Choi Hyun-suk was born on April 21, 1999, in South Korea.[2] He is the eldest in his family and has a younger sister.[3] 8-year-old Choi (Korean age) first discovered rap and hip hop in first grade through Big Bang's documentary The Beginning (2006),[2] and later through the work of Tupac and Eminem, also attending the latter's concert in Choi's country.[4] In result, he solely fixated his eyes on the hip hop label, YG Entertainment.[2] He formally encountered hip hop and began to dance at ages 11–12 and 13–14 (Korean ages), respectively, and soon aspired to become an artist;[5] or alternatively become a footballer, stemmed by his interest in the sport in result of his stance as an avid fan of Real Madrid CF.[6][7][8] Preceding his interest in hip hop, Choi also joined a choir in fifth grade, following a family tradition situated in elementary school, as a sopranist and won first place as its school representative in contests.[9]
In his adolescence, he enrolled at an academy for lessons and attended a private audition held by YG Entertainment through the facility; as a result, Choi was successfully recruited in its trainee program in 2015.[10]
2017–present: Career beginnings and debut with Treasure
Choi first appeared on television through Mix Nine (2017–2018) with band-mate, Kim Jun-kyu, and Lee Byoung-gon of CIX.[11] He participated as a contestant representing YG Entertainment amidst his training and finished the show in fifth place, earning a place in the final line-up.[12] The winning contestants' agencies, however, were unable to reach an agreement regarding the tenure of the project band,
leading to the abolishment of its debut.[13] Choi was also incorporated in the third episode of YG Future Strategy Office (2018) as himself that same year while filmed alongside other trainees from the agency.
20-year-old Choi (Korean age) competed in YG Treasure Box (2018–2019), a survival reality program composed of twenty nine trainees, as one of seven under "Team A".[14] The broadcast documented the formation of YG Entertainment's next boy band, Treasure.[15] He became the seventh and last member to join the septet, however, with the announcement of a second line-up and the ensuing merge, the initial septet became the eventual 12-piece ensemble.[16][17] Choi was notified of his addition to the band from his parents subsequently after its revelation by news articles.[18]
In the midst of its preparation for debut, Choi featured on the B-side single, "1, 2" (한두번; handubeon) by label-mate Lee Hi from her extended play titled 24°C and participated as its lyricist.[19] He also served as an "unofficial leader" with Jihoon in their respective teams when they were divided into two for training due to the number of members.[20] His training period came to an end after five years, followed his debut in Treasure on August 7, 2020, with the single album entitled The First Step: Chapter One.[20] The band adopted the two-tier leadership with Choi and Jihoon after witnessing positive aspects from the once temporary system.[15]
Other ventures
Endorsements
In January 2018, Choi modeled for Japanese sports clothing and accessories brand, Descente, for their new semester menswear range.[21]
Philanthropy
Choi participated in the "News 1 Bazaar of Love" (2022) following an invitation by the South Korean news agency, News 1.[22] Its proceeds were allocated towards treatment and care of children with severe, rare, and intractable diseases, and children of low-income families through items from various celebrities.[22]
^ abcPark Ah-reum (November 5, 2018). 드디어 열린 ‘YG보석함’ 방예담 포함 A조 7인 베일 벗었다 [The 7-member Group A Including Bang Ye-dam Finally Opens 'YG Treasure Box' and Takes Off the Veil]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^Choi Hee-jae (November 6, 2020). 트레저 최현석 "처음으로 여동생한테 '잘한다'는 칭찬 들었죠" [엑's 인터뷰①] [Treasure's Choi Hyun-suk: "For the First Time, I Heard Compliments From My Sister Saying 'You're Good'" [X's Interview ①]]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^Kim Mi-ji (March 23, 2020). 'YG 신인' 트레저 최현석, 축구 덕력 ' 폭발…방예담과 듀오 케미 [YG's Rookie, Choi Hyun-suk of Treasure Explodes in Soccer Virtue... Chemistry With Bang Ye-dam]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 5, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
^Park Pan-suk (October 22, 2021). YG 트레저 최현석, 'TMI-LOG' 출격..팬들에 유쾌한 일상 공개 [YG Treasure's Choi Hyun-suk Reveals Daily Life to Fans Through 'TMI-LOG']. OSEN [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 5, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
^Kim Min-ji (November 12, 2017). '믹스나인' YG 연습생 3人, 박진영 독설 속 '전원 합격' [3 YG Trainees from 'Mix Nine' Receives 'All Pass' Amid Park Jin-young's Venomous Rhetorics]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
^ abJo Kyung-i (January 27, 2018). 종영 '믹스나인' 소년팀, 최종 우승 '데뷔'‥男 1등 우진영[종합] ['Mix Nine' Ends with the Male Team as Victors.. Woo Jin-young Placed 1st [synthesis]]. OSEN [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
^Choi Na-young (May 3, 2018). [공식입장 전문] YG측 "'믹스나인' 데뷔 무산, 6곳 기획사와 협의 끝 결정..죄송" [[Full Text of Official Position] YG: "'Mix Nine' Debut Cancellation Reached After Discussion With All 6 Agencies... Sorry"]. OSEN [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 5, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
^Lee So-dam (November 5, 2018). 방예담부터 최현석까지..'YG 보석'은 29 [Oh!쎈 탐구] [From Bang Ye-dam to Choi Hyun-suk... 'YG Jewel' is 29 [Oh! Strong Quest]]. OSEN [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 6, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
^ abHwang Mi-hyun (January 25, 2019). 'YG보석함' 최현석, 마지막 데뷔 멤버…7인 최종 확정 ['YG Treasure Box' Choi Hyun-suk, Last Member to Debut... Final Confirmation of 7 People]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 25, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^Hwang Hye-jin (January 6, 2020). YG 측 "신인 TREASURE 12인조 데뷔 확정, 하윤빈 탈퇴"(공식) [YG: "Rookie Group TREASURE 12-members Debut Confirmed, Ha Yoon-bin Leaves" (official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
^Hwang Hye-jin (January 25, 2019). 'V앱' 최현석, 데뷔 확정에 "사춘기 동생이 아이콘 사인 받아달라 부탁해" [Choi Hyun-suk Confirms His Debut On 'V App', "My Sibling Asked For iKon's Signature"]. Herald POP (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
^Kim Myung-mi (May 28, 2019). 이하이 새 앨범 트랙리스트 공개, 비아이→지소울 지원사격 [Lee Hi's New Album Track List Released, B.I → G-Soul Support in Recording]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
^ abHwang Mi-hyun (December 9, 2022). 트레저 최현석, '사랑의 바자회'에 '특별한' 신발 기증…"좋은 곳에 쓰이길" [Treasure's Choi Hyun-suk Donates His 'Precious' Shoes to the 'Bazaar of Love', "May it Be Put to Good Use"]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
^Jang, Woo-young (November 2, 2021). 트레저, 새 웹드라마 ‘남고괴담’ 단체 메인 포스터 공개 [Treasure Reveals Promotional Poster for their New Drama, 'The Mysterious Class' School']. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
^Park Pan-seok (April 6, 2022). '라끼돌' 트레저 최현석X박지훈 인생라면 찾기 대장정..최고의 라면 직진 준비 완료 [Treasure's Choi Hyun-sukk X Park Ji-hoon on 'Rakidol': The Long Journey to Find Ramen in Life.. the Best Ramen is Ready]. OSEN [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
External links
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