Jang Dong-woo

Jang Dong-woo (Hangul: 장동우; hanja: 張東雨; born November 22, 1990[1]), commonly known as Dongwoo, is a South Korean singer, rapper, dancer, and actor. He is the main rapper of South Korean boy band Infinite[2] and its sub-unit Infinite H.[3]

In this Korean name, the family name is Jang.
Jang Dong-woo
장동우
Dongwoo at an album showcase for Bye, March 2019
Born (1990-11-22) November 22, 1990
Guri, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Occupations
  • Singer
  • dancer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
  • actor
Agent
  • Big Boss Entertainment
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2010–present
LabelsWoollim
Member of
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationJang Dong-u
McCune–ReischauerChang Tong-u

Biography

Jang Dong-woo was born in Guri, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. He was trained under JYP Entertainment for years. He is a former schoolmate of Exo member Xiumin.[4] Prior to their debut with Infinite, he and Hoya performed as a back-up dancer for various music promotion show Epik High’s Run.

On February 15, 2013 Dongwoo graduated from Daekyeung University's Practical Music program. He along with members Sunggyu, Hoya, Sungyeol and L, received the 'Proud Daekyung University Student award'.[5][6]

On September 2, 2016, it was announced that Dongwoo's father had died from a chronic illness.[7][8]

Career

2010–2014: Early career
Main articles: Infinite (band) and Infinite H

Dongwoo debuted as a member of South Korean boy group Infinite in 2010. The group officially debuted on June 9, 2010.[9]

In September 2012, Dongwoo, along with Infinite member Hoya, formed a sub-unit called Infinite H,[10] releasing their first extended play titled Fly High in early-2013. The sub-unit has a different musical direction and style concept from Infinite, placing their focus on each member's rap and performances ability.

In January 2012, he was featured in Baby Soul and Yoo Ji-a single, "She Is a Flirt".[11] The same year he performed with Sunggyu and Baby Soul on Immortal Songs 2 for the song "Woman On the Beach".[12]

In August 2013, he and Hoya starred in Tasty’s "Mamama" music video. The duo contributed to the lyrics of the song.[13]

In November 2014, he featured on Nicole's extended play First Romance, track titled "7-2-Misunderstanding".[14][15]

2015–present: Solo activities
Jang at KCON 2015 in Japan

Dongwoo made his debut as a musical actor, in the musical In The Heights. Dongwoo plays the role of main lead "Usnavi" along with Yang Dong-geun, Jung Won-young and Key. The musical was produced by SM C&C and ran from September 4 to November 22 at 'Blue Square'.[16][17][18] In 2015, he along with B1A4's Baro featured in Ami's track Sick to the Bone.[19]

In October 2016, he released his first self-produced song with vocals featured by Yoon So-yoon, titled "Embedded in Mind". The song was for webtoon Lookism.[20]

Dongwoo released his first solo EP Bye on March 4, 2019, which contains seven-tracks including the title track called "News".[21][22] A showcase was held at Seoul's Ilji Art Hall in the same day of the EP release.[23]

On April 15, 2019, Dongwoo enlisted for his mandatory military service, serving as an active duty soldier.[24]

He completed his military service on November 15, 2020.[25]

On March 31, 2021, Dongwoo departed from Woollim after his contract expired.[26]

On October 1, 2021, Dongwoo signed an exclusive contract with Big Boss Entertainment.[27]

Discography
Main articles: Infinite discography and Infinite H § discography

Extended plays
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[28]
Bye 7

Singles
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales
(DL)		 Album
KOR Gaon KOR Billboard
As lead artist
"Embedded in Mind" (마음에 묻다)
(featuring Yoon So-yoon)		 2016 71— KOR: 42, 070+ Non album-single
"TGIF" 2018 —— — Top Seed
"News" 2019 —— — Bye
"I AM" —— —
"GUN" —— —
"ROMEO" —— —
"Party Girl" —— —
"PERFECT" —— —
"Something Between" —— —
As featured artist
"She's a Flirt" (그녀는 바람둥이야)
(Baby Soul and Yoo Ji-a featuring Dongwoo)[lower-alpha 1]		 2012 —— — Non album-single
"7-2-Misunderstanding" (7-2-오해)
(Nicole Jung featuring Dongwoo)		 2014 —— — First Romance
"Hurts Down to Bones" (뼛속까지 아파)
(Ami featuring Baro and Dongwoo)		 2015 —— — Non album-single
"What Did I Say" (뭐랬어)
(Kim Sung-kyu featuring Dongwoo)		 2018 —— — Kim Sungkyu 1st Solo Concert Live – Shine
"I Swear"
(Nam Woo-hyun featuring Dongwoo)		 2018 —— — Second Write..

Songwriting credits
Year Song Album
2013 "Mamama" (as co-lyricist) Spectacular[30]
2014 "Last Romeo" (as co-lyricist) Season 2
"Alone" (as co-lyricist)
2015 "Pretty" (as co-lyricist) Fly Again
"Aren't You Going Somewhere?" (as co-lyricist)
"Bump" (as co-lyricist)
"Sorry I'm Busy" (as co-lyricist)
2015 "Footsteps" (as co-lyricist) Reality
"Between Me and You" (as co-lyricist)
"Take Care of the Ending" (as co-lyricist)
2016 "One Day" (as co-lyricist) Infinite Only
"True Love" (Rap making with Hoya)
"Zero" (Rap making with Hoya)
"Embedded in Mind" (featuring Yoon So-yoon) Non-album single
2018 TGIF (as co-lyricist & composer) Top Seed
Pray (Maetal's Sorrow) (rap lyrics)

Filmography

Television series
Year Title Network Role
2011 Wara Store Tooniverse Himself (voice)[31]

Musical
Year Title Role Ref.
2015–2017In the HeightsUsnavi[32]
2018Altar BoyzLuke[33]
Iron MaskLouis XIV
2022 Another oh Haeyoungpark Dokyung[34]
Yeodo Danjong [35]
2023 Dream High Jin-gook [36]

Notes
  1. The re-recorded version by Baby Soul and Kei of the song is also included in Girls' Invasion and Hi~.

