He started his acting career with a role in Mnet hip-hop music drama "Break" on May 11, 2006. Kim, along with the members of SS501, except for Heo Young-Saeng who was recovering from the surgery, lent their voices to the Korean version of 2006 animated film "Pi's Story".
On August 21, 2006, when fellow member Heo Young-Saeng left the radio programme "SS501's Youngstreet" on Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) due to a throat condition requiring laryngeal surgery, he took over being the DJ, and continued to host the programme with fellow member Park Jung-min.
SS501 soon promoted their first studio album "S.T 01 Now". In late 2007, they expanded their activities in the Japanese market to challenge themselves outside Korea with the release of their Japanese single "Kokoro", along with the establishment of "Triple S Japan". After the single debuted at #5, they had 2 more successful releases in Japan entitled "Distance" and "SS501". In around one year in Japan, they received the Newcomer Award by Japan Gold Disc Award in January 2008; this was the first time for Korean artists to receive this award.
Having built their foundation as artists in both countries, they continually released singles and albums back-and-forth such as "Deja Vu" in Korea and "Lucky Days" in Japan, both released in 2008. However, they stopped their activities as a group for a period of time as Park Jung-Min and Kim Hyun-Joong were given solo projects for "Grease musical" and "Boys Over Flowers series" respectively. Yet, the three remaining members, with Heo as the leader, continued to promote, dubbed as the SS501 Project Group. They released a project album named "U R Man" in November 2008, with high tempo dance title track "UR Man". They also contributed to the "Boys Over Flowers" soundtrack with "내 머리가 나빠서" (Because I'm Stupid), and appeared as a cameo in episode four, performing their track "U R Man". The track won "Song of the Month" for February at the "32nd Cyworld Digital Music Awards" on March 28, 2009, as well as the Best OST of the year during the 2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards.
On November 21, 2008, Kim joined as one of the regular hosts on MBC's "God Of Cookery Expedition". In 2009-2010, SS501 released "All My Love", "Solo Collection", "Rebirth", and "Destination" consecutively before their contracts ended. Kim wrote the lyrics for his solo track, "Never Let You Go", as well as the lyrics for his part of "완.두.콩." (Green Peas), a song written for their fans.
2010-2011: Leaving DSP Media and solo debut.
In June 2010, upon the expiration of SS501's contract with DSP Media, Kim along with fellow band member Heo, signed with B2M Entertainment, the agency of former DSP Media songstress Lee Hyori, to embark on his solo career. Later on, Kim and Heo held a joint fanmeeting, "Kyu Jong & Young Saeng Story In Seoul" on December 4, which continued in Hong Kong, Japan and countries across Asia.
Kim made his musical theatre debut in "Goong: Musical" (뮤지컬 궁), a spin-off of the television drama, in Korea. He took over the role of male lead Lee Shin, from U-Know Yunho of TVXQ. He performed this musical at Minami-za in Kyoto, Japan from June 11 to July 1, and subsequently in Seoul, Korea in September 2011.
On September 27, 2011, he released his debut solo mini album, "Turn Me On" with "Yesterday" as its title track It features a rap part by Heo Young-saeng in dance track "My Love", and Yang Jiwon of Spica in Yesterday music video. The teaser video for "Yesterday" was released on September 22.
In October 2011, Kim Kyu Jong was cast in the 36-part weekend drama, "Saving Madame Go Bong Shil" on cable channel CSTV. He played an aspiring musical actor named Nicky to mark his acting debut. On November 9, 2011, he performed along with other Korean and Japanese artists at the "Seoul Tokyo Music Festival 2011" at Saitama Super Arena, Japan.
2012-2013: "Meet Me Again" Album and Military duty.
In June 2012, it was announced that Kim is to fulfill his mandatory military service in July. On June 3, he held his farewell fan meeting, "Thank U ThanKYU with Triple S" at Yonsei University in Sinchon-dong, Seoul. This marks his last official activity before his enlistment in July, as well as the first time in over two years that the five members of SS501 have gathered together. On July 23, Kim reported to the recruit training center of the 35th division in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province for four weeks of basic training. They further explained that he was originally exempted because he had a hepatitis B carrier. Since a changed in conscription law, however, he was eligible to serve non-active duty as a public service worker.
On July 18, Kim released a limited edition mini-album "Meet Me Again" dedicated to his fans. It features three tracks including "Thank You" composed by Kim, himself and "One Luv", a duet with Mighty Mouth's Shorry J, composed by Tae Wan Kim aka C-Luv.
On March 9, Kim spent his free time attending Kim Hyung Jun's 1st solo concert, "The First" at the Woori Art Hall, Olympic Park, Seoul. He even went up to the stage with Kim Hyung Jun and bowed together, marking the end of the concert.
During SS501's eight anniversary, Kim, along with the SS501 members posted one video of them celebrating and greeting their fans onto each of their own official YouTube accounts. Kim Hyun Joong was not able to be in the video at that time because he had a shooting in his variety show, "Barefooted Friends". However, Kim Hyun Joong still talked about their anniversary during his Korea fanmeeting entitled "2013 KHJ Show - Party People", held at the same day of their anniversary.
Kim attended Heo Young-saeng's first and farewell concert in Seoul entitled "2013 Heo Young Saeng Seoul Concert 0513 My Story" on October 26 at the UNIQLO AX Hall. This time, all of the SS501 members appeared together on one stage and performed together as one group again after three years. They sang their self-written song dedicated to their fans, "Green Peas", and their a cappella version of the song, "In the Still of the Night".
2014-present: Military discharge, drama and musical comeback.
On July 22, 2014, exactly two years after being enlisted in the army, Kim Kyu Jong officially discharged from his duties. At around 9:30 to 10 am, he arrived at the military manpower office in Jeonbuk, Jeonju, and he was welcomed by the fans and press who waited for hours. Kim came back as part of KBSN's special project drama "‘S.O.S Please Save Me"’ for the role of Park JungJun. Following this, he was cast at the 20th anniversary musical performance "“Singin’ in the Rain" for the role of DongHyun.
Personal life.
During the time when Kim was still serving in the military service, updates about him were only known through his friends' Twitter updates and his personal handwritten letters to his fans to show his love and appreciation. To further show his acknowledgement towards his fans, it was revealed that he joined ThanKYU's (name of his fanclub) various donation activities. On February 1, Kyu Jong sent 14 woven hats that he and his mother had personally weaved during his spare time.
Philanthropy.
Kim Kyu Jong is active in donating to share his achievements to the people in need, as well as his fanclub, "ThanKYU".
In 2011, Kim volunteered for a welfare activity at an animal shelter together with Heo and Lee Hyori. In the same year, Kim also donated 620 kg of rice on the ""Dreame rice flower basket" company" to be given to his hometown in DeokJin-gu to help the families there. He also became an ambassador of "Heart Heart Foundation", preparing food for needy children under the "Warm Meals" campaign and participating in the sharing/charity performance of "Heart Heart Orchestra"
In February 2013, Kim personally weaved hats with the help of his mother during his free time in the army. He was touched by his fans' various donation activities that he helped them weaved some, particularly 14 hats.