Choi Doyun (최도윤; or simply Doyun) is a Korean singer under SHARKTOOTH Entertainment. He is the maknae of the boy group DREADNOUGHT.
Pre debut[]
Early life[]
Born on January 22, 2007, in Seongbok-dong, Suji-gu, Yongin, Choi Doyun grew up in a warm but quietly disciplined household. As the youngest of two siblings, Doyun was known early on for his introspective nature. While other children might have sought attention loudly, Doyun's way of expressing himself was more subtle, more specifically through singing.
His family wasn’t heavily involved in the entertainment industry, but creativity ran in his veins. His mother was an art teacher at a local academy, and his father worked in design and construction. His older sister was the more outgoing one, taking various after-school classes and participating in dance clubs, which inadvertently became Doyun’s first exposure to dance.
It was during one of his sister’s after-school dance practices that a young Doyun first felt the magnetic pull of performance. While waiting for her to finish class, Doyun would mimic the moves from the hallway mirror, thinking no one was watching. But one day, her instructor noticed and invited him to join. What started as innocent mimicry quickly evolved into something serious.
By age 10, Doyun was fully enrolled in dance classes. He started simple before finding his place in contemporary and urban choreography. His instructors often described him as a natural mover with an uncanny ability to internalize music. Though soft-spoken, Doyun’s emotions would explode through his movement, and his teachers began to suggest that he consider a future in the performing arts.
At age 12, he began auditioning quietly for entertainment companies, often not telling even his close friends. He was accepted into a mid-tier agency on his second try and began commuting to Seoul for weekend and evening trainee lessons, all while continuing to attend school in Yongin.
Personality[]
Doyun is often the emotional glue of the group, quietly checking in on other members and lifting their spirits with his calm and sometimes unexpectedly funny remarks. As maknae, he receives a lot of affection from fans and hyungs alike, but he also brings a surprising level of professionalism that’s well beyond his age. He has mentioned in interviews that growing up in Yongin gave him both a calm, grounded nature and a drive to stand out on the big stage. Doyun is known by fans for being observant, introspective, and thoughtful off-stage, while completely transforming into a confident and bold performer under the spotlight.
Gallery[]
