Yunho
Jung Yun-ho (Korean: 정윤호; Hanja: 鄭允浩; born February 6, 1986), also known by his stage name U-Know Yunho (유노윤호) or simply U-Know, is a South Korean singer-songwriter, actor, and a member of the pop duo TVXQ. Born and raised in Gwangju, South Korea, Yunho started his musical training under the talent agency SM Entertainment in 2001 and joined TVXQ in 2003 as the band's leader.[1] Fluent in Korean and Japanese, Yunho has released chart-topping albums throughout Asia as a member of TVXQ. He has made occasional acting appearances in television dramas.
Yunho | |
|---|---|
| 윤호 | |
Yunho at Gimpo International Airport in January 2019 | |
| Born | Jung Yun-ho February 6, 1986 Gwangsan, Gwangju, South Korea |
| Other names |
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| Education | Myongji University Chungwoon University |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2003–present |
| Musical career | |
| Genres |
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| Instrument(s) |
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| Labels | |
| Member of | |
| Website | u-know |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 정윤호 |
| Hanja | 鄭允浩 |
| Revised Romanization | Jeong Yun-ho |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chŏng Yunho |
| Stage name | |
| Hangul | 유노윤호 |
| Hanja | 瑜鹵允浩 |
| Revised Romanization | Yu-no Yun-ho |
| McCune–Reischauer | Yuno Yunho |
| Signature | |
Early life
Yunho was born and raised in Gwangju, South Korea. He has one younger sister. Several members of Yunho's family worked in the legal industry, and Yunho's own childhood dream was to be a prosecutor.[2]
When he was in middle school, he and a few other friends formed the dance team A+, and they competed in various dance competitions around the country.[citation needed] After winning a prize at the 1st Annual SM Best Competition in 1999, Yunho signed with S.M. Entertainment and officially started his training in 2001.[citation needed]
His family, who suffered greatly from the 1997 Asian financial crisis, were initially against his decision to become a singer.[citation needed] To provide for himself while he trained in Seoul, Yunho took up various part-time jobs in the city, such as doing snow removal in the morning and working as a waiter at night.[citation needed] He spent most of his high school vacations in Seoul training and only returned to Gwangju for school.[citation needed] Sometime later, Yunho suffered a hormonal imbalance in his throat and underwent surgery, which affected his vocal cords. After losing his voice, Yunho considered giving up his training.[3]
Throughout his years as a trainee, Yunho was put in four temporary groups - all of which later disbanded. In late 2001, at the age of fifteen, Yunho was featured as a rapper and backup dancer in Dana's debut single "Diamond", and briefly toured with her.[4]
In 2002, Yunho was selected to be a backup dancer for Shinhwa and was chosen to be part of the project boy band Four Seasons, which consisted of fellow trainees Kim Jae-joong, Kim Hee-chul, and Kangin.[citation needed] The project group was dropped when Yunho and Jaejoong joined TVXQ in early 2003.[citation needed]
Yunho's stage name "U-Know", a nickname he has been using since high school, reflected Yunho's position as the leader, who was always trying to understand others.[5]
Music career
TVXQ
The final line-up of TVXQ consisted of Yunho, Max Changmin, Jaejoong, Park Yoo-chun, and Kim Jun-su. The group officially debuted on December 26, 2003 during a BoA and Britney Spears showcase. They performed their debut single "Hug", which became a hit in South Korea. TVXQ have been releasing number one albums in Korea since their second studio album Rising Sun (2005), which was also the album that gave the group their first Daesang (대상), or Grand Award, at the Mnet KM Music Festival. Their fourth Korean album Mirotic (2008) was the Album of the Year at the 2008 Mnet KM Music Festival and the 2008 Golden Disc Awards. The album features the group's most well-known and best-selling single, "Mirotic".
In 2005, TVXQ made their Japanese debut with the single "Stay with Me Tonight", debuting at number 37 on the Oricon Singles Chart. They grabbed their first number-one single in Japan with "Purple Line" (2008). Their fourth Japanese album The Secret Code spawned two platinum-selling singles "Dōshite Kimi o Suki ni Natte Shimattandarō?" and Share the World" (2009), with the latter being a theme song for the anime One Piece.
TVXQ was plunged into legal turmoil when members Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu filed an injunction against their Korean agency in July 2009. This led to their much-publicized departure from the group in 2010. A year later, Yunho and Changmin returned as a duo, releasing albums in both Korean and Japanese. As a duo, TVXQ set sales records and concert attendance records in Japan, becoming the country's best-selling and highest-grossing foreign music act.
