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 S.M. 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

(1986-02-06) February 6, 1986
Gwangsan, Gwangju, South Korea
Other names
  • U-Know
  • U-Know Yunho
EducationMyongji University
Chungwoon University
Occupation
  • Singer-songwriter
  • dancer
  • actor
Years active2003–present
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
Labels
Associated acts
Websiteu-know.smtown.com
Korean name
Hangul
정윤호
Hanja
鄭允浩
Revised RomanizationJeong Yun-ho
McCune–ReischauerChŏng Yunho
Stage name
Hangul
유노윤호
Hanja
瑜鹵允浩
Revised RomanizationYu-no Yun-ho
McCune–ReischauerYuno 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. 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.

His family, who suffered greatly from the 1997 Asian financial crisis, were initially against his decision to become a singer. 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. He spent most of his high school vacations in Seoul training and only returned to Gwangju for school. 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. The project group was dropped when Yunho and Jaejoong joined TVXQ in early 2003.

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]

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.[11]

Yunho made his official acting debut in 2009, playing the male lead in romantic comedy series Heading to the Ground.[12][13] However, the series was a commercial flop and sparked criticism from netizens for his lack of acting skills.[11]

From September to December 2010, Yunho starred in his first musical, a remake of the South Korean television drama Goong.[14] 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.[15]

In 2012, Yunho starred in melodrama King of Ambition, playing a wealthy heir with ice hockey skills.[16] His performance earned him a People's Choice award at the 2013 Seoul International Drama Awards.[17]

In 2014, Yunho starred in the historical action drama Diary of a Night Watchman, playing a swordsman.[18][19] Yunho was widely praised for his acting, managing fierce action scenes and effectively portraying the delicate emotions of his character.[20]

For his last project before enlistment, Yunho chose to star in the web series I Order You, playing a chef.[21] The series premiered on Naver TVcast in July 2015.[22]

In May 2017, Yunho was confirmed to star in Orion Cinema Network's upcoming romantic mystery drama, Meloholic.[23]

Artistry

Yunho has been given the name "K-pop's dancing king" by critics.[24] 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.[25]

Ambassadorship

In 2014, Yunho was named honorary ambassador of National Assembly Library.[26]

Personal life

Besides his native Korean, Yunho is fluent in Japanese. He graduated from Myongji University in 2011.[27] He has pursued a master's degree at Chungwoon University.

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.[28] 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.[29]

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.[30][31] Circumstances were unclear as to how the culprit managed to enter the set of the variety show.[32]

Military service

Yunho was inducted into the Republic of Korea Armed Forces on July 21, 2015.[33] 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.[34] Yunho officially joined the military band for the 26th Mechanized Infantry Division on August 31.[35] He was honored as a Special Warrior on May 9, 2016.[36] Yunho was honorably discharged from service on April 20, 2017.[37][38]

Discography

Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[39]
Korean
True Colors
Track listing
  1. "Follow"
  2. "Blue Jeans"
  3. "Swing" (feat. BoA)
  4. "Hit Me Up (불러)" (feat. Giriboy)
  5. "Why (왜)"
  6. "Change The World"
1
Noir
  • Released: January 18, 2021
  • Label: SM Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
Track listing
  1. "Time Machine"
  2. "Thank U"
  3. "Eeny Meeny"
  4. "Loco (House Party)"
  5. "Need You Right Now"
  6. "La Rosa (불면)" (feat. Shin Ye-eun)
1 TBA
Japanese
U Know Y
  • Released: July 8, 2015 (limited)
  • Label: Avex Trax
  • Format: CD+DVD
Track listing

CD

  1. "Burning Down"
  2. "Tattoos & High Heels"
  3. "Bang!" (Japanese ver.)
  4. "Tsunagareta Hune" (繋がれた舟) (Tethered Boat)
  5. "T-Style"
  6. "Honey Funny Bunny" (Japanese ver.)
  7. "Santa Revolution" (Japanese ver.)

