Lee Hyun

Lee Hyun (; born November 8, 1983) 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. That same year, he debuted as part of the co-ed trio 8Eight, alongside Baek Chan and Joo Hee. 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.

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. 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.

2009–present: Solo activities and Homme Lee released his solo debut single “” (“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 “” (“Like Being Hit by a Bullet”) and 8Eight’s “” (“Without a Heart”). He performed the song for the first time on Music Bank on 11 September 2009. He also contributed “” (“I Can’t Breathe”) to the KBS2 series Invincible Lee Pyung Kang, released on 2 November 2009.

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

Lee’s first solo studio album, The Healing Echo, was released on 2 January 2012 with “Because It’s You” as the title track. 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.

In 2019, Lee recorded “You Are Here” for the BTS World: Original Soundtrack, released globally on 28 June. He renewed his Big Hit contract in March 2021 and launched a YouTube channel to mark his 14th anniversary with the company. 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.

Lee introduced his alter ego Midnatt in May 2023 with the digital single "Masquerade", released via Big Hit and HYBE Corporation’s interactive media subsidiary HYBE IM. 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.

On July 8, 2026, Big Hit Music officially announced that Lee Hyun had renewed his exclusive contract with the company. “It is very meaningful to be able to continue our relationship with an artist who has been with the company since its early days,” said Big Hit Music . “We plan to actively support Lee Hyun’s activities based on the strong foundation of trust that we have built up over 19 years.” Meanwhile, Lee Hyun remarked, “I have renewed my contract with Big Hit Music, which is both my musical hometown and my most dependable partner. This was based on our foundation of deep trust and respect for one another, just as it has been up until now”

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. 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. Lee was discharged on July 7, 2014.

Discography

Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales KOR The Healing EchoReleased: January 2, 2012 Label: Big Hit Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download 24 KOR: 1,267

Extended plays Title EP details Peak chart positions KOR As lead artist "30 Minutes Ago" (30분전) 2009 * 30 Minutes Ago "Curse" (악담) 2011 27 You Are the Best of My Life "You Are the Best of My Life" (내꺼중에 최고) 3 "Although You Said So" (다며) 11 "Because You Are You" (너니까) 2012 5 The Healing Echo "Senseless Me" (촌스러워서) 20 "Your Lips" (입술자국) 2017 — "Will There Be a Next Time" (다음이 있을까) 2018 — "Not Yet" (아직은)2019— "Moon in the Ocean" (바닷속의 달) 2021 — "Masqueade" (as MIDNATT)2023—"With You" (그대와) 2025— Collaborations "Burn" (타버려) 2010 80 "Heal"— "After Losing You" (널 잃고 보니)2012 62 "At the End of the Winter" (겨울 끝에서) 2015 72 "It's Raining" (비가 내려와) 42 "Pretty Bae" (예쁜사람) 53 "Starlight" with Muzie, Lee Gi-kwang, Joohoney, Chuu, Hyeongjun, and Jeong Yeon Joo)2021— project album Soundtrack appearances "I Can't Breathe" (숨이 막혀) 2009 * Invincible Lee Pyung Kang OST "You Make Me Cry" (왜 나를 울려요) 201066 Big Thing OST "I call with you" (널 불러본다)All About Marriage OST "Best Love" (최고의 사랑) 2012 50 Fashion King OST "My Heartache" (가슴이 시린 게) 4 A Gentleman's Dignity OST "Engraved in My Heart" (가슴에 새겨져) 48 The King of Dramas OST "Though It Hurts, It's Okay" (아파도 괜찮아) 2014 91 Birth of a Beauty OST "Close My Eyes" (눈을 감아도) 2016 — Come Back Mister OST "You Are Love" (그대 사랑) — Blow Breeze OST "Because It's You" (그대라서) — Dr. Romantic OST "You Are Here" 2019 * BTS World: Original Soundtrack OST "Somebody" * Joseon Survival Period OST "Deep Sadness" (깊은 슬픔) 2021 — Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce) 2 OST 악수—아는 여자애 OST "Only You" (오직, 그대)2022—Eve OST

Filmography Television shows Year Title Role Notes 2010–2011 Let's Go! Dream Team Season 2 Contestant20152018–2019 The King of Mask Singer Episodes 31–32 and 179–180, 188 as "Eagle" 2023 R U Next? Coach

Web shows Year Title Role 2021 Muziekwang Company Host

Theater Year Title Role Venue English Korean 2023 Dream High 드림하이Kang Oh-hyeokBBCH Hall of Gwanglim Art Center

Radio

Awards Year Award-Giving Body Category Work Result 2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Vocal Solo Performance "You are the Best of My Life"