Solo career
On May 25, 2015, it was announced that Yunho would release his first Japanese solo extended play U Know Y.[6] Consisting of seven tracks, the mini album includes five songs that were previously performed by Yunho during TVXQ's concerts and solo events in Japan. The new track "Burning Down" was selected to be the album's lead single. Bundled with a DVD that includes a music video and behind-the-scenes footage, U Know Y received a limited release, and was only made available for purchase to members of TVXQ's Japanese fanclub, Bigeast. The mini album was released on July 8, 2015.[7]
On May 3, 2019, Yunho announced plans to release his first solo Korean-language album. Yunho's debut extended play, True Colors, was announced on May 28 and was released on June 12 alongside its lead single "Follow".[8]
On December 17, 2020, Yunho announced that he would make his comeback in January 2021.[9] Yunho's second extended play, Noir, was released on January 18, 2021 alongside its lead single "Thank U".[10]
On February 9, 2022, Yunho released his second Japanese extended play You Go Ahead.[11]
Acting career
Yunho had brief acting cameos on the first few years of his career. He appeared in the MBC sitcom Nonstop 4, and participated in the television drama Vacation and movie Dating on Earth starring all of the members of TVXQ.[12]
Yunho made his official acting debut in 2009, playing the male lead in romantic comedy series Heading to the Ground.[13][14] However, the series was a commercial flop and sparked criticism from netizens for his lack of acting skills.[12]
From September to December 2010, Yunho starred in his first musical, a remake of the South Korean television drama Goong.[15] From November 2012 to January 2013, Yunho starred in his second musical Gwanghwamun Sonata, a story set in South Korea during the democratic movement in the 1980s.[16]
In 2012, Yunho starred in melodrama King of Ambition, playing a wealthy heir with ice hockey skills.[17] His performance earned him a People's Choice award at the 2013 Seoul International Drama Awards.[18]
In 2014, Yunho starred in the historical action drama Diary of a Night Watchman, playing a swordsman.[19][20] Yunho was widely praised for his acting, managing fierce action scenes and effectively portraying the delicate emotions of his character.[21]
For his last project before enlistment, Yunho chose to star in the web series I Order You, playing a chef.[22] The series premiered on Naver TVcast in July 2015.[23]
In May 2017, Yunho was confirmed to star in Orion Cinema Network's upcoming romantic mystery drama, Meloholic.[24]
Artistry
Yunho has been given the name "K-pop's dancing king" by critics.[25] He was also the only Asian performer invited to Michael Jackson's tribute concert This Is It, and performed in the Korean leg. He trained in Los Angeles and Las Vegas with Genevieve Gleary, Morris Pleasure, and others who once worked closely with Jackson.[26]
Ambassadorship
In 2014, Yunho was named honorary ambassador of National Assembly Library.[27]
Personal life
Besides his native Korean, Yunho is fluent in Japanese. He graduated from Myongji University in 2011.[28] He has pursued a master's degree at Chungwoon University.[citation needed]
On March 12, 2021, Yunho violated COVID-19 restrictions when he visited a bar with friends in Gangnam after 10pm. He posted a public apology on his Instagram. [29] On September 2, 2021, Yunho was cleared of criminal charges and paid a small fine for his curfew violation.
