Ten
WayV

Ten

텐 · Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul (ชิตพล ลี้ชัยพรกุล) · Lee Young-heum
Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul — Main Dancer · Main Vocalist · Sub-Rapper
WayV Main Dancer Main Vocalist Sub-Rapper Center
🎂 February 27, 1996 🌍 Thai 📏 170 cm ⚖️ 59 kg 🩸 Type A 🧠 INFJ Pisces
Ten, born Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul on February 27, 1996, in Bangkok, Thailand, is the main dancer, main vocalist, and center of WayV, NCT's China-based sub-unit under SM Entertainment. The first Thai artist signed to SM, he debuted with NCT U in 2016 before joining SuperM and WayV in 2019. Renowned for his precise, powerful choreography, Ten has also built a strong solo career with the EPs 'Ten,' 'Stunner,' and 'Humanity,' following earlier SM Station singles like 'Nightwalker' and 'Paint Me Naked.' In April 2026, his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment ended, though he continues promoting with NCT and WayV, and in July 2026 he launched his own creative company, illimnt. With an INFJ MBTI and a decade of global stage experience, Ten remains one of K-pop's most respected dancers and one of NCT's most independent, forward-looking artists.
Story

Biography

Who Is Ten? WayV’s Main Dancer and Global Solo Star

Ten, born Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul on February 27, 1996, in Bangkok, Thailand, is a Thai singer and dancer best known as the main dancer, main vocalist, and center of WayV, NCT’s China-based sub-unit. As one of the earliest members introduced in the entire NCT project, Ten has spent a decade building a reputation as one of K-pop’s most technically gifted dancers — and, more recently, as a genuinely compelling solo artist.

If you love watching razor-sharp choreography, Ten is essential viewing. Let’s trace his path from a gymnastics-loving kid in Bangkok to a global performer with his own creative company.

From Thai Talent Shows to SM Entertainment

Before K-pop, Ten trained in gymnastics and later basketball, and in 2011 he won the Thai talent competition “Teen Superstar” under the stage name TNT. He was cast into SM Entertainment through the 2013 SM Global Audition in Bangkok — becoming the first Thai artist ever signed to the company.

Debuting With NCT U and Joining SuperM

Ten officially debuted on April 9, 2016, as part of NCT U with “The 7th Sense,” making him one of the group’s founding members. In 2019, his career expanded in two major directions: he became the main dancer and center of WayV at its January debut, and he joined SuperM, the SM–Capitol Records supergroup whose debut EP hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Solo Career: “Ten,” “Stunner,” and “Humanity”

Ten had already released SM Station solo singles like “Dream in a Dream,” “New Heroes,” “Paint Me Naked,” and “Birthday” over the years, but he made his official solo debut on February 13, 2024, with his self-titled English-language EP “Ten,” led by the single “Nightwalker.” The EP charted in the top five in South Korea, Japan, and the UK. He followed it with “Stunner” in 2025 and “Humanity” soon after, cementing himself as one of NCT’s most active solo artists.

A New Chapter: Launching Illimnt

In April 2026, Ten’s exclusive contract with SM Entertainment came to an end after ten years, though he continues to promote with NCT and WayV on a flexible basis. That July, he launched his own creative company, illimnt, spanning music, fashion, and content — a bold new step for one of K-pop’s most versatile performers.

Personal Facts Fans Love

Ten’s MBTI is INFJ, and his zodiac sign is Pisces. He speaks Thai, Korean, English, and Mandarin Chinese, has six tattoos, and is known for his kind, artistic, and thoughtful personality. Whether on stage with WayV or exploring his own creative ventures, Ten remains one of the most globally recognized names to come out of the NCT universe.

Profile

Basic Information

Stage NameTen
Full Birth NameChittaphon Leechaiyapornkul (ชิตพล ลี้ชัยพรกุล, 이영흠 Lee Young-heum)
Date of BirthFebruary 27, 1996
BirthplaceBangkok, Thailand
HometownBangkok, Thailand
NationalityThai
Height170 cm (5'7")
Weight59 kg (130 lbs)
Blood TypeA
Zodiac SignPisces
MBTIINFJ
EducationShrewsbury International School (did not complete)
Agencyillimnt (independent; continues group activities with SM Entertainment)
DebutApril 9, 2016 (NCT U, "The 7th Sense")
LanguagesThai, Korean, English, Mandarin Chinese
NicknamesTNT (pre-debut stage name)
HobbiesDancing, gymnastics, basketball, design
Favorite ColorNot officially confirmed
Ideal TypeNot officially confirmed
Membership

Groups & Positions

WayV
SM Entertainment / Label V
Main Dancer Main Vocalist Sub-Rapper Center
January 2019 – Present
NCT
SM Entertainment
April 2016 – Present
The Lineup

Group Members — WayV

Kun
Kun
Leader · Main Vocalist · Sub-Rapper
Ten
Ten
Main Dancer · Main Vocalist · Sub-Rapper · Center
This Idol
Xiaojun
Xiaojun
Main Vocalist
Hendery
Hendery
Dancer · Rapper · Vocalist · Visual
Yangyang
Yangyang
Main Rapper · Lead Dancer · Vocalist
Journey

