Biography
Kim Junsu, also known by his stage name XIA, is a multifaceted artist who has made his mark in both the K-pop industry and musical theater. Known for his powerful voice, dynamic stage presence, and undeniable talent, Junsu has earned a place as one of South Korea’s most respected entertainers. From his early days as a member of the iconic boy band TVXQ to his successful career as a solo artist and musical theater performer, Junsu has proven to be a force in the entertainment world.
Profile
- Full Name: Kim Junsu (김준수)
- Stage Name: XIA (시아)
- Date of Birth: January 15, 1986
- Place of Birth: Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
- Height: 175 cm (5’9″)
- Weight: 58 kg (128 lbs)
- Blood Type: B
- Education: Kyung Hee University – Department of Musical Theater
Early Life and Education
Kim Junsu was born on January 15, 1986, in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Raised in a supportive family environment, Junsu developed an early interest in music and performing arts. He attended Kyung Hee University, where he majored in the Department of Musical Theater, an area that would later play a significant role in his career. Junsu’s formal training in music, coupled with his natural talent, laid the foundation for what would become a remarkable career in both pop music and theater.
Rise to Fame with TVXQ
Junsu’s journey to fame began in 2003 when he debuted as a member of TVXQ (Dong Bang Shin Ki), a boy band formed by SM Entertainment. The group quickly became one of the most popular and influential boy bands in Asia, known for their vocal harmonies, dance performances, and global fan base. As one of the lead vocalists, Junsu’s powerful and unique voice stood out, making him a fan favorite.
During his time with TVXQ, Junsu, along with members Yoochun and Jaejoong, achieved massive success. They not only dominated South Korean charts but also earned recognition in Japan and internationally. The group’s albums, including Tri-Angle (2004) and Mirotic (2008), became huge commercial successes. However, in 2009, following a dispute with SM Entertainment, the three members decided to leave TVXQ, leading to the formation of a new group, JYJ.
JYJ: A New Beginning
In 2009, Junsu, Yoochun, and Jaejoong formed JYJ, marking a new chapter in their careers. Under the management of C-JeS Entertainment, JYJ gained massive success not only in South Korea but also internationally. The trio released their first album, The Beginning, in 2010, which received widespread acclaim for its innovative sound and global appeal. Junsu’s contributions to JYJ’s music were especially notable, as his powerful vocals and emotional delivery were key components of the group’s success.
In addition to his work with JYJ, Junsu also pursued a solo career. His solo debut album, Xiah (2010), marked the beginning of his transformation into a solo artist. His vocal prowess and charisma shone through in his solo work, which blended pop, R&B, and ballad genres. His solo singles such as Intoxication and Xiah further solidified his position as a versatile artist.
Solo Career and Musical Theater
Junsu’s solo career took off with the release of his first full-length album, Tarantallegra (2011). The album showcased his versatility, ranging from high-energy dance tracks to emotional ballads. The title track Tarantallegra was a mix of pop and dance elements, and it highlighted his ability to create music that resonated both with K-pop fans and music lovers across genres.
In addition to his music career, Junsu made a significant impact on the musical theater scene. His performance in the musical Mozart! (2010) was a major turning point in his career, showcasing his exceptional acting skills alongside his singing ability. He played the title role of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, earning critical acclaim for his portrayal of the famous composer. His involvement in musical theater deepened with roles in Elizabeth (2015), where he portrayed Emperor Franz Joseph, and Death Note (2017), in which he took on the role of the antagonist, Light Yagami. These roles showcased not only his vocal talent but also his ability to immerse himself fully in his characters, earning him a loyal following in the theater world.
Junsu’s musical theater career has been nothing short of extraordinary. He continues to receive praise for his stage performances, with many considering him one of the most talented and sought-after musical theater performers in South Korea.
Dating News/ Rumors:
On January 1, 2016, Dispatch reported that Junsu of JYJ and Hani of EXID are dating. The report included a series of photos showing the two singers in casual attire walking together. The photos, taken on November 27 and during the recent Christmas holiday, show Junsu in a relaxed outfit and sunglasses, while Hani, six years his junior, took extra precautions to shield her identity from the public.
Junsu’s management company, C-JeS Entertainment, confirmed the relationship between Junsu and Hani. A representative from the agency stated, “This is our official statement regarding the dating news between Junsu and Hani. Initially, they knew each other and supported one another as senior and junior. Over time, their relationship developed into a romantic one. However, as both are well-known singers, we hope the public will offer their support”.
