Overview of VIXX

VIXX is a South Korean boy band formed by Jellyfish Entertainment. The members were selected through the reality show MYDOL in 2012.

Originally a sextet group, the group currently comprises four members: N, Leo, Ken and Hyuk. The former vocalists Hongbin and Ravi left the group in 2020 and 2023 respectively. The group is widely known as a ‘concept or performance group’ as they emphasise conveying a story and concept.

History of VIXX

2012–2013

Before the group’s debut, the six-member group were contestants on the Mnet survival reality show MyDOL. The members made several guest appearances in the music videos of fellow artists under Jellyfish Entertainment. N, Leo, Hongbin and Ravi featured in the music videos for Brian Joo’s song ‘Let This Die’ and in Seo In-guk’s ‘Shake It Up’. Hongbin featured in Seo’s ‘Tease Me’.

The group debuted their first single ‘Super Hero’ on 24 May 2012 on M Countdown. Their first overseas performance was at the Otakon convention in Baltimore, Maryland. On 14 August 2012, the group released their second single album with the song ‘Rock Ur Body’.

The group was a part of Jellyfish Entertainment’s live concert ‘Jellyfish Live’ at Tokyo’s Zepp Diver City in Japan on 12 September 2012. The group attended KCON 2012 and in Jellyfish Entertainment’s winter project Jelly Christmas 2012 Heart Project. The lead single ‘Because It’s Christmas’ was digitally released on 5 December 2012.

On 6 January 2013, the group pre-released ‘Don’t Want to Be an Idol’ from their third single album ‘On and On’. Their first mini album ‘Hyde’ was released on 20 May 2013. The repackaged album ‘Jekyll’, with the lead single ‘G.R.8.U’, was released on 31 July 2013. They held their global showcase tour ‘The Milky Way Global Showcase’. The tour was held in South Korea, Japan, Italy, Sweden, Malaysia and America.

On 8 November 2013, the group pre-released the single ‘Only U’ and the title track was released on Voodoo Doll on 20 November 2013. The group earned the top spot on the week’s episode of Music Bank.

The group, in collaboration with artists of Jelly Entertainment, released their annual Christmas song on 10 December 2013. The song was a smash hit and topped the Instiz chart for two consecutive weeks, the Billboard K-Pop 100, and two Gaon charts.

2014–2015

On 27 May 2014, the group released the music video for ‘Eternity’ along with the album. The group officially debuted in Japan with a full-length compilation album ‘Darkest Angels’. They attended the KCON and won several awards that were voted by their fan club.

VIXX held their first VIXX Live Fantasia tour Hex Sign in places like Japan and several countries in Europe. The group released the music video teaser for ‘Error’ with the mini album ‘Error’ and its Japanese version along with the Japanese version of ‘Youth Hurts’.

VIXX was the first Korean artist to be invited to THE KKBOX Music Awards held at Taipei Arena. The all-kill megahit ‘Boys’ Record’ was released along with the music video for ‘Love Equation’ on 24 February 2015. The group achieved their first triple crown on The Show.

VIXX held their second VIXX Live Fantasia tour ‘Utopia’ globally in places like South Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Singapore. The group made their entry into Chinese and Taiwanese markets with the release of ‘Destiny Love’.

On 7 July 2015, they entered the Chinese and Taiwanese markets with the release of the Chinese-language version release of ‘Error’ in China. In 2015, VIXX’s first official sub-unit was formed, VIXX LR, composed of Ravi and Leo. On 17 August 2015, they debuted their mini album, ‘Beautiful Liar’.

On 9 September 2015, VIXX made their second Japanese comeback with the single ‘Can’t Say’. The group released their second studio album ‘Chained Up’ along with the music video. On 27 January 2016, the group released their first original full-length Japanese studio album ‘Depend on Me’.

The group released their first original soundtrack recording for the fantasy drama ‘Moorim School: Saga of the Brave’ with the song ‘Alive’. The drama’s main theme song was released in ‘Moorim School: Saga of the Brave’ OST Part 1.

2016

The group released their first Japanese album ‘Depened on Me’s lead single music video on 27 January 2016. They held Mini Live & High Touch promotional events to promote the album in places like Sapporo, Kobe, Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka in 2016. On 1 February 2016, ‘Moorim School: Saga of the Brave OST Part. 2’ was released with the title song ‘The King’.

On 29 March 2016, Jellyfish Entertainment released the Conception Art Film, the year-long project VIXX 2016 Conception. The project was to exhibit their wide musical and conceptual spectrum and was themed around the Greek mythological gods.