Career Timeline

2011
Competed on "Teen Superstar"
Won the Thai talent competition under the stage name TNT, his first major public exposure before joining SM.
2013
Joined SM Entertainment
Cast through the SM Global Audition held in Bangkok, Thailand, becoming the first Thai artist signed to the company.
2016
Debuted with NCT U
Officially debuted on April 9 as part of NCT's first rotational sub-unit, NCT U, with the single "The 7th Sense."
2019
Joined SuperM and debuted with WayV
Became a founding member of the SM-Capitol Records supergroup SuperM and WayV's main dancer and center in the same year.
2021
Released "Paint Me Naked"
Released a self-written SM Station solo single exploring vulnerability and identity.
2024
Solo debut with "Ten" EP
Made his official solo debut on February 13 with the self-titled, English-language EP "Ten," led by "Nightwalker."
2025
Released "Stunner" EP
Continued his solo career with the second EP "Stunner" in March, followed later by "Humanity."
2026
Ended SM contract, launched illimnt
Concluded his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment on April 8 after ten years, then launched his own creative company, illimnt, in July while remaining active with NCT and WayV.
Music

Discography

🎵
Ten
Mini Album (EP)
2024
🎵
Stunner
Mini Album (EP)
2025
🎵
Humanity
EP
2026
💜
The Vision
Digital EP
2019
💜
Take Off
Mini Album
2019
💜
Awaken the World
Studio Album
2020
💜
Kick Back
Mini Album
2021
💜
Phantom
Mini Album
2022
💜
On My Youth
Studio Album
2023
💜
Give Me That
Mini Album
2024
💜
Frequency
Mini Album
2024
💜
Big Bands
Mini Album
2025
💜
Eternal White
Winter Special EP
2025
🎧
Dream in a Dream
SM Station Single
2017
🎧
New Heroes
SM Station Single
2018
🎧
Paint Me Naked
SM Station Single
2021
🎧
Birthday
SM Station Single
2022
Recognition

Awards & Achievements

🏆
Favorite Asian Artist (with WayV)
Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA)
2020
🏆
Best Dance Performance – Chinese, "Kick Back" (with WayV)
APAN Music Awards
2021
🏆
Best New Solo Artist (solo)
Seoul Music Awards
2025
Did You Know?

Trivia & Fun Facts ✨

Ten was born in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 27, 1996, to a Thai-Chinese family.
His birth name is Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul.
He trained in gymnastics as a child and won trophies before switching to basketball.
He won the Thai talent show "Teen Superstar" under the stage name TNT in 2011.
He attended Shrewsbury International School before pursuing his idol career full-time.
He was cast into SM Entertainment through the 2013 SM Global Audition in Bangkok.
He is fluent in Thai, Korean, English, and Mandarin Chinese.
He has a younger sister named Tern, who works as a designer.
He was one of the first members introduced in NCT U, debuting with "The 7th Sense" in 2016.
He joined the SM-Capitol Records supergroup SuperM in 2019, whose debut EP hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
He debuted as WayV's main dancer and center in January 2019.
He has released SM Station solo singles including "Dream in a Dream," "New Heroes," "Paint Me Naked," and "Birthday."
He is widely regarded as one of K-pop's top dancers for his precise, powerful lines.
He made his official solo debut with the EP "Ten" on February 13, 2024, led by "Nightwalker."
His solo EP charted in the top five in South Korea, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
He released his second solo EP, "Stunner," in March 2025.
He is part of WayV's internal sub-unit, WayV-TEN&YANGYANG.
He has six tattoos.
He's described by castmates as kind, poised, and artistic, reflecting his INFJ personality type.
He was the first Thai artist to debut under SM Entertainment.
His exclusive contract with SM Entertainment ended on April 8, 2026, after ten years with the company.
He continues promoting with NCT and WayV under a flexible arrangement following his contract's end.
He launched his own creative company, illimnt, in July 2026, covering music, fashion, and content.
He shared a heartfelt farewell statement in Korean, English, and Thai upon leaving SM Entertainment.
He personally designed early sketches for illimnt's logo and branding.
He raises pets together with his WayV members, including cats named Louis, Leon, and Levi.
He has said his artistic inspirations span dance, fashion, and visual design beyond music.
He has performed as a soloist across South Korea, Japan, and other major Asian markets.
He's recognized as one of WayV's key creative voices behind the group's choreography and stage concepts.
He continues to hold Thai nationality while being based primarily in South Korea.
The Fandom

Fan Club & Fan Name 💜

Official Fan Name
WayZenNi
WayV's official fandom name, part of the wider NCTzen family, launched via Lysn on September 20, 2019, to give WayV's China-based fanbase its own identity.
Official Fan Color
Pearl Neo Champagne (NCT's Official Color)
NCT's shared representative color across every sub-unit, including WayV, symbolizing the group's shimmering, futuristic image.
Official Light Stick
NCT Official Lightstick Ver. 2 (Meumwonbong) – WayV Panel
A Bluetooth-enabled cube-shaped lightstick in NCT's signature neon green, featuring one of four unit-specific panels representing WayV alongside NCT 127, NCT DREAM, and NCT WISH.
Fan Community Platform
Weverse
WayV and Ten's main channel for connecting directly with WayZenNi through posts, live broadcasts, and membership content.
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