Lee Chang-sub
South Korean singer (born 1991)
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Lee Chang-sub (Korean: 이창섭; born February 26, 1991), is a South Korean singer and musical actor. He debuted as the lead vocalist of the South Korean boy group BtoB in March 2012.[1] He debuted as a soloist in 2017, with the release of his debut single "At the End". The same year he made his theatre debut in the Korean musical adaptation of Boys Over Flowers as Goo Jun-pyo. He has also come to be known for his soundtrack collaborations, most prominently with the release of his cover of Can's "Heavenly Fate" in 2024. In 2023, he founded Chang-Ggo Training Centre vocal academy in Suwon.
- Singer
- musical actor
Lee Chang-sub | |
|---|---|
Lee in 2016 | |
| Born | February 26, 1991 Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea |
| Education | Howon University |
| Occupations |
|
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Labels | |
| Member of | |
| Formerly of | United Cube |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 이창섭 |
| RR | I Changseop |
| MR | I Ch'angsŏp |
| Signature | |
 | |
Early life and education
Lee Changsub was born in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.[1] He studied Practical Music at Howon University with BTOB group-mate Im Hyunsik. He was admitted despite the 3000:5 acceptance rate at the time.[2][unreliable source?]
Prior to his debut as an idol, he won a Daesang at the 16th Suwon Music Festival 2008, and became vice-president of Red Cross Youth Gyeonggi Province in 2009.[3][unreliable source?]
Career
2012–2017: Debut with BtoB
Lee debuted as the lead vocalist of BtoB on March 21, 2012.[4] Although primarily a vocalist in the group, Lee has also participated in lyric writing on a few tracks by BtoB including, "Last Day", "Killing Me" and "Melody".[5][6][7]
He was a contestant on King of Masked Singer introducing himself as "Mr. Wifi" in 2015.[8] In 2016, he participated in the Mongolia episodes of SBS's reality-documentary show, Law of the Jungle.[9]
2017–2022: Solo career beginnings, unit debut
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Lee Changsub released his debut solo EP, bpm 82.5, in Japan. With the title track "At The End". His Japanese debut in 2017 coincided with the launch of the Piece of BTOB project,[10][unreliable source?] which saw each BtoB member releasing solo digital singles during the group's promotional hiatus in the summer of 2017.
He started his career in musicals in 2017. He was cast in the musical adaptation of "Boys Over Flowers" as the lead, Goo Jun-pyo.[11] He also played a role in the Korean production of the musical "Napoleon" as Lucien, Napoleon's little brother.[12][13] Next, he was cast as the titular main character in the musical "Edgar Allan Poe".[14][unreliable source?]
The following year, he landed another leading role as Eddie Birdlace in "Dogfight".[15] His final musical project before military enlistment was "Iron Mask" where he undertook the dual leading role of King Louis XIV as well as his twin brother Philippe [16]
In December 2018, he released his first Korean solo EP titled Mark.[17] He considered it a gift to his fans before his enlistment in January 2019. He held his first solo concert, SPACE, on January 4, 5 and 6, 2019 at the Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin District, Seoul.[18][19]
On October 27, 2020, Cube announced that the currently active members of BtoB would form a unit called BtoB 4U consisting of Eunkwang, Minhyuk, Changsub and Peniel.[20] The unit debuted on November 16 with their first mini-album, Inside and title track "Show Your Love".[21]
On September 6, 2022, he released his solo single titled "reissue #001 'SURRENDER".[22]
