Lee Chan-hyuk

Biography

Lee Chan-hyuk (Korean: 이찬혁; born September 12, 1996), is a South Korean singer-songwriter, producer and author. He debuted as a member of the sibling duo AKMU in April 2014, under YG Entertainment.

1996–2013: Early life

Lee Chan-hyuk was born on September 12, 1996, in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Both Chan-hyuk and his younger sister, Lee Su-hyun, moved to Mongolia with their missionary parents for five years, while being home-schooled by their mother, before returning to South Korea. In August 2012, the siblings auditioned for the second installment of SBS reality survival program K-pop Star as Akdong Musician. The sibling duo finished in first place, later choosing to sign under YG Entertainment as they were the only label from the three to provide them the creative freedom they wished for throughout the show, believing their artistry would not be restricted or altered.

2014–2022: AKMU and military enlistment

On April 7, 2014, Lee and Lee Su-hyun officially debuted as AKMU (Akdong Musician) with their studio album Play, instantly becoming a commercial success. The sibling duo has since released two more studio albums, two extended plays, one single album and ten singles in their discography. In September 2017, Lee enlisted in the Korean Marine Corps for his mandatory military service, thus temporarily halting all AKMU activities until his return. In midst of his service, it was revealed the Korean Marines officially chose Lee's self-written song, "Marine Triumph" (해병승전가), to represent the Corps. Lee completed his mandatory military service on May 29, 2019, and was discharged. His first appearance since hiatus was as AKMU on JTBC variety program Knowing Bros, where the episode was filmed the day after his release.

On September 26, 2019, Lee published his first novel Fish Meets Water (물 만난 물고기), a day after AKMU's album Sailing was released. The novel portrays his perspective on life values and art, and it correlates with the album. The novel became the number one best selling novel in South Korean bookstores. Three years later, Lee published the picture book Alien in collaboration with illustrator Lee Yoon-woo, based on the lyrics he wrote for Su-hyun's first single, "Alien".

2022–2023: Error and Umbrella

Lee released his debut studio album, Error×ERROR17 October 2022 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1이찬혁2:592Siren3:003파노라마3:214Time! Stop!3:475당장 널 만나러 가지 않으면3:386마지막 인사 (Feat. CHUNG HA)3:547뭐가3:138부재중 전화5:109내 꿈의 성4:1710A DAY3:3911장례희망5:22, on October 17, 2022, which went on to receive the Best Pop Album award at the 20th Korean Music Awards.
On June 28, 2023, Lee released his first video album Umbrella under the pseudonym Leechanhyukvideo.

2025: Eros and Departure from YG Entertainment

On July 14, 2025, Lee released his second studio album Eros, marking his first full-length solo release since Error×ERROR17 October 2022 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1이찬혁2:592Siren3:003파노라마3:214Time! Stop!3:475당장 널 만나러 가지 않으면3:386마지막 인사 (Feat. CHUNG HA)3:547뭐가3:138부재중 전화5:109내 꿈의 성4:1710A DAY3:3911장례희망5:22 in 2022. The album features the title track "Vivid LaLa Love", among other songs exploring themes of love, loss, and existential reflection.
In November 2025, AKMU decided to part ways with YG Entertainment after 12 years, reportedly in talks to establish an independent label.