Taeyong facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Taeyong
Taeyong in October 2023
Born	Lee Tae-yong (1995-07-01) July 1, 1995 (age 29) Seoul, South Korea
Other names	TY
Education	School of Performing Arts Seoul
Occupation	Rapper singer songwriter dancer
Years active	2013–present
Musical career
Genres	K-pop hip hop
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	SM Avex Trax Capitol
Korean name
Hangul	이태용
Hanja	李泰容
Revised Romanization	I Tae-yong
McCune–Reischauer	Yi T'aeyong

Lee Tae-yong (Hangul: 이태용; born July 1, 1995), known as Taeyong, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, and dancer. He is a member and leader of the popular South Korean boy band NCT. He first joined NCT's sub-unit NCT U in 2016. Later that year, he became the leader of another sub-unit, NCT 127. In 2019, Taeyong also joined the supergroup SuperM. This group was a special project by SM Entertainment and Capitol Records. Taeyong has helped write over 40 songs in four languages. Many of these songs were for NCT's groups or his own solo music. He released his first solo album, an EP called Shalala, in June 2023. This made him the first NCT member to release a solo album.

Taeyong's Journey to Stardom

Early Life and Training

Lee Taeyong was born on July 1, 1995, in Seoul, South Korea. He went to the School of Performing Arts Seoul. In 2012, a person from SM Entertainment saw him on the street. He joined the company after singing the South Korean national anthem for his audition.

Before he officially debuted, Taeyong was part of a special team called SM Rookies. This team was for trainees who were getting ready to become idols. In 2014, he appeared in magazines and on a TV show called Exo 90:2014. On this show, he danced to K-pop songs from the 1990s. He also featured on Red Velvet's song "Be Natural" in October 2014.

Debuting with NCT and its Sub-units

On April 3, 2016, Taeyong was announced as a member of the new boy group NCT. He debuted with NCT's first sub-unit, NCT U, on April 8, 2016. Their first song was "The 7th Sense", and Taeyong helped write it.

Later that year, Taeyong became a member and leader of NCT 127. This is NCT's second sub-unit, based in Seoul. NCT 127 debuted on July 6, 2016, with their song "Fire Truck". Taeyong co-wrote three songs on their first album, NCT #127. He became the main rapper and main dancer for the group.

In 2017, NCT 127 released more music. Taeyong helped write many songs on their albums Limitless and Cherry Bomb. The song "Cherry Bomb" was even called one of the best K-pop songs of the year. Taeyong also worked with other SM Entertainment artists on songs like "Around" and "Cure". He also sang for the drama School 2017 soundtrack.

In March 2018, NCT released their first big album, NCT 2018 Empathy. Taeyong was part of five different NCT groups on this album and helped write five songs. He also appeared on a TV show called Food Diary with BoA. Taeyong also co-wrote songs for NCT 127's album Regular-Irregular, including their hit song "Regular".

Joining SuperM and Group Activities

In April 2019, NCT 127 released their first Japanese album, Awaken. Taeyong helped write the song "Lips". In July 2019, he released his first solo song, "Long Flight". He wrote and co-composed this song, and it was very popular, reaching number six on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart.

On August 8, 2019, Taeyong was announced as a member of SuperM. This was a special K-pop supergroup. They released their first album, SuperM, and Taeyong co-wrote "No Manners". He also sang "Love del Luna" for the TV show Hotel del Luna soundtrack.

In March 2020, NCT 127 released their second album, Neo Zone. Taeyong helped write three songs on it. This album was very successful, selling over one million copies in South Korea. Later that year, SuperM released their first album, Super One. Taeyong co-wrote "Together At Home". In September 2020, Taeyong was confirmed as the leader of NCT as a whole group.

Solo Music and Other Projects

In March 2021, Taeyong started a SoundCloud account. He released many demo songs there, like "Dark Clouds", "Blue", "Monroe" (with Baekhyun), and "Rose" (with Seulgi). His song "Dark Clouds" won an award for having the most fan comments on SoundCloud in 2021.

Taeyong was also a judge on the popular Korean dance show Street Woman Fighter in August 2021. He later appeared as a guest judge on Street Dance Girls Fighter. He also helped write the song "Sticker" for NCT 127's album Sticker, which became a best-selling album.

In March 2022, Taeyong was featured on Suran's song "Diamond". He also started his own YouTube channel called TY Track. He released performance videos for his songs "Lonely" and "Ghost" there. On April 14, he released his official second solo song, "Love Theory", with Wonstein. Taeyong also became the host for another dance show called Any Body Can Dance.

Taeyong officially debuted as a solo artist with his EP Shalala in June 2023. This was a big step, as he was the first NCT member to release a solo album. In February 2024, he released his second EP, Tap, after his first solo concert. He wrote all the songs on Tap, and it reached number one on the iTunes Top Albums Chart in 33 countries.

Taeyong's Personal Life

Military Service

On March 18, 2024, it was announced that Taeyong would begin his mandatory military service in the navy on April 15. He is the first NCT member to do his military service. He is expected to finish his service in December 2025.

Brand Partnerships

In 2023, the Spanish luxury brand Loewe chose Taeyong as their new global ambassador. He has appeared in their campaigns, including for their Spring 2024 collection and a fragrance campaign in April 2024. In June 2024, Taeyong also became the newest brand ambassador for Benefit Cosmetics Korea.

Music Releases

Extended Plays (EPs)

Songs (Singles)

Songs as the Main Artist

Songs Featuring Taeyong

Promotional Songs

Songs for Soundtracks

Unreleased Songs

Songwriting Contributions

Taeyong has helped write many songs. Here is a list of some of them.

Key

Indicates single release

List of songs, showing featured performers, associated album, credited lyricist(s) or composer(s), and year released

