At only 15 years old, Hwang Min Hyun was already deep into training to become a K-pop idol. Minhyun, as he's mononymously known, spent his adolescent years nailing down choreography, fine-tuning his singing, and getting used to the limelight. Since debuting as one of the swoon-worthy boys of Pledis Entertainment's NU'EST in 2012, he's gone on to storm bigger stages and has even appeared on our screens as an actor. You probably recognize him as Go Eun-taek in Live On, or maybe as Seo Yool in Alchemy of Souls; whichever the case, we're certain that we'll be seeing a lot more of him soon. To get to know this rising star better, scroll away.
Here are 10 things you need to know about K-pop idol and actor Hwang Min Hyun:
1. He's a Leo
Minhyun was born on August 9, 1995 in Busan, South Korea.
2. He went to the same high school as Bae Suzy (and other K-pop idols)
Even with his busy schedule as a trainee, Minhyun still attended his classes at the School of Performing Arts Seoul, which seems to be a training ground for many idols in the making. Among its alumni are Jaehyun of NCT, Kai of EXO, Joy of Red Velvet, and even Bae Suzy, who, ICYDK, was part of the group Miss A before becoming an actress.
3. He made his debut in a music video
Before getting scouted by Pledis Entertainment, Minhyun's first onscreen gig was to co-star in the music video of Orange Caramel's love song Shanghai Romance. Click play below to see him rock a Boys Over Flowers-esque hairdo!
4. He's walked for Seoul Fashion Week
Shortly after debuting, Minhyun hit the Seoul Fashion Week runway for designer Park Yoon Soo's collection called "Big Park." Big-ticket celebrities like Kang Dong Won, Cha Seung Won, and Jang Yoon Joo have also modelled for the designer in the past.
5. He was part of a survival reality show
In 2017, Minhyun took part in the second season of Produce 101 alongside his NU'EST bandmates JR, Baekho, and Ren. The reality show had its viewers "produce" a boy group from a crop of 101 trainees from all over South Korea. At the end of the competition, he made it to the Top 11 and became a member of Wanna One. He was exclusively part of the group for one and a half years, before eventually returning to NU'EST in 2019.
6. He's an awarded theater actor
On the same year he rejoined his original group, Minhyun also tried his hand at theater acting when he was cast in a local production of Marie Antoinette. For his exemplary performace as Count Axel Von Fersen, he was lauded as a Best New Actor by the Stagetalk Audience Choice Awards.
7. He's an ambassador for Moncler
A sophisticated brand like Moncler calls for only the best and brightest faces to represent it. Such is the case for Minhyun, who's been fronting campaigns of the fashion house since 2019. Other brands he's been an endorser for include Rimowa, Guerlain and Lancome.
8. He admitted to being "envious" of his Live On character
Minhyun's first ever leading man role was as broadcasting club manager Go Eun-taek in the high school drama Live On. In an interview, Minhyun opened up that he "was very envious of the character [because] he accumulated so many memories in school doing all his [extracurricular activities]," while he spent most of his teen years as a trainee. Nonetheless, he regards the role as a memorable experience, expressing, "all the emotions I felt as I played the role of Go Eun-taek really gave me a chance to grow personally. I’m so thankful for the audience and my fans."
9. He's a big fan of melodramas
A softie to the core, playing romantic roles and singing love songs comes second nature to Minhyun. During his interview for 1st Look Korea, he shared that some of his favorite movies are Begin Again and La La Land, and that they inspired him to "[express] love in his works." Aww!
10. He's on Instagram
Don't miss out on your daily dose of Minhyun content and hit the follow button on his Instagram account here.
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