Lee Chan-hyuk
South Korean singer (born 1996)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lee Chan-hyuk (Korean: 이찬혁; born September 12, 1996), is a South Korean singer-songwriter, producer and author. He debuted as a member of the sibling duo AKMU in April 2014, under YG Entertainment.
- Singer-songwriter
- producer
- author
Lee Chan-hyuk | |
|---|---|
Lee in an interview with Marie Claire Korea in 2021 | |
| Born | September 12, 1996 Uijeongbu, South Korea |
| Occupations |
|
| Relatives | Lee Su-hyun (sister) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Label | Cemter of Inspiration |
| Member of | AKMU |
| Formerly of | YG Family |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 이찬혁 |
| RR | I Chanhyeok |
| MR | I Ch'anhyŏk |
Life and career
1996–2013: Early life
Lee Chan-hyuk was born on September 12, 1996, in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Both Chan-hyuk and his younger sister, Lee Su-hyun, moved to Mongolia with their missionary parents for five years, while being home-schooled by their mother, before returning to South Korea.[1] In August 2012, the siblings auditioned for the second installment of SBS reality survival program K-pop Star as Akdong Musician. The sibling duo finished in first place, later choosing to sign under YG Entertainment as they were the only label from the three to provide them the creative freedom they wished for throughout the show, believing their artistry would not be restricted or altered.[2]
2014–2022: AKMU and military enlistment
On April 7, 2014, Lee and Lee Su-hyun officially debuted as AKMU (Akdong Musician) with their studio album Play, instantly becoming a commercial success. The sibling duo has since released two more studio albums, two extended plays, one single album and ten singles in their discography. In September 2017, Lee enlisted in the Korean Marine Corps for his mandatory military service, thus temporarily halting all AKMU activities until his return.[3] In midst of his service, it was revealed the Korean Marines officially chose Lee's self-written song, "Marine Triumph" (해병승전가), to represent the Corps.[4][5] Lee completed his mandatory military service on May 29, 2019, and was discharged. His first appearance since hiatus was as AKMU on JTBC variety program Knowing Bros, where the episode was filmed the day after his release.[6]
On September 26, 2019, Lee published his first novel Fish Meets Water (물 만난 물고기), a day after AKMU's album Sailing was released. The novel portrays his perspective on life values and art, and it correlates with the album.[7] The novel became the number one best selling novel in South Korean bookstores.[8] Three years later, Lee published the picture book Alien in collaboration with illustrator Lee Yoon-woo, based on the lyrics he wrote for Su-hyun's first single, "Alien".[9]
2022–2023: Error and Umbrella
Lee released his debut studio album, Error, on October 17, 2022,[10] which went on to receive the Best Pop Album award at the 20th Korean Music Awards[11].
On June 28, 2023, Lee released his first video album Umbrella under the pseudonym Leechanhyukvideo.[12]
2025: Eros and Departure from YG Entertainment
On July 14, 2025, Lee released his second studio album Eros, marking his first full-length solo release since Error in 2022. The album features the title track "Vivid LaLa Love", among other songs exploring themes of love, loss, and existential reflection.[13]
In November 2025, AKMU decided to part ways with YG Entertainment after 12 years, reportedly in talks to establish an independent label.[14]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Peaks | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [15] | |||
| Error |
|
56 |
|
| Umbrella (우산) (as Leechanhyukvideo) |
|
— | — |
| Eros |
|
60 |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak positions | Sales | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [18] | ||||
| As a lead artist | ||||
| "Panorama" (파노라마) | 2022 | 116 | N/a | Error |
| "Dance" (춤) (Vocal. Shin Se-hwi) |
2023 | —[a] | Umbrella | |
| "1 Trillion" (1조) | 2024 | 129 | Non-album single | |
| "Vivid LaLa Love" (비비드라라러브) | 2025 | 101 | Eros | |
| "Endangered Love" (멸종위기사랑) | 7 | |||
| As a featured artist | ||||
| "Think About You" (널 생각해) (Younha featuring Lee Chan-hyuk) |
2015 | 13 |
|
Non-album single |
| "Heartbreak Club" (이별클럽) (Colde featuring Lee Chan-hyuk) |
2023 | — | N/a | Love Part 2 |
| "Your Love" (너의사랑) (Chanju featuring Lee Chan-hyuk) |
— | Wonderland | ||
| "Music" (Big Naughty featuring Lee Chan-hyuk) |
2025 | 135 | Non-album single | |
| Collaborations | ||||
| "Eat Sleep Live Repeat" (잘 먹고 잘 살아) (with Lee Sung-kyung)[21] |
2023 | —[b] | N/a | Non-album single |
| Soundtrack appearances | ||||
| "Free Smile" (with Lee Hyori) |
2022 | —[c] | N/a | Seoul Check-in OST |
| Promotional singles | ||||
| "Cheers" (치열) (with Code Kunst, Colde and Sogumm)[d] |
2021 | —[e] | N/a | Reconnect |
Other charted songs
| Title | Year | Peak positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR DL [26] | |||
| "Goodbye, Stay Well" (마지막 인사) (feat. Chungha) |
2022 | 61 | Error |
| "If I Can't Go See You Right Now" (당장 널 만나러 가지 않으면) |
68 | ||
| "Time! Stop!" | 84 | ||
| "A Day" | 100 | ||
| "Funeral Hope" (장례희망) | 74 | ||
| "Castle in My Dream" (내 꿈의 성) | 105 | ||
| "Eyewitness Account" (목격담) | 106 | ||
| "Missed Call" (부재중 전화) | 107 | ||
| "Siren" | 112 | ||
| "What The" (뭐가) | 113 | ||
| "Simple Words" (쉬운 얘기) (Vocal. Lee Su-hyun and Chang Kiha) |
2023 | 111 | Umbrella |
| "Sinny Sinny" | 2025 | 172 | Eros |
| "Out of My Mind" (돌아버렸어) | 78 | ||
| "TV Show" | 175 | ||
| "Eve" | 169 | ||
| "Andrew" | 185 | ||
| "Tail" (꼬리) | 190 | ||
| "Shining Ground" (빛나는 세상) | 189 |
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Song of the Sun | Music director | [27] |
Television show
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–2013 | K-pop Star Season 2 | Contestant | Winner with Akdong Musician | [28] |
| 2017 | King of Mask Singer | Episode 99 | [29] |
Bibliography
Awards and nominations
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee(s)/work(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Korea Outstanding Individual Award | 2014 | N/a | Lee Chan-hyuk | Won | [30] |
| Korean Music Awards | 2023 | Best Pop Album | Error | Won | [31] |
| 2026 | Musician of the Year | Lee Chan-hyuk | Nominated | [32] [33] | |
| Album of the Year | Eros | Nominated | |||
| Best Pop Album | Won | ||||
| Song of the Year | Endangered Love | Won | |||
| Best Pop Song | Won | ||||
| MAMA Awards | 2025 | Best Music Video | Vivid LaLa Love | Nominated | [34] |
| Song of the Year | Longlisted | ||||
| MUSIC (featuring Big Naughty) | Longlisted | ||||
| Best Rap & Hip Hop Performance | Won | [35] |
Notes
- "Cheers" was released in collaboration with Elle Korea.[24]