Zhong Chenle

Zhong Chenle (; born 22 November 2001), known mononymously as Chenle , is a Chinese singer and former child actor based in South Korea. Chenle began his career as a child singer, having performed in various concerts and television shows in China and abroad. At age nine, he became the youngest singer to be invited to perform solo at the Golden Hall of Vienna. Through his solo career, Chenle has released three albums and hosted one concert in China. At the age of fourteen, Chenle signed with South Korean entertainment company SM Entertainment and subsequently moved to South Korea in 2016 to debut as a member of the South Korean boy band NCT through its fixed sub-unit NCT Dream, which has gone on to become one of the best-selling boy groups in South Korea.

Early life and education Zhong Chenle was born in Shanghai, China on 22 November 2001. He has an older brother by 13 years. He attended Shangwen Middle School before moving to Korea. He was later enrolled at the Beijing Contemporary Music School, graduating as part of the class of 2020.

In 2006, Chenle entered the Shanghai Ying Siu Sing School and attended dance classes. In 2008, he was admitted to the Shanghai Little Star Art Troupe and studied vocal music under Huang Jing. In 2010, he participated in the National Chinese Young Talent Selection and won a gold medal. In 2010, Chenle made television appearances as part of the duo 0090, made up of himself and Xu Zehui, both coming from the Shanghai Little Star Art Troupe.

In September 2010, Chenle signed a record deal with Lin Teng Culture Media.

On 25 January 2011, at age nine, Chenle was invited to perform at the Chinese New Year concert held at Golden Hall of Vienna; at the time, he was the youngest singer to have performed as a soloist at the venue. On 16 June, Chenle led the audience in singing the Chinese national anthem at the second Nie Er Music Week opening ceremony in the Shanghai Grand Theater. In July, Chenle released his twelve-track second solo album, My Wings. At the end of the month and in August, he participated in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Shanghai International Children's Art Festival on the Shanghai Grand Stage at the Shanghai International Convention Center.

In December 2012, Chenle participated in the First Plenary Session of the Huangpu District of Shanghai and was elected as the district director for the Young Pioneers.

In 2013, Chenle participated in the first season of Let's Sing Kids, as part of Yang Zongwei's team. His first known minor acting role was in 2013, when he featured in Chinese drama The Queen of SOP 2 at age 11.

In 2014, Chenle held his first solo concert, Music With You, at the Shanghai Concert Hall. He consequently released his concert album, of the same name, Music With You, that same year. Chenle joined the World Organization of Rising Leading Diplomats, headquartered in Washington, D.C., founded and presided over by pianist-songwriter-producer Ezekiel Palmieri, representing China as a young cultural diplomat. He served as Chinese Ambassador at an international multicultural show created by Palmieri at the Teatro Coliseo, Buenos Aires on 15 and 16 August 2014; he performed "The Dragon's Romance", a song Palmieri wrote specifically for him.

Throughout 2015, Chenle would participate as a performing member of the "Chinese Cultural Paradise" outstanding student troupe, visiting multiple countries including South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

During his time as a child entertainer in China he would record and perform many cover songs, including many from Declan Galbraith. In August 2016, at age 14, Chenle would make his debut as a member of NCT Dream, a sub-unit of NCT.

Since December 2018, Chenle with fellow NCT Dream member Jisung have hosted the NCT YouTube series CHENLE & JISUNG's This and That.

On 20 May 2020, Chenle and Renjun's graduation song "A New Beginning" was released by Beijing Contemporary Music Academy on Chinese sites. Chenle hosted TBS eFM 101.3 MHz's Yuedong Seoul, a Chinese-language radio show, from 12 October 2020 to 12 September 2021. Chenle's NCT U debut was marked by the release of NCT's two-part second studio album, NCT 2020 Resonance, featuring on the single "From Home".

