Zhou Mi (Chinese:周覓;Korean: 조미; born(1986-04-19)April 19, 1986) is a Chinese singer active in South Korea and China signed underSM and co-managed with Baymon for his China-based activities.[2] He debuted in 2008 as an exclusive member of theSuper Junior's Chinese sub-groupSuper Junior-M,[3] and later participated in SM Entertainment's project groupSM the Ballad. Aside from group activities, he also participates in various television variety shows, radio shows, and dramas.[4] He released his first solo EP entitledRewind in 2014. In 2016, SM established its own management group for his activities in China, Zhoumi Studio.
In 2002, at age 16, Zhou Mi attended and won his first large-scale singing competition, MTV's Second Annual National Newcomer Singing Competition. After winning the national championship, he was approached for a record deal but turned it down to continue his studies. This happened multiple times up until 2006.[6]He studied Broadcasting atBeijing Normal University atXicheng District as well as a campus inZhuhaiGuangdong.[citation needed]
In 2003, Zhou Mi won the title of Lively Star in the Wenquxing Star Ambassador Selection Competition. The contest earned him both a guest spot on Hunan TV'sHappy Camp variety show and a spokesperson role for Wenquxing, an electronic dictionary maker.
At the Seventh Annual Shanghai Asian Music Festival Newcomer Singing Competition in 2004, Zhou Mi earned first place in the coastal region, as well as the National Newcomer Award.
Zhou Mi continued to participate in multiple singing competitions in 2005, even after moving from Beijing to Zhuhai, in southern Guangdong Province, for his studies. In 2005, he won four national championships and one regional championship, as well as a popularity contest at his university. He also was invited to sing at aWang Leehom fanmeeting.[7][better source needed]
Zhou Mi made a name for himself in the Chinese entertainment scene by participating in competitions.[8] In 2006, Zhou Mi joined CCTV's Challenging the Host, a televised national competition for aspiring MCs from all over China. As a representative of Guangzhou, Zhou Mi and 79 other contestants attended an offscreen training camp, learning about broadcasting from professionals and CCTV mentors. Zhou Mi proceeded to the next round easily during the 80 to 40 challenge (Guangzhou vs. Haarbin, aired May 25, 2006), and again during the 40 to 16 challenge aired July 30, 2006. Before the final 16 could compete, Zhou Mi received an offer from SM Entertainment and decided to put his studies on hold in order to go to Korea in late 2006.[9][10]In 2007, Zhou Mi won the grand prize at theSM UCC Star Audition, although he didn't audition live. The auditions were conducted online from March 27 to early July 2007. His Korean friend, Kim Ki Hoon, signed him up to audition through the "Recommend a Friend" category, where he uploaded a video of Zhou Mi singing. he performed a song from South Korean BandToy (토이) with the titled내가 너의 곁에 잠시 살았다는걸 (That I was Once by Your Side), and then he signed a contract with SM Entertainment and began his trainee career.[11]
Zhou Mi was appeared as MC the showcase ofZhang Liyin, and a few months later, he debuted in China as a member ofSuper Junior-M.[12][13]
Zhou Mi debuted as the main vocalist of Super Junior-M in 2008.[14][15][16]They debuted in China at the 8th Annual Music Chart Awards, simultaneously with the release of their first music video, "U" on April 8, 2008. Their first studio album,Me, was released on April 23, 2008.[17]Their album debuted in Korea's MIAK Monthly Charts as #10[18] and reached #1 in China'sTop in Music chart.[19]For this album he wrote three songs: "Love Song", "A Man in Love", and "Marry U".[20]
Super Junior-M's first mini-album,Super Girl, was released on September 23, 2009.[21][22]For this album he wrote two songs entitled "Confession" and "You and Me". The mini-album won many awards and even earned the group a nomination for "Best Vocal Group" at the21st Golden Melody Awards, the Chinese equivalent of theGrammy Awards.[23][24][25]
2010–2012: Hosting, comeback with Super Junior-M, and acting debut
