Choi Min-hwan (Korean최민환; born 11 November 1992),[1] also known by his mononym Minhwan, is a South Korean singer, musician, drummer and actor. He is a member of rock band F.T. Island, in which he serves as the drummer and backing vocalist. He is the youngest member of the group.

Choi Min-hwan
Choi in 2018
Born (1992-11-11) 11 November 1992 (age 32)
Seoul, South Korea
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musician
  • drummer
  • actor
Spouse
Kim Yul-hee
(m. 2018; div. 2023)
Children3
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Drums
  • guitar
Years active2007–present
Labels
Member of
Websitefncent.com/ftisland/
Korean name
Hangul
최민환
Hanja
Revised RomanizationChoe Min-hwan
McCune–ReischauerCh'oe Minhwan

Music career

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F.T. Island

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F.T. Triple

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In January 2009, members Choi Jong-hoon, Choi Min-hwan, and Lee Jae-jin were put into the sub group "A3". This group debuted at the 2009 New Year concert My First Dream held at the JCB Hall in Tokyo, Japan on 2 January 2009. Minhwan performed as the drummer and a sub-vocalist. The group's name was "A3" due to each of the three members having type A blood. This group was formed to help take up some singing time during their concerts, so that lead singer, Lee Hong-gi, would not over-strain his voice.

In late 2009, the triple-member group was renamed F.T. Triple, with Choi Min-hwan as drummer and sub vocalist. They released the single Love Letter and began performing on music shows. During this time, F.T. Island's main vocalist Lee Hongki was busy filming a TV series and guitarist Song Seung-hyun was involved in several variety shows.

Solo debut

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On 29 April 2018, Choi released his first single titled "First Story" with 3 tracks.[citation needed]

Acting career

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Choi made his acting debut in 2009 in the TV drama The Road Home. On 23 March 2009, he collapsed while waiting to film. Choi was rushed to the hospital for treatment; he had been suffering from a cold and overwork, and was discharged the next day.[2][unreliable source?]

He also appeared in cameos in the film Unstoppable Marriage (2007), and the television series On Air (2008), and Style (2009).[3]

Choi then starred in the musical Gwanghwamun Sonata.[4][unreliable source?] His character Ji-yong is a music director and singer with a bright personality. The musical ran from 10 November 2012 in Osaka, Japan, until January 2013 in Tokyo.

In June 2013, Choi joined the cast of Goong: Musical in Japan. He played the leading role of crown prince Lee Shin.[5]

In January 2014, he played the main character in the musical Joseph Amazing.[6]

Personal life

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In September 2017, Choi's agency confirmed that he was dating former Laboum member Kim Yul-hee.[7] On 4 January 2018, Choi personally delivered the news of his engagement to Kim via his Instagram and revealed his plans to marry later that year.[8][9][10] He subsequently announced on 9 May that Kim was pregnant and that they planned to marry on 19 October 2018.[11][12][13] Their son, Jae-yul, was born on 18 May 2018.[14] Choi, Kim, and Jae-yul joined the cast of the second season of Mr. House Husband in January 2019.[15][16]

On 28 August 2019, Choi and Kim announced that they were expecting twins.[17] On 11 February 2020, Choi announced on Instagram that Kim gave birth to twin girls.[18] Following his daughters' births, Choi began his mandatory military service on 24 February as a reserve soldier, which enables him to commute from home during his service and care for his family.[18] Choi was discharged from the military on 2 September 2021 and he rejoined as a cast member in the program Mr. House Husband.[19]

On 4 December 2023, Choi and Kim Yul-hee announced through their respective social media accounts that they had decided to divorce.[20]

Filmography

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TV series

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Year Title Notes
2008 Unstoppable Marriage Cameo, Ep. 62
On Air Cameo, Ep. 1
2009 Style Cameo, Ep. 6
The Road Home Supporting role
2013–2014 Cheongdam-dong 111 Reality show
2015 Coming Out FTISLAND Reality show (with F.T. Island members)
2016 Hot and Sweet Web Drama, Main Role
Mysterious Solver Lead role, social film
2019–2020, 2021–present Mr. House Husband Reality show, Ep. 86-150

Musical

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Year Title Role Notes
2012–2013 Gwanghwamun Sonata Jiyong Main role
2013 Goong: Musical Lee Shin Main role
2014 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Joseph Main role

References

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  1. ^ Mark Russell (29 April 2014). K-Pop Now!: The Korean Music Revolution. Tuttle Publishing. p. 60. ISBN 978-1-4629-1411-1.
  2. ^ "F.T. Island's Choi Min-hwan Faints From Overwork". Allkpop. 25 March 2009. Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  3. ^ '스타일' 카메오 향연...김혜수-류시원 인맥 과시 (in Korean). Joy News. 11 August 2009. Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  4. ^ "FT ISLAND Drummer Choi Min Hwan to be Main Role for Gwanghwamun Sonata Musical". KpopStarz. 25 October 2012. Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  5. ^ "FT Island's Choi Minhwan to play lead in 'Princess Hours' musical". DKPopnews. 16 May 2013. Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  6. ^ "Choi Min Hwan successfully finishes the first presentation of musical 'Joseph Amazing'". Star N News via Yahoo!. 19 January 2014. Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  7. ^ Kim Ga-young (22 September 2017). "최민환 율희 열애 인정 "호감 갖고 좋은 만남 중" [공식입장 전문]". Tv Report (in Korean). Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  8. ^ "minhwan12 on Instagram". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  9. ^ Bibi Nurshudhada Ramli (5 January 2018). "K-rock band FT Island's drummer Minhwan is getting hitched soon". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  10. ^ Jonathan Hicap (8 January 2018). "FT Island's Minhwan, ex-Laboum's Yulhee to marry this year". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  11. ^ Park Soo-in (9 May 2018). "'율희 임신' 최민환 아빠된다 "태명 짱이, 결혼식 10월19일"(전문)". Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  12. ^ "FT아일랜드 최민환 "율희 임신, 10월 결혼"". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). 10 May 2018. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  13. ^ "F.T. Island's drummer to wed ex-member of girl band". 10 May 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  14. ^ "'우리 짱이 이쁘다'...최민환♥율희, 아들 재율군 공개". 아시아경제 (in Korean). 2 June 2018. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  15. ^ 살림남2. 살림남2 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  16. ^ Nam, Jae-ryeong (28 November 2018). "[공식] 김동현, 오늘(28일) '살림남2' 하차...FT아일랜드 최민환 합류". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  17. ^ "'최민환♥' 율희, 직접 밝힌 쌍둥이 임신 소감 "입덧 심해 정신 못 차려" [전문]". Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  18. ^ a b "[단독]'쌍둥이 득녀' 최민환, 24일 육군 현역 입대...'상근예비역 복무'" [FT Island's Choi Minhwan will enlist in active duty on the 24th in reserve service]. Naver (in Korean). 11 February 2020. Archived from the original on 10 March 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  19. ^ Kim Hyo-jeong (2 September 2021). "FT아일랜드 모두 전역...이홍기·이재진 이어 최민환도 군필자" [FT Island all discharged... Following Lee Hong-ki and Lee Jae-jin, Choi Min-hwan is also a military writer]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021 – via Naver.
  20. ^ "율희·최민환, 결혼 5년만에 파경 "세 아이는 아빠가 양육 중"". Sports Chosun (in Korean). 4 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
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