Koo Jun-hoe (Ju-ne) Biography, Background, Net Worth 2025, Career, and Acting

Profile:

Full Name: Koo Jun-hoe (구준회)

Stage Name: Ju-ne (formerly Junhoe)

Date of Birth: March 31, 1997

Age: 28 (as of 2025)

Nationality: South Korean

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Koo Jun-hoe is a member of the Neungseong Gu clan, a well-known Korean family. Known to have a close relationship with Jun-hoe, his older sister Yeijin has followed her own singing career and occasionally makes an appearance on her YouTube channel. His career has been propelled by his passion for music, especially that of Michael Jackson, which helped him transition from a youthful performer to an actor and K-pop idol.

Background:

Koo Jun-hoe's passion for Michael Jackson drove him to pursue a career in entertainment at an early age. He made his television debut as the “13-year-old Michael Jackson” on SBS’s Star King in March 2009, at the age of 13, demonstrating his dancing abilities and gaining early notoriety. His desire to pursue a career in entertainment was ignited by this appearance. He made it to the fourth round of auditions for the inaugural season of SBS's K-pop Star in 2011. YG Entertainment, one of the top entertainment companies in South Korea, saw his skill even though he was eliminated.
A turning point in Jun-hoe's career came when he began working as a trainee with YG Entertainment in April 2012. When he competed against Team A for a chance to make his debut on the reality survival show WIN: Who Is Next in 2013, he was assigned to Team B. Even though Team A (who made their debut as WINNER) defeated Team B, Jun-hoe's stage presence and vocal skills were impressive. He took part in Mix & Match, another survival program that decided the final lineup for YG's second boy group, in 2014. Along with B.I, Bobby, Jinhwan, Yunhyeong, Donghyuk, and Chanwoo, Jun-hoe became the fourth confirmed member of iKON thanks to his commitment and development during the show.
Jun-hoe has a charming, sassy, and playful demeanor. Though he might be bashful during the day and more reserved with new people, he is well-known for his boisterous and vivacious manner, which frequently adds humor to iKON's group dynamics. He has been engaged in fan communities devoted to the pop icon, and his passion for Michael Jackson is evident in his collection of CDs and memorabilia. As evidence of his varied interests, Jun-hoe also likes to write poetry, play the guitar, and practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which he hopes to master by 2020 and get a white belt with three black stripes.

Education:

Koo Jun-hoe's intense training regimen at YG Entertainment took precedence over his studies. Because of his responsibilities as a trainee, he did not attend high school in the conventional sense. He later passed the High School Graduation Certification Exam, nevertheless, indicating that he was committed to juggling his academic and professional objectives. Due to this accreditation, he was able to attain high school equivalency, which is a typical route taken by many K-pop idols who place a strong priority on their training while still in their teens.
Jun-hoe received a rigorous education in music, dance, and performance during her tenure as a trainee at YG Entertainment, despite having no academic schooling. His training prepared him for a varied career in entertainment by honing his composing talents, stage presence, and vocal abilities.

Career:

iKON and Musical Achievements:

On September 15, 2015, Koo Jun-hoe made her iKON debut as the group's lead vocalist with the pre-release single "My Type." She was followed by the lead singles "Rhythm Ta" and "Airplane" off their first album, Welcome Back. Jun-hoe showcased his compositional skills by contributing to the production of "Rhythm Ta." iKON became well-known very fast, and in October 2015, they won their third music show award for "My Type" on SBS's Inkigayo. Chart-topping albums, live performances, and fan gatherings demonstrated the group's enduring popularity in South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
Jun-hoe, the lead singer of iKON, is renowned for his strong, husky voice and broad vocal range, which allow him to produce both striking high-pitched falsettos and deep, resonant low notes. In live performances, his ad-libs frequently stand out and equal the ferocity of iKON's rappers. As a poet and composer, he has added to the group's career, particularly on songs like "Climax," "Rhythm Ta," "Love Me," and his solo single "Want You Back" off iKON's 2023 album TAKE OFF. He and bandmate Bobby worked together on the rock-influenced song "Deep Night" in 2020, which was posted on YouTube. In 2023, he and Soulbysel published "Night Flight," their first English-language single.
Fans were worried that iKON would breakup when the group's seven-year relationship with YG Entertainment ended in December 2022. Two days later, though, the group secured a contract with 143 Entertainment, guaranteeing their survival. During this change, Jun-hoe began a new chapter in his career by taking the stage name Ju-ne.
Jun-hoe has performed vocally on television outside of iKON. In 2020, he competed on King of Mask Singer as "Vureung Vureung Vureungdae Racing Car," making it to the second round. His position as one of K-pop's most notable vocalists has been cemented by his unique voice and charisma on stage.