In 2010, alongside his group activities, Zhou Mi also hosted a Chinese show entitledKorean Impression. This is a mainland travel-based show that focuses on Korea's latest news and cultural history. Each episode covers several cultural topics unique to Korea, including things like recent fashion trends, Kpop idols, cuisine, and cultural attractions.[citation needed] Zhou Mi wrote three songs forKangta's Chinese EPBreaka Shaka in 2010 - the lead single "Breaka Shaka", "Remember", and "Many Times".[26]
In February 2011, Zhou Mi played a supporting role in the Chinese dramaMelody of Youth, which became his debut in that industry.[27][28]He was also featured in the OST on the ending theme song "Youth Melody", and, along with other cast members, "Dandelion".[29][30] Super Junior-M's second EPPerfection was released on February 23, 2011. For this album he wrote the song "True Love".[31]The album was one of thebest-selling albums of 2011 in Taiwan.[32] He joined Super Junior-M withHenry Lau for the single "Santa U Are The One" taken fromSMTown's eighth winter album,2011 Winter SMTown – The Warmest Gift, which was released in December 2011.[33][34] Zhou Mi participated in the OST forSiwon andDonghae's Taiwanese drama seriesSkip Beat! on the track "Goodbye (不留紀念)". This song was released on December 11, 2011.[35]
In 2012, Zhou Mi was cast as the main role in the idol dramaWhen Love Walked In alongside label-mateVictoria Song, andCalvin Chen of the groupFahrenheit.[36][37][38]The drama premiered on August 27 on Anhui, Hubei, Shaanxi and Sichuan Satellite TV, and reached the number one spot in viewership ratings.[39][40]
2013–2014: Comeback group, SM The Ballad, and debut as soloist
Super Junior-M's second studio album,Break Down, was released on January 7, 2013, along with a single by the same name.[41][42] The album includes three songs written by Zhou Mi - "Go", "It's You" and "Tunnel".[43] The music for these songs were composed by fellow Super Junior-M member Henry Lau and his team Noize Bank. Their Korean-language version of "Break Down" was released on January 31. On the same day, they made their official debut in Korea onMnet'sM Countdown.[44][45]Malaysian singer and composerMichael Wong contributed to this album by composing a song for Zhou Mi, called "Distant Embrace", with lyrics by Hong Kong singer and actressCrystal Cheung.[46][47] The lyrics of "Distant Embrace" are about the faint pain of a love.[48] On April 7, 2013, Zhou Mi released a travel scrapbook entitledThai Perfect which documented his travel experience in Thailand.[49]Two versions of the book were released on December 5, 2013, one written in traditional Chinese, the other in simplified Chinese.[50][51] In April 2013, Zhou Mi was cast in the movieRhythm of Rain (聽見下雨的聲音).[52][53] He played a big boy who has a bright personality who is very sincere.[54][55] This movie was directed by lyricistVincent Fang[56] and was released on October 4, 2013. Later in 2013, Zhou Mi was chosen to be a radio DJ onMBC's C-Radio Idol True Colour withMiss A membersJia andFei.[57][58] The program on the new media platform showcases content produced by the network and targets the large number of 'hallyu' or 'Korean wave' fans in China.The network produced one episode each week, and the show was released to Chinese viewers on a Chinese video site such asYouku andTudou, without going through a Chinese broadcasting station.[59]
In February 2014, Zhou Mi became a new member of the ballad groupSM The Ballad, initially formed in 2010.[60] Zhou Mi participated in the group's second album,Breath, performing the Chinese version of "Blind".[61]Zhou Mi performed his song at theS.M. The Ballad Joint Recital on February 12.[62][63]He also performed this song onArirang's music programSimply K-Pop,MBC M's music programShow Champion, andSBS MTV's music programThe Show.[64] In February 2014 Zhou Mi also appeared on music competition program Immortal Song (不朽之名曲),[65] he performed Wild Lilies Also Have A Spring (野百合也有春天) byMichelle Pan.[66][67][68] In March 2014, Super Junior-M's third mini album,Swing, was released. The EP consists of six songs, which were released for digital download on March 21, 2014, in China and Taiwan byS.M. Entertainment. In this album, Zhou Mi contributed lyrics to their lead single, "Swing", and another song entitled "Fly High". The group released the album on Korean music sites, such as MelOn, genie, Naver music and more, on March 31, 2014, and promoted it on Korean music programs.