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Leo (singer)

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In this Korean name, the family name is Jung.
Leo
정택운
Leo in February 2016
Born
Jung Taek-woon[1]

(1990-11-10) November 10, 1990 (age 34)
Seoul, South Korea
EducationBaekseok University
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actor
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
Years active2012–present
LabelsJellyfish (until 2024)
Member of

Jung Taek-woon (Korean: 정택운; born on November 10, 1990),[1] better known by his stage name Leo (Korean: 레오), is a South Korean singer, songwriter and musical theatre actor, formerly signed under Jellyfish Entertainment. Leo debuted as a member of the South Korean boy group VIXX in May 2012,[2] and began his acting career in 2014 in the musical Full House as Lee Young-jae.[3] In 2015 he began his songwriting career,[4] and with VIXX member Ravi formed the group's first official sub-unit VIXX LR.[5]

Early life

[edit]

Born in Yangjae-dong, Seoul, South Korea, his family consists of himself, his parents and three older sisters. Leo studied music composition at Baekseok University and was a member of the National Youth Soccer Players from 2004 to 2007. Growing up, Leo was actively involved in swimming, boxing, taekwondo (blue belt), and soccer.[6][7] While recovering from an injury, he developed an interest in becoming a singer after listening to Wheesung's "Walking in the Sky".[8]

Career

[edit]

2012–2014: Career beginnings

[edit]
Main article: VIXX

Leo was one of ten trainees who were contestants in Mnet's survival reality show MyDOL. Leo was one of the six contestants who were chosen to be a part of the final line-up of the new boy group VIXX.[9] The group debuted with "Super Hero"[10] on May 24, 2012[2] on M! Countdown.[11][12] During MyDOL, Leo was featured in Brian Joo's "Let This Die" and Seo In-guk's "Shake It Up" music videos.[13][14] After his debut with VIXX, Leo appeared in episode 4 of SBS' television drama The Heirs alongside his group members.

As an avid sports fan, Leo has appeared in several athletic variety shows with other idols such as Dream Team and Idol Athletics Championship.[15][16]

In 2014, Leo had a cameo role in SBS' television drama Glorious Day alongside Hyuk and was cast in the musical Full House in the lead role of Lee Young-jae from April to June at the Hongik Daehakro Art Center, Grand Theater in Seoul.[3] Later that year, Leo also participated in the Y.Bird from Jellyfish Island project created by Jellyfish Entertainment CEO Hwang Se-jun by collaborating with Lyn on her self-composed single "Blossom Tears" (Korean: 꽃잎놀이); their single Y.BIRD from Jellyfish with LYn X Leo was the fourth in the series. In the haunting music video, he played a psychopath who killed the women he loved so that he could keep them.[4]

2015–2016: Composing, VIXX LR and musical

[edit]
Main article: VIXX LR

In 2015, Leo composed the song "On a Cold Night" (Korean: 차가운 밤에) for VIXX's fifth single album Boys' Record. Originally written as a duet between him and Ken, a studio version was released with the rest of the members performing for that album.[4]

On August 7, 2015, Jellyfish Entertainment released a video trailer on VIXX's official website after a mysterious countdown with a silhouette of VIXX's last special album Boys' Record. As time went by, members of VIXX disappeared until finally only Leo and Ravi were left behind, which caused fans to speculate that it meant another comeback for all six members. A video trailer of VIXX LR was then revealed.[17]

VIXX LR was confirmed by Jellyfish Entertainment to be VIXX's first official sub-unit composed of rapper Ravi and vocalist Leo. Their debut EP, Beautiful Liar, was released on August 17, 2015.[18][19][20] On the same day VIXX LR held their first showcase for Beautiful Liar at Yes24 Muv Hall in Seoul′s Mapo-gu.[21][22]

In 2016 Leo was cast in the musical Mata Hari in the lead role of Armand from March 25 to June 12 at the Blue Square in Seoul. It was confirmed that he would be shedding his stage name and using his birth name Jung Taek Woon for the role instead, unlike his previous musical role in Full House where he was credited as Leo.[23][24]

