Hui

Lee Hoe-taek, known professionally as Hui, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and composer. He is the leader, main vocalist, and lead dancer of the boy group Pentagon, and a former member of the co-ed trio Triple H alongside Hyuna and Dawn. As of 2026, he is signed to With US Entertainment after leaving Cube Entertainment in July 2025.

Hui is widely recognized as one of K-pop's most accomplished idol producers, having written and composed numerous hits including Wanna One's "Energetic," Pentagon's "Shine," and "Never" from Produce 101 Season 2. His solo debut mini-album WHU IS ME : Complex arrived in January 2024, showcasing a funk-pop sound that expanded his artistic identity beyond group work. With over a decade in the industry, Hui commands respect for his multi-octave vocal range, sophisticated production, and quiet influence on the K-pop songwriting landscape. He has also produced for artists in Japan and China, and expressed interest in releasing more solo music, stating in a Forbes interview that he has "a lot of good songs on my hard drive." [edit]

Hui grew up in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do Province, with his parents and an older brother. His mother worked as an English teacher before retiring. He learned to play piano as a child and composed his first song during his third year of high school, a folk-style piano piece he later revealed on Weekly Idol.

He attended Gwacheon Jungang High School and graduated from Modern K Academy in 2012. A rejection from Hanyang University was a disappointment he discussed on the variety show Comedian Singer Producer. Before joining Cube Entertainment in 2013, Hui was a trainee at JYP Entertainment, where he won first place Best Male Vocal at the JYPE 7th Audition Final Round in 2010. He also lived in Beijing, China for eight months to improve his language skills.

Hui appeared in music videos for G.NA's "Secret" and Rain's "Rain Effect" before his debut. He joined Cube Entertainment and participated in the Mnet survival show Pentagon Maker, successfully completing the "Pentagon graph" to become a member of the group that debuted in October 2016. [edit]

Hui debuted as Pentagon's leader, main vocalist, and lead dancer on October 10, 2016, with the self-titled mini-album Pentagon. In 2017, he became a member of Triple H alongside Hyuna and Dawn, releasing the EP 199X and title track "365 Fresh" on May 1. That same year, his composition "Energetic" for Wanna One became one of the most iconic debut songs in K-pop history, earning him widespread recognition as a producer. He also wrote "Never" for Produce 101 Season 2, performed by Nation's Sons, and later wrote "Boyness" for Produce X 101 and "Oh-Eh-Oh" for JO1.

In 2018, Hui wrote and produced Pentagon's breakthrough hit "Shine," which catapulted the group to mainstream success. He continued writing for Pentagon with tracks like "Naughty Boy" and "Daisy." In 2019, he became the leader of Super Five on MBC's Favorite Entertainment and placed second on Mnet's Breakers. After military service from February 18, 2021 to November 17, 2022, he competed on Boys Planet in 2023, placing 13th and gaining renewed attention for his vocals and leadership.

Hui released his first solo mini-album WHU IS ME : Complex on January 16, 2024, with the title track "Hmm BOP." The album blended funk-pop with walking basslines and brass instrumentation. In July 2025, he left Cube Entertainment and joined With US Entertainment, while remaining a member of Pentagon. He has since expressed interest in releasing more solo music. [edit]

Hui is known for his powerful, emotional vocals and sophisticated songwriting. His solo debut "Hmm BOP" showcased a funk-pop, retro-modern fusion style that set him apart from typical K-pop solo releases. Media outlets have described him as a "stealthy, important tastemaker" who extends his influence beyond his group. Fans appreciate his multi-octave vocal range and the personal touch he brings to production. On social media, he maintains a professional yet warm tone, occasionally sharing self-deprecating humor and behind-the-scenes glimpses of his creative process. His fandom shares the name UNIVERSE with Pentagon. [edit]

