Choi Hyun-suk

Not to be confused with Choi Yun-suk.

"Hyunsuk" redirects here. For the founder of YG Entertainment, see Yang Hyun-suk.

In this Korean name, the family name is Choi.

Choi Hyun-suk (Korean: 최현석; born April 21, 1999) is a South Korean rapper, dancer under YG Entertainment. The band debuted on August 7, 2020, with the single album entitled The First Step: Chapter One. He is also known for his television appearance as a contestant on Mix Nine (2017–2018).

Choi Hyun-suk
최현석
Choi for FC Seoul in 2023
Born	(1999-04-21) April 21, 1999 (age 26) Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
Occupations	Rapper dancer
Years active	2019–present
Musical career
Genres	K-pop hip hop
Instrument	Vocals
Labels	YG
Member of	Treasure
Korean name
Hangul	최현석
Hanja	崔玹碩
Revised Romanization	Choe Hyeon-seok
McCune–Reischauer	Ch'oe Hyŏnsŏk
Signature

Life and career

1999–2016: Early life

Choi Hyun-suk was born on April 21, 1999, in South Korea.^[1] He is the eldest in his family and has a younger sister.^[2] 8-year-old Choi (Korean age) first discovered rap and hip hop in first grade through Big Bang's documentary The Beginning (2006),^[1] and later through the work of Tupac and Eminem, also attending the latter's concert in Choi's country.^[3] In result, he solely fixated his eyes on the hip hop label, YG Entertainment.^[1] He formally encountered hip hop and began to dance at ages 11–12 and 13–14 (Korean ages), respectively, and soon aspired to become an artist;^[4] or alternatively become a footballer, stemmed by his interest in the sport in result of his stance as an avid fan of Real Madrid CF.^[5][6][7] Preceding his interest in hip hop, Choi also joined a choir in fifth grade, following a family tradition situated in elementary school, as a sopranist and won first place as its school representative in contests.^[8]

In his adolescence, he enrolled at an academy for lessons and attended a private audition held by YG Entertainment through the facility; as a result, Choi was successfully recruited in its trainee program in 2015.^[9]

2017–present: Career beginnings and debut with Treasure

Main articles: Mix Nine and Treasure (band)

Choi performing at the Trace concert in April 2022

Choi first appeared on television through Mix Nine (2017–2018) with band-mate, Kim Jun-kyu, and Lee Byoung-gon of CIX.^[10] He participated as a contestant representing YG Entertainment amidst his training and finished the show in fifth place, earning a place in the final line-up.^[11] The winning contestants' agencies, however, were unable to reach an agreement regarding the tenure of the project band, leading to the abolishment of its debut.^[12] Choi was also incorporated in the third episode of YG Future Strategy Office (2018) as himself that same year while filmed alongside other trainees from the agency.

20-year-old Choi (Korean age) competed in YG Treasure Box (2018–2019), a survival reality program composed of twenty nine trainees, as one of seven under "Team A".^[13] The broadcast documented the formation of YG Entertainment's next boy band, Treasure.^[14] He became the seventh and last member to join the septet, however, with the announcement of a second line-up and the ensuing merge, the initial septet became the eventual 12-piece ensemble.^[15][16] Choi was notified of his addition to the band from his parents subsequently after its revelation by news articles.^[17]

In the midst of its preparation for debut, Choi featured on the B-side single, "1, 2" (한두번; handubeon) by label-mate Lee Hi from her extended play titled 24°C and participated as its lyricist.^[18] He also served as an "unofficial leader" with Jihoon in their respective teams when they were divided into two for training due to the number of members.^[19] His training period came to an end after five years, followed his debut in Treasure on August 7, 2020, with the single album entitled The First Step: Chapter One.^[19] The band adopted the two-tier leadership with Choi and Jihoon after witnessing positive aspects from the once temporary system.^[14]

Other ventures

Endorsements

In January 2018, Choi modeled for Japanese sports clothing and accessories brand, Descente, for their new semester menswear range.^[20]

Philanthropy

Choi participated in the "News 1 Bazaar of Love" (2022) following an invitation by the South Korean news agency, News 1.^[21] Its proceeds were allocated towards treatment and care of children with severe, rare, and intractable diseases, and children of low-income families through items from various celebrities.^[21]

Discography

Other charted songs

List of other charted songs, showing year released, selected chart positions and album name

Title	Year	Peak positions	Album
		KOR [22]
"1, 2" (한두번) (Lee Hi featuring Choi Hyun-suk)	2019	171	24°C

Songwriting credits

All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database, unless otherwise noted.^[23]

