Yook Sung-jae

South Korean singer and actor (born 1995) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yook Sung-jae

Yook Sung-jae (Korean: 육성재; Hanja: 陸星材; born (1995-05-02)May 2, 1995), also known mononymously as Sungjae, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, actor, model, host and entertainer. He is a member of the boy group BtoB and its sub-group, BtoB Blue. Aside from his group's activities, Yook has acted in television dramas Reply 1994 (2013), Plus Nine Boys (2014), Who Are You: School 2015 (2015), The Village: Achiara's Secret (2015), Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016), Mystic Pop-up Bar (2020) and The Golden Spoon (2022). He has appeared in several reality shows, including: Hitmaker, We Got Married, and Master in the House.

Quick Facts Born, Alma mater ...
Yook Sung-jae
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Yook in November 2024
Born
Yook Sung-jae

(1995-05-02) May 2, 1995 (age 29)
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actor
  • model
  • host
  • entertainer
AgentiWill Media[2]
Musical career
Genres
Years active2012–present
LabelsCube
Member of
Formerly of
Korean name
Hangul
육성재
Hanja
Revised RomanizationYuk Seong-jae
McCune–ReischauerYuk Sŏng-chae
Signature
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Yook released his debut solo album, Yook O'Clock, on March 2, 2020.

Early life and education

Yook was born on May 2, 1995, in Suji-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.[1] He has one older sister. Yook comes from a business family. His father is the CEO of an IT corporation that deals with semiconductors.[5][6] His grandfather was the first to introduce red carp in South Korea, while his grandmother operated a fishing farm in Paju.[7][8]

He briefly studied for a month in England and the Philippines, respectively.[9] He completed his high school education at Hanlim Multi Art School, graduating in 2014.[10] He then attended Dongshin University, majoring in Practical Music.[11]

Career

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Pre-debut

On August 10, 2010, he participated in the stage performance of "2010 Cube Stars Party".[12]

On March 6, 2011, Yook also participated in the stage performance of "2011 CUBE Stars Party" with bandmate Seo Eunkwang, Im Hyun-sik, Jung Il-hoon, and supposed to be member Lee Min-woo.[13]

Yook entered the JYP 6th Audition Final Round before joining his current agency, Cube Entertainment.[14]

2012–2014: Debut with BtoB and solo activities

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Yook Sungjae in 2014

Yook made his debut as a vocalist of BtoB with "Insane" and "Imagine" on March 21, 2012.[15][16] On March 23, 2012, Yook co-host SBS MTV's music program The Show alongside bandmate Lee Min-hyuk.[17]

In 2013, Yook Sungjae started his first ever acting debut in drama Monstar (TV series) as part of the supporting cast alongside his bandmates Lee Min-hyuk, Lee Chang-sub and Im Hyun-sik.[18][unreliable source?] Sungjae acted as Arnold, a member of boy idol group 'Men In Black'. He appeared in 4 episodes in total, episodes 2, 6, 9, and 12. He, with BTOB's Lee Minhyuk, Lee Changsub, Im Hyunsik and Beast's Yong Jun-hyung were featured in the drama OST Part 1 titled "Days Gone By", OST Part 2 "After Time Passes", and OST Part 7 "First Love".[19][unreliable source?][20][unreliable source?][21][unreliable source?] In the same year, Sungjae and BTOB made a cameo appearance in hit drama The Heirs episode 4 as themselves, an idol group band BTOB.[22]

In 2014, Yook appeared in the television series Reply 1994 as Sungjoon/Ssukssuk, Na-jung's little brother.[23][24] In July 2014, Yook was cast as a presenter for the program, A Song For You alongside Kangin of Super Junior and Amber of f(x).[25] He also participated in the program Hitmaker season 1, presented by South Korean producer duo Jeong Hyeong-don and Defconn and became part of the program's project unit group, Big Byung, together with Got7's Jackson and VIXX members, N and Hyuk.[26] The group then releases two singles: "Stress Come On"[27][unreliable source?] and "Ojingeo Doenjang" (Korean: 오징어 된장).[28][unreliable source?] The same year, he received his first main acting role in Plus Nine Boys, playing a 19-year old Judo athlete.[29] He then joined the reality-variety program Real Men from 2014 to 2015.[30]

