San (singer)

In this Korean name, the family name is Choi.
Choi San
San wearing a black coat and waving
San in 2024
Born (1999-07-10) July 10, 1999
South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea
EducationKorean Arts High School
Global Cyber University
Occupations
  • Singer
  • dancer
  • actor
Musical career
InstrumentVocals
Years active2018 (2018)–present
LabelsKQ Entertainment
Member ofAteez
Korean name
Hangul
최산
RRChoe San
MRCh'oe San
Signature

Choi San (Korean: 최산; born July 10, 1999),[1][2] known mononymously as San, is a South Korean singer and dancer.[3][4] He is a member of the boy group Ateez, formed by KQ Entertainment.[5][6]

San made his acting debut in the web series "Imitation" with bandmates Seonghwa, Yunho, and Jongho; this marked his first acting role.[7] He contributed his vocals to the official soundtrack as a member of "Sparkling", a fictional 4-member group.[8]

In addition to his work with Ateez, San serves as a global ambassador for Dolce & Gabbana.

Early life and education

Choi San was born on July 10, 1999, in Namhae, South Korea to mother Kim Nam Ji, and father Choi Jong Cheol.[1][2] He attended Namhae Middle School and graduated from the Korean Arts High School.[1]

San was introduced to KQ Entertainment by trot singer Na Sang Do, who is also his father's taekwondo student and the one who recommended him for an audition with the company.[1]

Career

2017: Pre-debut

San was introduced as a member of the pre-debut group KQ Fellaz alongside seven others, who now all are members of Ateez.[9][10]

2018–present: Debut and activities with Ateez

While San debuted with Ateez on October 24, 2018 as the group's lead vocalist and lead dancer,[11][12] he is now known as and referred to as one of the main dancers of the group.[2][13]

San has contributed to Ateez's discography and choreography. In 2023, he co-wrote the song "It's You" with bandmates Wooyoung and Yeosang[14] which appeared on the album The World EP.Fin: Will. In July 2025, his first solo song, "Creep",[15][16] which he co-wrote, was released as part of the album Golden Hour: Part.3 'In Your Fantasy Edition.

2021–present: Actor debut and solo projects

In 2021, San made his acting debut in the web series "Imitation" with bandmates Seonghwa, Yunho, and Jongho; this marked his first acting role.[7]

In August 2021, San collaborated with Pentatonix on a remix of their song “A Little Space,” alongside fellow Ateez members Yunho and Jongho. The project combined elements of K-pop and Western a cappella music.[17][18]

Between 2023 and 2024, San released song covers and a performance video. San's song "Snowflake" is an original track that highlights his vocal abilities.[19][20] He has performed covers of "Breathe" originally by Lee Hi[21] and "Dear Name" originally by IU, which he performed as a duet with bandmate Jongho.[22][23]

In November 2024, San appeared in the music talk show Lee Mujin Service where he delivered live vocal performances.[24][25]

In June 2025, San made his first solo appearance on a talk-centered entertainment show on the show Naraesik, hosted by Park Na-Rae.[26][27] Later in the month, San was invited to a Tag Heuer gala event in Seoul.[28]

In July 2025, San released his first ever official song "Creep" which featured in the album Golden Hour: Part.3 'In Your Fantasy Edition'.[15]

In October 2025, Dolce & Gabbana officially announced San as their Global Ambassador.[29]

In November 2025, San released an animated music video for his song "Creep", featuring a combination of live-action shots with digital painting.[30]

In December 2025, San appeared as a presenter for the 'Best Teamwork Award' along with Forestella's Go Woo-rim at the 2025 KBS Entertainment Awards.[31]

In February 2026, San appeared as a Special MC on the South Korean variety show Boss in the Mirror as a Special MC.[32]

Choreography Contributions

In 2023, San's "Warriors" performance video, which he co-developed and co-choreographed, received praise from OSEN for its "diverse choreography composition"[33] and from Single List for San's "detailed facial expressions that matched the mood of the song".[34][35][36]

In 2024, San was credited with contributing to the choreography for the title track "Work" from the album Golden Hour: Part.1.[37]

In 2026, it was announced that San participated in the choreography for the title track "Adrenaline" from the album Golden Hour: Part. 4. Hongjoong said, “San was involved throughout the choreography, which is how it came together”. San explained, “To express ‘Adrenaline’ instinctively, I focused on movements that feel like blood rushing through your body, like tightening the neck or showing blood flowing”.[38]

Other ventures

Ambassadorship

On April 14, 2021, San was appointed as Public Relations Ambassador of Namhae, his hometown in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.[39]

