Hoya (singer) explained

Hoya
Image Upright:1.15
Birth Name:Lee Ho-dong[1]
Birth Date:28 March 1991
Birth Place:Busan, South Korea
Alma Mater:Daekyung University
Agent:Initial
Years Active:2010–present
Module:
Embed:yes
Instrument:Vocals
Current Member Of:Mbitious
Module2:
Child:yes
Hangul:호야
Rr:Hoya
Mr:Hoya
Othername1:Autonym
Hangul1:이호원
Hanja1:李浩沅
Rr1:I Howon
Mr1:I Howŏn
Hangulborn:이호동
Hanjaborn:李浩東
Rrborn:I Hodong
Mrborn:I Hotong

Lee Ho-dong (; born 28 March 1991[2]), better known by his stage name Hoya or Lee Ho-won, is a South Korean singer, rapper, songwriter, dancer, actor and currently a member of dance crew MBITIOUS. He is known served as a rapper and vocalist in boy band Infinite (and later its sub-group Infinite H) from 2010 until his departure from Woollim Entertainment in 2017.[3] [4] [5] In 2018, Hoya made his solo debut on March 28 with his first EP Shower.

Hoya made his acting debut in the drama Reply 1997 (2012) and went on to star in the dramas My Lovely Girl (2014), Mask (2015), Radiant Office (2017), and Two Cops (2017), Devilish Charm (2018).

Biography

Hoya was born in Busan, South Korea. He dropped out of high school during his first year to pursue his dream as a singer. His father was against the decision thus Hoya had to leave home. He then took the high school qualification exam and passed. Later his father accepted him and now supports Infinite whole heartedly. Hoya auditioned after he dropped out and ended up in his current agency, Woollim Entertainment. He was a former JYP Entertainment trainee.[6]

On March 10, 2014, he announced that his real birth name is Lee Hodong, not Howon as he had previously told the public, and that he changed it in order not to share a name with comedian Kang Hodong.[7]

Hoya graduated from Daekyeung University, majoring in Applied Music.[8] [9]

Career

2010: Debut with Infinite

See main article: article and Infinite (band). Hoya debuted as rapper, vocal and main dancer of South Korean boyband Infinite in 2010. The group officially debuted on June 9, 2010.

2012–2014: Infinite H's debut and acting roles

See main article: article and Infinite H. Hoya made his acting debut in the tvN drama Reply 1997. The drama was a major hit and raised his popularity.[10]

In September 2012, Hoya and fellow Infinite member Dongwoo formed a subgroup called Infinite H.[11] [12] The subgroup released their first mini-album, titled Fly High, in January 2013.[13]

In 2014, Hoya starred in SBS' music romance drama, My Lovely Girl; which co-stars his fellow Infinite member Kim Myung-soo.[14]

On September 24, 2014, Hoya was cast as the lead role in the film Hiya. He played a high school student who only dreams of becoming a singer. The film premiered on March 10, 2015.[15] [16]

2015–2017: Departure from Infinite, solo activities

In 2015, Hoya starred in SBS's melodrama Mask, acting as Soo Ae's brother.[17]

In June 2016, Hoya became a contestant in Mnet's dance survival show, Hit The Stage.[18] In December, it was announced that Hoya has been cast in the sitcom Strong Family 2017, which started airing in February 2017.[19]

Hoya was a supporting role in MBC's office drama, Radiant Office.[20] On August 30, it was confirmed that Hoya would not be renewing his contract (which expired June 9, 2017) and would be leaving Infinite as well as Woollim Entertainment.[21] In September, he made his musical debut in Hourglass, a play based on the mega hit Korean drama Sandglass.[22] He then starred in MBC's cop drama, Two Cops.[23]

2018–present: Solo debut

In 2018, Lee made his solo debut on March 28 with his first mini album Shower.[24] He was then cast in the romance comedy drama Devilish Charm.[25] In the midst of all, Lee also went to Immortal Song 2 that was broadcast on August 4 and eventually won the episode by getting the highest scores there. Lee also became a dance coach/mentor in KBS variety program, Dancing High that focuses on teaching and mentoring the teens in Korea about dance. On September 12, Lee also released a digital single titled, 'Baby U' featuring Kriesha Chu in the music video.

Hoya enlisted for military service on February 7, 2019, by announcing it through a post two days before the date; he was discharged on December 6, 2020.[26]

On June 9, 2021, Hoya made his comeback with the new digital single album 1AM.[27]

On April 1, 2022, Hoya signed an exclusive contract with Initial Entertainment.[28]

Discography

See main article: article and Infinite discography.