2015–2017: Acting and rise in popularity

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Yook in March 2017

Yook achieved his breakthrough when he landed a leading role in the teen drama Who Are You: School 2015, alongside Kim So-hyun and Nam Joo-hyuk.[31][32][33] He also released an OST for the show, "Love Song" with Park Hye-soo.[34] After the series ended, he experienced a rise in popularity and landed several endorsement deals.[35] Yook then starred in the horror mystery series The Village: Achiara's Secret alongside Moon Geun-young in 2015.[36] He received the "New Star award" for his performance in The Village: Achiara's Secret,[37] and won "Best Couple award" with Kim So-hyun for Who Are You: School 2015.[38]

In 2015, Yook joined King of Mask Singer, competing under the alias Tired Bumblebee, and received good feedback for his performance.[39][40] He was paired up with Red Velvet's Joy in the fourth season of reality show We Got Married.[41][42] The couple went on to release a duet titled "Young Love", with the pair contributing to the lyric composition of the song with the help of his bandmate BTOB's Im Hyun-sik as the producer.[43][44][45] At the 2015 MBC Entertainment Awards, Yook received the "Best Couple award" alongside Joy and the "Best Male Rookie (in Variety) award".[46] The couple departed from We Got Married on May 7, 2016.[47]

In September 2015, Yook became one of the trio main hosts Yook Sungjae-GOT7's Jackson Wang-and actress Kim Yoo-jung[48] of the music-program Inkigayo and left the show in May 2016.[49][50] In 2016, Sungjae was appointed as an ambassador of the King Sejong Institution.[51][52] He also became part of BTOB's first sub-unit, BTOB Blue, and debuted in September 2016.[53][54]

From 2016 to 2017, Yook starred in the hit fantasy-romance drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.[55] He also joined the cast for the reality-documentary show Law of the Jungle filmed in Sumatra, Indonesia.[56] In August 2017, he participated in the digital single project, Piece of BtoB. He released the songs "Say It" and "Paradise", the latter having been personally composed and written by himself, on August 30.[57] In late 2017, he joined the cast of the reality show, Master in the House.[58]

On December 29, 2017, Cube Entertainment announced that Yook suffered a back injury and would be receiving treatment at the hospital.[59] He had symptoms of lumbar disc herniation reportedly worsened during the concert 2017 BtoB Time - Our Concert.[60][61] On January 5, 2018, Yook attended the press conference of Master in the House. This was the first time he appeared after recuperating from a lumbar injury; he gradually resumed his activities after 2 weeks of rest.[62][63]

2018–present: 3x2=6, Yook O'Clock, Mystic Pop-up Bar and departure from Cube Entertainment

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Yook in April 2018

In 2018, Yook held his first fan meeting, Paradise at TICC in Taiwan on February 11,[64] Macpherson Stadium in Hong Kong on May 19,[65] and in Manila, Philippines on July 13.[66]

In 2019, during BtoB's seventh anniversary Yook was chosen as their new leader.[67] Cube TV premiered a new reality show, "Lovely 95s" (예쁘장한 구오즈), featuring Yook on July 12.[68] It was revealed that he planned and made his close same-aged 95s friends, former Boyfriend members Youngmin, Kwangmin and Minwoo, Teen Top's Ricky and model Baek Kyung Do to have a variety show.[69]

