Kim Jin-woo

Kim Jin-woo (; born September 26, 1991), also known mononymously as Jinu, is a South Korean singer, actor and member of Winner under YG Entertainment. The band debuted on August 12, 2014, with the full-length album entitled 2014 S/S. Kim also debuted as a soloist on August 14, 2019, with the single album titled Jinu's Heyday.

Life and career 1991–2012: Early life Kim Jin-woo was born on September 26, 1991, in Imja Island, Sinan County, South Jeolla, South Korea, and resided in Mokpo since the age of seven (Korean age) with his family of which he is a middle child of amid two sisters. Kim was raised by his grandmother for most of his childhood and adolescence and whom he felt most attached to amongst members of his family. His father was often found absent within the household due to his line of business in fisheries as the captain of a fishing boat and its cycle of sailing for three or six month intervals before his return. He and his younger sister of eight years, were also distant by his truancy from each others lives.

In the midst of his senior year of high school his curiosity and admiration for the late veteran actress Choi Jin-sil stemmed an interest for acting which led the 19-year-old (Korean age) to join an acting institute in Mokpo. Kim soon enrolled for its vocal and dance lessons and learned all of its branches were owned by Seungri of Big Bang – notable attendees include BTS' J-Hope and Mijoo of Lovelyz. Kim was scouted by the celebrity and travelled to Seoul to attend a private audition for YG Entertainment with his referral and waited six months before his recruitment into its trainee program in August 2010. Ahead of his acceptance, he had previously auditioned for a large-scale company besides YG Entertainment but did not pass and also declined an offer to join a different agency through casting. In the last episode, Team A had won the show and would debut under the name "Winner". Kim ended his four year training period with his official debut with the five-piece band on August 17, 2014, and the studio album entitled 2014 S/S. The band's success upon debut was recorded as "unprecedented" by Korean media outlets and were dubbed as "monster rookies".

Kim made his acting debut through the web drama Magic Cellphone (2016) followed Love For A Thousand More (2016) with band-mate Kang Seung-yoon. The latter series exceeded 5 million views as of December 2016 and was cited a success.

In November 2016, Kim joined as the lead role for the production The Little Prince by the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company. Artistic director and choreographer Ahn Ae-soon stated he was cast as his image befitted the role of his character and noticed his passion for dance. He credits it helped his career in music and learned modern dance was about dancing to your natural rhythm and dancing to the beat of your own drum is always right. His credits in entertainment further included Live a Good Life (2018) with label-mates Kwon Hyun-bin and Yoo Byung-jae, Legendary Big Fish (2019) and Scene's Quiz (2019).

Kim debuted as a soloist on August 14 with the single album Jinu's Heyday (2019) after five years into his career within the music industry ahead of his mandatory military service. Its lead single "Call Anytime" (또또또; ttottotto) was featured and co-written by his band-mate Mino. His first music show broadcast was aired on Show! Music Core on August 17 which also marked his band's debut anniversary.

Personal life Military service As part of his mandatory military service, Kim enlisted as a public service worker on April 2, 2020, and served his training at the Nonsan Army Training Center for four weeks prior to fulfilling his military duty as a public service worker. Kim was discharged from military service on December 31, 2021.

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

Other ventures Philanthropy 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. On August 13, 2020, it was reported that Kim has donated 10 million Won to the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association for the flood victims who were affected by the heavy rain in Korea, showing his unstoppable good deeds despite currently serving in the military.

On August 10, 2022, Kim donated to help those affected by the 2022 South Korean floods through the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association.

On February 8, 2023, Kim donated 10 million won to help 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake, by donating money through Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association.

Discography

Single albums TitleDetailsPeak positionsSalesKOR Jinu's Heyday Released: August 14, 2019 Label: YG Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download 2 KOR: 51,396

As a lead artist Title Year Peak positions Album KOR USWorld "Call Anytime" (또또또) 2019 127 14Jinu's Heyday

Videography Music video Year Title Director(s) Length 2019 "Call Anytime" (또또또) Kwon Yong-soo 3:46

Filmography Movies Year Title Role English Korean 2024Commission 커미션 tba

Television series Year Title Role English Korean 2023My Lovely Boxer순정복서Han Jae-min

Web series Year Title Role English Korean 2016 Magic Cellphone 마법의 핸드폰 Oh Tae-ji Love for a Thousand More 천년째 연애중 Hyung-sik

Television shows Year Title Role Notes English Korean 2013 WIN: Who Is Next 윈: 후 이즈 넥스트 Contestant Team A member 2017 Wizard of Nowhere 오지의 마법사 Regular Cast Episodes 5–29 2018 Live a Nice Life 착하게 살자 2019 Legendary Big Fish 전설의 빅피쉬 2023 Heart Signal 하트시그널 Panelist Season 4

Web show Year Title Role Notes English Korean 2022 Saturday Night Live Korea SNL 코리아2 Host Season 2 – Episode 12 Some-ping썸핑 2023 Dingdae 딩대 5 Season 5

Stage production Year Production Company Role 2016 The Little Prince (어린 왕자) Korea National Contemporary Dance Company The Little Prince