Choi Young-jae
South Korean singer (born 1996) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Choi Young-jae (Korean: 최영재; born 17 September 1996[2]), professionally known by the mononym Youngjae, is a South Korean singer-songwriter and actor. He is the vocalist of the Korean boy group Got7.
Choi Young-jae | |
|---|---|
![Thumb](#/media/File:2024_Youngjae_Asia_Tour_"Once_in_a_Dream"_in_Bangkok_presscon,_August_24,_2024_04.png) Choi in August 2024 | |
| Born | 17 September 1996 Mokpo, South Korea |
| Education | Daekyeung University |
| Occupations |
|
| Agent | AndBut Company |
| Musical career | |
| Also known as | Ars[1] |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Labels | |
| Member of | Got7 |
| Website | Official website |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 최영재 |
| Hanja | 崔榮宰 |
| Revised Romanization | Choe Yeongjae |
| McCune–Reischauer | Ch'oe Yŏngjae |
Biography
Choi started dreaming of becoming a singer in his childhood, when he sang with his older brother.[3] When the latter enlisted in the military, he joined a practical music academy in his hometown, Mokpo, to learn more professionally,[3] working part-time to earn the necessary money.[4] In 2011, he won the Vocal Excellence Award at Mokpo Youth Music Festival.[2] In 2013, JYP Entertainment held a closed audition in the academy and he became a trainee.[3][5]
Career
Summarize
Perspective
2013–2020: Debut and solo activities
After one month of training in Seoul, Choi was added to the project group to form JYPE new boy band.[5][6] After a total of 7 months of training,[3][5] he subsequently debuted as the main vocalist of the seven member boy group, Got7, with the single "Girls Girls Girls", released on 16 January 2014, from the group's first EP Got It?.[7] In early times after the debut, Choi mentioned his dream was to become a music therapist.[8]
He has been writing songs and lyrics under the name Ars since 2016, starting with "Rewind" in Got7's extended play Flight Log: Departure.
Choi had a collaboration with Sanjoy and Elliott Yamin in 2017 on the song "Victim of Love",[9][10] while he recorded "I'm All Ears" with Park Ji-min for the Life Insurance Social Philanthropy Foundation's youth suicide prevention campaign in 2018. The song was released on 15 October alongside its music video.[11]
In the spring of 2019, he joined Jus2 in their 'Focus' Premiere Showcase in Asia, acting as the MC for Tokyo (10–11 April) and Osaka (17–18 April) stops.[12][13]
In 2018 and 2020, he sang "At the Usual Time" (그 시간에) and "Fall In Love" (빠져드나봐) for the original soundtracks of TV dramas Wok of Love and When My Love Blooms.[14][15] Together with Day6's Young K, he became the new DJ of MBC Radio Idol Radio starting from 18 May 2020.[16] The first season of the show ended on 25 September.[17]
On 25 May 2020, in collaboration with Howlpot, a pet product design brand, he launched Ars X Coco, a clothing store for people and dogs, which ran for two weeks until 8 June .[18][19] The proceeds, amounting to 15 million won, were donated to Korea Animal Rights Advocates's The Bom Center, a non-profit care center for abandoned dogs.[20] In the same year, Choi competed in the Idol Star Dog Championships, a dog agility competition, which aired as a Chuseok special on MBC on 2 October.[21]
