Renjun of NCT Dream, Chinese K-pop star who is passionate, focused and goal-driven

Renjun, born Huang Ren-jun, was so determined to become a K-pop singer that he travelled hours to go to an audition with less than a day’s notice
The singer speaks fluent Korean, having grown up near the China-Korea border, and recently released his first solo cover, of Troye Sivan’s Fools, in English

K-pop, Mandopop and other Asian pop

Jeff Benjamin

Published: 10:15pm, 5 Sep 2020

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While some K-pop idols begin their careers with an unexpected on-the-street casting or because they were convinced by friends to attend an audition, others got started because it’s been a dream of theirs for a long time.

Renjun was so determined to make it that, with less than one day’s notice, he made the life-changing decision to travel hours to reach an audition. How that decision has paid off for him.

His early life

Renjun was born Huang Ren-jun in Jilin province, northeast China, in March 2000. Korean is commonly spoken in the area because it is close to the Korean peninsula, so he grew up bilingual.

Renjun was born Huang Ren-jun in China’s northeast Jilin province in March in 2000.

A young Renjun was not just interested in studying the Korean language, but Korean music as well. He was inspired by the boy band Exo and, in particular, the international success of the band’s Chinese member Lay.

While his schoolmates set their sights on university, Renjun wanted to become an idol and elected to study at the Beijing Contemporary Music School (alongside NCT band member Chenle), from where he graduated with full marks.

Renjun graduated Beijing Contemporary Music School with full marks.

Renjun was nervous about sharing his dream with his parents but, after learning he passed the initial stages, they gave him permission to enter auditions in China for Exo’s label SM Entertainment. The second round of auditions were three hours away by train, but he still went even though he had found out about them only the night before. His persistence paid off, and he became a trainee with SM Entertainment. Renjun made his debut in August in 2016 as a member of NCT Dream.

His role in NCT Dream

NCT Dream are a subgroup of SM Entertainment’s NCT project, which has an unlimited number of members that are split into various units. NCT Dream was the third group unveiled.

Renjun entered the world of K-pop via NCT Dream’s first single, Chewing Gum, alongside members Mark, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Jisung and Chenle. Renjun is one of the main vocalists in NCT.

While the group dabbles in different genres such as bubblegum pop, R&B and ballads, Renjun has also had opportunities to showcase his talents in outside projects. For example, with Yeri of Red Velvet and NCT members Jeno and Jaemin, he recorded the South Korean theme song for the film Trolls: The Beat Goes On.

Earlier this year, he also uploaded his first solo cover, of Troye Sivan’s Fools, to NCT Music’s YouTube channel. The cover not only showcased his vulnerable and passionate side, but also gave his fans the chance to hear him sing in English. The cover gained more than one million views in under 24 hours.

Renjun has recorded music in Chinese as well, and sang a special ballad track titled A New Beginning with Chenle.

His image

Renjun is intelligent and has a warm personality. In 2019, he took part in a special episode of the popular Korean variety show Idol Room that featured K-pop stars of diverse nationalities. The star impressed viewers with his exceptional Korean and how easily he completed a quiz given to the celebrities.

Renjun also took on a special, two-month gig as a radio DJ for South Korea’s TBS Radio in 2019. During his nighttime broadcasts, he shared music recommendations and personal stories and even gave advice to listeners. The gig was so successful that Renjun was named a formal anchor despite being just 19 years old.

In his own words

Renjun seems genuinely passionate about his future career in music.

“Such an unbelievable thing occurred to me,” he told Arena Homme+, a fashion magazine for men, in June 2020 when asked if he believed in fate. “I applied for the audition, but I had given up since there was no response. However, I got a call back while I was eating, and I screamed on the spot because I was so excited.”

Renjun thinks about his larger goals when he gets stressed.

When the K-pop industry stresses him out, Renjun is mature enough to think about his larger goals and retain his focus.

“Whenever I’m tired or discouraged, I will stop for a while because no matter what I do at that moment, I won’t do it well,” he said during an episode of his TBS Radio show. “I’ll rest, maybe take a nap, then I’ll think about my goals and what I want. I’ll draw myself a straight line and tell myself to walk this line to my goal.”

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