2023–present: Departure from Cube Entertainment, solo success
In April 2023, he established Chang-Ggo Training Centre vocal academy in Suwon.[23][24] In November 2023, BtoB members departed from Cube Entertainment following the end of their contracts. On November 23, 2023, it was announced that Lee had signed with Fantagio. Lee has stated his plans to continue BtoB group promotions despite being under a different agency to his members.[25]
On February 21, 2024, Lee released a cover of Can's "Heavenly Fate" as an OST single for the webtoon, A Not So Fairy Tale.[26] The single was one of the most successful singles of 2024, dominating karaoke and streaming charts, and went on to secure nominations for MAMA and the Melon Music Awards.[27][28][29] In August, it was announced that Changsub would participate in Universe League as the director for Team Groove.[30] On October 2, Lee released his debut studio album, 1991.[31] Lee commenced his solo concert tour, The Wayfarer Tour, on November 30–December 1 in Seoul at the KBS Arena.[32]
Lee released his debut essay, A Suitable Person, on February 25, 2025, topping the Korean bestseller lists.[33][34]
Personal life
Health
Lee developed vocal cord nodules around the time of the recording of Mark, in late 2018.[35][36] In March 2024, Lee halted activities that involved singing due to his "poor throat condition".[37] Lee later revealed that he was diagnosed with vocal cord polyps, and had had three surgeries to correct it.[38][39][40][41]
Military service
He began his military duty by enlisting as an active duty soldier on January 14, 2019.[42] On July 24, Lee recorded a special single— a new theme song for the ROK Army alongside Shinee's Onew and Key, Exo's Xiumin, Infinite's Sungkyu, 2AM's Jo Kwon and Jinwoon, Yoon Ji-sung and actors Kim Minseok, and Lee Jae-kyoon.[43]
He was officially discharged on August 21, 2020, following the COVID-19 protocol.[44]
Philanthropy
On October 21, 2017, Lee Chang-sub visited his alma mater and delivered a scholarship of ₩10 million to his high school alma-mater, Samil Commercial High School. Changsub said, "I couldn't have imagined this when I was in school. It's an honor to be in a situation where I'm able to deliver this scholarship for the younger generation of students. I've been able to come this far thanks to my teachers and my school who helped me until the end when I was a student".[45]
Discography
Studio albums
Extended plays
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [48] |
JPN [49] | |||
| bpm82.5 |
Track listing
|
— | 12 |
|
| Mark |
Track listing
|
5 | — |
|
| EndAnd (이별, 이-별) |
Track listing
|
10 | — |
|
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory | ||||
Single albums
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [55] | ||||
| "You Inside My Memories" (추억속의 그대) | 2015 | — | N/a | N/a |
| "At the End" | 2017 | 22 |
|
Piece of BTOB Vol. 1 |
| "Gone" | 2018 | 74 | N/a | Mark |
| "I Guess I Loved You" (사랑했나봐) | 2023 | 184 | Non-album singles | |
| "As Always" (그래, 늘 그랬듯 언제나) | 2024 | 193 | ||
| "Vain Hope" (희망고문) | —[A] | 1991 | ||
| "33" | 177 | |||
| "Old Town" | —[B] | |||
| "Feel the Groove" | 2025 | —[C] | Non-album singles | |
| "Coward" (겁쟁이) | –[D] | |||
| "I Will Be Your Flower" (꽃이되어줄게) | 137 | |||
| "Vroom Vroom" | —[E] | Vroom Vroom | ||
| "That Place, That Time" (그 자리에, 그 시간에) | 131 | Non-album single | ||
| "EndAnd" | — | EndAnd | ||
| "Trickle Down" (주르르) | 120 | |||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory | ||||
As featured artist
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Last Taxi" (Heize feat. Changsub) |
2025 | Love Virus Pt.1 |
Collaborations
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [62] | |||
