Youngjae

Choi Young-jae, known professionally as Youngjae, is a South Korean singer-songwriter, actor, and DJ. He is best known as the main vocalist of GOT7, one of the most prominent K-pop groups of the 2010s. His music blends pop, R&B, and soul influences, showcasing his strong vocal ability and emotional range. Youngjae also writes lyrics under the pen name Ars, contributing to the group's discography and building a solo career. Beyond music, he has expanded into acting and musical theater, appearing in Korean dramas such as So Not Worth It and Friendly Rivalry, and performing in stage productions. His versatility as an entertainer has earned him a dedicated fanbase both in South Korea and internationally. Youngjae debuted with GOT7 in January 2014 under JYP Entertainment. After the group left JYP in 2021, he signed with Sublime Artist Agency, and later with AndBut Company, where he continues his solo, acting, and DJ activities. He remains an active member of GOT7 while pursuing individual projects. [edit]

Choi Young-jae was born on September 17, 1996, in Mokpo, a coastal city in South Korea. He grew up with his parents, one older brother, and one older sister. From a young age, he showed an interest in music and singing, often singing with his older brother. When his brother enlisted in the military, Youngjae enrolled in a practical music academy in Mokpo, funding his studies through part-time jobs such as flyering, working at a billiard hall, and serving tables. His parents were initially unsupportive of his idol ambitions. In 2011, he won the Vocal Excellence Award at the Mokpo Youth Music Festival. In 2013, a closed JYP Entertainment audition at his academy led to him becoming a trainee in summer 2013. He trained for only about seven months, the shortest period among GOT7 members, before debuting. He graduated from Seoul Korea Arts High School and later attended Daekyeung University. Before his official debut, he had no major public appearances; his training focused on vocal technique, dance, and performance skills typical of K-pop idol preparation. [edit]

Youngjae debuted with GOT7 on January 16, 2014, as the main vocalist with the EP Got It? (title track “Girls Girls Girls”). The group quickly gained attention for acrobatic performances blending hip-hop and martial arts tricking, and won multiple Best New Artist awards in 2014. In 2016, he began songwriting under the pen name Ars, debuting with “Rewind” on the album Flight Log: Turbulence. He contributed to the group's Flight Log trilogy, which elevated their status with hits like “Hard Carry,” “If You Do,” and “Never Ever.” GOT7 became one of the best-selling 3rd-generation K-pop acts, selling over 2 million albums under JYP. In 2018–2020, Youngjae expanded into variety and musical theater, including the play Midnight Sun. After JYP's contract expired in January 2021, he signed with Sublime Artist Agency the next day. In October 2021, he made his solo debut with the EP Colors from Ars, showcasing R&B and self-written tracks, and released the single “Vibin’.” He also made his acting debut as Sam in the Netflix sitcom So Not Worth It. In 2022–2024, he continued solo releases, performed in the musical A Song to the Sun, and participated in variety shows like Steel Troop. He released music under Ars on SoundCloud. In 2025, he starred as Nam Byeong-jin in the drama Friendly Rivalry, praised for his acting growth. GOT7 released Winter Heptagon (title track “Python”) via Kakao Entertainment, their first full-group comeback since leaving JYP. In 2025–2026, he signed with AndBut Company and remains active in solo music, acting, and DJing. [edit]

Youngjae is widely regarded as the 'Sunshine' vocalist of GOT7, known for his warm, emotionally expressive voice and versatile artistry. His public persona blends sincere, heartfelt sincerity with playful charm, often sharing candid behind-the-scenes moments and interactions with his pet cat Coco. Media and fans perceive him as a hardworking, serious yet affectionate individual who has grown significantly in confidence since debut. His aesthetic leans toward cozy, soulful R&B with introspective lyrics, and his content tone is therapeutic and genuine. The official fandom name is Ahgase (IGOT7), and fan culture revolves around celebrating his 'Sunshine' nickname, supporting his solo identity as Ars, and engaging with his photography and daily life updates. On social media, he maintains a gentle, appreciative voice, frequently thanking fans and sharing music teasers.[edit]

