From martial arts to global pop: the evolution of a breaking star
In short: Before he was a global idol, The8 was a competitive b-boy mastering tumbling and acrobatics. His journey from the streets of China to the heights of K-pop illustrates a unique fusion of physical discipline and artistic performance that defines his signature style today.
The8's artistic foundation is rooted in physical discipline. He began training in martial arts at the age of four and spent five years mastering breaking during his elementary school years. This rigorous background in tumbling and acrobatics allowed him to join youth b-boy crews in China, where he competed on the international stage. By 2012, he led the crew Dance Power to the top eight of the BBOY IN SHANGHAI World Breaking Competition.
His transition to the idol industry was a calculated move from Beijing to South Korea. After being scouted while taking a breaking class in Beijing, he moved to South Korea to train under Pledis Entertainment for approximately one year and five months. This period was marked by a unique perspective: while living in China, he had already watched videos of the Seventeen trainees, viewing them as celebrities before he ever met them in person.
Since his debut with Seventeen on May 29, 2015, The8 has balanced group success with a distinct solo identity. He has navigated injuries, such as a waist injury in 2017 that forced a promotional hiatus, and has expanded into production and mentorship roles. His work often bridges cultures, releasing Chinese-language EPs like Stardust in 2024 and co-composing electronic and hyperpop-influenced tracks for his sub-unit, V8, which debuted in 2026.
The8's career is a study in multi-hyphenate evolution. He has moved from a competitive dancer to a television actor, a dance mentor for survival shows like Youth With You, and a producer. His ability to sample his own past—such as using a 2010 interview clip in a 2026 track—highlights a conscious narrative of growth from a young boy with a dream to a seasoned industry figure.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The8
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-the8.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
