsta X as artists he look up to the most.[6]
On March 18, 2022, his group rebranded and changed its name to DKZ.[7] Jonghyeong took the role of the group's leader in the absence of their former leader and member, Wondae.[8] In May 2022, he and fellow member, Jaechan, became fixed radio DJs at KBS Cool FM's Station Z.[9]
On May 18, 2023, Dongyo Entertainment announced the formation of Nine to Six, a duo sub-unit consisting of Jonghyeong and Mingyu.[10] They officially debuted on May 31, upon the release of their first single album Good To You.[11]
Solo activities
Jonghyeong started his career in musicals in 2022. He made his theatrical debut in the musical Equal alongside his fellow member Kyoungyoon.[12] It was then followed by the Korean production of Dracula where he was cast as Dracula's friend, Dumitru.[13]
In February 2023, Jonghyeong was announced to be part of the musical The Secret Garden.[14] He also portrayed Polidori, an English writer and physician, in the 2023 South Korean musical Mary Shelley in December.[15] On October 18, 2023, Jonghyeong performed for the Brandon Lee Symphony OST Concert with the Theater Philharmonic Orchestra at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.[16]
^Yoon, Hye-young (May 1, 2019). "동키즈 "롤모델은 방탄소년단, 빌보드에 이름 새기고파" [인터뷰]" [Dongkiz "My role model is BTS, I want to engrave my name on the Billboard" [Interview]]. yhnews (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
^ abJeong, Ga-young (April 28, 2019). "동키즈 종형 "음악방송 즐겨보며 가수의 꿈 키웠죠"(인터뷰 ⑤)" [Dongkiz Jonghyeong “I grew up dreaming of becoming a singer while watching music shows” (Interview ⑤)]. 스포츠월드 (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
^Hwang, Jeong-il (July 21, 2022). "글로벌사이버대 방송연예학과, 세계를 빛내는 글로벌 스타들이 몰리는 대학으로 주목" [The Department of Broadcasting and Entertainment at Global Cyber University draws attention as a university attracting global stars who shine the world]. 한국대학신문 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 14, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
^Kim, Eun-ae (April 10, 2019). "동키즈, 24일 'DONGKIZ ON THE BLOCK'으로 정식 데뷔" [Dongkiz officially debuted on the 24th with ‘DONGKIZ ON THE BLOCK’]. 동요엔터테인먼트 (DONGYO ENTERTAINMENT) (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
^Im, Seung-bom (April 12, 2022). "[영상] 컴백한 동키즈(DKZ)의 깜찍한 포즈...'사랑도둑' 안무 포인트는?" [Comeback DKZ's cute pose... What's the choreography point for 'The Thief of Love'?]. News 1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
^ abKim, Chae-yeon (May 26, 2022). "디케이지(DKZ) 박재찬-종형, '스테이션 제트' 수요일 고정 DJ 됐다…"계약완료"" [DKZ Park Jae-chan and Jonghyeong became fixed DJs for 'Station Jet' on Wednesdays... "Contract complete"]. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
^Oh, Myung-joo (May 18, 2023). "'DKZ' 종형X민규, 유닛 결성…'나인투식스', 5월 정식 데뷔" ['DKZ' Jonghyeong X Mingyu formed a unit... 'Nine To Six' officially debuts in May]. Dispatch (in Korean). Retrieved May 19, 2023.
^Lee, Seung-hoon (May 31, 2023). "나인투식스, MZ 직장인의 애환..오늘(31일) 유닛 데뷔" [NINE to SIX, the joys and sorrows of MZ office workers... Unit debut today (31st)]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved May 31, 2023.
