Lee Dong-hae (born October 15, 1986),
referred to as Donghae, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, composer and actor. He became a trainee under
SM Entertainment
SM Entertainment Co., Ltd. () is a South Korean multinational entertainment agency. It is one of South Korea's largest entertainment companies where it was established in 1995 by record executive and record producer Lee Soo-man. The company ha ...
after winning a prize at SM's ''Youth Best Contest'' in 2001.
[ After four years of training, Donghae debuted as a member of boy group Super Junior in November 2005. Since then, he has risen to prominence due to the group's success on the Asian music scene and further participated in the group's project groups ]Super Junior-M
Super Junior-M (stylized as SJ-M), an initialism for Super Junior-Mandarin, is a Chinese sub-unit of the South Korean boy band Super Junior. The sub-unit is the first international music group in the Chinese music industry to have members of bot ...
, Super Junior-D&E
Super Junior-D&E ( ko, 슈퍼주니어-동해&은혁, also known as Donghae & Eunhyuk, D&E or SJ-D&E) is the fifth sub-unit of South Korean boy band Super Junior, formed by SM Entertainment in 2011. It is composed of two Super Junior members: D ...
. He is one of the first four Korean artists to appear on Chinese postage stamps.
Career
1986–2011: Early life and career beginnings
Donghae was born in Mokpo
Mokpo (; ''Mokpo-si'') is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, located at the southwestern tip of the Korean Peninsula, close to Yudal mountain. Mokpo has frequent high-speed train services to Seoul, and is the terminus for a number of f ...
, South Jeolla Province
South Jeolla Province (; ''Jeollanam-do''; ), also known as Jeonnam, is a province of South Korea. South Jeolla has a population of 1,902,324 (2014) and has a geographic area of located in the Honam region at the southwestern tip of the Korean ...
, South Korea. His grandmother helped his mother to deliver him. He has an elder brother named Lee Dong-hwa. When he was young he wanted to become a football player but his dad wanted him to be a singer since he gave up of his dream to become one himself. In 2001, Donghae signed with SM Entertainment
SM Entertainment Co., Ltd. () is a South Korean multinational entertainment agency. It is one of South Korea's largest entertainment companies where it was established in 1995 by record executive and record producer Lee Soo-man. The company ha ...
after winning a prize at SM's ''Youth Best Contest''.["李东海个人资料_CCTV.com_中国中央电视台"]
. Ent.cctv.com''. Retrieved 2011-12-25 Under SM Entertainment, Donghae was put in singing, dancing, and acting lessons, and was then recruited into a five-member boy band ''Smile'', with future bandmate Leeteuk
Park Jeong-su (born July 1, 1983), known professionally as Leeteuk (), is a South Korean singer, songwriter, presenter, radio personality and actor. He debuted as the leader of the boy band Super Junior in November 2005 and since then has part ...
, but the idea was soon dropped. In 2004, Donghae, along with Leeteuk, was put into a twelve-member boy band named Super Junior 05.
Donghae officially debuted as part of 12-member project group ''Super Junior 05'' on 6 November 2005. He made his acting debut in Super Junior's horror documentary ''Mystery 6'', broadcast in early 2006. The documentary surrounds Donghae and his peculiar ability to see and feel ghosts. In August 2006, Donghae played the role of a human turned cyborg in the Korean version of BoA
Kwon Bo-ah (; born November 5, 1986), known professionally as BoA, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer and actress. One of the most successful and influential Korean entertainers, she has been dubbed the " Queen of K- ...
's music video drama, " Key of Heart".
In 2007, he played a role in '' Attack on the Pin-Up Boys''.
In April 2008, a Super Junior's Chinese subgroup Super Junior-M
Super Junior-M (stylized as SJ-M), an initialism for Super Junior-Mandarin, is a Chinese sub-unit of the South Korean boy band Super Junior. The sub-unit is the first international music group in the Chinese music industry to have members of bot ...
was formed with Donghae and fellow members Hangeng
Han Geng (Chinese: 韩庚; Pinyin: Hán Gēng; ) (born February 9, 1984) is a Chinese Mandopop singer and actor. He started his career in 2001, when he was chosen by S.M. Entertainment to become a member of South Korean boy band Super Junio ...
, Siwon
Choi Si-won (; born 7 April 1986), known mononymously as Siwon, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, model, and actor known for his work as a member of South Korean boy group Super Junior. Choi committed as special representative of UNICEF K ...
, Ryeowook
Kim Ryeo-wook (born June 21, 1987), better known by the mononym Ryeowook, is a South Korean singer, songwriter and musical actor. He is best known as a member of boy group Super Junior and its subgroups, Super Junior-K.R.Y. and Super Junior-M. ...
, Kyuhyun, Henry
Henry may refer to:
People
*Henry (given name)
* Henry (surname)
* Henry Lau, Canadian singer and musician who performs under the mononym Henry
Royalty
* Portuguese royalty
** King-Cardinal Henry, King of Portugal
** Henry, Count of Portugal, ...
, Zhou Mi. Their debut album, '' Me'', debuted in Korea's MIAK Monthly Charts as #10 [MIAK Monthly Charts of April]
Retrieved May 17, 2008. and reached #1 in China's ''Top in Music'' chart.[Top in Music]
In 2010, he played in a drama It's Okay, Daddy's Girl.