The heart of Youngjae's career beats within the fiercely organized collective known as I GOT7, a fandom that shares his identity with the entire group rather than maintaining a separate moniker. These supporters are renowned for their strategic global streaming campaigns and elaborate birthday projects, transforming September 17th into a month-long celebration featuring subway ads in Seoul and New York alongside charity drives matching fan donations to animal shelters. Fans often engage in specific rituals during concerts, coordinating light stick colors to highlight his vocal solos, while Youngjae reciprocates with legendary handwritten letters and consistent social media acknowledgments of fan art. This dynamic has cemented his reputation as a gentle giant who maintains a polite, almost princely demeanor despite his towering stage presence.

Regarding his standing in the broader entertainment landscape, iFANN has evaluated his current trajectory against global metrics. As of August 2026, Youngjae is currently not ranked in the Global Top 1,000 or any published scope list by the iFANN Global Fame Engine. While he commands a massive, dedicated following through his work as a main vocalist and solo artist, the evaluation indicates he does not currently hold a placement in the official rankings. His influence remains deeply rooted in the K-pop sphere and his specific fanbase activities rather than a broad global numerical ranking at this moment.[edit]

Youngjae writes lyrics under the pen name Ars and composed his first song for GOT7 back in 2016. He keeps a notebook for drafting lyrics before finalizing them and enjoys photography, often sharing his shots with fans. A piano hobbyist, he favors red as his favorite color and lists Elliot Yamin and Javier among his musical influences. Standing 177 cm tall with blood type B and an ISFJ personality, he once worked multiple part-time jobs to fund music school despite initial parental hesitation. He is known for buying gifts for all GOT7 members' mothers during a trip to LA and dislikes waking up early, avoiding cucumbers in favor of other foods. His pet cat Coco is affectionately called the group's eighth member.

One persistent story from 2020 involves false allegations of bullying and extortion that circulated online; Youngjae officially denied these claims, calling them malicious rumors, which the investigation later confirmed were baseless. Despite the controversy, the narrative of resilience became a core part of his lore. Another iconic element of his legacy is his vocal stability, where live performances of songs like "If You Do" often silence crowds in awe before they erupt into applause. Recently, his enlistment in November 2025 marked him as the final GOT7 member to serve, creating a poignant chapter for the group's history.[edit]

Youngjae has an older sister and an older brother. He has a nephew and niece. He has mentioned living with his brother in Seoul after leaving the dorm, which he formerly shared with JB. He has not publicly shared many details about his family, preferring to keep them private. He was born and raised in Mokpo, South Korea. [edit]

Youngjae is best known as a member of GOT7 alongside JB, Mark, Jackson, Jinyoung, BamBam, and Yugyeom. He has collaborated with fellow member Mark Tuan on stage performances. He signed with Sublime Artist Agency after leaving JYP Entertainment. [edit]

Youngjae has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships. As of 2026, he is reportedly single and focused on his career. There are no known dating rumors or past relationships documented in reliable sources. Occasional rumors have surfaced in tabloids or fan speculation but lack confirmation from multiple credible outlets or public statements from Youngjae. He has never addressed romantic partnerships in interviews. [edit]

Heading into 2026, iFANN currently estimates Youngjae's net worth at $6 million. His primary income streams include revenue from GOT7 album sales, concert tours, and his own solo music releases. Additional earnings come from acting roles in dramas such as So Not Worth It and Friendly Rivalry, along with musical theater performances. Endorsements and brand deals further contribute to his financial portfolio. Songwriting royalties generated under his pen name Ars and income from DJ performances add significant value to his assets. Since departing JYP Entertainment in 2021, he has managed his career independently under Sublime Artist Agency and later AndBut Company, a shift that likely enhanced his earnings from individual projects. No specific salary-per-project or real-estate figures are publicly detailed.[edit]

Youngjae has won multiple awards as a member of GOT7, including Best New Artist at the 2014 Melon Music Awards and several Daesang-level honors at major award shows. His individual award wins are not well-documented in available sources. [edit]