Hongjoong (ATEEZ) Profile 2026: Bio, Age, Birthday, Height, MBTI & Personality
ATEEZ’s leader and creative anchor, Hongjoong, is praised for his precise rap style, dependable leadership, and integral contributions to the group’s music and concepts. Hongjoong was born on November 7, 1998, making him 27 in September 2026, and he debuted with ATEEZ in October 2018 under KQ Entertainment. Current profile sources list his height as 172 cm and his MBTI as INFP, with the latter described as self-reported.
Hongjoong at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Hongjoong |
| Korean Name | 홍중 |
| Birth Name | Kim Hong-joong |
| Birthday | November 7, 1998 |
| Age | 27 years old as of September 2026 |
| Birthplace | Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Occupation | Rapper, singer, songwriter, producer |
| Group | ATEEZ |
| Role | Captain/leader, rapper |
| Agency | KQ Entertainment |
| Height | 172 cm, widely reported |
| MBTI | INFP, self-reported in profile sources |
| Debut | October 24, 2018 with ATEEZ |
| Fandom | ATINY |
| Current Status | Active |
| Representative Work | ATEEZ music, songwriting, solo/unit projects, fashion and charity work |
Table of Contents
Who Is Hongjoong From ATEEZ?
Hongjoong is the captain of ATEEZ, the KQ Entertainment boy group that debuted in 2018. He is known not only for rapping and performing but also for songwriting, composition and creative participation, which makes his role in the group broader than simply standing at the front during performances. His career is especially interesting because he did not enter KQ Entertainment through a conventional idol route alone; his connection with the company began with his interest in creating music.
ATEEZ debuted on October 24, 2018 with TREASURE EP.1: All to Zero. The group consists of eight members: Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho. Over the years, the group has developed a strong international audience, and Korean media have highlighted its Billboard achievements and global touring activity.
What makes Hongjoong particularly distinctive is the way several creative lanes meet in his career. A rapper can focus on delivery, a songwriter can focus on lyrics, and a fashion enthusiast can focus on clothes, but Hongjoong has repeatedly moved between all three. His work has included songwriting for ATEEZ, individual music projects, photography, fashion-related creative projects and collaborations beyond the group.
Early Life and Family Background
Hongjoong was born in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, on November 7, 1998. Public biographies identify Dongan High School as part of his educational background and describe his early attraction to music as an important part of the path that eventually led him toward KQ Entertainment. A 2020 profile by the South China Morning Post reported that he began writing songs as a teenager and that music production was already a serious interest before ATEEZ existed.
Publicly available information about his family should be treated more carefully than general career information. Some profile sources mention an older brother, but detailed information about family members’ private lives is not necessary to understand Hongjoong’s career and is not consistently documented by major entertainment outlets. For a reader-first biography, it makes more sense to focus on the family influence that Hongjoong himself has publicly connected to his creative work rather than turning private relatives into entertainment content.
One especially interesting family connection appeared in his later fashion project. The fashion film Petit Coussin, released in 2025, drew inspiration from his childhood and his mother’s children’s clothing store. That connection gave the project a personal layer: instead of simply presenting clothes, Hongjoong used fashion to revisit childhood memories and translate them into a visual concept.
Education and Early Interest in Music
Hongjoong attended Dongan High School and later enrolled at Global Cyber University, according to current biographical sources. The educational detail matters less as a credential than as context for how his interests developed alongside formal schooling. His teenage years were already connected with songwriting and music creation, and reports about his early life repeatedly describe composition as something he pursued before becoming a well-known idol.
The strongest thread running through his early biography is curiosity. Rather than waiting until debut to become involved with music production, he was interested in making music before he was established as a performer. That helps explain why songwriting and production became such a visible part of his ATEEZ identity later on.
His early musical influences have also been discussed publicly, including an admiration for artists such as G-Dragon. The path from listening to influential artists to eventually writing his own songs is a familiar story in K-pop, but Hongjoong’s route became unusual because his creative ambitions directly helped open the door to his agency.
How Hongjoong Entered KQ Entertainment
Hongjoong’s entry into KQ Entertainment is one of the most distinctive parts of his biography. According to accounts of his own story, he sent KQ a letter and a mixtape because he wanted to work as a composer and was attracted to the company through his interest in Block B. His letter was not immediately acted on; later accounts say the company eventually contacted him after finding the material. He subsequently became KQ Entertainment’s first trainee.
Before ATEEZ’s official debut, Hongjoong also appeared on the JTBC survival program MIXNINE in 2017. Current biographical references record that he competed on the show and eventually finished 42nd. The experience gave him early exposure to the competitive side of the entertainment industry before his ATEEZ debut.
