Leeteuk
Pre-Debut
Leeteuk was born on July 1, 1983 in Seoul, South Korea. When Leeteuk and his older sister, Park In-young, traveled to Myeongdong for a holiday in early 2000, he was recommended by a talent scout to audition for SM Entertainment's Starlight Casting System. After several test recordings and performances, he signed with SM Entertainment and became a trainee. That same year, he appeared as an extra in the MBC Korean drama All About Eve, and briefly as a model for Pepsi in 2002. In 2003, he was put into five-member boyband Smile, with future bandmate Donghae and aimed to be a rival group of TVXQ. The project was dropped and they were then put into rotational group Super Junior along with ten other boys. Being older than the other trainees, Leeteuk became the leader of the group.
Leeteuk explained that he uses a stage name due to his desire to have a name with the same effects as Kangta, and to also prevent confusion with veteran actress Park Jeong-su. His stage name denotes being "special" as his agency wants him to be a special member in the group. Leeteuk also became known as the "special leader" (특별한리더) of the group. Not only becoming a "special leader", but also having a sweet voice as a tenor of Super Junior.
Leeteuk explained that he uses a stage name due to his desire to have a name with the same effects as Kangta, and to also prevent confusion with veteran actress Park Jeong-su. His stage name denotes being "special" as his agency wants him to be a special member in the group. Leeteuk also became known as the "special leader" (특별한리더) of the group. Not only becoming a "special leader", but also having a sweet voice as a tenor of Super Junior.
Debut with Super Junior: 2005-2006
Leeteuk officially debut as part of 12-member project group Super Junior 05 on 6 November 2005 on SBS's music programme Popular Songs, performing their first single, "Twins (Knock Out)". Their debut album SuperJunior05 (Twins) was released a month later on 5 December 2005 and debuted at #3 on the monthly MIAK K-pop album charts.
In March 2006, SM Entertainment began to recruit new members for the next Super Junior generation. However, plans changed and the company declared a halt in forming future Super Junior generations. Following the addition of thirteenth member Kyuhyun, the group dropped the suffix "05" and became officially credited as Super Junior. The re-polished group's first CD single "U" was released on 7 June 2006, which was their most successful single until the release of "Sorry, Sorry" in March 2009.
In March 2006, SM Entertainment began to recruit new members for the next Super Junior generation. However, plans changed and the company declared a halt in forming future Super Junior generations. Following the addition of thirteenth member Kyuhyun, the group dropped the suffix "05" and became officially credited as Super Junior. The re-polished group's first CD single "U" was released on 7 June 2006, which was their most successful single until the release of "Sorry, Sorry" in March 2009.
Subgroup & Dj; Car Accident: 2007-2008
In February 2007, Leeteuk was placed in the trot-singing Super Junior-T. A year later, Leeteuk became a member of Super Junior-Happy.
Leeteuk has partnered with Eunhyuk as host DJs for KBS Super Junior's Kiss The Radio (aka SUKIRA) since 2006. With the exception of fours months from March to June 2011, where band mate Yesung temporarily replaced Eunhyuk, while he was away on promotional activities for Super Junior-M's third EP Perfection.
On 19 April 2007, almost two months after Super Junior-T's release of their first single "Rokuko", Leeteuk became seriously injured in a car accident, along with Shindong, Eunhyuk, Kyuhyun, and two managers, when returning home after a recording of the radio show Super Junior Kiss the Radio. While they were on the highway, the front left tire burst as the driver was switching lanes and the van ran into the guard rail/median on the driver's side and skidded for about 30 metres. At some point, the momentum caused the van to flip over on its right side.
While Shindong and Eunhyuk suffered minor injuries, Leeteuk and Kyuhyun sustained more serious injuries, which required both to be hospitalised. Leeteuk had glass shards embedded in his back and above his eyes, requiring over 170 stitches. Leeteuk was discharged from the hospital on 30 April 2007.
Due to this accident, Leeteuk did not take part in Super Junior's debut big-screen production, Attack on the Pin-Up Boys in 2007. However, it was revealed at the end of the film he had taken on the role of the panda mascot, which was later confirmed that it had been Ryeowook who had portrayed it in most of the film.
Leeteuk has partnered with Eunhyuk as host DJs for KBS Super Junior's Kiss The Radio (aka SUKIRA) since 2006. With the exception of fours months from March to June 2011, where band mate Yesung temporarily replaced Eunhyuk, while he was away on promotional activities for Super Junior-M's third EP Perfection.
On 19 April 2007, almost two months after Super Junior-T's release of their first single "Rokuko", Leeteuk became seriously injured in a car accident, along with Shindong, Eunhyuk, Kyuhyun, and two managers, when returning home after a recording of the radio show Super Junior Kiss the Radio. While they were on the highway, the front left tire burst as the driver was switching lanes and the van ran into the guard rail/median on the driver's side and skidded for about 30 metres. At some point, the momentum caused the van to flip over on its right side.
While Shindong and Eunhyuk suffered minor injuries, Leeteuk and Kyuhyun sustained more serious injuries, which required both to be hospitalised. Leeteuk had glass shards embedded in his back and above his eyes, requiring over 170 stitches. Leeteuk was discharged from the hospital on 30 April 2007.
