Ok Taec Yeon
Info
🙂 Native Name: 옥택연 (Ok Taec Yeon)
🌏 Nationality: South Korean
♂️ Gender: Male
🎂 Born: December 27, 1988
🏠 Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea
🌌 Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
📏 Height: 186 cm (6’1″)
💍 Spouse: Not married
👶 Children: None
Biography
Ok Taec Yeon, born on December 27, 1988, in Seoul, South Korea, is a versatile entertainer known for his roles as a rapper, singer, and actor. He first rose to fame as the main rapper of the K-pop group 2PM under JYP Entertainment. Debuting with 2PM in 2008, he quickly became a fan favorite with his charming personality and strong stage presence. His talents extended beyond music, as he showcased his acting skills through a variety of roles. One of his early acting breakthroughs came in 2010 with the drama Cinderella’s Sister, marking the beginning of his successful transition into acting.
Taecyeon’s acting career gained more momentum with his role in Dream High (2011), a popular drama that highlighted his versatility as both a singer and actor. In the following years, he starred in hit dramas like Who Are You? (2013) and Bring It On, Ghost (2016). However, it was his portrayal of a chilling antagonist in the 2021 drama Vincenzo that further solidified his status as a top-tier actor. His ability to switch between romantic, comedic, and intense roles has made him one of the most versatile actors in South Korea.
In addition to his flourishing acting career, Taecyeon has pursued solo music ventures. He released his first solo Japanese album Taecyeon Special: Winter Hitori in 2017, which was well-received by fans. Despite leaving JYP Entertainment in 2018, Taecyeon remained a committed member of 2PM and continued working on solo projects under his new agency, 51K. His time in the military from 2017 to 2019 did not slow down his career, as he returned to the spotlight with several major acting projects.
In 2020, Taecyeon publicly confirmed his relationship with a non-celebrity, which garnered significant attention as it was the first time he had shared details of his personal life. Despite the public interest, he has maintained a private and respectful approach to his relationship. As he continues to expand his career in both acting and music, Ok Taec Yeon remains a beloved figure in the South Korean entertainment industry, known for his hard work, humility, and dedication to his craft.
Hobbies
- Hiking and Outdoor Activities: Ok Taec Yeon enjoys outdoor activities, particularly hiking. He often goes on hikes to relax and find peace amidst his busy schedule.
- Cooking: Taecyeon has shared his love for cooking and enjoys preparing meals. He’s been seen showcasing his culinary skills on variety shows like Three Meals a Day.
- Reading: He loves reading books, especially in genres like science fiction and philosophy. It’s one of his favorite ways to unwind during downtime.
- Watching Movies: Taecyeon is a huge fan of films and often spends time watching a variety of genres, including action and thrillers.
- Fitness: Keeping fit is important to Taecyeon, and he enjoys hitting the gym regularly to stay in shape, often sharing glimpses of his workouts with fans.
Interests
- Fashion: As a member of 2PM and an actor, Taecyeon has developed a keen interest in fashion. He enjoys experimenting with different styles and trends.
- Philanthropy: Taecyeon is known for his charitable activities, supporting causes like education for underprivileged children and other social welfare programs.
- Martial Arts: Having a role as a soldier in the army, Taecyeon has developed an interest in martial arts and enjoys learning various forms as part of his training.
- Music Production: Apart from performing, Taecyeon has shown interest in producing music and writing lyrics, contributing to several of 2PM’s songs.
- Languages: Taecyeon is fluent in English due to his time in the U.S., and he has expressed interest in learning other languages to enhance his global career.
Facts
- Military Service: Taecyeon voluntarily gave up his American residency to fulfill his mandatory military service in South Korea, demonstrating his commitment to his country.
- Education: He attended Dankook University, majoring in Business Administration, and later pursued graduate studies in International Relations at Korea University.
- 2PM’s Main Rapper: Taecyeon gained fame as the lead rapper of the K-pop group 2PM, which debuted in 2008 under JYP Entertainment.
- Public Relationship: In 2020, Taecyeon publicly confirmed he was in a relationship with a non-celebrity, marking the first time he shared details of his personal life.
- Actor: Taecyeon transitioned successfully into acting, starring in notable dramas like Dream High, Vincenzo, and Save Me.
Secrets
- Maintains Privacy: Despite being in the spotlight, Taecyeon is very private about his personal life, especially his relationship, which he has shielded from the media.
- Bilingual Skills: Many fans don’t know that Taecyeon speaks fluent English, a skill he developed while living in the United States as a child.
