FIRST READ · MON 7 AM ETTHE WEEKEND LEXICON · SAT 9 AM ETTen
- Stage name
- Ten
- Birth name
- Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul
- Born
- Feb. 27, 1996
- Hometown
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Position
- Main Dancer, Main Vocal, Lead Rapper
- Agency
- SM Entertainment
- Fandom
- NCTzen
- Debut
- 2016
- Generation
- 3rd gen
Ten is a Bangkok-born singer, dancer and rapper who first rose through SM Entertainment as part of NCT, then added the China-based unit WayV and the supergroup SuperM. He has built a parallel solo career, from the 2017 single "Dream In a Dream" to a self-titled mini-album in February 2024. He speaks five languages and also draws, takes photos and designs, and he describes his solo work as a snapshot of whoever he is at the moment. By mid-2026 he was working independently through the label Illimnt, which he co-founded, with a first solo U.S. showcase tour and new music on the way.
Where they grew up
Ten was born in Bangkok, Thailand, and his mother pushed him toward both the arts and sports from an early age. He told Esquire Singapore he has known since about age 14 that performing was what he wanted to do. At 15 he entered and won the Thai TV contest Teen Super Star in 2011, and he had earlier passed a YG Entertainment audition in 2010 but did not join because his family thought he was too young. He then auditioned for SM Entertainment, signed in 2013 and was introduced to the public as an SM Rookies trainee that December. He finished school at Shrewsbury International School in Bangkok.
Birth details: tenlee1001.com
In their own words
“I really want to do everything”
“I always want to express myself in \[my current\] mood.”
“If you think you know too much, you will stop growing.”
“My goal of exploring different music genres and vocal styles hasn't changed at all”
- His mother Encouraged him to explore the arts and sports as a child. grammy.com
Timeline
- 2011Won Teen Super Star
Won the Thai competition at 15 and turned down the prize contract with Starship Entertainment.
- 2013Signed with SM Entertainment
Introduced as an SM Rookies trainee on December 23.
- 2016Debuted in NCT U
Debuted with the first NCT unit on April 9 with "The 7th Sense."
- 2017First solo single "Dream In a Dream"
Released April 7 through SM Station. He later had knee surgery from heavy dance training and took a hiatus.
- 2018Solo single "New Heroes"
An EDM-leaning solo release in April.
- 2019Debuted in WayV
Joined NCT's China-based unit, introduced with "Regular" on January 17.
- 2019Debuted in SuperM
Joined the supergroup formed by SM and Capitol Music Group, introduced with "Jopping" on October 4.
- 2021Solo single "Paint Me Naked"
Released August 10 with a pigment-soaked video. He also did an art collaboration with Represent that year.
- 2022Solo single "Birthday"
Released October 26 as part of SM STATION : NCT LAB, after first performing it on the reality show Great Dance Crew.
- 2024Self-titled mini-album "TEN"
Released February 13, the solo album he had wanted to make since his trainee days.
- 2024Mentor on Chuang Asia: Thailand
Served as a mentor on the talent show.
- 2026Left SM Entertainment
SM announced on April 6 that the contract ended by mutual agreement as of April 8.
- 2026Ten:Core0110 residency and U.S. tour
Sold-out three-night Thailand residency marking 10 years since debut, followed by his first solo U.S. showcase tour starting October 17 in Seattle.
- 2026U.S. tour draws over 20,000 fans
A report said 10 of 14 cities were done with a cumulative audience above 20,000.
Latest
- Solo single "Outwest" and independent path under Illimnt
Variety reported the single is due Sept. 4 and begins what he calls an independent path under Illimnt, the label he co-founded. He also said a new album is underway and that he is learning to produce his own music.
variety.com - First solo U.S. Showcase Tourvariety.com
- Presented best anime song at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026
Presented the award alongside Young Miko in Japan, and gave CNA Lifestyle an interview about his solo plans.
cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com
Our coverage
NCT 127 and NCT DREAM Confirmed for Coachella 2027, With a Joint Stage
SM Entertainment says both units will play Indio on April 10 and 17, each with a solo set and one stage together under the NCT name.
