Lee Hyun
South Korean singer

Lee Hyun
Lee Hyun in 2012
Lee Hyun in 2012
Background information
Born (1983-11-08) November 8, 1983 (age 42)
South Korea
Genres
OccupationSinger
Years active2007–present
LabelsBig Hit
Formerly of
YouTube information
Channel
  • 혀니콤보 TV
Subscribers362,000
Views18.12 million
Last updated: May 26, 2023[needs update]
Korean name
Hangul
이현
RRI Hyeon
MRI Hyŏn
Musical artist

Lee Hyun (Korean: 이현; born November 8, 1983)[1] is a South Korean singer. He debuted in 2007 as a member of the co-ed vocal group 8Eight, which disbanded in 2014. He was also a member of the disbanded vocal duo Homme from 2010 to 2018. Lee is currently signed to Big Hit Music as a solo artist. He introduced his alter ego Midnatt in March 2023, through the release of the single "Masquerade".

Career

2007–2014: 8Eight

Lee joined Big Hit Entertainment as a trainee in 2005 and signed with the company in 2007.[2] That same year, he debuted as part of the co-ed trio 8Eight, alongside Baek Chan and Joo Hee.[3] The group released three studio albums between 2007 and 2009, and two extended plays in 2010 and 2011. On 21 December 2014, Big Hit announced that Baek and Joo Hee’s contracts had expired and that group activities were suspended; the label noted the members remained on good terms and did not rule out a future reunion.[4]

On 31 January 2020, Big Hit confirmed that 8Eight would release a new single on 7 February to commemorate the 10th anniversary of “Without a Heart”, produced by “Hitman” Bang and Wonderkid.[5] The digital single Fool Again was issued on 7 February 2020 with a new “Without a Heart (10th Anniversary Ver.)” as the B-side, marking the trio’s first release together in six years.[6]

2009–present: Solo activities and Homme

Lee released his solo debut single “30분전” (“30 Minutes Ago”) on 8 September 2009, in both digital and physical formats. A duet featuring Lim Jeong-hee, it was written by Bang Si-hyuk as the final part of his “Goodbye” trilogy, following Baek Ji-young’s “총 맞은 것처럼” (“Like Being Hit by a Bullet”) and 8Eight’s “심장이 없어” (“Without a Heart”).[7][8] He performed the song for the first time on Music Bank on 11 September 2009.[9] He also contributed “숨이 막혀” (“I Can’t Breathe”) to the KBS2 series Invincible Lee Pyung Kang, released on 2 November 2009.[citation needed]

In 2010, Lee recorded “왜 나를 울려요” (“Why Make Me Cry”) for the SBS drama Big Thing; it was released as the fourth OST single on 27 October 2010.[10] That year he also formed the project duo Homme with Changmin of 2AM, releasing the single “I Was Able to Eat Well” (밥만 잘 먹더라) under producer Bang Si-hyuk.[11]

Lee’s first solo studio album, The Healing Echo, was released on 2 January 2012 with “Because It’s You” as the title track.[12] In 2018, following the expiry of Changmin’s contract with Big Hit at the end of January, the label announced his departure to establish a one-man agency; Lee remained with Big Hit as a soloist.[13][14]

In 2019, Lee recorded “You Are Here” for the BTS World: Original Soundtrack, released globally on 28 June.[15][16] He renewed his Big Hit contract in March 2021 and launched a YouTube channel to mark his 14th anniversary with the company.[17] That summer he contributed the ballad “Deep Sadness” to the season two soundtrack of Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce) (released 26 June 2021), and issued his single “Moon in the Ocean” in July.[18][19]

Lee introduced his alter ego Midnatt[a] in May 2023 with the digital single “Masquerade”, released via Big Hit and Hybe Corporation’s interactive media subsidiary HYBE IM.[20][21] As Midnatt, Lee became the first artist in HYBE’s “Project L”, employing AI voice synthesis (through the Supertone technology acquired by HYBE) and extended reality to release simultaneous multilingual versions of the song.[22]

Personal life

Lee enlisted in the South Korean military on October 8, 2012, in order to carry out his mandatory military service. He received five weeks of basic training before serving as an active-duty soldier for 21 months.[23] While enlisted, Lee co-starred in the military musical The Promise, co-produced by the Ministry of National Defense and the Korea Musical Theatre Association in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice. The musical ran from January 9 to 20, 2013, at the National Theater of Korea and co-starred actors Ji Hyun-woo, Kim Mu-yeol, and Jung Tae-woo, and singers Leeteuk of Super Junior and Yoon Hak of Supernova.[24][25] Lee was discharged on July 7, 2014.