On December 19, 2019, Cube revealed their plans for a new music project 3x2=6, which aims for Yook to release two songs every month for three months starting December 2019 and release it on various online music sites. Yook associated with the number '6' (pronounced as "yook" in Korean) to his surname 'Yook' (육), showing the wits of only Yook Sung-jae.[70] The project consists of three themes; Singer is to showcase his ability as an artist by releasing his first produced song, Human is his desire to be loved for a long time and BtoB Yook Sung-jae as his bandmates Jung Il-hoon and Peniel Shin participated in the project.[71] The project began on December 26, 2019, with the release of its first single "Yook" (뭍(陸)) and "From Winter" (겨울 속에서) as part of 3x2=6 PArt 1. "Yook" is described as a melodic modern-rock genre song with Yook participating in the lyrics and composing.[72] For 3x2=6 Part 2, Yook showed his reversed charm with "W.A.U" (What About U) and "Chicken".[73] "Chicken" is a song with clever lyrics talking about how as time passes, no matter how much trends change, just like (fried) chicken that is loved by everyone. The song was released on January 16, 2020.[74] The project concluded on February 6, 2020, with the first collaboration song between Yook and Ilhoon "HMHN" and "Hypnotized" which was performed with Peniel at 2018 BtoB Time - This Is Us concert.[75][76]

After a three-year acting hiatus, Yook made a return to the small-screen as part of the main cast of Mystic Pop-up Bar, a JTBC drama based on a popular webtoon of the same name in early 2020.[77][78] On February 18, Yook left the cast of Master in the House after two years on the show prior to his mandatory military service.[79][80] Yook released his debut solo album, Yook O'Clock, on March 2, 2020, which consisted of six songs from 3X2=6 and lead single "Come with the Wind".[81][82]

On November 6, 2023, it was announced that Yook would be leaving Cube Entertainment following the completion of his contract.[83] On December 22, iWill Media, a production company, announced that Yook has signed an exclusive contract as its first managed actor.[2]

Personal life

Mandatory military service

On May 3, 2020, Yook announced on his Instagram that he is enlisting in mandatory military service on May 11,[84] and was confirmed by Cube.[85] According to My Daily, Yook will serve as part of the Ministry of National Defense military band after completing his five weeks of basic military training course at Nonsan Training Center.[86][87] [88]

On May 7, 2021, Yook and Teen Top's Ricky performed "Love Blossom" (original song from K.Will) at Seoul National Cemetery Spring Contact - Free Periodical Concert as part of their military service duty as a military band. The concert was held with the theme of 'Waiting for the normal daily life before the pandemic'.[89] On June 6, Yook and Major Jeong Dong-mi hosted the 66th Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony which was held by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (South Korea) in front of the Memorial Tower at the Seoul National Cemetery.[90][91]

After taking his final military leave in October 2021, Yook announced that he would not return to his unit following the army's protocols regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.[92] He was officially discharged from military service on November 14, 2021.[93]

Philanthropy

In 2015, Yook took part in a fundraiser that auction items to the Social Welfare Community Fund for Love to support low-income children.[94] In December, 2015, SBS revealed that Yook donated 3 million to Jeonbuk National University Hospital, which was the filming location of The Village: Achiara's Secret.[95] The same year, he also participated in Briquette Sharing Campaign of the Korean Peninsula and donated briquettes to the people at Kowloon Village in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.[96]

Discography

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Extended plays

More information Title, Details ...
List of extended plays, with selected chart positions and sales
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[97]
Yook O'Clock 3
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Single albums

More information Title, Details ...
List of single albums, with selected chart positions and sales
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[99]
Exhibition: Look Closely
  • Released: May 9, 2024
  • Label: iWill Media
  • Formats: CD, digital download
9
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Singles

