Xu Minghao (Chinese: 徐明浩; Korean: 서명호; born 7 November 1997), known professionally as The8 (sometimes stylized as The 8; 디에잇), is a Chinese singer and dancer based in South Korea. He is a member of the South Korean boy band Seventeen and its Performance Team subunit.
In 2018, he had his official solo debut with the release of "Night and Rain" and served as one of the two dance mentors in the Chinese survival show Youth With You. In 2024, he released his first EP titled Stardust.
Early life and education
The8 was born in Haicheng, Liaoning, China[1] on 7 November 1997.[2] He attended Beijing Contemporary Music Academy.[3]
Career
2008–2014: Early career in China
In 2008, The8 appeared on the Chinese program CCTV Variety Show.[citation needed] Later on, he appeared on the Chinese program Day Day Up.[citation needed] In 2012, The8 participated in the 6th Shanghai World Dance Competition held from 27 to 30 April. He placed in the top 8. This is how he earned his nickname.[4]
2015–present: Debut with Seventeen, solo work, and Youth With You
He made his first appearance on Seventeen TV in late 2014.[5] The8 debuted as a member of the South Korean boy band Seventeen with their first extended play (EP) 17 Carat on 29 May 2015.[6] After debuting with Seventeen, The8 also landed a television role in Real Class - Elementary School in 2017.[citation needed] On 12 December 2017, Pledis Entertainment announced that The8 would be suspending his promotional activities due to a waist injury.[7] He returned to promotions with the release of Seventeen's special album Directors Cut in February 2018.[8]
In 2018, The8 participated in the Chinese reality television show Chao Yin Zhan Ji alongside bandmate Jun.[citation needed] In 2019, he served as one of the two dance coaches (alongside Jolin Tsai) in the Chinese survival show Youth With You.[9][10] The8 made his solo debut on 9 June 2019 with the single "Dreams Come True".[11] On 4 May 2020, he announced the release of a second single, "Falling Down", released four days later.[12][unreliable source?]
On 8 April 2021, The8 announced the release of his third single, "Side by Side". It was released on 13 April in both Chinese and Korean.[13] On 4 May 2021, The8 released a single called "Mom's Missed Call" along with bandmate Jun, with all proceeds donated to help children in need in China. The single was a part of the Dandelion Philanthropy Music Project for the Chinese Children’s Charity Association.[14] In September 2021, Pledis Entertainment announced that The8, alongside bandmate Jun, would be temporarily taking a break from Seventeen activities in order to work in China for the rest of the year.[15] The8 and Jun arrived back in South Korea late December that year.[16]
On 18 March 2022, The8 released the single "Hai Cheng" (海城), which he dedicated to his hometown.[17]
On 4 December, 2024, The8 released his first EP titled Stardust.[18] The Chinese-language EP comprises three songs, including the lead single "Orbit" featuring JinJiBeWater.[19]
