Hongjoong

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.^[4]

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.^[5]

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".^[6]

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.^[7]

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".^[8][9] The covered songs included "Space Oddity" by David Bowie,^[10] "Purple Rain" by Prince,^[11] "Black or White" by Michael Jackson,^[12] "모처럼" by Yoon Jong-shin,^[13] "Numb" by Linkin Park,^[14] "Lemon Tree" by Fools Garden,^[15] "Wonderwall" by Oasis,^[16] "Beat it" by Michael Jackson.^[17][18]

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.^[19]

On June 20, 2023, Hongjoong appeared in the music talk show Lee Mujin Service where he delivered live vocal performances.^[20][21] On November 8, he released the song "A Walker".^[22][23]

On March 11, 2024, singer Chungha released her digital single "Eenie Meenie" featuring Hongjoong, who participated in writing and composing the song.^[24] On June 1, Hongjoong appeared in the music talk show "I.M ON THE BEAT" where he showcased both vocal and rap skills.^[25] On August 23, Hongjoong released the song "Why Do You Love"^[26] along with a music video.^[27]

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.^[28]

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.^[29] In July, Hongjoong released a solo song "NO1" as part of the Ateez album Golden Hour: Part.3 'In Your Fantasy Edition'.^[30] On July 25, Bradley Simpson released a new version of the song "Almost" featuring Hongjoong.^[31]

Endorsements

On July 23, 2025, Hongjoong and fellow member Seonghwa were announced as the new models for the eyewear brand 'The Silent Soul'.^[38]

Fashion

Hongjoong reformed clothes, experimented with various fashion styles throughout his career, often incorporating elements that challenge traditional gender norms.^[39][40] 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.^[41][42]

Hongjoong had solo-photoshoots for fashion magazines: in 2023 for WWD,^[41] in 2024 for Stylecaster,^[42] in 2024 1st solo cover and photoshoot for Zipper Japan,^[43] in 2025 photoshoot for Elle Korea,^[44] solo cover and photoshoot for Singles magazine Japan.^[45]

On March 4, 2023, Hongjoong made his fashion debut at Balmain Homme 2023 Fall/Winter presentation at Paris Fashion Week.^[46] On September 5, Hongjoong was named as a Balmain ambassador and was dubbed the "Balmain Prince" by the fashion brand.^[47] 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.^[48]

On June 21, 2024, Hongjoong attended the Comme des Garçons Homme Plus show in Paris.^[49] 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.^[50][51]

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.^[52][53] On June 29, 2025, Hongjoong attended the Jacquemus show in Versailles, where 2026 Spring-Summer collection "Le Paysan" was presented.^[54]

On November 7, 2025, Hongjoong dropped his first fashion collection named Petit Coussin. It featured 24 looks inspired by his childhood and his mother’s children's clothing shop of the same name. The showcase marked the very first time a K-pop idol designed and presented a full fashion collection.^[55]

On November 12, 2025, Hongjoong attended Qeelin Fine Jewelry Exhibition at Miracle Garden Private Event.^[56]

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.^[57][58]

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.^[59]

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"^[a] ticket sales and his added monetary contribution to the cause.^[60]

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.^[61][62][63]

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 6 km, the average distance that African children walk every day to get water.^[64]

On April 14, 2025, Hongjoong was announced as the brand model of World Vision's 'Global 6K Marathon' Campaign.^[65]

In May 2025, Hongjoong donated ₩25 million (US$19,147.37) to the NGO 'World Vision' for the domestic dream support project 'Dream Wings Club' in honor of the Children's Day celebrated in Korea.^[66]

In November 2025, Hongjoong successfully completed the virtual Global 6K Marathon, donating 60 million won ₩60 million (US$45,953.68) to the NGO 'World Vision'.^[67]

As featured artist

Soundtrack appearances

Unofficial releases

Television shows

Radio shows

Host