Ok Taec-yeon

Ok Taec-yeon (; born December 27, 1988), known mononymously as Taecyeon, is a South Korean rapper, singer, actor, and entrepreneur. In 2008, he debuted as the rapper of the South Korean boy band 2PM. In 2010, Ok debuted as an actor in the Korean drama Cinderella's Stepsister and has since starred in notable television series such as Dream High, Bring It On, Ghost (2016), Vincenzo (2021), and The First Night with the Duke (2025), as well as films such as Hansan: Rising Dragon (2022). As a solo artist, he has released one Japanese studio album titled Taecyeon Special: Winter Hitori in 2017.

Early life and education Ok Taecyeon was born in Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea, but emigrated at the age of 10 with his family to Boston, Massachusetts, where he lived for seven years. He attended Bedford High School where he was a member of the Chess Club, Jazz Band, JV Soccer Team, and National Honor Society, before returning to pursue his career in Korea. Ok transferred to Young Dong High School in Seoul, studied Business Administration at Dankook University, and studied International Business at Korea University Graduate School of International Studies.

In 2005, Ok's older sister Jihyen persuaded him to participate in a JYP Entertainment audition she had noticed via Internet promotions. After his reluctant agreement, both headed for New York City on his 17th birthday. A week later, he was amongst the final 35 chosen to go further in the competition and received a call to move to South Korea. Ok originally applied to become a model, but the judges suggested he try dancing and singing. Eventually, he was named one of the dozen finalists (including his future members, Lee Jun-ho and Hwang Chan-sung) to compete in the show , but was the first contestant to leave the show. Despite this, JYP Entertainment still offered him a trainee contract.

Ok is fluent in English, Korean, and Japanese. He is also familiar with the Busan dialect, which he has used in the dramas Cinderella's Stepsister, Wonderful Days, and Save Me.

Career 2PM

In 2008, he participated in Mnet's , a program that chronicles the rigorous training of thirteen aspiring trainees, all vying for a coveted spot in the boy band One Day. This initiative ultimately led to the formation of two distinct boy bands, namely 2AM and 2PM.

Half a year following the televised airing of Hot Blooded Men, the group 2PM made their debut with the release of their inaugural single "10 Out of 10" from their first single album titled Hottest Time of the Day. However, it was their second single album, 2:00PM Time For Change, that propelled them to mainstream success in Korean music, solidifying their meteoric rise. As of 2021, the group has released seven studio albums in Korea and five studio albums in Japan. Taecyeon has written and composed several tracks for the group, including "Promise (I'll Be)", the title track of their sixth Korean studio album, Gentlemen's Game.

Solo activities Ok was featured in Baek Ji-young's hit song "My Ear's Candy" (내 귀에 캔디), released on August 13, 2009. Baek revealed that she asked Ok to feature on the song after listening to his rap on 2PM's single "10 Out of 10".

In 2012, Ok teamed up with his fellow Dankook University alumni students to produce a digital single album titled Share (with Taecyeon). The album was performed live at Dankook University for the matriculation ceremony. The title song "Wings" featured penned rap lyrics written by Ok. The album also included a remake of "A Night Like Tonight" (오늘같은 밤) by (, with an original rap written by Ok himself. The album went on sale on February 28, 2012, with all proceeds donated back the University.

Ok released his debut solo Japanese album Taecyeon Special: Winter Hitori on January 18, 2017. As part of the solo project, he held his first solo concert, Winter Hitori, at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Japan on January 2–3. Footage from the concert was released as a DVD by Epic Records Japan on December 27, 2017; the DVD peaked at number 13 on the Oricon Weekly DVD Chart.

In July 2018, it was announced that Ok had signed an exclusive contract with 51K, an agency founded by actor So Ji-sub, following the end of his contract with JYP Entertainment. His former agency reported that he will remain a member of 2PM despite the move. On February 23, 2023, 51K announced that Ok had signed a contract with WME for his activities in the United States.

Since 2013, Ok has regularly held fan meetings in South Korea. On March 8, 2025, Ok held a solo fan meeting in Yokohama titled SweeTY. On June 24, 2025, Ok held a joint fan meeting in Taipei with his agency's founder So Ji-sub titled SONICe ParTY.

Acting career In 2010, Ok made his acting debut in the KBS drama series Cinderella's Sister alongside Moon Geun-young and Chun Jung-myung. In 2011, he and his bandmate Wooyoung starred in the high school drama Dream High, which received high domestic ratings as well as international popularity, winning awards abroad. Ok collaborated with his bandmates and other artists on two songs for the show's soundtrack. In September 2011, FujiTV announced that Ok was cast on the Sunday drama Boku to Star no 99 Nichi along with Japanese actor Nishijima Hidetoshi and South Korean actress Kim Tae-hee, his first regular role in a Japanese drama.