References
  1. Mark Russell (April 29, 2014). K-Pop Now!: The Korean Music Revolution. Tuttle Publishing. p. 63. ISBN 978-1-4629-1411-1.
  2. "Infinite Biography". Infinite Official Homepage. Woollim Entertainment. Archived from the original on September 22, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  3. "INFINITE H talk future plans, girls". Kpop Herald.
  4. "인피니트 동우 성종, 후배 JIN 응원… 깨알 레몬 사탕 언급 '폭소'". bnt news. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  5. "인피니트 동시졸업, "같은 대학, 학과 졸업 이례적"". TV daily news. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  6. "5 Infinite Members to Graduate from University Together". enewsWorld. February 15, 2013. Archived from the original on July 10, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  7. "[단독] 인피니트 동우, 오늘(2일) 부친상…비보에 급거 귀국". September 2, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  8. "Dongwoo attends father's funeral". Kpop Herald.
  9. 포토엔,인피니트,긴장되는 첫 무대~ (in Korean). Newsen. June 9, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  10. "INFINITE's Dongwoo and Hoya to promote next year as INFINITE H with release of album". allkpop. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
  11. "베이비소울+유지아, 티저영상서 인피니트 동우 강렬 카리스마 발산(동영상)". The Star.chosun.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  12. "Lovelyz profile". KBS world radio. Archived from the original on July 8, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  13. "MAMAMA". Allkpop. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  14. "Nicole Releases Her Solo Album Track List Featuring INFINITE's Dongwoo". Kpopstarz. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  15. "Former KARA member Nicole to make solo debut". Kpop Herald.
  16. "첸 동우 성규 루나 키 등…뮤지컬 '인 더 하이츠' 캐스팅 [스포츠투데이]" [SHINee, INFINITE, EXO, and f(x) Members Cast in Musical "In the Heights"]. Asiae News. Archived from the original on July 10, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  17. "Kpop idols to star in musical 'In the Heights'". Kpop Herald.
  18. "엑소 첸·샤이니 키·인피니트 성규·동우·에프엑스 루나, 뮤지컬 '인 더 하이츠'서 만난다". tvdaily. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  19. "인피니트 동우와 B1A4 바로, 빅스 라비는 왜 만났을까". isplus. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  20. "장동우 마음에 묻다, "외모지상주의를 위해 같이 작업한 BGM입니다…노래의 사랑이 우리 아버지에게도 닿을거라 믿는다" 첫 자작곡 발매 소감". Chosun. July 22, 2020.
  21. "인피니트 장동우, 오늘(23일) 미복귀 전역 "코로나19 여파" [공식]".
  22. "인피니트 장동우, 입대 전 마지막앨범 'Bye' 4일 발매". March 4, 2019.
  23. ""기대 이상, 섹시한 안녕(Bye)"…인피니트 장동우, 데뷔 전 마지막 그러나 첫 솔로 [종합]".
  24. "인피니트 장동우, 오늘(15일) 현역 입대.."만감교차"" [Infinite's Jang Dong-woo joins active duty today (15th)]. Daum (in Korean). April 15, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  25. "인피니트 동우, 오늘(15일) 제대..성규‧성열 이어 세 번째 군필돌 [MK★체크]" [Infinite Dong-woo, discharged today (15th)]. Daum (in Korean). November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  26. "울림 측 "인피니트 장동우·이성열 계약 만료" [전문]". MK. March 31, 2021.
  27. "인피니트 장동우, 빅보스 엔터 전속 계약…이일화·이종혁과 한솥밥 [공식]". MK. October 1, 2021.
  28. "Bye – Week 10, 2019". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  29. "2019 Monthly Album Chart – March". Gaon Chart. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  30. "Tasty Confirms August 8 for Comeback Date, 'MAMAMA' MV Teaser Revealed". Kpopstarz. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
  31. Lee, Nancy. "Infinite Members Become Voice Actors for 'Wara! Store' Cartoon". enewsWorld. Archived from the original on December 15, 2015. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  32. "첸·성규·동우, 국내 초연 뮤지컬 '인 더 하이츠' 캐스팅". OSEN. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
  33. "拼盤演唱會級的陣容！藝聲、東雲、東雨、燦盛等人大舉出演日本音樂劇《Altar Boyz》". KoreaStarDaily.
  34. "뮤지컬 '또!오해영' 프리뷰 공연 성황리에 마치고 본 공연 돌입".
  35. Kang Jin-ah (April 1, 2022). "4년 만에 온 연극 '여도'…SF9 주호·인피니트 장동우 출연" [The play 'Yeodo' came after 4 years... Starring SF9 Zuho and Infinite's Jang Dong-woo] (in Korean). NEWSIS. Retrieved April 1, 2022 – via Naver.
  36. Kim, Hyun-jeong (March 8, 2023). "인피니트 장동우·추연성·전휘, '드림하이' 진국 역 캐스팅" [Infinite’s Jang Dong-woo, Chu Yeon-seong, and Jeon Hwi cast as Jin-guk in ‘Dream High] (in Korean). X-ports News. Retrieved March 8, 2023 – via Naver.
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