Leeteuk

This is a Korean name; the family name is Park.
Leeteuk
Background information
Birth name Park Jeong-su
Born July 1, 1983
Seoul, South Korea
Origin Seoul, South Korea
Genres
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, actor
Instruments Vocals, keyboard, saxophone
Years active 2005–present
Labels S.M. Entertainment
Associated acts
Website superjunior.smtown.com
Korean name
Hangul 박정수
Hanja 朴正洙
Revised Romanization Bak Jeong-su
McCune–Reischauer Pak Chŏng-su
Stage name
Hangul 이특
Hanja 利特
Revised Romanization Iteuk
McCune–Reischauer It'ŭk

Park Jeong-su (born July 1, 1983),[1] better known by his stage name Leeteuk, is a South Korean singer-songwriter and actor. He is a member of the K-pop boy band Super Junior and its subgroups, Super Junior-T and Super Junior-H.[2]

Biography

Leeteuk is second of two children. His father, Park Yong In and his mother divorced in 1988 when he was 5 years old. He has spoken of his parent's relationship publicly.[3][4]

2000–2005: Pre-debut

When Leeteuk and his older sister, Park Inyoung, 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.[5] Being older than the other trainees, Leeteuk became the leader of the group.[6]

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.

2005–2006: Debut with Super Junior

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)".[7][8] 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.[9]

In March 2006, SM Entertainment began to recruit new members for the next Super Junior generation. However, this was met with fans' objections and strong opposition to the rotational style (much like popular rotational groups in Japan's pop music industry) that the group intended to be. Thus, 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.[10] 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.[11]

2007–2008: Sub-groups and DJ

In February 2007, Leeteuk was placed in the trot-singing Super Junior-T.[12] A year later, Leeteuk became a member of Super Junior-H.

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.[13]

2009–2011: Variety shows and MC

Leeteuk at LG Optimus Super Junior Fan meeting at Chateau de Chine in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in November 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.[14] 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 "Grumbing" 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 So-ra as his on-screen wife.[15] 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'.[16]

2012–present: Comeback with Super Junior and military service

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.[17] 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.[18] In the repackaged edition of the album, re-titled Spy, Leeteuk composed "Only U" and co-wrote the lyrics with Donghae.[19]

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.[20]

Leeteuk stated in September 2011 that he plans to enlist for his mandatory military service in 2012.[21] On 30 October 2012 he reported to the 306 Reserve Battalion training camp in Uijeongbu in Gyeonggi Province, to undergo five weeks of basic training, 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.[22][23][24]

In January 2013, Leeteuk co-starred in military musical The Promise. It was co-produced by the Ministry of National Defense and Korea Musical Theatre Association, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the armistice. It ran from 9 to 20 January at the National Theater of Korea, co-starring actors Ji Hyun-woo, Kim Mu-yeol, Jung Tae-woo; as well as singers Yoon Hak of Supernova, and Lee Hyun of 8Eight. The musical is centered around a group of soldiers who keeps a promise made to each other during the 6.25 war.[25][26][27]

Leeteuk completed his military service on the 29th July 2014.[28]

Personal life

April 2007: Car accident

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.[29][30] 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.[31] 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.

Death of father and grandparents

On January 6, 2014, Leeteuk's father, Park Yong In, and his grandparents were found deceased in their home. SM initially released a statement saying that the trio had died in a car accident, but it was later discovered that it instead had been a murder-suicide, with Yong In strangling his parents and then hanging himself. A note left near the bodies read "I will bring my parents with me. My children, I am sorry. Please forgive me." It was later revealed that Yong In had been dealing with depression for a long time, and a police report stated "We discovered that Leeteuk's father was trying to make ends meet in order to take care of his parents. Both his parents were suffering from dementia, and Park Yong In struggled with financial problems. Park Yong In must've felt too much burden on his shoulders, leaving him no choice but to end his parents' life as well as his."[32][33][34][35][36]

On January 8, 2014, Leeteuk and his family held a funeral along with the rest of the Super Junior members.[37]

On January 11, 2014, Leeteuk returned to finish his mandatory military service. An SM rep confirmed that he would be discharged on his originally scheduled date of July 29, 2014.[38]

Discography

Soundtrack contributions

Date Track Title Notes
2011 "Grumbling" MBC Enjoy Today OST duet with Krystal
2012 "Bravo" SBS History of a Salaryman OST duet with Key

