Yeonjun

In this Korean name, the family name is Choi.

Yeonjun
Yeonjun in March 2024
Born
Choi Yeon-jun

(1999-09-13) September 13, 1999 (age 25)
Seoul, South Korea
Other namesDaniel Choi
EducationGlobal Cyber University
Occupations
  • Singer
  • dancer
  • songwriter
  • host
Years active2019 (2019)–present
Musical career
GenresK-pop
InstrumentVocals
LabelsBig Hit Music
Member ofTomorrow X Together
Korean name
Hangul
최연준
Hanja
Revised RomanizationChoi Yeonjun
McCune–ReischauerCh'oe Yŏnchun
Signature

Choi Yeon-jun (Korean: 최연준; born September 13, 1999), known mononymously as Yeonjun, is a South Korean singer-songwriter. He is a member of the South Korean boy band Tomorrow X Together, which debuted under Big Hit Entertainment in March 2019. He made his acting debut in the 2020 JTBC television series Live On. He will debut as a soloist in September 2024 with the song "Ggum".

Early life

[edit]

Choi Yeon-jun was born on September 13, 1999, in Seongbuk District, Seoul, South Korea as an only child.[1] After graduating from Korean Arts High School, he enrolled in Global Cyber University.[2]

Career

[edit]

Pre-debut

[edit]

Prior to his debut, he trained under Big Hit Entertainment for four years.[3][4] Throughout his four years of training, Yeonjun became known as the company's "legendary trainee" because he consistently ranked first during monthly evaluations in dance, vocal performance and rap.[5][6][7] He is also a former trainee of Cube Entertainment.[8][9]

2019–present: Debut with TXT and solo activities

[edit]

On January 10, 2019, Big Hit announced the upcoming debut of its new boy group Tomorrow X Together. Yeonjun was the first member of the lineup to be revealed, through an introductory video posted on the label's official YouTube channel and social media.[10] On March 4, 2019, he debuted as a member of Tomorrow X Together with the release of their first extended play (EP), The Dream Chapter: Star.[11]

Yeonjun made his acting debut on January 12, 2021, with a cameo appearance in the JTBC drama series Live On as Kim Jin-woo.[12] The following month, he participated in 2021 Fall/Winter New York Fashion Week, walking as a model for the South Korean brand UL:KIN.[13] He featured on the track "Blockbuster" from Enhypen's first studio album Dimension: Dilemma, which was released on October 12.[14][15]

In February 2022, Yeonjun featured on the single "PS5" by American singer-songwriter Salem Ilese, alongside bandmate Taehyun and Norwegian DJ Alan Walker.[16] He was announced as a host for Inkigayo, alongside actors Roh Jeong-eui and Seo Bum-june, on March 15.[17] In July, Yeonjun became an ambassador for the streetwear brand Privé Alliance. He also served as a guest creative designer and released a limited capsule collection available the following month until December.[18] In November, he was announced as a co-host for the year-end festival SBS Gayo Daejeon alongside Key and An Yu-jin; the event was held on December 25.[19]

Studio MaumC announced Yeonjun as part of the artist lineup for the OST of the Coupang Play original series Cinderella at 2 AM on August 16, 2024.[20] He contributed the song "Boyfriend", which was released on September 1.[21] On September 6, Big Hit announced Yeonjun's upcoming debut as a solo artist.[22] A video titled "Yeonjun's Mixtape Intro Film" was uploaded to the Hybe Labels official YouTube channel two days later, with his September 19 debut date revealed at the end.[23] His debut was later revealed to be titled "Ggum", described as a "hip-hop track with a catchy electro sound".[24]

Public image

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Yeonjun has appeared on the Korean Business Research Institute's male celebrity brand reputation list, a chart that records Korean celebrities with the most online searches and engagements. He ranked within the top 20 in November 2020,[25] and the top 30 in both February and March 2023.[26][27]

Other ventures

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Yeonjun has appeared in various fashion magazines including Dazed Korea, GQ Korea,[28] W Korea,[29] Elle Korea[30] and Paper Magazine.[31] He featured on the cover of the September 2022 special edition of the Japanese fashion magazine SPUR.[32] On May 31, 2024, Yeonjun was announced as the global brand ambassador of the Italian luxury fashion house Moncler.[33]

Philanthropy

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In May 2024, Yeonjun donated 50 million won to Hallym Burn Foundation, an organization dedicated to assisting firefighters in their crucial line of duty.[34]

Discography

[edit]
For Yeonjun's works with Tomorrow X Together, see Tomorrow X Together discography.