He was then introduced as part of the pre-debut KQ Fellaz lineup. During that period, he already participated in music-making, including the pre-debut track “From.” In retrospect, that is an important detail because it shows that the creative role he has today was not something suddenly added after ATEEZ became successful; it was part of his identity from the trainee era.
ATEEZ Debut and His Role as Captain
ATEEZ officially debuted on October 24, 2018, with TREASURE EP.1: All to Zero. Hongjoong became the group’s leader, though ATEEZ often uses the word “Captain” rather than simply “leader.” The title fits the group’s pirate-inspired identity, while also reflecting the responsibility he carries when the eight members appear publicly as a team.
His position requires more than delivering rap verses. A captain in an idol group often becomes one of the people expected to represent the members during interviews, communicate the group’s direction and maintain a connection between individual personalities and the larger team. In interviews, Hongjoong has spoken about the importance of sincerity and staying true to ATEEZ’s identity, which offers a clearer picture of how he views the group’s public image than generic personality labels do.
ATEEZ’s growth also gave Hongjoong more opportunities outside ordinary comeback promotions. He and Yunho hosted Idol Radio season 3, placing Hongjoong in another environment where communication and hosting mattered alongside performance. That role demonstrated a different side of his skill set and helped expand his presence beyond the stage.
Hongjoong as Rapper, Songwriter and Producer
Music creation is at the center of Hongjoong’s story. He has received songwriting and composition credits throughout ATEEZ’s catalog, and official releases show him contributing directly to his own material. His solo track “NO1,” for example, was released through the GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3 ‘In Your Fantasy Edition’ project, with Hongjoong credited as lyricist, composer and arranger alongside other contributors.
This creative involvement also appears in ATEEZ’s newer work. For GOLDEN HOUR : Part.4, released February 6, 2026, Hongjoong and Mingi participated in writing the lyrics across the five-track EP. Yonhap reported that the album continued ATEEZ’s Golden Hour series and included the title track “Adrenaline.”
His solo and collaborative work has gradually become another part of his profile. Hongjoong featured on Chungha’s “EENIE MEENIE” in 2024, while his later individual material included “NO1.” In 2026, he also appeared on the SEALOOK 2 soundtrack through the unit featuring Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho and Wooyoung, showing that his music activity continues to extend into projects outside standard ATEEZ group albums.
Hongjoong’s Latest Activities in 2026
Hongjoong’s 2026 schedule shows that he remains active across multiple creative areas. ATEEZ released GOLDEN HOUR : Part.4 on February 6, with “Adrenaline” as its main track, while the group continued its IN YOUR FANTASY world tour. Yonhap described the 2026 album as the fourth installment of the Golden Hour series and reported Hongjoong’s lyric contribution.
His individual work also moved forward during the year. In September 2026, Hongjoong announced an upcoming collaboration with Bazzi titled “ENOUGH,” scheduled for September 18 at 1 p.m. KST. The announcement came through ATEEZ’s official social channels and was reported by Soompi, making it one of the most immediate updates to his solo profile as of September 16, 2026.
There is also a major humanitarian role in his current activities. World Vision announced Hongjoong as a global ambassador for its Global 6K for Water campaign in March 2026, following his earlier involvement with the campaign and related fundraising activities. That means his 2026 public work is not limited to music and fashion; charitable engagement has become a continuing part of his public activities.
Hongjoong Age, Birthday, Height and MBTI
Hongjoong was born on November 7, 1998, so he is 27 years old in September 2026. His birthplace is listed as Anyang in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. These details are consistent across multiple current biographical sources.
His height is widely listed as 172 cm, or approximately 5 feet 8 inches. Because celebrity profile databases are not always identical to agency-maintained personal records, 172 cm is best presented as the commonly reported figure rather than as a newly measured official statistic.
His MBTI is listed as INFP in current profile references, with Chukkae specifically describing the result as self-reported. MBTI results can change over time and should not be treated as a scientific measurement of someone’s entire personality. For that reason, the most responsible description is simply that Hongjoong has publicly been associated with INFP rather than using the four letters to make sweeping claims about his behavior.
Hongjoong Personality and Leadership Style
Hongjoong’s public personality has several layers. On stage, he can be intense and highly controlled, while interviews and behind-the-scenes content frequently show a more thoughtful and playful side. Instead of trying to define him with a single personality label, it is more useful to look at the roles he repeatedly chooses: captain, songwriter, communicator, designer and campaign participant.
