Kim Jin-woo

Kim Jin-woo (Korean: 김진우; born September 26, 1991), better known mononymously as Jinwoo or Jinu, is a South Korean singer, actor and member of South Korean boy group Winner, formed in 2013 by YGE through Mnet survival program WIN: Who Is Next.

Early life

Kim Jin-woo was born on September 26, 1991 in Imja-do, Sinan County, South Jeolla. His father has appeared on television multiple times due to his occupation as a captain of a fishing boat. He was scouted by Seungri of Big Bang, who was impressed by his dancing while attending his dance academy at the time, thus bringing him to YG Entertainment. Following the scouting, he became a trainee in August 2010. The next year, he performed as a backup dancer at the 2011 YG Family Concert alongside former bandmate Tae-hyun.

2013–18: WIN: Who Is Next, Winner and acting debut

In 2013, Kim appeared on Mnet survival program WIN: Who Is Next as a contestant under "Team A", where the show resulted with Team A as the victors. In August 2014, Kim made his debut as one of five members in boy group Winner with studio album 2014 S/S with lead singles "Empty" and "Color Ring". Upon debut, "Empty" topped all South Korean charts as well as all ten tracks from their studio album dominated the top 10 spots in MelOn, South Korea's largest music streaming service further earning the group the title "Monster Rookies". Winner went on to topping the Gaon Chart and winning a bonsang on MelOn Music Awards within the first year.

In July 2016, Kim made his acting debut through the web drama Magic Cellphone. In November 2016, Kim joined as the lead for the production The Little Prince by the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company after passing a blind audition for the role, proving his skills were on par with what they were searching for. Through the production he went on to becoming the first K-pop idol to take part of a contemporary dance production. The same year he starred in the web drama Love For A Thousand More alongside bandmate Kang Seung-yoon and labelmate Kim Hee-jung. The Naver TV web drama was a joint production of CJ E&M, YGE, and YGKPlus.

Kim partook as a fixed cast member for MBC travelling variety show Wizard of Nowhere from July 2017 onward. The show marked his first fixed appearance on a variety show since his debut, after earned him a nomination for the "Rookie Award" at the 2017 MBC Entertainment Awards. In January 2018, Kim appeared as a prisoner on JTBC reality program Live a Good Life with labelmates Kwon Hyun-bin and Yoo Byung-jae. The reality show was a joint production among YG Entertainment and JTBC.

2019: Solo debut

In April 2019, Kim joined the cast of SBS' Legendary Big Fish, showcasing the fishermen skills he inherited from his father. Soon after he joined as a regular cast member in xtvN's Scene's Quiz. Kim made his solo debut on August 14 with single album Jinu's Heyday and lead single "Call Anytime"featuring bandmate Mino after five years in the industry ahead of mandatory military enlistment the next year.

Upon release, the single "Call Anytime" ranks No.1 on LINEMUSIC Weekly Chart, after ranking 1 for 4 consecutive days on its Top 100 Daily Chart. The single also recorded No.1 position on iTunes chart in 13 countries in 24 hours after release. "Call Anytime" also charted in almost all Korean streaming sites and debuting within top 50 in Melon Real Time Chart, and within Top 100 in Melon Daily Chart.

Following debut, his first music show appearance was at MBC Show! Music Core on August 17.

Kim is well known in South Korea for his visual, in which he was placed second for male idol with perfect facial ratios.

As part of his mandatory military service, Kim enlisted as a public service worker on April 2, 2020.

In 2018, Kim Jinwoo participated in Ice Bucket Challenge to raise money and awareness for ALS patients.

On April 6, 2019 it was reported by an official that Kim quietly made a donation of 10 million Won to the Hope Bridge Association of the National Disaster Relief for the victims of the Gangwon Province wildfire in South Korea. On September 18, Kim reportedly donated 10 million Won in support to help the victims who have suffered from the natural disaster, Typhoon Lingling.

During promotion of his solo debut, Kim collaborated with Naver Happy Bean Campaign which aims to raise fund and support to build a shelter/center for abandoned and neglected animals.

On March 1, 2020 Kim gave a donation of 10 million Won to the Hope Bridge Association to help those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Single albums

As a lead artist