Hoya (singer)
A versatile performer who evolved from K-pop idol rapper to a respected solo artist and actor, defining his own creative path.
Born 1991 (age 35)·South Korean singer, actor, and dancer·Birthday: March 28·Millennials
Biography
Born Lee Ho-won in 1991, Hoya entered the public eye as a key member of the boy band Infinite, debuting in 2010. He quickly stood out for his sharp dancing and rap skills, contributing to the group's precise 'knife-like' choreography and string of hits. In 2017, he made the bold decision to leave his agency and the group, stepping away from a guaranteed spotlight to forge an independent career. He proved his mettle, releasing a well-received solo EP 'Shower' in 2018 and building a credible acting filmography in dramas and films. His journey came full circle when he joined the elite dance crew Mbitious, reaffirming his first love—performance—on his own terms.
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.
Hoya was born in 1991, 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 Hoya Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Hoya's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
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
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
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
2007Could drive
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
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Debuted as a main rapper and dancer in the influential K-pop group Infinite in 2010.
- Released his first solo EP 'Shower' in 2018, showcasing his songwriting and vocal abilities.
- Earned a spot in the professional dance crew Mbitious through the competitive show 'Street Man Fighter' in 2022.
- Built a successful acting career with notable roles in dramas like 'Reply 1997' and 'My Unfamiliar Family'.
Did You Know?
He is a trained taekwondo practitioner, having earned a black belt.
He wrote and composed the song 'She's Bad' for the girl group GI (Global Icon).
He served as a dance mentor on the survival show 'The Unit'.
His stage name 'Hoya' is derived from the Korean word for 'ambition' (ho-ya).
“I want to be an artist who is remembered for my sincerity.”