More information Title, Year ...
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[101]
As lead artist
"That Day Long Ago" 2015 55 King of Masked Singer Special
"Tell Me" (말해) 2017 36 Piece of BTOB Vol. 6
"Paradise"
"Confession"[104] 2018 34 Your BGM Vol. 2
"Yook" (뭍 (陸)) 2019 148 3x2=6 Part 1
"W.A.U" (What About U) 2020 [A] 3x2=6 Part 2
"Come with the Wind" (그날의 바람) 107 Yook O'Clock
"Be Somebody" 2024 Exhibition: Look Closely
Collaborations
"Stress Come On" (with N, Jackson and Hyuk as Big Byung) 2014 Non-album singles
"Ojingeo Doenjang" (with N, Jackson and Hyuk as Big Byung) 2015
"Photograph" (with Namjoo)[106] 29 A CUBE – For Season Blue Season 2
"Young Love" (with Joy) 2016 52 Non-album singles
"Playing With Fire" (with NC.A) 89
As featured artist
"On The Four Lane Road" (Geeks's Louie feat. Yook Sungjae)[110] 2016 Hwang Moon Seob
Soundtrack appearances
"Past Days" (with Junhyung, Ha Yeon-soo, Minhyuk, Changsub, Hyunsik) 2013 56 Monstar OST
"After Time Passes" (with Junhyung, Minhyuk, Changsub, Hyunsik) 32
"First Love" (with Junhyung, Minhyuk, Changsub, Hyunsik) 61
"Curious" (궁금해) (with Oh Seung-hee) 2014 Plus Nine Boys OST
"Love Song" (feat. Park Hye-soo) 2015 8 Who Are You: School 2015 OST
"Loving You Again" 62 Scholar Who Walks The Night OST
"Ambiguous" (with Eunkwang, Hyunsik) 2017 37 Fight for My Way OST
"Love Resembles Memories" (사랑은 추억을 닮아서) 2020 Mystic Pop-up Bar OST
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
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Songwriting credits

All credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association, unless cited otherwise.[117]

More information Year, Song ...
Year Song Artist(s) Album Lyricist Composer
2016 "Young Love" BBYU
(Himself with Joy)
Non-album single Yes No
"Melody Song" (예지앞사) BTOB New Men Yes No
2017 "Paradise" Himself Piece of BTOB Vol. 6 Yes Yes
2018 "Hypnotized" Himself with Peniel 3X2=6 Project Part 3 and Yook O'Clock Yes Yes
2019 "Yook" (뭍 (陸)) Himself 3X2=6 Project Part 1 and Yook O'Clock Yes Yes
2024 "BE SOMEBODY" EXHIBITION : Look Closely Yes No
"Without You" Yes No
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Filmography

Television series

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2013 Monstar Arnold, Men in Black Member
The Heirs Himself Cameo (Episode 4)
Reply 1994 Sung Joon
2014 Plus Nine Boys Kang Min-gu
2015 Who Are You: School 2015 Gong Tae-kwang
Orange Marmalade Vampire Yook Sung-jae Cameo (Episode 12) [118]
The Village: Achiara's Secret Park Woo-jae
2016–2017 Guardian: The Lonely and Great God Yoo Deok-hwa
2018 Dae Jang Geum Is Watching Oh Sung-jae Cameo (Episode 16)
2020 Mystic Pop-up Bar Han Kang-bae [78]
2022 The Golden Spoon Lee Seung-cheon [119]
2025 The Haunted Palace Yoon Gap [120]
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Television show

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2014 Hitmaker Season 1 Cast with Got7's Jackson, VIXX's N and Hyuk
Real Men Episode 77–88
2014–2015 A Song For You Season 3 Season 3, with Super Junior's Kangin and f(x)'s Amber
2015 Hitmaker Season 2 with Got7's Jackson, VIXX's N and Hyuk
Invisible Man [121]
King of Mask Singer Contestant Tired Bumblebee (Episode 5–6), LP Boy (Special Live 2015)
2015–2016 We Got Married Cast Season 4, with Red Velvet's Joy (Episode 276–320)
2016 King of Mask Singer Panelist Special panelist (Episode 43–44)
Duet Song Festival Contestant with Jang Ji-seon (Episode 5)
Battle Trip with Seo Eun-kwang, Im Hyun-sik (Episode 16) [122][123]
Idol Chef King Winner with Seo Eun-kwang
2017 Fantastic Duo Winner paired with Gummy Season 2: Star Wars Special (Episode 19–20)
Clenched Fist-Boat Horn Cast member with Kim Byung-man, Kim Jong-min, Yook Jong-wan, Lee Sang-min, and Kang Ye-won [124]
Celebrity Bromance with Boyfriend's Youngmin and Kwangmin [125]
Law of the Jungle in Sumatra Episodes 256–261
2017–2020 Master in the House With Lee Seung-gi, Lee Sang-yoon, Yang Se-hyung & Shin Sung-rok
2019 Lovely 95s with Boyfriend's Youngmin, Kwangmin, Minwoo, Teen Top's Ricky and Baek Kyung Do [68][126]
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Web shows

