As he sets out on his first European tour, LEE MINHYUK considers what makes him such a dynamic idol. “HUTA reflects the kind of artist I admire and aspire to be. My performances are filled with explosive energy,” he says in this new interview.

THIS SUMMER, LEE MINHYUK, who records under the stage name HUTA, released HOOK, his first independent album since forming BTOB COMPANY with the members of BTOB.

“Since this was my first solo release in quite some time, I put an enormous amount of effort into it. All the tracks are self-produced, so I was involved in every step from the beginning to the final result,” he told me recently from Seoul. “The process itself was exhausting and stressful at times, but I believe that effort paid off in the quality of the final album.”

At 35, LEE MINHYUK is an industry veteran and one of the few K-pop idols who self-produces music. He’s regarded by his peers as an influential musician; someone who’s racked up several awards and honors for his time with BTOB. When the group competed on Kingdom: Legendary War, for example, ATEEZ and Stray Kids were in awe of them. LEE MINHYUK’s voice, too, is one of my favorites in music. There are few – if any – male vocalists who can compete with his rich, high falsetto. If a voice could sound expensive, LEE MINHYUK’s would be the most luxurious.

On HOOK, then, LEE MINHYUK rightfully gets to talk his shit. “It’s time to say, ‘He ate,’” he declares on the title track, “Bora”, and he’s right: It’s about time we all admit, LEE MINHYUK serves a full meal (and I’m not just talking about his Waterbomb performances).

I’ve found LEE MINHYUK to be a fascinating artist since the release of his debut album HUTAZONE in 2019. His performance style – as he described to me in this interview - is “powerful”. Onstage, he is a force of energy and sexuality. In February, European fans will get to witness this firsthand when LEE MINHYUK travels to London, Paris, Berlin, Madrid and Warsaw for his first European tour.

But what makes him so dynamic to watch – and why you should consider going to a show – is how different HUTA is from how LEE MINHYUK we first came to know in BTOB.

“HUTA reflects the kind of artist I admire and aspire to be. My performances are filled with explosive energy,” LEE MINHYUK explained. “HUTA is definitely a part of who I am, but at the same time, it also represents an idealized version of myself that I want to express.” Plus, he added, “Being able to show a side of myself that contrasts with my image in BTOB makes both my group and solo activities even more enjoyable.”

The most enjoyable part of performing as HUTA, LEE MINHYUK theorized, is that he can experiment with so many different genres of music. While BTOB is primarily known for their ballads, HUTA leaned on his production and songwriting skills to create a character that can excel at hip-hop and pop.

“I really enjoy challenges that don’t fit neatly into a mold,” he said.

HUTA, in essence, is the best representation of LEE MINHYUK setting his own bar for success.

LEE MINHYUK WAS BORN AND RAISED in Seoul. “A true native,” he quipped. His family moved frequently, so he attended several schools. “Because of that,” he said, “I became very good at adapting to new environments.”

LEE MINHYUK’s origins as HUTA date back long before he signed with Cube Entertainment. When he was a teenager, training at a different company, he made music as an underground rapper under the stage name HUTA.

“At the time, I was considering changing agencies when Cube’s rookie development team reached out to me,” he recalled. “I joined Cube Entertainment at what was considered a relatively late age – 22 – and after about seven months of preparation, I debuted as part of BTOB.”

LEE MINHYUK remembers his trainee time as an intense and anxious period. “The process leading up to my debut wasn’t smooth. I wasn’t debuting at a young age like many idols, and I felt that if I missed this final opportunity, I’d have to give up,” he said.

BTOB COMPANY

LEE MINHYUK still recalls how proud he was when BTOB finally debuted on M COUNTDOWN on March 21, 2012. His uncertainty about debuting, coupled with the fear that he could be aged out, meant that “the act of debuting itself was incredibly emotional and meaningful to me,” he explained.

But debuting as an older idol meant LEE MINHYUK had a wealth of life experience that many idols could not match. BTOB’s performances felt more raw and heartfelt – and perhaps that’s because they were not young teenagers. This, in my view, helped BTOB’s authenticity as a group that, by definition, went against the grain.

“We were a rare vocal-focused group among K-pop idols, and we also had a strong desire to be funny,” he said. “I think our biggest charm was our approachable, ‘neighborhood friend’ vibe.”

What fans liked the most about BTOB, LEE MINHYUK learned, was “the contrast between our easygoing personalities and our strong musical skills.”

TWO YEARS AFTER DEBUT, LEE MINHYUK produced his first song, “HELLO MELLO,” which appeared on BTOB’s 2014 album 뛰뛰빵빵. But for the next few years, due to a busy schedule that included variety shows and group activities, LEE MINHYUK put songwriting to the side.

Things changed in 2017 when LEE MINHYUK shifted his focus to songwriting and production. “I’m most drawn to expressing everyday life through music,” he said, “stories that feel human and relatable. Love songs are a part of that as well.”

When he finally released HUTAZONE in 2019, the album contained “a mix of tracks – some created specifically for HUTAZONE, and others that I had kept for several years.”

Unlike typical rapid-fire K-pop releases, LEE MINHYUK takes his time between drops. Some delays were natural, like completing military service between HUTAZONE and BOOM. “But group activities have always been my top priority,” he said.

Preparing for his first solo tour in Europe, LEE MINHYUK feels both nervous and excited. “The shows are in smaller venues and I’ll perform alone. It’s nerve-racking without my team, but thrilling. Carrying a two-hour performance myself is exciting,” he said. “I want to give fans an unforgettable night—and I believe I can.”

When I asked what fans can expect from a HUTA show, he teased, “Powerful sound, powerful live performances — and powerful visuals.”

What makes LEE MINHYUK so commanding, then, is his self-assurance. He has an utter belief in himself and his ability to excel, something that dates back to his years as an underground rapper. Whether he’s performing as a soloist or reuniting with BTOB, there is no one quite like him in the K-pop industry. He is a force.

“Being able to fill the stage on my own gives me a lot of confidence,” he said.“I’m confident in my ability to command the stage and deliver a full, dynamic performance by myself.”

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