In 2013, Ok made his film debut in the romantic comedy Marriage Blue. He wrote and composed the opening and ending tracks of the film. Also in 2013, he starred in OCN's police drama Who Are You? as a detective. In 2014, he starred in KBS's weekend drama Wonderful Days, playing a tough-fisted bodyguard. In 2015, Ok was cast in KBS's political drama Assembly, playing an aspiring police officer who studies at the library to pass his entrance exams by day and works as an official's chauffeur by night.

In 2016, he starred in tvN's horror-comedy Bring It On, Ghost alongside Kim So-hyun, as well as the web series Touching You alongside Song Ha-yoon. That same year, he also featured in the web drama 7 First Kisses by Lotte Duty Free. In 2017, he starred in the mystery-thriller film House of the Disappeared with Yunjin Kim. He then starred in OCN's thriller drama Save Me alongside Seo Yea-ji later that year.

In 2020, he starred in MBC's mystery drama The Game: Towards Zero as a prophet helping the police with their investigation of a serial killer, reuniting with Lee Yeon-hee with whom he starred in the 2013 film Marriage Blue. It was his first acting role since his military discharge.

In 2021, he starred in the tvN drama Vincenzo as Jang Jun-woo, his first major antagonistic role since his acting debut. as well as one of the most internationally-viewed Korean series on Netflix in 2021. In the same year, Ok also starred alongside Kim Hye-yoon in the historical drama Secret Royal Inspector & Joy, which premiered on both tvN and iQiyi in November 2021.

In 2022, Ok played the role of Lim Jun-young, a Joseon spy who sneaks into the Japanese army camp, in the war action film Hansan: Rising Dragon, the second installment of Kim Han-min's Yi Sun-sin trilogy. The film became the second highest-grossing Korean film of 2022. In the same year, he starred in tvN's crime drama Blind. In 2024, Ok made his Japanese film debut with La Grande Maison Paris, playing a Korean-Canadian pastry chef.

Other activities

Variety television and hosting Ok and his bandmate Wooyoung hosted SBS's music show Inkigayo with actress Ha Yeon-joo from July 2009 to January 2010 and with f(x)'s Sulli from February 2010 to July 2010. In 2010, Ok was cast for SBS's short-lived variety program Family Outing 2, a sequel to the popular show Family Outing, alongside entertainment personalities such as Shin Bong-sun and other Korean idols such as Girls' Generation's Lim Yoona and 2AM's Jo Kwon.

In 2013, it was announced that Ok would form an on-screen couple with Taiwanese actress Emma Wu in the first global edition of the celebrity dating show We Got Married. As part of the show, the couple composed and recorded the song "I Love You", which was released on domestic music streaming sites on June 16.

In 2014, Ok and actor Lee Seo-jin, whom he previously co-starred on the weekend drama Wonderful Days with, were the main cast members of the debut season of tvN's popular cooking variety show Three Meals a Day, directed by producer Na Young-seok. The two later rejoined for a second season in 2015, joined by actor Kim Kwang-kyu. Ok was praised for his hardworking image and easygoing personality on the show.

OKCAT On October 11, 2013, Ok hosted a 30-minute press conference on Ustream to introduce Okcat, a green cat character to the public. Okcat emoticons had previously been released on the chat application KakaoTalk. During the conference, Ok told the history of his development of the character and released his sketches to the public. The Okcat shop was opened on the same day and featured a line of products with the image of the Okcat.

Every year from 2013 to 2016, Ok held a series of Okcat-themed fan meetings around Christmastime in South Korea titled Lonely Okcat's Christmas; he also released several digital singles for these events. Upon returning from his military service, Ok continued these fan meetings in 2019, 2022, and 2023. Ok was unable to hold in-person Okcat fan meetings in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, but he held an online fan event titled I'm OK on December 12, 2020. In lieu of a Christmas Okcat-themed fan meeting in 2024, Ok held a series of four fan meetings titled SweeTY Okcat's Happy Valentine's Day on February 15–16, 2025.

Personal life

Relationship and marriage On November 1, 2025, Ok announced through an Instagram post that he would be marrying his non-celebrity partner of ten years in the upcoming spring; his agency later confirmed the news separately. Earlier that year, in February, his agency denied rumors of his engagement to his partner following leaked photographs of Ok kneeling and presenting his partner with a ring, which were claimed to have been taken for a birthday celebration in 2024. He held his wedding at a private location in Seoul on April 24, 2026.

Military enlistment On December 9, 2010, a JYP spokesperson revealed that Ok planned on giving up his American permanent residence visa and already received his official confirmation for his permanent residence cancellation on December 1. In 2008, Ok had a physical examination for the military draft, but found he would only be able to enlist for public service personnel due to his poor vision and a dislocated shoulder. In 2010, 2012, and 2013, he underwent surgeries to correct the disk and to remove pins in his upper arm from a serious break in 2013. He was cleared for active duty in December 2013 after a second physical examination, but delayed his enlistment due to a busy workload.

