On May 13th KST, it was announced in an official statement by agency 325 E&C that musician Yoon Jaewoong (better known as J.Yoon— leader, violinist, bassist and youngest member of rock band M.C The MAX)— had suddenly passed away.
The statement expressed immense sadness on behalf of the agency, as well as fellow M.C The Max members Isu and Minhyuk. They asked the media to refrain from any speculative articles out of respect for J.Yoon’s family.
According to police, who were notified when agency staff were unable to contact the singer-songwriter, his death is not being treated as a suspicious circumstance. No suicide note was found at the scene and an autopsy has been requested to determine the exact cause.
J.Yoon began his multi-award winning career in 2000 when he debuted with Isu, Minhyuk, and former member Jungmin in the four-piece band Moon Child. After Jungmin’s departure, the remaining members rebranded as M.C The Max in 2002 and went on to become one of the best-selling South Korean rock bands.
Known by most K-pop fans for their emotional power ballads, the trio’s extensive discography spanned many hit singles such as “Don’t Be Happy” and “Love Of Sunflower.”
The band also gained prominence with newer generations of K-pop fans through their OSTs for popular K-dramas such as “Wind Beneath Your Wings” from “Descendants Of The Sun” and “U” from “It’s Okay, That’s Love.”
Their 2016 track “No Matter Where” became widely popular and was selected as the country’s most popular song to sing at the norebang (Korean karaoke rooms).
The year 2016 also saw M.C The Max establish their own company, 325 E&C. It was also then that J.Yoon began crafting his own identity as a prolific K-pop composer and producer by joining Woollim Entertainment and working closely with the company’s groups.
J.Yoon has written, composed, produced, and arranged numerous K-pop songs for INFINITE, including “∞(Infinity),” “Over The Top,” “Tic Toc,” “Infinitize,” “Feel So Bad,” “With…,” “Wings,” “Voice Of My Heart,” “Till I…,” “Light,” and “Time,” as well as “Rain” from Nam Woohyun’s solo album, A New Journey.
He has also composed for LOVELYZ (“Hug Me,” “Aya,” “Fondant,” “Floral,”), Golden Child (“Gol-cha!” “Wish,” “Eyes On You,” “Spring Again”), Rocket Punch (“Paper Star”), and B1A4’s Sandeul (“Fly High”).
Interestingly, he is credited for naming INFINITE according to member Woohyun. The idol revealed on the variety show “Photo People In Tokyo” that J.Yoon suggested the word to Lee Jungyeop (Woollim Entertainment’s CEO) who particularly liked the meaning of infinity. He has maintained a close relationship with INFINITE over the years and is greatly respected by their fans. One of J.Yoon’s cats, “Woollimy,” was even featured in INFINITE’s “Man In Love” music video.
The M.C The Max member had his own YouTube channel “J 제이윤 OFFICIAL” where he would post violin covers of popular K-pop and global pop songs.
Last year, the band won Digital Song Bonsang at the “34th Golden Disc Awards” for their 2019 single “After You’ve Gone” from their ninth studio album, Circular. J.Yoon starred alongside bandmate Isu in the variety movie “Bike Guys,” a project which saw them travelling across Italy in 2019 with other Korean celebrities including actor Song Jaehee and model Kim Sunbin.
Just this March, M.C The Max celebrated their 20th anniversary and marked the milestone with the release of a special album, Ceremonia (Complete Edition).
The commemorative record featured a collection of 24 tracks, spanning across two CDs and including re-recordings of some of their most beloved songs from their 20-year career. Two brand new tracks, “In Dreams” and “Bloom,” were also included on the album— which reached number one and received a platinum certification from Gaon Music Chart.
We thank J.Yoon for his contribution to K-music. It will continue to live on and be celebrated. We send our deepest condolences to J.Yoon’s friends, family, and fans.
Justin is a K-pop fan from Australia who is passionate about shining a light on underrated and lesser known groups and artists. A lover of all types of music, devoted television drama and soap opera fan, and occasional video game nerd.
MEDIA: 325 E&C, MUSIC&NEW