Changsub
창섭 · 이창섭 (Lee Chang-sub)
Lee Chang-sub — Lead Vocalist
February 26, 1991 Korean 178 cm 64 kg Type O ENTJ Pisces
Changsub is the lead vocalist of BTOB, the six-member South Korean boy group that debuted under Cube Entertainment on March 21, 2012. Born Lee Chang-sub on February 26, 1991, in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, he studied Practical Music at Howon University before becoming one of BTOB's core vocal powerhouses. Changsub made history as BTOB's first member to go solo, launching his Japanese debut EP bpm 82.5 in 2017 before releasing the Korean EP Mark (2018) and his acclaimed debut studio album 1991 (2024). A dedicated musical theatre performer, he has starred as Goo Jun-pyo in Boys Over Flowers and taken leading roles in Napoleon, Edgar Allan Poe, Dogfight, and Iron Mask. His 2024 cover of "Heavenly Fate" became a runaway karaoke hit in Korea, earning MAMA and Melon Music Award nominations. Beyond music, Changsub is a published author — his essay collection A Suitable Person topped Korean bestseller charts in 2025 — and the founder of the Chang-Ggo Training Centre vocal academy in Suwon. Despite overcoming vocal cord nodules and later polyps that required multiple surgeries, he has continued performing at the highest level, including his solo concert tour The Wayfarer across Asia. After BTOB left Cube Entertainment in 2023, Changsub signed with Fantagio while remaining fully committed to BTOB's group activities. Warm, versatile, and endlessly hardworking, Changsub embodies BTOB's reputation as one of K-pop's most vocally gifted groups, balancing group harmonies with a flourishing solo career in music, theatre, and literature.
Story
Biography
Lee Changsub: BTOB’s Lead Vocalist Turned Solo Star
Changsub (real name Lee Chang-sub, 이창섭) is a South Korean singer and musical actor, celebrated as the lead vocalist of the boy group BTOB. Born on February 26, 1991, in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Changsub studied Practical Music at Howon University alongside fellow BTOB member Hyunsik before debuting together on March 21, 2012 under Cube Entertainment.
Changsub was the first BTOB member to release a solo album, debuting in Japan in 2017 with the EP bpm 82.5 and title track “At the End,” part of the group-wide “Piece of BTOB” solo project. He followed with the Korean EP Mark (2018) and, after years of vocal-health struggles including vocal cord nodules and polyps, released his debut solo studio album 1991 in October 2024 — a deeply personal record chronicling his journey as an artist.
Beyond music, Changsub has built a significant career in Korean musical theatre, headlining productions such as Boys Over Flowers (as Goo Jun-pyo), Napoleon, Edgar Allan Poe, Dogfight, and Iron Mask. In 2024, his cover of Can’s “Heavenly Fate” for the webtoon OST A Not So Fairy Tale became one of the year’s biggest karaoke and streaming hits in Korea.
Changsub is also a published author — his 2025 essay collection, A Suitable Person, topped Korea’s bestseller lists — and an entrepreneur, having founded the Chang-Ggo Training Centre vocal academy in Suwon in 2023. After BTOB’s departure from Cube Entertainment in November 2023, Changsub signed individually with Fantagio while continuing to prioritize BTOB group promotions.
Known for his warm stage presence, cooking skills, and close friendship with members Eunkwang and Sungjae, Changsub remains one of BTOB’s most recognizable vocal talents — equally at home fronting a mini-album title track, leading a West End-style musical number, or headlining his own solo arena tour.
Profile
Basic Information
| Stage Name | Changsub |
| Full Birth Name | Lee Chang-sub (이창섭) |
| Date of Birth | February 26, 1991 |
| Birthplace | Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea |
| Hometown | Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea |
| Nationality | Korean |
| Height | 178 cm (5'10") |
| Weight | 64 kg (141 lbs) |
| Blood Type | O |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| MBTI | ENTJ |
| Education | Howon University (Practical Music) |
| Agency | Fantagio (BTOB group activities under BtoB Company) |
| Debut | March 21, 2012 (BTOB, "Insane") |
| Languages | Korean |
| Nicknames | N/A |
| Hobbies | Cooking, playing drums, guitar and bass, skateboarding |
| Favorite Color | Black |
| Ideal Type | Someone honest and easygoing who makes him laugh |
Membership
Groups & Positions
BTOB
Cube Entertainment (2012–2023), BtoB Company (2024–present)
Lead Vocalist
March 2012 – Present
The Lineup
Group Members — BTOB
Journey
Career Timeline
2011
Pre-debut sitcom appearance
Eunkwang, Minhyuk, Hyunsik and Il-hoon appeared in the JTBC sitcom "I Live in Cheongdam-dong," portraying a fictional trainee group called "Cheongdam Invincibles" before officially debuting.
2012
Debut with BTOB
BTOB officially debuted on March 21, 2012 under Cube Entertainment with the double title track "Insane"/"Imagine" from the EP "Born to Beat."
2015
First full-length album
BTOB released their first studio album, "Complete," in June 2015, cementing their reputation as one of K-pop's premier vocal groups.
2017
Breakthrough ballad hit
The group scored a major hit with the ballad "Missing You," one of the most beloved K-pop ballads of the era.
