The8
Xu Minghao, known professionally as The8, is a Chinese singer and dancer based in South Korea. Managed by Pledis Entertainment, he is a member of the South Korean boy band Seventeen and its performance team.
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 on November 7, 1997. He attended Beijing Contemporary Music Academy.Career
2008–2014: Early career in China
In 2008, The8 appeared on the Chinese program CCTV Variety Show. In 2010, he appeared on the Chinese program Day Day Up.2015–present: Debut with Seventeen, solo work, and ''Youth With You''
He made his first appearance on Seventeen TV in late 2014. The8 debuted as a member of the South Korean boy band Seventeen with their first extended play 17 Carat on May 29, 2015. After debuting with Seventeen, The8 also landed a television role in Real Class - Elementary School in 2017. On December 12, 2017, Pledis Entertainment announced that The8 would be suspending his promotional activities due to a waist injury. He returned to promotions with the release of Seventeen's special album Directors Cut in February 2018.In 2018, The8 participated in the Chinese reality television show Chao Yin Zhan Ji alongside bandmate Jun. In 2019, he served as one of the two dance coaches in the Chinese survival show Youth With You. The8 made his solo debut on June 9, 2019, with the single "Dreams Come True". On May 4, 2020, he announced the release of a second single, "Falling Down", released four days later.
On April 8, 2021, The8 announced the release of his third single, "Side by Side". It was released on April 13 in both Chinese and Korean. On May 4, 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. 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. The8 and Jun arrived back in South Korea late December that year.
On March 18, 2022, The8 released the single "Hai Cheng", which he dedicated to his hometown. On December 4, 2024, The8 released his first EP titled Stardust. The Chinese-language EP comprises three songs, including the lead single "Orbit" featuring JinJiBeWater. On February 2, 2025, The8 began serving as a producer and mentor in the survival show Chuang Asia: Season 2.