INFINITE

Hoya Biography and Career (Updated)

  

Lee Ho-dong (: 이호동; born on March 28, 1991), better known by his stage name Hoya or Lee Ho-won, is a South Korean rapper, dancer, songwriter and actor. He served as a rapper and vocalist in from 2010 and its sub-group from 2013 up until his departure from Woollim Entertainment in 2017 

 

Biography

Hoya was born in , . He dropped out of high school during his first year to pursue his dream as a singer. His father was against the decision, causing Hoya to leave home. After dropping out, he took and passed his high school qualification exam, thus receiving his high school certification at the age of 16. Later his father accepted him and he now supports Infinite wholeheartedly. Hoya auditioned after he dropped out and ended up in his current agency, Woollim Entertainment. He was a former trainee.

On March 10, 2014, he announced that his real birth name is Lee Hodong, not Howon as he had previously told the public, and that he changed it in order not to share a name with comedian . Kang Ho-dong acted as a fool in a comedy show when Hoya was nine years old. As a result, Hoya's friends teased him about it and thus having to change his name to Lee Ho-won in the end.

Hoya graduated from Daekyung University, majoring in Applied Music with fellow members Sungkyu, L, Sungyeol and Dongwoo.

Career2010: Debut with InfiniteMain article:

Hoya debuted as rapper, vocal and main dancer of South Korean boyband in 2010. The group officially debuted on June 10, 2010.

2012–14: Infinite H's debut and Acting rolesMain article:

On April 30, 2012, it was reported that Hoya would make his acting debut through 's new television drama, but the news was denied by his agency. A week later, Hoya confirmed that he was cast for a supporting role in the tvN drama . He played Kang Joon-hee, who harbors a secret crush on an unexpected character.

In September 2012, Hoya and fellow Infinite member formed a subgroup called . The subgroup released their first mini-album, titled , in January 2013. The subgroup has a different musical direction and style concept from Infinite, placing their focus on each member's rap and performance ability with Hip Hop style.

In December 2012, He participated in special unit, Dynamic Black, and performed "Yesterday" on SBS Gayo Daejun.

On April 8, 2014, Hoya had a duet, Ooh Ooh with and featured on Eric Nam's digital single. In July 2014, he had a duet Need You Now with . It was featured on Henry's second mini-album titled Fantastic.

On September 24, 2014, Hoya was cast in a lead role in movie . He played a high school student who only dreams of becoming a singer, Jin-ho. The movie premiered on March 10 2015.

2015–present: Solo activities

On September 12, 2015, Hoya created his own YouTube channel entitled and uploaded his first video, a cover of 's song titled "Kiss Me", on September 14, and shared the link via .

In June 2016, Hoya became a contestant in Mnet's new dance survival show Hit The Stage, where they collaborate with professional dancers to compete in different genres of dancing under a given theme.

In January 2017, Hoya was confirmed as a cast member of the SBS sitcom Super Family. The sitcom will be aired starting from February 6.

On August 30, 2017 it was confirmed that, along with his contract expiration, Hoya had left Infinite and Woollim Entertainment