Chenle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chenle
Chenle in December 2023
Born	Zhong Chenle (2001-11-22) 22 November 2001 (age 23) Shanghai, China
Occupation	Singer actor
Years active	2009–present
Musical career
Genres	K-pop Mandopop Children's
Instruments	Vocals Piano
Labels	SM TME
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	鍾辰樂
Simplified Chinese	钟辰乐
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhōng Chénlè Southern Min Hokkien POJ Chiong sîn-ga̍k
Korean name
Hangul	종진락
Transcriptions Revised Romanization Jong Jin-rak McCune–Reischauer Chong Chinrak

Zhong Chenle (Chinese: 钟辰乐; born on November 22, 2001), known as Chenle (Hangul: 천러), is a Chinese singer. He used to be a child actor. Chenle is now based in South Korea.

He started his career as a child singer. He performed in many concerts and TV shows in China and other countries. When he was nine, he became the youngest singer to perform alone at the Golden Hall of Vienna. During his solo career, Chenle released three albums and held one concert in China.

At age fourteen, Chenle joined the South Korean company SM Entertainment. He moved to South Korea in 2016. He then became a member of the K-pop boy band NCT. He is part of its group NCT Dream. NCT Dream is now one of the most successful boy groups in South Korea.

Early Life and School

Zhong Chenle was born in Shanghai, China, on November 22, 2001. He has an older brother who is 13 years older than him. Before moving to Korea, he went to Shangwen Middle School. He later studied at the Beijing Contemporary Music School. He finished his studies there in 2020.

In 2006, Chenle joined the Shanghai Ying Siu Sing School. He took dance classes there. In 2008, he was accepted into the Shanghai Little Star Art Troupe. He learned how to sing from a teacher named Huang Jing.

Music Career

2009–2015: Starting Out in China

In 2009, Chenle took part in a children's TV show contest. He came in second place and won an award. Chenle became well-known in 2010. He appeared on China's Got Talent. He sang "Memory" from the musical Cats. In 2010, he won a gold medal in a national talent competition. He also appeared on TV as part of a duo called 0090.

In September 2010, Chenle signed a music deal. He released three albums with this company.

On January 25, 2011, Chenle was invited to sing at a Chinese New Year concert. This concert was held at the Golden Hall of Vienna. He was only nine years old. At that time, he was the youngest singer to perform alone there. In June, Chenle played a main role in a children's musical. It was called Joy of Growing Up. On June 16, Chenle led the audience in singing the Chinese national anthem. This was at a music festival in Shanghai. In July, Chenle released his second album, My Wings. He also performed at the Shanghai International Children's Art Festival.

In December 2012, Chenle was chosen as a district leader for the Young Pioneers of China.

In 2013, Chenle was on the first season of Let's Sing Kids. He was part of Yang Zongwei's team. His first small acting role was in 2013. He was in the Chinese TV show The Queen of SOP 2 when he was 11.

In 2014, Chenle held his first solo concert. It was called "Music With You" in Shanghai. He also released an album with the same name. Chenle joined a group called the World Organization of Rising Leading Diplomats. He represented China as a young cultural ambassador. He performed a song called "The Dragon's Romance" in Argentina.

In 2015, Chenle traveled to many countries. He visited South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. He was part of a student group that shared Chinese culture. As a child performer, he sang many cover songs. Many of these were by Declan Galbraith.

2016–2024: Joining NCT and NCT Dream

In 2015, SM Entertainment offered Chenle a chance to join them. He signed with the company in March 2016. In August 2016, Chenle became a member of NCT Dream. He was 14 years old. NCT Dream is a part of the larger group NCT.

Chenle in 2019

Since December 2018, Chenle and Jisung, another NCT Dream member, have hosted a YouTube series. It is called CHENLE & JISUNG's This and That.

On May 20, 2020, Chenle and Renjun released a song called "A New Beginning." This song was for their graduation from Beijing Contemporary Music Academy. Chenle hosted a Chinese radio show called Yuedong Seoul. He hosted it from October 12, 2020, to September 12, 2021. Chenle also debuted with NCT U. He was on NCT's second album, NCT 2020 Resonance. He sang on the song "From Home".

In February 2021, Chenle was featured on the song "Too Good." This song was from IMLAY's album Utopia. In March 2022, it was announced that Chenle had an ankle injury. This happened before NCT Dream's Glitch Mode promotions. He still chose to take part in the activities in a limited way. On December 6, 2023, Chenle released his first self-produced song. It was called "Marine Turtle" by NCT U. This was part of the NCT Lab project. In January 2024, Chenle sang on "Do It (Let's Play)." This was the theme song for the NCT Zone mobile game. He sang with other NCT members. On May 31, 2024, it was announced that Chenle sang the ending theme for the Chinese TV show The Double. The song was called "Live and Love."

2025–Present: Lucid

In April 2025, it was announced that Chenle would release his first solo project in over ten years. The album, called Lucid, was released on May 5, 2025. Chenle released a new version of "Tear Bridge" as a song before the album. This was on April 28. The album and its songs were first released only on TME's music platforms in China. The album was number one on the QQ Music Digital Album Chart. Chenle performed "Lucid" for the first time at a music festival in Tianjin on May 2. He held a special show for the album in Beijing on May 17.

Other Activities

Helping Others

In May 2017, Chenle and Renjun, another NCT Dream member, volunteered. They helped with the CJ Dream Classroom in Nanjing. This program helps children of Chinese workers get better art education.

Endorsements

Chenle was announced as a "Friend of CHAGEE" in April 2025. This was for the release of the tea chain's new drink.

Discography

Studio Albums

Concert Albums

Extended Play

Singles

Selected Non-Singles

Music Videos

Songwriting Credits

All credits are from the Korea Music Copyright Association, unless noted otherwise.

Year	Song	Artist(s)	Album	Lyricist	Composer
2020	"A New Beginning" (新的开始)	Himself and Renjun	Non-album single
2023	"Like We Just Met"	NCT Dream	ISTJ
	"蓝洋海龟 (Marine Turtle)" (Chinese & Korean ver.)	NCT U	SM Station: NCT Lab

Film and TV

Movies

Television Shows

Variety Shows

Web Shows

Radio

Concerts and Performances

Concerts

• Music With You (2014)

Theatre

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Chenle para niños