You might know him from PENTAGON, you might know him from "Boys Planet", you might even know him from his extraordinary KOMCA credits, but one thing is certain: the world knows, adores, and loves Hui. As a matter of fact, the first thing that comes to mind when we think of Hui is just how respected and beloved he is, not just by fans worldwide but also by his fellow artists, experts, and critics in the industry. So, let's explore the wondrous depths of this incredible idol's many talents and the dynamic dichotomies of the same, only on Kpopmap's Bias Duality!

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Now onto our bias!

Lee HoeTaek To The World: Hui's Evolution & Personal Duality

When talking about the most inspirational and legendary K-Pop idols of all time, Hui is a name that is indispensable. Singer-songwriter, producer, composer, idol, musical theatre star, and icon - Hui is a force to be reckoned with who evokes reverence and admiration wherever he goes. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that an entire era of K-Pop was built and pioneered by Hui’s indelible contributions to the industry, whether that be through his role as a member of PENTAGON or otherwise. 

Hui is widely considered an expert and a role model to innumerable young artists who aspire to be like him. However, despite his incomparable achievements, Hui is challenging himself anew, ready to show the world what Lee HoeTaek is made of. 

Hui once revealed that he believes one has truly worked hard when they’re unnerved by the thought of starting from scratch and doing it all over again. Yet, here he stands, in front of millions, ready to start over as trainee Lee HoeTaek - not just for himself but for PENTAGON, for UNIVERSE, and for everyone who believes in him. 

This is the marker of a true artist, one who continues to reinvent himself and evolve, aiming to transcend the present and dominate the future, even if it means returning to square one. Unsurprisingly, this new adventure is proving amply fulfilling, with Hui receiving love and attention from fans, both old and new, across the globe. 

Today, Hui’s name dazzles in gold in the K-Pop history books, but his journey has been anything but easy. As the perfect embodiment of genius + hard work, Hui started making music when he was a senior in high school and was determined to pour in unstilted efforts for his dreams. 

At 16, he started training at JYP Entertainment, followed by an attempt at “Chinese Idol” and then another training period at CUBE Entertainment before participating in “PENTAGON Maker” and finally debuting as the leader of PENTAGON. 

Throughout his career, Hui has never been presented with opportunities and success on a platter. Instead, he has always taken matters into his own hands, working endlessly to earn the spotlight PENTAGON deserves. His sole driving force and endurance came from his innate desire to make good music, and if that’s not the most noble and meaningful purpose as an artist, we don’t know what is!

Speaking of evolution, Hui is one of those idols who has not only matured as an artist over the years but also as a human being. He shared previously that just prior to PENTAGON’s debut, Hui found himself in an exceptionally sensitive state, trying not to buckle under pressure. However, rather than judging his personality and being hard on himself, he slowly learned how to understand himself and work with rather than against his temperament. 

Hui even revealed that it was only when he let go of his pre-existing notions about having a specific image that he could let his true self show. Thanks to that, the Hui we know today is unabashedly expressive, free-spirited, gentle, and unafraid to be himself - all of which make him unbelievably endearing. His smile is as pure as the pearly tears he cannot hold back when he’s emotional, his laughter could wash away the darkest blues, and his competence as a leader is a true pillar of support for his members. 

In particular, Hui’s personality on “Boys Planet” is bringing even more attention to his lovable personality. Despite his position as an idol of idols, Hui is immensely humble and grounded. Throughout the episodes that have aired so far, Hui showed immense grace as a senior artist but also a sense of humility, a willingness to learn and grow, and an open-minded attitude that drew viewers in. This new side of Hui as Lee HoeTaek, complete with his fresh charms, is making us fall in love with him all over again.

As for Hui’s personal duality, the proof is in the pudding! UNIVERSE know that Hui is patient, kind, selfless, reliable, composed, elegant, attentive, thoughtful, sentimental, and quite literally, an exemplary adult. He takes care of his members before anything else, encourages their individuality, supports their dreams, and helps them grow. Hui is firm but flexible, guides his members with pride, and leads with compassion, and this shows in PENTAGON’s unbeatable synergy. It is also a quality that is gaining attention on "Boys Planet". Hui would go to any lengths to make sure his members are happy, and similarly, to UNIVERSE, Hui’s presence alone is as healing as his music.