NCT DREAM Release Sixth Album 'DREAM AFTER DREAM' at 10-Year Mark
The 10-track release leads with "Boogie Woogie," a disco-funk title track whose lyrics Jaemin helped write.
ILLIT Take Music Bank Trophy as 'You're Under Arrest' Scores 9,803 Points
The first trophy for the single came over IVE's "Looks Can Kill," with TWS, RIIZE, P1Harmony and NCT's Xiaojun also on the November 6 bill.
Why Every K-pop Group Gives Its Fans a Name, From ARMY to FOHA
Our Lexicon entry on the fandom name: what it means, who picks it, and the wordplay behind CARAT, MOA, ONCE and hundreds more.
Sasaeng: The K-pop Word for Fans Who Cross Into Idols' Private Lives
From hired taxis tailing Kim Jae-joong to a break-in on NCT's U.S. tour: what the word means, where it comes from and how agencies fight back.
A2O LITE Beats NCT WISH for 'SHOW K-POP' Crown, a Fifth Win for Debut Track 'NEON'
The group topped the second-ever episode of Arirang TV's Monday music show, hosted by ZEROBASEONE's Seok Matthew, with 5,388 points.
NCT WISH's 'I SPY' Ends ALLDAY PROJECT's Run Atop Soompi's K-Pop Chart
"CRASH" slips to No. 2 as A2O LITE, MEOVV and PLAVE join NCT WISH among four new arrivals in the top 10.
A2O LITE Beats NCT WISH and i-dle's Soyeon for a Fourth 'NEON' Trophy
The debut single scored 6,060 points on SBS's music show, on a crowded bill that also featured IVE, BABYMONSTER and NMIXX.
PLAVE Claims First 'Star Trace' Trophy, Topping NCT WISH and A2O LITE on 'Music Core'
The new title track scored 8,299 points on MBC's show, on a bill that also featured IVE, BABYMONSTER, NMIXX and SEVENTEEN's JxJ.
NCT 127 Turn 10 With 'Blingy,' Their First Album in Two Years
Five members made the seventh album while Doyoung and Jungwoo serve in the military, but the pair still show up in the group chat, the practice room and the tracklist.
NCT 127, Zerobaseone and Tomorrow x Together Were Set to Headline KCon LA 2026
Three nights of M Countdown at Crypto.com Arena were planned to stream on Mnet Plus, but U.S. viewers needed a VPN to watch from home.
A2O LITE Beats NCT WISH For Third 'NEON' Trophy As IVE, JxJ Unveil New Stages
The debut track topped episode 950 with 6,866 points, while SEVENTEEN's JxJ, IVE and NMIXX gave new songs their first public performances.
- grammy.com: Ten's New Era: The K-Pop Singer Promises To “Keep Changing” On ...
- variety.com: Thai Pop Star Ten Reveals Solo U.S. Tour, New Album ...
- kprofiles.com: Ten (NCT, WayV) Profile (Updated!)
- esquiresg.com: TEN Comes To Terms
- consequence.net: Ten of NCT on New Solo Song "Birthday": Interview
- oppastore.com: NCT's Ten Dominates US with First Solo Showcase Tour ...
- tenlee1001.com: ten's biography - TENLEE 10VELY'S HOME
- cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com: Thai K-pop star Ten on his solo career plans, NCT and WayV
- generasia.com: Ten (NCT)
Fan sites
- TENLEE 10VELY'S HOMEFan-run biography and profile site for Ten.
- Kprofiles: Ten (NCT, WayV) ProfileFan-run profile page.
- Generasia: Ten (NCT)Fan-run wiki entry with discography and filmography.
Last researched Nov. 11, 2026