^Lee, Da-won (May 24, 2022). "DKZ 경윤·종형, 뮤지컬 '이퀄' 캐스팅" [DKZ Kyoungyoon and Jonghyeong cast in musical 'Equal']. Sports Khan (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
^Hwang, Mi-hyun (November 29, 2022). "DKZ 종형, 뮤지컬 '드라큘라' 성황…베테랑 배우들과 호흡" [DKZ Jonghyung's musical 'Dracula' is a success... Breathing with veteran actors]. News 1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
^Son, Bong-seok (February 3, 2023). "DKZ 종형, 뮤지컬 '비밀의 화원'에 합류" [DKZ Jonghyeong joins the musical 'Secret Garden']. Sports Khan (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
^ abKang, Bo-ra (October 30, 2023). "최연우·전성민→DKZ 종형, 뮤지컬 '메리셸리' 캐스팅 공개" [Choi Yeon-woo, Jeon Seong-min → DKZ Jonghyeong, casting for musical ‘Mary Shelley’ revealed]. Single List (in Korean). Retrieved October 30, 2023.
^Lee, Jun-seop (September 13, 2023). "'브랜든리 심포니 OST 콘서트', 옥주현-박민성-전동석-이지혜-정택운 등 출연진 공개" [‘Brandon Lee Symphony OST Concert’ reveals cast members including Ok Joo-hyun, Park Min-seong, Jeon Dong-seok, Lee Ji-hye, and Jeong Taek-woon]. News Culture (in Korean). Retrieved October 30, 2023.
^Yeo, Dong-eun (March 13, 2019). "동키즈, '빅이슈' 카메오 출연…한예슬 '응원+격려'로 촬영 마쳤다" [Dongkiz to make a cameo appearance on 'Big Issue'… Han Ye-seul finished filming with 'Cheer + Encouragement']. MyDaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
^Jeong, Han-byeol (February 23, 2023). "DKZ 종형·민규, '성스러운 아이돌' 깜짝 등장…나인 투 식스 변신" [DKZ Jonghyeong and Mingyu make a surprise appearance as 'sacred idols'... Nine to Six transformation]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^Park, Soo-in (December 7, 2020). "동키즈 종형 '노빠꾸 로맨스' 깜짝출연→원대 OST 참여 '재찬 지원사격'" [Dongkiz Jonghyeong made a surprise appearance in 'No Going Back Romance' → Participated in Wondae OST 'Jaechan Support Shooting']. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
^Jeong, Ga-young (July 4, 2022). "DKZ 경윤·종형 '이퀄', 첫공부터 매진 행렬" [DKZ Kyoungyoon and Jonghyeong's 'Equal', sold out from the first release]. Nate News (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
^Kwon, Soo-bin (October 18, 2022). "'드라큘라' 배역에 몰입한 배우들, 대작의 귀환 기대감↑" [Actors immersed in the role of 'Dracula', anticipation for the return of the masterpiece]. News Culture (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
^Cho, Jae-yong (February 2, 2023). "DKZ 종형→홍나현, '비밀의 화원' 캐스팅 공개...9일 티켓오픈" [DKZ Jonghyeong→Hong Nahyeon, 'The Secret Garden' casting revealed...Tickets open on the 9th]. Single List (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^Woo, Da-bin (June 21, 2024). "DKZ 종형, 뮤지컬계 샛별 등극" [DKZ Jonghyeong, Rising Star in the Musical World]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved August 16, 2024.
^Son, Jin-ah (May 4, 2022). "DKZ 재찬·종형, 라디오 '스테이션 Z' 스페셜 DJ 발탁" [DKZ Jaechan and Jonghyeong selected as special DJs for radio ‘Station Z’]. MK Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
^Kang, Bo-ra (September 14, 2022). "DKZ 종형, '밤의 라디오' 예습까지 하는 공감요정 DJ" [DKZ Jonghyeong, sympathetic fairy DJ who even prepares for ‘Night Radio’]. Single List (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
^Kim, Soo-jin (July 27, 2023). "DKZ 종형X기석, 아리랑 라디오 'Radio'n Us' 고정 출연 [공식]" [DKZ Jonghyeong X Giseok, Arirang Radio 'Radio'n Us' regular appearance [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved December 11, 2024.