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[26]
The Healing Echo
  • Released: January 2, 2012
  • Label: Big Hit Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Because You Are You (너니까)
  2. Because of a Woman Like You (너란 여자 때문에)
  3. It's Impossible (불가능해)
  4. You Are the Right Girl (넌 나에게 꼭 맞춤)
  5. I Can't Forget You (못 잊어)
  6. Although You Said So (다며) [acoustic mix]
  7. 30 Minutes Ago (30분전)
  8. You Are the Best of My Life (내꺼중에 최고)
  9. We Can't Love Each Other (우린 사랑해선 안됩니다) (feat. Joo Hee of 8eight)
 24
  • KOR: 1,267[27]

Extended plays

Title EP details Peak chart positions
KOR
[26]
30 Minutes Ago
  • Released: September 8, 2009
  • Label: Big Hit Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. 30 Minutes Ago (30분전) (feat. Lim Jeong-hee)
  2. The Day We Love Again (다시 사랑하는 날)
  3. Since the Heart Doesn't Know (가슴은 모르니까)
  4. 30 Minutes Ago (30분전)
  5. 30 Minutes Ago (30분전) (Inst.)
 —
You Are the Best of My Life
  • Released: February 15, 2011
  • Label: Big Hit Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. You Are the Best of My Life (내꺼중에 최고)
  2. Slander (악담)
  3. Heartbeat (feat. Song Hee-ran)
  4. Bad Girl (feat. Glam & BTS)
  5. You Make Me Cry (왜 나를 울려요)
 —
A(E)ND
  • Released: September 16, 2025
  • Label: Big Hit Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 —
"—" denotes release did not chart.

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[28]
As lead artist
"30 Minutes Ago" (30분전)
feat. Lim Jeong-hee 		2009 No data* No data* 30 Minutes Ago
"Slander" (악담) 2011 27 You Are the Best of My Life
"You Are the Best of My Life" (내꺼중에 최고) 3
  • KOR: 932,800[29]
"Although You Said So" (다며)
feat. Mighty Mouth 		11
  • KOR: 822,589[30]
 Non-album single
"Because You Are You" (너니까) 2012 5
  • KOR: 832,401[31]
 The Healing Echo
"Senseless Me" (촌스러워서) 20
  • KOR: 243,455[32]
 Non-album singles
"Your Lips" (입술자국) 2017 — N/a
"Will There Be a Next?" (다음이 있을까) 2018 — N/a
"Moon in the Ocean" (바닷속의 달) 2021 — N/a
"Masqueade" (as MIDNATT) 2023
Collaborations
"Burn" (타버려)
with Jeong U 		2010 80 No data* Non-album singles
"Heal"
with Han Go-eun 		—
"After Losing You" (널 잃고 보니)
with Kan Mi-youn 		2012 62
"At the End of the Winter" (겨울 끝에서)
with Jang Hee-young 		2015 72
"It's Raining" (비가 내려와)
with Zia 		42
"Pretty Bae" (예쁜사람)
with Park Bo-ram 		53
"Starlight" with Muzie, Lee Gi-kwang, Joohoney, Chuu, Hyeongjun , and Jeong Yeon Joo) 2021 — <Muzie-Kwang Company> project album
Soundtrack appearances
"I Can't Breathe" (숨이 막혀) 2009 No data* No data* Invincible Lee Pyung Kang OST
"You Make Me Cry" (왜 나를 울려요) 2010 66 Big Thing OST
"I call with you" (널 불러본다) All About Marriage OST
"Best Love" (최고의 사랑) 2012 50 Fashion King OST
"My Heartache" (가슴이 시린 게) 4 A Gentleman's Dignity OST
"Engraved in My Heart" (가슴에 새겨져) 48 The King of Dramas OST
"Though It Hurts, It's Okay" (아파도 괜찮아) 2014 91 Birth of a Beauty OST
"Close My Eyes" (눈을 감아도) 2016 — Come Back Mister OST
"You Are Love" (그대 사랑) — Blow Breeze OST
"Because It's You" (그대라서) — Dr. Romantic OST
"You Are Here" 2019 No data* No data* BTS World: Original Soundtrack OST
"Somebody" No data* No data* Joseon Survival Period OST
"Deep Sadness" (깊은 슬픔) 2021 — Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce) 2 OST
악수 — 아는 여자애 OST
"Only You" (오직, 그대) 2022 — Eve OST
"—" denotes release did not chart.
* The Gaon Digital Chart was launched in 2010. Sales data is not available prior to March 2011.

