Early life

Key was born on September 23, 1991 in Daegu, South Korea.[1][2] At the age of 14, he represented Dae Gu Yeong Shin Middle School as a water-skier and competed in water-skiing competitions.[3][4] In 2006, he joined S.M. Entertainment after a successful audition at the SM National Tour Audition Casting.[5] One year later, he appeared as a background dancer in the film Super Junior, Attack on the Pin-Up Boys. Key continued his training under S.M. Entertainment and debuted as a member of Shinee at the age of 16.