DVD

  1. "Burning Down" (Video clip)
  2. Jacket Making Movie
  3. Off Shot Movie
  4. mini AL music introduction
N/A
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Songwriting credits

Year Title Artist(s) Album Language(s) Notes
2004 "넌 언제나 (You Always)" TVXQ Tri-Angle Korean Co-writer (rap)
2005 "Love After Love" Rising Sun Korean
2006 "태양은 가득히 (Red Sun)" SM Town 2006 Summer SMTown Korean
"Sky" Tohoshinki Five in the Black Japanese
"Snow Dream" SM Town 2006 Winter SMTown – Snow Dream Korean
2007 "Summer Dream" Tohoshinki T Japanese
"Spokesman" Yunho featuring Donghae The 2nd Asia Tour Concert "O" Korean Co-writer (music, lyrics)
2008 "Wrong Number" TVXQ Mirotic Korean Co-writer (rap)
"사랑 안녕 사랑 (Love Bye Love)" Korean
2009 "이별…넌 쉽니 (Heartquake)" Super Junior
featuring U-Know Yunho and Micky Yoochun
Sorry, Sorry Korean
"Checkmate" Yunho N/A Korean, Japanese Co-writer (music, lyrics)
2013 "Santa Revolution" U KNOW Y Korean, Japanese Co-writer, co-producer
2014 "뒷모습 (Steppin')" TVXQ Tense Korean Co-writer (rap)
"11월...그리고 (November With Love)" Yunho Spellbound Korean Co-writer (music, lyrics)
"Shout Out!" N/A Japanese
"Bang!" U KNOW Y Korean, Japanese

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[41]
Chorus City Yunho Short film for Shanghai Expo[42]
I AM. 2012 Himself Documentary film
Make Your Move 2013 U-Know Cameo
Ode to My Father 2014 Nam Jin Cameo[43]
SMTOWN The Stage 2015 Himself Documentary film

Television series

Title Year Role Network Notes
Banjun Theater 2005 U-Know Yunho SBS
Nonstop 4 2006 Yunho MBC Guest role (Episodes 62, 64)
Vacation U-Know Yunho N/A Episode: "Cassiopeia"
Heading to the Ground 2009 Cha Bong-Goon MBC
Poseidon 2011 Kang Eun-chul KBS2 Guest role[44]
Living Among the Rich Himself JTBC Cameo (Episode 1)[45]
Welcome to the Show Himself SBS Cameo (Episode 1)
King of Ambition 2013 Baek Do-hoon SBS
Saki Cafe customer TBS Cameo (Episode 11)
Diary of a Night Watchman 2014 Kang Moo-seok MBC
I Order You 2015 Yeo Gook-dae Naver TV Cast Web series
Meloholic 2017 Yoo Eun-ho OCN
Confession Couple Salesman KBS2 Cameo (Episode 2) [46]
Tensai Bakabon 3 2018 Yunho NTV Cameo

Variety show

Title Year Notes Ref.
Kim Yuna's Kiss & Cry 2011 Contestant [47]
Dunia: Into a New World 2018 Cast member [48]
2020 KBS Song Festival 2020 Host with Cha Eun-woo and Shin Ye-eun [49] [50]
Kingdom 2021 Host with Changmin [51]

Travel series

Title Year Network Role Notes
Analog Trip 2019 YouTube Originals Himself [52]

Musical theatre

Year Title Role Notes
2010Goong: MusicalCrown Prince Lee ShinTheatre Yong (September 8 – October 24, 2010)
201213Gwanghwamun Sonata (Japan)Sang-hoonAlso 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

References

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  2. "DBSK Yunho Reveals Childhood Dream". Soompi. May 4, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
  3. "유노윤호 "데뷔 전 목수술, 가수 포기할 생각했다" 고백" [U-Know Yunho almost gave up singing] (in Korean). Nate. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
  4. "신승훈-유노윤호, 상반된 콘셉트로 입담 대결 '불꽃'" [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.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. "[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.
  6. "【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.
  7. "U Know Y Special Website". Avex Group (in Japanese). Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  8. Herman, Tamar (June 12, 2019). "TVXQ's U-Know Releases New Single 'Follow' & First Solo EP 'True Colors': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  9. "SM 측 "유노윤호, 1월 솔로 컴백 목표…새 앨범 준비 중"(공식)". Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  10. ""왕의 귀환"…유노윤호, 18일 새 앨범 'NOIR'로 솔로 컴백[공식입장]". Xportsnews (in Korean). Retrieved January 3, 2021.
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  17. "Israeli Series "Prisoners of War 2" Grabs Top Prize at Seoul Drama Awards". 10Asia. September 6, 2013.
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  23. "U-Know Yunho to take lead in 'Melo Holic'". Korea JoongAng Daily. May 26, 2017.
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  29. "'Anti-fan' laces pop star's beverage". Korea JoongAng Daily. October 15, 2016.
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  39. "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.
  40. 2019년 Album Chart [2019 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  41. ""Haru : An Unforgettable Day in Korea" brings Lee Da-hae and Yunho to act as a couple". Hancinema. September 23, 2010.
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