Kim Ji-woong

Kim Ji-woong (; born December 14, 1998) is a South Korean singer and actor. Kim is best known for competing on the reality competition show Boys Planet where he ranked 8th in the final episode, earning him a spot in the South Korean boy band Zerobaseone. Prior to this, Kim was a member of the boy group INX under the name Jinam until their disbandment in 2017. He made his debut as an actor in the web series The Sweet Blood, and is best known for his role in Kissable Lips (2022).

Early life Kim Ji-woong was born on December 14, 1998, in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Kim's father was a member of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.

Career 2016–2018: Debut with INX, disbandment, and agency lawsuit Kim made his debut as a singer in 2016 as a member of the South Korean boy group, INX, under the stage name Jinam. The group disbanded at the end of 2017 and in 2018, they filed a lawsuit against their agency asking for their exclusive contract to be terminated under claims of mistreatment. The Seoul District Court favored the group in the verdict, voiding the contract between them and their agency.

2018–2020: Ateen, B.I.T, and Burn Up: Challenge to Billboard After the disbandment of his previous group, Kim joined pre-debut boy group Ateen under the stage name "King". The group was supposed to promote in South Korea after releasing with the single "Boku wa Chotto Chigau" in Japan on September 1, 2018, but the plan never got realized. Six out of the ten members of the group sued the CEO of their company for sexual assault. The group disbanded in 2019 after the group won the lawsuit and their contract was terminated.

After the disbandment, Kim worked as a model in Vietnam, Taipei and China Fashion Week. Following this, Kim and fellow former Ateen members Segun, Joel and Rookie, joined the pre-debut group B.I.T. The group only promoted in Japan and disbanded in August 2020.

Following the disbandment of B.I.T, Kim participated in the 2020 reality survival show Burn Up: Challenge to Billboard. He won first in the male category and soon released the single "Sick of Love" together with Kim Min-jung, who placed first in the female category. On December 29, Kim was unveiled as a contestant on Mnet's reality competition show Boys Planet.

On March 19, 2023, singer Holland announced on his social media accounts that Kim will be featured in the music video of his song titled "Number Boy" for his newest album of the same name which was released on March 30. On April 20, Kim placed 8th with a total of 1,338,984 points in the final episode of Boys Planet, allowing him to debut with the winning group, Zerobaseone. He re-debuted in July 2023 with their first mini album "Youth in the Shade."

In May, Kim played as Lee Ji-woong in the series The Good Bad Mother.

2026–present: "Closer" On July 14, 2026, it was announced that Kim Ji Woong will be releasing his first digital single "Closer", the same day at 12PM (KST). The self-written song is an R&B/Soul track dedicated to fans, conveying a message of gratitude to those who have remained steadfast by his side through the years.

Discography

Singles Year Title Album 2021 "Sick of Love" Burn Up 2026 "Closer"

Soundtrack appearances + List of soundtrack appearances, showing year released, selected chart positions, and name of the album Title Year Peak chart positions Album KOR "Dream of You" 2022 —Roommates of Poongduck 304 OST "I'll be..." — "Running" 2025 — I Am a Running Mate OST

Songwriting credits + List of songs, showing year released, artist name, and name of the album Title Year Artist Album Lyricist "Say My Name"2023Boys PlanetBoys Planet - Artist Battle "내 곁에 (Stand by me)" 2024 Himself "1214°C" 2025 "Closer" 2026

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2022 Kissable Lips Kim Jun-ho Movie version

Television series Year Title Role Notes 2023 The Good Bad Mother Lee Ji-woong Guest Appearance (Ep. 5, 7, 8 & 11)

Web series Year Title Role Notes 2021 The Sweet Blood Yoon Chi-woo 2022 Don't Lie, Rahee Seol Ho-won Kissable Lips Kim Jun-ho Convenience Store Junkies Si-woo Pro, Teen Eun Ga-ram Episode 5 Roommates of Poongduck 304 Ji Ho-jun

Television shows Year Title Role Notes 2020 Burn Up: Challenge to Billboard Contestant Winner 2023 Boys Planet Finished eighth place as a member of Zerobaseone M Countdown with Sung Han-bin and Zhang Hao on August 3, 2023 2025Music Bankon September 12, 2025

Web shows Year Title Role Notes 2023 Boy Detective Kim Ji-woong MC 12 episodes

Music videos

performer(s) credited

"Shut Up U" (U) Wassup

"Into you" OnlyOneOf

"So what, if the flowers are pretty" Shin Yong-jae

"Beautiful Memories" Lim Han-byul

"Number Boy" Holland

"내 곁에" (Stand by me) None

"1214°C" None

"Closer" None On August 19, 2025, also donated ₩10 million to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association to support victims of torrential rains and flooding in the greater Seoul area. On June 2, 2026, he donated ₩10 million to the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association. The donation will go toward a program that helps the children celebrate special occasions.

Awards and nominations +Name of the award ceremony, year presented, award category, nominee(s) of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee(s) / Work(s) Result Seoul International Drama Awards 2023 Outstanding Asian Star – Korea Roommates of Poongduck 304