Yuta (Japanese singer)

Yuta Nakamoto (中本悠太, Nakamoto Yūta, born October 26, 1995), known professionally as Yuta (Korean: 유타, Japanese: ユウタ), is a Japanese singer, actor, dancer and radio host based in South Korea. He is a member of the South Korean boy group NCT, debuting in the group's second fixed sub-unit NCT 127 in 2016 and in the group's first rotational sub-unit NCT U in 2020. Yuta made his solo debut on October 3, 2024, with the extended play (EP) Depth.

The native form of this personal name is Nakamoto Yuta. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.

Yuta
Yuta in October 2023
Born	Yuta Nakamoto (1995-10-26) October 26, 1995 (age 29) Kadoma, Osaka, Japan
Occupations	Singer actor dancer radio host
Musical career
Genres	K-pop J-rock
Instrument	Vocals
Years active	2013–present
Labels	SM Avex Trax Capitol
Member of	NCT NCT 127 NCT U SM Town
Formerly of	SM Rookies
Website	Official website
Korean name
Hangul	나 유타
Transcriptions Revised Romanization Na Yuta McCune–Reischauer Na Yuta
Japanese name
Kanji	中本悠太
Transcriptions Romanization Nakamoto Yūta

Early life

Yuta was born on October 26, 1995, in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan. He has an older sister and a younger sister.^[1] He graduated from Yashima Gakuen University International High School.^[2] Yuta played soccer from ages five to 16 and wanted to become a professional footballer, a dream he gave up to pursue a career as an idol.^[3]

Career

Yuta at SBS Radio on October 27, 2021

2011–2015: Pre-debut activities

Yuta became interested in an idol career in 2011 after watching TVXQ on television.^[1] He attended multiple auditions despite not having any background in singing or dancing. In 2011, he participated in an audition program, Juice Winter Collection. In 2012, he participated in SM Entertainment's first global audition without the permission of his parents and was one of three out of 10,000 participants to pass.^[4][5] When he was 16, he participated in a month-long training camp in Seoul during the summer.^[6] On December 23, 2013, he was introduced as a member of SM Rookies, a pre-debut team of trainees under SM Entertainment.^[7]

As part of the SM Rookies program, in August 2014, Yuta appeared on Exo 90:2014, an Mnet-produced show starring label mates Exo, where they danced to K-pop songs from the '90s, and participated in the music video remake of H.O.T.'s "Hope" and Jo Sung-mo's "Do You Know".^[8] In July 2015, Yuta appeared as the Japanese representative on Abnormal Summit, a show with a panel of non-Korean men residing in South Korea, debating Korean culture^[9] but left the show to focus on his debut in December 2015.^[10]

2016–2019: Debut with NCT 127

In April 2016, he starred in the first season of the reality show NCT Life, which focused on the SM Rookies and their journey to their debut.^[11] In July 2016, he debuted as a member of NCT 127 with their first extended play, NCT #127.^[12][13]

From November 2016 to January 2017, he appeared on TV Chosun's Idol Party, in which comedians Park Mi-sun and Lee Bong-won become a family, adopting him and Sorn of CLC as their children.^[14] He hosted the Chuseok special episode of the 2019 Idol Star Athletics Championships alongside Leeteuk, Dahyun, Johnny, Jaehyun and Mark.^[15]

2020–2023: NCT 2020, radio program and acting

In September 2020, NCT's two-part second studio album, NCT 2020 Resonance, was announced. He appeared on the tracks "Dancing In The Rain", "Faded In My Last Song", "From Home", "Work It" and "Raise the Roof".^[16] On November 24, 2020, it was announced that Yuta would host a two-month weekly radio program, NCT 127 no: ユウタの YUTA at Home, on InterFM897 to promote NCT 127's second Japanese EP, Loveholic, in Japan, which topped the Oricon Albums Chart.^[17][18] On March 19, 2021, it was announced that the broadcast would be extended and converted into a regular program.^[19]

