HONGJOONG
PROFILE
| GIVEN NAME | Kim Hongjoong 김홍중 (金弘中) |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1998-11-07 (November 7th, 1998) |
| NATIONALITY | 🇰🇷 South Korea |
| HEIGHT | 171~172cm / 5’ 7” ~ 5’ 8” |
| MANAGEMENT | KQ Entertainment |
| GROUP | ATEEZ |
| OFFICIAL POSITION(s) | Captain, Main Rapper |
| DEBUT | 2018-10-24 as ATEEZ with EP TRESURE EP.1: All To Zero |
| MBTI | INFP |
| SIGNATURE |  |
CAREER SUMMARY
PRE-DEBUT
Hongjoong had admired Block B, a boy group previously managed by KQ Entertainment, and had sent a mix tape of his own songs to the company. One year later, Hongjoong was contacted by KQ Entertainment and became a trainee of KQ Entertainment in 2015. Hongjoong was the very first trainee of KQ Entertainment, and the only one, for six months until Yunho joined the company.
Hongjoong had written more than 40 songs on his own pre-debut.
In 2017, Hongjoong participated as one of the contestants on the survival audition program produced by YG Entertainment, MIX NINE. He was eliminated on the second round of eliminations (episode 10).
Hongjoong was a trainee for three years before his debut.
AFTER DEBUT
In 2018, Hongjoong debuted as the captain (leader) of ATEEZ, an 8-member group under KQ Entertainment, with Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung, and Jongho. Upon debut, Hongjoong received attention for his rapping skills and charisma on stage.
Hongjoong is a “producer idol,” and writes the rap verses for almost all title and b-side tracks of ATEEZ albums.He has also participated in the songwriting, lyricwriting, and arrangement for all of the tracks on xikers albums,HOUSE OF TRICKY : Doorbell Ringing and HOUSE OF TRICKY : HOW TO PLAY.
In 2022 and 2023, Hongjoong hosted film photography exhibitions on his birthday week, called “FROM NOVEMBER 7, 1998” (2022) and “Walker A” (2023).
Hongjoong was a regular DJ of IDOL RADIO 3 with Yunho from September 2022 to December 2023.
In 2023, Hongjoong became the first Korean to become a global ambassador of Balmain (Balmain Army).
In 2024, Hongjoong was featured on Chungha’s track “EENIE MEENIE.”
POSITIONS
CAPTAIN (LEADER)
Hongjoong is the official captain (leader) of ATEEZ. Even though Hongjoong is not the eldest member of the team, he had been acting as leader from the group’s days as pre-debut trainee group, KQ Fellaz. Hongjoong is known for his charismatic leadership. The members have said, “Without Hongjoong, ATEEZ would not function.”
RAP
Hongjoong is one of the two main rappers of ATEEZ, along with Mingi. He is known for fast and syllable-dense rap verses in a “high tone” (higher-pitched voice), which complements Mingi’s lower, raspier rapping tones. Hongjoong also writes most of his own raps on ATEEZ tracks.
VOCAL
Even though Hongjoong is the main rapper, he has also been praised for his vocal abilities. Similar to his rapping tones, his vocal tones shine in the mid- to high- register and makes use of nasal tones. Hongjoong often adds vocal verses on many of the covers he uploads on the official ATEEZ YouTube channel, shifting between rap and vocal verses in a single live performance with ease.
DANCE
Hongjoong is often at the center on stage during the performances of ATEEZ title tracks. He is known for his mischievous / maniacal facial expressions that fit the concept of ATEEZ stages - placing him at the fandom-dubbed “Demon Line” with Seonghwa and San. Among his dancing skills, his ability to fluidly control his neck (isolation) is often praised.