behind Kim JaeJoong

Kim Jae-joong (Hangul: 김재중; hanja: 金在中; born January 26, 1986), known mononymously as Jaejoong, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, actor, and director. He is best known as a member of the Korean pop group JYJ, and was one of the original members of boy band TVXQ. Kim also went by the stage names, Hero Jaejoong (Hangul: 영웅재중; hanja: 英雄在中; "Youngwoong Jaejoong") and Jejung (ジェジュン).

Kim has branched out to act in dramas including Sunao ni Narenakute, Protect the Boss, and most recently Dr. Jin, and in films such as Heaven's Postman and Jackal is Coming. He was also the Executive Director for JYJ's 2011 Worldwide Tour and the 2011 LG Whisen Rhythmic All Stars.
In January 2013 he released his first EP, titled I, followed by a full length album, WWW in October the same year.

Early life

Kim was born Han Jae-jun in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea. His real birthday, as revealed by his biological mother, was on 4 February, instead of 26 January. At a young age, he was given up for adoption by his birth mother to the Kim family, and his name was changed to Kim Jae-joong.

When Kim was fifteen, he moved to Seoul by himself in order to take part in the auditions held by SM Entertainment. Life in Seoul was financially difficult and he took various odd jobs to pay for rent, food, and training fees, he even appeared as an extra in movies. In an interview he admitted he used to be tone-deaf in primary school and was frequently ridiculed for his dream of becoming a singer. He practiced singing on his own.