Yoo Hee-jae

In this Korean name, the family name is Yoo.

Yoo Hee-jae
유희재
Born (1994-02-22) February 22, 1994 (age 30)
Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea
Alma materSeoul Institute of the Arts
Kaywon High School of Arts
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actor
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active2016–present
Labels
  • JJ Holic Media
  • Lotus E&M
  • PCS
Member of
Websitehttps://pcsent.com/artist/masc/
Korean name
Hangul
유희재
Hanja
Revised RomanizationYu Huijae
McCune–ReischauerYu Hŭichae

Yoo Hee-jae (Korean: 유희재; Hanja: 柳熙宰; born February 22, 1994) is a South Korean singer and actor. He debuted as a member of Masc on August 19, 2016, under JJ Holic Media and Lotus E&M. The group was subsequently disbanded on October 18, 2020. In 2023, Heejae participated in JTBC's reality competition show, Peak Time, as Team 7:00 with his former group member Ireah and achieved second place. In May 2023, Heejae and Ireah signed an exclusive contract with PCS Entertainment and started a new journey as a duo named Sevenus.

History

Early life and education

Heejae graduated from the Department of Drama and Film in Kaywon High School of Arts. While studying at the Theater and Film Department of Seoul Institute of the Arts, he starred in independent film I am a Vampire, which was directed by 26, a former member of Masc. Following this experience, Heejae began his career as an idol. During his college years, he joined a dance club to develop a new skill, which sparked his interest in combining dance and music.[1][2][3]

2016–2022: Debut with Masc

On August 19, 2016, Heejae debuted as the lead vocalist of four-member idol group Masc with the EP Strange.[4][5][6][7][8]

On October 18, 2020, the group disbanded.[9][10][11]

Heejae enlisted for the mandatory service after Masc's disbandment, and was discharged in 2022.

2023: Peak Time and Sevenus

In 2023, Heejae participated in JTBC's survival reality show Peak Time as part of Team 7:00 alongside fellow group member, Ireah. They secured second place and embarked on the Peak Time Concert Tour as part of the Top 6.[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]

On May 3, 2023, Heejae and Ireah signed an exclusive contract with PCS Entertainment and formed the duo Sevenus. They released their debut single album, Summús, on July 31, 2023.

Discography

See also: Sevenus § Discography

Filmography

Music videos

Year Singer Song Notes Ref.
2016 Sugarbowl Leaned(기대를 낮출게) Starred in MV [20]
2017 Kim Ki-hyun Dreams Gone Away(꿈이 떠나가다) Starred in MV [21]

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2013 I Am A Vampire (나는 뱀파이어다) Main role An independent movie directed by former Masc member 26 [22]

Television show

Year Title Network Role Notes Ref.
2023 Peak Time JTBC Contestant Finished 2nd place with Team 7:00 [23]

References

  1. ^ "'신인 남자 아이돌' 마스크 희재 공개, 소년 같은 매력 출처". August 5, 2016.
  2. ^ "마스크, 두 번째 멤버 희재 공개..'실력파'". August 5, 2016.
  3. ^ "'엠카운트다운' 마스크, 카리스마 넘치는 핫 데뷔..여심 저격". August 25, 2016.
  4. ^ "마스크 프로필". Naver (in Korean). Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  5. ^ "마스크(MASC), 첫 멤버 이륙 공개… 댄스부터 연출까지 '만능'". TenAsia (in Korean). August 3, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  6. ^ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!". Gaon Chart. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  7. ^ 이, 정아. "'신인 남자 아이돌' 마스크 희재 공개, 소년 같은 매력 출처 : SBS연예뉴스 원본 링크". Sbs연예뉴스. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  8. ^ 입, 력 (August 5, 2016). "마스크, 두 번째 멤버 희재 공개..'실력파'".
  9. ^ "MASC announces their disbandment through heartfelt video made for fans". Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  10. ^ "[마스크/MASC] Thanks to Mabling." YouTube. MASC official. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  11. ^ Park Yoon-jin (October 18, 2020). [단독] 마스크, 데뷔 4년 만에 전격 해체 "팬들에게 미안한 마음뿐" [[Exclusive] Masc disbanded after 4 years of debut "I am sorry to the fans"]. My Daily.
  12. ^ "JTBC's new audition show "PEAK TIME" is currently recruiting, disbanded, and newly debuted male idol group! We need to give them a push～". June 21, 2022. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  13. ^ "Contestants are being recruited! JTBC Launches New Talent Show "PEAK TIME"". June 21, 2022. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  14. ^ "The premiere date of the male idol group rebirth talent show "Peak Time" was revealed! SJ, Girls' Generation's 6 Super Crazy Judging Lineup Exposure". December 25, 2022. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  15. ^ "JTBC's idol survival program "PEAK TIME" teaser released!". December 23, 2022. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  16. ^ "The buried male idol's group has a chance to turn a new leaf! Boy group survival program "PEAK TIME" preview Lee Seung Gi exclaims "Gems are only coming out now"; Song Minho is moved to tears". February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  17. ^ ""Peak Time" voting method, popular group: B.A.P Moon Jong-yeop shocked the audience! Group 11:00 "Working Group" worked part-time every day" moved the judges to tears". February 18, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  18. ^ "The 7 highlights of "Peak Time" The rebirth of the former unknown boy group, the super-strength contestants even beat EXO to win an award in the past". February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  19. ^ "Gathering all 9 star judges, the boy group burst into tears on the stage of "Peak Time"". February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  20. ^ "슈가볼 기대를 낮출게 M/V". Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  21. ^ "DIPHIN Crew 꿈이 떠나가다 - 김기현 싱글1집 MV 2017". Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  22. ^ "DIPHIN Crew 나는 뱀파이어다 2013년 作". Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  23. ^ Kim, Sehun (April 20, 2023). "'피크타임' 배너(팀 11시), 최종 우승 1위→투표 결과 상금 3억 주인공…2위 마스크" ['Peak Time' Vanner (team 11 o'clock), 1st place in the final championship → 300 million prize money as a result of voting... 2nd place Masc]. Biz Entertainment (in Korean). Retrieved July 18, 2023.