Since 2021, Yuta appeared in numerous Japanese magazines such as PMC,^[20] Ginger,^[21] Numéro Tokyo,^[22] GQ Japan,^[23] and Elle Japan.^[24] In June 2021, a Tom Ford Neroli Portofino endorsement with Yuta was announced through Vogue Japan's YouTube channel.^[25][26] In September 2022, Yuta made his acting debut in the film High&Low The Worst X (Cross).^[27] In October 2022, Yuta was featured on Forbes Japan's 30 Under 30 list.^[28] In March 2023, it was announced that he was cast in the live-action adaptation of the web manga Play It Cool, Guys, which will be broadcast on April 14.^[29]

2024: Solo debut

On August 5, 2024, it was announced that Yuta would make his solo debut with the release of his first EP Depth on November 13.^[30] On October 3, the EP was available for digital download and the music video for its lead single "Off The Mask" was released. Starting from October 5, his debut showcase YUTA Solo Debut Showcase Tour ～ HOPE ～ commenced in Fukuoka, and was held across 5 cities in Japan before ending in his hometown Kadoma on the 27th.^[30][31] His photobook Now was later released on October 17 to commemorate his solo debut.^[32]

Discography

Extended plays

List of extended plays, showing selected details, selected chart positions, and sales figures

Title	Details	Peak chart positions		Sales
		JPN [33]	JPN Hot [34]
Depth	Released: October 3, 2024 Labels: SM Entertainment, Avex Trax Formats: CD, digital download, streaming	4	4	JPN: 35,154[35]

Singles

List of singles, showing year released, selected chart positions, and name of the album

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		JPN Hot [36]
"Off the Mask"	2024	99	Depth

Filmography

See also: NCT videography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2022	High&Low The Worst X (Cross)	Ryo Suzaki	Lead role	[27]

Television series

Year	Title	Role	Network	Note	Ref.
2023	Play It Cool, Guys	Hayate Ichikura	TV Tokyo	Lead role	[37]

Television programs

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2011	Juice Winter Collection	Participant		[38]
2014	Exo 90:2014	SM Rookies Member		[39][unreliable source?]
2015	Non-Summit	Japanese representative		[9]
2016	M Countdown	Weekly Guest MC		[40]
	Idol Party	Cast member		[41][unreliable source?]
2018	M Countdown	MC		[42][unreliable source?]

Radio

Year	Title	Role	Ref.
2020–present	NCT 127 ユウタの YUTA at Home	DJ	[17][19]

Bibliography

Photobooks

Title	Release date	Publisher	Ref.
Yuta at Home Official Book vol. 1	July 1, 2022	Mogura Books	[43]
Now	October 17, 2024	Gentosha	[32]

