Kim Junsu

Kim Jun-su (born December 15, 1986 ), known mononymously as Junsu or known under the stage name XIA (시아) is a South Korean singer, songwriter, dancer and stage actor.

He is currently known as a member of JYJ, and was one of the original members of boy band TVXQ, where he was formerly known by the stage name Xiah Junsu (시아준수).

In November 2021, Kim formed his own agency PALMTREE ISLAND with he charges as CEO.

In 2002, SM Entertainment placed Junsu in a project R&B group with two other trainees, his childhood friend Eunhyuk and Sungmin.

They appeared on a show called "2002 Survival Audition – Heejun vs. Kangta, Battle of the Century", along with three future members of rock band TRAX (Jay Kim, No Minwoo, Kang Jungwoo).

They were judged and mentored by Moon Hee Jun and Kangta, two members of H.O.T, SM Entertainment's former group.

Kangta praised Kim highly in the show, saying that he had potential as a lead vocalist.

Kim made his debut in 2003 as a member of TVXQ, a boy band produced and formed by South Korean record label and talent agency SM Entertainment, having previously been a trainee for six years.

He had released four Korean albums, four Japanese albums, thirty Japanese singles and several Korean singles during his first six years in the music industry as TVXQ.

The group disbanded in 2003 (both Eunhyuk and Sungmin went on to debut as Super Junior's members two years later), when Kim was selected to be TVXQ's member.

Kim was the first member to join TVXQ and officially debuted with the group on December 26, 2003.

He chose Xiah to be his stage name, explaining that the name was short for "Asia" (taking out the "a" in "Asia").

"Xiah" would be an implication of his desire to become not only a star in Korea, but also a star recognized all throughout Asia.

It is a remake of Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini's duet, originally recorded in 2003.

He also made an appearance in the second part of "Timeless"' music video.

In 2006, Kim featured in former label-mate Zhang Liyin's debut song, "Timeless".

He graduated high school along with fellow member Park Yoochun in 2007.

In 2007, he was chosen to be part of Samsung's Anycall project group, Anyband.

The band comprises former label-mate female singer BoA, Tablo of South Korean hip-hop group Epik High and jazz pianist Jin Bora.

Anyband has only released one single of the same name.

In 2009, Kim and fellow TVXQ members Kim Jaejoong and Park Yoochun filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment, arguing that their exclusive contracts were unilaterally disadvantageous towards the artists and should be invalidated.

The Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of the three and granted an injunction suspending their contracts.

The trio reunited and subsequently formed JYJ (formerly known as JUNSU/JAEJOONG/YOOCHUN in Japan).

As JYJ, Kim has released one English album, two Korean albums, one Japanese EP, and one Korean EP.

On July 31, 2009, Kim and other two TVXQ members—Jaejoong and Yoochun—submitted an application to the Seoul Central District Court to determine the validity of their contract with SM Entertainment.

Through their lawyers, the members stated that the 13-year contract was excessively long, schedules were held out without the confirmation or permission of the members, contract terms had been extended and changed without their knowledge or consent and that the group's earnings were not fairly distributed to the members.

The Seoul Central District Court granted the three members a temporary contract injunction in October 2009 and ruled that SM cannot interfere with their individual activities but also that they can only act as members of TVXQ through SM Entertainment.

Kim began his solo career in 2010 with the release of Japanese EP Xiah, which peaked at number-two on Japan's Oricon singles chart.

The same year, he took the role of Wolfgang in his debut musical Mozart!, receiving critical acclaim and commercial success.

After the release of Xiah, Kim's solo music career was sent into hiatus because of a discord between him and his Japanese label Avex Trax that led to the sudden suspension of all his activities in Japan.

Kim Junsu then took up Musical Theater in Myongji University and graduated in 2011.

In May 2012, he released his first full-length Korean solo studio album Tarantallegra, while being represented by new management agency C-JeS Entertainment.

Following the release, he embarked on his first headlining world tour.

He returned with his second Korean solo studio album, Incredible, in July 2013.

Despite limitations in media coverage and promotional activities caused by a ban in the Entertainment Departments of South Korea's three main terrestrial broadcasters resulting from SM Entertainment's interference, Kim's first and second studio album reached top two on the Gaon albums chart in South Korea, as well as reaching number-ten and number-five on the Billboard World Albums chart for Tarantallegra and Incredible, respectively.

He is also known for being able to sell out tickets for his concerts and musicals within minutes, dubbed "the ticket power" by South Korean media.

Kim was born and raised in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.

He has an older fraternal twin brother named Kim Junho, who is also a singer mainly active in Japan and China where he is more well known by his stage names JUNO and ZUNO.

At age eleven, Kim was signed by SM Entertainment after his participation in the agency's the 6th Annual Starlight Casting System.

He attended Neunggok Elementary School, Nunggok Middle School, Hwasu High School and then transferred to Hanam High School.