2024: 7 years of Golden Child
2024 is undeniably, ultimately Golden Child and Goldenness’ most difficult year. It was pretty hard to look back on what happened to the past year as it may bring back sad memories but it’s still important to talk about it since all those things made Golden Child the group that we know today.
Might be a little too late for 2024 but it’s still not too late to look back on the colorful year that Golden Child had!
*Events are not in a particular order
Birthday celebrations
The members’ birthdays are one of the most anticipated events every year for Golden Child and their fandom. Each birthday is exciting as Goldenness celebrates the birthday of each member through fan events, birthday display ads, and, of course, their birthday live on Weverse.
Even Y, who was still serving in the military during his birthday in 2024 came to greet fans during Joochan’s Weverse live. They blew the candle together!
Golden Child 7th Anniversary
2024 marked Golden Child’s 7th year anniversary as a group.
It’s been 7 years since they debuted and even though they’re not as active as before, Golden Child is still here as a group. They still have their fans with them, waiting for them and supporting them. Each member also has a solo career now but still continues to promote their group in their own schedules.
And for their anniversary, Goldenness gifted Golden Child their custom microphones!
This project has been going on for a while now and Goldenness around the world contributed to making this project possible!
Thank you to all Goldenness who made this anniversary gift for Golden Child possible!
Y’s military discharge
On September 19, 2024, 550 days after he entered the military, Choi Sungyoon was finally discharged!
Sungyoon served in the 5th Artillery Brigade of the Republic of Korea Army. He finished his service as a sergeant.
On the next day of his discharge, Sungyoon did a Weverse live to greet his fans and talk about his experience in the military.
It was so nice to see him again that day and knowing that he’s finally back with Golden Child, makes all Goldenness very happy!
Additionally, while he was still serving, Sungyoon continuously released videos on their official channel with his series titled “Captain Ppo is here”. There are 12 episodes released on their channel. Watch it here.
Congratulations on completing your service, Sungyoon!
Jangjun as Weekly Idol’s new MC
Jangjun proved his emceeing skills once again as he officially became Weekly Idol’s new MC!
Jangjun was often invited as a special MC in the past and he perfectly demonstrated his hosting skills. Now that has become an official MC, Jangjun continues to do well in his job. He is seen interacting with the guests so well and even does dance challenges with them!
Congratulations on being an official MC, Jangjun!
Jangjun on Netflix’s Physical 100: Season 2
Last March 2024, it was announced that Jangjun would be joining the second season of the Netflix Original reality show Physical 100. His participation made Jangjun the first-ever idol to join the contest.
Jangjun is known for his energetic personality and competitiveness. By appearing in the show, he surprised everyone with his unbelievably strong physical capabilities.
Although he didn’t make it to the final round, Jangjun showed his strong self and competed in the show with all his strength. Good job, Jangjun!
Jaehyun in “High School Return of a Gangster”
In 2024, actor Bong Jaehyun came back!
Jaehyun was cast in the drama “High School Return of a Gangster“, playing the role of Choi Se Kyung.
“High School Return of a Gangster” follows the story of Kim Deuk Pal (played by Lee Seo Jin), a 47-year-old gangster who possesses the body of the 19-year-old high school student Song Hi Yeon (played by Yoon Chan Young), who was about to kill himself.
While in Song Hi Yeon’s body, Kim Deuk Pal finds out that Hi Yeon is a victim of bullying which caused him to kill himself. Now that Kim Deuk Pal is in his body, he starts to punish his bullies and completely changes Song Hi Yeon.
At school, he became friends with Choi Se Kyung (played by Bong Jaehyun). Choi Se Kyung is a smart, perfect, and model student but he suffers from violence by his father.
Bong Jaehyun’s role in the drama fits him perfectly! He showed his charismatic side as well as his amazing portrayal of a son who is abused by his father. There’s no one else that I can think of who can slay this role more!
Watch “High School Return of a Gangster” on Viu now!
We can’t wait to see more of actor Jaehyun in the future!
Jaehyun’s Story in Tokyo
Following the success of his recent drama, Jaehyun also did his first-ever solo fanmeeting!
Jaehyun’s first solo fanmeeting “Jaehyun’s Story in Tokyo” was held last September 2024.
Many Goldenness came to see Jaehyun and enjoyed his fanmeeting while he talked with the audience and as well as perform for them!