On 25 September 2020, he was cast in Netflix's new sitcom So Not Worth It, which tells the stories of a group of multicultural students living in a college dorm.[22][23] The series became available on 18 June 2021, and he sang the homonymous OST for it.[24] With his portrayal of Sam, the son of the CEO of a food chain based in Australia, he drew attention, and was praised for his acting, communication skills, vocalization and pronunciation, which, along with Choi's facial expressions, realistically expressed the character's emotions.[25][26]
2021–2022: Departure from JYPE, Midnight Sun and solo debut
Following the expiration of his contract with JYP Entertainment, he signed an exclusive contract with Sublime Artist Agency on 20 January 2021.[27]
On 9 March 2021, it was announced that Choi had joined the cast of Midnight Sun, a musical adaptation of Japanese movie A Song to the Sun, in the leading role of Ha-ram.[28] Midnight Sun was performed from 1 May until 25 July at the Kwanglim Arts Center.[28] He starred in 22 out of 95 shows.[29] Two of the songs, "Meet Me When the Sun Goes Down" and "Good-bye Days", were also released as singles by each main actor: Choi's version of "Meet Me When the Sun Goes Down" was released on 9 April as part 1 of the musical's soundtrack,[30] while his collaboration with Lovelyz' Kei on "Good-bye Days", on 7 June.[31][32]
On 1 April, it was confirmed that Choi was selected as campaign artist for Levi's Red alongside Lim Na-young.[33] On 20 April, he took part in Levi's 501® Day Music Concert, where he performed self-written song "Lonely", Sole's "Ride" and Christopher's "Bad".[34]
On 7 May, he released the soundtrack "Pop Star" for the web series So I Married the Anti-fan.[35]
On 5 October, he made his solo debut with his first extended play, Colors from Ars, and its title track "Vibin".[36] Six days later, he released a fall-winter clothes collection in collaboration with Korean casual brand Plac.[37] He then performed at K-pop cheering concert, We All Are One 2021 to overcome COVID-19 on 31 October.[38]
In November, he was confirmed to play his first lead role, Kim Seung-hyu, in the upcoming Cine de Rama rom-com web series Love & Wish, based on the webtoon of the same name. Love & Wish was released through domestic and overseas OTT platforms between December 24 and 25 along with the original soundtrack, for which Choi sang "Day by Day".[39][40]
On 15 December, he released the digital single "Walk With Me".[41]
On 28 March 2022, Choi became the new fixed DJ of MBC Radio's Best Friend.[42] On 21 June, he released his second extended play, Sugar,[43] which debuted at #5 on the Circle Chart.[44] Between 23 July and 7 August, Choi held the Sugar mini concert tour in Manila, Singapore and Bangkok.[45][46] On 6 August 2022, he was awarded the Best Asia Artist and Actor Award at Ganesha Awards, as well as being appointed Ambassador of Cultural Friendship and Tourism Promotion to ASEAN.[47] In October 2022, as part of a collaborative project with Esquire Korea and casual fashion brand Covernat, Choi and Yerin released the digital single "Colors".[48] Part of the profits was donated to patients of Lou Gehrig's disease.[49]
2023–present: Do It
On 12 March 2023, Choi released the digital single "Errr Day".[50] On 3 May, he was announced as part of the line-up of the 10th anniversary run of the musical The Days, in the role of Moo-young, which was played from 12 July to 3 September.[51] He was praised for his stability in singing, acting performance and dialogue delivery.[52][53]
