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Chenle
Chinese singer and actor (born 2001) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Zhong Chenle (Chinese: 钟辰乐; born 22 November 2001),[1] known mononymously as Chenle (Hangul: 천러), is a Chinese singer and former child actor based in South Korea. Chenle began his career as a child singer, having performed in various concerts and television shows in China and abroad. At age nine, he became the youngest singer to be invited to perform solo at the Golden Hall of Vienna.[2] Through his solo career, Chenle has released three albums and hosted one concert in China. At the age of fourteen, Chenle signed with South Korean entertainment company SM Entertainment and subsequently moved to South Korea in 2016 to debut as a member of the South Korean boy band NCT through its fixed sub-unit NCT Dream, which has gone on to become one of the best-selling boy groups in South Korea.
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Early life and education
Zhong Chenle was born in Shanghai, China on 22 November 2001. He has an older brother by 13 years.[3] He attended Shangwen Middle School before moving to Korea. He was later enrolled at the Beijing Contemporary Music School, graduating as part of the class of 2020.[4]
In 2006, Chenle entered the Shanghai Ying Siu Sing School and attended dance classes. In 2008, he was admitted to the Shanghai Little Star Art Troupe and studied vocal music under Huang Jing.[5]
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Career
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2009–2015: Early solo career in China
In 2009, Chenle participated in the Haha children's channel held by Yueyue Elf Vs Season Trial, where he was runner-up and won the Elf Genie Award.[citation needed] Chenle first rose to prominence in 2010 participating in China's Got Talent, performing the song "Memory" from Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats.[6] In 2010, he participated in the National Chinese Young Talent Selection and won a gold medal.[citation needed] In 2010, Chenle made television appearances as part of the duo 0090, made up of himself and Xu Zehui, both coming from the Shanghai Little Star Art Troupe.[7]
In September 2010, Chenle signed a record deal with Lin Teng Culture Media.[8][9] He released three albums with them.[10]
On 25 January 2011, at age nine, Chenle was invited to perform at the Chinese New Year concert held at Golden Hall of Vienna; at the time, he was the youngest singer to have performed as a soloist at the venue.[11][2] In June, Chenle played the co-lead role in the children's musical Joy of Growing Up, alongside fellow China's Got Talent auditionee Zhang Aiqing.[12] On 16 June, Chenle led the audience in singing the Chinese national anthem at the second Nie Er Music Week opening ceremony in the Shanghai Grand Theater.[citation needed] In July, Chenle released his twelve-track second solo album, My Wings. At the end of the month and in August, he participated in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Shanghai International Children's Art Festival on the Shanghai Grand Stage at the Shanghai International Convention Center.[citation needed]
In December 2012, Chenle participated in the First Plenary Session of the Huangpu District of Shanghai and was elected as the district director for the Young Pioneers.[13]
In 2013, Chenle participated in the first season of Let's Sing Kids, as part of Yang Zongwei's team.[14][15] His first known minor acting role was in 2013, when he featured in Chinese drama The Queen of SOP 2 at age 11.[citation needed]
In 2014, Chenle held his first solo concert, Music With You, at the Shanghai Concert Hall.[16][5] He consequently released his concert album, of the same name, Music With You, that same year. Chenle joined the World Organization of Rising Leading Diplomats, headquartered in Washington, D.C., founded and presided over by pianist-songwriter-producer Ezekiel Palmieri, representing China as a young cultural diplomat. He served as Chinese Ambassador at an international multicultural show created by Palmieri at the Teatro Coliseo, Buenos Aires on 15 and 16 August 2014;[17] he performed "The Dragon's Romance", a song Palmieri wrote specifically for him.[citation needed]
Throughout 2015, Chenle would participate as a performing member of the "Chinese Cultural Paradise" outstanding student troupe, visiting multiple countries including South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.[18][19][20][21]
During his time as a child entertainer in China he would record and perform many cover songs, including many from Declan Galbraith.[2]
2016–2024: Debut with NCT and NCT Dream
After being given a casting offer by SM Entertainment in 2015, Chenle signed to SM Entertainment in March 2016.[22] In August 2016, at age 14, Chenle would make his debut as a member of NCT Dream, a sub-unit of NCT.[23]
Since December 2018, Chenle with fellow NCT Dream member Jisung have hosted the NCT YouTube series CHENLE & JISUNG's This and That.[24]
On 20 May 2020, Chenle and Renjun's graduation song "A New Beginning" was released by Beijing Contemporary Music Academy on Chinese sites.[25] Chenle hosted TBS eFM 101.3 MHz's Yuedong Seoul, a Chinese-language radio show, from 12 October 2020 to 12 September 2021.[26][27] Chenle's NCT U debut was marked by the release of NCT's two-part second studio album, NCT 2020 Resonance, featuring on the single "From Home".[28]
In February 2021, Chenle featured on the song "Too Good" from IMLAY's fourth EP Utopia.[29] In March 2022 it was announced that Chenle had suffered an ankle injury in the run-up to NCT Dream's Glitch Mode promotions, which he ultimately chose to participate in in a limited capacity.[30] On 6 December 2023, Chenle released his first self-produced song "Marine Turtle" by NCT U as part of the NCT Lab project.[31] In January 2024, Chenle participated in "Do It (Let's Play)", the official theme song for the NCT Zone mobile game, with fellow NCT members Jungwoo, Xiaojun, Jeno, and Yangyang.[32] On 31 May 2024, it was announced that Chenle would be participating in the OST for the Chinese drama The Double, with the ending theme, "Live and Love".[33][34]
2025–present: Lucid
In April 2025, it was announced that Chenle would be releasing his first solo project in over a decade with the EP, Lucid, on 5 May 2025.[35][36] Chenle released a remake of Wu Bai & China Blue's "Tear Bridge" as a pre-release single for the EP, on 28 April.[35][36] The EP and its singles were originally released exclusively on TME's network of music streaming platforms in China.[36] The EP topped the QQ Music Digital Album Chart during the pre-order and release period.[37][38] Chenle debuted "Lucid" at Tianjin’s Bubbling & Boiling Music & Arts Festival, on 2 May.[38][39] He held an exclusive showcase for the EP in Beijing on 17 May.[39]
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Other activities
Philanthropy
In May 2017, Chenle together with fellow NCT Dream member Renjun volunteered with CJ Dream Classroom in Nanjing.[40] CJ Dream Classroom in Nanjing is part of a global social contribution program providing better cultural arts education opportunities for children of Chinese labourers.[41]
Endorsements
Chenle was announced as a "Friend of CHAGEE", in April 2025, as part of the release of the tea chain's hojicha genmai signature drink.[42]
Public image
In 2019, Chenle went viral for his instant ramen recipe, coined by the Korean media as "Chenle Ramen" and has also been covered by international outlets.[43][44][45] The viral recipe which includes the addition of Lao Gan Ma sauce, has been seen as being part of a mala trend in Korea.[43]
Discography
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Studio albums
Concert albums
Extended play
Singles
Selected non-singles
Music videos
Songwriting credits
All credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association, unless cited otherwise.[53]
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Filmography
Film
Television
Variety show
Web shows
Radio
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Concerts and live performances
Concerts
- Music With You (2014)
Theatre
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Awards and nominations
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (February 2025) |
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Notes
- The China TME UNI Chart was launched by Tencent Music in 2018 and first published by Billboard in November 2022.[49]
- "Snow Dream 2021" didn't chart on the Circle Digital Chart but peaked at 83 on the component Download Chart.[51]
- "Where You Are" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 87 on the component Download chart.[52]
- Credits taken from the Beijing Contemporary Music Academy.[25]
References
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