BYUNGJOO: FROM TOPPDOGG TO PEAK TIME

Often referred to by various forms of his previous stage name BJOO, Kim Byungjoo is 10 years into his career and shows no sign of stopping anytime soon. 

After training at Stardom Entertainment, Byungjoo made his debut in the 13-member boy group ToppDogg in 2013 at the age of 18. The group's journey was far from easy as they dwindled down to only five members over the course of four years. After changing entertainment companies, ToppDogg rebranded as XENO-T in 2018 with the remaining five members: Byungjoo (as B-Jyoo), Sangdo, Hojoon, Xero, and Sangwon. The group made their Japanese debut with the single “Forever,”; however, it  was their only release under the name XENO-T. Byungjoo and most of the members enlisted in the military in 2019. Byungjoo’s service lasted from April 9, 2019 until his discharge on November 9, 2020. The group's disbandment was confirmed by Xero in September 2021.

SOLO DEBUT

10 months after his military discharge, Byungjoo made his solo debut with the EP BACKPACKER in September 2021 using the korean spelling of his original stage name 비주. The EP consists of five songs, four of them being instrumentals. The tracks were independently produced by Byungjoo and former ToppDogg member Gohn who now goes by CLOVD. At the time of the EP’s release, Byungjoo was signed to CLOVD’s fashion and music agency WEHAVEATAIL, however Byungjoo is now working without an agency. 

PEAK TIME

On JTBC’s reality show Peak Time, Byungjoo competed as part of TEAM 24:00. The group consists of: Byungjoo, Moon Jongup of B.A.P, Heedo of B.I.G, and Gon of ARGON all of whom are from either disbanded or inactive groups. The show concluded on April 19, 2023, with TEAM 24:00 finishing in third place. The members still remain in contact with each other, and are suspected to continue working together. They often post dance challenges together and have a joint instagram account that they update regularly. 

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

Since his solo debut, Byungjoo uploads vlogs of his daily life on YouTube including vacations with his family, meals with friends, and behind the scenes of his work schedules. After Byungjoo’s Peak Time appearance, he has been posting more consistently and even featured the other TEAM 24:00 members in one of his vlogs.

On October 21, Byungjoo will hold his first ever fan concert Serendipity at Ilchi Art Hall in Seoul, which will also be livestreamed on LIVELY. 

His concert will bring together new fans from Peak Time and old fans from his ToppDogg debut who have been supporting him for the past 10 years.

Edited by Lacey Diluvio