Named as the "most handsome trainee" after joining Mnet's "Produce X 101" in 2019, here's the idol-aspirant's status 3 years after failing to debut as X1.

Kim Min Kyu in 2019-2021: Mnet 'Produce X 101,' Acting Career, Project Group MARS

In May 2019, Kim Min Kyu joined the 4th and last season of Mnet's "Produce X 101" as a trainee, representing Jellyfish Entertainment.

Upon the release of his photos and making his appearance, Min Kyu immediately captured attention, thanks to his good looks and tall height.

Although he was wearing nothing fancy but a white shirt and jacket during the audition in Episode 1, Min Kyu boasted top-tiers visual, at par with fourth-gen male visual idols.

In the real-time ranking released at the end of the broadcast, the trainee ranked #1 during the first ranking announcement.

Not only K-pop fans were moved by his handsomeness but he also gained support among his co-trainees. In fact, he was voted as the No. 1 "most handsome visual center" participant, raising overwhelming anticipation for his debut. 

Unfortunately, he failed to join the debut of the 11-member group X1 after ranking 12th place.

Despite this, he continued his vigorous activities and built his own fandom as an actor, model, MC, and entertainment.

In 2020, he became MC for SBS MTV, "The Show." In the same year, he landed his first acting job with the web drama, "Boy and Girl Straight Out of a Cartoon."

In 2021, he expanded his popularity after starring in his first small screen project JTBC's "Idol: The Coup." Although he decided to walk on the path of an actor, he still showcased his idol skills through this drama by debuting as the leader of the fictional project boy group MARS.

During the show, the group dropped an album, "Contact," and a digital single, "Cloud9."

Where Is Kim Min Kyu in 2023? Idol Transforms As Handsome College Student in Netflix's 'The Fabulous'

About 3 years after "Produce X 101," Kim Min Kyu is slowly establishing his name as an actor.

Now, he's not only a star who boasts perfect visuals and physicality but an actor who challenges various roles.

In December 2022, Kim Min Kyu has actually performed enthusiastically in the recently released Netflix series, "The Fabulous," starring SHINee Minho and Chae Soo Bin.

In the drama, Kim Min Kyu played the role of a college student who is in a conflict between his dream of becoming a model and the reality that is not easy.

Unlike his past image that resembles someone's first love, Kim showed off the charm of a young man who is a passionate, cheerful and cute aspiring model.

Expectations are high on what charm Kim Min Kyu, who continues to grow in each work by showing his new appearance as an actor, will attract the public this 2023.

READ MORE: Where Are 'Produce X 101' Trainees Now? Current Status of 'Vote Manipulation' Victims

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Written by Eunice Dawson.