Yeonie (μ°μ΄) -- used affectionately by his members (most notably by the maknae, Changmin) and his fans
gender
cis male
age
21
d.o.b.
December 21, 1998
p.o.b.
Namwon, S. Korea
sexuality
bisexual panromantic
nationality
S. Korean
ethnicity
Korean
group
MYTHOS
positions
main vocal, lead dancer, siren*
*MYTHOS is a group with the concept of mythological beings, in which each of the members is assigned one that represents them the most as a role. Hongyeon was designated "Siren," for his beautiful voice and alluring idol image.
Hongyeon isn't a guy with the most pleasant first impressions. He's reserved and introverted, but lacks the welcoming air that would make others feel naturally at ease with him. As someone of few words, he rarely speaks beyond what is necessary to anyone he isn't personally involved with, only engaging in actual conversations with his dearest friends. Hongyeon is
independent
and self-reliant -- never one to bother anyone excessively with his problems -- but combined with his outward lack of warmth and social fluidity, Hongyeon's quieter nature comes off as
aloof
and unapproachable.
Surprisingly, Hongyeon's personality isn't as cold or chilly as he comes across as. He's extremely
passionate
-- the kind of guy who's spearheaded by his strong emotions -- but while it's an endearing trait to his fans, especially when it concerns music, Hongyeon's passion in everything he does only fuels his dangerously
opinionated
side. Combined with his
impatience
for things that simply rub him the wrong way, along with less regard for the politeness that's emphasized so often in his culture and industry, Hongyeon can get into spats rather easily, and gets
abrasive
when he's ticked off. In all honesty, he's a little
oversensitive
-- while more in touch with his emotions than many, Hongyeon is also known to take things personally and hold grudges with an iron grasp. He's not nearly as steely as he appears.
On a less aggressive note, Hongyeon is known to get easily flustered .
It is when one moves on from his vices and towards his virtues that they realize that Lee Hongyeon's demeanor and true character are a mess of contradictions. Hongyeon is immensely
loyal
and
protective
, often getting agitated on the behalf of others. He's so painfully
thoughtful
and emotionally sensitive to others, regardless of his lengthy list of enemies. Hongyeon, despite his prickly exterior, is the kind of person to treat staff and fans like his most cherished ones, primarily through actions -- after all, he has never been good at charming others through long monologues. He can be so abrasive and jarringly impolite, but Hongyeon also hesitates to tell the truth to his close friends if he thinks it will hurt them, even if he knows it'll be good for them; he's not as blunt as he appears. His lifestyle is propelled by his passions and his love for those close to him; it is fair to say that Hongyeon can lack objectivity due to being guided by his emotions.
The most surprising facet of Hongyeon's character, despite his rougher exterior, is his emphasis on the
spiritual
side of life. He's the one to speak of the world's intrinsic magic and higher forces, the one who refuses to drink or smoke because "it's bad for his balance of his soul." He gets angry, impatient, confrontational, and frustrated, but he's rarely ever stressed or self-doubting, nor is he indecisive or disorganized; Hongyeon has a special kind of self-assuredness that comes with an emotional maturity that contrasts with his outward demeanor. On the flip side, Hongyeon is known to be
superstitious
and place truth in irrational things. He defines his perception of life on a few set rules he believes in that may not be definitely aren't true.
PERSONA
in a world full of temporary things, you are a perpetual feeling .......
height
177 cm (5'9.5")
weight
62 kg (136.5 lbs)
build
lean and fairly average -- not particularly muscular, but not notably thin
hair
naturally black, but dyed a platinum blonde throughout his career; slightly wavy, reaches his chin
Lee Hongyeon was born as the third child and only son to Lee Shinhye, a locally renowned master of soulmates and all things spiritual in Namwon and its surrounding areas. Appropriately, Hongyeon's mother named him with her life path in mind, giving him the name η΄ η·£, as a reference to the famous red string of fate (even if it wasn't the most realistic tale).
.
the sparking of fate
Hongyeon grew up alongside his two older sisters, Dohee and Seongmi, who were seven and twelve years older than him respectively. The three of them never had a father figure; in fact, they were actually all half-siblings, with roots tied to three different enigmas of men. When asked about the issue, their mother would merely let a faint smile dance across her features, before telling them that her children were sparks of fate, born from the embers of her life path. She never elaborated beyond that, and the three children didn't care to ask. They were fortunate enough to not see their absent fathers as holes that needed to be filled.
Their mother was a good one -- certainly unusual, but loving and caring and accommodating. However, perhaps her one flaw as a mother were her consistent absences; Lee Shinhye would retreat to the nearby Jirisan National Park every Sunday by herself, leaving her children alone, as they watched her leave from their home on the edge of Namwon's city borders. She would leave at dawn and return at dusk, every single Sunday, without fail. She claimed that the visit heightened her spiritual connection, just as living in Namwon, the city of love, heightened her affinity for soulmate magic. Other than that, their mother would occasionally leave their home to travel all over the country -- even across the world -- to help those who required her services. Despite Hongyeon's frustrating lack of knowledge on what his mother actually did, growing up in an environment where spirituality was perhaps the only thing that was strongly emphasized certainly became a defining factor in how he saw the world.
