Biography
Cha Hak-yeon, known by his stage name N, is a South Korean singer, actor, presenter, and radio host. Before his musical debut, N participated in the musical “Gwanghwamun Love Song” and won various dance competitions, showcasing his skills in hip-hop, ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance. In May 2012, he debuted as a member of the boy band VIXX under Jellyfish Entertainment. N began his acting career in 2014 with a role in MBC’s romantic melodrama “Hotel King” and has since appeared in series such as “The Family is Coming” (2015), “Cheer Up!” (2015), and “Tomorrow Boy” (2016). In May 2015, he started hosting his own radio show, “VIXX N K-pop,” on SBS Power FM. After completing his military service in October 2020, N departed from Jellyfish Entertainment and signed with 51K in November 2020. He continued his acting career with roles in the tvN dramas “Mine” (2021) and “Bad and Crazy” (2021).
Profile
- Name: Cha Hak-yeon
- Stage Name: N
- Birth name: Cha Hak-yeon
- Birthday: June 30, 1990
- Zodiac Sign: Cancer
- Height: 180 cm
- Instagram: @achahakyeon
- Twitter: @CHAHAKYEON_N
Career
Idol
Cha Hak-yeon, better known by his stage name N, rose to fame as a member of VIXX, the six-member boy group formed through Mnet’s “MyDOL” survival program. N made his debut with the group in May 2012 with their hit single “Super Hero.” Prior to this, he had already garnered attention for his appearances in music videos, including those for Brian Joo’s “Let This Die” (2012) and Seo In-guk’s “Shake It Up” (2012), which marked his early introduction to the public eye.
As the leader of VIXX, Cha Hak-yeon took on the responsibility of guiding his members, navigating the ups and downs of group dynamics with grace and dedication. Known for his optimistic nature and strong sense of responsibility, Cha Hak-yeon made sure that the group’s vision was clear and their teamwork solid. Despite his natural inclination to avoid harsh words, he realized the importance of decisiveness in his leadership role, often taking the lead when necessary to ensure the group’s success. He considers his leadership experience a blessing, acknowledging the growth it has allowed him both as a person and as an artist.
Cha Hak-yeon’s versatile talents go beyond his role as the main dancer and lead vocalist of VIXX. His strong stage presence, particularly as a dancer, has made him a standout member of the group. Trained in various dance genres, including contemporary, ballet, and jazz, he has earned praise for his precise, elegant movements and expressive performances. His choreography for songs like “G.R.8.U” and “Desperate” is a testament to his creativity and dedication to the craft. In fact, Cha Hak-yeon’s choreography has also made its mark on other artists, as he helped MyTeen with their debut album’s choreography.
Acting & Radio Host
While Cha Hak-yeon is known for his sharp performance skills, he has also ventured into the world of acting. His acting debut came in 2014 with “Hotel King” and continued to expand with roles in dramas like “The Family Is Coming” and “Cheer Up!.” His notable musical theatre debut as Benny in “In The Heights” further showcased his multi-dimensional talents. By 2021, Cha Hak-yeon had earned acclaim for his roles in hit dramas like “Mine” and “Bad and Crazy,” proving his ability to tackle diverse characters and emotional performances.
Cha Hak-yeon’s contributions to the entertainment industry extend beyond the stage and screen. He hosted his own radio show, “VIXX N K-POP,” from 2015 to 2016, where he not only showcased his smooth hosting skills but also provided a platform for rookie artists. His commitment to supporting newcomers was evident, as he personally proposed the segment to help lesser-known artists gain exposure. Even after the show ended, Cha Hak-yeon kept in touch with the program’s writer and continued to show his appreciation for the experience.
After completing his mandatory military service in 2020, Cha Hak-yeon signed with actor management agency 51K, choosing to focus on his acting career. His portrayal of the psychopathic serial killer Go Do-young in “The Fair” received praise for its emotional depth and physical intensity, solidifying his versatility as an actor capable of handling complex roles.
From his early days as the quiet but strong leader of VIXX to his current status as an acclaimed actor, Cha Hak-yeon’s journey has been a testament to hard work, talent, and perseverance. His fans continue to support him in every step of his career, proud of the multi-talented artist he has become.
Personal Life
Early Life
Cha Hak-yeon was born in Changwon, South Korea, into a family with two older sisters and one older brother. He pursued his education at Howon University and spent a year in Japan.
Before his debut with VIXX, N gained experience in the entertainment industry by participating in the musical “Gwanghwamun Love Song” and engaging in various dance competitions. With a solid foundation in dance, he specialized in hip-hop, ballet, jazz, and contemporary styles.
In 2009, N earned recognition for his dance talent, winning several competitions hosted by major entertainment agencies such as SM, YG, and JYP. One of his standout achievements was a blindfolded dance performance, which he choreographed himself, earning him the Grand Prize at the Korean Youth Dance Festival.