[69] In 2014, Zhou Mi was chosen to host the Korean-Chinese Variety Show titledStrongest Group with his labelmateVictoria Song.[70] Zhou Mi then wrote the Chinese version of the track "Run" for another SM group,EXO's, second EPOverdose.[citation needed] On October 22, 2014, Zhou Mi became an MC for season 4 of theSBS MTV's music programThe Show withPark Ji-yeon (T-ara) andHongbin (VIXX).[71] His first solo EPRewind was released on October 31, 2014.[72] This single featured members of each sub-group of EXO as rappers - the Chinese version featured EXO-M's rapperTao, and the Korean version featured EXO-K's rapperChanyeol.[73][74] All tracks on his debut album were written by Zhou Mi himself.[75] In December 2014, Zhou Mi and his labelmateTRAX performed onImmortal Songs: Singing the Legend (불후의 명곡: 전설을 노래하다): Lee Bong Jo, they performed a song entitled "Despite Your Smile (웃는 얼굴 다정해도)" byYoon Bok-hee.[76]
2015–2019: Variety show, acting role, and fanmeeting
Zhou Mi appeared as the Talk MC on the new season of fashion survival showFashion King - Secret Box, which premiered on April 25, 2015. This was a survival show starring top Korean and Chinese celebrities.[77][78]In 2015, Zhou Mi was cast in the dramaBest Couple He played as Yan Xi Cheng, who comes from a poor background and through hard work becomes a top star.[79] He finds himself emotionally involved with his first love, fake wife and admirer. This drama is set in the modern day Korean entertainment industry and is the first TV production project from China's e-commerce companyAlibaba.[80] This drama aired in China in early 2016, and garnered more than 100 million views.[81][82][83][84] Zhou Mi also participated in Super Junior special album,Devil, was released to celebrate the group's 10th anniversary. He wrote lyrics for "Forever with You", which was sung by Super Junior-M.[85][86]
In early 2016, it was confirmed that Zhou Mi would continue to host the 5th season of SBS MTV The Show with new co-MC,GFriend'sYerin. He stepped down from his MC position on August 2 of that year, having hosted The Show for almost two years.[87][88] Zhou Mi hosted The Goddess Beauty Club alongsidePatty Hou On February 23, 2016.[89]Zhou Mi's second EPWhat's Your Number? was released on July 19, 2016.[90][91]He wrote the Chinese lyrics for the lead single "What's Your Number?" and "Empty Room".[92][93] Zhou Mi and his labelmateKim Heechul & Kim Jungmo performed Pro And Amateur (프로와 아마추어) on Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (불후의 명곡: 전설을 노래하다).[94]
Zhou Mi came to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to attend the "2017 A & B Film and Celebrity Signing Conference" to spend White Day with his fans.[95] On June 16 2017, it was announced that Zhou Mi hold his first fanmeeting in Japan in September 2017.[96]
On April 19, 2018, Zhou Mi released a digital single entitled 'I Don't Care'.On the following day, he held a fan meeting inBeijing, China to celebrated his birthday with his fans.[97][98] On December 26, 2018, Zhou Mi released a single entitled "The Lonely Flame", which was written and composed by himself.[99][100] The music video was directed by fellow Super Junior memberShindong.[101]
On May 6, 2019, Zhou Mi held a fan meeting in Tokyo, Japan, and the Japanese version of "The Lonely Flame" was released on November 23, 2019.[102] Zhou Mi participated in the music event dedicated to the 70th anniversary of China and sang "Sing a Folk Song for the Party".[103]
In 2020, Zhou Mi collaborated with two members ofWayV, Kun andXiaojun, on the single "I'll Be There", which was released on February 28, 2020.[104][105] The track was written and composed by himself.[106][107] "I'll Be There" was a tribute song for the frontline workers and those who were affected byCOVID-19, especially in his hometown of Wuhan, China.[108][109][110] On June 22, 2020, Zhou Mi collaborated with fellow Super Junior-M memberRyeowook for a song entitled "Starry Night". The Chinese version of the track was written and composed by himself.[111][112][113] In 2020 and early 2021, Zhou Mi competed on Mystery Music Show:King of Mask Singer in China. Under "Big Daddy" he performed "Deep (無底洞)" byTanya Chua and "Full Name (連名帶姓)" byA-Mei.[114]
