Jeno

I. Introduction

Lee Jeno (Hangul: 이제노), known professionally as Jeno (Hangul: 제노), is a Korean rapper, singer, songwriter and dancer based in Seoul, South Korea. He is one of the main rappers, lead dancers, sub-vocalists and visuals of the NCT sub-unit NCT Dream. NCT Dream sings primarily in Korean, as well as Chinese versions of title tracks. He is also the captain, partnering with leader Mark. He is also a rapper and dancer in the NCT U sub-unit and usually one of the leads or mains, as well as a center.

II. Career

III. Pre-debut and SM Rookies

Jeno was born on April 23, 2000 in Incheon, and grew up to be a child actor and model, appearing in a number of commercials. He was cast by SM Entertainment in 2013, and announced as a member of SM Rookies in December 2013. He began appearing with other members of the pre-debut SM Rookies team in live performances and variety shows, including appearing on The Mickey Mouse Club.

Jeno appeared in the ongoing NCT reality show, NCT Life. In April-May 2016, he appeared in NCT Life in Bangkok, focusing on the members of SM Rookies and their journey to debut. As part of the show, he prepared for shows and appearances in Thailand with other members, including Jaehyun, Hansol, Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Ten, Taeil, Haechan, Mark, Jaemin and Jisung.

IIII. Debut with NCT Dream

On August 24, 2016, Jeno made his official debut as a member of NCT and its third sub-unit, NCT Dream, alongside Chenle, Renjun and former SM Rookies Haechan, Mark, Jaemin and Jisung with the debut single "Chewing Gum." The group had their first performance on M Countdown the next day. Dream was originally designed as a teenage boy group, with members graduating from the group once they reached adulthood (20 in Korean, 19 international age), although the graduation system was later eliminated.

Dream has a brighter, sunnier pop sound than the other sub-units, although it has an equal emphasis on powerful and intricate dance choreography.

IIIII. Current Activities

Jeno continues to record and perform with NCT Dream, including 6 EPs, 3 studio albums, 2 repackage albums and 1 live album, as well as multiple NCT-focused reality shows. He has also co-written several NCT Dream songs, usually his own rap lyrics.

He also participated with NCT during the NCT 2018 project on March 14, 2018, featuring all NCT members, and debuting three new ones. This project also included the first NCT full album, NCT 2018 Empathy. He appears as a singer on the NCT Dream song "Go." He is also a featured rapper and dancer in "Black on Black."

On November 13, Jeno and his fellow group mates Jaemin and Renjun, collaborated with fellow labelmate Red Velvet's Yeri for the special release of Hair in the Air, which became the theme song for the television series Trolls: The Beat Goes on. Both song and MV were released under the music project SM Station.

On June 06, 2019, Jeno released the single Don't Need Your Love, alongside Jaemin, Renjun, Chenle, and Jisung and the collaboration of English singer HRVY.

Jeno also 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 rapper on NCT Dream's song "Deja Vu," as well as a part of NCT U combination units on 2 songs: the dance-unit focused "90s Love" and the all-rap "Misfit." He also features in the combination single "Resonance." The entire project also appeared on NCT World 2.0, a competition-focused show.

Jeno participated in the NCT 2021 project in December 2021, featuring all active NCT members at the time. This project also included a NCT full album, NCT 2021 Universe. He appears as a rapper on NCT Dream's song "Dreaming," as well as a part of NCT U combination units on 3 songs: the co-title track "Universe (Let's Play Ball)", rap-focused "OK!" and "Know Now." He also features in the all-unit song "Beautiful," which he co-wrote. As part of NCT 2021 promotions, he also appeared in a special short digital series EuMARKJUNGsim, co-hosted by NCT group mates Mark and Jungwoo, and NCT 2021 YearDream, around the group's lore.

Jeno appeared with the other active members of NCT in December 2021 as part of the 2021 Winter SMTOWN: SMCU Express album on the song "Hope for Kwangya." He also appeared on the rap-focused song "Zoo," with WayV's Hendery and YangYang, NCT 127's Taeyong and aespa's Giselle. He was also a co-writer on "Zoo". He also appeared in the accompanying New Year's Day concert, performing "Hope" and "Zoo." Spurred by its dance practice video, "Zoo" became a viral hit on TikTok.

Jeno also appeared as a guest rapper on songs for his seniors in SM, Donghae of Super Junior and Key of SHINee.

In September, Jeno became the first kpop idol to open a New York Fashion Week runway show boy walking for the designer Peter Do. Jeno's appearance merited him the third highest earned media value ranking for most influential people/IG accounts at NYFW. Do had previously partnered with NCT 127 member Johnny for a memorable debut at the Met Gala earlier in the year.

In November, he appeared in a new reality series with Shotaro, Sungchan, Doyoung of NCT 127 and Jungwoo of NCT 127 that introduces the SM Rookies members to NCT. The series, Welcome to NCT Universe, featured all the NCT sub-units.

In December 2022, he appeared on the song "Hot & Cold" with EXO's Kai, Red Velvet's Seulgi and aespa's Karina on the 2022 Winter SMTOWN: SMCU Winter Palace album.

In February 2023, Jeno made his Milan Fashion Week debut at the Italian fashion house Ferragamo. In May, he was announced as their first global brand ambassador.

In August 2023, Jeno appeared with the other members of NCT Dream on the fourth NCT album, Golden Age, as well as in the all-unit NCT Nation concerts in Korea and Japan. He featured on the NCT U songs "The BAT," "Alley Oop" and "That's Not Fair."

III. Discography

IIII. Performer

IIIII. Songwriting Credits

IV. Videography

V. Photos

NCT 2020 Resonance

NCT 2023 Golden Age

VI. Trivia

- His NCT emoji is 🐶 (puppy face).

- He has an older sister.

- He has written lyrics for multiple NCT Dream songs.

- When Mark graduated from NCT Dream, he took on the role as the temporary leader, or what the group termed the "captain." He continues to assist Mark in leading the group as the "captain."

- Jeno's fans are called royals, after his name, which means king, enjenie and jenfs.

- Jeno is a native Korean speaker.

- He was the first kpop idol to open a runway show at New York Fashion Week.

- He is the first global brand ambassador for Ferragamo.

- He loves playing video games.

- He is allergic to cats but he has three cats named Seol, Nal and bongsik.

- He likes riding bikes.

- He likes working out.

- He is great at sports.

- He can play the guitar and the violin.

- Jeno and Jaemin entered SM on the same day, 3 hours apart.

- SM released a video using the audio from NCT's MAMA performance that captures the journey of the members through their career.

- NCT members participated in a NCT 24 Hour Relay Cam that gave a snapshot of their daily lives.