Filmography

Television shows

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2010–2011 Let's Go! Dream Team Season 2 Contestant
2015
2018–2019 		The King of Mask Singer Episodes 31–32 and 179–180, 188 as "Eagle" [33]
2023 R U Next? Coach [34]

Web shows

Year Title Role Ref.
2021 Muziekwang Company Host [35]

Theater

Year Title Role Venue Ref.
English Korean
2023 Dream High 드림하이 Kang Oh-hyeok BBCH Hall of Gwanglim Art Center [36]

Radio

Year Channel Title Note
English Korean
2024 MBC FM4U My Close Friend Lee Hyun 친한친구 이현입니다 November 25 - present

Awards

Year Award-Giving Body Category Work Result
2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Vocal Solo Performance[37] "You are the Best of My Life" Nominated

Notes

  1. ^ translates to “middle of the night” in Swedish; Korean press also reported a wordplay connotation of “bare face” in Korean.

References

  1. ^ 이현 소개 [Lee Hyun Profile]. Mnet.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  2. ^ Hong, Se-young (March 29, 2021). 이현 재계약, '빅히트 1호 가수' 존재감 계속 [공식] [Lee Hyun renews contract, remains 'Big Hit’s first singer' [Official]]. Sports DongA (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 30, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021 – via Naver.
  3. ^ Kim, Ji Yeon (October 7, 2012). "Lee Hyun to Enter Army on October 8". CJ E&M enewsWorld. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2021 – via Yahoo News Singapore.
  4. ^ Yoon, Seong-yeol (December 21, 2014). [단독]에이트, 7년만에 잠정적 해체.."각자 음악 활동" [[Exclusive] 8Eight, temporary disbandment after seven years…“Individual activities”]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 22, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2023 – via Naver.
  5. ^ "8Eight – Fool Again (single album)". Big Hit Music. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  6. ^ "'Fool Again' – Single by 8Eight". Apple Music. February 7, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  7. ^ "Lee Hyun – 30 Minutes Ago". Big Hit Music. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  8. ^ Lee, Jung-ah (September 10, 2009). 이현, 뮤비 속 'CL'의 의미는 [Lee Hyun explains the meaning of “CL” in the music video]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023 – via Naver.
  9. ^ Choi, Jeong-ju (September 11, 2009). '솔로' 전성기…前 vs 現 '그룹 출신' 대격돌. Seoul Newspaper (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023 – via Naver.
  10. ^ "Big Thing, Pt. 4 (OST) – Single". Apple Music. October 27, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  11. ^ "Homme by "hitman" bang – project single". Big Hit Music. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  12. ^ "Singer Lee Hyun releases first solo album". Korea JoongAng Daily. January 2, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  13. ^ Park, Su-yun (February 1, 2018). [공식입장] 이창민, 빅히트와 전속계약 만료 "1인 기획사 설립" [(Official) Lee Chang-min’s exclusive contract with Big Hit expired; establishes one-man agency]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2021 – via Naver.
  14. ^ Park, Soo-yoon (February 1, 2018). 옴므 이창민, 1인 기획사 설립…빅히트와 계약종료 [Homme’s Lee Chang-min establishes one-man agency; ends contract with Big Hit]. Yonhap News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  15. ^ "BTS WORLD (Original Soundtrack)". Apple Music. June 28, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  16. ^ "Lee Hyun – "You Are Here"". Apple Music. June 28, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  17. ^ Park, Seo-yeon (March 30, 2021). '빅히트 1호' 이현, 재계약 체결 후 유튜브 개설..방탄소년단 "어마어마할 것 같아" ['Big Hit’s first singer' Lee Hyun opens a YouTube channel after renewing contract; BTS: “It’ll be huge”]. Herald POP (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 30, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  18. ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (June 24, 2021). 이현 '결사곡2' OST 부른다, 26일 '깊은 슬픔' 발매 [Lee Hyun sings for Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce) 2: “Deep Sadness” out on the 26th]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  19. ^ Kang, Jin-ah (July 17, 2021). 이현 "'바닷속의 달' 컴백 설레…방탄소년단 응원 고마워" [Lee Hyun: “Excited for ‘Moon in the Ocean’ comeback…thanks to BTS for the support”] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  20. ^ Choi, Ji-won (May 15, 2023). "Hybe opens up an era of 'tech-tainment' with new artist Midnatt". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  21. ^ "Hybe uses AI voice technology for Midnatt's multilingual single". The Korea Times. May 15, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  22. ^ "HYBE AI K-Pop Artist Midnatt Uses AI for Human Purposes". Billboard. May 17, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  23. ^ Sunwoo, Carla (September 26, 2012). "8eight's Lee Hyun to enter the Army on Oct. 8". Korea Joongang Daily. Archived from the original on June 19, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  24. ^ "Star-Studded Army Musical to Open in January". The Chosun Ilbo. December 28, 2012. Archived from the original on December 31, 2012. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  25. ^ Hong, Grace Danbi (December 12, 2012). "Super Junior's Leeteuk and Ji Hyun Woo Participate in Army Musical". enewsWorld. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  26. ^ a b "Gaon Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart.
    • "The Healing Echo charting".
  27. ^ (See #76) 2012년 01월 Album Chart [January 2012 Album Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  28. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart.
    As lead artist:
    • ""Slander" charting".
    • ""You Are The Best of My Life" charting".
    • ""Although You Said So" charting".
    • ""Because You Are You" charting".
    • ""Senseless Me" charting".