At the same time, Hui’s overflowing aegyo and adorable cuteness show his innocent, childlike, and playful side. He adores receiving affection just as much as he enjoys showering his members with the same and can even get adorably pouty, like when he wants to hold hands! Do not be fooled by this, though, because Hui too has his chaotic moments that live in our heads rent-free. Moreover, Hui’s unique sense of humor is perfectly balanced with his mature worldview, which is exactly what makes him such an exciting person.

The Voice Of A Generation: Hui's Vocal Duality

When it comes to Hui’s artistic philosophy, he prefers to immerse himself in his art by focusing on his rich inner world rather than external stimuli for inspiration. He curates a unique musical color through his songwriting and has an emotional connection with each of his works, which is what gives it such a vivid essence, and this essence finds expression in Hui’s immaculate vocals.

Now, Hui is lauded as one of the greatest vocalists in K-Pop of all time for a reason. His range is breathtaking, soaring to the highest highs and diving to the lowest lows. It is resonant, boasting a deep warm tone with alluring huskiness, which allows Hui to belt his notes with resounding force and deliver the most gorgeous vibrato. 

At the same time, there is a tenderness to his singing, a delicate touch that speaks of a heart full of passion, a wellspring of emotion that pours forth in every song. This is where his excellent vocal control comes into play, expanding the scope for conveying a wide spectrum of emotions with his voice. Hui’s outstanding ability to sustain his notes, incorporating complex and ornate melismas, add an extra layer of texture and richness to his performance. Whether he's belting out powerful notes or delicately crooning a soft melody, Hui never fails to captivate the audience.

To further analyze Hui’s vocal duality, let’s have a look at some of his finest vocal performances. 

Perhaps, the perfect place to start would be PENTAGON’s ‘Daisy’ - the song that earned the group their 1st ever music show win on "THE SHOW". Co-written and co-produced by Hui alongside WooSeok, ‘Daisy’ is a hauntingly poignant alt-rock song that strikes a nerve of rage and melancholy. It sets off with Hui’s gentle, feather-soft vocals, which are later contrasted by his emphatic runs, injecting a burst of cathartic energy into the chorus, propelling it with intensity. The fact that this chorus is preceded by a falsetto just makes it even more impressive. 

Another song that highlights Hui’s heartening vocals is ‘Boy In Time’ - Hui’s solo track from the album “LOVE or TAKE”, which he gifted to PENTAGON and UNIVERSE. It might be because Hui is a musical theatre actor, but the sweeping emotion and cinematic grandeur of this song, combined with the meaningful lyrics and Hui’s wondrous vocals, truly transport us to the stage of a grand musical. Hui doesn’t just sing or perform, he lives out his lyrics, imbuing them with all his being, and that is why Hui is the master of masters. 

On the other end of the spectrum, we have the bright and peppy ‘Humph!’, co-written and co-composed by Hui. This is one more song that proves Hui’s unparalleled range, not just as a vocalist but also as a lyricist and composer. It screams PENTAGON, and we’re obsessed! 

There’s an evident freshness in Hui’s voice here that brings out the youthfulness of the song, but it is also laced with a romantic tint, so you cannot help but imagine Hui as a sulky boyfriend. Besides, the falsettos Hui sprinkles here and there are just the cherry on top!

In addition to these songs, there are umpteen more PENTAGON tracks (read: the entire discography) that highlight Hui’s vocal duality. However, considering the idol’s multifaceted career, we cannot go without mentioning ‘All Eyes On Me’ by Super Five here, especially with the unforgettable rap Hui delivers in this song. Talk about being an ace! 

Hui adds a dramatic flair to this song with his compelling vocals, but the “killing point”, as we say in K-Pop, is undoubtedly Hui’s dark and edgy rap, which takes the song to a whole new level. Who knew Hui could have us headbanging with a trot song? 

Finally, to conclude this section, we have to bring up Hui’s rendition of ‘Shutdown’ by BLACKPINK on “Boys Planet”. Hui deconstructs the song and re-arranges it with elements of rock that blend seamlessly with the rap and his operatic vocals. This is a virtuoso at work, and we love to see it!

Bonus: Fans who had the incredible opportunity of watching Hui live in the musical “Blazing Sonata” will vouch for his remarkable performance. However, if you could not catch the show, check out the highlights because you do not want to miss it. Hui acts with his mind, body, and soul, and it is sheer brilliance, to say the least.

Commanding Like A King: Hui's Stage Duality

Ever since his debut, Hui has been known for his magnanimous stage presence. True to his title as an all-rounder, Hui’s magnetism is created by his skillful dancing, dynamic stage sense, iconic facial expressions, his ability to bring the lyrics to life, and of course, his penchant to shine and let shine. 