Due to this accident, Leeteuk did not take part in Super Junior's debut big-screen production, Attack on the Pin-Up Boys in 2007. However, it was revealed at the end of the film he had taken on the role of the panda mascot, which was later confirmed that it had been Ryeowook who had portrayed it in most of the film.
Variety Shows & MC: 2009-2011
From 2009, Leeteuk, along with Eunhyuk and Shindong, has been regular guests on SBS's Strong Heart, where they host special segment, Boom Academy, headed by entertainer Boom. In October 2009, when Boom enlisted for mandatory military service, Leeteuk took over and the segment's name was temporarily changed to Teukigayo, or Teuk Academy. He is also frequent guest on Star King, also on SBS, with fellow Super Junior members.
In 2010, Leeteuk became the new MC for MBC Enjoy Today, replacing Big Bang's Seungri who left to focus on the group's new album. He sang with F(x)'s Krystal the song "Glumbing" on MBC Enjoy Today. Leeteuk is also the MC for MBC Love Chaser alongside Yesung.
In 2011, following Kang Ho Dong's retirement from the entertainment industry, Leeteuk and Boom took over as co-MCs of Star King. From September to November Leeteuk become a dad in Hello Baby season 4 with girl group Sistar. Leeteuk also became part of a new couple on MBC reality show We Got Married with actress Kang Sora as his on-screen wife. As of the 10 April 2012 broadcast, following the change in MCs and the departure of Shindong from Strong Heart, the show was re-vamped with Leeteuk and Eunhyuk billed as two of the 'six-fixed guests'.
In 2010, Leeteuk became the new MC for MBC Enjoy Today, replacing Big Bang's Seungri who left to focus on the group's new album. He sang with F(x)'s Krystal the song "Glumbing" on MBC Enjoy Today. Leeteuk is also the MC for MBC Love Chaser alongside Yesung.
In 2011, following Kang Ho Dong's retirement from the entertainment industry, Leeteuk and Boom took over as co-MCs of Star King. From September to November Leeteuk become a dad in Hello Baby season 4 with girl group Sistar. Leeteuk also became part of a new couple on MBC reality show We Got Married with actress Kang Sora as his on-screen wife. As of the 10 April 2012 broadcast, following the change in MCs and the departure of Shindong from Strong Heart, the show was re-vamped with Leeteuk and Eunhyuk billed as two of the 'six-fixed guests'.
Comeback with Super Junior & Military Service: 2012-Present
In June 2012, Leeteuk reunited with his Super Junior band mates for their sixth studio album, Sexy, Free & Single released on 4 July. On 23 June Leeteuk's teaser photo was released showing him with platinum silver hair, gold necklace and heavy black eye makeup. On 25 June he also tweeted another version of his teaser photo with the same outfit but in a different pose leaning on his hand looking as though he was deep in contemplation. In the repackaged edition of the album, re-titled Spy, Leeteuk composed "Only U" and co-wrote the lyrics with Donghae.
During the Indonesia leg of the SMTown Live World Tour III concert in Jakarta on 22 September, Leeteuk was unable to perform with his label mates due to exhaustion and enteritis, for which he made an apology the following day via his Twitter account.
Leeteuk stated in September 2011 that he plans to enlist for his mandatory military service in 2012. On 25 September it was announced that he will enlist on 30 October 2012 to undergo five weeks of basic training at a training camp in Uijeongbu in Gyeonggi Province, followed by active duty for 21 months. He was initially ineligible for active duty following his car crash in 2007 and an aggravated herniated disk, but after receiving treatment he was able to enlist for active duty.
During the Indonesia leg of the SMTown Live World Tour III concert in Jakarta on 22 September, Leeteuk was unable to perform with his label mates due to exhaustion and enteritis, for which he made an apology the following day via his Twitter account.
Leeteuk stated in September 2011 that he plans to enlist for his mandatory military service in 2012. On 25 September it was announced that he will enlist on 30 October 2012 to undergo five weeks of basic training at a training camp in Uijeongbu in Gyeonggi Province, followed by active duty for 21 months. He was initially ineligible for active duty following his car crash in 2007 and an aggravated herniated disk, but after receiving treatment he was able to enlist for active duty.
Leeteuk Fast Facts
~ His astrological sign is Cancer.
~ He is the oldest in the group.
~ He had laser eye surgery to correct his vision, but now wears lenseless glasses for fashion purposes.
~ He likes classical music.
~ He can only cook ramen noodles!
~ He saved fellow member Donghae from a drowning incident.
~ He is Christian.
~ He is the leader of the group.
~ He is currently inactive until 2014 due to military service.
~ He is the oldest in the group.
~ He had laser eye surgery to correct his vision, but now wears lenseless glasses for fashion purposes.
~ He likes classical music.
~ He can only cook ramen noodles!
~ He saved fellow member Donghae from a drowning incident.
~ He is Christian.
~ He is the leader of the group.
~ He is currently inactive until 2014 due to military service.