Artist Highlight: Kim Jaehan

From judo to acting, OMEGA X’s Jaehan can do it all.

Pre-Debut and Spectrum

When he was young, Jaehan was passionate about judo, earning four national medals and numerous regional ones. As he grew older, he questioned if pursuing sports as a career was right for him. He decided to quit judo and was inspired to become a singer shortly after. Jaehan became a trainee at around age 20 and signed with HAK Entertainment where he debuted in the short-lived duo OneVoices.

He signed to MMO Entertainment (now WakeOne) in 2017 which he represented during his time on Produce 101 Season 2. Jaehan was eliminated in the fifth episode and later joined WYNN Entertainment where he debuted with SPECTRUM. The group debuted on May 10, 2018, with the release of their first mini-album Be Born. He participated in writing and composing some of the group's songs including their debut title track “Light It Up.”

Unfortunately, SPECTRUM disbanded on July 10, 2020, due to COVID-19’s impact on the company.

OMEGA X

In March 2021, promotions started for a new boygroup that consists of survival show contestants and formerly debuted idols. The group, OMEGA X, brought together 11 male idols from eight disbanded groups.

Jaehan was officially revealed to be a member on March 26, 2021, and debuted with the group on June 30, 2021. He is the oldest member and was chosen as the leader as he has always supported and led the group. The group won “Rookie of the Year” at the Seoul Music Awards in 2022, and released their second EP LOVE ME LIKE, Japanese EP Stand Up!, and first full-length album Story Written in Music that same year.

He enjoys photography as a hobby, often photographing his members behind the scenes during schedules. For his birthday in 2023, Jaehan held a film photography exhibition in Seoul called “내게 보이는 순간들 (The Moments I See).”

Acting

Jaehan made his acting debut in 2023 as the main character of the BL drama, A Shoulder to Cry On, adapted from the manhwa Comfort the Boy. He stars in the drama alongside OMEGA X maknae Yechan, a casting decision that has been deemed risky by many. Despite many concerns that playing love interests would put a strain on their relationship as group members, the pair went along with the K-Drama, even doing fan meetings and photoshoots together internationally. 

Jaehan made his musical debut as Priest Paul in the comedy musical 5! Happy Man which will run until July 27.

edited by Lacey Diluvio