References

1. "日本人K-POPアーティストの先駆け、NCT 127 ユウタに聞く". MEN'S NON-NO WEB (in Japanese). March 9, 2019. Archived from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
2. Lee, Wendi. "5 Things to Know About Yuta Nakamoto of NCT 127". Tatler Asia. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
3. Young-jun, Jang (July 6, 2015). "'비정상회담' 유타 "가수 되려 한국행, 전직 축구 선수 출신"". MyDaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
4. "NCT 127 talks about activities since debut with Yuta" Zeroichi "... Introduction of SM company building & question to Rino". Kstyle. April 17, 2021. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
5. "NCT 127ユウタ、16歳で韓国練習生に デビューまでの覚悟・父との約束明かす - モデルプレス". モデルプレス - ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
6. "インスタ・フォロワー数670万のNCT 127 YUTA──16歳の挑戦の日から9年、やりたいことがいっぱいある". GQ JAPAN (in Japanese). November 7, 2021. Archived from the original on November 11, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
7. Choi Jin-sil (December 24, 2013). "SM루키즈, 쟈니·유타·텐 공개 '다국적 글로벌 루키'". TenAsia (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
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15. "Idols Go Head-To-Head In Exciting Sneak Peek Of "2019 Idol Star Athletics Championship – Chuseok Special"". Soompi. September 11, 2019. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
16. "[단독]NCT 올해도 뭉친다..'NCT 2020' 10월 새 앨범 발매". Daum News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
17. "NCT 127 YUTA radio regular program "NCT 127 YUTA 's YUTA at Home" will start on InterFM897!". NCT Japan. November 24, 2020. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
18. "NCT 127's "Loveholic" Grabs No. 1 On Oricon's Daily Album Chart". Soompi. February 17, 2021. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
19. "Radio program "NCT 127 YUTA 's YUTA at Home" InterFM897 broadcast extension and net station expansion broadcast decision!". NCT Japan. March 19, 2021. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
20. "NCT 127 Yuta makes her first solo appearance in a Japanese music magazine" Even in the current difficult situation, "I still want to have a concert this year"". モデルプレス. April 23, 2021. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
21. "NCT 127 Yuta also appeared on the cover of" GINGER "with Satomi Ishihara's"". モデルプレス. May 24, 2021. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
22. "NCT 127ユウタ、抜群のルックスでハイファッションの着こなし「Numero TOKYO」特装版表紙に登場". モデルプレス. April 22, 2022. Archived from the original on April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
23. May (September 24, 2021). "NCT's Yuta Is a "Hot Prince" On The Cover Of GQ Japan". EnVi Media. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
24. Miyake, Yoko (October 28, 2022). "NCT 127のYUTAがELLEMENに今年二度目の登場！ 特別版カバーとスペシャル動画も必見". ELLE (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
25. NCT 127 YUTA Travels with the Scent of Tom Ford Neroli Portofino | VOGUE JAPAN. YouTube (in Japanese). Vogue Japan. June 21, 2021. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
26. "NCT 127 Yuta goes on a journey to experience the scent of Tom Ford Beauty" Neroli Portofino "! "VOGUE JAPAN"". music.jpニュース. June 23, 2021. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
27. Lee Chang-Kyu (April 21, 2022). "NCT 유타, 배우 데뷔…日 영화 '하이앤로우 더 워스트 X' 출연" (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
28. "2022 Honorees - 30 Under 30 Japan 2022 Winners Announced". Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
29. TV TOKYO . =ドラマ25「#クールドジ男子」. https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/cooldoji/ Archived May 24, 2023, at the Wayback Machine from the original on March 02, 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
30. "NCTユウタが制作、2体のデビルが誕生" [Created by NCT Yuta, two devils were born]. Natalie (in Japanese). September 19, 2024. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
31. "NCTユウタ、日本でソロデビュー＆全国5都市でショーケース開催　大阪公演は地元・門真市で" [NCT Yuta to make solo debut in Japan & hold showcases in 5 cities across Japan, with Osaka performance in his hometown of Kadoma]. Natalie (in Japanese). August 5, 2024. Archived from the original on August 11, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
32. "中本悠太（NCT 127）1stソロ写真集『今』、10月17日発売決定！" [Nakamoto Yuta's (NCT 127) 1st solo photo book “Now” will be released on October 17!]. PR Times (in Japanese). August 7, 2024. Archived from the original on October 1, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
33. "中本悠太のプロフィール" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
34. "Depth". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved November 20, 2024.
35. オリコン週間 アルバムランキング 2024年11月11日～2024年11月17日 [Oricon Weekly Album Ranking November 11, 2024 – November 17, 2024] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
36. "Off the Mask". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
37. "NCT 127中本悠太・JO1川西拓実・藤岡真威人・桜田通「クールドジ男子」実写ドラマで主演 メインビジュアル解禁". modelpress モデルプレス (in Japanese). March 3, 2023. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
38. SMROOKIES YUTA - JUICE WINTER COLLECTION 2011「VOCAL AUDITION」. UTenSoL YuTenSol. February 2, 2014. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023 – via YouTube.
39. "EXO get together with S.M.ROOKIES for photos on 'EXO 90:2014'". Allkpop. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
40. smrookies [@smtrainees] (August 11, 2016). "[#Official] Yuta and Doyoung MC'S at @ M Countdown! https://t.co/khfaWJV1Sv" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023 – via Twitter.
41. "CLC's Sorn and NCT's Yuta give their thoughts on becoming part of 'Idol Party'". Allkpop. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
42. tastetherainbeau (May 21, 2018). "This week's Mnet 'M! Countdown' Global MC's will be NCT's Yuta, Doyoung, and Jaehyun". r/kpop. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
43. "To commemorate the 1st anniversary of "NCT 127 YUTA at Home", the official radio program "YUTA at Home Official Book vol. 1" YUTA be released!" (in Japanese). nct-jp.net. May 30, 2022. Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022.

External links

• Yuta at SM Town