Shin Dong-hee (born September 28, 1985), better known by his stage name Shindong, is a South Korean idol singer, actor, presenter, and one of the four lead dancers of the boy band Super Junior. He is a dancer but also a rapper, often co-writing rap lyrics with Eunhyuk. He is an extremely popular radio personality and show host on various programs, noted for his comedic style.Musical career
Shindong was born, Shin Dong Hee, in Mungyeong, North Gyeongsang on September 28, 1985. Very little is known about Shindong's personal life, and many thought he was an only child. He has a younger sister. Having a love for dancing, Shindong signed up for the 2002 Goyangsi Youth Dance contest and won the grand prize. A year later, he joined the contest again and won gold. In 2004, Shindong joined the Mnet Epi Contest and won both the gold prize and popularity award. In 2005, Shindong signed up for the SM Best Youth Contest and won first place for Best Comedian, achieving the grand prize. He signed a contract with SM Entertainment and received lessons to further improve his dancing ability.
Months after joining the company, Shindong was put in the large all-boy rotational group Super Junior as a member of its first generation, Super Junior 05. He decided to use the stage name 'Shindong' due to his birth name sounding similar to band mate Donghae. 'Shindong' (신동) is derived from his surname and the first character of his birth name. It is also the Korean word for "child prodigy."
With a total of twelve members, Super Junior 05 officially debuted on November 6, 2005 on SBS's music program Popular Songs, performing their first single, "TWINS (Knock Out)". Their debut performance attracted over 500 fans and also garnered oversea viewers from both China and Japan. A full studio album was released a month later, which debuted at #3 on the monthly MIAK K-pop album charts.
In March 2006, SM Entertainment began to recruit new members for the next Super Junior generation. However, plans changed when the band's growing popularity became apparent, and the company declared a halt in forming future Super Junior generations. The group dropped the suffix "05" and became officially credited as Super Junior. The re-polished group hit big after they released their first CD single "U" the following summer, which became Super Junior's most successful single in the music charts until the release of "Sorry, Sorry" in March 2009.
During his career with Super Junior, Shindong was put into two subgroups, smaller groups that are branched off of the larger Super Junior group. In February 2007, he was placed in the trot-singingSuper Junior-T. A year later, he became a member of Super Junior-Happy.
His fans are called Shinfriends.
Television and film career
Hosting
Five days after Super Junior 05's debut performance, Shindong became the emcee of Mnet's music program M!Countdown along with Leeteuk and Kangin. They stayed as the hosts throughout the remaining year until Kangin was replaced by Eunhyuk in mid 2006. The trio's last day of hosting was on March 27, 2008.
Shindong is popularly known as an active emcee and radio host of MBC's BoBoBo Ai Joa and KMTV's Green Apple Sound, successfully establishing the image, "DJ Shindong." Shindong left Green Apple Sound to host MBC's Stop the Boring Time Radio with Kim Shin-young.
Acting
While Shindong had prior acting experiences as a comedian, his acting debut was in the Super Junior film Attack on the Pin-Up Boys, which premiered in the summer of 2007. In 2008, Shindong played a major supporting role in the mini television series Single Dad in Love and also participated in the drama's original soundtrack. He and radio partner Kim Shin Young appeared in an episode of popular MBC drama Queen of Housewives.
Personal life
Shindong is currently a student at Paekche Institute of the Arts. He enjoys making jokes and frequently attends gag performances. Wanting to present a healthier image to fans, Shindong went on a diet in 2008 and lost around 19 kg. In early 2009, Shindong lost another 10 kg after Leeteuk broadcasted a comment in "Super Junior's Kiss the Radio" saying that Shindong would lose more weight for the fans.
On April 19, 2007, almost two months after Super Junior-T's release of their first single "Rokkugo", Shindong was hospitalized from a car accident when returning home after a recording of the radio show Super Junior Kiss the Radio. Shindong only suffered minor injuries, and was discharged from the hospital on April 23. In May 2010, Shindong proposed to his long time girlfriend using a coded message in the "thank you" column of Super Junior's 4th album.
Shindong recently revealed he was not an only child. During a recording of SBS's "Strong Heart" he revealed he has a 14 years old younger sister.
April 2007 Car Accident
On April 19, a little after midnight, Kyuhyun, Leeteuk, Eunhyuk, Shindong, and two managers were on their way back to their apartment after a session of KBS Super Junior Kiss The Radio. While they were on the highway, the front left tire busted as the driver was switching lanes and the van ran into the guard rail/medium on the driver's side and skidded for about 30M+. At some point, the momentum caused the van to flip over on its right side.
Shindong was the least injured out of the members, and has managed to leave the accident with just cuts and bruises on his face and body. He has been released from the hospital as a patient.
The accident was caused by a deflated left front tire. The driver was trying to switch lanes but lost control and collided with the guard rail.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Attack on the Pin-Up Boys 꽃미남 연쇄 테러 사건 | himself | limited release in South Korea |
| Alvin and the Chipmunks | Theodore | Korean voice-over |
Music video appearances
- 2007: "Flight Girl" – Magolpy
Hosting programs
| Date | Name | Note |
| November 10, 2005–March 27, 2008 | M.NET M!Countdown | with Leeteuk, Eunhyuk |
| 2007– 2009 | MBC BoBoBo Ai Joa | – |
| April 2007–February 15, 2008 | KMTV DJ Green Apple Sound | – |
| January 7, 2008–April 5, 2008 | ComedtyTV Unbelievable Outing Season 3 | with Super Junior-Happy, |
| July 10, 2008–October 9, 2008 | MBC Idol Show Season 1 | with Super Junior-Happy |
| September 5, 2009– 2010 | SBS Miracle | with Eunhyuk, Leeteuk, Sungmin, Kangin |
| September 16, 2009– 2010 | MBC King of the Ring | with Eunhyuk, Leeteuk |
Radio shows
| Date | Name | Note |
| April 8, 2008–present | MBC "Stop the Boring Time" | with Kim Shin-young (later Park Gyuri of Kara) |
Award
- 2009 MBC Drama Awards: Best Radio Newcomer Award -Won
- 2010 SBS Entertainment Awards: Best Newcomer Award (Variety) -Won
