Eunhyuk
A cornerstone of Super Junior's kinetic dance line, he evolved from a backup dancer into the group's sharp-witted performance director.
Born 1986 (age 40)·South Korean singer-songwriter, rapper and television personality·Birthday: April 4·Millennials
Biography
Eunhyuk, born Lee Hyuk-jae in 1986, is the dynamic engine of Super Junior, one of K-pop's most enduring groups. He joined SM Entertainment as a teenage backup dancer, a background that forged his reputation as one of the industry's most precise and powerful performers. Within Super Junior, he became known for his razor-sharp rap delivery, intricate choreography, and a gregarious, quick-thinking personality that made him a natural for variety shows. As the group matured, Eunhyuk's role expanded into creative direction, often choreographing stages and contributing to songwriting for Super Junior and its numerous sub-units. His career mirrors K-pop's global expansion, with dedicated work in subgroups targeting the Chinese and Japanese markets, proving his adaptability and lasting appeal.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Eunhyuk was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Eunhyuk Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Eunhyuk's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Serves as the main dancer and lead rapper for Super Junior, a group that pioneered the large-scale, multi-subunit K-pop model.
- Is a founding member of the sub-unit Super Junior-D&E, which has released multiple successful albums in Japan and Korea.
- Regularly contributes to choreography and creative direction for Super Junior's concerts and comebacks.
- Has hosted major music shows like 'M Countdown' and is a frequent guest on popular Korean variety programs.
Did You Know?
He was a backup dancer for senior SM artists like BoA before his debut.
His stage name 'Eunhyuk' combines the Korean words for 'silver' and 'shining.'
He is known for his close, long-time friendship with fellow Super Junior member Donghae.
He served his mandatory military service as a conscripted policeman.
“The stage is my home, and the performance is my language.”
