Lee Hyun

Lee Hyun (Korean: 이현; born November 8, 1983)^[1] is a South Korean singer. He debuted in 2007 as a member of the co-ed vocal group 8Eight, which disbanded in 2014. He was also a member of the disbanded vocal duo Homme from 2010 to 2018. Lee is currently signed to Big Hit Music as a solo artist. He introduced his alter ego Midnatt in March 2023, through the release of the single "Masquerade".

Career

2007–2014: 8Eight

Lee joined Big Hit Entertainment as a trainee in 2005 and signed with the company in 2007.^[2] That same year, he debuted as part of the co-ed trio 8Eight, alongside Baek Chan and Joo Hee.^[3] The group released three studio albums between 2007 and 2009, and two extended plays in 2010 and 2011. On 21 December 2014, Big Hit and Source announced that Baek and Joo Hee’s contracts had expired and that group activities were suspended; the label noted the members remained on good terms and did not rule out a future reunion.^[4]

On 31 January 2020, Big Hit and Source confirmed that 8Eight would release a new single on 7 February to commemorate the 10th anniversary of “Without a Heart”, produced by “Hitman” Bang and Wonderkid.^[5] The digital single Fool Again was issued on 7 February 2020 with a new “Without a Heart (10th Anniversary Ver.)” as the B-side, marking the trio’s first release together in six years.^[6]

2009–present: Solo activities and Homme

Lee released his solo debut single “30분전” (“30 Minutes Ago”) on 8 September 2009, in both digital and physical formats. A duet featuring Lim Jeong-hee, it was written by Bang Si-hyuk as the final part of his “Goodbye” trilogy, following Baek Ji-young’s “총 맞은 것처럼” (“Like Being Hit by a Bullet”) and 8Eight’s “심장이 없어” (“Without a Heart”).^[7][8] He performed the song for the first time on Music Bank on 11 September 2009.^[9] He also contributed “숨이 막혀” (“I Can’t Breathe”) to the KBS2 series Invincible Lee Pyung Kang, released on 2 November 2009.^{[citation needed]}

In 2010, Lee recorded “왜 나를 울려요” (“Why Make Me Cry”) for the SBS drama Big Thing; it was released as the fourth OST single on 27 October 2010.^[10] That year he also formed the project duo Homme with Changmin of 2AM, releasing the single “I Was Able to Eat Well” (밥만 잘 먹더라) under producer Bang Si-hyuk.^[11]

Lee’s first solo studio album, The Healing Echo, was released on 2 January 2012 with “Because It’s You” as the title track.^[12] In 2018, following the expiry of Changmin’s contract with Big Hit at the end of January, the label announced his departure to establish a one-man agency; Lee remained with Big Hit as a soloist.^[13][14]

In 2019, Lee recorded “You Are Here” for the BTS World: Original Soundtrack, released globally on 28 June.^[15][16] He renewed his Big Hit contract in March 2021 and launched a YouTube channel to mark his 14th anniversary with the company.^[17] That summer he contributed the ballad “Deep Sadness” to the season two soundtrack of Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce) (released 26 June 2021), and issued his single “Moon in the Ocean” in July.^[18][19]

Lee introduced his alter ego Midnatt^[a] in May 2023 with the digital single "Masquerade", released via Big Hit and Hybe Corporation’s interactive media subsidiary HYBE IM.^[20][21] As Midnatt, Lee became the first artist in HYBE's "Project L", employing AI voice synthesis (through the Supertone technology acquired by HYBE) and extended reality to release simultaneous multilingual versions of the song.^[22]

Personal life

Lee enlisted in the South Korean military on October 8, 2012, in order to carry out his mandatory military service. He received five weeks of basic training before serving as an active-duty soldier for 21 months.^[23] While enlisted, Lee co-starred in the military musical The Promise, co-produced by the Ministry of National Defense and the Korea Musical Theatre Association in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice. The musical ran from January 9 to 20, 2013, at the National Theater of Korea and co-starred actors Ji Hyun-woo, Kim Mu-yeol, and Jung Tae-woo, and singers Leeteuk of Super Junior and Yoon Hak of Supernova.^[24][25] Lee was discharged on July 7, 2014.

