Hongjoong

Kim Hongjoong, known mononymously as Hongjoong, is the leader, main rapper, and a primary songwriter of the K-pop group ATEEZ. Born on November 7, 1998, in Anyang, South Korea, he joined KQ Entertainment as its first trainee in 2015 and debuted as ATEEZ's captain on October 24, 2018. Hongjoong is widely recognized for his deep involvement in music production, having registered over 165 songs with the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) as of 2025. His artistic vision and leadership have been central to ATEEZ's global success, which includes sold-out world tours and million-selling albums.

Beyond music, Hongjoong has expanded into fashion, becoming a Balmain ambassador and attending Paris Fashion Week in 2023. He also hosted MBC's Idol Radio Season 3 from 2022 to 2023 and runs a personal YouTube vlog series. Known for his perfectionist work ethic once recording a song 1,395 times he balances a strict on-stage persona with a playful off-stage character often called the group's dad. As of 2026, he continues to lead ATEEZ through new releases and tours, solidifying his reputation as a key figure in fourth-generation K-pop. [edit]

Hongjoong grew up in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, with his parents and an older brother, Kim Bumjoong. From a young age, he was drawn to music, particularly rap and composition, and spent most of his time in the studio rather than at school. He attended Dongan High School and later enrolled at Global Cyber University for Broadcasting and Entertainment. His parents supported his musical ambitions, which led him to send a letter and mixtape demo to KQ Entertainment when he was 17. Impressed by his potential, KQ accepted him as their first trainee in 2015.

For about six months, Hongjoong trained alone before other trainees joined, forming the pre-debut team KQ Fellaz. In 2017, he auditioned for the survival show MIXNINE and became a contestant, gaining early public exposure even though he did not make the final debut group. His pre-debut journey was documented in the reality series Code Name is ATEEZ, which aired in 2018 and showcased his leadership and dedication. These experiences laid the foundation for his role as ATEEZ's captain and creative force. [edit]

Hongjoong's breakthrough came with ATEEZ's debut in October 2018, where he immediately stood out as the group's leader and main producer. The group quickly built a global fanbase, known as ATINY, through high-energy performances and a distinctive pirate concept. Their world tours, starting in 2019, sold out across Asia, Europe, and North America, establishing ATEEZ as a leading fourth-generation K-pop act. By 2025, ATEEZ had achieved million-selling album status, with multiple entries on the Billboard 200.

Individually, Hongjoong's songwriting credits have grown to over 165 KOMCA-registered songs, making him one of the most prolific idol-producers of his generation. His fashion influence peaked in 2023 when he became a Balmain ambassador and walked the runway at Paris Fashion Week. He also hosted Idol Radio Season 3, showcasing his versatility. His perfectionism and creative direction have been pivotal in shaping ATEEZ's narrative-driven music, earning him respect as both an artist and a leader. [edit]

Hongjoong projects a dual image: intense, artistic, and commanding on stage with a pirate/rebellious aesthetic that defines much of ATEEZ's concept, contrasted with a playful, witty, and caring personality off-stage. Media portrays him as a hands-on leader and one of the most prolific self-producing idols of his generation. The official fandom name is ATINY. Fan-culture rituals include supporting his vlogs, celebrating his birthday (November 7) with #HongjoongDay trends, and creating fan content around his 'captain' role and Minion affinity. His social media voice (via group accounts) is professional yet warm toward fans.[edit]

The bond between Hongjoong and his supporters is defined by the name ATINY, a portmanteau of ATEEZ and Tiny that signifies how even a small star can shine brightly. This collective fanbase operates with military precision, organizing massive birthday campaigns every November 7th and mobilizing for charitable causes like the World Vision "Special Run" to honor their leader. Fans revere Hongjoong not just as an idol but as the protective "Captain" of the group, often referencing his strict yet funny father persona in variety content while celebrating his authenticity as a self-producing artist who writes every line of his own raps.

Despite this intense global devotion and his status as a Balmain ambassador and prolific composer, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Hongjoong without assigning him a current placement in the published rankings. He does not hold a position in the Global Top 1,000 or any specific Top-100 scope list as of August 2026. While he commands immense influence within the K-pop sphere and among electronic music enthusiasts following his EDC Korea DJ debut, the broader global metrics required for a ranked entry have not been met in the latest evaluation cycle. His fame remains deeply rooted in the loyalty of ATINYs rather than a broad numerical ranking on the global stage.[edit]

Hongjoong's MBTI personality type is INFP, reflecting his introspective nature. He learned English by watching the TV show Modern Family on Netflix and maintains a well-known fondness for Minions, which earned him the nickname the Korean Big Minion among fans. His meticulous work ethic is legendary; he once recorded a single song 1,395 times to achieve the perfect take. Despite a grueling schedule, he has maintained a personal YouTube vlog series called HONGJOONG VLOG since 2020.

Legends surrounding his career include the verified story of his fractured rib incident in August 2026, where he continued performing despite severe pain, cementing his image as a resilient leader. Fans also celebrate his milestone DJ debut at Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Korea in June 2026, marking a rare crossover into mainstream EDM production. Another iconic moment was his May 2026 debut as a music director for the indie film Hallucination, showcasing his versatility beyond pop music. These events, alongside his annual birthday charity drives, form the core of the lore that defines his relationship with ATINY.[edit]

Hongjoong was born to Mr. and Mrs. Kim and has an older brother named Kim Bumjoong, though this has not been officially confirmed by his agency. He grew up in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, and his parents were supportive of his music career. As of 2026, he is not publicly known to be married or have children, and he keeps his family life private. [edit]

Hongjoong is best known as the leader of ATEEZ, a group he debuted with in 2018. He frequently collaborates with fellow ATEEZ member Mingi on rap lyrics. His fashion partnership with Balmain, starting in 2023, has linked him to the luxury brand's ambassador circle. He also hosted Idol Radio Season 3, sharing the mic with various K-pop idols. [edit]

Hongjoong has kept his personal life extremely private, and as of 2026, there are no publicly confirmed romantic relationships. KQ Entertainment has not announced any dating history, and no credible media reports have linked him to any partner. Like many K-pop idols, he maintains a private stance on relationships to focus on his career. As of 2026, he is publicly single with no known children. [edit]

Heading into 2026, iFANN currently estimates Hongjoong's net worth at $3 Million. This figure reflects his steady growth since ATEEZ's debut and his individual brand value. His primary income streams include album sales, streaming revenue, and concert tours driven by the group's commercial success. As a main songwriter and composer with over 165 KOMCA-registered songs, he earns substantial royalties from publishing rights. Additional earnings come from his role as a Balmain ambassador and appearances at Paris Fashion Week. He also generated income from hosting Idol Radio Season 3 between 2022 and 2023, along with revenue from his personal YouTube vlog series. While exact figures remain private, these diverse ventures underscore his financial standing as a multifaceted artist.[edit]

Hongjoong's individual awards are not extensively documented in available sources, as most accolades have gone to ATEEZ as a group. However, he has been recognized for his songwriting contributions through KOMCA registrations. No specific solo awards are listed in the provided research. [edit]