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2024 Zombieverse Regular member Season 2 [127]
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Hosting

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Notes Ref.
2012 The Show with Lee Min-hyuk [17]
Best of Best with Woo-hee
2014 Mnet Wide Custom News [128]
2014–2015 A Song For You Season 3 with Super Junior's Kangin and f(x)'s Amber
2015–2016 Inkigayo with Kim Yoo-jung & Got7's Jackson Wang
2016 Radio Star Special DJ ep. 495
2017 DMZ Peace Concert With Sistar's Soyou
Korea Music Festival with NCT's Jaehyun & Jang Ye-won
2018 Happy Together Special host ep. 564
2020 My Little Old Boy Special MC - Episodes 180 [129]
2021 66th Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony with Jeong Dong-mi [90]
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Awards and nominations

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Yook Sung-jae at Korea Cable TV Awards in March 2017
More information Award ceremony, Year ...
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
APAN Star Awards 2015 Best New Actor Who Are You: School 2015 Nominated
Baeksang Arts Awards 2016 Best New Actor – Television Nominated
2017 Most Popular Actor – Television Guardian: The Lonely and Great God Nominated
KBS Drama Awards 2015 Best New Actor Who Are You: School 2015 Nominated
Popularity Award, Actor Nominated
Best Couple Award Yook Sung-jae (with Kim So-hyun)
Who Are You: School 2015
Won [38]
2017 Drama OST Award "Ambiguous" (with Seo Eun-kwang and Im Hyun-sik)
Fight For My Way OST
Won
Korea Cable TV Awards 2017 Rising Star Award Guardian: The Lonely and Great God Won [130]
Korea Drama Awards 2015 Best New Actor Who Are You: School 2015 Nominated
2017 Guardian: The Lonely and Great God Won [131]
Star of the Year Award Won [132]
Korea First Brand Awards 2017 Male Acting Idol Yook Sung-jae Won [133]
Korea Brand & Model Awards 2017 Brand Model Grand Prize Won
MBC Drama Awards 2022 Top Excellence Award, Best Actor in a Miniseries The Golden Spoon Won [134]
Best Couple Award Yook Sung-jae (with Jung Chae-yeon)
The Golden Spoon
Nominated [135]
MBC Entertainment Awards 2015 Best Male Newcomer Award (Variety) We Got Married, King of Mask Singer Won [46]
Best Couple Award Yook Sung-jae (with Red Velvet's Joy)
We Got Married
Won
MTN Broadcast Advertising Festival 2018 CF Male Star Award Yook Sung-jae Won [136]
SBS Drama Awards 2015 New Star Award The Village: Achiara's Secret Won [37]
SBS Entertainment Awards 2018 Excellent Award Variety Department Master in the House Won [137]
2019 SNS Star Award Won [138]
Best Teamwork Award Won
Soompi Awards 2016 Best Bromance Yook Sung-jae (with Nam Joo-hyuk)
Who Are You: School 2015
Nominated [139][unreliable source?]
2018 Best Idol Actor Award Guardian: The Lonely and Great God Nominated
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Notes

  1. "W.A.U" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 80 on the component Download Chart.[105]

References

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