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsSales
Album
KOR
[31] 		KOR Hot
[32]
As lead artist
"Pretending I'm Okay"2014— —
"Angel"2018— —Shower
"All Eyes On Me"— —
"Baby U"— —
"Stay With Me"2021— —1AM
As featured artist
"Ooh Ooh"
201448 —
"Need You Now"
[34] 		— —
  • KOR: 13,756
Fantastic
Soundtrack appearances
"About To Explode"
2016— —Hiya OST
"May I Love You"2017— —Hourglass OST
Collaboration
"Yesterday"
20129 — 2012 SBS Gayo Daejun The Colors Of K-Pop
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Songwriting credits

YearAlbumArtistSongLyricsMusicNotes
CreditedWithCreditedWith
2014Season 2Infinite"Last Romeo"Song Sooyoon, Dongwoo
Infinite H"Alone"Rphabet, Dongwoo
Hoya"Pretending I'm Okay"
2015Fly AgainInfinite H"Pretty"9999, Dongwoo9999[36]
2016Infinite OnlyInfinite"One Day"Rphabet's Razer & DongwooRphabet's Razer
"True Love"Dongwoo
2018ShowerHoya"Angel"NiiHWA
"All Eyes On Me"NiiHWA
"Reply"NiiHWA
"Sigh"NiiHWA

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2016HiyaLee Jin-ho
2022Urban MythsChoong-jaeSegment: "Tooth Worms"[37]
BirthChoi Yang-eop[38]

Television series

YearTitleRoleNotes
2012Reply 1997Kang Joon-hee
2013Reply 1994Cameo[39]
2014My Lovely GirlKang Rae-hoon
2015MaskByun Ji-hyuk
2017Strong Family 2017Lee Gwi-nam
Radiant OfficeJang Kang-ho
Two CopsDok Go Sun-hyeok
2018Devilish CharmSung Ki-joon
2019Hip Hop King – Nassna Street
2024–2025Check-in Hanyang[40]

Television shows

YearTitleRoleNotes
2016Hit the StageContestant
2018Dancing HighDance coach[41]
2022Be MbitiousContestantFinal member of Mbitious
Street Man FighterAs a member of Mbitious

Musical theatre

TitleYearRole
2017–2018HourglassBaek Jae-hee
2022Secretly, Greatly: THE LASTWon Ryu-hwan[42]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult
201636th Golden Cinema FestivalBest New ActorHiya[43]
2017MBC Drama AwardsBest New ActorRadiant Office[44]

