The8 (Xu Minghao) Biography: Profile, Education, Net Worth 2025, Career, and Background

Profile:

Stage Name: The8

Birth Name: Xu Minghao (徐明浩)

Birth Date: November 7, 1997

Birth Place: Haicheng, Liaoning, China

One of the two Chinese members of SEVENTEEN, along with Jun, is The8, whose stage moniker was inspired by his eighth-place finish at the 6th Shanghai World Dance Competition. He is a unique member of the group because of his expressive and creative nature, as well as his elegant dancing routines that have their roots in b-boying and martial arts. He is a vital component of SEVENTEEN's dynamic choreography and stage appearance as a member of the Performance Unit.

Background:

Born on November 7, 1997, in Haicheng, Liaoning, China, Xu Minghao was raised as an only child in a humble household. Minghao shown exceptional skill in dancing and martial arts from an early age. He started practicing Chinese Wushu, a traditional martial art, when he was five years old. By the time he was six, he had won first place at the National Children's Martial Arts Competition, demonstrating his innate discipline and athleticism.
As he trained in martial arts, his love for dancing grew. Minghao developed his breakdancing and street dancing talents while in China for six years as a member of a b-boy dance team. His eventual K-pop career was made possible by this early exposure to performance arts. His skill also brought him to the attention of Chinese television shows, such as CCTV's Zhong-Yi-jie-mu and Tian-tian-xiang-shang, and the 6th Shanghai World Dance Competition, where he was dubbed "The8."
Minghao relocated to South Korea to work for Pledis Entertainment because he was determined to fulfill his dream of becoming a worldwide celebrity. He took a risk by moving from China to South Korea, where he had to adjust to a new language, culture, and demanding training regimen. His adventure with SEVENTEEN began with this move, and he would go on to become one of the most renowned dancers and performers in K-pop.

Education:

Although there are little specifics regarding The8's formal education, his background points to a balance between his artistic interests and intellectual pursuits. Minghao, who was raised in China, most likely went to neighborhood schools in Haicheng, Liaoning, before concentrating on his performance training. His early participation in dance and martial arts suggests that rigorous instruction in these disciplines complemented a large portion of his education.
In order to prepare for a future in K-pop, Minghao spent years training under Pledis Entertainment after relocating to South Korea. This training includes language and performance skills instruction in addition to dance and vocal sessions. Programs such as Seventeen TV and Seventeen Project: Big Debut Plan covered this training phase, which was comparable to a highly specialized performing arts curriculum.
There is no public record of The8 enrolling in a university, in contrast to others of his bandmates, such Woozi, who went on to study at establishments like Hanyang University. His work with SEVENTEEN and his solo pursuits, which demanded a lot of time and effort, seem to have taken up most of his attention.

Career:

Pre-Debut and SEVENTEEN Debut:

Pledis Entertainment scouted The8, who then relocated to South Korea to train, marking the beginning of his K-pop career. In 2014, he performed at the SBS Awards Festival and had an appearance on Seventeen TV, a platform that featured the group's trainees. To get ready for SEVENTEEN's debut, he trained hard, concentrating on dancing, voice, and teamwork.
The8 made their debut as a member of SEVENTEEN on May 26, 2015, when their first extended play (EP), 17 Carat, was released. As the longest-charting K-pop album of 2015 in the US and a member of Billboard's "10 Best K-Pop Albums of 2015" list, the album was a critical and financial triumph. Alongside Hoshi, Jun, and Dino, The8 joined the Performance Unit and immediately became well-known for his smooth b-boying and martial arts-inspired dancing techniques, which became a defining feature of SEVENTEEN's choreography.
part in SEVENTEEN
Members of SEVENTEEN actively participate in composition, production, and choreography, earning the group a reputation for being self-producing. The8 adds a special fusion of grace and strength to the group's performances as a lead dancer, sub-vocalist, and sub-rapper. He stands out during live performances because of the precision and energy his martial arts training pours into his dancing.
Chart-topping albums including Face the Sun, Heng:garae, An Ode, and Attacca are among the group's catalog; many of these have sold over a million copies. With their participation in significant comebacks in Korea and Japan, including the 2021 Japanese song "Hitorijyanai" (Not Alone), which achieved double-platinum certification, The8 has played a significant role in SEVENTEEN's success.
With the release of their fifth studio album, Happy Burstday, on their tenth anniversary, and a performance in front of 100,000 people at Seoul's Jamsu Bridge, SEVENTEEN broke many more records in 2025. The8's contributions to these landmarks demonstrate how crucial he was to the group's success around the world.