On 3 October 2023, he was named honorary ambassador of the Korea-Thailand Mutual Visit Years by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea.[54][55]
On 6 November 2023, Choi released his first full album Do It.[56] Between February and March, he performed in Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand and Japan for the Inside Out Asia Tour.[57] On 2 April 2024, it was announced that he had parted ways with Sublime after three years.[58] Two months later he signed an exclusive contract with AndBut Company.[59] On 1 July Choi announced the Once in a Dream Asia Tour, to be held in August and September.[60]
In January 2025 he was cast as Song Sam-dong in the show musical Dream High, which is scheduled to be performed in Seoul from April 5 to June 1.[61]
Personal life
Choi studied shipbuilding machinery at Mokpo Technical High School, then, in 2012, he moved to Seoul's Korean Arts High School,[62] from which he graduated in February 2015.[63] He got accepted into Seokyeong University's Department of Theater and Film,[63] then he moved to and graduated from International Cyber University.[64] As of 2021, he's enrolled at Hanyang Cyber Graduate School.[64]
In August 2020, he registered as an organ donor.[65] In May 2021, he participated in the "I Rose You" campaign planned by the Love Organ Donation Movement Headquarters to promote organ donation, and to express gratitude, respect and condolences to organ donors and their families.[66]
Discography
Summarize
Perspective
Studio albums
Extended plays
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [69] | |||
| Colors from Ars |
|
6 |
|
| Sugar |
|
5 |
|
Single albums
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [74] | ||||
| As lead artist | ||||
| "My Day" (내 하루) | 2016 | —[a] | Non-commercial singles | |
| "Trauma" | ||||
| "Call Button" (통화버튼) (feat. J.praize) |
2017 | |||
| "I Want to Fall Asleep" (잠들고 싶어) (feat. Noday) | ||||
| "Everything for You" | 2020 | — | Non-album single | |
| "Vibin" | 2021 | 124 | Colors from Ars | |
| "Walk with Me" (같이 걸어가줘요) | —[b] | Non-album single | ||
| "Sugar" | 2022 | —[c] | Sugar | |
| "Errr Day" | 2023 | —[d] | Do It | |
| "Best Friend" (친한 친구) | —[e] | Non-album singles | ||
| "T.P.O" | 2024 | —[f] | ||
| Collaborations | ||||
| "I'm All Ears" (다둘어줄게) (with Jamie) |
2018 | — | Ready to Listen Part 2 | |
| "Irreplaceable" (with F.Hero feat. The Toys) |
2022 | —[g] | Non-album singles | |
| "Colors" (with Yerin) |
—[h] | |||
| As featured artist | ||||
| "One Dream One Korea" (Various artists) |
2015 | — | Non-album singles | |
| "Victim of Love" (Sanjoy feat. Ars, Stephen Rezza, Elliott Yamin) |
2017 | — | ||
| "Hurry" (우린 서둘러) (Lovey feat. Youngjae) |
2021 | — | :) | |
| "Finale" (Loops feat. Youngjae) |
2023 | — | WET! Final | |
| Soundtrack appearances | ||||
| "At the Usual Time" (그 시간에)[82] | 2018 | — | Wok of Love OST Part 2 | |
| "Fall in Love" (빠져드나봐) (with Choi Jung-yoon)[15] |
2020 | — | When My Love Blooms OST Part 2 | |
| "Meet Me When the Sun Goes Down" (태양이 지면 널 만나러 갈게) |
2021 | — | Midnight Sun OST Part 1 | |
| "Pop Star" | — | So I Married the Anti-fan OST Part 1 | ||
| "Good-bye Days" (with Kei) |
— | Midnight Sun OST Part 5 | ||
| "So Not Worth It" (내일 지구가 망해버렸으면 좋겠어) |
— | So Not Worth It OST | ||
| "You and I" (그대와) (with Laboum's Soyeon) |
— | My Roommate Is a Gumiho OST Part 7 | ||
| "Day by Day" | — | Love & Wish OST | ||