His own comments offer some insight into his values. In a Billboard Korea interview, Hongjoong described the “real ATEEZ” as a team that stays true over time and emphasized putting genuine feeling into what they do. That perspective fits his wider career, where songwriting, fashion and charity projects often involve a strong personal element rather than functioning only as conventional promotional appearances.
His leadership also seems closely tied to communication. Being the captain of an eight-member group means balancing individual personalities, collective goals and public expectations. ATEEZ members have repeatedly spoken about how their different personalities contribute to the group, while Hongjoong’s role is often to help those differences work together rather than erase them.
Fitness and Workout Routine
There is a lot of online curiosity about Hongjoong’s workout routine, but detailed day-by-day training plans have not been consistently documented by strong primary sources. It would therefore be misleading to publish a rigid schedule such as “Hongjoong trains at 6 a.m. for exactly one hour” without evidence.
What can reasonably be said is that physical activity is part of his broader idol lifestyle. ATEEZ’s performances involve demanding choreography, touring and repeated stage work, all of which require physical preparation and endurance. Hongjoong has also been associated with running-based charity campaigns, including World Vision’s Global 6K projects, where physical activity and fundraising are directly connected.
For fans searching for his exact gym routine, the answer is simpler: there is no sufficiently reliable public source establishing a fixed personal workout program. That distinction matters because entertainment profiles often turn assumptions based on photographs into “facts.” Hongjoong’s actual professional activity already provides enough evidence of a physically demanding lifestyle without inventing a private training schedule.
Diet and Food Habits
Hongjoong’s exact diet plan is another area where online claims often move faster than verified information. There is no dependable current source establishing a fixed seven-day meal plan, calorie target or nutrition program that can responsibly be presented as his official diet.
For an idol who spends long periods rehearsing, recording, traveling and performing, nutrition naturally becomes part of working life, but that does not mean a public audience knows exactly what he eats every day. Unless Hongjoong or his agency releases a specific meal plan, claims about strict dieting, food restrictions or daily calories should remain outside a fact-based biography.
That approach is particularly important because fans may copy celebrity diets without understanding their individual circumstances. A biography should explain what is publicly known about Hongjoong rather than turn incomplete information into lifestyle instructions.
Skincare and Grooming
Hongjoong’s polished appearance has made skincare and grooming a popular search topic, especially because ATEEZ’s concepts frequently involve significant styling, hair changes and stage makeup. However, a professional photoshoot can involve stylists, makeup artists, lighting and post-production, so photographs alone cannot establish someone’s personal skincare routine.
There is no sufficiently documented current source establishing every product Hongjoong uses at home, the exact order of his skincare steps or a permanent list of his favorite cosmetic products. Fans may see skincare products in videos or interviews from time to time, but isolated appearances should not automatically be converted into a complete routine.
What is better documented is his willingness to treat appearance as part of creative expression. His fashion activity, changing hairstyles and concept-based styling show that grooming is connected with the visual language of ATEEZ, while his own fashion projects demonstrate that he thinks about presentation at a broader artistic level.
Airport Fashion and Personal Style
Airport fashion is one area where Hongjoong has a strong public record. His style has often moved between tailored clothing, oversized silhouettes, unusual accessories and statement footwear. Teen Vogue documented his travel styling for Paris Fashion Week in 2024, including a structured blazer, white top, baggy trousers, heeled knee-high boots and a large black tote.
His fashion presence goes beyond airport photographs. He attended Balmain’s Spring/Summer 2025 show during Paris Fashion Week, wearing a black blazer with gold embroidery, and his wider association with Balmain has been documented by fashion media. ATEEZ’s official YouTube channel also published a video titled “ATEEZ(에이티즈) – HONGJOONG in Balmain Spring-Summer 2025,” confirming the brand connection visually and officially.
Hongjoong has also developed a reputation for modifying or reworking clothing. Vogue Arabia has specifically described his habit of reforming garments and highlighted his appearances at Paris Fashion Week events involving Paul Smith, Balmain and Vivienne Westwood. This is one reason fashion is not merely an endorsement category in his biography; it is connected to his personal creativity.
Favorite Brands and Luxury Watches
Hongjoong’s public fashion record supports discussion of brands such as Balmain, but the phrase “favorite brand” needs some care. Appearing at a fashion show, wearing a designer piece or participating in an official brand project does not necessarily mean that the artist has declared the company his single favorite label.
Balmain is particularly well documented in relation to Hongjoong. Forbes reported that he had been part of the Balmain Army since 2023 and discussed his fashion film Petit Coussin as an extension of his creativity. Teen Vogue also covered his Balmain appearance during Paris Fashion Week.
