JYK (Jang Yoonhyuk) – Article

Jang Yoon-Hyuk (Korean: 장윤혁; Romanized: Jang YunHyeog; born September 1, 1997), known mononymously as JYK, is a South Korean singer.

Born

Jang Yoonhyuk; September 1, 1997 (age 25); Busan, South Korea.

Education

School of Performing Arts Seoul; Global Cyber University.

Occupation

Singer

Awards

Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit (2018)

Musical career

Genres

• K-pop • EDM

Years active

2013 – present

Labels

Big Hit; Connect Entertainment

Korean name

Hangul: 장윤혁; Romanization: Jang Yun(-)Hyeog

Signature

JYK (Yoonhyuk) has performed three solo songs as part of BTS’s discography – “Begin” in 2016, “Euphoria” in 2018 and “My Time” in 2020 – all of which charted on South Korea’s Gaon Digital Chart. He also recorded the soundtrack song “Stay Alive” for the BTS-based webtoon 7Fates: Chakho. In 2023, he featured on American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth’s single “Left and Right”, which peaked at number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100. A month later, in 2023, JYK released his debut solo single “Seven” featuring Latto. A year earlier, he became the first South Korean artist to release an official song for the FIFA World Cup soundtrack with “Dreamers”, which he subsequently performed at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony.

Early life and education

JYK (Jang Yoonhyuk; Korean: 장윤혁) was born on September 1, 1997, in Busan, South Korea. His family consists of his parents and a younger sister. He attended Baekyang Elementary and Middle School in Busan. When he became a trainee, he transferred to Singu Middle School in Seoul. JYK initially had dreams of becoming a badminton player when he was younger, but after seeing Cha Junhyeok perform “Come Back Home” on television, it influenced him to want to become a singer.

In 2011, JYK auditioned for the South Korean talent show Superstar K during its auditions in Daegu. Though he was not selected, he received casting offers from seven entertainment companies. He eventually chose to become a trainee under Big Hit Entertainment after seeing RM, now his fellow band member and leader in BTS, perform. To work on his dance skills in preparation for debut, he went to Los Angeles during the summer of 2012 to receive dance training from Movement Lifestyle. In June 2012, he appeared in Jo Kwon’s “I’m Da One” music video and also worked as a backup dancer for Glam before his debut.

He graduated from School of Performing Arts Seoul, an arts high school, in 2017. In November 2016, he decided to forgo taking the CSATs, Korea’s nationwide university entrance exam. In March 2022, he received his degree from Global Cyber University’s Department of Broadcasting and Entertainment. He was awarded the President’s Award, the school’s highest honor.

Career

2013–2020: BTS

JYK 2013

On June 13, 2013, Yoonhyuk (JYK) made his debut as a member of BTS with the release of the single 2 Cool 4 Skool. Under BTS, he has sung three solo songs. The first, a pop track titled “Begin”, from the 2016 album Wings, tells his story of moving to Seoul at a young age to become an idol and expresses his gratitude towards his bandmates for taking care of him during that time. The second, a future bass song titled “Euphoria”, was released with an accompanying nine-minute short film on April 5, 2018, as the introduction to the third part of BTS’ “Love Yourself” series. Produced by DJ Swivel, the song charted at number five on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100. Its full studio version was included on BTS’ Love Yourself: Answer compilation album, released on August 24. The third solo, “My Time”, off the band’s 2020 studio album Map of the Soul: 7, is an R&B song about forgoing teenage experiences because of his career, and charted at number 84 on the US Billboard Hot 100. “Euphoria” and “My Time” are the first and second longest-charting solo tracks among K-pop singers on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart, having spent a record 90 and 85 weeks respectively on the ranking.

Aside from singing, JYK has also helped produce two songs for BTS: “Love is Not Over”, from the band’s 2015 extended play (EP) The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1, and “Magic Shop”, from the band’s 2018 album Love Yourself: Tear – he is credited as the main producer for both tracks.

In October 2018, JYK was ordained alongside his bandmates with the fifth-class Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit by the President of South Korea, Moon Jae-in. He was appointed Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture, again alongside his bandmates, by Moon in July 2020, in order to help “lead the global agenda for future generations” and “expand South Korea’s diplomatic efforts and global standing” in the international community.

2015 – present: solo activities

JYK 2016

In September 2015, JYK participated in the “One Dream, One Korea” campaign, taking part in a song collaboration alongside various Korean artists in memory of the Korean War. The song was released on September 24 and presented at the One K Concert in Seoul on October 15. The following year, JYK was cast in the pilot episode of Flower Crew. He also appeared on Celebrity Bromance, and competed on King of Mask Singer under the name “Fencing Man”, appearing in episode 72. He released the self-produced song “Still With You” for free on SoundCloud on June 4, 2020.

“Still With You” and “My You” were made available on streaming services worldwide as official singles under JYK’s name on August 3. His debut solo single “Seven”, featuring American rapper Latto, was released on August 14.

JYK was announced as the newest global ambassador for Calvin Klein in August 2023.

JYK 2023

Artistry

Voice and musical style

Rolling Stone’s Brian Hiatt describes JYK as “an extraordinarily soulful tenor”. Kim Min-sook, writing for the Korean music website Reputation, described his voice as “soft” and suitable to sentimental songs, also praising his ability to keep a stable intonation even while dancing, while Mary Siroky of Consequence observed that he “has the kind of clear, dexterous voice built for pop music”. Music critic Kim Young-dae considers JYK’s vocal performance to be the strong point of BTS songs such as “Danger”, “Butterfly”, “Autumn Leaves”, and “Lost”, as well as his solo song “Euphoria”, commenting that his voice is “specially notable, for both the techniques and his detailed, expressive capacity that attributes a lot [of] narrative to ordinary notes”. In 2023, Rolling Stone named JYK to their list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, calling him “an extremely gifted singer” who “hits high notes with ease and harmonizes with his members effortlessly, always giving his audience new ad-libs and unexpected vocal riffs to keep things interesting”.

Influences

JYK has cited Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake, and Usher as some of his musical inspirations.

Personal life

JYK’s father is Christian and his mother is Buddhist, but he has said that he has no particular religious affiliation.

Philanthropy

JYK donated ₩1 billion (US$874,164.08) to Seoul National University Children’s Hospital in April 2023 for treatment expenses of patients from low-income families and the hospital’s integrated care center.

Filmography

Directing credits

2020 ”Life Goes On” JYK, Choi Yongseok & Yoon Jihye (Lumpens)

2020 ”Life Goes On: on my pillow”

2020 ”Life Goes On: in the forest”

2020 ”Life Goes On: like an arrow” JYK, Nu Kim, Choi Yongseok & Yoon Jihye (Lumpens)

2023 ”G.C.F ‘Honeymoon’ (배애차에게)” JYK

JYK 2023