Cyanoacrylate drink poisoning
While TVXQ was filming a variety show on October 14, 2006, Yunho was rushed to the hospital after drinking a beverage laced with super glue, given to him by an anti-fan.[30] The female suspect, whose surname is Ko, was apprehended on October 16. She was a member of an anti-TVXQ website for over two years.[31]
Yunho contacted the police and requested to not press charges against Ko in spite of the potentially severe consequences of what she did. Ko was the same age as Yunho's younger sister, and Yunho stated that the entire event "affected [him] more mentally than physically" while he was recovering from the shock.[32][33] Circumstances were unclear as to how the culprit managed to enter the set of the variety show.[34]
Military service
Yunho was inducted into the Republic of Korea Armed Forces on July 21, 2015.[35] He received five weeks of basic training at Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, and was the leader of his squad. A completion ceremony for the recruits was held on August 27, and Yunho was awarded with the "Best Recruit" honor.[36] Yunho officially joined the military band for the 26th Mechanized Infantry Division on August 31.[37] He was honored as a Special Warrior on May 9, 2016.[38] Yunho was honorably discharged from service on April 20, 2017.[39][40]
Philanthropy
On March 7, 2022, Yunho donated 50 million won to the Community Chest of Korea for Fruit of Love to help the victims of the massive wildfire that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk and has spread to Samcheok, Gangwon.[41]
Discography
Extended plays
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [42] | JPN [43] | |||
| Korean | ||||
| True Colors |
| 1 | — |
|
| Noir |
Track listing
| 1 | — |
|
| Japanese | ||||
| U Know Y |
Track listing CD
DVD
| — | — | — |
| Kimi wa Saki e Iku (君は先へ行く) |
Track listing CD
| — | 1 |
|
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | ||||
Songwriting credits
| Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "넌 언제나 (You Always)" | 2004 | TVXQ | Tri-Angle | Co-writer (rap) |
| "Love After Love" | 2005 | Rising Sun | ||
| "태양은 가득히 (Red Sun)" | 2006 | SM Town | 2006 Summer SMTown | |
| "Sky" | Tohoshinki | Five in the Black | ||
| "Snow Dream" | SM Town | 2006 Winter SMTown – Snow Dream | ||
| "Summer Dream" | 2007 | Tohoshinki | T | |
| "Spokesman" | Yunho featuring Donghae | The 2nd Asia Tour Concert "O" | Co-writer (music, lyrics) | |
| "Wrong Number" | 2008 | TVXQ | Mirotic | Co-writer (rap) |
| "사랑 안녕 사랑 (Love Bye Love)" | ||||
| "이별…넌 쉽니 (Heartquake)" | 2009 | Super Junior featuring U-Know Yunho and Micky Yoochun | Sorry, Sorry | |
| "Checkmate" | Yunho | — | Co-writer (music, lyrics) | |
| "Santa Revolution" | 2013 | U KNOW Y | Co-writer, co-producer | |
| "뒷모습 (Steppin')" | 2014 | TVXQ | Tense | Co-writer (rap) |
| "11월...그리고 (November With Love)" | Yunho | Spellbound | Co-writer (music, lyrics) | |
| "Shout Out!" | — | |||
| "Bang!" | U KNOW Y |
Filmography
Film
| Film | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dating on Earth | 2009 | Yunho | Direct-to-video |
| Haru: An Unforgettable Day in Korea | 2010 | Stunt actor | Television film for Korean Tourism[47] |
| Chorus City | Yunho | Short film for Shanghai Expo[48] | |
| I AM. | 2012 | Himself | Documentary film |
| Make Your Move | 2013 | U-Know | Cameo |
| Ode to My Father | 2014 | Nam Jin | Cameo[49] |
| SMTOWN The Stage | 2015 | Himself | Documentary film |
Television series
| Title | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banjun Theater | 2005 | U-Know Yunho | |
| Nonstop 4 | 2006 | Yunho | Guest role (Episodes 62, 64) |
| Vacation | U-Know Yunho | Episode: "Cassiopeia" | |
| Heading to the Ground | 2009 | Cha Bong-Goon | |
| Poseidon | 2011 | Kang Eun-chul | Guest role[50] |
| Living Among the Rich | Himself | Cameo (Episode 1)[51] | |
| Welcome to the Show | Himself | Cameo (Episode 1) | |
| King of Ambition | 2013 | Baek Do-hoon | |
| Saki | Cafe customer | Cameo (Episode 11) | |
| Diary of a Night Watchman | 2014 | Kang Moo-seok | |
| I Order You | 2015 | Yeo Gook-dae | Web series |
| Meloholic | 2017 | Yoo Eun-ho | |
| Confession Couple | Salesman | Cameo (Episode 2) [52] | |
| Tensai Bakabon 3 | 2018 | Yunho | Cameo |
Web series
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Race | Seo Dong-hoon | [53] |
Variety show
| Title | Year | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kim Yuna's Kiss & Cry | 2011 | Contestant | [54] |
| Dunia: Into a New World | 2018 | Cast member | [55] |
| 2020 KBS Song Festival | 2020 | Host with Cha Eun-woo and Shin Ye-eun | [56][57] |
Other shows
| Title | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analog Trip | 2019 | Himself | [58] |
| Book This Out | 2021 | Cast Member with Changmin[59] |
Musical theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Goong: Musical | Crown Prince Lee Shin | Theatre Yong (September 8 – October 24, 2010) |
| 2012–13 | Gwanghwamun Sonata (Japan) | Sang-hoon | Also known as Gwanghwamun Love Song Osaka, Shin Kabukiza Theatre (November 20 – 21, 2012) Tokyo, Meijiza Theater (January 26, 2013) |
Selected awards
| Award | Year | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2010 | Most Popular Actor | Heading to the Ground | Nominated |
| 2013 | King of Ambition | Nominated | ||
| Seoul International Drama Awards | 2013 | Most Popular Actor – South Korea | Won | |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2014 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama | Diary of a Night Watchman | Nominated |
| Presidential Commendation | 2020 | National Day of Finance - Savings Day | Jung Yunho | Won |
| Brand Customer Loyalty Awards[60] | 2021 | Best Male Solo Artist | Nominated |
References
- ^ Mark Russell (April 29, 2014). K-Pop Now!: The Korean Music Revolution. Tuttle Publishing. p. 42. ISBN 978-1-4629-1411-1.