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
Title Year Album
"Ggum"[24] 2024 Non-album single
[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR
[35]
"PS5"
(Salem Ilese with Taehyun and Alan Walker)[16] 		2022 170 Unsponsored Content

Soundtrack appearances

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
Down.
[36]
"Boyfriend" 2024 51
  • JPN: 2,015 (dig.)[37]
 Cinderella at 2 AM OST

Other charted songs

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR
Down.
[38]
"Blockbuster"
(Enhypen featuring Yeonjun) 		2021 131 Dimension: Dilemma

Songwriting credits

[edit]

All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.[39]

List of songs, showing year released, artist name, and name of the album
Year Title Artist Album Composer Lyricist
2020 "Fairy of Shampoo" Tomorrow X Together The Dream Chapter: Eternity Yes Yes
"Maze in the Mirror" Yes Yes
"Wishlist" Minisode1: Blue Hour Yes Yes
"Way Home" Yes Yes
2021 "What If I Had Been That Puma" The Chaos Chapter: Freeze Yes Yes
"No Rules" Yes Yes
"Frost" Yes Yes
"Loser=Lover" The Chaos Chapter: Fight or Escape Yes Yes
"MOA Diary" Yes Yes
"Blockbuster" Enhypen Dimension: Dilemma Yes Yes
"Sweet Dreams" Tomorrow X Together Non-album single Yes Yes
2022 "Good Boy Gone Bad" Minisode 2: Thursday's Child Yes Yes
"Trust Fund Baby" Yes Yes
"Lonely Boy" Yes Yes
"Valley of Lies" (feat. Iann Dior) Non-album singles Yes Yes
"Ring" (君じゃない誰かの愛し方) Yes No
2023 "Happy Fools" (feat. Coi Leray) The Name Chapter: Temptation Yes Yes
"Tinnitus (Wanna Be a Rock)" Yes Yes
"Farewell, Neverland" Yes Yes
"Blue Spring" The Name Chapter: Freefall Yes Yes
"Growing Pain" Yes Yes
"Dreamer" Yes Yes
"Deep Down" Yes Yes
"Happily Ever After" Yes Yes
2024 "I'll See You There Tomorrow" Minisode 3: Tomorrow Yes Yes
"Miracle" Yes Yes
"The Killa (I Belong to You)" Yes Yes
"Open Always Wins" Non-album single Yes Yes

Filmography

[edit]

Television series

[edit]
Telvision series appearances
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2021 Live On Kim Jin-woo Cameo (Ep. 8) [12]