On September 4, 2017, Ok enlisted as an active-duty soldier and began his mandatory military service. On October 18, he completed his basic military training and was placed at 9th Infantry Division in Gyeonggi Province as a military instruction assistant.

In February 2018, Ok participated in various 2018 Winter Olympics events as one of the volunteers under the command of the Ministry of National Defense. He hosted many cultural shows and concerts and performed as a member of 2PM alongside his bandmates at the Olympic Headliner Show. On June 20, 2018, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon recognized and praised Ok's efforts to enlist in active duty during his congratulatory speech at the 15th Exemplary Military Servicemen Awards, which Ok was hosting. On October 1, 2018, Ok led the future combat system demonstration in the 70th Armed Forces Day Celebration. The demonstration introduced the Warrior Platform program, which includes new and improved combat gear and equipment. Ok ranked first on real-time search engines as he led the final salute to President Moon Jae-in.

In February 2019, Ok received an early promotion as a Sergeant for his exceptional conduct while serving as a military instruction assistant at the 9th Armed Forces Division in Gyeonggi Province. Due to his superb records, exemplary character, and great performance, Ok was appointed as a Special Class Warrior by his division commander and was awarded as a "Model Soldier" by the Ministry of National Defense. He also earned the nickname "Captain Korea" from Korean netizens because of his physique that mirrored the famous Marvel superhero, Captain America; the nickname has been used in headlines on several news portals and broadcasts. In an interview, Ok expressed the pressure of having the nickname, "It was a nickname that brought a lot of pressure, but it also made me want to work that much harder. I'll continue to work hard to fit that nickname." Ok completed his military service and was discharged on May 16, 2019.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2013 Marriage Blue Won-chul

Television series

Television film Year Title Role Notes 2016 Taecyeon Cameo 2017 Kang Sung-min's friend

Web series Year Title Role Notes 2016 Touching You Do Jin-woo 2010 Family Outing 2 Episodes 1–17 We Got Married (Global Edition) Episodes 1–15; with Emma Wu 2017Episodes 1–7

Hosting

DVDs TitleDVD detailsPeak positionsSalesJPN JPNHot Taecyeon Special: Winter Hitori Released: January 18, 2017 Label: Epic Records Japan Formats: CD, digital download 35 JPN: 39,896

Singles and collaborations Title Year Peak chart positions Album KOR As lead artist "Wings" 2012 — Share (with Taecyeon) (digital single) "A Night Like Tonight" — "Classic" 58 "I Love U, U Love Me" 2013— "It's Time" (feat. Yubin and San E)—Grown (Grand Edition) "Bounce" (song by JJ Project) (with Junho, Jay B, and Jinyoung)2014—JYP Nation Korea 2014 'One Mic'''

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2015 —

Galaxy of 2PM (Limited Edition Ver. B. – Jun. K x Taecyeon Edition)

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— Taecyeon Special: Winter Hitori|-

— Ego|-

— See the Sea|-

2012 142 Independent Women Part III|-

2013 — Hello|- "Just Feeling" (느낌적인 느낌) (Kim Tae-woo feat. Jun. K and Taecyeon) 2017 — T-WITH'' "1995" ( feat. Taecyeon) 2024 —

Soundtrack appearances Title Year Peak chart positions Album KOR "Dream High" 2011 41 Dream High OST "My Valentine" 16 "My Way to You" 2013 587th Grade Civil Servant OST "I Love You" — We Got Married OST "Marriage Blue Opening" — Marriage Blue OST "Marriage Blue Ending" (with cast of Marriage Blue)— "Wan Nun Wan Nee Wan Nhai" (วันนั้น วันนี้ วันไหน) 2015—Touch the Sky - Chalui OST

Accolades Awards and nominations

+ Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result APAN Star Awards 2014 Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama Wonderful Days Baeksang Arts Awards 2011 Best New Actor – Television Cinderella's Stepsister Most Popular Actor – Television 2014 Most Popular Actor – Film Marriage Blue Most Popular Actor – Television Wonderful Days Bugs Music Awards 2011 OST of the Year "My Valentine" KBS Drama Awards 2010 Best New Actor Cinderella's Stepsister Netizen Award, Actor 2011 Best Couple Award Dream High 2014 Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama Wonderful Days Netizen Award, Actor 2025Top Excellence Award, ActorThe First Night with the Duke KWEB FEST 2016 Best Actor Touching You MBC Drama Awards 2020 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Wednesday-Thursday Miniseries The Game: Towards Zero Mnet 20's Choice Awards 2011 Hot Male Body (Best Six-Pack) Ok Taec-yeon

Listicles + Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement Publisher Year Listicle Placement Korean Film Council 2021 Korean Actors 200