- Dedicated to Health: Taecyeon follows a strict diet and exercise regime to maintain his physique, but he rarely talks about how disciplined he is behind the scenes.
- Philosophical Thinker: He enjoys reading books on philosophy, a lesser-known hobby that reflects his thoughtful and introspective nature.
- Artistic Interests: Taecyeon loves drawing and sketching, which he occasionally shares with his fans. It’s an outlet for his creativity apart from music and acting.
Funny Things
- “Beast Idol” Nickname: Due to his strong physique and charming looks, Taecyeon earned the nickname “beast idol,” which he finds amusing but embraces.
- Hates Cold Weather: Despite being in great physical shape, Taecyeon has admitted that he doesn’t handle cold weather well, often joking about it with his fans.
- Comedic Moments on Set: He often brings light-hearted energy to the set with his jokes and funny expressions, making him popular among co-stars for his humor.
- Accidentally Broke a Bed: During a variety show, Taecyeon accidentally broke a bed while jumping on it, which led to hilarious moments that the cast and audience enjoyed.
- Nicknamed “Okcat”: Taecyeon’s quirky side is reflected in his love for cats, which led him to create a cartoon character called “Okcat” that became popular with his fans.
Fears
- Fear of Failure: Taecyeon has shared that he constantly worries about living up to fans’ expectations and fears failing as an entertainer.
- Insects: Like many people, Taecyeon has a fear of insects and has been seen reacting dramatically to bugs on variety shows.
- Public Speaking: Despite being a seasoned performer, Taecyeon has admitted that he still gets nervous during public speaking engagements.
- Ghosts: Taecyeon has a light-hearted fear of ghosts, which he revealed while filming the supernatural drama Bring It On, Ghost.
- Losing His Privacy: As a celebrity, one of Taecyeon’s biggest fears is losing the little privacy he has, which is why he keeps his personal life private.
News
Ok Taec Yeon Confirms Relationship with Non-Celebrity (June 2020)
After 12 years of keeping his personal life private, Ok Taec Yeon publicly confirmed his relationship with a non-celebrity. The news was shared by his agency after the couple was spotted on a date.Voluntarily Gave Up U.S. Green Card to Fulfill Military Service (2017)
Ok Taec Yeon made headlines when he voluntarily renounced his U.S. residency to serve his mandatory military service in South Korea. His decision showcased his dedication to his country, and he completed his service from 2017 to 2019.Lead Role in Vincenzo (2021)
Taec Yeon gained widespread attention for playing the antagonist in the hit K-drama Vincenzo alongside Song Joong-ki. His performance as the villain marked a new chapter in his acting career, earning praise from critics and fans alike.Signed with 51K After Leaving JYP Entertainment (2018)
In July 2018, after his contract with JYP Entertainment ended, Ok Taec Yeon signed with 51K, a management company founded by actor So Ji-sub. Despite the move, he remained an active member of 2PM.Successful Return to Acting with Secret Royal Inspector & Joy (2021)
After completing his military service, Taec Yeon successfully returned to the small screen with the historical comedy drama Secret Royal Inspector & Joy. His portrayal of a royal inspector was well-received and highlighted his versatility as an actor.
TV Drama
Movies
Music / OST
Ok Taec Yeon is primarily known for his role as the main rapper of the K-pop group 2PM, which debuted in 2008 under JYP Entertainment. As part of 2PM, Taecyeon contributed to the group’s success with hit songs like Heartbeat and 10 out of 10. His powerful rap verses and stage charisma made him stand out in the group, earning him recognition as one of the leading idols of his generation.
In addition to his contributions as a rapper, Taec Yeon has ventured into solo music projects. In 2017, he released his first solo Japanese album, Taecyeon Special: Winter Hitori. The album, which showcased his rap and vocal skills, was well-received in Japan. As part of the promotion, Taec Yeon held a solo concert at Tokyo Dome City Hall, further cementing his popularity as a solo artist.
Taec Yeon has also participated in other notable collaborations. He featured on Baek Ji-young’s 2009 hit My Ear’s Candy, which became a popular track, further highlighting his musical versatility. In 2012, he collaborated with fellow Dankook University alumni to produce a digital album titled Blue Bears with Taecyeon. The album included the title track Wings and was released for a charitable cause.
While his acting career took the spotlight in recent years, Taec Yeon continues to contribute musically within 2PM, particularly as they celebrated their anniversary in 2020 with the release of Must, an album featuring all six members.
His involvement in both solo and group projects, along with collaborations, showcases Ok Taec Yeon’s multifaceted talents as a musician and performer.
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