| "The Love of Fingertips" (손끝의 사랑) (with B1A4, Eunkwang, Heo Young-ji, A-JAX, April, Oh My Girl and Kassy) |
2016 | — | N/a |
| "Sorry" (미안해) (Eunkwang and Minhyuk) |
2019 | 96 | |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory | |||
Soundtrack appearances
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [63] | ||||
| "Be Alright" (with Yoseob, G.NA, Gayoon) |
2012 | 93 |
|
Road for Hope OST |
| "Bye Bye Love" (with Yoseob, Dongwoon, Jung Il-hoon) |
2013 | 35 |
|
When a Man Falls in Love OST |
| "Past Days" (지난 날) (with Junhyung, Ha Yeon-soo, Minhyuk, Hyunsik, Sungjae) |
56 |
|
Monstar OST | |
| "After Time Passes" (시간이 흐른 뒤엔) (with Junhyung, Minhyuk, Hyunsik, Sungjae) |
32 |
| ||
| "First Love" (첫사랑) (with Junhyung, Minhyuk, Hyunsik, Sungjae) |
61 |
| ||
| "Goodbye Sadness" (with Eunkwang and Ilhoon) |
2015 | — | N/a | Sweet, Savage Family OST |
| "After the Play Ends" (연극이 끝난 후) (with Elkie and Heota) |
2016 | — | After the Play Ends OST | |
| "For You" (with Eunkwang, Ilhoon, Minhyuk) |
— | Cinderella and Four Knights OST | ||
| "What's On Your Mind?" | 2017 | — | My Friend's Love Life OST | |
| "Falling" | 2018 | — | A Poem a Day OST | |
| "In Your Light" | — | Lovely Horribly OST | ||
| "The night I miss you" | 2021 | — | Her Bucket List OST | |
| "Freedom" | 2022 | — | Doctor Lawyer OST | |
| "Love from a Real Heart" (사랑은 가슴이 시킨다(2023)) | 2023 | 120 | It Was Spring OST | |
| "Heavenly Fate" (천상연) | 2024 | 6 | A Not So Fairy Tale OST | |
| "It's Alright" | —[F] | Dare to Love Me OST | ||
| "True Love" (거짓말의 반대말만 할게요) | —[G] | Secret Relationship OST | ||
| "I'll Wait for You" (너를 기다릴게) | 2025 | —[H] | Buried Hearts OST | |
| "Farewell Once Again" (한번 더 이별) | 23 | Just for Meeting You OST | ||
| "Alone" (혼자) | —[I] | To the Moon OST | ||
| "365 Days" (365일) | 66 | Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight OST | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory | ||||
Songwriting credits
All credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association, unless cited otherwise.[73]
| Year | Song | Artist(s) | Album | Lyricist | Composer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | "Never Ending (Melody)" (끝나지 않을 (Melody)) | BTOB | Beep Beep |  |
|
| 2015 | "Last Day" | I Mean () | |
 | |
| 2016 | "Killing Me" | Remember That | |
| |
| "Melody Song" (예지앞사) | New Men | |
| ||
| 2017 | "At The End" | Himself | Piece of BTOB Vol. 1 | |
|
| 2018 | "Way" | Mark | |
| |
| "Miss You" (틈) | |
| |||
| "Shelter" | |
| |||
| "Ever" | |
| |||
| "Gone" | |
| |||
| 2024 | "As Always" | 1991 | |
| |
| "33" | |
|
Filmography
Television series
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Monstar | Men in Black member | [citation needed] | |
| 2015 | The Village: Achiara's Secret | Cameo | [citation needed] |
Television shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | King of Masked Singer | Contestant | as Mr. Wifi | [74] |
| National Idol Singing Competition | with Seo Eun-kwang as Golden and Silver Axe | [75] | ||
| 2016 | Idol and Family National Singing Competition | with Seo Eun-kwang and his brother | [76] | |
| Law of the Jungle in Mongolia | Cast member | Episode 229–237 | [77] | |
| 2017 | Duet Song Festival | Contestant | Episode 43–44 (with Park Soo-jin) | [78] |
| 2020 | Bookae Contest (부캐 선발대회) | with Seo Eun-kwang as Golden and Silver Axe | [79] | |
| 2024 | Universe League | Director | Team Groove | [30] |
Hosting
| Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Korean Armed Forces Symphony Orchestra the Peacekeeper of Gang-Won | with Shinee's Key | [80] |
| 2020 | All That Cube | Episode 7–16 | [81] |
| 2024 | When I Opened My Eyes (눈떠보니 OOO) | with Cho Sae-ho | [82] |
| 2025 | Salon de Idol | with Key | [83] |
