Biography
Kim Jeong_uk, formerly of the Korean boy band 24K where he performed under the stylized spelling Kim Jeong Uk, launched a solo career in 2019 by delivering smooth, dreamy R&B and hip-hop before shifting toward melodic indie rock. Born in Busan, South Korea, in 1993, he became the primary rapper and dancer for Seoul-based 24K after joining the group in 2013. While with the band he achieved modest domestic chart success, most notably through the 2016 album The Real One and the 2017 Addiction EP, and accompanied 24K on a world tour spanning 2017–2018.
In February 2019 Choeun Entertainment, the group’s label and management company, issued his debut solo project, the seven-track EP #dawn, credited to the name Uk and featuring J-Man on the closing track “Domino.” Shortly afterward he parted ways with 24K, formed the hip-hop duo and label AUGUST 051 alongside J-Man, and adopted the consistent professional moniker Kim Jeong_uk. The balance of 2019 saw both AUGUST 051 and Kim Jeong_uk material posted online without commercial impact. A self-released single, “Meow,” surfaced in May 2020; a subsequent distribution agreement with Universal ultimately elevated his profile as a solo artist.
Late-2020 ethereal R&B recordings such as “Dream” and “Corner,” written and arranged with Noden, restored momentum, while the November 2020 indie-rock track “I Need You. Period” marked a brief stylistic detour. He returned to lo-fi R&B and hip-hop for the March 2021 Love EP. Later that year three reflective singles guided by Bayside Pablo—“Rendezvous,” “Life Vest,” and “Lullaby”—appeared, followed by the more polished pop outing “Dance with Me” in December 2021. Kim Jeong_uk opened 2022 with the rock-leaning single “Loop,” which preceded the February EP EPisodes and the April release “Flower.”
In February 2019 Choeun Entertainment, the group’s label and management company, issued his debut solo project, the seven-track EP #dawn, credited to the name Uk and featuring J-Man on the closing track “Domino.” Shortly afterward he parted ways with 24K, formed the hip-hop duo and label AUGUST 051 alongside J-Man, and adopted the consistent professional moniker Kim Jeong_uk. The balance of 2019 saw both AUGUST 051 and Kim Jeong_uk material posted online without commercial impact. A self-released single, “Meow,” surfaced in May 2020; a subsequent distribution agreement with Universal ultimately elevated his profile as a solo artist.
Late-2020 ethereal R&B recordings such as “Dream” and “Corner,” written and arranged with Noden, restored momentum, while the November 2020 indie-rock track “I Need You. Period” marked a brief stylistic detour. He returned to lo-fi R&B and hip-hop for the March 2021 Love EP. Later that year three reflective singles guided by Bayside Pablo—“Rendezvous,” “Life Vest,” and “Lullaby”—appeared, followed by the more polished pop outing “Dance with Me” in December 2021. Kim Jeong_uk opened 2022 with the rock-leaning single “Loop,” which preceded the February EP EPisodes and the April release “Flower.”
Albums
Singles
