Biography of Ken
Lee Jae-hwan popular by the stage name Ken is a South Korean singer and actor. He formerly signed under Jellyfish Entertainment. He is a member of the South Korean boy group VIXX and has been recognised for his distinctive and husk vocal tune. He began his acting career in 2014 in MBC Every1’s comedy-drama ‘Boarding House No.24’ as Lee Jae-hwan.
Early Life and Education
Ken was born on 6 April 1992 in Jayang-dong, Seoul, South Korea. He has two older brothers and completed his education at Baekseok Arts University, majoring in Pratical Muisc.
At a young age, he was a go-getter, who participated in and won numerous singing competitions. Before his debut with VIXX, he performed and won multiple singing competitions at local festivals.
Career
Despite being new to dancing, he passed his audition to Jellyfish Entertainment. He trained five months before his debut with VIXX. Ken was one of the ten trainees who were contestants in Mnet’s survival reality show ‘MyDOL’. He was chosen in the final line and debuted as a member of the boy group VIXX. The group debuted with Super Hero on 24 May 2012 on M! Countdown.
In 2013, he sang ‘In the Name of Love’, the OST for ‘The Heirs’. He appeared with J’Kyun on the song ‘Ponytail’. The same year, he played a cameo role in episode four of the SBS television drama ‘The Heirs’.
In 2014, he sang ‘My Girl’ the OST for ‘You Are My Destiny’. He was the main cast member in the television comedy-drama MBC ‘Every 1’s Boarding House No.24’ as Lee Jae-hwan. On 24 June 2015, Ken and Hani released a duet, ‘Gap’.
In 2015, he was cast in the musical ‘Chess ‘, the lead role of Anatoly Sergievsky, a world-champion chess player at the Sejong Grand Theater in Seoul. He was praised for his powerful vocals in the music video ‘Anthem’. As a former boyfriend, he appeared in Chinese singer Lu Yu’s music video ‘The Fourth Dimension Love’.
In 2015, he landed his second musical role in the first Korean production of the musical ‘Cinderella’ in the lead role of Prince Christopher from 12 September 2015 to 3 January 2016. The play was performed at the Chungmu Art Hall, Grand Theater in Seoul and Seongnam Arts Center Opera House.
In 2016, he sang the OST ‘When I See You’ for the drama ‘Moorim School’. He collaborated with Mystic Entertainment’s Yoon Jong-shin for the monthly collaboration project Melody Monthly.
The project has featured notable artists in the past such as the vocal unit from the group Seventeen and Tablo from Epik High. The single ‘Over Sleep’ was released on 30 May 2016 as a part of this collaboration. On 22 December 2016, he contributed to ‘The Legend of the Blue Sea’ soundtrack with the song ‘Fool’.
In 2016, he was invited to the Duet Song Festival to exhibit his vocal skills with his partner Choi Sang-yeob. They appeared in multiple episodes and won on episode six with ‘That’s Only My World’. They returned in August 2016 for the Kings of Kings special for episodes 16 and 17.
In 2017, Lee Jae-hwan was cast in three musicals: Tsukasa Domyouji in Boys Over Flowers the Musical, Hamlet in Hamlet, and Frederick Barrett in Titanic the Musical. He played Louis and his twin Philip in the musical Iron Mask. Ken was a part of the musical Jack the Ripper as Daniel and as the lead role in the musical Mefisto.
On 20 May 2020, he made his solo debut with his first EP Greeting with the lead single Just For A Moment. On 3 March 2024, Jellyfish Entertainment announced that Ken and Leo would leave the agency but continue their activities with VIXX.
Achievements
Lee Jae-hwan is a versatile artist who has contributed to the group’s success, showcasing his vocal talent through a solo music career and collaborations. He has appeared in notable musicals and television appearances.
- In 2018 Ken won the Rookie of the Year award at the 12th Daegu International Musical Festival.
Military Life
On 6 July 2020, Ken was enlisted in the South Korean military. He joined the military band and was discharged on 5 January 2022.
Personal Life
Ken is not dating anyone and is single. Much about his personal life is not known to the public.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
Ken has a net worth of 1 million US dollars.
Lee Jae-hwan earned his financial success in the entertainment industry and is derived from several sources like group activities with VIXX, solo music, career, acting, musical theatre, variety show appearances and brand endorsements.
Awards
- 12th Daegu International Musical Festival
Rookie of the Year – Male (Hamlet)
Interesting Facts about Ken
- Ken got his stage name ‘Ken’ from his company because he resembles Japanese actor Hirai Ken.
- Lee Jae-hwan doesn’t like raisins or tofu.
- Ken loves to draw.
- Lee Jae-hwan is best friends with BTS‘s Jin and B1A4‘s Sandeul.
- Ken sang ‘FOOL’, OST of ‘The Legend Of The Blue Sea’.
- Lee Jae-hwan sang the OST ‘In The Name of Love’ for ‘The Heirs ‘and ‘When I See You’ for ‘Moorim School’.
- Ken’s favourite foods are instant foods and chocolate.
- Lee Jae-hwan’s favourite colours are black and white.
FAQs
- How old is Ken?
As of 2024, Ken is 29 years old. - What is Ken’s Instagram ID?
keken_0406
