Doyoung (singer)

Kim Dong-young (born February 1, 1996), known professionally as Doyoung, is a South Korean singer, actor, and host. He is a member of the South Korean boy band NCT through the sub-units NCT 127, and NCT DoJaeJung.

Doyoung firstly introduced as a trainee through pre-debut team SM Rookies in January 2015. Doyoung was introduced as the first batch member of boy band NCT and debuted through their rotational unit NCT U in April 2016. In January 2017, he was added as new member of Seoul-based sub-unit NCT 127. He later debuted in trio sub-unit NCT DoJaeJung in April 2023. In April 2024, Doyoung began his solo debut with the released of his first studio album Youth.

Doyoung has ventured into acting. Following his supporting role in the third season of the drama series Midnight Cafe – The Curious Stalker and the musical Marie Antoinette in 2021, he starred in the web series Dear X Who Doesn't Love Me (2022). On television, Doyoung also appeared on the beauty show Lipstick Prince (2016–2017) and variety show Law of the Jungle (2019) and hosted music show Show Champion (2015) and Inkigayo (2017–2018). He is currently a cast member of Master in the House.

Early life
Kim Dong-young was born on February 1, 1996, in Guri, Gyeonggi, South Korea. He is the younger brother of actor Gong Myung.

2013–2016: Pre-debut activities
In late 2013, Doyoung became a trainee at SM Entertainment after being scouted at the Guri City Youth Art Festival singing competition.

Doyoung took part in Exo member and labelmate Chanyeol's music video remake of H.O.T's song "Hope" alongside fellow trainees Johnny and Jaehyun on the television series Exo 90:2014, which aired on August 15, 2014. On January 15, 2015, Doyoung was introduced as a member of SM Rookies, a pre-debut team of trainees under SM Entertainment. He was also announced as a host of MBC Music's music show, Show Champion alongside fellow member Jaehyun. They hosted the program from January 21 to July 1, 2015.

Doyoung made a special appearance in episode 11 of the Korean remake of The Mickey Mouse Club, singing "Beauty & the Beast" as a duet with then-SM Rookies member Koeun, which aired on Disney Channel Korea on December 13, 2015. On February 15, 2016, he was selected as a model for the Design United brand along with Taeyong and Yuta.

2016–2018: Debut with NCT and first solo activities
On April 5, 2016, Doyoung was confirmed as a member first sub-unit of boy group NCT, NCT U, alongside five other members of SM Rookies. They officially debuted with the digital singles "The 7th Sense" and "Without You", released on April 8 and 9, respectively. In July 2016, Doyoung collaborated with Shinee's Key on the song "Cool" for the soundtrack of OCN television series Squad 38. In November, Doyoung joined the cast of OnStyle's beauty variety show Lipstick Prince.

In December 2016, he was announced as a new member of NCT 127, the second sub-unit of NCT, which previously debuted in July. He officially debuted with the unit in January 2017 with the release of their EP Limitless. He also participated in the SM Station project "Sound of Your Heart" (너의 목소리) with fellow NCT member Taeil and labelmates Yesung, Sunny, Seulgi, Wendy, and Lee Dong-woo as part of SM Town.

In February 2017, he joined Inkigayo as a host alongside Got7's Jinyoung and Blackpink's Jisoo. In March of the same year, he appeared on the MBC program We Got Married alongside his brother.

In August, he released "Stay in My Life" for the soundtrack of School 2017 with fellow NCT members Taeil and Taeyong. In October, he collaborated with Gugudan's Kim Se-jeong to release "Star Blossom" (별빛 이 피면) through the second season of SM Station. In June 2018, he released a re-recording of "Hard for Me" for the television series Rich Man, the first song for the series originally performed by Cheeze.

2019–2023: Further solo activities
In March 2019, Doyoung collaborated with indie duo Rocoberry on the song "Don't Say Goodbye (헤어 지지 말아요, 우리)". He appeared on the show King of Mask Singer under the name "Assistant Manager" in July 2019. He advanced to the final round based on his renditions of "Beautiful" by Crush and "Time Spent Walking Through Memories" by Nell, competing alongside the reigning champion, Nightingale. The following month, he was added to the regular cast of Law of the Jungle in Sunda Islands. In November, Doyoung collaborated with labelmates BoA, Siwon, J-Min, Sunny, Taemin, Suho and Wendy as part of SM Town on the song "This is Your Day (for every child, UNICEF)".

In September 2020, SM Entertainment announced that NCT would be releasing their second studio album as a group, NCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 1, with the second part NCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 2 following in November. On the first part of Resonance, Doyoung participated in both lead singles, "Make a Wish" and "From Home" by NCT U, the only member to do so. He also participated in the album tracks "Volcano" and "Lightbulb" by NCT U and "Music, Dance" by NCT 127. On the album's second part, Doyoung participated in the album track "I.O.U" along with other vocalists in the group.

In March 2021, Doyoung appeared in his first television drama as lead, the third season of Midnight Cafe – The Curious Stalker. On April 19, 2021, it was announced that Doyoung had been cast in his first musical, Marie Antoinette, as one of three actors playing the male lead role of Count Axel von Fersen. The musical ran from July 13 to October 3 at the Charlotte Theatre. On August 5, 2021, producer Ryan S. Jhun announced through his personal Instagram that Doyoung and fellow member Haechan would participate in the first single from his first album. The song, "Maniac", was released on August 12. On October 1, 2021, Doyoung released the soundtrack song "Like a Star" for the drama Yumi's Cells.

In April 2023, Doyoung debuted with the newest NCT sub-unit NCT DoJaeJung along with his groupmates Jaehyun and Jungwoo from NCT 127. A month later, he became the brand ambassador for the Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana in Korea and Japan. On May 23, 2023, Doyoung released the soundtrack song "Beautiful Day" for the third season of the television series Dr. Romantic. Doyoung also recorded "Here with Me", which was released on July 23, 2023, for the soundtrack of the television series See You in My 19th Life.

2024–present: Solo debut with Youth
On April 4, 2024, SM announced that Doyoung will debut as a soloist with his first studio album Youth, slated to be released on April 22. On May 1, the album's title track "Little Light" won first place on the weekly music television program Show Champion. He is set to hold his first solo concert tour, titled Dear Youth, which will start with a three-date concert in Seoul from May 25 to 27, 2024.

Endorsements
In 2023, Dolce & Gabbana selected Doyoung as the Korea-Japan brand ambassador. In October, the brand announced him as its global ambassador. On December 25, McDonald's selected Doyoung as their model for "Lucky Burger" campaign.

Philanthropy
On March 8, 2022, Doyoung donated million to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help the victims of the massive wildfire that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk and has spread to Samcheok, Gangwon. On February 10, 2023, Doyoung donated million to the Community Chest of Korea to help victims of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake.