Biography
Son Young-jae (손영재), professionally known as Eric, serves as the Lead Dancer, Lead Rapper, and the youngest member, or “Maknae,”of the popular K-pop group The Boyz. Eric’s story begins in South Korea, but his formative years in Los Angeles, California, have equipped him with fluency in English, allowing him to connect with a broader audience.
Profile
- Birth Name: Son Young Jae (손영재)
- English Name: Eric Sohn
- Stage Name: Eric (애릭)
- Position: Lead Dancer, Vocalist, Rapper, Maknae
- Birthday: December 22, 2000
- Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
- Height: 174 cm (5’9″)
- Weight: 56 kg (123 lbs)
- Blood Type: A
Pre-Debut Journey
Eric’s entry into the entertainment industry began with a noteworthy appearance in Melody Day’s music video for “Color” on June 30, 2016. Though not a member of the group, his involvement captured the attention of fans and industry insiders, foreshadowing his potential in the field.
In 2017, Eric enhanced his visibility by featuring in the “Trainee Paparazzi” series. A memorable moment occurred on July 8, 2017, when he shared the spotlight with Kevin, a fellow trainee celebrated for his vocal prowess, in a YouTube video titled “[TRAINEE PAPARAZZI] Crackers’ vocal treasure Kevin” .
Shortly thereafter, on July 11, 2017, Eric showcased his talents again in a different episode of “Trainee Paparazzi” , this time alongside trainees Park Hoon Nam and Nam Hyunjae. These appearances effectively highlighted his developing skills and rapport with potential future bandmates.
The turning point in Eric’s journey occurred on July 21, 2017, with the release of The Boyz’s profile film as part of the DAZED series. This exposure significantly raised anticipation for his official debut with the group, which soon followed.
These formative experiences laid a robust foundation for Eric’s future career, demonstrating his commitment and evolution as a performer prior to his debut with The Boyz.
Scandals and Controversies
No Mask Incident
In December 2020, Eric became embroiled in controversy after a photograph surfaced showing him bowling without a mask at a bowling alley. Following the backlash, he issued an apology, explaining, “The incident occurred in mid-November when I was with friends who were about to enlist in the military. I regret not adhering to social norms, and I am truly sorry for my actions.”
Pepero Day Mishap
On November 11, 2024, Eric attracted attention once again when he mistakenly posted a photo of himself sending condoms to fans, a blunder that many found humorous. This date, known as Pepero Day in South Korea, is typically when people exchange Pepero cookies with loved ones. The condom packaging resembled the Pepero box, resulting in an awkward mix-up.
While netizens found the incident largely funny and expressed empathy for Eric, the situation took another turn on November 15, when he posted a selfie in the practice room wearing sweatpants that inadvertently revealed too much. This led to widespread criticism and led many to question Eric’s earlier Pepero incident.
Fun Facts about Eric
- Born in South Korea, Eric spent many years growing up in Los Angeles, California.
- He has an older sister who inspires him.
- His hobbies include sports, movie-watching, dancing, and ice skating.
- Special skills: exceptional at baseball and solving Rubik’s Cubes.
- Fluent in English, allowing for a diverse fan interaction.
- His favorite colors? Black and white.
- Gourmet preferences lean towards Ramen noodles.
- He enjoys cleaning and takes charge of the dorm’s tidiness.
- Skateboarding is another passion of his.
- Eric has appeared in Melody Day’s music video “Colour”alongside fellow The Boyz members, Hwall, Hyunjae, and Younghoon.
- He shares a room with New.
- Close friendships extend to Hohyeon and Jihun from TRCNG, as well as Daehwi from Wanna One.
- A competitive spirit: he placed 4th in a Rubik’s Cube competition and 2nd in a California baseball championship.
- He can mimic Geodude, a character from the Pokémon franchise.
- Felix from Stray Kids is his best friend within the idol community.
- In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with Juyeon, watching movies, sleeping, or gaming.
- Eric prefers to be referred to as “Oppa” instead of “Baby.”
- He expresses a desire to take on a leadership role at least once, rather than staying in the Maknae position.
- Despite his young age, he often finds New, Haknyeon, and Hyunjae to be more childish than himself.
- His ideal romantic partner is someone who exudes charm.
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