On 14 April 2016, the group released the Zelos Concept Film and a few days later, the fifth single album ‘Zelos’ with the title track ‘Dynamite’. The group gained many wins and achieved their second triple Crown on The Show.

On 29 June 2016, ViXX released their third Japanese single ‘Hana-Kaze’ and on 12 August 2016, the group released their sixth single album VIXX 2016 Conception trilogy, ‘Hades’ with the title track ‘Fantasy’.

VIXX came out in the top three times on the music shows for Fantasy. On 31 October 2016, they released their third mini album VIXX 2016 Conception trilogy Kratos with the title track ‘The Closer’. On 21 November 2016, VIXX released a special compilation album to conclude and celebrate the end of the VIXX 2016 Conception project, VIXX 2016 Conception Ker.

They participated in Jellyfish Entertainment’s winter project and released the title track ‘Falling’ digitally on 13 December 2016. On 15 May 2017, the group released their fourth mini album ‘Shangri-La’. The three-day event festival was hosted to celebrate the group’s anniversary. The festival began with their VIXX Live Fantasia Daydream concert and ended with an exhibition titled VIXX 0524.

2017–2019

The group collaborated with other artists at KCON 2017 in Los Angeles showcasing titles from their album. On 27 September 2017, the group released their first Japanese extended play ‘Lalala ~ Thank you for your love ~’.

The group caught the eye of the public attention with their special performance of ‘Wind of Starlight’ and Shangri-La Remix at the 2017 MBC Gato Daejun. Following the popular demand, the group performed their remix on the Show! Music Core in 2018 again. They participated in the opening ceremony of the celebratory cultural performance of the IOC’s 132nd conference in Pyeongchang at the Gangneung Art Center.

On 17 April 2018, the group released their third full studio album ‘Eau de VIXX’ featuring Scentist. The same year, the group released their third full Japanese album ‘Reincarnation’. Along with new songs, the album contains songs from ‘Eau de VIXX’ and displays the unique concept of scent through the personification of a flower destined to bloom.

On 1 February 2019, the group released their single ‘Walking’. Leo, Ken, Hongbin and Hyuk renewed their contract. Ravi departed from the group to establish his label and intended to continue to be a part of VIXX.

2020–Present

On 7 August 2020, the label announced that Hongbin departed from VIXX and on 31 October 2020 N failed to renew his contract but continued to be a part of VIXX. N officially signed with 51k. On 1 June 2022, Hyuk left Jellyfish Entertainment but will continue as a part of VIXX.

On 27 October 2022, Ravi began his mandatory military service as a social worker. Still, on 12 January 2023, it was reported that he was under investigation on suspicion of violating military law by engaging in activities that are prohibited by military law to evade their military duties.

In 2022, VIXX posted a digital cover of ‘Gonna Be Alright’ online on their official SNS account and the single was released on 3 January 2023. The same year, the label announced the departure of Ravi following his violation of military law. On 21 November 2023, VIXX released a music video for their song ‘Amnesia’ with the lead single for their mini album ‘Continuum’.

Members of VIXX

N 

Cha Hak-yeon popular by the stage name N is the leader, main dancer, lead vocalist and center of the South Korean boy band VIXX.

He was born on 30 June 1990 in Changwon, South Korea. N is considered the mother of the group and debuted on 24 May 2012. He made his acting debut in 2014 in MBC’s ‘Hotel King’.

N is a choreographer for the Myteen Idol group. He was the torchbearer for the 2018 Winter Olympics. He was enlisted for mandatory military service on 9 March 2019 and was discharged on 7 October 2020. On 2 November 2020, he left VIXX.

N has 2.2 followers on Instagram and his ID is achahakyeon

Leo

Jung Taek Woon, widely known as Leo, is the main vocalist of the South Korean boy band VIXX.

He was born on 10 November 1990 in Seoul, South Korea. He made his solo debut on 31 July 2018 with Touch & Sketch. He enlisted on 2 December 2019 and was discharged on 9 September 2021. On 4 March 2024, he left VIXX.

Leo has 1.1 million followers on Instagram and his ID is leo_jungtw

Ken 

Lee Jae Hwan, widely recognised as Ken, is the main vocalist of the South Korean boy band VIXX.

He is born on 6 April 1992 in Jayang-dong, Seoul, South Korea. He enlisted on 6 July 2020 and was discharged on 5 January 2022. On 4 March 2024, he left VIXX.

Ken’s Instagram ID is keken_0406

Hyuk

Han Sang Hyuk, popular by the stage name Hyuk, is the main dancer, vocalist and maknae for the South Korean boy band VIXX.

