Yunho

Jung Yunho (; born February 6, 1986), better known by his stage name U-Know Yunho or simply U-Know, is a South Korean singer-songwriter, actor, and a member of the pop duo TVXQ. Born and raised in Gwangju, South Korea, Yunho started his musical training under the talent agency SM Entertainment in 2001 and joined TVXQ in 2003 as the band's leader. Fluent in Korean and Japanese, Yunho has released chart-topping albums throughout Asia as a member of TVXQ. He has made occasional acting appearances in television dramas.

Early life Yunho was born and raised in Gwangju, South Korea. He has one younger sister. Several members of Yunho's family worked in the legal industry, and Yunho's own childhood dream was to be a prosecutor.

When he was in middle school, he and a few other friends formed the dance team A+, and they competed in various dance competitions around the country. After winning a prize at the 1st Annual SM Best Competition in 1999, Yunho signed with S.M. Entertainment and officially started his training in 2001.

His family, who suffered greatly from the 1997 Asian financial crisis, were initially against his decision to become a singer. To provide for himself while he trained in Seoul, Yunho took up various part-time jobs in the city, such as doing snow removal in the morning and working as a waiter at night. He spent most of his high school vacations in Seoul training and only returned to Gwangju for school. Sometime later, Yunho suffered a hormonal imbalance in his throat and underwent surgery, which affected his vocal cords. After losing his voice, Yunho considered giving up his training.

Throughout his years as a trainee, Yunho was put in four temporary groups—all of which later disbanded. In late 2001, at the age of fifteen, Yunho was featured as a rapper and backup dancer in Dana's debut single "Diamond", and briefly toured with her.

In 2002, Yunho was selected to be a backup dancer for Shinhwa and was chosen to be part of the project boy band Four Seasons, which consisted of fellow trainees Kim Jae-joong, Kim Hee-chul, and Kangin. The project group was dropped when Yunho and Jaejoong joined TVXQ in early 2003.

Yunho's stage name "U-Know", a nickname he has been using since high school, reflected Yunho's position as the leader, who was always trying to understand others.

Music career

TVXQ The final line-up of TVXQ consisted of Yunho, Max Changmin, Jaejoong, Park Yoo-chun, and Kim Jun-su. The group officially debuted on December 26, 2003, during a BoA and Britney Spears showcase. They performed their debut single "Hug", which became a hit in South Korea. TVXQ have been releasing number one albums in Korea since their second studio album Rising Sun (2005), which was also the album that gave the group their first Daesang (대상), or Grand Award, at the Mnet KM Music Festival. Their fourth Korean album Mirotic (2008) was the Album of the Year at the 2008 Mnet KM Music Festival and the 2008 Golden Disc Awards. The album features the group's most well-known and best-selling single, "Mirotic".

In 2005, TVXQ made their Japanese debut with the single "Stay with Me Tonight", debuting at number 37 on the Oricon Singles Chart. They grabbed their first number-one single in Japan with "Purple Line" (2008). Their fourth Japanese album The Secret Code spawned two platinum-selling singles "Dōshite Kimi o Suki ni Natte Shimattandarō?" and Share the World" (2009), with the latter being a theme song for the anime One Piece.

TVXQ was plunged into legal turmoil when members Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu filed an injunction against their Korean agency in July 2009. This led to their much-publicized departure from the group in 2010. A year later, Yunho and Changmin returned as a duo, releasing albums in both Korean and Japanese. As a duo, TVXQ set sales records and concert attendance records in Japan, becoming the country's best-selling and highest-grossing foreign music act.

Solo career

On May 25, 2015, it was announced that Yunho would release his first Japanese solo extended play U Know Y. Consisting of seven tracks, the mini album includes five songs that were previously performed by Yunho during TVXQ's concerts and solo events in Japan. The new track "Burning Down" was selected to be the album's lead single. Bundled with a DVD that includes a music video and behind-the-scenes footage, U Know Y received a limited release, and was only made available for purchase to members of TVXQ's Japanese fanclub, Bigeast. The mini album was released on July 8, 2015.

On July 20, 2015, Yunho releases the music video "Champagne" with then SM Rookie member, Park Jisung, currently a member of NCT.

On May 3, 2019, Yunho announced plans to release his first solo Korean-language album. Yunho's debut extended play, True Colors, was announced on May 28 and was released on June 12 alongside its lead single "Follow".

On December 17, 2020, Yunho announced that he would make his comeback in January 2021. Yunho's second extended play, Noir, was released on January 18, 2021, alongside its lead single "Thank U".

