From survival show trainee to main vocalist of Ateez
In short: Before becoming a mainstay in K-pop, Jongho faced the high stakes of a survival reality show. After a tenth-episode elimination, he rose through the ranks of KQ Entertainment to debut as the powerhouse vocalist for Ateez, eventually expanding his talents into acting and solo music projects.
Born on October 12, 2000, in Seoul's Nowon District, Choi Jong-ho began his journey toward stardom on the JTBC survival show Mix Nine. In 2017, he was introduced as a trainee from KQ Entertainment but was eliminated in the tenth episode, finishing with a final ranking of 43. Despite this setback, he remained with the agency, eventually joining the pre-debut group KQ Fellaz alongside seven others who would form the boy group Ateez. During his time on Mix Nine, he was one of several trainees representing KQ Entertainment. This early experience paved the way for his eventual success within the industry.
Jongho officially debuted with Ateez on October 24, 2018, via the EP Treasure EP.1: All to Zero. Since then, his career has diversified significantly. His first acting role was in the 2021 KBS series Imitation, portraying Yoon Hyuk from the imaginary band Shax. He has also become a prolific contributor to television soundtracks, providing vocals for various dramas including Reborn Rich, Our Blooming Youth, and Lovely Runner.
His versatility is further evidenced by his solo projects and variety appearances. Between May 2020 and May 2022, he released drama OST covers under the name JJongST, filming music videos at actual filming locations. He has also competed on shows like King of Mask Singer, performing under the stage name Steamed Cypresses, and Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend. Even while managing a busy career, he has maintained personal interests, such as his enthusiasm for the Doosan Bears baseball team.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Jongho
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-jongho.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
