Choi Hyun-suk

Choi Hyun-suk (born April 21, 1999) is a South Korean rapper, dancer, and one of two leaders of Treasure with Jihoon under YG Entertainment. The band debuted on August 7, 2020, with the single album entitled The First Step: Chapter One. He is also known for his television appearance as a contestant on Mix Nine (2017–2018).

1999–2016: Early life
Choi Hyun-suk was born on April 21, 1999, in South Korea. He is the eldest in his family and has a younger sister. 8-year-old Choi (Korean age) first discovered rap and hip hop in first grade through Big Bang's documentary The Beginning (2006), and later through the work of Tupac and Eminem, also attending the latter's concert in Choi's country. In result, he solely fixated his eyes on the hip hop label, YG Entertainment. He formally encountered hip hop and began to dance at ages 11–12 and 13–14 (Korean ages), respectively, and soon aspired to become an artist; or alternatively become a footballer, stemmed by his interest in the sport in result of his stance as an avid fan of Real Madrid CF. Preceding his interest in hip hop, Choi also joined a choir in fifth grade, following a family tradition situated in elementary school, as a sopranist and won first place as its school representative in contests.

In his adolescence, he enrolled at an academy for lessons and attended a private audition held by YG Entertainment through the facility; as a result, Choi was successfully recruited in its trainee program in 2015.

2017–present: Career beginnings and debut with Treasure
Choi first appeared on television through Mix Nine (2017–2018) with band-mate, Kim Jun-kyu, and Lee Byoung-gon of CIX. He participated as a contestant representing YG Entertainment amidst his training and finished the show in fifth place, earning a place in the final line-up. The winning contestants' agencies, however, were unable to reach an agreement regarding the tenure of the project band, leading to the abolishment of its debut. Choi was also incorporated in the third episode of YG Future Strategy Office (2018) as himself that same year while filmed alongside other trainees from the agency.

20-year-old Choi (Korean age) competed in YG Treasure Box (2018–2019), a survival reality program composed of twenty nine trainees, as one of seven under "Team A". The broadcast documented the formation of YG Entertainment's next boy band, Treasure. He became the seventh and last member to join the septet, however, with the announcement of a second line-up and the ensuing merge, the initial septet became the eventual 12-piece ensemble. Choi was notified of his addition to the band from his parents subsequently after its revelation by news articles.

In the midst of its preparation for debut, Choi featured on the B-side single, "1, 2" (한두번; handubeon) by label-mate Lee Hi from her extended play titled 24°C and participated as its lyricist. He also served as an "unofficial leader" with Jihoon in their respective teams when they were divided into two for training due to the number of members. His training period came to an end after five years, followed his debut in Treasure on August 7, 2020, with the single album entitled The First Step: Chapter One. The band adopted the two-tier leadership with Choi and Jihoon after witnessing positive aspects from the once temporary system.

Endorsements
In January 2018, Choi modeled for Japanese sports clothing and accessories brand, Descente, for their new semester menswear range.

Philanthropy
Choi participated in the "News 1 Bazaar of Love" (2022) following an invitation by the South Korean news agency, News 1. Its proceeds were allocated towards treatment and care of children with severe, rare, and intractable diseases, and children of low-income families through items from various celebrities.

Songwriting credits
All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database, unless otherwise noted.