Kim Ji-woong
A South Korean performer who weathered early career disbandment to find stardom through sheer determination on a global survival show.
Born 1998 (age 28)·South Korean singer and actor·Birthday: December 14·Generation Z
Biography
Kim Ji-woong's path to K-pop fame was anything but linear, marked by a quiet perseverance that finally paid off under the bright lights of a competition. He first stepped into the industry as Jinam, a member of the boy group INX, which disbanded after a short run in 2017. Undeterred, he pivoted, building a following as an actor in popular Boys' Love web dramas like 'Kissable Lips,' where his visuals and nuanced performances garnered a dedicated fanbase. His big break came with Mnet's 'Boys Planet' in 2023. As one of the older contestants, he brought a mature, stable presence, showcasing improved vocals and the polished skills of a veteran. His journey resonated with viewers, who propelled him to an eighth-place finish and a spot in the resulting supergroup ZEROBASEONE. His story is one of second chances, proving that resilience and reinvention can lead to a spotlight even brighter than the first.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Kim was born in 1998, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kim Was Born
The biggest hits of 1998
#1 Movie
Saving Private Ryan
Best Picture
Shakespeare in Love
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Kim's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1998Born
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2003Started school
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2011Became a teenager
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Could drive
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2016Could vote
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2019Turned 21
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 28 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Ranked 8th on the reality competition show 'Boys Planet,' securing his place in the project boy group ZEROBASEONE.
- Debuted as an actor in the popular BL web drama 'Kissable Lips,' gaining significant international recognition.
- Was a former member of the boy group INX (under the name Jinam) prior to their disbandment in 2017.
- As part of ZEROBASEONE, achieved multiple music show wins and chart-topping success with debut album 'YOUTH IN THE SHADE.'
Did You Know?
He is an only child and has mentioned his mother as his biggest supporter throughout his career.
Prior to 'Boys Planet,' he worked as a model and appeared in various advertising campaigns.
His MBTI personality type is reported to be ISTP.
He is known for his deep, distinctive voice, which stands out in ZEROBASEONE's vocal line.
“The stage is where my silent years finally find their voice.”