Networking & Friendships
Cha Hak-yeon, known for his charming personality and warmth, has built strong relationships within the entertainment industry, forming lasting bonds with fellow idols, actors, and musicians.
During his time with Jellyfish Entertainment, Cha Hak-yeon developed a particularly close friendship with fellow singer and actor Seo In-guk, a bond that was so strong that Cha Hak-yeon even received a kiss from Seo In-guk, showcasing their deep connection.
Cha Hak-yeon is also a member of Ryorain, a fan club created by Super Junior’s Ryeowook. This group includes fellow idols like EXO’s Do Kyung-soo, BTOB’s Lee Min-hyuk, and ZE:A’s Park Hyung-sik, further expanding Cha Hak-yeon’s network within the entertainment world. His friendship with Lee Min-hyuk is especially notable, as they regularly talk for long periods, with conversations often lasting over 30 minutes.
In addition to his ties with BTOB’s Lee Min-hyuk, Cha Hak-yeon has close relationships with other idols, including Phantom’s Hanhae, Infinite’s Nam Woo-hyun, SHINee’s Key, and BESTie’s Dahye, whom he has known since their trainee days. His bond with EXO’s Xiumin, his same-aged debut groupmate, is often captured during events like the Idol Star Athletics Championships and music shows, further highlighting their strong friendship.
Cha Hak-yeon’s connection with Thunder, former member of MBLAQ, began when Thunder reached out to him early one morning, initiating a close bond between the two. Their friendship grew stronger as they often shared quiet moments, such as drinking hot chocolate together and visiting Lotte World. In fact, Cha Hak-yeon invited both Lee Min-hyuk and Thunder to his radio show special edition, hoping to see the two grow closer, and their evolving friendship became a highlight of the show. Cha Hak-yeon’s humorous commentary about their friendship, joking that once they were close, the three of them would meet up regularly, further emphasized his role as a connector in his network.
Moreover, Cha Hak-yeon has fostered a close relationship with actors like Lee Won-geun, Shin Jae-ha, and Jung Eun-ji, with whom he appeared on “Sassy Go Go.” His bromance with Lee Won-geun, particularly, is showcased through their great chemistry, which is evident on the show. In June 2017, to celebrate Lee Won-geun’s birthday, Cha Hak-yeon took a trip to Japan with him, strengthening their friendship. Additionally, Cha Hak-yeon became close to actor Lee Yi-kyung while working together on “Red Moon, Blue Sun,” and even invited Lee Yi-kyung to his fan meeting as a gesture of their strong bond.
Cha Hak-yeon’s network extends to the indie music scene as well. He has a solid friendship with the indie duo Okdal (Oksang Dalbit), developed through their time together as guests on Sukira. Cha Hak-yeon’s connection with them goes beyond the show, as he also attended their busking performances to cheer them on, showing his unwavering support for his friends across different fields of entertainment.
Incident
On August 9, 2017, Cha Hak-yeon collapsed during a VIXX performance at Gyeongju California Beach due to extreme heat. Despite feeling unwell before the stage, he continued with the performance and later fainted.
Although the agency did not call an ambulance or make schedule adjustments, they claimed the incident wasn’t due to Cha Hak-yeon’s physical condition but his failure to manage his health. Fans were upset by the agency’s response and lack of immediate care, flooding social media with complaints.
The situation was briefly addressed, but concerns about the agency’s management and treatment of the members remained. This was not the first time a VIXX member had collapsed due to exhaustion, further fueling fan frustrations.
Net Worth
Cha Hak-yeon has amassed a substantial net worth through his multifaceted career in music, acting, and hosting. As of 2023, estimates suggest his net worth is approximately $1 million.
Facts
- Cha Hak-yeon’s stage name “N” was created by himself, drawing inspiration from the Japanese word “인연” (in-yeon), which means fate, and from the “연” (yeon) in the word “학연” (hak-yeon), which means a connection through education. His stage name is also linked to his greeting fans with phrases like “N Morning” and “N Night,” symbolizing the beginning and end of the day.
- His birth flower is the honeysuckle, and his birthstone is the black pearl.
- He is known for his active presence on Twitter and his distinctive blend of standard Korean and his hometown dialect from Changwon.
- In his personal life, Cha Hak-yeon is very caring toward his younger siblings and even checks whether they’re taking their health supplements, sometimes jokingly threatening to punish them if they don’t.
- Cha Hak-yeon is known for his lively, playful personality, which he compares to a theme park, though he admits to being afraid of rides.
- He often includes a small doodle of a black circle (representing himself) and a star (representing his fans) in his signature, which fans affectionately refer to as “옷촛” (OCHOT).
