Kim Dong-jun (born February 11, 1992), also known as just Dongjun, is a South Korean singer and actor. He debuted as member of boy group ZE:A (and later its subgroup ZE:A Five and ZE:A J). Apart from his group's activities, he has established himself as an actor, notably through his participation in various television dramas such as The Fugitive of Joseon (2013), Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho (2016), Black (2017) and About Time (2018). He has also starred in films such as A Company Man (2012), Take My Hand (2014), and Dead Again (2017).
Kim entered a nine-membered group called "Children of Empire". In 2009, they started in Mnet "Children of Empire" and "Children of Empire Returns", where they tour the country doing guerilla performances.[2] Later the group faced controversy in December following the similarities of the group's name to Brown Eyed Girls' JeA. The group later changed the pronunciation of the name to avoid implications.[3] On January 7, 2010, the group debuted with their EP, Nativity under the name ZE:A.[4]
ZE:A J solo project has released solo track for Kevin, Heechul and Dongjun. Dongjun was the last member to release solo track "Healing" on May 3. The track was composed and written by himself.[5][6][unreliable source?]
Kim won two gold medals in the Idol Athletes Chuseok Special on August 27, 2011, in men's 100-meter and 110-meter hurdles against other idols.[citation needed]
Kim was appointed as a torch bearer at the 17th Asian Incheon Games 2014.[7][unreliable source?]
In June 2017, Kim joined Gold Moon Entertainment after his contract with Star Empire Entertainment ended. The CEO of his new agency was ZE:A's former manager, Hwang Jung-moon. In August 2017, it was reported that Gold Moon Entertainment, The Vibe Entertainment and Asakusa Games had merged and now operate under the name "Major 9."[8]
Kim enlisted as an active duty soldier on July 12, 2021.[10] He completed basic military training in first place and was selected as a special warrior. He served as an assistant instructor at the Korea Army Training Center.[11]
While serving in the military, Kim appeared in the 5th episode of tvN variety program The Backpacker Chef which aired on June 23, 2022. At that time, he had been promoted to a corporal and was serving as an assistant in the 1st Infantry Recruit Training Battalion.[12] He was discharged on January 11, 2023.[13]
^Lee Ho-young (June 23, 2021). "[단독] 김동준, 군대간다 "7월12일 현역 입대" [[Exclusive] Kim Dong-jun goes to the army "Enlisted for active duty on July 12]. iMBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021 – via Naver.
^Jang Woo-young (February 11, 2022). "김동준, 육군훈련소 조교 근황...특급전사FM軍 생활" [Kim Dong-jun, an assistant instructor at the Army Training Center... Special fighter FM military life]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jeon Ha-na (June 23, 2022). "'백패커' 백종원, 일일 취사 지원 온 김동준에 '울컥'" ['Backpacker' Baek Jong-won, 'crying' at Kim Dong-jun, who came to help with daily cooking]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 23, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee Yu-na (January 11, 2023). "김동준, 오늘(11일) 제대...육군 현역 복무 마치고 전역" [Kim Dong-jun, discharged today (11th)... After completing active duty in the army, he was discharged]. YTN (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023 – via Naver.
^제국의아이들 '글로리아' 깜짝 출연 배두나와 호흡. Asia Economy (in Korean). September 4, 2010. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
^Jeo, Jak-gwon (January 28, 2011). '제아' 김동준, 연기돌 합류요~ (in Korean). Newsis. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
^Jeong Hye-won (April 26, 2023). "김동준, '고려 거란 전쟁' 주연 캐스팅...전역 후 첫 복귀작[공식]" [Kim Dong-jun, cast for the lead role in 'Goryeo-Khitan War'... First comeback after discharge [Official]] (in Korean). SPOTV News. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
^Jo Joong-hyun (April 16, 2021). "한효주, 근황? '드라마월드' 특급출연 특급의리". digitalchosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
^Kim Min-seo (January 1, 2024). "[KBS 연기대상] 최우수상 로운 "흐린 눈으로 지켜봐 주길"·김동준 "최수종에 감사"" [[KBS Drama Awards] Grand Acting Prize Rowoon "Please watch with blurry eyes" · Kim Dong-jun "Thank you to Choi Soo-jong"]. MediaPen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
^Kim Min-seo (January 1, 2024). "[KBS 연기대상] 지승현·하준·백진희, 장편 우수상..."스태프들에 감사"" [[KBS Drama Awards] Ji Seung-hyun, Ha Jun, Baek Jin-hee, Excellence Award for Feature Film... "Thank you to the staff"]. MediaPen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
^Kim, Na-yul (January 1, 2024). [2023 KBS 연기대상]최수종, 16년만4번째 대상에 오열.."당연한 건 없었다"(종합) [[2023 KBS Drama Awards] Choi Soo-jong wins the Grand Prize for the 4th time in 16 years.."Nothing was taken for granted" (Comprehensive)] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2024 – via Naver.