2018
Golden Disc Awards win
BTOB won Best Male Group at the 32nd Golden Disc Awards and the Main Award at the 27th Seoul Music Awards.
2020
BTOB 4U sub-unit debut
Eunkwang, Minhyuk, Changsub and Peniel formed the sub-unit BTOB 4U, debuting with the EP "Inside" and title track "Show Your Love."
2023
Departure from Cube Entertainment
In November 2023, all members left Cube Entertainment after their contracts expired, following 11 years with the label.
2024
Formation of BTOB Company
In February 2024, the members established BtoB Company to oversee group and solo activities going forward.
2017
Solo debut in Japan
Changsub became the first BTOB member to go solo, releasing the Japanese EP "bpm 82.5" with title track "At the End" as part of the group's "Piece of BTOB" project.
2019
Military enlistment & Mark EP
He released his first Korean solo EP, "Mark," in December 2018 as a gift to fans before enlisting for active military duty on January 14, 2019; he was discharged on August 21, 2020.
2024
Solo album 1991 & The Wayfarer Tour
After recovering from vocal cord polyps that required multiple surgeries, Changsub released his debut studio album "1991" in October 2024 and launched his first solo arena tour, The Wayfarer, that November.
Music
Discography
🎵
Mark
EP
2018
🎵
1991
Studio Album
2024
🎵
EndAnd (이별, 이-별)
EP
2025
💜
Born to Beat
EP
2012
💜
Complete
Studio Album
2015
💜
This Is Us
EP
2021
🎧
At the End
Digital Single
2017
🎧
Heavenly Fate (cover)
OST Single
2024
Recognition
Awards & Achievements
Bonsang Award (with BTOB)
Golden Disc Awards
2018
MAMA Nomination – Best Vocal Performance (Solo)
Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA)
2024
Melon Music Awards Nomination
Melon Music Awards
2024
K-pop Special Award (with BTOB)
Various Year-End Awards
2025
Did You Know?
Trivia & Fun Facts ✨
★
Changsub was born in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
★
He has a younger sister named Jungeun.
★
His favorite color is black.
★
He can play the drums, guitar, and bass.
★
Changsub is known for being an excellent cook, especially of kimchi fried rice.
★
Before debuting, he was a competitive skateboarder.
★
He won a Daesang at the 16th Suwon Music Festival in 2008, prior to joining Cube Entertainment.
★
He served as vice-president of the Red Cross Youth Gyeonggi Province chapter in 2009.
★
He studied Practical Music at Howon University alongside BTOB group-mate Hyunsik.
★
Among BTOB members, Changsub listens to Eunkwang's advice the most.
★
He and member Sungjae are often described as the "Tom & Jerry" of the group for their comedic dynamic.
★
He competed on "King of Masked Singer" in 2015 under the alias "Mr. Wifi."
★
Changsub was the first BTOB member to release a solo album, debuting in Japan with "bpm 82.5" in 2017.
★
He made his musical theatre debut in 2017 as Goo Jun-pyo in the Korean musical adaptation of "Boys Over Flowers."
★
He also played Lucien in the musical "Napoleon" and the title role in "Edgar Allan Poe."
★
He released his first Korean solo EP, "Mark," in December 2018, right before his military enlistment.
★
Changsub enlisted for active duty on January 14, 2019, and was discharged on August 21, 2020.
★
While serving, he recorded a special Army theme song alongside idols from SHINee, EXO, and Infinite.
★
In 2017, he donated 10 million won in scholarships to his high school alma mater, Samil Commercial High School.
★
He developed vocal cord nodules around 2018 and later vocal cord polyps, undergoing three corrective surgeries.
★
In 2023, Changsub founded the Chang-Ggo Training Centre, a vocal academy in Suwon.
★
He signed an individual contract with Fantagio in November 2023 after BTOB left Cube Entertainment.
★
His February 2024 cover of Can's "Heavenly Fate" became one of the year's top karaoke hits in South Korea.
★
He served as director for Team Groove on the 2024 competition show "Universe League."
★
His debut studio album "1991," released in October 2024, is a deeply autobiographical project.
★
He published his debut essay collection, "A Suitable Person," in February 2025, which topped Korean bestseller lists.
★
Changsub launched his first solo concert tour, "The Wayfarer," across multiple Asian cities starting November 2024.
★
He is part of BTOB's sub-units BTOB Blue and BTOB 4U.
★
His duet with Minhyuk, "Is It Love?," appeared on Minhyuk's 2022 album "Boom."
★
Changsub has cited his years-long recovery from vocal cord issues as one of the most challenging periods of his career.
The Fandom
Fan Club & Fan Name 💜
Official Fan Name
MELODY
MELODY (멜로디) is BTOB's official fandom name, representing the harmonious relationship between the group and their fans.
Official Fan Color
Slow Blue
BTOB's Slow Blue color embodies the group's steady, heartfelt connection with their fans.
Official Light Stick
BTOB Official Light Stick (Melody Bong)
The "Melody Bong," also called "Napalbong" for its trumpet-like design, glows blue and is waved by fans at every BTOB concert and fan event.
Stay Connected
Social Media
Photos
Gallery 📷