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

Filmography

Television shows

Web shows

Theater

Radio

Awards

Notes

1. ^ translates to "middle of the night" in Swedish; Korean press also reported a wordplay connotation of "bare face" in Korean.

References

1. ^ "ko:이현 소개" [Lee Hyun Profile] (in Korean). Mnet.com. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
2. ^ Hong, Se-young (March 29, 2021). "ko:이현 재계약, '빅히트 1호 가수' 존재감 계속 [공식]" [Lee Hyun renews contract, remains 'Big Hit’s first singer' [Official]] (in Korean). Sports DongA. Archived March 30, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2021. – via Naver.
3. ^ Kim, Ji Yeon (October 7, 2012). "Lee Hyun to Enter Army on October 8". CJ E&M enewsWorld. Archived June 20, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2021. – via Yahoo News Singapore.
4. ^ Yoon, Seong-yeol (December 21, 2014). "ko:[단독]에이트, 7년만에 잠정적 해체.."각자 음악 활동"" [[Exclusive] 8Eight, temporary disbandment after seven years.."Individual activities"] (in Korean). Star News. Archived June 22, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 16, 2023. – via Naver.
5. ^ "8Eight – Fool Again (single album)". Big Hit Music. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
6. ^ "'Fool Again' – Single by 8Eight". Apple Music. 7 February 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
7. ^ "Lee Hyun – 30 Minutes Ago". Big Hit Music. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
8. ^ Lee, Jung-ah (September 10, 2009). "ko:이현, 뮤비 속 'CL'의 의미는" [Lee Hyun explains the meaning of “CL” in the music video] (in Korean). Osen. Archived May 17, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 16, 2023. – via Naver.
9. ^ Choi, Jeong-ju (September 11, 2009). "ko:'솔로' 전성기…前 vs 現 '그룹 출신' 대격돌" (in Korean). Seoul Newspaper. Archived May 17, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 16, 2023. – via Naver.
10. ^ "Big Thing, Pt. 4 (OST) – Single". Apple Music. October 27, 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
11. ^ "Homme by “hitman” bang – project single". Big Hit Music. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
12. ^ "Singer Lee Hyun releases first solo album". Korea JoongAng Daily. January 2, 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
13. ^ Park, Su-yun (February 1, 2018). "ko:[공식입장] 이창민, 빅히트와 전속계약 만료 "1인 기획사 설립"" [(Official) Lee Chang-min’s exclusive contract with Big Hit expired; establishes one-man agency] (in Korean). Xports News. Archived February 1, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2021. – via Naver.
14. ^ Park, Soo-yoon (February 1, 2018). "ko:옴므 이창민, 1인 기획사 설립…빅히트와 계약종료" [Homme’s Lee Chang-min establishes one-man agency; ends contract with Big Hit] (in Korean). Yonhap News. Archived June 20, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
15. ^ "BTS WORLD (Original Soundtrack)". Apple Music. June 28, 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
16. ^ "Lee Hyun – “You Are Here”". Apple Music. June 28, 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
17. ^ Park, Seo-yeon (March 30, 2021). "ko:'빅히트 1호' 이현, 재계약 체결 후 유튜브 개설..방탄소년단 "어마어마할 것 같아"" ['Big Hit's first singer' Lee Hyun opens a YouTube channel after renewing contract..BTS: "It'll be huge"] (in Korean). Herald POP. Archived March 30, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
18. ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (June 24, 2021). "ko:이현 '결사곡2' OST 부른다, 26일 '깊은 슬픔' 발매" [Lee Hyun sings for Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce) 2: "Deep Sadness" out on the 26th] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived September 17, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 17, 2021. – via Naver.