He was born on 5 July 1995 in Daejeon, South Korea. He won the Best Action Newcomers Award for his role in Chasing and made his musical debut in ‘Eyes of Dawn’ (2020). On 8 June 2022, le left Jellyfish Entertainment and got enlisted on 18 April 2024.

Hyuk’s Instagram ID is hsh0705

Hongbin

Lee Hong-bin is the lead rapper, vocalist, visualist and face of the South Korean boy band VIXX. He was Hongbin’s #7 worldwide on the Overwatch leaderboards.

He was born on 29 September 1993 in Jayang-dong, Seoul, South Korea. Hongbin began his acting career in 2014 in SBS’s romantic drama Glorious Day and featured in Brian Joo’s music video for ‘Let This Die’. His first solo song was the OST ‘Make a Dream’ for the drama ‘Legal High’. He departed from VIXX & Jellyfish Entertainment on 7 August 2020.

Hongbin’s Instagram ID is beencantstop

Ravi 

Kim Woh-shik, widely known by the stage name Ravi, is the main rapper, lead dancer and vocalist of the South Korean boy band VIXX.

He was born on 15 February 1993 in  Jayang-dong, Seoul, South Korea. He is the idol with the third-highest number of copyrighted songs, debuted as a solo artist with ‘Realize’ (2017) and left VIXX on 11 April 2023.

Ravi has 1.5 million followers on Instagram and his ID is ravithecrackkidz

Discography

Albums

• Reincarnation (2018)
• Depend on Me (2016)
• Eau de VIXX (2018)
• Chained Up (2018)
• Voodoo (2013)

Single Albums

• Hades (2016)
• Zelos (2016)
• Boys’ Record (2015)
• Eternity (2014)
• On and On (2013)
• Rock Ur Body (2012)
• Super Hero (2012)

Compilation Album

• Darkest Angels (2014)
• VIXX 2016 Conception Ker (2016)

Extended Play

• Continuum (2023)
• Shangri-La (2017)
• Kratos (2016)
• Error (2014)
• Hyde (2013)

Awards

• Golden Disc Awards (2017,2016,2015)
  Disc Bonsang Award – Eternity
  Disc Bonsang Award – Error
  Disc Bonsang Award – Chained Up
• YinYueTai V Chart Awards
  Best Performance (2016)
  Hot Trend Group of The Year (2017)
• Korean Entertainment Arts Awards (2017)
  Best Boy Group
• Soribada Best K-Music Awards (2017)
  Best Artist of the Year
• KMF Awards
  Best Artist Award (2017)
• Asia Artist Awards (2016)
  Best Celebrity Award – VIXX “Dynamite” and “Fantasy
  Best Celebrity Award (2017)
  Best Celebrity Award
• China Music Awards
  Hottest Group of the Year (2016)
• SBS MTV Best of the Best (2013)
  Best Rookie Group
• Seoul Music Awards (2013)
  Bonsang Award (2014)- Hyde
  Bonsang Award (2015)- Error
  Bonsang Award (2016)- Chained Up
  Bonsang Award (2017)- Dynamite
• Gaon Chart Music Awards (2015)
  Hot Performance of the Year Award
• Japan Gold Disc Awards
  Best 3 New Artists in Asia (2015)
• Seoul Embassies Day Awards (2015)
  Hanbit Awards
• Daum Official Fancafe Award (2015)
  Best Fandom Award
• Korea Cultural Entertainment Awards (2014)
  K-POP Top Ten Singer award
• STAR CAST Awards (2014)
  Best Style

Interesting Facts about VIXX

1. N is considered the ‘mother’ of the group.
2. N was in a parody band called Big Byung, along with Hyuk, BTOB‘s Sungjae and GOT7’s Jackson.
3. Leo is friends with EXO’s Lay.
4. Leo is ambidextrous.
5. Ken is best friends with BTS‘s Jin and B1A4‘s Sandeul.
6. Ken wouldn’t go out with his fellow members if he were a girl.
7. Hyuk’s favourite colours are black and white.
8. Hyuk used to be very awkward around Leo, and used to be afraid of calling him ‘hyung’.
9. Hongbin loves Overwatch, Hongbin was #7 worldwide on Overwatch leaderboards.
10. EXO‘s Kai and SHINEE‘s Taemin are Ravi’s best friends.

FAQs

1. Did Ravi leave VIXX?
   On 11 April 2023, Ravi announced that he had departed from VIXX following the corruption issue related to his military service.
2. Who is the new leader of VIXX?
   N is the leader and main dancer of the boy group VIXX.
3. Why did Lee Hong-bin leave VIXX?
   He caused controversy by criticizing things about other idol groups.