I. Introduction
Jung Yun-ho Hangul: 정윤호; Hanja: 鄭允浩), known professionally as U-Know Yunho (유노윤호) or U-Know, is a South Korean singer, songwriter and actor. He is the leader, main dancer, main rapper and vocalist in the boy group TVXQ.
II. Debut in TVXQ
After winning an SM dance talent show, U-Know signed with SM Entertainment and was part of several project groups before making his debut as part of TVXQ. It was originally a five-member group, including Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun, Xiah Junsu and Max Changmin. U-Know was the leader and main dancer, as well as a vocalist. The group released its first single "Hug" and debut album in 2004, which became of the best selling albums of the year. The group also released its first Japanese album the following year under the name Tohoshinki.
TVXQ grew in popularity throughout Asia over its next several albums before releasing its seminal "Mirotic." In addition to being the leader of the group, U-Know was highly acclaimed for his dancing abilities, earning titles like "dancing king" or "king of popping." He also began to write songs.
U-Know made his official acting debut in 2009, after several brief cameos, playing the male lead in Heading to the Ground.
III. 2010-2015: TVXQ Becomes a Duo
Following a series of lawsuits in 2008-10, four members departed the group and TXVQ became a duo with U-Know and Changmin. U-Know continued in his role as leader, main dancer and main rapper, taking an increased presence as a vocalist with the departure of the other members.
The duo continued to perform with chart-topping albums in Korea and Japan for the next five years before their mandatory military service. TVXQ set sales records and concert attendance records in Japan, becoming the best-selling and highest-grossing foreign artists.
IV. 2015-present: Military and Solo Work
A few weeks before enlisting, U-Know released his first Japanese solo debut EP, U Know Y, on July 8, 2015. It was sold only through the Japanese fan club. After completing his military service in August 2017, he rejoined with Changmin to continue releasing chart-topping TVXQ albums.
He continued to act and appear in variety shows, dramas and musical theatre, in addition to performing in TVXQ. He released his debut Korean EP True Colors on June 12, 2019. The EP debuted at #1 on the Gaon Album Charts and Hanteo charts. The release set the second highest first day sales on the Hanteo chart for a male soloist with more than 57,000 units sold. It also topped the iTunes Album Charts in 15 regions.
He released another EP, Noir, on January 21, 2021. Noir debuted at #1 on the South Korean Gaon Album and Hanteo Charts, as well as China's QQ Music and KuGou Music. It also debuted at #1 on the iTunes Albums Charts in 18 regions.
V. Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yunho2154/
VI. Discography
Year | Title | Format |
2015 | U Know Y | EP - Japanese |
2019 | True Colors | EP |
2021 | Noir | EP |
Year | Title | Artist | Album | Credit |
2004 | ""넌 언제나 (You Always)" | TVXQ | Tri-Angle | Co-writer (rap) |
2005 | "Love After Love" | TVXQ | Rising Sun | Co-writer (rap) |
2006 | " 태양은 가득히 (Red Sun)" | SM Town | 2006 Summer SMTown | Co-writer (rap) |
2006 | "Sky" | Tohoshinki | Five in the Black | Co-writer (rap) |
2006 | "Snow Dream" | SM Town | 2006 Winter SMTown - Snow Dream | Co-writer (rap) |
2006 | "Summer Dream" | Tohoshinki | T | Co-writer (rap) |
2007 | "Spokesman" | Yunho feat. Donghae | The 2nd Asia Tour Concert "O" | Co-writer (music, lyrics) |
2008 | "Wrong Number | TVXQ | Mirotic | Co-writer (rap) |
2008 | "사랑 안녕 사랑 (Love Bye Love)" | TVXQ | Mirotic | Co-writer (rap) |
2009 | "이별…넌 쉽니 (Heartquake)" | Super Junior | Sorry, Sorry | Co-writer (rap) |
2009 | "Checkmate" | Yunho | - | Co-writer (music, lyrics) |
2013 | "Santa Revolution" | Yunho | U Know Y | Co-writer, co-producer |
2014 | "뒷모습 (Steppin')" | Yunho | Tense | Co-writer (rap) |
2014 | "11월...그리고 (November With Love)" | Yunho | Spellbound | Co-writer (music, lyrics) |
2014 | "Shout Out!" | TVXQ | - | Co-writer (music, lyrics) |
2014 | "Bang!" | Yunho | U Know Y | Co-writer (music, lyrics) |
Release Date | Title | Album |
September 25, 2017 | "Drop" | SM Station 6 |
June 12, 2019 | "Follow" | True Colors |
January 18, 2021 | "Thank U" | Noir |
January 25, 2021 | "Eeny Meeny" | Noir |
Follow
Hit Me Up
Drop
Thank U
Eeny Meeny
VII. Filmography
Year | Title | Role |
2009 | Dating on Earth | Yunho |
2012 | I AM. | Himself |
2013 | Make Your Move | U-Know |
2014 | Ode to My Father | Nam Jin |
Year | Title | Role | Platform |
2005 | Banjun Theater | himself | SBS |
2006 | Nonstop 4 | Yunho | MBC |
2006 | Vacation | himself | OCN |
2008-12 | Happy Together | guest | KBS2 |
2009 | Heading to the Ground | Cha Bong-Goon | MBC |
2011 | Poseidon | Kang-Eun-chul | KBS2 |
2011 | Living Among the Rich | Himself | JTBC |
2011 | Welcome to the Show | Himself | SBS |
2011-12 | Running Man | Guest | SBS |
2013 | King of Ambition | Baek Do-hoon | SBS |
2013 | Saki | Cafe customer | TBS |
2014 | Diary of a Night Watchman | Kang Moo-seok | MBC |
2015 | I Order You | Yeo Gook-dae | Naver |
2017 | Meloholic | Yoo Eun-ho | OCN |
2017 | Confession Couple | Salesman | KBS2 |
2017 | Knowing Bros | guest | JTBC |
2017 | Let's Eat Dinner Together | guest | JTBC |
2018 | I Can See Your Voice: Season 5 | guest | Meet |
2018 | Dunia: Into a New World | cast member | MBC |
2018 | Tensai Bakabon 3 | Yunho | NTV |
2018-20 | I Live Alone | guest | MBC |
2019 | Analog Trip | himself | YouTube Originals |
2019 | Boss in the Mirror | guest | KBS2 |
2019 | How Do You Play? | guest | MBC |
2020 | Hometown Flex | guest | tvN |
2020 | Nobody Talks to BoA | guest | vLive |
2020 | Return of Superman | guest | KBS2 |
2021 | Amazing Saturday | guest | tvN |
2021 | Kingdom: Legendary War | host (eps 1-3) | Meet |
VIII. Musical Theatre
Year | Title | Role |
2010 | Goong: Musical | Crown Prince Lee Shin |
2012-13 | Gwanghwamun Sonata (Japan) | Sang-moon |
IX. Trivia
- He was the only Asian performer invited to perform in Michael Jackson's tribute concert This Is It and performed on the Korean leg.
- Yunho is also fluent in Japanese.
- He won the award for Most Popular Actor - South Korea at the 2013 Seoul International Drama Awards for King of Ambition.
- He received a Presidential Commendation in 2020.
- He has a bachelor's degree, as well as a master's degree in Music Broadcasting.