Year	Song	Artist	Album	Lyrics		Music		Notes
				Credited	With	Credited	With
2016	"The 7th Sense"	NCT U	NCT 2018 Empathy		Jeon Ji-eun Hwang Seon-jeong Kim Jeong-mi Kim Dong-hyun [ko] Cho Jin-joo Mark		N/A	N/A
	"Firetruck"	NCT 127	NCT #127		Mark Jaehyun Lee Seu-ran		N/A	N/A
	"Mad City"				Mark Taeyong Double Dragon		N/A	Performed by Taeyong, Jaehyun and Mark
2017	"Good Thing"		Limitless		JQ (Makeumine Works) Hyun Ji-won (Makeumine Works) Mark		N/A	N/A
	"Back 2 U (AM 01:27)"				Jeon Ji-eun Hwang Seon-jeong Kim Jeong-mi		N/A	N/A
	"Baby Don't Like It"				G.Soul Mark		Jamil "Digi" Chammas Jeremy "Tay" Jasper Jonathan "Perky Rain" Perkins MZMC G.Soul Mark	Performed by Taeil, Taeyong, Doyoung, Mark and Haechan
	"Angel"				Kevin Oppa (mr. cho) Mark		N/A	N/A
	"Around"	Hitchhiker x Taeyong	Non-album single		Kim Bu-min		N/A	Released as part of the SM Station Season 2 project
	"Cherry Bomb"	NCT 127	Cherry Bomb		Mark Deepflow Lim Jung-hyo Oh Min-joo		N/A	N/A
	"Running 2 U"				Mark JQ Kim Jin (Makeumine Works)		N/A	N/A
	"0 Mile"				Mark Jo Yoon-kyung Cho Jin-joo Choi So-young Park Yong-joon		N/A	N/A
	"Whiplash"				Mark JQ Oneru (Makeumine Works) Xitsuh		N/A	Performed by Jaehyun, Mark, Taeyong, Doyoung and Taeil
	"Summer 127"				Mark $ÜN (Joombas) Bae Min-soo (Joombas) seizetheday (Joombas) CiaNo (Joombas) Kim In-hyung		N/A	N/A
	"Cure"	Yoo Young-jin x Taeyong	Non-album single		Yoo Young-jin Yoo Ji-won		N/A	Released as part of the SM Station Season 2 project
	"Stay in My Life"	NCT (Taeil, Doyoung, Taeyong)	School 2017 OST		Park Geun-cheol Jeong Su-min		N/A	N/A
2018	"Boss"	NCT U	NCT 2018 Empathy		Wutan Yoo Young-jin Mark		N/A	N/A
	"Baby Don't Stop"				Danke (lalala Studio) Juno (Joombas)		N/A	Performed by Taeyong and Ten
	"Yestoday"				Jung Joo-hee Mark Steven Lee Cho Jin-joo		N/A	Performed by Taeyong, Doyoung, Lucas, and Mark
	"Black on Black"	NCT 2018			MINOS Mark Deez [ko]		N/A	N/A
	"City 127"	NCT 127	Regular-Irregular		JQ Moon Hee-yeon (Makeumine Works) Mark		The Stereotypes Micah Powell Clarence Coffee Jr.	N/A
	"Regular"				Coogie (ATM Seoul) Tommy $trate Mark		N/A	N/A
	"My Van"				Kim Dong-hyun [ko] Mark		N/A	Performed by Taeyong, Yuta, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Mark
	"Come Back"				Bong Eun-young Ryu Da-som Mark		N/A	N/A
	"Regular" (English ver.)				Wilbart "Vedo" McCoy III Mark		N/A	N/A
	"Welcome to My Playground"				Seo Ji-eum Ra.D BrotherSu Mark		N/A	N/A
	"City Lights"	U-Know (feat. Taeyong)	New Chapter No. 2: The Truth of Love		Hwang Yoo-bin		N/A	N/A
	"What We Talkin' Bout"	NCT 127 (feat. Marteen)	Up Next Session: NCT 127		Mark Marteen		N/A	N/A
2019	"Lips"	NCT 127	Awaken		Akira Mark		N/A	N/A
	"Long Flight"	Taeyong	Non-album single		N/A		Royal Dive	Released as part of the SM Station Season 3 project
	"No Manners"	SuperM	SuperM		Kim Ran Cho Yu-ri		Jonathan Santana Shae Jacobs Tyler Holmes	Performed by Taemin, Kai, Taeyong and Ten
	"Mood"	Marteen (feat. Taeyong)	8		M. Estevez J. Roman J. Brady A. Hayes		N/A	N/A
2020	"Pandora Box"	NCT 127	Neo Zone		JQ Hyeon Ji-won (Makeumine Works) Kim Hye-ji (Makeumine Works) Mark Johnny		N/A	N/A
	"Mad Dog"				Kim Boo-min [ko] Mark		N/A	Performed by Taeil, Doyoung, Mark and Taeyong
	"Love Song"				Seo Ji-eum Mark Johnny		N/A	N/A
	"Together at Home"	SuperM	Super One		Lee Seu-ran Mark		N/A	N/A
2021	"Dark Clouds"	Taeyong	Non-album release		N/A		Royal Dive	Released on SoundCloud