| "Closer" (with Jay B) |
2022 | — | Good Job OST Part 1 | |
| "On My Way" | — | The Golden Spoon OST Part 7 | ||
| "Starlight" | 2025 | —[i] | Dream High OST | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | ||||
Songwriting credits
All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database, unless otherwise noted.[84]
| Year | Artist | Title | Album | Lyrics | Music | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credited | With | Credited | With | ||||
| 2016 | Got7 | "Rewind" | Flight Log: Departure | Yes | Joo Chan-yang | Yes | Joo Chan-yang, Command Freaks |
| "Hey" | Flight Log: Turbulence | Yes | Kim Won, Oh Hyun-joo | Yes | Kim Won | ||
| "Sick" (아파) | Yes | Mark, Jackson Wang | Yes | Damon Sharpe, Carlos Battey, Gregg Pagani | |||
| 2017 | "Sign" | Flight Log: Arrival | Yes | Noday, Chloe | Yes | Noday, Chloe | |
| "Moon U" | 7 for 7 | Yes | Maxx Song, BamBam, Joo Chan-yang | Yes | Joo Chan-yang, Command Freaks | ||
| "In This Chest" (この胸に) | Turn Up | Yes | Noday, Risa Horie | Yes | Noday | ||
| 2018 | "Hesitate" (망설이다) | Eyes on You | Yes | AMIllO | Yes | 5S, AMIllO | |
| "Nobody Knows" (혼자) | Present: You | Yes | Joo Chan-yang | Yes | Joo Chan-yang, Lavin | ||
| "1:31AM" (잘 지내야해) | Present: You & Me | Yes | Defsoul | Yes | Defsoul, 220, minGtion | ||
| "Think About It" | Yes | Defsoul, Mark | Yes | Defsoul, Mirror Boy, Lee Sang-chul | |||
| 2019 | "Reborn" | I Won't Let You Go | Yes | Defsoul, Yuuki Shirai | Yes | Defsoul, Mirror Boy | |
| "Time Out" | Spinning Top | Yes | Noday, Versa Choi | Yes | Noday, Versa Choi | ||
| "Memorandum" (備忘録) | Love Loop | Yes | Noday, Co-sho | Yes | Philip, Noday | ||
| 2020 | "Aura" | Dye | Yes | Joo Chan-yang, Nihwa | Yes | Joo Chan-yang, Nihwa, Lavin | |
| "Gravity" | Yes | Noday | Yes | Noday | |||
| "Breath" (넌 날 숨 쉬게 해) | Breath of Love: Last Piece | Yes | Joo Chan-yang, Lavin, Nihwa | Yes | Joo Chan-yang, Lavin, Nihwa | ||
| Youngjae | "Everything For You" | Non-album single | Yes | I'm Sang-hoon | No | — | |
| 2021 | "Beautiful" | Colors from Ars | Yes | Boytoy, Kuro (Blatinum) | Yes | Boytoy, Disko (Blatinum), Kuro (Blatinum) | |
| "Tasty" | Yes | Boytoy, Peter Hyun (Blatinum), Young Sky (Blatinum), Houdini | Yes | Boytoy, Peter Hyun (Blatinum) | |||
| "Vibin" | Yes | Boytoy, ADN, WD, Young Sky (Blatinum), Peter Hyun (Blatinum) | Yes | Boytoy, Disko (Blatinum), ADN, WD | |||
| "Roses" | Yes | Boytoy, Young Sky (Blatinum), Peter Hyun (Blatinum) | Yes | Boytoy, Young Sky (Blatinum), Peter Hyun (Blatinum) | |||
| "Eternal" | Yes | — | Yes | Boytoy, Jay & Rudy, Aaron Kim, Isaac Han, Kial | |||
| "Moonlight" | Yes | Boytoy, Houdini | Yes | Boytoy, Aaron Kim, Isaac Han, Houdini | |||
| "Lonely" | Yes | Noday | Yes | Noday | |||
| "Walk With Me" (같이 걸어가줘요) | Non-album single | Yes | Boytoy, Junsoo (Atunes), 2uzoo (Blatinum) | Yes | Boytoy, Disko, Junsoo (Atunes), 2uzoo (Blatinum), LoveTom | ||
| Lovey | "Hurry" (우린 서둘러) | :) | Yes | Lovey, Brother Su | Yes | Lovey, Brother Su | |
| 2022 | Got7 | "Drive Me to the Moon" | Got7 | Yes | Kim Hye-soo | Yes | Boytoy, Disko, Brite Ma, ADN Lewis |
| Youngjae | "Sugar" | Sugar | Yes | Jay & Rudy | Yes | Boytoy, Disko, Jay & Rudy, Isaac Han, Aron Kim, Ghostchild Ltd | |
| "Focus" | Yes | Peter Hyun, Kinsha | Yes | Boytoy, Disko, Peter Hyun | |||
| "Crema" | Yes | Boytoy, Atunes | Yes | Boytoy, Atunes | |||
| "Nothing" | Yes | Hahm, D'tour | Yes | Boytoy, Aron Kim, Hahm, Kay, John Thomas | |||