Hosting

[edit]
Hosting appearances
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2019 Inkigayo Special MC with Mingyu, Shin Eun-soo [40]
with Lee Na-eun, Soobin [41]
M Countdown with Ravi, Soobin [42]
2022–2024 Inkigayo Host with Roh Jeong-eui, Seo Bum-june and Park Ji-hu, Woonhak [17][43]
2023 SBS Gayo Daejeon with Key and Yujin [44]
2024 with Doyoung and Yujin [45]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Yeonjun of Tomorrow X Together: the instant K-pop idol who expresses his creativity through dance". South China Morning Post. March 25, 2020. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  2. ^ "Tomorrow X Together: Conoce qué estudiaron los miembros de TXT" [Tomorrow X Together: Find out what TXT members studied.]. El Comercio (in Spanish). January 30, 2022. Archived from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  3. ^ TXT 연준 "연습생 생활만 4년, 멤버들 덕분에 성장통 극복" [TXT's Yeonjun "I have been a trainee for 4 years, overcoming growing pains thanks to the members"]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). March 5, 2019. Archived from the original on March 1, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  4. ^ Ahn, Sung-mi (March 5, 2019). "[Q&A] Big Hit's new rookie TXT makes grand debut". Kpop Herald. The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  5. ^ Kim, No-eul (June 19, 2021). "TXT 연준 "빅히트 전설의 연습생? 수업료는 잘 모르겠다"(유스케)" [TXT Yeon-jun "Big Hit's legendary trainee? I'm not sure about the fee"]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023 – via Naver.
  6. ^ Jeon, Ha-na (November 12, 2019). "'아이돌룸' 연준, 빅히트 전설의 연습생 "공동 1등은 해도 2등은 안 했다"" ['Idol Room' Yeon-jun, Big Hit's Legendary Trainee "Tied for First, But Not Second"]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Herald Corporation. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023 – via Naver.
  7. ^ Lee, Ma-roo (September 4, 2021). "자신이 가진 색의 범주를 아는 자, #연준의 얼굴" [A person who knows what color they are, the face of the #Yeon-jun]. Elle Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  8. ^ "Yeonjun, dari Penari Latar ke 'Dancer' Utama TXT" [Yeonjun, from Background Dancer to TXT's Main 'Dancer']. CNN Indonesia Big Hit's new rookie TXT makes grand debut (in Indonesian). September 13, 2019. Archived from the original on April 27, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  9. ^ Untari, Giovani (July 5, 2020). "10 Fakta Unik Yeonjun TXT, Member TXT yang Keren & Berbakat!" [10 Unique Facts about Yeonjun TXT, a Cool & Talented TXT Member!]. Cosmopolitan Indonesia (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  10. ^ Herman, Tamar (January 10, 2019). "BTS' Label Announces New Boy Band TXT: Meet the First Member, Yeonjun". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  11. ^ Herman, Tamar (February 7, 2019). "TOMORROW X TOGETHER Announces First Album 'The Dream Chapter: STAR'". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 24, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  12. ^ a b Bae, Hyo-joo (January 11, 2021). "라이브온' 투모로우바이투게더 연준 특별출연..최종회 관심↑(공식)" ['Live On' Tomorrow x Together Yeonjun's special appearance...Final attention↑(Official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  13. ^ Yoon, Sang-geun (February 16, 2021). "투모로우바이투게더 연준, 뉴욕패션위크 모델로 참여[공식]" [[Official] TOMORROW X TOGETHER's Yeonjun participates as a model for New York Fashion Week [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  14. ^ Yeo, Gladys (October 4, 2021). "ENHYPEN to collaborate with TXT's Yeonjun on upcoming full-length album". NME. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  15. ^ Ziwei, Puah (October 13, 2021). "ENHYPEN say working with TXT's Yeonjun was a "big honour"". NME. Archived from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Yeo, Gladys (February 23, 2022). "Hear Salem Ilese's new single 'PS5', featuring TXT and Alan Walker". NME. Archived from the original on February 23, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Hwang, So-young (March 15, 2022). "[단독] TXT 연준·노정의·서범준, SBS '인기가요' 新MC 낙점" [[Exclusive] TXT Yeonjun, Noh Jeong-ui, and Seo Beom-jun to be selected as new MCs for SBS 'Inkigayo'] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022 – via Naver.
  18. ^ "EXO member Baekhyun's streetwear brand Privé Alliance gets TXT's Yeonjun as its new ambassador & guest creative director". Bollywood Hungama. July 9, 2022. Archived from the original on July 9, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  19. ^ Ji, Min Kyung (November 22, 2023). "[단독] 샤이니 키·TXT 연준·아이브 안유진, SBS '가요대전' MC 낙점" [[Exclusive] Shinee's Key, TXT's Yeonjun, and Ive's An Yu-jin selected as MCs for SBS' 'Gayo Daejeon']. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  20. ^ Kim, Chae-yeon (August 16, 2024). 하현상→투바투 연준, '새벽 2시의 신데렐라' OST 참여 [공식] [Ha Hyun-sang→TXT Yeonjun, 'Cinderella at 2AM' OST participation [Official]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024 – via Naver.