In April 2011, Donghae co-starred again with fellow member Siwon
Choi Si-won (; born 7 April 1986), known mononymously as Siwon, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, model, and actor known for his work as a member of South Korean boy group Super Junior. Choi committed as special representative of UNICEF K ...
, in the Taiwanese drama
Taiwanese drama (, also known as T.W. drama) refer to dramatic programming of television programming extended stories usually dramatizing relationships through the general range of ten to forty one-hour episodes. They are produced in Taiwan and hav ...
''Skip Beat!
, abbreviated as ''Sukibi'', is a Japanese shōjo manga by Yoshiki Nakamura. It is the story of , a 16-year-old girl who discovers that her childhood friend and romantic goal, Shotaro Fuwa, only keeps her around to act as a maid and to ea ...
'' with Ivy Chen
Ivy Chen Yi-han (; born 12 November 1982) is a Taiwanese actress.
In 2002, she appeared in the Taiwanese variety show ''Guess'' and was a contestant in the "Do Not Judge a Book by Its Cover" (人不可貌相) segment. She was later signed by a ...
. He also sang the ending theme song, "This is Love," which also featured fellow Super Junior-M
Super Junior-M (stylized as SJ-M), an initialism for Super Junior-Mandarin, is a Chinese sub-unit of the South Korean boy band Super Junior. The sub-unit is the first international music group in the Chinese music industry to have members of bot ...
member Henry
Henry may refer to:
People
*Henry (given name)
* Henry (surname)
* Henry Lau, Canadian singer and musician who performs under the mononym Henry
Royalty
* Portuguese royalty
** King-Cardinal Henry, King of Portugal
** Henry, Count of Portugal, ...
.
Donghae sang the theme song for the 2011 8th Asia Song Festival, "Dreams Come True", with Seohyun
Seo Ju-hyun (; born June 28, 1991), known professionally as Seohyun, is a South Korean singer, actress and songwriter. She debuted as a member of girl group Girls' Generation (and later its subgroup Girls' Generation-TTS) in August 2007, which ...
of Girls' Generation
On December 16, 2011, a Super Junior subgroup D&E was formed with Donghae and fellow member Eunhyuk
Lee Hyuk-jae (born April 4, 1986), better known by his stage name Eunhyuk, is a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter, dancer and television host. He is a member of the South Korean boy group Super Junior and its subgroups Super Junior-T and ...
. They began the project with released debut single '' Oppa, Oppa''. The single was also released in Japanese, in April 2012.
2012–2015: Acting roles, Lyrics Writing and Composing, Military enlistment
In May 2012, Donghae was cast in the title role of Mr. Hedgehog in the romantic comedy ''Miss Panda and Mr. Hedgehog
''Miss Panda and Mr. Hedgehog'' () is a 2012 South Korean television series starring Lee Donghae of Super Junior and Yoon Seung-ah. Produced by Song Hae-sung's TV production venture Lion Fish, it aired on Channel A from August 18 to October 7, 2 ...
''. Donghae also sang his character Go Seung-gi's theme song "Plz Don't", which was released online on 20 August.
In June 2012, Donghae reunited with Super Junior for their sixth studio album, '' Sexy, Free & Single''. In the repackaged edition of the album, re-titled ''Spy'', Donghae co-wrote the lyrics for "Only U" with Leeteuk; and co-composed "Haru" with Urban Zakapa's Kwon Soon-il.
In December 2012, Donghae joined SM new dance project group, S.M. The Performance, contributing his dance skill to covered performance for Zedd's Spectrum
A spectrum (plural ''spectra'' or ''spectrums'') is a condition that is not limited to a specific set of values but can vary, without gaps, across a continuum. The word was first used scientifically in optics to describe the rainbow of colors ...
on SBS Gayo Daejeon on December 29 and later the song released digitally on December 30.
Due to a scheduling conflict, Donghae turned down the casting offer for horror film 'Tunnel'; however, he was later cast as the star lead in the short film ''The Youth-The Rumor''. Donghae was to join the cast of Quiz of God
''Quiz of God'' () is a South Korean television series broadcast on cable channel OCN. It was the first medical/forensic crime investigation drama to air in Korea. The series follows genius but eccentric neurosurgeon and forensic doctor Han J ...
Season 4 as Han Si Woo, a medical researcher. The show aired its first episode on May 18.
In August 2014, Super Junior's seventh album, '' Mamacita'' was released, where Donghae also contributing music and lyrics to their second lead single, "Shirt".
In March 2015, D&E's first Korean album, '' The Beat Goes On'' was released. Donghae was participated in the album production teamed up with producers Team One Sound to writing lyrics and composing two songs, the lead single "Growing Pains" and side single "Mother" .
In July 2015, Super Junior special album, ''Devil
A devil is the personification of evil as it is conceived in various cultures and religious traditions. It is seen as the objectification of a hostile and destructive force. Jeffrey Burton Russell states that the different conceptions of ...