However, by September of the same year, the couple announced their breakup, leaving fans saddened by the news.
In 2021, My Daily reported exclusively that Kim Junsu and Kei, his co-star 8 years his junior in the musicals Excalibur and Death Note, were dating. The two were said to support each other’s careers and nurture their love. After leaving Woollim Entertainment, Kei, the main vocalist of Lovelyz, signed with PalmTree Island, a company founded by Kim Junsu to help develop his musical theater career. However, PalmTree Island later denied these dating rumors.
Controversies
However, Junsu’s career has not been without controversy. One significant issue arose from his involvement in the controversy surrounding the ownership of the Toscana Hotel in Jeju. The project faced backlash, as allegations of financial mismanagement and fraud surfaced. Junsu was reportedly scammed for over 30 billion KRW (approximately 300 million USD) during the hotel’s sale.
In March 2018, an article surfaced suggesting that Junsu Kim, who was then serving in the military, had failed to pay his health insurance premiums. However, this claim was clarified upon further review. In South Korea, health insurance premiums are suspended for military personnel during their service, meaning no arrears can accumulate in that regard. The true issue was related to his national pension contributions.
For individuals enlisted in the military after the age of 27, they must apply for an exemption from paying national pension contributions during their service. According to the article, Junsu’s tax administrator had overlooked this process, causing the system to mistakenly continue to list him as a payment target. As a result, this led to confusion and the reported incident. The issue stemmed from administrative oversight rather than Junsu intentionally failing to make payments.
On November 15, 2024, Palm Tree Island, the agency of Junsu Kim, revealed that the singer had been subjected to continuous threats and extortion by an individual identified as “A” from September 2020 to October 2024. The threats included attempts to record Junsu’s conversations for illegal purposes and distribute them on social media, with the intent of damaging his public image. It was reported that A had extorted approximately 840 million won from Junsu during this period. Despite acknowledging that Junsu had done nothing wrong, A had exploited the star’s celebrity status to manipulate public attention for personal gain.
Palm Tree Island emphasized that Junsu was a clear victim in this case, noting that A had threatened not only Junsu but also numerous other victims. In response, the agency announced that they would take legal action to prevent further harm to Junsu’s reputation and to bring an end to A’s extortion. The case is currently at the warrant trial stage, and the agency has stated that they will provide further updates once the investigation and trial are concluded.
Junsu also came under scrutiny for his song “Silk Road”, which some listeners perceived as tackling sensitive topics like virginity. The track, reportedly aimed at empowerment and embracing individuality, faced backlash from a segment of netizens who criticized its lyrical content as “inappropriate” or “gross,” interpreting it as discussing intimate subjects in a way they found distasteful.
I’ve been waiting for this a long time,
walking hand-in-hand with you
I got here before anyone else who set off with mePerhaps this is something you’ve never experienced before
Something you only heard about from a friend
Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraidDon’t be shy, come closer to me
Open up the tightly-shut silk road
Don’t be nervous and just loosen your legs
Trust me, lie down comfortably and close your eyes— “Silk Road”
Facts
- Jun Su had a girlfriend back in high school but they broke up quickly after that.
- During Jun Su’s trainee days, a couple of months before his debut his adolescence period came causing his voice to change, JunSu became terrified that it wouldn’t be back to normal and ever since then he kept a promise to take better care of his voice.
- Jun Su is one of the best singers, as though he claims that his voice changed from the day of his debut.
- Jun Su does not drink carbonated drinks but nutritious drinks only.
- Jun Su has a twin brother named Jun Ho who is also now a singer. You can tell the difference of Jun Su and Jun Ho by their eyebrows.
- Jun Su was given the name Jun Su because according to his father, when he and Jun Ho were born, Jun Ho looked more masculine.
- Junsu eats in a weird way by sticking out his tongue and food will always come out from his mouth.
- Junsu hopes that all members like his jokes.
- Junsu can’t resist fried chicken.
- Junsu keeps all his fan letters.
- Junsu was the longest trainee from SM Entertainment.
- Junsu’s Bigeast ID is no.3
- Junsu was the first member to join TVXQ. He joined SMe when he’s 11 and his contract began on 12 February 2000.
- In Japanese lessons Yoosu always share a book and whenever Junsu bored he draws little hearts with their names in on the pages.-Junsu thinks Yoochun is very good at playing with balls. He always takes him out to the soccerfield.
- When Jaejoong flirts with Junsu and Yoochun stays cool, Junsu gets quite fidgety and jealous.