Luxury watches are different. There is no sufficiently reliable current public record establishing a verified Hongjoong watch collection with specific models, purchase dates or ownership history. A photograph showing him wearing a watch is not enough to establish permanent ownership, so specific Rolex, Cartier or other luxury-watch collections should not be presented as fact without stronger sourcing.
Cars, House, Phone, Gadgets and Pets
Searches for Hongjoong’s car collection, house, phone and gadgets produce plenty of fan discussion, but these subjects require a higher fact-checking standard. Private property, personal residences and everyday devices can change, and many online claims come from speculation based on photographs or brief appearances.
There is currently no authoritative public source establishing a complete Hongjoong car collection or confirming a specific private house as his personal residence. The same applies to a permanent list of phones, laptops, cameras or other gadgets. Brand collaborations and products appearing in promotional content should not automatically be treated as personally owned possessions.
Pets also fall into the same category. Older profile material has circulated references to a childhood dog named Sarang, but that is very different from confirming a current pet and its details in 2026. A trustworthy profile should therefore distinguish between historical anecdotes and current, independently verified personal-life information rather than presenting every fan-database entry as a present-day fact.
Tattoos and Plastic Surgery Fact Check
Hongjoong has publicly been associated with tattoos, including a tattoo connected to Peter Pan. In a 2021 report about a fan meeting, he confirmed a tattoo on the back of his leg and explained its connection to the movie. That provides a reasonable basis for discussing the tattoo itself, although the exact appearance of body art can be difficult to document across different periods because clothing and styling may cover it.
Tattoo discussions should also avoid assuming that every visible mark in a performance photograph is permanent. Stage makeup, accessories, temporary designs and editing can create confusion, so only tattoos that have been publicly confirmed should be described as such.
The plastic surgery question needs even more restraint. Facial photographs from different years cannot prove whether someone has undergone a cosmetic procedure, because age, makeup, weight changes, hairstyle, lighting, camera lenses and image processing can all change appearance. There is no reliable public evidence establishing a specific cosmetic procedure performed by Hongjoong, so claims of surgery should not be presented as fact.
That is the useful fact-check here: there is a documented tattoo conversation, but there is not a verified basis for turning online appearance speculation into a medical or cosmetic biography.
Charity and Social Causes
Charity has become one of the clearest documented parts of Hongjoong’s public work. In 2023, he donated 50 million won to the Korea Childhood Leukemia Foundation, with the money connected to ticket proceeds from his Walker A photography exhibition and an additional personal contribution. Korea JoongAng Daily reported that the donation was made to support children with cancer or other incurable diseases.
His relationship with World Vision has continued for several years. World Vision reported that Hongjoong donated 25 million won in May 2025 to support its domestic Dream Wings Club program, following earlier donations and participation in its Global 6K projects. Yonhap also reported the 25 million won contribution and described the program as supporting children and young people with dreams and talents.
The connection became even more prominent in 2026 when World Vision appointed Hongjoong as a global ambassador for its Global 6K for Water campaign. The organization highlighted his previous involvement in 2024 and 2025, while Billboard Korea reported his formal appointment following a ceremony in Seoul.
His charitable projects also show the role that fandom can play. In 2024, Hongjoong and ATINY participated in a Global 6K campaign that raised funds for clean-water work, with Korea JoongAng Daily reporting a 60-million-won donation through the campaign. The project connected his birthday with a cause and gave fans an opportunity to participate rather than simply send conventional birthday gifts.
Interesting Facts and Career Timeline
Hongjoong’s career has a surprisingly wide range when placed on one timeline. He began with music-making ambitions, became KQ Entertainment’s first trainee, competed on MIXNINE, joined the pre-debut KQ Fellaz project and then debuted as ATEEZ’s captain. From there, his work expanded into songwriting, radio hosting, photography, fashion and humanitarian campaigns.
Verified or well-supported facts
- Hongjoong was born on November 7, 1998 in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do.
- His birth name is Kim Hong-joong.
- He debuted with ATEEZ on October 24, 2018.
- ATEEZ is managed by KQ Entertainment.
- He serves as the group’s captain/leader.
- His role includes rap performance and songwriting.
- He was connected with KQ Entertainment through his own music and an early letter/mixtape.
- He became KQ Entertainment’s first trainee according to accounts of his pre-debut story.
- He competed on JTBC’s MIXNINE in 2017.
- He finished the competition with a reported final rank of 42nd.
- He was part of the pre-debut KQ Fellaz lineup.