Work as Treasure

Year	Song	Album	Lyricist		Composer
			Credited	With	Credited	With
2020	"Boy"	The First Step: Treasure Effect		R.Tee, Se.A, Lil G, Choice37		R.Tee, Se.A, Hae, Lil G, Choice37
	"Come to Me" (들어와)			Rovin, Kim Kyung, Bigtone		–
	"I Love You" (사랑해)			R.Tee, Yoshi, Haruto
	"B.L.T" (Bling Like This)			Kim Dong Joon, Trnc 95, Yoshi, Haruto
	"Mmm" (음)			Godok
	"Orange" (오렌지)			Asahi, Haruto
2021	"My Treasure"			Bigtone, Min Yeon-jae, Haruto, Yoshi
	"Be With Me" (나랑 있자)			Rovin, Kim Kyung, Haruto, Yoshi
	"Slowmotion"			Lee Chan-hyuk, Haruto
2022	"BFF"	The Second Step: Chapter One		MGNTK,[a] Kang Kyu-Yong		MGNTK,[a] Kang Kyu-Yong
	"Jikjin" (직진)			Sonny, Lil G, Choice37, LP, Hae, Yoshi, Haruto, Se.A		Choice37, LP, Sonny, Future Bounce, Hae, Se.A, Yoshi, Haruto
	"U"			Nu.D, Sonny, LP, Lil G, Choice37, Hae, Haruto, Yoshi		Choice37, Hae, Sonny, LP, Lil G, Nu.D, Haruto, Yoshi
	"Darari" (다라리)			Jaguaa, Bang Ye-dam, Choice37, Lil G, LP, Yoshi, Sonny, Hae, Se.A, Haruto		Choice37, Hae, Jaguaa, Bang Ye-dam, Yoshi, Sonny, LP, Lil G, Haruto
	"It's Okay" (괜찮아질 거야)			Kid Wine, Airplay, Haruto, Yoshi		–
	"Hello"	The Second Step: Chapter Two		Choice37, Sonny, Lil G, LP, Hae, Yoshi, Haruto		Choice37, Hae, LP, Sonny, Lil G, Dee.P, Yoshi, Haruto
	"VolKno"			Yoshi, Haruto		Dee.P, Yoshi, Haruto
	"Clap!"			Asahi, Yoshi, Haruto		–
	"Hold It In"			–		YJ, Dee.P, Rovin
2023	"Bona Bona"	Reboot		Lee Chan-hyuk, Yoshi, Haruto, Where The Noise, Junkyu, Dan Whittemore, Jared Lee		–
	"I Want Your Love"			Haruto, Junkyu, Ludwig Lindell, Jarred Lee
	"Run"			LP, Sonny, Hae, Lil G, Yoshi, Haruto, Choice 37		LP, Sonny, Hae, Lil G, Yoshi, Haruto, Choice 37
	"G.O.A.T"			Yoshi, Haruto		Yoshi, Haruto, Dee.P
	"Stupid" (멍청이)			Yoshi, Haruto		–
	"Wonderland"			Lee Chanhyuk, Yoshi, Haruto, Junkyu
	"Lovesick" (병)			Yoshi, Haruto, Asahi

Other artists

Year	Artist(s)	Song	Album	Lyricist		Composer
				Credited	With	Credited	With
2019	Lee Hi	"1, 2" (한두번)	24°C		B.I		–
2023	Babymonster	"Batter Up"	Babymons7er		Jared Lee, YG, Asa, Lee Chan-hyuk, Where The Noise, Bigtone
2024		"Sheesh"			Choice37, Sonny, Lil G, LP, Sandra Wikström		Choice37, LP, YG, Sonny, Lil G, Sandra Wikström

Filmography

Television series

Year	Title		Role	Notes
	English	Korean
2018	YG Future Strategy Office	YG 전략자료본부	Himself	Cameo; uncredited

Web series

Year	Title		Role	Notes	Ref.
	English	Korean
2021	The Mysterious Class	남고괴담	Choi Hyun-suk	Main cast	[24]

Television shows

Year	Title		Role	Notes	Ref.
	English	Korean
2017–2018	Mix Nine	믹스나인	Contestant	Finished in fifth place	[11]
2018–2019	YG Treasure Box	YG 보석함		Formation of Treasure	[15]
2022	The Idol Ramyeonators	라끼돌	Cast member	with Jihoon	[25]

Notes

1. Consists of producers: Kim Seung-nam, Yoon Jung-hwan, Ahn Do-hyung, Lee Ji-ho, Kim Min-ki, and Lee Seung-hoon