Notes and References

  1. News: '예체능' 호야 개명 "본명 이호동, 강호동 때문에 놀림 받아 개명". Chosun News. March 12, 2014. January 30, 2015. September 7, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170907151409/http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/03/12/2014031201622.html. live.
  2. Book: Mark Russell. K-Pop Now!: The Korean Music Revolution. 63. April 29, 2014. Tuttle Publishing. 978-1-4629-1411-1.
  3. Web site: Infinite biography. Woollim Entertainment. November 21, 2014. November 2, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141102093906/http://www.woolliment.com/artist/artist_infinite_bio.wol. dead.
  4. Web site: Infinite H biography. Woollim Entertainment. September 22, 2016. September 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923060529/http://www.woolliment.com/artists_profile_infinite_H.wol. dead.
  5. Web site: ko:인피니트 호야, 전속계약 종료..."6인 체제로 그룹 재정비"(공식). http://thestar.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2017/08/30/2017083000986.html. The Chosun Ilbo. Chosun Ilbo Company. ko. Ha. Na-yeong. August 30, 2017. August 30, 2017. August 30, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170830055511/http://thestar.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2017/08/30/2017083000986.html. dead.
  6. Web site: 호야 자퇴 심경고백, "교복 못 입은 아쉬움...'응답'으로 보상받아". Naver News. September 24, 2012.
  7. Web site: Infinite's Hoya Changed His Name Because of Kang Ho Dong. Mnet. March 10, 2014. January 26, 2018. January 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180126185452/http://www.mnetamerica.com/news/article/60635/infinite-hoya-talks-about-changing-his-name-from-leehodong. dead.
  8. Web site: 인피니트 5명, 오늘 같은 대학 동시 졸업..수상도.
  9. Web site: 5 Infinite Members to Graduate from University Together. enewsWorld. February 15, 2013. September 11, 2018. July 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180710102253/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/CU/content/cms_view_1795763.jsp?cid=1795763&nodeId=4396. dead.
  10. Web site: [Interview] Hoya is More Popular Because of ′Reply 1997′ Than Infinite]. enewsWorld. January 27, 2013. March 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305023107/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/27393/hoya-says-people-dont-recognize-him-as-hoya-but-as-kang-jun-hee. bot: unknown.
  11. Web site: [INTERVIEW] INFINITE H – Part 1]. 10Asia. June 3, 2013. January 26, 2018. January 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180127083856/http://en.tenasia.com/archives/58258. dead.
  12. Web site: [INTERVIEW] INFINITE H – Part 2]. 10Asia. June 3, 2013. January 26, 2018. January 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180126191147/http://en.tenasia.com/archives/58361. dead.
  13. Web site: INFINITE H new album coming soon. Kpop Herald. January 20, 2015. January 26, 2018. January 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220116192233/http://kpopherald.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=201501201837299143665_2&ACE_SEARCH=1. live.
  14. Web site: Infinite's L and Hoya Confirmed for Drama 'My Lovely Girl'. enewsWorld. August 5, 2014. January 26, 2018. January 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180126185356/http://mwave.interest.me/en/kpop-news/article-print/72629/. live.
  15. Web site: Singer Hoya is getting serious about acting. Korea JoongAng Daily. January 29, 2016. January 26, 2018. January 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220118105805/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3014518. live.
  16. Web site: Hoya touched by Infinite members' response to 'Hiya'. Kpop Herald. March 16, 2016. January 26, 2018. January 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220116195340/http://kpopherald.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=201603161441241126401_2&ACE_SEARCH=1. live.
  17. Web site: 'Mask' reveals Hoya transformed into an armed bank robber. HanCinema. SBS funE. May 25, 2015. January 26, 2018. January 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180126185634/https://www.hancinema.net/-mask-reveals-hoya-transformed-into-an-armed-bank-robber-82428.html. live.
  18. Web site: Infinite's Hoya wins 'Hit the Stage' (video). Kpop Herald. August 18, 2016. January 26, 2018. August 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220813092600/https://kpopherald.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=201608181422323202668_2&ACE_SEARCH=1. live.
  19. Web site: INFINITE's Hoya To Star in New SBS Sitcom 'Super Family'. Koogle. January 4, 2017. January 26, 2018. January 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180127083740/http://koogle.tv/media/news/infinites-hoya-to-star-in-new-sbs-sitcom-super-family/. dead.
  20. Web site: Lee Dong-hwi, Kim Dong-wook, Hoya to star in new MBC drama "Radiant Office". HanCinema. Asiae. January 30, 2017. January 26, 2018. April 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230414170112/https://www.hancinema.net/lee-dong-hwi-kim-dong-wook-hoya-to-star-in-new-mbc-drama-radiant-office-102843.html. live.
  21. Web site: Hoya exits Infinite, does not renew contract. Korea JoongAng Daily. August 31, 2017. January 26, 2018. January 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220118110506/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3037800. live.
  22. Web site: Former Infinite Hoya to star in musical "Hourglass". HanCinema. September 25, 2017. January 26, 2018. May 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190503163131/https://www.hancinema.net/former-infinite-hoya-to-star-in-musical-hourglass-110485.html. live.
  23. Web site: Hoya to star in 'Two Cops'. HanCinema. Star Money. September 27, 2017. January 26, 2018. October 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211025032937/https://www.hancinema.net/hoya-to-star-in-two-cops-110583.html. live.
  24. Web site: [공식입장] 인피니트 출신 호야, 28일 첫 솔로앨범 'Shower' 발표..정식 데뷔]. Osen. ko. March 15, 2018. May 28, 2018. July 21, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180721073407/http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1110855254. live.
  25. Web site: 호야 측 "'마성의 기쁨' 출연 확정...5월 중 첫 촬영"(공식). Herald Corporation. ko. May 7, 2018.