- He participated in the pre-debut song “From.”
- He and Yunho served as hosts of Idol Radio season 3.
- He featured on Chungha’s “EENIE MEENIE” in 2024.
- His solo track “NO1” appeared on ATEEZ’s GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3 ‘In Your Fantasy Edition’.
- He participated in writing lyrics for GOLDEN HOUR : Part.4 in 2026.
- He has publicly confirmed a tattoo connected with Peter Pan.
- His Walker A photography exhibition was linked to a charity donation in 2023.
- He has supported World Vision through donations and Global 6K activities.
- In March 2026, he was appointed a World Vision Global 6K for Water campaign global ambassador.
Career Timeline
| Year | Career Highlight |
|---|---|
| 2016–2017 | Joined KQ Entertainment and trained; participated in MIXNINE |
| 2017 | Appeared on MIXNINE and competed as a trainee |
| 2018 | Debuted as ATEEZ captain |
| 2020–2021 | Expanded songwriting, production and public creative work |
| 2022–2023 | Hosted Idol Radio season 3 with Yunho |
| 2023 | Presented the Walker A photography exhibition and donated to childhood cancer support |
| 2024 | Featured on Chungha’s “EENIE MEENIE”; continued World Vision activities |
| 2025 | Released “NO1” as part of ATEEZ’s expanded Golden Hour project; presented Petit Coussin |
| 2026 | Participated in GOLDEN HOUR : Part.4, continued touring, joined Global 6K as global ambassador and announced “ENOuGH” with Bazzi |
The timeline shows why a simple “rapper in ATEEZ” description does not capture the whole story. Hongjoong’s career has increasingly involved creative ownership, whether that means writing lyrics, shaping visual concepts, creating photography projects, exploring fashion or using his public profile for charitable campaigns.
FAQs About Hongjoong
1. How old is Hongjoong in 2026?
Hongjoong is 27 years old as of September 2026. He was born on November 7, 1998.
2. When is Hongjoong’s birthday?
Hongjoong’s birthday is November 7, 1998.
3. What is Hongjoong’s real name?
His birth name is Kim Hong-joong.
4. Where was Hongjoong born?
Hongjoong was born in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
5. What is Hongjoong’s height?
Hongjoong is widely listed as 172 cm, although this figure is best treated as a commonly reported profile measurement rather than a regularly updated official agency statistic.
6. What is Hongjoong’s MBTI?
Current profile sources list his MBTI as INFP, and the result is described as self-reported.
7. Is Hongjoong the leader of ATEEZ?
Yes. Hongjoong is ATEEZ’s captain and leader.
8. When did Hongjoong debut?
Hongjoong debuted with ATEEZ on October 24, 2018.
9. What is Hongjoong’s role in ATEEZ?
He is primarily known as the group’s captain and rapper, while also contributing as a songwriter and composer.
10. Did Hongjoong appear on MIXNINE?
Yes. He participated in JTBC’s MIXNINE during the pre-debut period and finished 42nd, according to biographical records.
11. Did Hongjoong write songs before debut?
Yes. Public accounts of his early career describe him creating music before becoming an established idol, and his KQ entry itself was connected to his songwriting ambitions.
12. What is Hongjoong’s solo song?
One notable individual track is “NO1,” released as part of ATEEZ’s GOLDEN HOUR : Part.3 ‘In Your Fantasy Edition’.
13. Does Hongjoong have tattoos?
Yes. Hongjoong has publicly confirmed at least one tattoo, with a 2021 report connecting its design to Peter Pan.
Conclusion
The most useful way to understand Hongjoong’s profile in 2026 is to see him as a multi-disciplinary K-pop artist whose original interest in music creation became the foundation of a much larger career. He is 27 years old, was born on November 7, 1998, serves as ATEEZ’s captain and is widely listed at 172 cm, while his publicly reported MBTI is INFP. Those basic details answer the most common profile searches, but they are only the starting point.
His career record tells a richer story. From sending music to KQ Entertainment and becoming its first trainee to competing on MIXNINE, debuting with ATEEZ, contributing to songwriting and releasing individual music, his path has remained closely tied to creativity. His fashion work, especially Petit Coussin, further shows that his artistic interests are not limited to music.
The areas where information is less certain are just as important to state clearly. There is no reliable public basis for presenting a complete private house, car collection, phone list, luxury-watch collection, fixed diet or exact workout schedule as fact. Likewise, appearance-based plastic-surgery claims should not be treated as established information. A strong Hongjoong biography should leave those gaps open rather than fill them with guesses.
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