Yunho is a multifaceted and talented Korean singer, songwriter, dancer and actor.
He is best known as the leader and one of two members of the Korean pop group TVXQ, which has achieved huge success and recognition in Asia and beyond.
He is also a solo artist, having released two Korean mini albums and two Japanese albums.
contour
- Full name: Jung Yun-ho
- Nickname: U-Know Yunho or simply U-Know
- Date of Birth: February 6, 1986
- Age: 38
- Gender: Male
- Birthplace: Gwangju, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korea
- Occupation: singer, songwriter, dancer, actor
- Height: 184 cm (6’0″)
- Parents: None
- Siblings: One sister
- Spouse: No
- Children: None
- Relationship status: Single
- Net worth: $5 million
Early life and education
Yunho was born and raised in Gwangju, South Korea on February 6, 1986. He has a younger sister. Yunho’s family members are in the legal profession, and Yunho’s childhood dream was to become a prosecutor.
However, he also loves music and dancing. In middle school, he and his friends formed a dance team called A+ and participated in various dance competitions across the country.
In 1999, he auditioned for SM Entertainment and became the company’s first official trainee. His family suffered great losses during the 1997 Asian financial crisis and initially opposed his decision to become a singer.
To support himself during his training in Seoul, Yunho worked various part-time jobs, such as sweeping snow and working as a waiter. He spent most of his high school vacations training in Seoul, returning to Gwangju only for school.
Later, Yunho developed a hormonal imbalance in his throat and underwent surgery, which affected his vocal cords.
He lost his voice and considered giving up training. But he persevered and recovered his voice. During his practice period, he was assigned to four temporary groups, all of which later disbanded.
In 2003, he finally debuted as a member of TVXQ, along with Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun, Kim Junsu, Shim Changmin, etc. He graduated from Myongji University and Cheongwoon University, majoring in postmodern music and film and music studies.
Personal life
Yunho is unmarried and childless. He is very private about his personal life and has never revealed any details about his relationship.
He is good friends with TVXQ’s Changmin, as well as other celebrities like BoA, Super Junior’s Heechul and Eunhyuk, and SHINee’s Minho.
Profession
Yunho debuted as the leader and main dancer of TVXQ in 2003. The group became a hit with their first single “Embrace” and became one of the most successful and influential K-pop groups of all time.
They have released multiple albums and singles in both Korean and Japanese, and have won numerous awards and honors such as the Golden Disc Awards, Mnet Asian Music Awards, and the Japan Record Awards.
They also set several records, such as becoming the first foreign act to hold a five-dome tour in Japan and the first non-Japanese Asian act to perform at the Nissan Stadium.
In 2009, three members of TVXQ, Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu, filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment, claiming that their contracts were unfair and too long.
They left the company and formed a new group called JYJ. Yunho and Changmin decided to stay with SM Entertainment and continue promoting TVXQ as a duo.
Yunho debuted in 2015 with the Japanese single “Incineration” He released his first Korean solo mini album, True Colors, in 2019, and his second mini album, Noir, in 2021.
He has also released two Japanese solo albums, U Know Y in 2019 and TVXQ’s YUNHO in 2020. His solo songs showcase his diverse musical styles and genres, covering pop, R&B, hip-hop, EDM, rock, and folk.
Yunho has also pursued an acting career, appearing in many TV series and movies. In 2005, he made his debut in the entertainment industry with the TV series Rainbow Romance.
Subsequently, he starred in TV series such as “Going to the Ground”, “Poseidon”, “The Night Watchman’s Diary”, “Melody Maniac”, and “Mimi”. He also starred in movies such as “Date on Earth”, “SMTOWN The Stage” and “Swing Maniac”.
His acting skills have received critical acclaim and awards, such as the Most Popular Actor Award at the 2013 Seoul International Television Awards.
Awards
Yunho has won many awards and honors as a member of TVXQ and as a solo artist. Some of his notable awards include:
- Golden Disc Awards: Disk Grand Prize (2006, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2019), Disk Grand Prize (2008), Popularity Award (2008, 2012, 2014), CeCi Asia Idol Award (2014), Best Male Group Award (2019).
- Mnet Asian Music Awards: Best Music Video (2006, 2008, 2009), Best Male Group (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018), Album of the Year (2008, 2011, 2014), Artist of the Year (2008, 2014), Global Fans Choice Award (2019, 2020, 2021).
- Japan Record Awards: Best Newcomer (2005), Gold Award (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020), Outstanding Work Award (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020), Special Award (2012), Best Music Video Award (2014).
- Seoul Music Awards: Main Awards (2006, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021), Grand Awards (2008, 2012, 2014), Popularity Award (2008, 2012, 2014), Hallyu Special Award (2012, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021).
- Seoul International Theater Awards: Most Popular Actor – South Korea (2013).
- MBC Drama Awards: Outstanding Male Acting Award in Special Planning TV Drama Category (2014).
- Presidential Recognition: National Finance Day – Savings Day (2020).
- Brand Customer Loyalty Award: Best Male Solo Artist (2021).
net worth
According to various online sources, Yunho’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million.
He has earned a great deal of wealth as a successful singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor.
dispute
Yunho has also faced some controversies during his career, such as:
- In 2006, an anti-fan gave him a drink laced with super glue, which poisoned him. After a few days in hospital, he recovered.
- In 2009, he was involved in a legal dispute with three former TVXQ members who left SM Entertainment to form JYJ. The lawsuit lasted for several years until it was resolved in 2012.
- In February 2021, he was fined for violating social distancing rules by staying in a restaurant after curfew, for which he apologized and withdrew from some TV shows and commercials.
Social Media
- Instagram: @yunho2154
- Twitter: @TVXQ
Filmography
- Rainbow Romance
- Banjun Theater
- holiday
- Dating on Earth
- Going to the ground
- Poseidon
- I live in Cheongdam-dong
Discography
- Burning Down (2015) – Japanese single
- U Know Y (2019) – Japanese album
- True Colors (2019) – Korean mini album
- TVXQ’s Yunho (2020) – Japanese Album
- Noir (2021) – Korean mini album
- Eeny Meeny (2021) – Korean single (featuring Red Velvet’s Seulgi)
- Thank You (2021) – Japanese Single
