Jun. K

Meet Jun. K of 2PM: The Main Vocalist With a Songwriter’s Soul

2PM‘s Jun. K is the kind of idol who quietly holds a group together with his voice. As the group’s main vocalist, he’s spent well over a decade turning raw emotion into some of 2PM’s most memorable songs — and he’s done a lot of the writing himself, too. If you’re a K-pop fan digging into 2PM’s story, Jun. K’s journey from a trainee who almost signed with a rival label to one of JYP Entertainment’s most trusted in-house producers is worth knowing.

From Daegu to the JYP Trainee Room

Born Kim Min-jun (originally Kim Jun-su) on January 15, 1988, in Daegu, South Korea, Jun. K grew up loving words before he ever loved a microphone. His mother enjoyed writing, and she passed that habit down early — by the time he finished high school, he’d collected dozens of awards for essays and poetry. That same ear for language later became one of his biggest strengths as a K-pop songwriter.

He actually auditioned for both YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment around the same time. He was accepted into both, but chose JYP Entertainment, where he crossed paths with future 2AM member Jo Kwon and other trainees who’d go on to reality show fame on Hot Blood Men. That show eventually split its cast into two groups — 2AM and 2PM — and Jun. K landed a spot as 2PM’s main vocalist.

Debut, Growth, and a Second Career as a Producer

2PM debuted on September 4, 2008, with the single album Hottest Time of the Day. Jun. K’s powerful, emotive vocals quickly became a signature part of the group’s sound, especially after Jaebeom’s 2009 departure left the group as a six-member unit. Rather than staying behind the mic only, Jun. K pushed into songwriting and composing, eventually becoming the first 2PM member to compose a 2PM title track with “Go Crazy” (2014), followed by “My House” (2015). Fellow fans and industry insiders often note he’s composed more songs for JYP Entertainment than almost anyone besides founder J. Y. Park himself.

His solo career has run in parallel with 2PM activities: he debuted solo with the digital single “Alive” in 2011, released the Japanese album Love & Hate in 2014, followed with the Korean mini album Mr. NO♡, and kept building a catalog of introspective, R&B-leaning music. In 2025, he returned after a long gap with the mini album Dear My Muse and a solo tour, proof that his fans — and his songwriting itch — never really went away.

Why Hottest Love Him

Ask any longtime HOTTEST (2PM’s fandom) and they’ll tell you: Jun. K is the heart behind a lot of 2PM’s biggest emotional moments. Whether he’s belting a ballad, quietly producing a b-side, or opening up about his late father in interviews, he brings a sincerity that keeps both K-pop veterans and newer fans invested in his story.