What amplifies this charm even more is Hui’s stage duality. One moment, Hui is mysterious and enigmatic, and the next, he is a lovesick golden retriever. Pop star now, balladeer next, there’s simply no end to Hui’s versatility. 

Not only does Hui exhibit an evident duality as he goes from concept to concept and genre to genre, but what is truly impressive is the nuanced binary he embodies in every single performance, adding dimension and depth to the same. Even when you know what’s on the roster, Hui is always there to surprise you pleasantly. In fact, Hui is an extremely rare type of artist who can display stage duality even without choreography! 

A perfect example of this quality can be seen in Hui’s performance of ‘For You’ on the finale of “Breakers” with members WooSeok, Yuto, and ShinWon in the audience. The song is emotionally charged but holds a message of hope and determination. While there is considerable choreography, the focus is primarily on Hui’s ethereal vocals. 

The duality in this performance lies in the way Hui shifts from anguish, regret, and angst to a fiery resolve. The song is Hui’s self-composed song and is dedicated to all those people who keep him going, especially his members, and this deeply personal import shines brightly. His eyes are tearful but also sparkling with dedication, and that is the wonder of his duality.

Another performance that shines the spotlight on Hui’s stage duality is PENTAGON’s “M COUNTDOWN” comeback stage of ‘Dr. BeBe’. Hui transforms into an unrestrained force of nature for this stage with a piercing gaze and an intimidatingly handsome smirk. It just doesn’t get any better than this. 

Finally, the tour de force that might as well be a cultural reset at this point - (G)I-DLE’s ‘Tomboy’ on “Boys Planet” performed by Lee HoeTaek, Zhang Hao, Park GunWook and Sung HanBin. Dubbed the “ACES” by Mnet, this team came in guns ablaze, ready to set the stage on fire. HoeTaek, in particular, wowed viewers and judges with his rebellious charisma and confident aura, teasing the audience with his hypnotizing appeal. Cute, captivating, carefree all at once - this Hui is invincible. Once again, this is not a choreography-heavy stage, but Hui executes it with an otherworldly stage presence, and we just can’t get enough.

Bonus: While there are many more fancams we could recommend, it is our duty to show ourlove for PENTAGON’s performance of ‘Shine + Spring Snow’ as a farewell to JinHo before he enlisted in the military. Not only is this stage unforgettable because of the re-arrangement and artistic quality, but also for how significant it was for each member. Hui once claimed that he has never cried on stage, but seeing him burst into tears while still making hearts as per the choreography is simply the most wholesome thing ever!

It's An Angel, It's A Model, It's Hui! - Hui's Aesthetic Duality

A smile that has the radiance of a thousand suns and eyes that hold galaxies in them - such is the beauty of Hui’s visuals. For a man who defines duality, it is no surprise that even his face has duality! From his facial structure which is sculpted like a Greek god, to his soft features that bring a sense of gentleness to his look, Hui represents a fusion of machismo and boyish charm. No wonder he is such a perfect fit for any and all concepts! Even his aesthetic is versatile, after all. 

Speaking of aesthetic, over the course of Hui’s illustrious career, we’ve continuously been blessed with some amazing fits. However, it is Hui’s personal fashion that has us swooning the most. Who can forget all the amazing airport fashion Hui served or the “boyfriend material” posts he shares on his Instagram (@huitag_me) that leave us with hearts in our eyes?

The idol even has a YouTube series on styling called “HUI's What To Wear Today”, where he discusses fashion and his own take on the same. He even mentioned that he tends to plan his outfits based on the song that he’s working on! For instance, formal when he’s making a ballad, snapbacks for hip-hop, and so on and so forth. Thus, as his discography broadened, so did his distinct fashion sense. Can this man get any more perfect? 

Apparently, yes! Even when we look beyond concepts or outfits, Hui’s aesthetic can change with just a wink, a chuckle, a raise of the eyebrow or a stray lock of hair falling on his face. He can go from the boy-next-door to a K-Drama CEO or a fairytale prince in no time. Such duality never ceases to amaze us!

At the end of the day, Hui is a gem of a person whose very existence is art. He pours his soul into his work, which in turn reaches millions of people and soothes their aching hearts. The meaning Hui imparts to his music transforms into hope and happiness for us, making us look up to him even more. However, it is human Lee HoeTaek who inspires us the most and we will always be right by his side, cherishing him with a UNIVERSE of love.

What is your favorite thing about Hui's duality? Tell us in the comments section down below!

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