TEN

Biography

Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul (ชิตพล ลี้ชัยพรกุล), known professionally as Ten, is a Thai singer, dancer, rapper, and songwriter active in the South Korean and Chinese music industries. He is best known as a member of the global boy group NCT and its sub-units NCT U, WayV, and as a member of the K-pop supergroup SuperM. In 2024, Ten debuted as a solo artist with his first extended play Ten.

Early Life and Education

Ten was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, in a Thai-Chinese family. He attended Shrewsbury International School, where he developed linguistic fluency and cultural adaptability that later supported his international career. Ten speaks multiple languages, including Thai, English, Korean, and Mandarin.

In 2010, at the age of 14, Ten participated in and won the Thai television competition Teen Superstar, gaining early recognition for his performance abilities. Although he earned an entertainment contract through the program, he chose to forego the offer and later used his prize to support charity work.

In 2013, Ten passed SM Entertainment’s global audition in Thailand and relocated to South Korea to begin his trainee career under SM, where he trained intensively in dance, vocal performance, and rap before debuting.

Career

Pre-Debut and SM Rookies

Ten was introduced as a member of SM Rookies, SM Entertainment’s pre-debut training program, on December 23, 2013. During this period, he appeared in performance showcases and SM promotional content, demonstrating early promise as a multi-faceted performer.

NCT Debut and Group Activities (2016–present)

On April 9, 2016, Ten made his official debut as a member of NCT U, the first rotational unit of NCT, with the single The 7th Sense. His debut was notable for the group’s emphasis on performance and experimental sound.

Ten has participated in various NCT projects, including full-group releases such as NCT 2018 Empathy, NCT Resonance series, NCT 2021 Universe, and NCT 2023 Golden Age, performing across multiple languages and expanding his artistic range

WayV and SuperM (2019–present)

On January 17, 2019, Ten debuted with WayV, the China-based sub-unit of NCT, with the Mandarin version of Regular. As a principal member, he has contributed to WayV’s success in the Mandarin music market and participated in major album releases.

In 2019, Ten became a member of SuperM, the multinational supergroup formed by SM Entertainment and Capitol Records. SuperM’s debut release entered the Billboard 200 at number one, marking a significant milestone for K-pop’s global presence. 

Solo Career (2024–present)

Ten made his official solo debut on February 13, 2024, with his first EP, Ten, consisting of six tracks recorded entirely in English. The EP spans multiple genres including pop, pop punk, Latin pop, contemporary R&B, and hip-hop and was supported by the lead single “Nightwalker.” Ten achieved commercial success, charting in the top five in South Korea, Japan, and the United Kingdom and launching a regional fan concert tour.

In March 2025, Ten released his second EP, Stunner, featuring the pre-release single “Bambola”, and announced his first solo concert series, 1001 MOVEMENT ‘STUNNER’, marking continued expansion of his solo career.

Additionally, he released his first Japanese EP Humanity in April 2025 and embarked on a Japan tour, reflecting his growing pan-Asian presence as a solo artist.

Discography

Solo Discography

Group Releases

TV Appearances