Lyrics and composition

Song Artist
"I am"
Super Junior
"All My Heart
Super Junior
"Andante" (안단테)
Super Junior
"Only U”
Super Junior
"진심 (All My Heart)"
Super Junior

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role
2007
Attack on the Pin-Up Boys
School panda mascot
2010
Super Show 3 3D
Himself
2012
I AM. - SM Town Live World Tour in Madison Square Garden
Himself
2013
Super Show 4 3D
Himself

Television drama

Year Drama Network
2000
All About Eve
MBC
2006
Rainbow Romance
MBC
2006
Super Junior Mini-Drama
Mnet
2008
Super Junior Unbelievable Story
MBC
2011
Dream High
KBS
2011
The Women of Our Home
KBS

Variety shows

Year Title Network
2005–08
M! Countdown
Mnet
2005–06
Super Junior Show
Mnet
2007–08
Explorers of the Human Body
KBS
2008
Unbelievable Outing (Season 3)
ComedyTV
2008
Idol Show
MBC
2009–10
Challenge Golden Ladder
KBS
2009
Challenge! Good Song
KBS
2009–10
Oh! Brothers
SBS
2009–2012
Strong Heart
KBS
2010–11
Enjoy Today
MBC
2010–11
Super Junior's Foresight
KBS
2011–2012
Star King
SBS
2014
Running Man
SBS
2015
I Can See Your Voice
Mnet

Reality shows

Year Title Network
2006
Mystery 6
Mnet
2006
Princess Diary
Mnet
2006
Super Junior Full House
SBS
2006
Super Adonis Camp
Mnet
2007–08
Leeteuk's Love Fighter
2008
Bachelor While on a Date
Mnet
2008
Introducing Star's Friend
MBC
2009
Miracle
KBS
2009
Lord of the Rings
MBC
2010
Love Chaser
MBC
2011
Sistar & LeeTeuk's Hello Baby
KBS
2011–2012
We Got Married (Season 3)[39][40]
MBC

Radio shows

Year Name
2006-2011
Super Junior's Kiss the Radio (Sukira)

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nomination Result Ref
2009 SBS Entertainment Awards Best Newcomer Award (Variety) Star King and Strong Heart Won [41]
2011 Excellence Award (Talk Show Division) Strong Heart Won [42][43]
2012 Mnet 20's Choice Awards 20′s Variety Star himself Nominated [44][45]
2012 MBC Entertainment Awards Popularity Award Leeteuk Won [46]
2012 SBS Entertainment Awards Best Entertainer Award (Talk Show Category) Leeteuk Won [47]
2013 7th Daegu International Musical Festival Newcomer Award Leeteuk Won

