Lee Min-hyuk (singer, born 1993)

Lee Min-hyuk (, born November 3, 1993), better known as Minhyuk, is a South Korean singer and MC. He debuted in the South Korean boy group Monsta X, formed through the Mnet's survival show No.Mercy, under Starship Entertainment in 2015.

Early life and debut
Lee Min-hyuk was born in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea on November 3, 1993.

Starting in December 2014, he competed in the Mnet's survival show No.Mercy. In the finale of the show, he was the final member of the seven contestants confirmed to be debuting in Starship Entertainment's new boy group Monsta X.

2015–2018: Monsta X and career beginnings
In May 2015, Minhyuk debuted with Monsta X, with their first EP Trespass.

In October 2018, Minhyuk is a credited writer for their song "널하다" ("I Do Love U"), from Monsta X's second studio album Take.1 Are You There?.

2019–present: MC roles and solo work
In June 2019 he released a mixtape single "옹심이" ("Ongsimi"), with a music video released through Starship Entertainment's YouTube channel. The single featured his fellow group member Joohoney, and was described by Minhyuk as "EDM Hip Trot".

Beginning late 2019, Minhyuk began expanding his individual activities, including being part of the three MCs for SBS' Inkigayo, alongside Naeun of April and Jaehyun of NCT 127, hosting the show weekly every Sunday, starting in October.

For Monsta X's sixth studio album All About Luv, he is a credited writer and composer on three of their tracks.

In July 2020, Minhyuk launched the Vogue Ship Show on Naver Now, a weekly radio show that focuses on creating art while connecting with fans. Most episodes host guests, usually other idols, including members of g.o.d., label mates such as Jeong Se-woon, and members of Cravity, as well as group members from Monsta X.

In August, it was announced that he would be featured on the soundtrack for She's My Type, released through Daum. The song "Have a Goodnight", was released on September 11, as a duet with group member Shownu. Minhyuk was also announced as MC for the new KT Seezn program Back to the Idol, alongside Eunhyuk of Super Junior.

In November, he appeared on King of Mask Singer with the identity of "Baepsae", winning the first two rounds he competed in, but losing in the third round.

In June 2021, Minhyuk and Hyungwon appeared as part of the cast for the Youtube channel Inssa Oppa. The two played different "sub-characters" for each episode to introduce the latest trends and G-Market global shop products.

In July, he also joined the cast of the variety show Our Neighborhood Class as the youngest member. The show focused on the "makeover" of neighborhoods across the country, as well as returning for the second season of Back to the Idol, which began airing in mid-August, with Eunhyuk.

In March 2022, Minhyuk and Hyungwon returned in the sixth season of Inssa Oppa. For the concept of this season, these two will move freely to any desired time, such as the past, present, and future, under the concept of "what if" and perform situational plays on various themes. On March 15, he went to the Valentino Beauty's launch event pop-up store in Seoul. Minhyuk tested positive for COVID-19 on March 31.

On August 25, he visited the Montblanc's pop-up store in Seoul, which was held under the brand's global campaign "On The Move".

On September 6, Minhyuk will return for the second season of Vogue Ship Show on Naver Now.

On October 14, he and Leeseo of Ive attended the Häagen-Dazs' special exhibition "Melting Point", in collaboration with Lotte Department Store, held in Seoul.

On November 28, Minhyuk alongside celebrities, such as Kim Da-mi, Lee Joo-myung, and Irene Kim, attended the Fendi's special collection pop-up store, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the baguette bag, held in Seoul.

In February 2023, he and Hyungwon attended the Dyson Style Lab pop-up store's opening ceremony, held in Seoul.

On March 20, Minhyuk decorated the cover of lifestyle and fashion magazine Singles Korea's April issue.

Starting in May, he released his own content Let's GO!5rae through Monsta X's YouTube channel.

Personal life
Minhyuk has expressed his love for whales, integrating various images of them with himself, which also remind him of the "freedom" and "infinity" of whales swimming in the vast and deep waters following their "values".

Military service
Minhyuk enlisted for his mandatory military service as part of the military band, with 5th Infantry Division at Yeoncheon army base in North Gyeonggi Province on April 4, 2023. On October 6 to 10, he performed in the Ground Forces Festival (also known as Army Fest), held in Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province. Minhyuk is scheduled to be discharged on September 30, 2024.

Musical style and influences
As a sub vocalist in the group, Minhyuk always presents an irregular moment to the music of Monsta X, which radiates energy without hesitation. His weapon as a vocalist is the clear difference between his "husky voice in low tones" and "smooth beauty in high tones", which is clean, both musically and aesthetically. Minhyuk's timbre acts as the "centrifugal force", so Monsta X's music was able to create a harmony of power and beauty.

Minhyuk had cited Junsu of JYJ, Kyuhyun of Super Junior, Yoseob of Highlight, and Mino of Winner as his role models.

Stage and aesthetics
Both on and off stage, Minhyuk pursues "perfectionism". His "intense expression" and "choreography with applause" created the "sense of immersion and grandeur" on the stage. He showed off his charm on stage with "deadly choreography and facial expressions", while his friendly and passionate charm showing through his "activeness" and "easygoingness" off stage.