| "With You" | Yes | Boytoy, TopTier, Kunyo | Yes | Boytoy, TopTier | |||
| Youngjae, Yerin | "Colors" | Non-album single | Yes | Boytoy, Junsoo (Blatinum), Showwer (Blatinum), Warming (Atunes) | Yes | Boytoy, Junsoo (Blatinum), Showwer (Blatinum), Warming (Atunes) | |
| 2023 | Youngjae | "Errr Day" | Do It | Yes | Boytoy, Junsoo (Blatinum), Oat (Blatinum) | Yes | Boytoy, Disko (Blatinum), Junsoo (Blatinum), Oat (Blatinum) |
| "Best Friend" (친한친구) | Non-album single | Yes | Brother Su | Yes | Brother Su | ||
| "Flower" | Do It | Yes | Joo Chan-yang (Pollen), Lavin | Yes | Joo Chan-yang (Pollen), Lavin | ||
| "Do It" | Yes | Bullseye (Avec), Ley (Avec) | Yes | Boytoy, Bullseye (Avec), Ley (Avec), Disko | |||
| "Deal" | Yes | Brother Su, Paprikaa, Jonghan | Yes | Brother Su, Paprikaa, Jonghan, Boytoy, Junsoo, Showwer | |||
| "Dreaming Again" | Yes | Noday | Yes | Noday, Versa Choi | |||
| "Problem" | Yes | Bullseye (Avec), Ondine (Avec) | Yes | Boytoy, Bullseye (Avec), Flip_00, 37 | |||
| "Fluffy" | Yes | Brother Su | Yes | Brother Su | |||
| "Snooze" | Yes | Brother Su | No | — | |||
| "Thinking of You" (자꾸 네가) | Yes | — | Yes | Boytoy, Aron Kim, Mojo (Plz) | |||
| "Never Leave You Alone" | Yes | — | Yes | Boytoy, Disko | |||
| 2024 | "T.P.O" | T.P.O[85] | No | — | Yes | Brother Su, Paprikaa, Jonghan, Junsoo (Atunes), Showwer (Atunes), Boytoy | |
| "Summer Happening" (이상 기온) | Yes | Brother Su | Yes | Brother Su | |||
| 2025 | Got7 | "Our Youth" (청춘드라마) | Winter Heptagon | Yes | Brother Su | Yes | Brother Su, Eniac, Chicok |
| "Yours Truly," (우리가할수있는말은.) | Yes | Got7 | No | — | |||
Filmography
Dramas
| Year | Title | Role | Note | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Dream Knight | Himself | Web series | |
| 2021 | ONAIR - Secret Contract | Sitcom, cameo | [86] | |
| So Not Worth It | Sam | Sitcom | [22][23] | |
| Love & Wish | Kim Seung-hyu | Web series | [87][88] | |
| 2024 | Dare to Love Me | TV series, cameo (episode 16) | ||
| 2025 | Friendly Rivalry | Nam Byeong-jin | TV series | [89] |
Variety shows
| Year | Title | Role | Note | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | King of Mask Singer | Contestant | as Game Machine (Episode 93–94) | |
| 2018 | Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend | 3 February, singing Kim Yeon-ja's "Mercury Lamp" | [90][91][92] | |
| 2021 | Coco is Genius | Host | YouTube series, 8 episodes | [93] |
| Idol Live Agent | YouTube series | [94] | ||
| 2021–present | Twerebi | [95] | ||
| 2022 | Seven Stars | Mentor | Thai audition program | [96] |
| 2023 | B-Side Track | Host | YouTube series | [97] |
Radio presenting
| Year | Title | Role | Note | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | FM Starry Night | Guest | July 7 | |
| Kiss The Radio | Special host | with Jay B (15 October) | ||
| 2016 | with Jinyoung (3 June) | |||
| 2017 | with Jinyoung (23–26 October) | |||
| 2018 | with Jinyoung (15 January) and Yugyeom (5–6 March) | |||
| 2020 | Idol Radio | with Jay B (episodes 572, 574, 27–28 April) and Day6's Young K (6, 9–10 May) | ||
| Host | with Young K (episode 594–714, 18 May–25 September) | |||
| 2021 | Kim Shin-young's Hope Song at Noon | Special host | with BamBam (6 July) | [98] |
| 2022 | Dream Radio | 17 January–6 February | [99] | |
| 2022–2024 | Got7 Youngjae's Best Friend | Host | From March 28, 2022–November 22, 2024 | [42][100] |
Hosting
| Year | Title | Note | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 33rd Seoul Music Awards | with Lee Seung-gi, Tiffany, and Got7's BamBam | [101] |
Theater
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Midnight Sun | Jung Ha-ram | Lead role | [102] |
| 2023 | The Days | Moo-young | Lead role | [51] |
| 2025 | Dream High | Song Sam-dong | Lead role | [61] |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Artist | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | "At the Usual Time" (그 시간에) | Choi Young-jae | ||
| "Nobody Knows" (혼자) | Got7 | Naive Creative Production | Solo song from Got7's album Present: You | |
| "I'm All Ears" (다둘어줄게) | Choi Young-jae and Park Ji-min | "Ready to Listen" suicide prevention campaign run by Life Insurance Social Philanthropy Foundation of Korea | ||
| 2020 | "Fall In Love" (빠져드나봐) | Choi Young-jae and Choi Jung-yoon | Original soundtrack for When My Love Blooms | |
| "Everything For You" | Choi Young-jae | Life sharing donation campaign promoted by the Korean Network for Organ Sharing | ||
| 2021 | "Vibin" | Youngjae | 96Wave | |
| "Day by Day" | Original soundtrack for Love & Wish | |||
| 2022 | "Sugar" | Paxq (Ndvisual) | ||
| "Irreplaceable" | F.Hero and Youngjae feat. The Toys | Thicha T., Lee Jae-hyun | ||
| "Closer" | Jay B and Youngjae | Original soundtrack for Good Job | ||
| "Colors" | Youngjae and Yerin | Kim Hyun-jae | ||
| 2023 | "Errr Day" | Youngjae | ||
| "Do It" | Kang Yena, Lee Hangyeol |
Awards and nominations
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand of the Year Awards | 2023 | Best Radio DJ | Choi Young-jae (Got7 Youngjae's Best Friend) | Won | [103] |
| Ganesha Awards | 2022 | Best Asia Artist and Actor Award | Choi Young-jae | Won | [47] |
| Korea First Brand Awards | 2023 | Most Anticipated Radio DJ | Choi Young-jae (Got7 Youngjae's Best Friend) | Won | [104] |
| Line Melody Music Awards | 2022 | Melody of the Year | "Irreplaceable" | Nominated | [105] |
| Line Melody Music Charts | 2022 | Black Melody Award for Most Downloaded Song (September) | Won | [106] | |
| MBC Entertainment Awards | 2022 | Rookie Award (Radio) | Choi Young-jae (Got7 Youngjae's Best Friend) | Won | [107] |
| Seoul Music Awards | 2024 | Global Producer Award | Choi Young-jae | Won | [108] |
| Supersound Festival | 2023 | Asian Fans Choice of the Year | Won | [109] | |
| 2025 | Super Male Vocalist | Won | [110] | ||
| WeTV Awards 2022 | 2023 | WeTV Artist of the Year | Choi Young-jae (Love & Wish) | Won | [111] |
Notes
- "Walk with Me" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 37 on the component Download Chart.[75]
- "Sugar" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 9 on the component Download Chart.[76]
- "Errr Day" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 37 on the component Download Chart.[77]
- "Best Friend" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 67 on the component Download Chart.[78]
- "T.P.O" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 10 on the component Download Chart.[79]
- "Irreplaceable" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 133 on the component Download Chart.[80]
- "Colors" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 90 on the component Download Chart.[81]
- "Starlight" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 30 on the component Download Chart.[83]
References
External links
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