On September 20, 2016, Leo collaborated with actress and DJ Park So-hyun to celebrate SBS Power FM’s 20th Anniversary and released the song "That's All" (Korean: 그뿐야) as part of SBS Power FM's 20th Anniversary song project.[25]

Leo was cast in the musical Monte Cristo in the supporting role of Albert from November 19, 2016, to February 12, 2017, at the Chungmu Arts Center Grand Theater.[26][27]

2017–present: Solo debut

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On October 16, 2017, it was announced that Leo had been cast in the musical The Last Kiss as Crown Prince Rudolf.[28]

On July 21, 2018, it was announced that Leo will be releasing his first solo EP titled Canvas on July 31, 2018.[29]

From August 31 to September 2, Leo had his first ever solo concert "LEO 1st SOLO CONCERT [CANVAS]" which was held at Blue Square Eye Market Hall[30]

On May 14, 2019, Leo announced about his "2nd Solo Concert [MUSE]" which was in June 2019.[31] Leo's second EP Muse was released on June 17.[32] On August 3, 2022, Leo released a teaser video of Coming Soon through his official YouTube and SNS channels.[33]

On March 3, 2024, Jellyfish Entertainment announced that Leo and fellow VIXX member Ken were leaving the agency, but intended to continue their activities with VIXX.[34]

Personal life

[edit]

Leo enlisted for his mandatory military service on December 2, 2019, serving as a public service worker due to severe panic disorder and depression.[35][36] He was discharged on September 9, 2021.[37]

Discography

[edit]
For Leo's works with VIXX and VIXX LR, see VIXX discography and VIXX LR § Discography.

Extended plays

[edit]
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[38] 		TW
[39] 		US World
[40]
Canvas
Track list
  1. "Touch & Sketch"
  2. "Cover Girl" (Feat. LE)
  3. "Free Tempo"
  4. "Give Me Something"
  5. "Nowadays" (나는 요즘)
  6. "Gesture"
  7. "Dream" (꿈)
 2 5 7
Muse
  • Released: June 17, 2019
  • Label: Jellyfish Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. "Romanticism" (로맨티시즘)
  2. "This About to Happen" (다가오는 것들) (feat. Choiza)
  3. "Nostalgia" (향수병)
  4. "Tight" (타이트해)
  5. "Muse"
  6. "The Flower" (feat. Maximilian Hecker)
 6 — —
Piano Man Op.9
  • Released: August 23, 2022
  • Label: Jellyfish Entertainment, Kakao M
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. "Beautiful Love"
  2. "Losing Game"
  3. "So Easy"
  4. "Chilling"
  5. "Blue Rain"
 8 — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Singles

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart position Sales Album
KOR
[44]
As lead artist
"Touch & Sketch" 2018 — — Canvas
"You Are There, But Not There" (있는데 없는 너)
(feat. Hanhae) 		— Non-album single
"The Flower"
(feat. Maximilian Hecker) 		2019 — Muse
"Romanticism" (로맨티시즘) —
"All of Me" — Non-album singles
"December, The Night of Dreams" (12월 꿈의 밤) —
"I'm Still Here" (남아있어) 2021 —
"Losing Game" 2022 — Piano Man Op.9
Collaborations
"Blossom Tears" (꽃잎놀이)
(with LYn) 		2014 11 Y.BIRD from Jellyfish with LYn X Leo
"That's All" (그뿐야)[A]
(with Park So-hyun) 		2016 — — Non-album single
"We, the Reds" (우리는 하나)
(with Sejeong) 		2018 — 2018 National Football Team Cheering Album 'We, the Reds'
"Feel Love" 2019 — Space Project (공간) part 3.
Soundtrack appearances
"I Belong to Me" (나는 나만의 것) 2019 — — Musical Elizabeth 2018
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Compilation appearances

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart position Sales Album
KOR
"The Last Game" (마지막 승부)
(with Rich) 		2016 — — King of Mask Singer Episode 49
"To Heaven" — King of Mask Singer Episode 50
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that reg

