– He was born and grew up in Hongeun-dong, Seoul.
– His stage name "Dean" comes from actor James Dean, whose rebellious image appealed to him.
– Religion: Christian
– He's a fashionista and speaks English.
– He began singing in high school.(At that time, he considered music as an "escape from studying," rather than an occupation.)
– He initially wrote songs in his room and kept it secret from his parents.
– When they found out, his parents supported his decision to become an artist.
– At age 16, he began his career as part of a crew, performing with hip-hop artist Keith Ape.
– By the age of 18, he was writing tracks for K-pop stars, under the name "Deanfluenza".
– At the age of 20, he was under the tutelage of Joombas Music Group CEO and producer Hyuk Shin, employed with the songwriting team of the Los Angeles-based company whose works includeEXO's "Growl" and Justin Bieber's "One Less Lonely Girl".
– He was credited on different popular tracks, including EXO's "Black Pearl" andVIXX's "Voodoo Doll".
– Dean debuted in the United States in July 2015 with the single "I'm Not Sorry", featuring Grammy winner Eric Bellinger.
– In 2015 he also collaborated with Mila Jon "Here & Now" and Anderson .Paak on"Put My Hands on You".
– He made his Korean debut in the same year – 2015 and his second single "Pour Up", featuring Block B's rapper Zico, was named Best R&B and Soul Song at the Korean Music Awards on February 29, 2016.
– He also collaborated with other popular Korean hip-hop artists like Zion.T, Crush, and Junggigo (on the single "247"), Dok2(on "I Love It") and Dynamic Duo on "How You Doin'?".
– On January 2016 he released "What 2 Do", featuring Crush and Filipino-American singer Jeff Bernat.
– In January and March 2016 he appeared on Two Yoo Project Sugar Man as a producer (he arranged songs from iKon and Winner)
– He became the first Asian artist to perform at Spotify House at SXSW, alongside international artists including Miguel and Chvrches.
– His tracks "Bonnie and Clyde" and "D (Half Moon)" (both from his EP 130 Mood : TRBL album) were well-received.
– His EP 130 Mood : TRBL album got No. 3 on the Billboard World Albums chart.
– On June 2016, he had his New York City debut concert at the "legendary" Copacabana (tickets were sold out).
– On June he also collaborated with Girl's Generation Taeyeon for her "Why" album and even appeared in the MV for her single "Starlight".
– He is called "R&B prince of Asia".
– In August & September 2016 he had a tour including the Philippine and Malaysia.
– On November 1, he was included in a Time report about K-pop artists who were attempting to enter the mainstream American market, along with CL and Eric Nam.
– In November, he collaborated on a single and music video with Zico and Crush, "Bermuda Triangle"
– On December 6, the song debuted onBillboard's World Digital Songs chart at No. 3, making it the highest position he had received on that chart.
– He loves sushi and pizza.
– He likes chocolate and jelly.
– His favorite color is green.
– He is good friends with Zico and Crush (same age buddies).
– He describes his music in 3 words: raw, rebel, root.
– His fashion is inspired by NY runways/street.
– He thinks his lips are his main attraction.
– The artists he admires are Kanye West, Miguel, Donald Glover.
– DEAN's ideal type: Someone who understands him and his weird antics.
©Kpopfacts
