Happy birthday to the one and only Taeyong! As NCT 127’s leader, he’s stolen our hearts with his infectious energy, slick dance moves, and a smile that could light up a stadium. However, there’s more to this K-pop sensation than his dazzling stage presence.
This year, he is unable to celebrate his birthday with fans as he’s serving in the military. Nonetheless, fans are going all out to shower Taeyong with love and birthday wishes.
Without further ado, let’s dive into some fun facts that’ll make you love him even more.
Early Life and Pre-debut
Born on July 1, 1995, in Seoul, South Korea, Taeyong grew up with an older sister and loving parents.
As a young boy, he dreamed of becoming a firefighter, inspired by their bravery and selflessness. He even went so far as to decorate his room with firefighting gear and equipment.
As he matured, he discovered his love for music, teaching himself to play the guitar and piano.
In 2012, he was cast by SM Entertainment, one of Korea’s largest entertainment agencies, at the tender age of 17. Taeyong was scouted by an SM Entertainment’s manager in front of his high school who asked him to audition.
Debut with NCT 127
From 2012-2016, he honed his craft, training tirelessly in singing, dancing, and performance skills.
Those early years were not without their challenges. The TAP rapper faced intense competition, setbacks, and self-doubt.
On April 20, 2016, he debuted as the leader of NCT 127, a new K-pop group under SM Entertainment.
Taeyong, alongside six other members – Taeil, Johnny, Yuta, Jaehyun, Haechan, and Mark – took to the stage at the SM Town Theater in Seoul, South Korea.
With the track Fire Truck, NCT 127 made a bold statement, blending genres like hip-hop, rock, and electronic music.
Personalities and Habits
Taeyong is an ENTP-T, which means he is charismatic, innovative, and entrepreneurial with a love for new ideas and possibilities.
The 29-year-old rapper loves to make people laugh and has a playful sense of humor. However, he’s also a perfectionist who can be self-critical at times.
In his free time, he enjoys trying new foods and restaurants and has a fondness for snapback hats and headsets.
He also has a few quirky habits, like frequently biting his fingernails and washing his hands.
Debut as a Soloist
While Taeyong released many tracks since his debut with NCT, he officially debuted as a soloist with the mini album SHALALA, on June 5, 2023.
In February 2024, he released his second mini album TAP, which topped iTunes in 33 regions. Furthermore, he held his first-ever concert, TY TRACK, February 24-25.
Military Enlistment
Taeyong enlisted in the military on April 15, 2024 as a member of the Navy band, the first NCT member to begin military service.
It was reported that he went through a military band application interview for a single vocal spot in January. He competed against 6 candidates and successfully secured a spot. He completed basic training and graduated on May 17. He is expected to be discharged on December 14 next year.
Fun Facts About NCT 127’s Taeyong
- Taeyong’s favorite food is kimchi stew (kimchi jjigae).
- His fandom name is Tyongfs.
- He can play the guitar and piano.
- He’s a fan of video games and loves playing Overwatch.
- He’s a bookworm and enjoys reading fantasy and science fiction novels.
- He’s a talented songwriter and producer and has credits on many NCT songs.
- He is part of SM Entertainment’s supergroup SUPER M, which also includes Mark, Ten, and Lucas.
- He described his ideal type as “Someone who can lead me, teach me, and make up for my flaws.”