Public image and impact
Minhyuk, as an individual and a member of Monsta X, showed a heavy presence within the group with his delicate appearance and soft voice that caught the eye at once, and shows a higher level of performance through steady efforts, making a mark on music fans. Based on his bright personality, he took on the role of "vitamin" for the team, further strengthening the teamwork of the group. He gradually expanded his activities outside the group and established himself as a "trend in the broadcasting industry" while being active "scene stealer" between stages with his pleasant hosting skills. He had also established himself as a "blue chip" in the entertainment world, with a sense of entertainment which been honed through years of experience and recently shining through in Monsta X's own contents, from witty remarks, to the ability to create a flow of broadcasting by giving members specific characters or personalities, and the ability to gather various opinions and organize the situations smoothly, he is showing off his excellent sense as a "professional entertainer" who understands the context of broadcasting. He expands his musical realm and received rave reviews from a prominent American business magazine Forbes, making him active as the irreplaceable "all-round entertainer".

Minhyuk had influenced and inspired his label mate Cravity.

Ambassadorship
In November 2021, as part of Monsta X's promotional campaign for traditional Korean culture, Minhyuk and Hyungwon participated in a video narration for the YouTube series Kimchi Universe 3, jointly produced by Daesang Jonggajib and World Kimchi Research Institute together with Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University. The video explains how kimchi became known all over the world through the 1986 Asian Games and 1988 Seoul Olympics, culminating with Gimjang, the traditional practice of preparing and preserving kimchi, being registered on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013.

Arts and photography
In 2016, Minhyuk alongside Kihyun held a special exhibition "Moment in November" at the Space Art 1 in Jung-gu, Seoul from November 26 to 27. Under the theme of "moment", this exhibition consists of Kihyun's photos and Minhyuk's calligraphy and drawings. A space was also prepared for them to see the before and after Monsta X's debut photos, undisclosed polaroids, childhood photos, their cherished items, as well as events for fans due to the warm response from domestic and foreign fans, and to repay the support they showed during the group's activities.

In 2022, Minhyuk works for the album artwork of Monsta X's eleventh EP Shape of Love. He showed his affection for fans, by putting the words written by the fan cafe on the canvas, photos of the concert hall, and the memories of Monbebe in one place, as well as mobilizing a photo book.

In 2023, Minhyuk held a collaborative exhibition with the street artist Doezny and the PepsiCo's carbonated soft drink brand Mountain Dew. Through this collaboration, the two artists recreated Mountain Dew into various graphic works such as posters, paintings, and digital art containing K-pop and street culture, which will be released as new content in the future in connection with the "2023 Mountain Dew Music Project".

Endorsements
In July 2021, he was selected as the global ambassador by the French premium mineral water brand Evian through the fashion magazine Esquire Korea. On July 16, Minhyuk and Shownu also appeared in the fashion magazine W Korea, promoting the German premium luggage brand Rimowa. On August 13, he was selected by the American clothing brand Champion as its Korean model and will be part of the 2021 F/W pictorial.

In February 2022, Minhyuk became one of the faces of the Korean cosmetics and skincare brand Olive Young's Vegan Beauty campaign, alongside group member Joohoney and his labelmate Liz of Ive. In April, he became the new model for the Korean fashion shoes and accessories brand Shoopen. On July 7, Minhyuk became the new face and exclusive model in Korea and in Japan for the skincare brand Floun. In November, he was selected as an advertising model for the American sports culture brand NFL's 2022 F/W collection through the fashion magazine Dazed Korea, including its 2023 S/S collection. On November 28, Floun had renewed Minhyuk's exclusive model contract.

In March 2023, he posted several photos of the American luxury jewelry brand and specialty design house Tiffany & Co. through the fashion magazine Esquire Korea's Instagram. Upon his enlistment, NFL unveiled its 2023 summer collection lookbook with brand model Minhyuk, which consists of various sports casual products, including its T-shirts and jackets with colorful colors and sensuous team logo graphics.

Philanthropy
In November 2016, proceeds from the 2-days special exhibition "Moment in November" were donated in the names of Minhyuk, Kihyun, and fan club, Monbebe.

In April 2019, he donated to the Sokcho forest fire under the name of his fan club, Monbebe, as well as drew a relay donation from fans.

In November 2020, Minhyuk, alongside Monbebe, donated ,933,113 to the international relief and development NGO Save the Children Korea, in commemoration of his birthday, and to help children suffering from COVID-19.

In November 2021, he donated 00,000 through the idol fandom community service My Favorite Idol, for his birthday. It will be delivered to the Miral Welfare Foundation and used as a fund for the disabled who are isolated due to COVID-19.

In October 2022, Minhyuk, alongside celebrities such as Park Bo-gum, Jung Hae-in, and Lee Se-young, agreed to wear grandma's handicraft brand Marco Roho's products such as rings and bracelets, which also advocates a social lifestyle brand, starting with the purpose of creating sustainable jobs for elderly women, who have reduced social participation, as well as having difficulties in becoming economically independent. The same month, he attended the fashion magazine W Korea's breast cancer awareness campaign "Love Your W" charity event, alongside his group member Hyungwon, held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Gwanghwamun, Seoul.

In March 2023, Minhyuk participated in a charity auction of his cherished items, from paintings, custom bags, and rings, and all the proceeds will be donated.