On February 9, 2022, Yunho released his second Japanese extended play You Go Ahead.

On August 7, 2023, Yunho released his third Korean-language extended play Reality Show, alongside its lead single "Vuja De".

On November 5, 2025, Yunho released his first Korean-language studio album I-KNOW.

On July 22, 2026, Yunho released his first single album Time's Tickin''', featuring a title track of the same name.

Acting career Yunho had brief acting cameos on the first few years of his career. He appeared in the MBC sitcom Nonstop 4, and participated in the television drama Vacation and movie Dating on Earth starring all of the members of TVXQ. However, the series was a commercial flop and sparked criticism from netizens for his lack of acting skills.

From September to December 2010, Yunho starred in his first musical, a remake of the South Korean television drama Goong. From November 2012 to January 2013, Yunho starred in his second musical Gwanghwamun Sonata, a story set in South Korea during the democratic movement in the 1980s.

In 2012, Yunho starred in melodrama King of Ambition, playing a wealthy heir with ice hockey skills. His performance earned him a People's Choice award at the 2013 Seoul International Drama Awards.

In 2014, Yunho starred in the historical action drama Diary of a Night Watchman, playing a swordsman. Yunho was widely praised for his acting, managing fierce action scenes and effectively portraying the delicate emotions of his character.

For his last project before enlistment, Yunho chose to star in the web series I Order You, playing a chef. The series premiered on Naver TVcast in July 2015.

In May 2017, Yunho was confirmed to star in Orion Cinema Network's upcoming romantic mystery drama, Meloholic.

In May 2023, Yunho starred in the mini series Race, playing the role of company CEO Seo Dong-hoon. The series premiered on Star (Disney+), Disney+ Hotstar in South-East Asia and Hulu in the US. It also marked Yunho's acting comeback after 6 years.

Artistry Yunho has been given the name "K-pop's dancing king" by critics. He was also the only Asian performer invited to Michael Jackson's tribute concert This Is It'', and performed in the Korean leg. He trained in Los Angeles and Las Vegas with Genevieve Gleary, Morris Pleasure, and others who once worked closely with Jackson.

Other ventures Ambassadorship In 2014, Yunho was named honorary ambassador of National Assembly Library.

Philanthropy On March 7, 2022, Yunho donated 50 million won to the Community Chest of Korea for Fruit of Love to help the victims of the massive wildfire that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk and has spread to Samcheok, Gangwon.

Personal life Besides his native Korean, Yunho is fluent in Japanese. He graduated from Myongji University in 2011. He has pursued a master's degree at Chungwoon University.

On March 12, 2021, Yunho violated COVID-19 restrictions when he visited a bar with friends in Gangnam after 10 pm. He posted a public apology on his Instagram. On September 2, 2021, Yunho was cleared of criminal charges and paid a small fine for his curfew violation.

Cyanoacrylate drink poisoning While TVXQ was filming a variety show on October 14, 2006, Yunho was rushed to the hospital after drinking a beverage laced with super glue, given to him by an anti-fan. The female suspect, whose surname is Ko, was apprehended on October 16. She was a member of an anti-TVXQ website for over two years.

Yunho contacted the police and requested to not press charges against Ko in spite of the potentially severe consequences of what she did. Ko was the same age as Yunho's younger sister, and Yunho stated that the entire event "affected [him] more mentally than physically" while he was recovering from the shock. Circumstances were unclear as to how the culprit managed to enter the set of the variety show.

Military service Yunho was inducted into the Republic of Korea Armed Forces on July 21, 2015. He received five weeks of basic training at Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, and was the leader of his squad. A completion ceremony for the recruits was held on August 27, and Yunho was awarded with the "Best Recruit" honor. Yunho officially joined the military band for the 26th Mechanized Infantry Division on August 31. He was honored as a Special Warrior on May 9, 2016. Yunho was honorably discharged from service on April 20, 2017.

