Thai K-pop star Ten on his solo career plans, NCT and WayV – and why Doraemon inspires him

Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul, known globally as Ten, is charting a new course in his multifaceted career. The Thai-born artist, celebrated for his roles in the K-pop supergroups NCT and its subunit WayV, is embracing a solo chapter following his departure from long-time agency SM Entertainment in April 2026. This move, occurring as he approaches his 10th anniversary in the industry, signifies a desire for new challenges and artistic exploration.

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As I approach my 10th anniversary, I’ve found myself wanting to take on new challenges, explore new possibilities and discover new versions of myself. Moving forward, I will continue my activities as Ten of NCT and [NCT sub-unit] WayV. At the same time, I’m excited to show you new sides of ‘Ten’ and to evolve in new ways as a solo artiste in this next chapter!

"As I approach my 10th anniversary, I’ve found myself wanting to take on new challenges, explore new possibilities and discover new versions of myself," Ten shared in a statement. He emphasized his commitment to continuing his group activities, assuring fans that he will remain an active member of NCT and WayV. Simultaneously, he expressed excitement about unveiling new dimensions of his artistry as a solo performer.

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The NCT members always support each other’s decisions. For me, this is going to be a big year.

Ten has already taken significant steps to establish his independent path, founding his own label, Tenth Sound. To commemorate his decade in entertainment, he is set to hold a three-day concert series in Bangkok this July. Each day of the concert promises a distinct theme, offering fans a diverse experience. The artist also shared a lighthearted anecdote about a chance encounter at a Tokyo 7-Eleven, highlighting his down-to-earth personality despite his global fame. He also mentioned that Doraemon, the beloved Japanese anime character, serves as an inspiration.

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three different shows for three days