It's well known that K-Pop idols begin training at a very young age in order to chase their dreams of becoming a singer. They work endlessly and spend countless hours in the practice room to move even an inch closer to their dreams. But very rarely do we get to see the process of a trainee being molded into a full-fledged artist.

Luckily, we were able to see that transformation process with Park HyeonJin who is currently signed to H1GHR MUSIC. At only 11 years old, Park HyeonJin became a contestant on SBS' "K-pop Star 6", wowing everyone with his stable, crystal-clear vocals. With such impressive skills, he quickly became a fan favorite, and together with P1Harmony's JongSeob, won the entire thing.

Now, while he did not debut right out of the gate, Park HyeonJin featured in various projects while continuing to hone his skills as an artist. Looking at him now and listening to his music, his voice seems much more complete and polished — and the scary part is he's still only 17. This means he still has room left to grow and mature as a singer.

With such a rich history and a bright future ahead, it seems necessary to take a look at his evolution as an artist until this point.

1. Tender, Heartwarming Ballad

When Park HyeonJin first appeared on "K-pop Star 6", I'm sure not many people had high expectations for the singer hopeful. But he proved that age is just a number and he definitely should not be underestimated.

Park HyeonJin blew everyone away with this emotional rendition of Kim GunMo's 'The Day We Broke Up'. His vocals were immaculate and held an emotional depth you would not expect from an 11-year-old boy. You can only watch in awe as he delivers such a breathtaking performance.

2. Performing As Part Of A Duo

His time as a soloist on "K-pop Star 6" was short-lived. However, being partnered with JongSeob was probably the best thing that could have happened for the two same-age contestants.

Throughout the entirety of the show, the two boys were in complete sync and complemented each other perfectly. They displayed showmanship, charisma, and poise that's normally expected of veteran artists. Park HyeonJin pulled out all the stops, showcasing his amazing vocals, dance, and rap skills. Even in 2016 Park HyeonJin was proving to be a formidable force.

3. OG SCHOOL PROJECT

After the success of "K-pop Star 6", HyeonJin found himself at Starship Entertainment. Although he was a trainee, he was still able to join a project boy group under both Starship and CUBE Entertainment called OG SCHOOL PROJECT. The group consisted of Park HyeonJin, Jo WooChan, and Achillo.

OG SCHOOL PROJECT were hip hop heavy and put their impressive rap skills on full display. HyeonJin's rapping is fierce, trendy, and filled to the brim with swag. Although it hadn't even been a year since the end of "K-pop Star 6", his voice matured considerably and it seemed like he was well on his way to becoming a well-rounded artist, skilled in both vocals and rap.

4. "High School Rapper 4" Finals

Park HyeonJin might have started off as a vocal monster, but the hip hop spirit remained alive and well inside of him. He ended up on yet another survival competition program, Mnet's "High School Rapper 4".

Through the show, he revealed how he was on a journey to discover his own sound and music style. Park HyeonJin's performance captivated both judges and fellow contestants from the very beginning. His skills were recognized throughout the entire show, which allowed him to end up in the finals. While Park HyeonJin did not win this time, the growth he showed was incredible and that he's well on his way to become a notable artist in the music scene.

5. Debut Digital Single

After some time being without a company and going through a journey of self-discovery, Park HyeonJin became signed to hip hop label H1GHR Music in 2022. There, he made his solo debut with the digital single "____Fect".

No longer the young contestant from "K-pop Star 6", HyeonJin now looks completely in his element. His vocals match perfectly with the hip hop/R&B style of H1GHR Music, bringing waves of comfort and peace with every note. For longtime fans and supporters, they can definitely feel proud of HyeonJin's journey and cannot wait for many more releases in the near future.

What do you think of Park HyeonJin's evolution as an artist? Let us know in the comments!