Songwriting credits

[edit]
See also: List of songs recorded by VIXX
Year Album Song Artist Lyrics Music Notes
Credited With Credited With
2015 Boys' Record "On a Cold Night" VIXX Yes Ravi (rap) Yes — [47]
Beautiful Liar "Words to Say" VIXX LR Yes — Yes — [48]
"My Light" Yes Ravi Yes MELODESIGN
2016 Depend on Me "Shadow" VIXX Yes — Yes — Limited Edition A Bonus Track[49]
Hana-Kaze (花風) "Moonlight" Yes — Yes —
That's All "That's All" Leo x Park So-hyun Yes — Yes Jo Yong-ho [50]
Kratos "Romance is Over" VIXX Yes Ravi Yes — [51]
2017 Whisper "Beautiful Night" VIXX LR Yes Ravi Yes AVGS
"Feeling" Yes Ravi Yes AVGS
2018 Canvas "Touch & Sketch" Leo Yes — No Andreas Stone Johansson, Matt Wong, Jamie Jones, G'harah "PK" Degeddingseze [52]
"Cover Girl" (ft. LE) Yes LE (rap) Yes AVGS
"Free Tempo" Yes — Yes AVGS
"Give me something" Yes — No Kevin Charge, Justin Reinstein
"Nowadays" (나는 요즘) Yes — Yes Ryan IM
"Gesture" Yes — Yes AVGS
"Dream" (꿈) Yes — Yes AVGS

Notes

  1. ^ "That’s All" was Part 2 of SBS Power FM's 20th Anniversary Song Project.[46]

Filmography

[edit]
For Leo's Filmography with VIXX, see VIXX videography.

Television series

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2014 The Heirs Himself Cameo ep. 4

Web series

[edit]
Year Title Role Ref.
2022 Happy Ending Outside the Fence Kim Jung-hyun [53]

Television shows

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2016 King of Mask Singer Contestant as "Heungbu Be Stifled" Episodes 49–50 [54][55]
2017 Singing Battle – Victory Contestant Episodes 16–17

Musicals

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Full House Lee Young-jae Lead role, credited as Leo
2016–17 Mata Hari Armand
  • Lead role, credited as Jung Taek Woon
  • Returned for a second run in 2017[56]
2016–17 Monte Cristo Albert Supporting role, credited as Jung Taek Woon
2017–18 The Last Kiss Prince Rudolf Lead role, credited as Jung Taek Woon
2018–19 Elisabeth Der Tod Lead role, credited as Jung Taek Woon
2019 Marie Antoinette Count Axel Von Fersen Lead role, credited as Jung Taek Woon[57]
2021 Frankenstein Henri Dupre Credited as Jung Taek Woon[58][59]
2022 Bungee Jumping of Their Own Seo In-woo [60]
2022–23 West Side Story Riff [61]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
See also: List of awards and nominations received by VIXX

