Yong Jun-hyung
A key architect of Highlight's sound, his songwriting and production shaped a generation of K-pop before a personal scandal altered his path.
Born 1989 (age 37)·South Korean musician and actor·Birthday: December 19·Millennials
Biography
Yong Jun-hyung emerged in the late 2000s as the main rapper and a central creative force for the boy band Highlight, originally known as Beast. More than just a performer, he carved a distinct niche as a songwriter and producer, penning many of the group's biggest hits and developing a reputation for crafting sophisticated, moody R&B-influenced tracks. His musical fingerprints defined the group's identity, making him an influential figure behind the scenes in K-pop. In 2019, his career trajectory shifted dramatically when he became embroiled in the Burning Sun scandal, admitting to viewing an illegally shared private video. He left Highlight, served a public hiatus, and later resumed activities as a solo artist, navigating a complex legacy of artistic contribution and personal controversy.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Yong was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Yong Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Yong's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
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 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Served as the main rapper and a primary songwriter for the influential K-pop group Highlight (formerly Beast).
- Produced and co-wrote numerous hit songs for his group, including the track 'Ribbon' which topped Korean music charts.
- Released successful solo music, including his 2022 EP 'Loner' which showcased his signature production style.
- His songwriting credits extend to tracks for other artists, solidifying his role as a respected producer in the industry.
Did You Know?
He was a trainee under JYP Entertainment before debuting with Cube Entertainment.
He is known for his deep, distinctive rapping tone, which set him apart from many of his contemporaries.
He participated in the survival program "Hot Blood Men" which formed the group that would later become 2PM.
He has acted in several Korean dramas, including "Monstar" in 2013.
“I write songs to capture the exact feeling of a moment.”