	"Dark Clouds (Remix)"		Non-album release		N/A		Royal Dive
	"GTA 1"		Non-album release		N/A		Royal Dive	Released on SoundCloud
	"GTA 2"		Non-album release		N/A		Royal Dive	Released on SoundCloud
	"Blue"		Non-album release		N/A		Zayson Squar (Blur)	Released on SoundCloud
	"Monroe"	Taeyong x Baekhyun	Non-album release		N/A		Squar	Released on SoundCloud
	"Rose"	Taeyong x Seulgi	Non-album release		Seulgi		Seulgi Squar	Released on SoundCloud
	"Swimming Pool"	Taeyong	Non-album release		N/A		Zayson	Released on SoundCloud
	"Sticker"	NCT 127	Sticker		Yoo Young-jin Mark		N/A	N/A
	"New Axis"	NCT U	Universe		Mark Rick Bridges		N/A	Performed by Taeyong, Mark and Yangyang
	"Beautiful"	NCT 2021			Yoo Young-jin Mark Johnny Jeno Hendery		N/A	N/A
	"Amino Acid"	NCT 127	Non-album single		N/A		Royal Dive	Original soundtrack of Analog Trip NCT 127
	"Zoo"	Taeyong, Jeno, Hendery, Yangyang, Giselle	2021 Winter SM Town: SMCU Express		Rick Bridges Jeno Giselle		N/A	N/A
2022	"Diamonds"	Suran (feat. Taeyong)	Flyin' Part 1		Suran Zayson		Suran Zayson Brian Cho	N/A
	"Lonely"	Taeyong (feat. Suran)	Non-album release		Royal Dive		Royal Dive	Released on YouTube
	"Love Theory"	Taeyong x Wonstein	Non-album single		Wonstein Zayson		Wonstein Zayson	N/A
	"Skip"	Kangta (feat. Taeyong)	Eyes On You		Lee Hyo-jae		Ryan "Rykeyz" Williamson Albert Stanaj Mike Sabath Britten Newbill	N/A
	"Time Lapse"	NCT 127	2 Baddies		Mark Jeong Ha-ri		N/A	N/A
	"Designer"				Mark Kim Jae-won		N/A	N/A
	"Lit (Prod. Czaer)"	Taeyong, Mark	Street Man Fighter Vol.4 (Crew Song)		Mark		N/A	N/A
	"Fine"	Taeyong	Non-album release		N/A		Saimon	Released on SoundCloud
	"The Cure"	Kangta, BoA, U-Know, Leeteuk, Taeyeon, Onew, Suho, Irene, Taeyong, Mark, Kun, and Karina	2022 Winter SM Town: SMCU Palace		Hwang Yu-bin Mark		N/A	N/A
2023	"DJ"	NCT 127	Ay-yo		Mark Ellie Suh Abernathy Dwayne Allen		Mark Xydo Abernathy Dwayne Allen	N/A
	"Skyscraper"				Mark Simon Petren Na Jung-ah Oberg Andreas Gusatv Erik Hanna Ninos Burgrust Ricardo M		Mark Simon Petren Oberg Andreas Gusatv Erik Hanna Ninos Burgrust Ricardo M	N/A
	"Shalala"	Taeyong	Shalala		Omega Sapien 차메인 (ChaMane)		Devine Channel Omega Sapien 차메인 (ChaMane) Park Young Kwang denzelworldpeace	N/A
	"Gwando"				N/A		Royal Dive Saimon	N/A
	"Move Mood Mode"	Taeyong (feat. Wendy)			N/A		Squar (PixelWave)	N/A
	"Virtual Insanity"	Taeyong			N/A		Royal Dive	Reworked version of "GTA 2"
	"Ruby"				N/A		$ÜN Saimon	N/A
	"404 File Not Found"				N/A		Zayson	N/A
	"Back to the Past"				N/A		Royal Dive	N/A
	"Angel Eyes"	NCT 127	Fact Check		Ellie Suh (153/Joombas) Mark		James "JHart" Abrahart Jeremy Dussolliet Johnny Simpson Jackson Foote Jack Avery Jonah Marais Corbyn Besson Mark	N/A
	"Love Is A Beauty"				Taeil Yuhwa Mark		The Breed Mizzy Lott San Yoon Mark	N/A
	"Misty"				Kang Eun-jeong Mark		Charli Taft Thomas Sardorf Daniel Obi Klein Mark	N/A
	"White Lie (하얀 거짓말)"		Be There for Me		Hwang Yu-bin (XYXX) Mark		9rota Nmore Gabriel Brandes Mark	N/A
2024	"Tap"	Taeyong	Tap		N/A		Squar (PixelWave)	N/A
	"Moon Tour"				N/A		Squar (PixelWave)	N/A
	"Run Away"				N/A		Squar (PixelWave)	N/A
	"Ape"				N/A		Squar (PixelWave)	N/A
	"Ups & Downs" (나에게 했던 것과 같이)				N/A		Squar (PixelWave)	N/A
	"404 Loading"				N/A		Zayson	N/A

Concerts and Tours

• Taeyong Concert <TY Track> (2024)

TV Shows and Music Videos

TV Show Appearances

Music Videos

Awards and Nominations

Images for kids

• 

  Taeyong in October 2023