Career in Acting:

An important turning point in Koo Jun-hoe's career was his move into acting, which made him a multifaceted "acting idol." In 2023, he made his acting debut as Yang Jin-ho, the female lead's sister's love interest in the romantic comedy drama True to Love (also called Bora! Deborah). He was hailed as a potential rookie actor for his effortless performance and capacity to portray genuine, deep emotions. He further combined his acting and musical abilities by contributing his first OST to the drama's soundtrack.
As Koo Jong-hyeong in the tvN drama Twinkling Watermelon that same year, Jun-hoe was able to blend his acting prowess with his musical experience as a guitarist and vocalist. His portrayal demonstrated his versatility and gave the role more nuance. He further expanded his repertoire by playing a supporting role as No Bong-kyun in the 1997 movie Again, which came out after True to Love.

Jun-hoe played Choi Ki-joon in the Channel A drama Marry You in 2024, a role that caused a lot of excitement among viewers and reviewers. With many praising his abilities to infuse the romantic drama genre with emotion and charm, it was expected that his performance would boost his reputation in the acting industry.
In 2025, Jun-hoe will play the lead in the mini-drama Do You Want to Work Overtime? (야뷼았賠 갈래요?), which will be helmed by Sky Castle director Kim Do-hyung. He portrays the lead character in this series, which tells the tale of a forty-year-old lady who is reborn as a twenty-five-year-old and must make her way through a workplace full of attractive guys. The drama is accessible on the Korean website Pulse Pick; an international release has not yet been announced. To further solidify his position in both television and movies, Jun-hoe also appears in the 2025 movie Finding Hidden Money.
Both fans and reviewers have praised Jun-hoe's acting, with comments on sites like AsianWiki applauding his innate skill and expressing excitement for his upcoming endeavors. He is a rising star in the K-drama business because of his ability to manage both his acting and singing careers.

Koo Jun-hoe's Net Worth 2025:

In 2025, Jun-hoe's estimated net worth was between $5 and $7 million USD. This sum includes the money he makes from iKON's musical endeavors, such as album sales, tours, and endorsements, in addition to his expanding acting career and solo endeavors, such as "Night Flight" and "Want You Back."
As a result of his growing acting career and his success with iKON, Jun-hoe's net worth is probably going to have increased by 2025. His parts in well-known dramas like Marry You and Do You Want to Work Overtime?, as well as possible brand endorsements and music royalties, are available, however exact numbers are not available. Since Jun-hoe's precise profits from acting, music, and sponsorships are not made public, these numbers are still purely theoretical.

Interests and Personal Life:

Koo Jun-hoe is renowned for his charming and eccentric nature. He has acknowledged that he is bashful during the day and is a self-described night owl who is frequently more animated and chatty in the evening. He joined a fan café using his sister's ID and even went to fan gatherings as a child, demonstrating his devotion for Michael Jackson that goes beyond only his music. A Maltese dog named Pbangdangi is being raised by Jun-hoe, who also loves animals.
His interests include practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu, where he has attained a significant level of proficiency, and writing poetry, with the hope of publishing a book someday. Fans and bandmates frequently point out Jun-hoe's commitment to exercise, as evidenced by his physical metamorphosis from a "pale belly" to a strong frame. His fun character inside iKON is further enhanced by his well-known impersonations of musicians such as PSY and Seungri.