Discography

Studio albums Title Details Peak chart positions SalesKOR JPN: 1,626

Extended plays Title Details Peak chart positions SalesKOR JPN Korean True Colors Released: June 12, 2019 Label: SM Entertainment Format: CD, digital download, streaming 1 5 KOR: 143,424 Noir Released: January 18, 2021 Label: SM Entertainment Format: CD, digital download, streaming 1 — KOR: 178,643 Reality Show Released: August 7, 2023 Label: SM Entertainment Format: CD, digital download, streaming 6 5 KOR: 136,365 JPN: 17,138 Japanese U Know Y Released: July 8, 2015 (limited) Label: Avex Trax Format: CD+DVD — — Kimi wa Saki e Iku Released: February 9, 2022 Label: Avex Trax Format: CD+DVD — 1 JPN: 41,316 "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Single albums Title Details Peak chart positions SalesKOR

Singles Title Year Peak chart positions Album KOR Korean "Drop" 2017 — "Follow" 2019 142 True Colors "Thank U" 2021 131 Noir "Eeny Meeny" — "Vuja De" 2023 — Reality Show "Body Language" 2025 — I-Know "Stretch" — "Time's Tickin'" 2026 — Time's Tickin'''

2022 — Kimi wa Saki e Iku'' "Thank U" 2023 —

Songwriting credits Title Year Artist(s) Album Credits "넌 언제나 (You Always)" 2004 TVXQ Tri-Angle Co-writer (rap) "Love After Love" 2005 Rising Sun "태양은 가득히 (Red Sun)" 2006 SM Town 2006 Summer SMTown "Sky" Tohoshinki Five in the Black "Snow Dream" SM Town 2006 Winter SMTown – Snow Dream "Summer Dream" 2007 Tohoshinki T "Spokesman" Yunho featuring Donghae The 2nd Asia Tour Concert "O" Co-writer (music, lyrics) "Wrong Number" 2008 TVXQ Mirotic Co-writer (rap) "사랑 안녕 사랑 (Love Bye Love)" "이별…넌 쉽니 (Heartquake)" 2009 Super Juniorfeaturing U-Know Yunho and Micky Yoochun Sorry, Sorry "Checkmate" Yunho Co-writer (music, lyrics) "Santa Revolution" 2013 U KNOW Y Co-writer, co-producer "뒷모습 (Steppin')" 2014 TVXQ Tense Co-writer (rap) "11월...그리고 (November With Love)" Yunho Spellbound Co-writer (music, lyrics) "Shout Out!" "Bang!" U KNOW Y

Soundtrack appearances + List of soundtrack appearances, with chart positions, showing year released, sales and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album KOR KORSongs USWorld "Waterfall" 2023 — — — Race OST "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Filmography

Film + Film Year Role Notes Dating on Earth 2009 Yunho Direct-to-video Haru: An Unforgettable Day in Korea 2010 Stunt actor Television film for Korean Tourism Chorus City Yunho Short film for Shanghai Expo I AM. 2012 Himself Documentary film Make Your Move 2013 U-Know Cameo Ode to My Father 2014 Nam Jin Cameo SMTOWN The Stage 2015 Himself Documentary film Tokyo Burst: Crime City 2026 Japanese–Korean film

Television series

Variety show + Title Year Roles Notes Explorers of the Human Body 2007 Cast member 2 episodes Kim Yuna's Kiss & Cry 2011 Contestant Dunia: Into a New World 2018 Cast member Invention King 2020 Host & Inventor The Representative 2023–present Host

Other shows + Title Year Notes 72 Hours of TVXQ 2018 Himself Analog Trip 2019 Himself 2020 KBS Song Festival 2020 Co-host Check This Out 2021 Himself Nae Muttaero 2025 Himself / panelist

Musical theatre Year Title Role Notes 2010 Goong: Musical Crown Prince Lee Shin Theatre Yong (September 8 – October 24, 2010) 2012–13 Gwanghwamun Sonata (Japan) Sang-hoon Also known as Gwanghwamun Love SongOsaka, Shin Kabukiza Theatre (November 2021, 2012)Tokyo, Meijiza Theater (January 26, 2013)

Accolades

Awards and nominations

+ Name of the award ceremony, year presented, award category, recipient of the award and the result of the nomination Award Year Category Recipient Result Baeksang Arts Awards 2010 Most Popular Actor Heading to the Ground 2013 King of Ambition Barbie & Ken Awards 2012 Korean Ken Award Jung Yunho Brand Customer Loyalty Awards 2021 Best Male Solo Artist MBC Drama Awards 2014 Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama Diary of a Night Watchman Director's Cut Awards 2026 Best New Actor (Series) Low Life Seoul International Drama Awards 2013 Most Popular ActorSouth Korea Jung Yunho

State and cultural honors + Name of country or organization, name of award ceremony, year given and name of honor Country or organization Ceremony Year Honor South Korea National Day of Finance – Savings Day 2020 Presidential Commendation