His solo fanmeeting came as a surprise for everyone and with the number of fans who came to his fanmeeting, it just shows that everyone has been waiting for that moment for so long!
Jibeom’s song covers
Jibeom released two song covers in 2024!
He did an amazing cover of Jannabi’s “Like When We First Met,” which he released on his birthday, and Roy Kim’s “When Spring Comes.”
Jibeom’s honey voice is perfect for these two songs! While listening to him sing, I can truly feel the emotion of longing through his voice. Personally, I’m a fan of Jibeom’s voice because his singing voice is very clear and defined.
I hope one day we can hear Jibeom sing again! We miss you so much!
Joochan’s solo comeback/2nd digital single with “How About It/Still Thinking About You (어떤가요)”
In February 2024, Joochan released a new digital single and came back as a soloist after 5 years!
“How About It/Still Thinking About You (어떤가요)” is a song originally by Lee Jung Bong, which was released in 1996.
As expected with Golden Child’s main vocalist, Joochan perfectly portrayed the emotions of the song through his voice.
As part of the release of his new digital single, Joochan was busy doing promotions through music shows, radio shows, and variety shows. Since Golden Child hasn’t released a new album for a while, seeing Joochan in music shows again makes everybody emotional. Seeing him on stage again, meeting Goldenness, and singing for everyone, it’s kind of a bittersweet moment.
Congratulations on this beautiful song, Joochan!
Joochan’s OST for “Missing Crown Prince”
In 2024, Joochan released an OST for the drama “Missing Crown Prince.”
Joochan’s sweet singing voice added so much color and emotion to the drama.
Congratulations on another OST, Joochan!
2024 Golden Child fan con “Chapter” in Japan and Seoul
Now, as a 7-member group, Golden Child held their fan-concert after so long!
Golden Child has done two fan concerts in Japan, Tokyo and Osaka.
After their two fan-concerts in Japan, they came back to Korea and met their Korean fans as well.
The venue wasn’t that big which made this fan-concert even more special and intimate since the members can easily interact with their fans. The members performed their hit songs and even used the custom microphones that Goldenness gifted to them.
Former members TAG, Jibeom, and Bomin also came to watch their group perform.
It was truly a happy moment because it has been a while since they were together and watching them perform together again makes the waiting worthwhile. We hope to see you more Golden Child!
Musicals
Golden Child are not your ordinary idols. They are amazing musical actors as well and have starred in numerous musical productions through the years.
In 2023, 4 of their members starred in musicals and in 2024, 2 members did their roles as musical actors!
Joochan as Niccolò Paganini in “Paganini”
The musical “Paganini” follows the story of the famous violin player Niccolò Paganini. This musical showed Paganini’s music and how he has become a respected violin player until today. This also tells a lesson through the stories of people around him.
With his outstanding skills in singing and playing the violin, Joochan proved that he is not just your ordinary idol. He is very talented and one of the best!
He perfectly portrayed his role as Paganini and exceeded everyone’s expectations!
Daeyeol as Paul in “5! Happy Man”
“5! Happy Man” tells a fun story of 5 priests. Each has their own story. They also try to get back the money that was stolen from their church.
Daeyeol played the role of Paul, the most junior priest, and a former idol trainee.
Daeyeol successfully debuted in his very first musical. He showed his talented self on stage and proved that he is a versatile idol.
Congratulations on your musical debut, Daeyeol!
Radio shows, variety shows, concerts, festivals
Just like any other year, the members are busy with their solo schedules and doing guestings in different shows.
Jangjun was seen pretty much everywhere: on radio, variety shows, and a lot more. This just proved how well Jangjun does as a guest and he has become a regular guest in different shows. He really is that hardworking!
Donghyun participated in Dance Concert season 3, showing his amazing dancing skills!
Sungyoon and Joochan also participated in the Blue Run with Jeonggwangjang.
As for festivals and concerts, Golden Child performed at the 2 O’Clock Escape Cultwo Show Super Concert and the K-Music Festival The Blossoming 2024. We just love seeing them perform as a group!
Videos, vlogs, and lives
The members continue to meet their fans through their Weverse channel and even on their Instagram accounts.
As always, the Youtube channel of Golden Child has been active with various content such as their series CH. GOL-CHA, solo vlogs of the members, and group videos.
Although it might not be a lot, the videos released occasionally make the waiting a bit bearable because this way, their fans can still see them having fun and doing anything that is random.
Check out Golden Child’s Youtube channel here.