  21. ^ Han, Hae-sun (September 1, 2024). TXT 연준, 첫 단독 OST 'Boyfriend' 오늘(1일) 발매..'새벽 2시의 신데렐라' 삽입 [TXT Yeonjun, first solo OST 'Boyfriend' released today (1st)..'Cinderella at 2 AM' inserted] (in Korean). Retrieved September 8, 2024 – via Naverpublisher=Star News.
  22. ^ Kim, Hyun-seo (September 6, 2024). [단독] 투바투 연준, 9월 중 솔로 출격 [[Exclusive] TXT Yeonjun to make solo debut in September]. TV Report. Retrieved September 6, 2024 – via Naver.
  23. ^ Pyo, Kyung-min (September 8, 2024). "TXT's Yeonjun to drop first solo mixtape". The Korea Times. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  24. ^ a b Yoon, So-yeon (September 9, 2024). "Tomorrow X Together's Yeonjun to release debut solo track 'GGUM'". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  25. ^ Shin, Young-eun (November 14, 2020). "방탄소년단 지민 1위, 보이그룹 개인 브랜드평판...2위 아스트로 문빈" [BTS's Jimin tops boy group's personal brand reputation...Astro's Moonbin ranks second]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023 – via Naver.
  26. ^ Kim, Na-young (February 18, 2023). "차은우, 2월 보이그룹 개인 브랜드평판 1위...2위 지민·3위 백현" [Cha Eun-woo tops boy group's personal brand reputation in February...Jimin 2nd, Baekhyun 3rd]. MK Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023 – via Naver.
  27. ^ Lee, Nam-kyeom (March 18, 2023). "뷔 1위, 3월 보이그룹 개인 브랜드평판 'TOP'...2위 제이홉·3위 차은우" [V tops boy group's personal brand reputation in March... J-Hope 2nd, Cha Eun-woo 3rd]. MBN (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  28. ^ "지큐 코리아 11월호 커버의 주인공 '투모로우바이투게더 연준'" ['Tomorrow X Together's Yeon-jun' on the cover of GQ Korea's November issue]. GQ Korea (in Korean). October 21, 2022. Archived from the original on May 2, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  29. ^ "어느 봄날에, 투모로우바이투게더 수빈과 연준" [One spring day, Tomorrow X Together's Soo-bin and Yeon-jun]. W Korea (in Korean). April 3, 2023. Archived from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  30. ^ "투모로우바이투게더 연준, 화보 매력 발산" [Tomorrow X Together's Yeon-jun, the charm of the photo shoot]. Elle Korea (in Korean). August 20, 2021. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  31. ^ Bell, Crystal (August 24, 2021). "TXT's Yeonjun Won't Settle for Second Best". Paper. Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  32. ^ Lee, Kyung-ho (July 23, 2022). "투모로우바이투게더 연준, 日패션 매거진 표지 장식! '영향력 과시'" [Tomorrow X Together's Yeon-jun lands on the cover of Japanese fashion magazine to 'show off his influence']. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023 – via Naver.
  33. ^ Kim, Na-hee (May 31, 2024). "연준이라는 미지의 세계" [The unknown world of the Yeon-jun]. Vogue Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  34. ^ Sharma, Dishy (May 3, 2024). "TXT Member Yeonjun Donates Over Rs 30 Lakh To Support Firefighters: Report". News18. Network18 Group. Archived from the original on September 1, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  35. ^ Circle Digital Chart positions:
  36. ^ "Download Chart – 2024 Week 36". Circle Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  37. ^ "週間 デジタルシングル(単曲)ランキング 2024年08月26日〜2024年09月01日" [Oricon Weekly Digital Single Ranking August 26 — September 1, 2024]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  38. ^ "Download Chart – 2021 Week 42". Circle Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  39. ^ "Songs Registered Under YEONJUN (10025083)". Korea Music Copyright Association (in Korean). Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  40. ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (March 17, 2019). "투모로우바이투게더 연준 '인기가요' 스페셜 MC 데뷔[오늘TV]" [Tomorrow X Together's Yeon-jun 'Inkigayo' Special MC Debut [Today TV]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022 – via Naver.
  41. ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (December 6, 2019). "'신인왕' 투모로우바이투게더 수빈X연준, 8일 '인기가요' 스페셜MC 출격" ['Rookie King' Tomorrow X Together's Soo-bin and Yon-jun, 'Inkigayo's' Special MCs on August 8th]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022 – via Naver.
  42. ^ "190321 엠카운트다운 글로벌MC크루 라비, TXT 연준, 수빈 현장포토" [190321 M-Countdown Global MC crew: Ravi, TXT's Yeon-jun and Soo-bin's photo]. Mnet (in Korean). March 21, 2019. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  43. ^ "연준·박지후·운학, '인기가요' 새 MC 발탁" [Yeon-jun, Park Ji-hoo, Woonhak, as "Inkigayo's" new MCs]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). July 14, 2023. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  44. ^ Ji, Min-kyung (November 22, 2023). "[단독] 샤이니 키·TXT 연준·아이브 안유진, SBS '가요대전' MC 낙점" [[Exclusive] SHINee Key, TXT's Yeon-jun, and Ive's Ahn Yu-jin selected as MCs for SBS Gayo Daejeon]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023 – via Naver.
  45. ^ Jeong, Bit (June 25, 2024). [단독]NCT 도영·아이브 안유진·TXT 연준, '가요대전 서머' MC 발탁…'인가' 남매들 출동 [[Exclusive] NCT Doyoung, Ive An Yu-jin, and TXT Yeonjun selected as MCs for ‘Gayo Daejeon Summer’… ‘In-law’ siblings appear]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
[edit]

Media related to Choi Yeon-jun at Wikimedia Commons

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