Han Geng

Who Is Han Geng?

Han Geng (also romanized Hangeng) is a Chinese singer, dancer, and actor best known as a founding member of the South Korean boy group Super Junior and the leader of its Mandarin-language sub-unit, Super Junior-M. Born on February 9, 1984, in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, China, he became one of the first Chinese idols to achieve major stardom in the Korean entertainment industry before returning home to build a successful solo career.

Early Life and Trainee Days

Han Geng is of Nanai (Hezhe) ethnic descent and studied Chinese folk and ethnic dance from a young age at the Central University for Nationalities in Beijing. In late 2001, he auditioned for SM Entertainment’s “H.O.T. China” casting call and was selected to train in South Korea, becoming one of the earliest Chinese trainees to join a major Korean agency.

Career with Super Junior

Han Geng debuted on November 6, 2005, as part of Super Junior’s original lineup, contributing as a sub-vocalist and lead dancer. In 2008, he became the leader of the group’s Chinese-market sub-unit, Super Junior-M, which debuted with the single “U.” That same year, he was chosen as a torchbearer for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and performed the Olympic theme song “Beijing Welcomes You,” reflecting his role as a cultural bridge between Korea and China.

Departure from SM Entertainment

In December 2009, Han Geng filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment seeking to terminate his 13-year contract, arguing it was excessively restrictive and financially unfair, and citing health problems from an unsustainable workload. A Korean court ruled in his favor in December 2010, and after SM’s appeal, both sides reached a mutual settlement in September 2011, officially ending his time with Super Junior and SM Entertainment.

Solo Career in China

Han Geng returned to China in 2010 and quickly launched a solo career, signing with Yuehua Entertainment (now YH Entertainment). He released his debut solo album, “The Heart of Geng,” in June 2010, and expanded into acting with the film “My Kingdom” the same year. He went on to win major honors, including “Best Worldwide Act” at the 2012 MTV Europe Music Awards and “Favorite Asian Act” at Nickelodeon’s 2013 Kids’ Choice Awards, cementing his status as one of China’s biggest crossover stars.

Personal Life

Han Geng married Chinese-American actress and model Celina Jade on December 31, 2019, in New Zealand. The couple announced their first pregnancy in May 2022 and welcomed their child later that year. He has also served as an ambassador for major Chinese cultural events, including the 2010 Shanghai Expo and the 2010 Asian Games.