Instagram accounts
Now that all of the members have their own accounts, they update fans more often there.
Most members regularly post contents there which makes Goldenness very excited!
In case you haven’t followed the members yet, follow them now!
Daeyeol | Y | Jangjun | TAG | Seungmin | Jaehyun | Jibeom | Donghyun | Joochan | Bomin
TAG, Jibeom, Bomin leaving Golden Child and Woollim Entertainment, other members renewed their contract with their agency
Since it’s their 7th year as a group, 2024 was the time when the contract renewals were discussed. No matter what their decision was, Goldenness only wanted the best for them.
On August 27, 2024, the day before their anniversary, Woollim Entertainment released a statement about their contract.
The statement says that TAG, Jibeom, and Bomin won’t be renewing their contracts and will be leaving the group. The rest of the members renewed their contracts and Golden Child will now be a 7 member group.
I can still remember how heartbroken and devastated everyone was when this was announced. No one saw this coming and members leaving the group is the last thing that anyone wants. But as fans, we respect their decisions and promise to still support them in every way.
Later that night, TAG, Jibeom, and Bomin shared their letters with Goldenness expressing their love and gratitude for the 7 years they spent with the group and their fans.
Daeyeol, Y, Seungmin, Jaehyun, and Donghyun leaving Woollim Entertainment
Just 4 months after their contract renewals were announced, 5 members of Golden Child decided to leave Woollim Entertainment completely!
Despite their contract renewal in August, members Daeyeol, Y, Seungmin, Jaehyun, and Donghyun decided to terminate their contract with their agency last December 31. Jangjun and Joochan stayed at Woollim Entertainment which makes them the last members of Golden Child still under Woollim Entertainment.
As of writing, the 5 members still have not found their new agencies but they are actively communicating with their fans and fans are awaiting their next plan individually and as a group.
Meanwhile, Jangjun and Joochan are still as active as ever and they are continuing with their solo schedules and still promoting under the name Golden Child, just like the rest of the members.
Goldenness are waiting for Golden Child to be together again!
Golden Child will always be 10!
In 2025, there is still no assurance of what Golden Child will become. But fans are hopeful and keeping their faith in the group. No matter how long, no matter how hard the waiting is, everything will be worth it as long as we see our 10 golden boys back together again.
All members of Golden Child have been vocal about their relationship despite not being under the same company. The members continue to update their fans about what the other members have been up to.
Daeyeol has been actively doing live streams on Tiktok which he does almost every day. It was also announced last time that he would be a vocal teacher.
Y has also been active on social media sharing his travels and does live on Pocketdols to greet his fans. He recently opened his official X account and announced his first fan meeting titled “All About Yun.”
Jangjun continues doing his MC schedules and shows. He also revamped his Youtube channel and is now focused on doing interview content there. You can see Jangjun pretty much everywhere!
Seungmin has also been active on social media, especially on Instagram on which he does lives as well. Just recently, he held a special dance class at the 1MILLION Dance Studio. You can watch his video here!
Jaehyun has acting roles offered to him and in recent posts, he was said to be in the middle of filming a drama! We can’t wait to see it!
Donghyun is still active on Pocketdols as well and has also been traveling and enjoying his free time! It was also announced that Donghyun was cast in the “Dream High” musical in which he’ll be playing the young Song Samdong again!
Joochan is also very active in working on his solo schedules. Just recently, it was announced that he was cast in the upcoming musical “On Your Wedding Day” which will start this March.
As for TAG, Jibeom, and Bomin, there’s not much news about them. But fans are hoping that TAG and Jibeom are doing something they love!
Bomin recently attended the 2024 Asia Artist Awards and won the AAA Potential Award. He also appeared at the Busan International Film Festival to promote his upcoming movie “Ghost Train.” His drama “Spirit Fingers” will also be released soon!
Personally, it has truly been a hard year as a Goldenness. From not seeing Golden Child as often, then being on hiatus for so long, and eventually leaving Woollim Entertainment has all been so heartbreaking to see. But I believe in Golden Child. I believe that they will do their best to be together again and meet their fans on stage.
As a fan, there’s nothing more that we can do but just wait. Who knows? Someday, news will come that Golden Child will be reuniting soon! I’m also hoping that they can do their much-deserved concert or world tour soon!
Now in 2025, let’s continue to be together and wait for the day that we can see Golden Child together again! No matter what happens, Golden Child will always be 10!
All images are courtesy of Golden Child