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Leo Official Profile
    • "Leo Official Profile (Korean Site)". Jellyfish Entertainment. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
    • "Leo Official Profile (Japanese Site)". Jellyfish Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 6, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Upcoming group VIXX releases 3rd video teaser for "Super Hero"". Allkpop. May 20, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Hong, Grace Danbi (March 5, 2014). "B2ST Yang Yo Seop, A Pink Jung Eun Ji, VIXX Leo, Joo, and More to Star in Musical Full House". enewsWorld. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c "A Bitter Serenade". Ceci Magazine (in Korean). September 2014.
  5. ^ "VIXX's First Subunit LR Composed of Leo and Ravi, Releases Teasers and More". Soompi. August 13, 2015. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  6. ^ "VIXX's Leo revealed to be a sports prodigy". Allkpop. June 25, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  7. ^ "Idols That Had Completely Different Careers Before They Made Their Debut — Koreaboo". Koreaboo. December 31, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  8. ^ "[My Name is] 빅스(2) 레오". 10Asia (in Korean). May 2, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  9. ^ Yoo, Ji-yoon (May 15, 2012). "젤리피쉬 男 아이돌 빅스, 티저 공개 '데뷔 임박'". Herald Corp (in Korean). Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  10. ^ "VIXX to watch the last episode of 'Mydol' with their fans at a movie theater". Allkpop. May 31, 2012.
  11. ^ "VIXX to share download links for their music and teasers on Twitter". Allkpop. May 20, 2012.
  12. ^ "Finalists from 'Mydol' reveal official group name, Vixx". Allkpop. May 10, 2012.
  13. ^ Brian Joo (브라이언) – Let This Die (Extended Eng Ver.). January 31, 2012.
  14. ^ Seo In Guk (서인국) "SHAKE IT UP" Music Video. August 8, 2011.
  15. ^ "빅스 레오 '아육대' 부상현장 포착, 깁스후 목발짚고 절뚝절뚝". Nate (in Korean). September 4, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  16. ^ "Kangin's basketball team defeats Yonghwa's team with Michael Jordan style". Allkpop. February 19, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  17. ^ "VIXX starts a mysterious countdown – perhaps to a comeback?". Allkpop. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  18. ^ "VIXX′s First Unit LR to Debut on August 17". mwave.interest.me. Archived from the original on August 8, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  19. ^ "VIXX's sub-unit LR unveils teaser photo for their upcoming debut!". Allkpop. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  20. ^ "VIXX's first subunit LR releases tracklist for 'Beautiful Liar' mini album". Allkpop. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  21. ^ "VIXX LR Holds Its First Showcase". bntnews.co.uk. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  22. ^ "LR′s Leo and Ravi Reveal Why They Formed VIXX′s First-Ever Unit". mwave.interest.me. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  23. ^ Kim, Ye-na (December 16, 2016). "빅스 레오 아니, 뮤지컬 배우 정택운…'마타하리' 낙점". TV Report (in Korean). Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  24. ^ "VIXX Leo to star in musical 'Mata Hari'". The Korea Herald. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  25. ^ [SBS]'파워FM 20주년 쏭 프로젝트' 2탄 소현이레오(박소현X빅스 레오), 스페셜 음원 '그뿐야' 티저. September 12, 2016.
  26. ^ "빅스 레오, 뮤지컬 '몬테크리스토' 캐스팅". August 24, 2016.
  27. ^ "'몬테크리스토', 류정한-엄기준-신성록-카이-조정은-린아-정택운 등 초특급 캐스팅의 완결판 공개". August 24, 2016.
  28. ^ Hwang, Seo-yoon (October 16, 2017). "[단독] 루나, 뮤지컬 '더 라스트 키스' 출연…수호·레오·카이 '연인 호흡'". TV Daily. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  29. ^ a b "[공식입장] 빅스 레오, 31일 첫 솔로 미니앨범 발매...티저 기습 공개". OSEN (in Korean). July 21, 2018.
  30. ^ "Error".
  31. ^ "VIXX's Leo unveils coming soon poster for second concert 'MUSE' ⋆ the latest kpop news and music | Officially Kmusic". May 14, 2019.
  32. ^ "Update: VIXX's Leo Sings New Song "The Flower" Featuring Maximilian Hecker In Studio Clip". May 13, 2019.