    Collaborations:
    • ""Burn" charting".
    • ""After Losing You" charting".
    • ""At The End of the Winter" charting".
    • ""It's Raining" charting".
    • ""Pretty Bae" charting".

    Soundtrack appearances:
    • ""You Make Me Cry" charting".
    • ""Best Love" charting".
    • ""My Heartache" charting".
    • ""Engraved in my Heart" charting".
    • ""Even Though It Hurts, It's Okay" charting".
  29. ^ Cumulative sales of "You Are The Best Of My Life":
    • "March 2011 Download Chart".
    • "April 2011 Download Chart".
  30. ^ Cumulative sales of "Although You Said So":
    • "April 2011 Download Chart".
    • "May 2011 Download Chart".
  31. ^ Sales of "Because You Are You":
    • "January 2012 Download Chart".
  32. ^ Sales of "Senseless Me":
    • "October 2012 Download Chart".
  33. ^ Kim, Myung-mi (January 27, 2019). '복면가왕' 불난 위도우 새 가왕 등극, 4연승 독수리 건=이현(종합) [(Comprehensive) 'King of Mask Singer', Widow, who was in trouble, ascended to the new king of singers, 4 wins in a row Eagle Gun = Hyun Lee]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 27, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  34. ^ Lee, Seung-hoon (June 22, 2023). "박규리·이현·조권·김재환·아이키, '알유넥스트' 코치 합류 [공식]" [Park Gyu-Ri, Lee Hyun-Hyun, Cho Kwon, Kim Jae-Hwan, and Aiki to join 'R.U.NEXT' as coaches [Official]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Retrieved June 27, 2023 – via Naver.
  35. ^ Ahn Byung-gil (October 1, 2021). "이현, 페이크 리얼리티 '뮤지광 컴퍼니' 깜짝 등장" [Lee Hyun, a surprise appearance in the fake reality ‘Mujikwang Company]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved October 1, 2021 – via Naver.
  36. ^ Son, Jin-ah (March 14, 2023). "오종혁·이현·정동화, 쇼뮤지컬 '드림하이' 기린예고 괴짜선생 된다" [Oh Jong-hyuk, Lee Hyun, and Jeong Dong-hwa become geek teachers at Kirin Arts High School for the show musical ‘Dream High’] (in Korean). MK Sports. Retrieved March 14, 2023 – via Naver.
  37. ^ "2011Mnet Asian Music Awards part 1" Archived December 9, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. MAMA. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
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