Yangyang

I. Introduction

Liu Yangyang (刘扬扬), known professionally as Yangyang (Hangul: 양양) , is a Taiwanese rapper and dancer. He is the main rapper, one of the main dancers and the maknae in WayV.

II. 2018: SM Rookies and the formation of WayV

Yangyang was introduced as an SM Rookie on July 17, 2018. Yangyang began appearing with other members of the pre-debut SM Rookies team in live performances and variety shows.

SM announced plans to launch an NCT China unit on August 13, 2018. The formation of the group was finalized and announced on December 31, under a new China-exclusive label. Due to the political tensions between China and South Korea at the time, the group was not promoted as an NCT sub unit.

III. 2019: WayV debut

Yangyang debuted in the permanent Chinese sub unit WayV on January 17, 2019 with the EP The Vision. Yangyang is considered one of NCT’s best rappers, although his style is more laidback than the other top rappers. His flow is more languid and looping, rather than rapid fire. He can be fast, but it’s not as staccato, reflective of WayV's sleeker, sexier sound and style compared to the other sub units, as well as a more fluid style of dance.

WayV released a second EP on May 9, 2019, Take Off, then released another EP on October 29, Take Over the Moon.

IV. 2020: First full album and NCT 2020

WayV released its first full album Awaken the World on June 9, 2020, following its online live concert on Vlive. It also appeared on its own reality show, WayVision.

WayV participated in the NCT 2020 project in October 2020, featuring all NCT members, and debuting two new ones. This project also included a 2-part NCT full album, NCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 1 and NCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 2. He appears as a singer on WayV's song "Nectar," as well as a part of NCT U combination units on 3 songs: "Misfit," which is an entirely rap song, "I.O.U." and "90s Love." He also appears in the combination single "Resonance," which combines multiple songs. The entire project also appeared on NCT World 2.0, a competition-focused show.

2021: Kick Back

WayV released its third EP, Kick Back, on March 11, 2021, while simultaneously airing the second season of its reality show WayVision.

V. Social Media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yangyang_x2/

Official Weibo: https://weibo.com/WayVYANGYANG

His official NCT emoji is 🐑 (sheep because "yang" means sheep in Mandarin and Korean.)

VI. Discography

Performer:

2020 - "Asteroid" with Imlay

2019 - "Leonidas" with WayV's Kun

VII. Filmography

VIII. Trivia

- Born in Taiwan, but raised in Germany, he is fluent in Mandarin, German, English and Korean.

- He moved to Germany in the fourth grade.

- He did not know how to rap, sing or dance when he started with SM.

- He often helps with translating for fellow member Ten, who is not as fluent in Chinese, as well as helping the Chinese members with their English.

- He is the maknae of WayV.

- He has a playful and mischievous personality, but is sweet and thoughtful with fans.

- His fans are called Yangqi.

- Yangyang is Ariel in WayV's Princess performance of their song "Bad Alive" for Winwin's birthday.