Solo Career:

On June 9, 2019, The8 made his solo debut with the digital single Dreams Come True, which also benefited humanitarian causes by providing cash for a local school and library. He demonstrated his flexibility as a solo artist in 2020 with the release of Falling Down and Side by Side, which was available in both Korean and Chinese. He added to his solo repertoire in 2021 by working with bandmate Jun on Mom's Missed Call.
His solo work includes original soundtracks (OSTs), such as a solo OST released in December 2021 and Warrior for the Chinese drama Falling Into Your Smile (with Jun, Joshua, Vernon, and Mingyu). The8 has shown that he can connect with consumers in both Korean and Chinese markets with his well-received solo recordings, which have topped iTunes charts in several different areas.

Other Ventures:

The8 has dabbled with fashion and television in addition to music. His profile in China grew as a result of his participation in Chinese reality shows like Youth With You and Chao Yin Zhan Ji. His impact in the fashion world was further enhanced in 2024 when he and bandmate Jeonghan were named brand ambassadors for the South Korean eyeglasses company Speculum.
The artistic abilities of The8 are also evident in other contexts. He and Mingyu showcased their artistic diversity in 2018 by organizing an art exhibition for SEVENTEEN's third anniversary. His dedication to giving back to his community is demonstrated by his humanitarian endeavors, which include allocating Dreams Come True's profits to educational projects.

Net Worth 2025:

Because K-pop celebrities' earnings are private and their sources of income vary, it can be difficult to estimate their net worth. However, based on his revenue and social media presence, The8's estimated net worth as of 2025 is between $2 million and $3 million USD.

Sources of Income:

SEVENTEEN Tasks: SEVENTEEN's music releases, live performances, and international tours are the main sources of revenue for The8. Revenue-generating albums include Face the Sun (which sold over 2 million copies) and Your Choice (which sold over 1 million copies in its first week). His revenues are further boosted by SEVENTEEN's 2022 BE THE SUN globe tour and 2025 shows, which include Pal Norte in Monterrey.
Solo Music and OSTs: He has become richer, especially in the Chinese market, thanks to his solo songs and OST contributions, including Side by Side and Warrior.
Endorsements: The8 has taken part in SEVENTEEN's collaborations with businesses like Mogu Mogu and Bibigo, and has landed sponsorship agreements with firms like Speculum.
Social Media Influence: The8 has 9.4 million Instagram followers and generates a sizable income from sponsored posts; projections for 2025 indicate that this revenue will range from $43.2K to $59.2K per week and $172.9K to $236.9K per month.
Television Appearances: His involvement in Chinese variety shows and reality shows has increased his profile and revenue in China.
His wealth has been constantly increasing as a result of SEVENTEEN's ongoing success and his individual ventures, according to more recent estimates.

Achievements and Impact:

The8 has made a substantial contribution to both the K-pop industry and SEVENTEEN. Among his honors and accomplishments are:
The success of SEVENTEEN as a group: FML earned the group's first MAMA Award for Album of the Year in 2023, and their EPs FML and Seventeenth Heaven were the best-selling K-pop albums ever.
Solo Recognition: Fans praised him for his charity endeavors, and his solo single Dreams Come True reached the top of several areas' iTunes charts.
Cultural Bridge: Through his solo releases and appearances on Chinese television, The8—a Chinese member of a Korean group—has been instrumental in bringing K-pop to Chinese audiences.
Charitable Work: His contributions to the construction of a school and library in China demonstrate his dedication to making a positive social impact.
The8's impact goes beyond only music. He has become a style icon thanks to his ambassadorships and sense of style, and his reflective nature and support of mental health are well-received by supporters all over the world.

Personal Life:

The8's INFJ personality type is consistent with his reputation for being reticent and introverted. In order to concentrate on his work and artistic expression, he would rather keep his private life private. Being the only child, he has a strong relationship with his parents, but because he values his privacy, not much is known about his family.
He enjoys dancing, martial arts, and experimenting with artistic endeavors like painting. His artistic spirit is demonstrated by his participation in SEVENTEEN's 2018 art exhibition and his history as a b-boy. The8's gregarious side inside the industry is further demonstrated by his membership in the "97 Liner Squad," a close-knit group of K-pop idols born in 1997 that includes ASTRO's Cha Eunwoo, NCT's Jaehyun, and GOT7's BamBam and Yugyeom.