  26. Web site: 엑소 시우민·인피니트 출신 이호원, 오늘(6일) 전역 '군필돌 컴백'. Newsen. Daum. ko. Hwang. Hyejin. December 6, 2020. December 6, 2020.
  27. Web site: 호야, 9일 디지털 싱글 '아이엠' 발매...전곡 프로듀싱→MV 연출. Xports News. Naver. ko. Lee. Seul. June 4, 2021. June 4, 2021.
  28. Web site: 인피니트 출신 이호원, 이니셜엔터 전속계약..이선빈 한솥밥[공식]]. Star News. Daum. ko. Gong. Mina. April 1, 2022. April 1, 2022.
  29. Web site: Gaon Album Chart. Gaon Chart. ko. April 5, 2018. January 26, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160126033139/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon. live.
    • Web site: Shower. November 12–18, 2017. April 5, 2018. April 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180405023024/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=13&hitYear=2018&termGbn=week. live.
  30. Culmulative sales for Shower:
    • Web site: 2018년 03월 Album Chart. Gaon. ko. May 2, 2018. February 3, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150203005818/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=03&hitYear=2018&termGbn=month. live.
    • Web site: 2018년 04월 Album Chart (See #50). Gaon Music Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. ko. May 10, 2018. February 3, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150203005818/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/album.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=&targetTime=04&hitYear=2018&termGbn=month. live.
  31. Peak Gaon Chart Digital Chart Ranking
  32. Billboard Korea K-pop 100 Chart
  33. Cumulative weekly sales of "Ooh Ooh":
    • Web site: Gaon Download Chart – Week 16, 2014 (see #48). Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. August 8, 2015. October 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201008152336/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=16&hitYear=2014&termGbn=week. live.
  34. Web site: SUJU-M Henry's New Album 'Fantastic' to Feature EXO's Chan Yeol, Infinite's Hoya and More. Yahoo. enewsWorld. July 9, 2014. January 26, 2018. May 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220516080204/https://sg.style.yahoo.com/news/suju-m-henry-s-new-album-fantastic-to-010119758.html. live.
  35. Cumulative sales for "Yesterday:
    • Web site: 2013 Gaon Download Chart – Week 1. August 16, 2017. August 16, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170816105637/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=01&hitYear=2013&termGbn=week. live.
    • Web site: 2013 Gaon Download Chart – Week 2. August 16, 2017. August 16, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170816104548/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=02&hitYear=2013&termGbn=week. live.
    • Web site: 2013 Gaon Download Chart – Week 3. August 16, 2017. August 16, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170816104902/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=03&hitYear=2013&termGbn=week. live.
    • Web site: 2013 Gaon Download Chart – Week 4. August 16, 2017. October 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201009222637/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=04&hitYear=2013&termGbn=week. live.
  36. Web site: Infinite's Hoya Wrote ′Pretty′ with His Mom in Mind. Mnet. January 26, 2015. January 26, 2018. January 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180127083751/http://www.mnetamerica.com/news/article/86003/infinites-hoya-wrote-lyrics-for-pretty-with-his-mom-in-mind. dead.
  37. Web site: K호러 '괴담' 크랭크업...김도윤·서지수·아린·셔누·주학년 등 출연. K-horror 'Ghost Story' crank-up ... Kim Do-yoon, Seo Ji-soo, Arin, Shownu, Ju Hak-hak, etc.. YTN. ko. Lee Yu-na. May 3, 2021. May 3, 2021. May 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210503035313/https://entertain.naver.com/movie/now/read?oid=052&aid=0001583100. live.
  38. Web site: 김대건 신부 다룬 최초 영화 '탄생', 여주인공 공개 오디션. The first movie 'Birth' about Father Kim Dae-geon, the female lead auditioned for public. Naver. News1. ko. Jung Yu-jin. October 7, 2021. October 7, 2021. December 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221208210238/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=421&aid=0005643311. live.
    • Web site: [공식] "韓 최초 김대건 신부 극영화" 윤시윤→안성기 '탄생', 11월 30일 개봉 확정]. Kang Min-kyung. [Official] "Korea's first drama film by Kim Dae-geon" Yoon Si-yoon → Ahn Seong-ki 'Birth' confirmed for release on November 30th. Ten Asia. Naver. October 5, 2022. October 5, 2022. ko. October 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221005121347/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=312&aid=0000573328. live.
  39. Web site: Cast members reunite for 'Respond'. Korea JoongAng Daily. December 11, 2013. January 26, 2018. May 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230515044524/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2981802. live.
  40. Web site: 이호원, 채널A 새 드라마 '체크인 한양' 합류. Lee Ho-won joins Channel A's new drama 'Check-in Hanyang'. Naver. Star News. ko. Lee. Ye-ji. June 24, 2024. September 11, 2024.
  41. Web site: 'Dancing High' ready to welcome dancers. Kpop Herald. July 16, 2018. July 18, 2018. July 19, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180719024628/http://kpopherald.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=201807161257014826457_2. live.
  42. Web site: 오종혁·이호원·유태양, '은밀하게 위대하게:더 라스트' 출연. Jonghyuk Oh, Howon Lee, and Taeyang Yoo to appear in 'Secretly, Greatly: The Last'. Naver. Newsis. ko. Kang Jin-ah. March 15, 2022. March 15, 2022. March 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220315101324/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=003&aid=0011063871. live.
  43. Web site: Yoo Ah-in, Hoya win at 36th Golden Cinema Film Festival. Manila Bulletin. May 30, 2016. February 24, 2018. November 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181130030429/http://2016.mb.com.ph/2016/05/30/yoo-ah-in-hoya-win-at-36th-golden-cinema-film-festival/. dead.
  44. Web site: [MBC연기대상]김선호·김정현·서주현·이선빈, 신인상 수상 영광]. [MBC Acting Awards] Kim Seon-ho, Kim Jung-hyun, Seo Joo-hyun, Lee Seon-bin, Glory of Rookie of the Year Award. Naver. Herald Pop. ko. Jang. Woo-young. December 30, 2017. September 26, 2022. September 26, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220926021431/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=016&aid=0001334840. live.

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