The Pulse of K-Entertainment

Lee Chan Hyuk
ArtistFountain of Inspiration

Lee Chan Hyuk

Lee Chan Hyuk (이찬혁) is one half of AKMU, the sibling duo that became the most celebrated indie-pop act to emerge from Korean reality television. Born September 12, 1996 in Gyeonggi Province, Chan Hyuk is the elder sibling and the creative engine behind the duo, handling songwriting, composition, and production for virtually their entire catalog.

The siblings spent five years in Mongolia with their missionary parents before returning to South Korea in 2012 to compete on K-Pop Star Season 2. They won, signed with YG Entertainment, and debuted in April 2014 with 200%, which topped charts and established their anti-idol approach to Korean pop. Chan Hyuk enlisted for military service in September 2017, serving in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps until May 2019.

In January 2026, AKMU announced their departure from YG Entertainment after 11 years, launching their own agency Fountain of Inspiration. The label name references Chan Hyuk's 2023 solo art exhibition. Their first profile photos under the new agency dropped in February 2026. Chan Hyuk's compositions for AKMU include Give Love, Melted, Re-Bye, How Can I Love the Heartbreak You're the One I Love, and Nakka featuring IU.

0 articles7 creditsDebut: April 7, 2014South Korean

Gallery

Lee Chan Hyuk performing at Ipselenti Korea University Campus Festival, 2016. CC BY 4.0 Wikimedia Commons.

Discography

2023
LOVE EPISODEAlbum
Lead ArtistAKMUYG Entertainment
2021
Nakka (feat. IU)Single
Lead ArtistAKMUYG Entertainment
2019
SailingAlbum
Lead ArtistAKMUYG Entertainment
2017
WinterAlbum
Lead ArtistAKMUYG Entertainment
2016
SpringAlbum
Lead ArtistAKMUYG Entertainment
2014
PlayAlbum
Lead ArtistAKMUYG Entertainment

Other Credits

2026
Fountain of Inspiration (Agency)Other
FounderAKMU

Fans Also Ask

Who is Lee Chan Hyuk?
Lee Chan Hyuk is the older brother and main songwriter of AKMU (Akdong Musician), the sibling duo he formed with his sister Lee Su Hyun. Born September 12, 1996, he handles composition, production, and songwriting for virtually all of AKMU’s music. They won K-Pop Star Season 2 in 2012 and debuted under YG Entertainment in 2014.
Did AKMU leave YG Entertainment?
Yes. In January 2026, AKMU announced their departure from YG Entertainment after 11 years. They launched their own agency called Fountain of Inspiration, named after Lee Chan Hyuk’s 2023 and 2025 solo art exhibitions. Their first agency profile photos were released in February 2026.
What songs did Lee Chan Hyuk write?
Lee Chan Hyuk has written virtually all of AKMU’s music, including chart-topping hits like 200%, Give Love, Melted, Re-Bye, How Can I Love the Heartbreak You’re the One I Love, and Nakka featuring IU. He also composed for other YG artists during his time at the label.
Did Lee Chan Hyuk serve in the military?
Yes. Lee Chan Hyuk enlisted in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps in September 2017 and completed his service in May 2019. He returned to music with AKMU’s 2019 album Sailing.
What is Fountain of Inspiration?
Fountain of Inspiration is the independent agency AKMU founded in January 2026 after leaving YG Entertainment. Named after Lee Chan Hyuk’s 2023 solo art exhibition, the agency signals the siblings’ intention to control their creative direction, releases, and brand partnerships independently.

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