Meta Description: Explore the full history of AKMU’s Lee Chan-hyuk. From K-Pop Star prodigy and Marine Corps service to his eccentric “GD Disease” era and his historic departure from YG Entertainment in 2025.
If you follow Korean music, you know that Lee Chan-hyuk is more than just an idol. He is a producer, an author, a conceptual artist, and one of the top copyright earners in the industry.
With the massive news that AKMU officially left YG Entertainment on December 31, 2025, it is the perfect time to look back at the incredible eras that defined his 12-year career.
Here is the complete timeline of Lee Chan-hyuk’s evolution.
1. The “Prodigy” Era (2012 – 2016)
Chan-hyuk’s career began with a shock to the system. He wasn’t a trainee; he was a natural-born genius.
K-Pop Star 2 and Debut
In 2012, Chan-hyuk and his sister, Su-hyun, appeared on K-Pop Star Season 2. They immediately gained fame for their witty, original songs like “Don’t Cross Your Legs” and “Is It Ramen?”.
- The Result: They won the show and chose to sign with YG Entertainment.
- The Debut: In 2014, they released their first album, [PLAY].
- The Impact: Chan-hyuk wrote and produced every single song. Hits like “200%” and “Give Love” topped the charts instantly. At just 17 years old, the industry recognized him as a genius songwriter.
The Puberty Series
Between 2016 and 2017, Chan-hyuk evolved his sound with the albums Spring (2016) and Winter (2017).
- Musical Shift: He transitioned from pure acoustic folk to incorporating jazz and ballad elements.
- Key Hits: “Re-Bye”, “How People Move”, and the emotional “Last Goodbye”.
2. Military Service & Artistic Shift (2017 – 2019)
Just as AKMU was reaching new heights, Chan-hyuk made a surprising move. He enlisted early in the Marine Corps—known as the toughest service branch in Korea—to gain real-life experience for his songwriting.
“Marine Triumph”
Even in the military, his musical talent shone. He entered and won a contest to compose the official military song for the Marines. His song, “Marine Triumph,” was officially adopted and is still used by the military today!
Writing Without Instruments
Chan-hyuk didn’t have access to guitars or computers in the barracks. Instead, he wrote lyrics and melodies on napkins and notebooks. These raw notes would later become AKMU’s most successful album.
3. The “Maestro” Era (2019 – 2021)
Upon his discharge, Chan-hyuk entered his mature phase.
The Masterpiece: [SAILING] (2019)
Released immediately after his return, the album [SAILING] featured the songs he wrote in the military.
- The Title Track: “How can I love the heartbreak, you’re the one I love.”
- Achievement: This track became a massive long-run hit and is now considered one of the biggest songs in Korean music history.
Novel Debut & Collaborations
- Author: He published his first novel, “Fish Meets Water,” which shared the same artistic worldview as the SAILING album. It became a bestseller.
- [NEXT EPISODE] (2021): He curated a collaboration album featuring legends like Lee Sun-hee, Crush, and Sam Kim. The title track “Nakka” (with IU) was a major synth-pop hit that proved his growth as a producer.
4. The “Eccentric Artist” / Solo Era (2021 – 2023)
This era is defined by Chan-hyuk’s unique behavior, fashion, and “performance art.”
The “G-Dragon Disease”
Chan-hyuk went viral for his unique fashion and stage presence—wearing sunglasses at night and walking with a distinct swagger. Netizens initially teased him, calling it “GD Disease” (referring to G-Dragon), but it was eventually accepted as his unique artistic persona.
Performance Art
He began to treat his life as art:
- Street Performance: He sat in a glass box in public or read newspapers on the street while his song played, without speaking to anyone.
- Show Me The Money 10: He appeared as a feature for Mud the Student on the song “Dissonant,” shocking hip-hop fans with a chaotic, rock-star performance.
Solo Debut: [ERROR] (2022)
In 2022, he released his first official solo album, [ERROR].
- Concept: The album begins with the premise that “Lee Chan-hyuk dies in a car accident” and explores his regrets.
- The Mask Performance: On M Countdown, he famously sang with his back to the audience and wore a mask with “ERROR” written on it, refusing to look at the camera.
5. The Finale at YG (2024 – 2025)
The final years at YG were busy and transformative.
Public Recognition & Production
He became a regular on variety shows like I Live Alone, showing off his eccentric home decor, and hosted the music show The Seasons with Su-hyun. He also produced hits for other artists, including IU’s “Ah Puh” and Bang Yedam’s solo work.
2nd Solo Album: [EROS] (July 2025)
In the summer of 2025, he released his second solo album, [EROS]. This work solidified his identity as a soloist separate from AKMU.
The Historic Departure (Dec 2025)
After the successful “10VE” anniversary concert and “The Mischiefs” theater shows, the biggest news of the decade dropped.
- Farewell: Chan-hyuk and Su-hyun decided not to renew their contracts with YG Entertainment.
- Status: As of December 31, 2025, Lee Chan-hyuk officially became a free agent, ending a 12-year era.
- Future: Reports indicate they are establishing their own independent label to maintain full creative control.
Summary of Chan-hyuk’s Status (End of 2025)
- Discography: 4 Studio Albums (AKMU), 2 Solo Albums ([ERROR], [EROS]), and multiple EPs.
- Copyrights: He holds the copyright to hundreds of songs, making him one of the top royalty earners in Korea.
- Reputation: He is no longer just a singer; he is recognized as a Producer, Author, and Conceptual Artist.
- Agency: None (Independent / Establishing own label).