- ^ "DBSK Yunho Reveals Childhood Dream". Soompi. May 4, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
- ^ "유노윤호 "데뷔 전 목수술, 가수 포기할 생각했다" 고백" [U-Know Yunho almost gave up singing] (in Korean). Nate. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
- ^ [U-Know Yunho, voluble nuclear confrontation with the concept 'flame']. 10Asia (in Korean). May 13, 2004. Archived from the original on April 18, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2009.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "[피플] 가요계 인기 돌풍의 핵 東方神起" [TVXQ singers of the popular nuclear blast]. enews24 (in Korean). May 13, 2004. Retrieved February 11, 2009.
- ^ "【Bigeast オフィシャルショップ限定】 2015/7/8（水） YUNHO from 東方神起 SOLO MINI ALBUM「U KNOW Y」リリース決定!!". Tohoshinki Official Website at Avex Group (in Japanese). May 25, 2015.
- ^ "U Know Y Special Website". Avex Group (in Japanese). Retrieved June 10, 2015.
- ^ Herman, Tamar (June 12, 2019). "TVXQ's U-Know Releases New Single 'Follow' & First Solo EP 'True Colors': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
- ^ "SM 측 "유노윤호, 1월 솔로 컴백 목표…새 앨범 준비 중"(공식)". Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ ""왕의 귀환"…유노윤호, 18일 새 앨범 'NOIR'로 솔로 컴백[공식입장]". Xportsnews (in Korean). Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "＜詳細決定＞2022.2.9."YUNHO from 東方神起" Solo Mini Album「君は先へ行く」 RELEASE！！". Tohoshinki Official Website at Avex Group (in Japanese). December 18, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
- ^ a b "10 years after Yunho's acting debut". Kpop Herald. October 29, 2014.
- ^ . MBC America. July 24, 2009. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
- ^ "U-Know Yunho of TVXQ to Star in a Drama". KBS World. July 23, 2009. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
- ^ "Yunho cast as male lead in "Goong" musical". Hancinema. June 10, 2010.
- ^ "東方神起ユンホが韓流ミュージカル". Nikkan Sports. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
- ^ "Yunho to star in 'King of the Beast'". Korea JoongAng Daily. December 6, 2012.
- ^ "Israeli Series "Prisoners of War 2" Grabs Top Prize at Seoul Drama Awards". 10Asia. September 6, 2013.
- ^ Kim, Hee-eun (May 28, 2014). "Jung Yun-ho heads to Joseon". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
- ^ Kim, Min-jin (July 25, 2014). "Jung Yun-ho devotes himself in sword practice for The Night Watchman". The Korea Herald. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- ^ "Yunho develops to become a true actor". Kpop Herald. October 21, 2014.
- ^ . Asiaone. May 21, 2015. Archived from the original on August 20, 2017.
- ^ "Yunho launches Web drama 'I Order You' before military enlistment". Kpop Herald. June 29, 2015.
- ^ "U-Know Yunho to take lead in 'Melo Holic'". Korea JoongAng Daily. May 26, 2017.
- ^ Jeon, Su-mi (March 14, 2014). "[슈퍼 아이돌 차트쇼 동영상] 동방신기 유노윤호, '최강 댄싱킹' 1위 등극" [TVXQ's U-Know Yunho as no. 1 best dancing king]. enews24 (in Korean). Naver.