Endorsements

San collaborated with the brand Returnity to promote their acupressure ear sticker products.[40][41] The digital campaign for this collaboration, won San and Returnity a Silver Prize at the ICT Awards Korea 2025.[42]

Fashion

San was officially announced as the Dolce & Gabbana Global Ambassador in October 2025, stating "I am proud and excited to embark on this journey with Dolce & Gabbana, and I look forward to creating meaningful moments together".[29]

San has participated frequently with Dolce & Gabbana, in events such as Milan Fashion Week[43] and Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda and Alta Sartoria shows.[44]

According to reports, his Milan Fashion Week appearances contributed to an Earned Media Value estimated at approximately US $2 million for the Spring/Summer 2025 event [45] and US $7.5 million for the Fall/Winter 2025 [46] event. For the Spring/Summer 2026 event, he generated US $912k EMV, via remote promotion, as he was unable to attend the event in person, as reported by brand-building agency, Karla Otto. This ranked him 12th in the Top Korean Influencers of Women's Milan Fashion Week SS26 on Instagram list, announced by marketing company Lefty.[47][48]

Fashion publications have noted his stylistic approach, describing it as a blend of classical tailoring and modern elements.[49][44]

Magazine features

San has appeared in various fashion magazines including Elle Korea[50] and 10 Magazine.[51] San was featured as a cover model for the August issue of Arena Homme Plus Korea with 6 different cover versions, showcasing 6 different Tag Heuer watches.[52]

Philanthropy

San has supported local welfare initiatives in Namhae Village, including donations[53] and has participated in community events such as the Namhae Spring Walk.[54]

In March 2023, he donated ₩5 million, the maximum amount allowed, to his hometown of Namhae through the Hometown Love Donation Program. The local government indicated that the funds were intended for regional development and youth welfare projects.[53]

In 2024, San made a second donation of ₩5 million through the same program. In recognition of his contribution, he received Hanwoo beef sets valued at ₩1.5 million from the local government, which he subsequently donated to 22 single-parent households in Namhae.[55]

In 2025, for the third consecutive year, San donated ₩5 million through the Hometown Love Donation Program. He told News1, "As an ambassador for Namhae County, I want to continue to do things that can be of help to my hometown".[56]

Public image

San has frequently appeared on the Korean Business Research Institute’s male celebrity brand reputation rankings, which measure online searches and engagement.[57][58] He also has ranked repeatedly in the combined male and female idol brand reputation lists.[59][60]

San is known for his intense facial expressions and stage presence when dancing.[61][62][63]

Personal life

His father is involved in disability-support sports in Namhae.[1] San learned taekwondo from his father; a discipline he credits in a GQ interview with helping him stay flexible for dancing.[64]

Discography

For San's work with ATEEZ, see Ateez discography.

Soundtrack appearances

List of soundtrack appearances, showing year released, and name of the album
Title Year Album
"Diamond"
(as Min-su of Sparkling) 		2021 Imitation Original Soundtrack

Other charted songs

List of other songs, showing year released, selected chart positions, and name of the album
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR
DL
[65]
"It's You"[a] 2023 84 The World EP.Fin: Will
"Creep"[b] 2025 150 Golden Hour: Part.3 'In Your Fantasy Edition'

Unofficial releases

Title Year Album Ref.
"Snowflake" (눈꽃) 2024 Non-album single [19]

Songwriting credits

All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.[66]

Year Artist Song Album Lyrics Music
2018 Ateez "From" Non-album single Yes No
2023 San

with Wooyoung and Yeosang

"It's You" The World EP.Fin: Will Yes No
2025 San "Creep" Golden Hour: Part.3 'In Your Fantasy Edition' Yes No

Filmography

For San's filmography with Ateez, see Ateez § Filmography.

Television series

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2021 Imitation Min-su [67]

Television shows

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2025 Boys II Planet Host 3rd Planet Master [68]
2026 Boss In The Mirror Special MC [32]

Radio shows

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2020 Idol Radio Special DJ with Wooyoung [69]

Awards and nominations

For San's accolades with Ateez, see Ateez § Award and nominations.
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, award category, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Elle Style Awards 2024 Best K-pop Icon Award Won [70][71]
ICT Awards Korea 2025 Silver Prize (digital campaign)[c] Won [42]

Notes

  1. ^ "It's You" is a track sung by San, Wooyoung and Yeosang.
  2. ^ credited to Ateez, but the track is a solo by San.
  3. ^ For San's collaboration with the brand Returnity.

References

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