Hui navigates the global stage not as a viral sensation but as a steady, undeniable force in K-pop's production and performance sphere. While his group Pentagon commands a massive following, Hui has carved out a distinct reputation as a musical architect whose influence ripples far beyond his own discography. His participation in the survival show *Boys Planet* in 2023 marked a pivotal moment where he humbled himself before a new generation, proving his versatility through self-arranged performances of tracks like Blackpink's "How You Like That." This journey, documented by outlets ranging from NME to The Korea Herald, reinforced his status as an elder statesman willing to risk his established comfort zone for artistic growth. Despite these high-profile efforts, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list). He remains an EVALUATED_UNRANKED figure in the current data set, meaning no specific numeric rank applies to him at this time. His dedicated supporters, known collectively as UNIVERSE, operate with military precision to amplify his work. Unlike generic fanbases, UNIVERSE organizes targeted streaming campaigns and charity drives specifically for Hui's solo releases and songwriting credits. They have funded subway advertisements and birthday projects that highlight his dual role as leader and producer, creating a feedback loop of support that mirrors his own meticulous approach to music. These fans view him as a mentor figure, drawn to his transparency about the pressures of leadership and his refusal to compromise on creative integrity.[edit]

Lee Hoe-taek selected his stage name because Chinese speakers pronounce the first syllable of his birth name 'Hoe' as 'Hui,' ensuring better accessibility for international audiences. Born on August 28, 1993, he stands 171 cm tall with blood type A and identifies as INFJ, having previously been classified as ISFJ. His representative emoticons are a chicken and an otter. Fans often recall his admission during Pentagon's Philippines promotions that he struggles to eat foreign food well. He discovered his ability to perform tumbling moves spontaneously early in his career. Beyond these facts, Hui is legendary for his decision to join *Boys Planet* in 2023 as an experienced veteran. He candidly discussed facing industry pressure regarding this move, yet maintained he had no regrets despite not winning. Another enduring story involves his tenure at Cube Entertainment, where he single-handedly shaped Pentagon's sound before their official launch with hits like "Gorilla" and "Butterfly." Even during his mandatory military service starting in February 2021, he refused to stop creating, releasing solo tracks such as "Whale" and collaborating on "Easy Dance" while serving. His departure from Cube in late 2023 after nine years further cemented his narrative as an artist who prioritizes creative freedom over stability.[edit]

Hui has an older brother. His mother worked as an English teacher before retiring. He grew up in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do Province. He owns a dog named Happy, who frequently appears in his social media posts. As of 2026, he is not married and has no children. [edit]

Hui has collaborated extensively with his Pentagon bandmates Jinho, Kino, and Wooseok on songwriting and production. He worked closely with Hyuna and Dawn as part of Triple H. His former relationship with (G)I-DLE's Soojin was confirmed by Cube Entertainment in 2018. He has also written for JO1 and Produce X 101 contestants. [edit]

Hui's only publicly confirmed relationship was with (G)I-DLE's Soojin. Cube Entertainment confirmed on August 2, 2018, that the two had dated but had already broken up. The news emerged amid Cube's internal restructuring and the controversy surrounding Hyuna and Dawn's relationship at the time. No further details about how they met or why they split have been disclosed. Since then, Hui has not been linked to anyone romantically. As of 2026, he is reported to be single. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Hui's net worth at $3 Million in 2026. This valuation reflects a career built heavily on songwriting royalties rather than traditional idol earnings alone. His composition "Energetic" for Wanna One has accumulated hundreds of millions of streams, providing a consistent income stream through KOMCA. Revenue from Pentagon's album sales and tours between 2016 and 2023 contributed modestly, with the group moving approximately 100,000 to 150,000 copies per release. His solo mini-album WHU IS ME : Complex added to his financial portfolio, though specific sales figures remain undisclosed. Appearances on variety shows including Boys Planet and Breakers generated additional income, yet he has not secured major solo endorsement deals. During his military service from 2021 to 2022, he received standard South Korean military pay of approximately $500 to $1,000 per month. Industry analysts project his annual royalty income falls between $100,000 and $300,000 USD.[edit]

Hui won second place on Mnet's singer-songwriter competition Breakers in 2019. Earlier, in 2010, he won first place Best Male Vocal at the JYP Entertainment 7th Audition Final Round. His primary recognition comes from his songwriting, which has produced multiple hits, though he has not won major broadcast awards as an individual. [edit]