| Idol Star Athletics Championships (ISAC) | with Jun Hyun Moo, Lee Eun Ji, and Jonathan | [84] |
Web shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–2025 | Jeongwaja (Changing Majors) | Host | Season 1–5 | [85] |
| 2022 | Inssa Oppa S7 | with Seo Eun-kwang | [86] | |
| 2023 | Lotri Night | [87] | ||
| 2025 | Singing for You (너를 위해 부른다) | Director | [88] | |
| 2025–2026 | Ttorora | Cast | with Solar and Hyungwon | [89] |
Live performances and tours
Musical stages
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Boys Over Flowers | Tsukasa Doumyouji | [11] |
| Napoleon | Lucien | [12][90] | |
| Edgar Allan Poe | Edgar Allan Poe | [91] | |
| 2018 | Dogfight | Birdlace | [92] |
| Iron Mask | Louis XIV | [93] | |
| 2021 | The Last Empress | Hong Gye-Hoon | [94] |
| Marie Antoinette | Count Axel von Fersen | [95] | |
| Darwin Young's Origin of Evil | Darwin Young | [96] | |
| 2022 | Mata Hari | Armand | [97] |
| 2023 | Memphis | Huey | [98] |
| 2023–2024 | Winter Traveler | Han Min-woo | [99] |
| 2025 | Memphis | Huey | [100] |
Solo concerts
| Year | Date | Title | Notes | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Jan 4-6 | Space | Seoul | Yes24 Live Hall | [101] |
| 2024 | Nov 30 – Dec 1 | The Wayfarer | In Seoul | KBS Arena | [102] |
| Dec 7-8 | In Gwangju | Gwangju Women's University Universaide Gymnasium | |||
| Dec 14-15 | In Busan | KBS Busan Broadcasting Station | |||
| Dec 21-22 | In Daegu | EXCO 5F Convention Hall | |||
| Dec 28-29 | In Suwon | Suwon Gymnasium | |||
| 2025 | Jan 4-5 | In Cheongju | Cheongju University Seokwoo Cultural Gymnasium | ||
| Feb 2 | In Taipei | Zepp New Taipei | [103] | ||
| Feb 7-9 | ENCORE (Seoul) | SK Olympic Handball Stadium | |||
| Mar 22 | In Manila | SM NORTH EDSA, SKYDOME | |||
| Apr 5 | In Bangkok | CENTERPOINT STUDIO LASALLE | [104] | ||
| Nov 7-9 | EndAnd | In Seoul | Jangchung Arena | [105] | |
| Nov 29-30 | In Incheon | Songdo Convensia | |||
| Dec 6-7 | In Daejeon | Daejeon Convention Center, DCC 2 | |||
| Dec 13-14 | In Gwangju | Gwangju Women's University Universaide Gymnasium | |||
| 2026 | Jan 3-4 | In Daegu | EXCO 5F Convention Hall | ||
| Jan 17-18 | In Busan | BEXCO Auditorium | |||
| Jan 24-25 | In Suwon | Suwon Convention Center |
Special concerts
Awards and nominations
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand of the Year Awards[J] | 2023 | Web Entertainment MC | Himself | Won | [109] |
| Korea First Brand Awards[K] | 2025 | Male Vocal | Won | [111] | |
| Web Variety MC | Won | ||||
| 2026 | Men's Vocal Category | Won | [112] | ||
| MAMA Awards | 2024 | Song of the Year | "Heavenly Fate" | Longlisted |
[28] |
| Best OST | Nominated | ||||
| Melon Music Awards | 2024 | Song of the Year | Nominated | [29] | |
| Best Male Solo | Himself | Nominated |
Notes
- "Vain Hope" did not chart on the Circle Digital Chart but peaked at 18 on the component Download Chart.[57]
- "Old Town" did not chart on the Circle Digital Chart but peaked at 9 on the component Download Chart.[58]
- "Feel the Groove" did not chart on the Circle Digital Chart but peaked at 47 on the component Download Chart.[59]
- "Coward" did not chart on the Circle Digital Chart but peaked at 22 on the component Download Chart.[60]
- "Vroom Vroom" did not chart on the Circle Digital Chart but peaked at 12 on the component Download Chart.[61]
- "It's Alright" did not chart on the Circle Digital Chart but peaked at 52 on the component Download Chart.[69]
- "True Love" did not chart on the Circle Digital Chart but peaked at 9 on the component Download Chart.[70]
- "I'll Wait for You" did not chart on the Circle Digital Chart but peaked at 33 on the component Download Chart.[71]
- "Alone" did not chart on the Circle Digital Chart but peaked at 52 on the component Download Chart.[72]