A K-pop star who nearly became a lawyer before conquering the stage and screen.
In short: Cho Kyu-hyun, known as Kyuhyun, transitioned from a high school band member to a multifaceted entertainer. Beyond his fame as a Super Junior vocalist, he has built a prolific career in musical theatre, television hosting, and solo music, even becoming the first male idol to win King of Mask Singer.
Born in Seoul in 1988, Kyuhyun was initially steered toward a legal career by his parents. However, his trajectory shifted after he discovered his vocal talent in a high school band. He placed third in the 2005 Chin Chin Singing Competition, which led him to join SM Entertainment. Despite his father's initial resistance, Kyuhyun secured his family's support by enrolling at Kyunghee University, where he eventually earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree in Post-Modern Music.
Kyuhyun debuted with the boy group Super Junior in 2006. He quickly expanded his reach, becoming a member of various sub-groups like Super Junior-K.R.Y. and Super Junior-M. His solo career began in 2014 with the EP At Gwanghwamun, which achieved an 'all-kill' on Korean digital charts within 12 hours. His musical influence extends internationally; he was among the first four Korean artists to be featured on Chinese postage stamps, and his 2017 Japanese album, One Voice, topped the Oricon weekly chart—a feat no other solo male artist from a foreign group had previously accomplished.
Beyond music, Kyuhyun has established a significant presence in Korean theatre and television. He has performed in numerous high-profile musicals, including The Three Musketeers and Catch Me If You Can, often rotating roles with other prominent actors. His television work includes long-running stints on shows like Radio Star and New Journey to the West. Even after completing his mandatory military service in 2019, he maintained his momentum, launching his own YouTube channel and achieving five consecutive victories on the competitive singing program King of Mask Singer.
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