19. ^ Kang, Jin-ah (July 17, 2021). "ko:이현 "'바닷속의 달' 컴백 설레...방탄소년단 응원 고마워"" [Lee Hyun: "Excited for 'Moon in the Ocean' comeback...thanks to BTS for the support"] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived July 17, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
20. ^ Choi, Ji-won (May 15, 2023). "Hybe opens up an era of 'tech-tainment' with new artist Midnatt". The Korea Herald. Archived May 15, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
21. ^ "Hybe uses AI voice technology for Midnatt's multilingual single". The Korea Times. May 15, 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
22. ^ "HYBE AI K-Pop Artist Midnatt Uses AI for Human Purposes". Billboard. May 17, 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
23. ^ Sunwoo, Carla (September 25, 2012). "8eight's Lee Hyun to enter the Army on Oct. 8". Korea Joongang Daily. Archived June 19, 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
24. ^ "Star-Studded Army Musical to Open in January". The Chosun Ilbo. December 28, 2012. Archived December 31, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
25. ^ Hong, Grace Danbi (December 12, 2012). "Super Junior's Leeteuk and Ji Hyun Woo Participate in Army Musical". enewsWorld. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
26. ^ "Gaon Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. *"The Healing Echo charting"
27. ^ (See #76) "ko:2012년 01월 Album Chart" [January 2012 Album Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
28. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart.
    As lead artist: * ""Slander" charting" * ""You Are The Best of My Life" charting" * ""Although You Said So" charting" * ""Because You Are You" charting" * ""Senseless Me" charting"
    Collaborations: * ""Burn" charting" * ""After Losing You" charting" * ""At The End of the Winter" charting" * ""It's Raining" charting" * ""Pretty Bae" charting"
    Soundtrack appearances: * ""You Make Me Cry" charting" * ""Best Love" charting" * ""My Heartache" charting" * ""Engraved in my Heart" charting" * ""Even Though It Hurts, It's Okay" charting"
29. ^ Cumulative sales of "You Are The Best Of My Life": *"March 2011 Download Chart" *"April 2011 Download Chart"
30. ^ Cumulative sales of "Although You Said So": *"April 2011 Download Chart" *"May 2011 Download Chart"
31. ^ Sales of "Because You Are You": *"January 2012 Download Chart"
32. ^ Sales of "Senseless Me": *"October 2012 Download Chart"
33. ^ Kim, Myung-mi (January 27, 2019). "ko:'복면가왕' 불난 위도우 새 가왕 등극, 4연승 독수리 건=이현(종합)" [(Comprehensive) 'King of Mask Singer', Widow, who was in trouble, ascended to the new king of singers, 4 wins in a row Eagle Gun = Hyun Lee] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived January 27, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
34. ^ Lee, Seung-hoon (June 22, 2023). "박규리·이현·조권·김재환·아이키, '알유넥스트' 코치 합류 [공식]" [Park Gyu-Ri, Lee Hyun-Hyun, Cho Kwon, Kim Jae-Hwan, and Aiki to join 'R.U.NEXT' as coaches [Official]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Retrieved June 27, 2023. – via Naver.
35. ^ Ahn Byung-gil (October 1, 2021). "이현, 페이크 리얼리티 '뮤지광 컴퍼니' 깜짝 등장" [Lee Hyun, a surprise appearance in the fake reality 'Mujikwang Company'] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved October 1, 2021. – via Naver.
36. ^ Son, Jin-ah (March 14, 2023). "오종혁·이현·정동화, 쇼뮤지컬 '드림하이' 기린예고 괴짜선생 된다" [Oh Jong-hyuk, Lee Hyun, and Jeong Dong-hwa become geek teachers at Kirin Arts High School for the show musical 'Dream High'] (in Korean). MK Sports. Retrieved March 14, 2023. – via Naver.
37. ^ "2011Mnet Asian Music Awards part 1" Archived December 9, 2014 at the Wayback Machine. MAMA. Retrieved 20 January 2015.