'' was released to celebrate the group's 10th anniversary. Donghae also participated in the album production with writing lyrics and composing two songs, "Don't Wake Me Up" and "Alright".
On September 2, 2015, S.M. Entertainment announced that Lee Donghae would enlist as a conscripted policeman on October 15, 2015. Donghae entered through the Nonsan
Nonsan () is a city in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. It is located at . The origin of Nonsan's geographical names is said to have come from the small garden " Nolmoe, " which rises in the middle of farming fields, where rice paddies ...
Army Training Center in Chungnam
South Chungcheong Province ( ko, 충청남도, ''Chungcheongnam-do''), also known as Chungnam, is a province of South Korea. South Chungcheong has a population of 2,059,871 (2014) and has a geographic area of 8,204 km2 (3,168 sq mi) located in ...
on his birthday.
2017–present: Returning to Super Junior and Super Junior Promotions
Donghae completed his military service on 14 July 2017 after serving for 21 months. Following the completion of his mandatory military service, he and fellow Super Junior member Eunhyuk
Lee Hyuk-jae (born April 4, 1986), better known by his stage name Eunhyuk, is a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter, dancer and television host. He is a member of the South Korean boy group Super Junior and its subgroups Super Junior-T and ...
, held a fan meeting for Super Junior-D&E
Super Junior-D&E ( ko, 슈퍼주니어-동해&은혁, also known as Donghae & Eunhyuk, D&E or SJ-D&E) is the fifth sub-unit of South Korean boy band Super Junior, formed by SM Entertainment in 2011. It is composed of two Super Junior members: D ...
''Hello Again'' on July 23 at Sejong University Daeyang Hall and participated on SM TOWN Live World Tour VI in Japan on July 27–28.
On 27 September 2017, Super Junior's website began a countdown to November 6 -the date of their 12th anniversary- announcing it as their comeback date for their 8th album. " SJ Returns – Super Junior Real Comeback Story," a reality show featuring the idol group's development of their album, began airing on 9 October. Donghae participated in the album production of where he co-wrote with Eunhyuk and JDUB as well as co-composed with JDUB for a pre-release single "One More Chance". On 30 October 2017, the music video for "One More Chance" was released as a pre-release track for the upcoming album. On 6 November 2017 Super Junior's 8th Album "Play", was released in honor of Super Junior's 12th anniversary.
In 2017, Donghae and Eunhyuk announced their comeback as the duo group Super Junior D&E in Japan, where they would kick off a series of monthly release of Japanese singles where they will be releasing one song every month starting November 2017, and by sometime later 2018, compile all the released singles into a full Japanese album. On November 29, they released the first Japanese single of the series, titled "Here We Are". One month later, on December 26, D&E released the second Japanese single titled "You don't go". On January 31, 2018, SUPER JUNIOR-D&E released the third Japanese single titled "If You", written and composed by Donghae. On February 28, 2018, SUPER JUNIOR-D&E's released the fourth Japanese single titled "Circus". On March 28, 2018, the duo continued their ongoing Japanese series, the fifth single, titled "Lose It ". The music video was released in 3 episodes. The episodes were released on March 28, 2018, March 30, 2018, and April 1, 2018. On April 2, 2018, the full version of the music video was later released.
In December 2017, Donghae collaborated with Cadillac, where Donghae co-written lyrics and composed "Perfect" soundtrack for Cadillac.
Due to the success of SJ Returns, in January 2018, Donghae and his fellow Super Junior members started a new variety program Super TV in which varied entertainment formats are re-created and twisted in Super Junior's own way. The first season was released with 12 episodes where Donghae gained the nickname '0-hae' due to his lack of variety skills.
Personal life
On September 2, 2015, SM Entertainment announced that Lee Dong-hae would enlist as a conscripted policeman on October 15, 2015. Donghae entered through the Nonsan
Nonsan () is a city in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. It is located at . The origin of Nonsan's geographical names is said to have come from the small garden " Nolmoe, " which rises in the middle of farming fields, where rice paddies ...
Army Training Center in Chungnam
South Chungcheong Province ( ko, 충청남도, ''Chungcheongnam-do''), also known as Chungnam, is a province of South Korea. South Chungcheong has a population of 2,059,871 (2014) and has a geographic area of 8,204 km2 (3,168 sq mi) located in ...
on his birthday. He was discharged on July 14, 2017.
Discography
Singles
Other appearances
Lyrics and Composition
Filmography
Film
Television series
Television shows
Web shows
Awards and nominations
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Donghae
1986 births
Japanese-language singers of South Korea
Mandarin-language singers of South Korea
Living people
People from South Jeolla Province
Super Junior members
Super Junior-M members
Donghae & Eunhyuk members
South Korean male idols
South Korean singer-songwriters
South Korean pop singers
South Korean male singers
South Korean male film actors
South Korean pianists
South Korean radio presenters
South Korean rhythm and blues singers
South Korean male television actors
South Korean television presenters
21st-century South Korean singers
Male pianists
South Korean male singer-songwriters