In February 2021, Chenle featured on the song "Too Good" from IMLAY's fourth EP Utopia. In March 2022 it was announced that Chenle had suffered an ankle injury in the run-up to NCT Dream's Glitch Mode promotions, which he ultimately chose to participate in in a limited capacity. On 6 December 2023, Chenle released his first self-produced song "Marine Turtle" by NCT U as part of the NCT Lab project. In January 2024, Chenle participated in "Do It (Let's Play)", the official theme song for the NCT Zone mobile game, with fellow NCT members Jungwoo, Xiaojun, Jeno, and Yangyang. On 31 May 2024, it was announced that Chenle would be participating in the OST for the Chinese drama The Double, with the ending theme, "Live and Love".

2025–present: Lucid

In April 2025, it was announced that Chenle would be releasing his first solo project in over a decade with the EP, Lucid, on 5 May 2025. Chenle released a remake of Wu Bai & China Blue's "Tear Bridge" as a pre-release single for the EP, on 28 April. Chenle debuted "Lucid" at Tianjin's Bubbling & Boiling Music & Arts Festival, on 2 May. He held an exclusive showcase for the EP in Beijing on 17 May. CJ Dream Classroom in Nanjing is part of a global social contribution program providing better cultural arts education opportunities for children of Chinese labourers.

Endorsements Chenle was announced as a "Friend of Chagee", in April 2025, as part of the release of the tea chain's hojicha genmai signature drink.

Personal life Interests Chenle enjoys cooking. In 2019, he went viral for his instant ramen recipe, coined by the Korean media as "Chenle Ramen" and has also been covered by international outlets. The viral recipe which includes the addition of Lao Gan Ma sauce, has been seen as being part of a mala trend in Korea.

Discography

Studio albums Title Album details Track listing Tomorrow Released: 2010 Label: Lin Teng Culture Media Format: CD My Wings Released: June 2011 Label: Lin Teng Culture Media Format: CD, DVD

Concert albums Title Album details Track listing Music With You Released: October 2014 Label: Lin Teng Culture Media Format: CD, DVD

Extended play Title Album details Track listing 灿 (Lucid) Released: 5 May 2025 Label: TME, SM Entertainment Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles + List of singles as lead artist, showing year released, selected chart positions and album name Title Year Peak chartpositions Album CHN As lead artist "Tear Bridge" (泪桥) 2025 9 灿 (Lucid) "Lucid" (灿) 28 Collaborations "I Also Have a Chinese Dream" 2014 "A New Beginning" 2020 "Sink Into" 2025 天赐的声音第六季第7期 (Live) "Hot Rice & Warm Soup" 2026 – As featured artist "Too Good" 2021 Utopia Soundtrack appearances "Childhood Companion" 2012 "Travel the Wind" "Don't Be Afraid" 2012 Monsters Wanted OST "Live and Love" 2024 The Double OST "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Selected non-singles + List of selected non-single songs, showing year released, selected chart positions and album name Title Year Peak chartpositions Album KOR CHN "The Dragon's Romance" 2014 Wunderkindz "Best Day Ever" 2018 — DreamWorks Trolls X SM STATION "Snow Dream 2021" 2021 — 2021 Winter SM Town: SMCU Express "Where You Are" 2022 — 2022 Winter SM Town: SMCU Palace "Cosmic Joke" 2025 — 99 灿 (Lucid) "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Music videos Title Year Notes "My Wings" 2011 "Don't Be Afraid" 2012 "You Raise Me Up" 2013 "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" "Lucid" 2025

Songwriting credits All credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association, unless cited otherwise. Year Song Artist(s) Album Lyricist Composer 2020Credits taken from the Beijing Contemporary Music Academy. 2013 Super Voice 超级童声 Judge Let's Sing Kids 中国新声代 Contestant Season 1

Concerts and live performances

Concerts Music With You (2014)

Theatre Year Title Native Title Role Venue Notes 2010 Happy Childhood 快乐童年 Musical 2011 Joy of Growing Up 成长的快乐 Forest Prince Shanghai Children's Art Theatre Musical Weibo Music Awards 2023 Recommended Popular Artist of the Year

+ Other awards and accolades Year Award Nominee / Work Result 2009 Yueyue Elf Vs Season Trial "Elf Genie Award" Himself 2010 National Outstanding Students Competition 2010 National Award For Young Talents in China 2012 Director for Huangpu District Young Pioneers 2025 TME Best Performing EP (Mid Year Report) Lucid (灿)