On April 8, 2022, Zhou Mi signed an exclusive contract with Bymon Entertainment who agreed to cooperate with SM Entertainment to manage his activities in China.[115]
On June 1, 2023, Zhou Mi collaborated with fellow Super Junior-M memberEunhyuk to release a new single "Mañana (Our Drama)". The single was originally released in Korean and Chinese, the latter written by himself, and a Japanese version was released on July 24, 2023.[116][117][118] On July 9, 2023, Zhou Mi competed onKing of Mask Singer in South Korea.[119] Under "Fish Bowl" he performed "Don’t Forget (잊지 말기로해)" byJang Pil-soon & Kim Hyeon-cheol[120] and "Nights Into Days (혼자서 걸어요)" byTaeyeon.[121]
On January 1, 2024, Zhou Mi released the single "And" from theCasting in the Corner project withSin Ye-young. "And" aimed to reinterpret the retro R&B of the 90s.[122][123] On June 29, 2024, Zhou Mi collaborated with Zhang Liyin released a new single, "Don't Go Today", through Easy Entertainment, as a remake of the original byBen andIm Se-jun.[124][125] "Don't Go Today" was released in both Korean and Chinese.[126] On August 5, 2024,Super Junior-D&E collaborated with Siwon, Zhou Mi, Ryeowook, andKyuhyun to release a new single entitled "Promise".[127] The lyrics were written by Zhou Mi in collaboration with Super Junior co-member Donghae.[128] On September 11, 2024, Zhou Mi featured WayV Hendery to release a new single entitled "Utopia".[129] "Utopia" is a pop genre song that combines bright, warm and grand sounds and rich vocals with positive energy, and the lyrics that capture the endless progress toward the utopia of one's dreams are impressive. The Chinese version of the track was written by himself.[130][131] On October 30, 2024, Zhou Mi collaborated with Chanyeol to release a new singled entitled "Goodbye Goodnight (GBGN)". This track was written by himself.[132] On November 13, 2024, it was announced that Zhou Mi would be releasing a new single "Ex Games" on November 21.[133][134]
In 2025, Zhou Mi starred inThe Monsoon of Love Passes By as Jifeng,[135][136] a rich second generation man who came to the city to escape from marriage,[137] which premiered in April 2025 on Youku.[138] He also participated OST for this drama entitled "All Love".[139]
On December 14, 2018, The China Population Welfare Foundation (CPWF) held the ‘Healthy Together, Happy Together - Creating Happy Families Activity Theme Publicity Activity’ at the Beijing International Convention Centre. Zhou Mi was not only invited to attend the event as a volunteer representative, but was also honoured to receive the certificate of China Population Welfare Foundation's Ambassador of Love, which was presented by the foundation's leadership.[140]
On May 11, 2022, during COVID-19 epidemic Zhou Mi serve as a volunteer in Beijing.[141]
On October 19, 2024, Zhou Mi was invited by Half Smile Foundation to promote the art shirts derived from the paintings of byAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) children. The event aimed to promote art shirts designed with artwork created to highlighted their unique talents and fostering greater public understanding and inclusion of individuals with autism.[142]The initiative also likely served as a fundraising or awareness campaign to support programs for autistic children.[143]
On December 23, 2024, Zhou Mi was invited by The "Dream Planting Project" as a speaker which was held at a middle school inAltay City,Xinjiang, the event involved over 700 students and teachers. This is a charity activity focused on inspiring and supporting teenagers in remote areas. It aims to encourage self-exploration and ignite dreams through career-sharing sessions, guiding youths toward their future career paths.[144][145]
On April 13, 2025, Zhou Mi was invited by Smile Guardian Warm Heart Meal program to deliver warm breakfasts to teenagers from struggling families.[146] Every time a volunteer sells a coaster, they would be donate a breakfast to children in mountain areas.[147]
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^Wong, Jerome (June 1, 2011)."Michael Wong's latest album".Yahoo! News Philippines.Archived from the original on December 16, 2014. RetrievedJanuary 9, 2013.
^SBS연예뉴스, SBS뉴스 (August 3, 2016)."조미, '그동안 더쇼 MC 너무 행복했어요'".SBS연예뉴스 (in Korean).Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 11, 2022.
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