.
on the topic of love
It was a tradition in the Lee family to weave their many myths and superstitions into the bedtime stories they told their children. The one tale Shinhye would repeat over and over to Hongyeon (and only Hongyeon -- never his sisters) was the Chunhyangga. She would take him, and only him, to watch that particular pansori performance at least thrice a year, but the Chunghyangga was a tale Hongyeon memorized by heart from a young age. "We live in Namwon," his mother would say, "the city of love. The flame of fate that was born out of the embers that were Chunhyang and Yi Mongryong."
Hongyeon was taught that their Lee family lineage was directly descended from Yi Mongryong -- "that's why we have always been so familiar with the magic of soulmates," his mother would explain, though whenever Hongyeon tried to talk to his sisters about the stories their mother would tell him, all he received in response were strange looks. Every night when Hongyeon was young, his mother would tell him the love story of Chunhyang and Yi Mongryong, but it wasn't until he was older than he realized -- her recitations were never about their love.
"Beware of Byeon the vicious," she would conclude, every single time, before retreating to her own room and lighting the incense.
.
to write one's own pansori
While Hongyeon's constant exposure to pansori didn't really get him addicted to the art, what it did open up for him was his love of singing. As he continued going to lessons from a young age, singing grew into the centerpiece of his life's passion, and Hongyeon found himself singing the love ballads his family constantly played on their little vintage radio.
There was a particular group of boys at school who would taunt him for his quieter nature and what they thought were girly habits. It was here that Hongyeon discovered his touchiness and proclivity for conflict. Whenever a jab was sent his way, Hongyeon would take it personally and respond in turn at a snap of a finger; things never failed to escalate, and fights and tussles were things Hongyeon became used to.
Nonetheless, Hongyeon never felt insecure about his choices. Despite the jabs, he never questioned himself. Perhaps it was his mother who influenced this -- his mother who always told him to follow his own path without pressure, as fate would follow him.
So when a renowned agency advertised their desire for talent, Hongyeon auditioned without a doubt. He travelled to Gwangju for the second round, and then to Seoul to live in the dormitories when he was accepted.
There was never a doubt for him. Hongyeon's life was in music, and he would pursue it wholeheartedly.
.
byeon the vicious (λ³νλ)
Hongyeon's delicate combination of oversensitivity, abrasiveness, and a fervent belief in the superstitions that were ingrained into him from a young age formed the perfect Molotov cocktail for when he encountered Noah Byeon.
Yes, he has held a grudge for years. Yes, he still dislikes Noah. Yes, he still thinks Noah is a rude, cocky bastard who needs to be given a good eleven shots of reality.
But perhaps Hongyeon takes things personally. Perhaps his nature and outward demeanor are the perfect instigators for bitter, long-lasting conflicts. And yes, perhaps the forewarning of "beware Byeon the vicious" from his childhood rings in his head every time he catches sight of Noah, his features twisting into bitter contempt as the acidity of aged rivalry sets into his bones.
That's just how it is, he supposes. Just as there is a destined lover for him, Byeon must be his destined arch-nemesis, and that is a title Hongyeon would apply to him wholeheartedly.
r&b β’ the color red β’ musicals β’ osts β’ song-writing β’ azaleas β’ gardens β’ swallows (the bird) β’ rice cakes β’ early mornings β’ the mountains β’ springtime β’ spicy food β’ coconut ice cream β’ black clothing β’ thrillers β’ old b&w romance movies filmed in like ... the 1900s or something β’ overwatch β’ his mom's homemade (extra extra spicy) kimchi because mama lee raised no children with weak taste buds
LIKES
DISLIKES
arrogance β’ blue β’ dumbasses who go around insulting other people when they aren't even half as good (grudge much?) β’ the number 4 (it's unlucky) β’ crows β’ fidgeting β’ ketchup β’ mustard β’ going out late β’ snoring β’ potatoes in ANY form (sorry french fries) β’ anyone who's both whittling away at his patience and being a dick
while his favorite color is red, he refuses to write in red because he believes it will bring bad omens -- whenever he draws, he avoids the color red β’ doesn't eat pork β’ refuses to sleep with the fan on β’ meditates every morning β’ prefers to sleep before eleven but with his schedule that's not happening
MISC
μ°½λ―Όμ΄
hyung, stop moping
maybe noah isnt as dickish as u think
Β―\_(γ)_/Β―
thx for the positivity changminnie but its rly not gonna help rn
β’ overwatch β’ his mom's homemade (extra extra spicy) kimchi because mama lee raised no children with weak taste buds
