Yook Sung Jae
Info
🙂 Native Name: 육성재 (Yook Sung-jae)
🌏 Nationality: South Korean
♂️ Gender: Male
🎂 Born: May 2, 1995
🏠 Birth Place: Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
🌌 Zodiac Sign: Taurus
📏 Height: 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
💍 Spouse: Unmarried
👶 Children: None
Biography
Yook Sung-jae, born on May 2, 1995, in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, is a multitalented singer, actor, and entertainer. He debuted in 2012 as the youngest member (maknae) of the K-pop group BTOB, under Cube Entertainment. Known for his smooth vocals and charismatic stage presence, he quickly gained recognition not only for his music but also for his variety show appearances, becoming a fan favorite due to his wit, humor, and genuine personality. His early rise included appearances on shows like “We Got Married”, where his chemistry with Red Velvet’s Joy drew public attention.
Sung-jae’s acting breakthrough came in 2015 with the high school mystery drama “Who Are You: School 2015”, where he played the loyal and emotional Gong Tae-kwang. The role showcased his natural acting ability and propelled him into stardom as a rising actor. However, it was his role as the charismatic and mysterious Yoo Duk-hwa in the hit fantasy drama “Goblin” (2016–2017) that made him a household name in South Korea and internationally. He was praised for holding his own alongside veteran actors like Gong Yoo and Lee Dong-wook.
While actively promoting with BTOB, Yook Sung-jae also pursued a solo music career. In 2020, just before his military enlistment, he released a solo project titled “Yook O’Clock”, showcasing his musical versatility and emotional depth. The album featured self-composed tracks and was well-received by both fans and critics. He enlisted in May 2020 and was discharged in November 2021, resuming his activities with BTOB and preparing for new solo projects with renewed energy.
After his military service, Sung-jae returned to the screen in the 2022 K-drama “The Golden Spoon”, a fantasy drama exploring themes of wealth, morality, and identity. His performance was praised for its emotional complexity and maturity, reflecting his growth as an actor. As of 2025, he remains unmarried and continues to balance his career as a K-pop idol, solo artist, and actor. With a charming personality, multi-faceted talent, and loyal fanbase, Yook Sung-jae is firmly positioned as one of South Korea’s most beloved entertainers.
Hobbies
Fishing – Yook is famously passionate about fishing. He often shares pictures of his fishing trips and says it’s his favorite way to relax and reflect.
Playing the Guitar – He enjoys playing acoustic guitar during his free time and occasionally performs for fans during live shows.
Singing Old Ballads – Apart from idol pop, he has a fondness for classic Korean ballads and often covers them casually during livestreams.
Driving Alone at Night – He has expressed that solo night drives with music help him clear his mind and spark creative thoughts.
Collecting Hats – Sung-jae is a fashion enthusiast who owns a variety of stylish hats, which are often seen in his public appearances and social media posts.
Interests
Marine Life – Inspired by his love of fishing, he is deeply interested in sea creatures and even considered marine biology in his youth.
Photography – He loves capturing landscapes and daily life, often uploading aesthetic photos that reveal his artistic eye.
Self-Composed Music – Sung-jae enjoys writing and composing songs, some of which have been included in his solo album “Yook O’Clock.”
Variety Entertainment – He takes great interest in participating in variety shows, loving the chance to show his humorous and spontaneous side.
Voice Acting – Sung-jae has voiced animated characters in short projects and hopes to explore more voice work in the future.
Facts
Maknae of BTOB – Yook Sung-jae is the youngest member of BTOB, debuted in 2012, and serves as a vocalist and visual of the group.
Breakout Role in “Goblin” – His character Yoo Duk-hwa in Goblin helped solidify his status as a top actor and charmer in the K-drama scene.
Military Service Completed – He enlisted on May 11, 2020, and was officially discharged on November 14, 2021.
Solo Debut in 2020 – He released his solo album “Yook O’Clock”, showcasing his lyrical and compositional abilities.
Well-Known for Being Talkative and Funny – His cheerful, talkative personality has made him a variety show favorite across Korea.
Secrets
Gets Nervous Before Every Stage – Despite years on stage, he still feels butterflies before big performances and uses breathing techniques to calm himself.
Has a Private Song Journal – He writes lyrics and melodies in a secret journal he carries while traveling or during promotions.
Wanted to Be a Professional Swimmer – Before pursuing music, he seriously considered a swimming career in middle school.