- ^ "TVXQ Yunho to sing in Jackson Korea show". The Korea Herald. March 30, 2010.
- ^ "Yunho named honorary ambassador of National Assembly Library". Kpop Herald. November 19, 2014.
- ^ "유노윤호-성민, 반갑다 동문아". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). May 15, 2008.
- ^ "Korean stars vulnerable to excessive public outrage". The Korea Times. April 22, 2021.
- ^ "TVXQ Member Recovers from Poisoning". KBS Global (in Korean). October 16, 2006. Retrieved February 16, 2007.
- ^ "'Anti-fan' laces pop star's beverage". Korea JoongAng Daily. October 15, 2016.
- ^ . Daum (in Korean). October 17, 2006. Archived from the original on November 12, 2007. Retrieved February 16, 2007.
- ^ "U-Know Yunho mercy to the police, the suspect, please call". Daum (in Korean). October 16, 2006. Retrieved February 16, 2007.
- ^ . Daum (in Korean). October 15, 2006. Archived from the original on November 13, 2006. Retrieved February 16, 2007.
- ^ "TVXQ's Yunho joins military". The Korea Times. July 21, 2015.
- ^ "Yunho completes basic military training". Kpop Herald. August 27, 2015.
- ^ "TVXQ′s U-Know Yunho Placed in Active-Duty 26th Division Military Band". enewsWorld. August 31, 2015.
- ^ "Yunho appointed as 'special warrior'". Kpop Herald. May 10, 2016.
- ^ "TVXQ's Yunho finishes military service [VIDEO]". The Korea Times. April 20, 2017.
- ^ "Yunho ends military service, pledges return". Korea JoongAng Daily. April 20, 2017.
- ^ Kwak Myeong-dong (March 6, 2022). "유노윤호, 산불 피해지역 구호 위해 5000만원 기부…아너 소사이어티도 가입" [Yunho U-Know donates 50 million won to help areas affected by forest fires... Join the Honor Society] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved March 6, 2022 – via Naver.
- ^ "2019년 24주차 Album Chart" [Gaon Album Chart Week 24, Year 2019]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). June 9–15, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- Noir: "2021년 4주차 Album Chart" [Gaon Album Chart Week 4, Year 2021]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). January 17–23, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
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- ^ 2019년 Album Chart [2019 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 10, 2020.
- ^ "2021년 Album Chart (see #63)". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ^ [Weekly CD Album Ranking for February 21, 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
- ^ ""Haru : An Unforgettable Day in Korea" brings Lee Da-hae and Yunho to act as a couple". Hancinema. September 23, 2010.
- ^ . 10Asia. May 3, 2010. Archived from the original on April 30, 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Yunho makes cameo appearance in 'Ode to My Father'". Kpop Herald. November 25, 2014.
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{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "유노윤호, '청담동 살아요' 카메오 출연..김혜자와 호흡". Osen (in Korean). December 5, 2011.
- ^ "TVXQ's U-Know Yunho to cameo in Son Ho Jun's upcoming drama". KBS World. September 19, 2017.
- ^ Jung Hyeon-tae (December 13, 2022). "이연희X홍종현X문소리X정윤호, 디즈니+ 오피스물 '레이스' 출연..내년 상반기 공개[공식]" [Lee Yeon-hee X Hong Jong-hyun X Moon So-ri X Jung Yun-ho appear in Disney+ office water 'Race'.. Released in the first half of next year [Official]] (in Korean). Herald POP. Retrieved December 13, 2022 – via Naver.
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{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "U-Know Yunho confirmed to be first cast member for new MBC variety show". X Sports News (in Korean). April 13, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
- ^ "KBS '가요대축제', 유노윤호·차은우·신예은 MC 확정…12월 18일 생방송 [공식입장]". xportsnews (in Korean). November 27, 2020.
- ^ "TVXQ's Yunho, ASTRO's Cha Eun Woo, And Shin Ye Eun To MC 2020 KBS Song Festival". soompi. November 27, 2020.
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- ^ Kim Soo-jin (July 21, 2021). "그룹 동방신기 웹예능 '책 디스 아웃' 7월 30일 첫방 [공식]" [Group TVXQ's web entertainment 'Book This Out' premieres on July 30th [Official]]. Starnews (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
- ^ "2021 Brand Customer Loyalty Awards Voting". bcli.kcforum.co.kr. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
External links
- Yunho at HanCinema