References

  1. ↑ Mark Russell (29 April 2014). K-Pop Now!: The Korean Music Revolution. Tuttle Publishing. p. 39. ISBN 978-1-4629-1411-1.
  2. ↑ "Super Junior Official Website".
  3. ↑ http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/20753/super-junior-leeteuks-family-show-up-for-leeteuks-army-send-off-special-on-strong-heart
  4. ↑ http://m.enewsworld.interest.me/news/news_view.asp?nsID=20835
  5. ↑ Oh, Esther (26 September 2012). "Super Junor′s Leeteuk Confesses He Almost Debuted as a Member of Smile". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  6. ↑ "Super Junior Leeteuk: I'm the leader because I'm old". Bizplace.co.kr (in Korean). 10 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-10.
  7. ↑ "2005 Super Junior's official debut". Ent.hunantv.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  8. ↑ "Arirang.co.kr". 27 October 2005. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  9. ↑ "Album Sales of December 2005". Recording Industry Association of Korea (in Korean). Retrieved 2007-10-16.
  10. ↑ "Super Junior adds new member, transformed into 13-person super group". Sina.com (in Chinese). 24 May 2006. Retrieved 2011-05-08.
  11. ↑ "SuperJunior releases third studio album". Epaper.jinghua.cn (in Chinese). 14 March 2009. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  12. ↑ Lee, Yong-sung (16 March 2007). "Young trot music stars bridge generation gap". Korea Herald. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  13. ↑ Hong, Lucia (25 February 2011). "Super Junior Yesung to become radio host". 10 Asia. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  14. ↑ "Eunhyuk temporarily leaving Strong Heart; due to Super Junior unit activities". Star Today (in Korean). 30 March 2011. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
  15. ↑ Hong, Grace Danbi (6 June 2012). "We Got Married Finally Returning to Television". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  16. ↑ Ho, Stewart "Official Pictures of ‘Strong Heart’s Six-Fixed Panelists Revealed" CJ E&M enewsWorld 5 April 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-10
  17. ↑ Ho, Stewart (23 June 2012). "Super Junior Unveils Teasers for Leeteuk and Ryeowook". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  18. ↑ Ho, Stewart (25 June 2012). "Leeteuk Ponders in a Never-Before-Seen Teaser Image for Super Junior Comeback". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  19. ↑ Ho, Stewart (2 August 2012). "Super Junior to Release Repackaged Album with Leeteuk, Donghae Self-Penned Tracks". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  20. ↑ Sunwoo, Carla (25 September 2012). "Leeteuk says sorry to fans via Twitter". Joongang Daily. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  21. ↑ "Super Junior’s Leeteuk announces he will join the military next year". Star News (in Korean). 5 September 2011. Retrieved 2012-04-04.
  22. ↑ Jeon, Su Mi (25 September 2012). "Super Junior′s Leeteuk to Enlist on October 30". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  23. ↑ Sunwoo, Carla (26 September 2012). "Leeteuk to enter the Army at last". Joongang Daily. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  24. ↑ Lee, Nancy (30 October 2012). "Super Junior′s Leeteuk Says Final Farewell to Fans". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  25. ↑ "Star-Studded Army Musical to Open in January". Chosun Ilbo. 28 December 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  26. ↑ Hong, Grace Danbi (12 December 2012). "Super Junior’s Leeteuk and Ji Hyun Woo Participate in Army Musical". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  27. ↑ Lee, Hye Ji (28 December 2012). "Super Junior Lee Teuk, Choshinsung Yunhak to Team Up in Military-themed Musical". 10 Asia. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  28. ↑ Hong, Grace Danbi (28 July 2014). "Donghae and Yesung show excitement for the return of Super Junior leader Leeteuk". allkpop. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  29. ↑ "SuJu's Leeteuk in critical condition, over 150 stitches" Newsen News. 24 April 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-27 (Korean)
  30. ↑ "Super Junior car accident, Leeteuk has over 170 stitches on face" Sina.com. 27 April 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-27 (Chinese)
  31. ↑ Cathy Rose A. Garcia "Super Junior Hits Big Screen" Korea Times. 8 July 2007. Retrieved 2012-04-03
  32. ↑ http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2014/01/08/2014010801712.html
  33. ↑ http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/skorea-boy-band-members-father-grandparents-dead/2014/01/07/2e1149a4-77a3-11e3-a647-a19deaf575b3_story.html
  34. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/07/k-pop-boy-band-leeteuk-apparent-murder-suicide-korea
  35. ↑ http://www.tenasia.com/archives/76462
  36. ↑ https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/people/2014/01/178_149368.html
  37. ↑ http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2014/01/08/1276502/super-junior-member-leeteuk-bids-farewell-late-family-members
  38. ↑ http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/73315/20140112/super-juniors-leeteuk-back-to-his-military-duties-today.htm
  39. ↑ 우결 이특, 강소라와 첫 만남 슈주 첫방보다 떨려 [Super Junior’s Leeteuk and Kang Sora confirmed for We Got Married]. Naver News (in Korean). 7 October 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  40. ↑ Ho, Stewart (8 September 2012). "Super Junior’s Leeteuk Opens Up About Final ′We Got Married′ Episode". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  41. ↑ Kang, Seung-hun (31 December 2009). "Yoo Jae-seok, Lee Hyori share grand prize at SBS Entertainment Awards". Asiae. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  42. ↑ "SBS 연예대상 조혜련 붐 이특 우수상 수상… 돌아와 강호동" SSTV. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 2012-04-14
  43. ↑ Lee, Nancy "Yoo Jae Suk Wins Big, Winners from 2011 SBS Entertainment Awards" CJ E&M enewsWorld. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 2012-04-14
  44. ↑ Lee, Nancy (8 June 2012). "20’s Choice Awards Nominees Announced, Voting Open". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  45. ↑ Lee, Nancy (28 June 2012). "20′s Choice Awards: Who Won at the 20’s Choice Awards?". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  46. ↑ http://www.koreaboo.com/index.html/_/winners-of-the-2012-mbc-entertainment-awards-r19405
  47. ↑ http://www.allkpop.com/2012/12/winners-from-the-2012-sbs-entertainment-awards

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Leeteuk.