  33. ^ Lee, Se-bin (August 3, 2022). "빅스 레오, 9개월 만 기습 컴백…커밍순 티저 공개" [VIXX's Leo makes a surprise comeback after 9 months... Coming Soon teaser released] (in Korean). Ilgan Sports. Retrieved August 3, 2022 – via Naver.
  34. ^ Jellyfish Ent. "x.com". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  35. ^ "빅스 레오, 12월 2일 사회복무요원 입대 "공황장애 치료 중" [전문]". Naver (in Korean). November 14, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  36. ^ "VIXX's Leo to Enlist as Public Service Worker, Reveals He is Suffering from Panic Disorder & Depression". KoogleTV. November 14, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  37. ^ "빅스 레오, 오늘(9일) 사회복무요원 소집해제 [공식입장]". Naver (in Korean). September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  38. ^ "Gaon Album Chart – Week 31, 2018". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  39. ^ "FIVE-MUSIC Korea-Japan Album Chart" (in Chinese). Five Music. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
    To access, select the indicated week and year in the bottom-left corner:
    • Canvas (2018): "The 31st Week of 2018"
  40. ^ "World Albums". Billboard charts. January 2, 2013.
  41. ^ "2018년 08월 Album Chart".
  42. ^ "gaon chart". August 9, 2019. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  43. ^ "Circle Album Chart – Week 35, 2022". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  44. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on August 27, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  45. ^ Total Download sales for Blossom Tears:
  46. ^ "[Mnet] 그뿐야 – 박소현,레오(빅스)". Mnet. Archived from the original on January 2, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  47. ^ "Special Single Album: Boys' Record". Jellyfish Entertainment. February 24, 2015. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  48. ^ "VIXX LR MINI ALBUM: Beautiful Liar". Jellyfish Entertainment. August 17, 2015. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  49. ^ "VIXX 日本1stオリジナルアルバムのタイトルが「Depend on me」に決定、収録曲も発表". vixx.cjve.jp (Official site). December 15, 2015. Archived from the original on April 28, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  50. ^ "[Mnet] 그뿐야 – 박소현,레오(빅스)". Mnet. September 22, 2015. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  51. ^ "3rd Mini Album: Kratos". Jellyfish Entertainment. October 31, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  52. ^ "RealVIXX on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  53. ^ Park Ah-reum (April 4, 2022). "빅스 레오 '펜스 밖은 해피엔딩' 주연 발탁 "데뷔 후 첫 연기" [Leo of VIXX selected as the lead in ‘Happy Ending Outside the Fence’ “First Acting After Debut] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved April 4, 2022 – via Naver.
  54. ^ Yang, So-young (March 13, 2016). "'복면가왕' 흥부 빅스 레오, "새로운 숲 하나 점령한 느낌"". TV Daily (in Korean). Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  55. ^ "'복면가왕' 흥부 빅스 레오, "새로운 숲 하나 점령한 느낌"". Nate (in Korean). March 13, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  56. ^ "Check Leo of VIXX Turn to a Tough Soldier in a New Musical "Mata Hari" • Kpopmap". Kpopmap. April 13, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  57. ^ "'마리 앙투아네트' 황민현 "순수하고 한결같은 사랑 표현하는 역할" 기대↑".
  58. ^ Ham Na-yan (September 13, 2021). "규현·카이·빅스 레오, '프랑켄슈타인' 라인업 확정 [공식]" [Kyuhyun, Kai, and Leo of VIXX, ‘Frankenstein’ lineup confirmed [Official]]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Retrieved September 13, 2021 – via Naver.
  59. ^ Woo Da-bin (September 13, 2021). "[단독] 빅스 레오, 복귀작은 뮤지컬 '프랑켄슈타인" [[Exclusive] VIXX Leo, comeback musical 'Frankenstein']. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved September 13, 2021 – via Naver.
  60. ^ Kim Hyun-jung (May 9, 2022). "이창용·정택운·렌·위키미키 지수연 등 '번지점프를 하다' 캐스팅 [공식입장]" [Lee Chang-yong, Jung Taek-woon, Ren, Weki Meki Ji Soo-yeon, etc. Casting 'Bungee Jumping [Official position]] (in Korean). xportsnews. Retrieved May 9, 2022 – via Naver.
  61. ^ Lee Mi-ji (August 12, 2022). "김준수·박강현·고은성, 뮤지컬 '웨스트 사이드 스토리' 캐스팅..11월17일 개막(공식)" [Junsu Kim, Kanghyun Park, Eunseong Ko, cast in musical 'West Side Story'... Opening on November 17th (official)] (in Korean). Herald POP. Retrieved August 12, 2022 – via Naver.
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