FIRST READ · MON 7 AM ETTHE WEEKEND LEXICON · SAT 9 AM ETJaehyun
- Stage name
- Jaehyun
- Born
- Feb. 14, 1997
- Hometown
- Seoul, South Korea
- Position
- Main vocalist, lead dancer and lead rapper of NCT U and NCT 127; also the visual
- Agency
- SM Entertainment
- Fandom
- NCTzen
- Debut
- 2016
- Generation
- 3rd gen
Jaehyun is a South Korean singer, songwriter and actor who debuted in 2016 through SM Entertainment's NCT project. He is a permanent member of NCT 127 and one-third of the sub-unit DoJaeJung with Doyoung and Jungwoo. After the singles "Forever Only" and "Horizon," he launched his solo career with the R&B-leaning album J in August 2024. He is also a global ambassador for Prada and is known for balancing a cool, minimalist public image with a dry, easygoing sense of humor.
Where they grew up
Jaehyun grew up in a family steeped in the arts: his father loved music, his grandmother worked for years as a dancer, and his mother taught him piano. Music stayed with him through his school years, where he loved singing at school festivals and jammed with friends who played instruments, humming melodies over their playing. He was a trainee with SM Entertainment from 2012 and went on to attend the Seoul School of Performing Arts. His grandmother still follows his broadcasts closely and sends him long messages of feedback, even offering tips on his hand and neck positioning.
Birth details: kpopping.com
In their own words
“I enjoy making music from nothing”
“I wanted to show a relaxed side of myself to fans that's a bit more raw”
- Chet Baker Jaehyun has called Baker's "I Fall In Love Too Easily" a song he has long cherished and plays on repeat, drawn in by Baker's voice and trumpet. allkpop.com
- Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds The R&B figure composed and co-wrote "Can't Get You," the closing track on Jaehyun's solo album J. teenvogue.com
Timeline
- 2012Joins SM Entertainment
Began his trainee years under the company that would debut him.
- 2016Debut with NCT U
- 2020W Korea pictorial with Johnny
Appeared with fellow NCT 127 member Johnny in a Romeo and Juliet inspired shoot and interview for W Korea.
- 2021NCT 127 single "Sticker"
Part of NCT 127's high-energy 2021 single "Sticker."
- 2022Solo debut single "Forever Only"
Released his first solo single in August as part of the NCT LAB project, a self-written R&B-pop track with a simplified visual style.
- 2023DoJaeJung debut and "Horizon"
Debuted in the sub-unit NCT DoJaeJung with Doyoung and Jungwoo through the EP Perfume on April 17, 2023, and released the solo single "Horizon" in August, adding composition to his credits.
- 2024Pre-release singles "Roses" and "Dandelion"
Released the co-written pair in mid-August ahead of his first album.
- 2024Solo album J - The 1st Album
Released his debut solo album on August 26, an eight-song R&B project featuring title track "Smoke" and a Babyface co-written closer.
- 2024First music show win and Prada ambassadorship
"Smoke" earned its first music show win at Music Core on September 7, 2024. He is also a global ambassador for Prada.
- 2024Military enlistment
Enlisted on November 4, 2024 to serve in the Army Band.
- 2026Discharge
Completed his service and was discharged on May 3, 2026.
Latest
- Army Band service completedkpopping.com
Our coverage
NCT 127 and NCT DREAM Confirmed for Coachella 2027, With a Joint Stage
SM Entertainment says both units will play Indio on April 10 and 17, each with a solo set and one stage together under the NCT name.
NCT DREAM Release Sixth Album 'DREAM AFTER DREAM' at 10-Year Mark
The 10-track release leads with "Boogie Woogie," a disco-funk title track whose lyrics Jaemin helped write.
ILLIT Take Music Bank Trophy as 'You're Under Arrest' Scores 9,803 Points
The first trophy for the single came over IVE's "Looks Can Kill," with TWS, RIIZE, P1Harmony and NCT's Xiaojun also on the November 6 bill.
Why Every K-pop Group Gives Its Fans a Name, From ARMY to FOHA
Our Lexicon entry on the fandom name: what it means, who picks it, and the wordplay behind CARAT, MOA, ONCE and hundreds more.
Sasaeng: The K-pop Word for Fans Who Cross Into Idols' Private Lives
From hired taxis tailing Kim Jae-joong to a break-in on NCT's U.S. tour: what the word means, where it comes from and how agencies fight back.
A2O LITE Beats NCT WISH for 'SHOW K-POP' Crown, a Fifth Win for Debut Track 'NEON'
The group topped the second-ever episode of Arirang TV's Monday music show, hosted by ZEROBASEONE's Seok Matthew, with 5,388 points.
NCT WISH's 'I SPY' Ends ALLDAY PROJECT's Run Atop Soompi's K-Pop Chart
"CRASH" slips to No. 2 as A2O LITE, MEOVV and PLAVE join NCT WISH among four new arrivals in the top 10.
A2O LITE Beats NCT WISH and i-dle's Soyeon for a Fourth 'NEON' Trophy
The debut single scored 6,060 points on SBS's music show, on a crowded bill that also featured IVE, BABYMONSTER and NMIXX.
PLAVE Claims First 'Star Trace' Trophy, Topping NCT WISH and A2O LITE on 'Music Core'
The new title track scored 8,299 points on MBC's show, on a bill that also featured IVE, BABYMONSTER, NMIXX and SEVENTEEN's JxJ.
NCT 127 Turn 10 With 'Blingy,' Their First Album in Two Years
Five members made the seventh album while Doyoung and Jungwoo serve in the military, but the pair still show up in the group chat, the practice room and the tracklist.
NCT 127, Zerobaseone and Tomorrow x Together Were Set to Headline KCon LA 2026
Three nights of M Countdown at Crypto.com Arena were planned to stream on Mnet Plus, but U.S. viewers needed a VPN to watch from home.
A2O LITE Beats NCT WISH For Third 'NEON' Trophy As IVE, JxJ Unveil New Stages
The debut track topped episode 950 with 6,866 points, while SEVENTEEN's JxJ, IVE and NMIXX gave new songs their first public performances.
- dazeddigital.com: NCT’s JAEHYUN is forging his own path
- teenvogue.com: NCT's Jaehyun Is Blazing His Own Trail With First Solo ...
- hollywoodreporter.com: NCT's Jaehyun on Solo Album, Excitement Over Babyface ...
- consequence.net: JAEHYUN's "Forever Only" Interview: NCT Member ...
- unitedbypop.com: NCT member Jaehyun releases Roses and Dandelion ...
- kpopping.com: Jaehyun (NCT) profile, age, MBTI & facts
- allkpop.com: NCT 127's Jaehyun & Johnny pose in Leonardo DiCaprio inspired 'W Korea' shoot + name their personal heroes
- billboard.com: NCT Jaehyun on 'Forever Only': Solo Single Is 'Sharing My ...
Fan sites
- Kpopping profileFan-run reference profile with biography, trivia and discography.
Last researched Nov. 12, 2026