Suffers from Slight Insomnia – He has admitted to staying up late frequently, sometimes until dawn, due to an overactive creative mind.
Disguises Himself to Fish Alone – To avoid attention, he sometimes dresses anonymously when visiting rural fishing spots.
Funny Things
Once Fell Asleep Mid-Interview – During a live broadcast after a long schedule, he hilariously nodded off while still holding the mic.
Uses a Fish as His Phone Background – At one point, his phone wallpaper was a giant fish he caught, which made fans laugh.
Tried to Speak Whale Language on TV – On a variety show, he jokingly imitated whale sounds during a “talent” segment.
Lost a Shoe Onstage – While performing, one of his shoes flew off. He kept singing, retrieved it mid-dance, and nailed the recovery.
Talked to a Rock Thinking It Was a Person – On a fishing trip at dawn, he mistook a large rock for someone sitting and greeted it warmly.
Fears
Letting Down His Fans – He’s openly emotional about his gratitude toward fans and fears not meeting their expectations.
Deep Sea Creatures – Despite loving fishing, he’s admitted to being freaked out by strange deep-sea species.
Losing His Voice – As a singer, he’s deeply afraid of vocal strain or damage preventing him from performing.
Being Alone for Too Long – Though he enjoys solitude, extended periods without social interaction make him uneasy.
Misunderstandings in Public Image – He worries about being misrepresented or judged unfairly in media due to a joking comment or meme.
News
🎶 1. Solo Comeback with “Exhibition: Look Closely” (2024)
On May 9, 2024, Yook Sung-jae released his first solo album in four years, titled Exhibition: Look Closely. This album marked his debut under his new agency, iWill Media, after departing from Cube Entertainment. The title track, “BE SOMEBODY,” showcased his musical growth and versatility.
📈 2. Breaks Personal Sales Record with Solo Album
Exhibition: Look Closely achieved significant commercial success, selling 26,840 copies in its first week. This surpassed the first-week sales of his previous solo album, Yook O’Clock, making it his best-selling solo release to date.
🎭 3. Leading Role in “The Haunted Palace” (2025)
In 2025, Yook Sung-jae starred in the SBS fantasy historical drama The Haunted Palace, playing the dual role of Yoon Gap and the Imugi spirit Gang Cheol. His performance received praise for its depth and complexity, contributing to the show’s strong viewership ratings.
🎤 4. Release of Emotional Single “Lie” (2025)
Continuing his musical endeavors, Yook Sung-jae released a heartfelt single titled “Lie” on May 6, 2025. The song delves into themes of love and loss, blending rock elements with sincere lyrics, and was well-received by fans and critics alike.
🤝 5. Signing with iWill Media and New Profile Release
In December 2023, Yook Sung-jae signed an exclusive contract with iWill Media, marking a new chapter in his career. The agency released new profile photos in January 2024, highlighting his fresh start and continued evolution as an artist.
Movies
Music / OST
🎤 Group Career with BTOB
Yook Sung-jae debuted with BTOB on March 21, 2012, with the songs “Insane” and “Imagine.” As the group’s youngest member and lead vocalist, he contributed to BTOB’s reputation for emotive ballads and strong vocal performances. In 2016, he joined the sub-unit BTOB Blue, focusing on vocal-driven tracks. BTOB’s notable hits include “Missing You” (2017), “Only One for Me” (2018), and “Beautiful Pain” (2018).
🌟 Solo Debut: Yook O’Clock (2020)
On March 2, 2020, Yook Sung-jae released his first solo album, Yook O’Clock, featuring seven tracks, including the title song “Come With The Wind.” The album also included collaborations with fellow BTOB members, such as “HMHN” with Jung Ilhoon and “Hypnotized” with Peniel. This release showcased his versatility and personal musical style.
📈 Record-Breaking Comeback: Exhibition: Look Closely (2024)
After a four-year hiatus, Yook Sung-jae returned with his first single album, Exhibition: Look Closely, released on May 9, 2024. The album’s title track, “BE SOMEBODY,” combined trap beats with guitar riffs, highlighting his evolved musical direction. The album achieved significant success, selling 26,840 copies in its first week, surpassing the sales of Yook O’Clock.
🎶 Musical Style and Legacy
Yook Sung-jae’s music blends K-pop with elements of R&B, acoustic, and trap, reflecting his growth as an artist. His solo projects, along with his contributions to BTOB, have solidified his position in the Korean music industry. His ability to convey deep emotions through his music continues to resonate with fans worldwide.
Gallery
