Shotaro

Shotaro was born in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, and grew up in different areas of Kanagawa.

He started learning dance at the age of 5, influenced by his mother who loved dancing.

He trained at EXPG STUDIO's Tokyo branch as a special student from 2017 to 2018, working as a professional dancer for Japanese artists like EXILE and JSB3.

In 2019, he received a casting call from SM Entertainment through Instagram but delayed joining due to prior commitments as a dancer.

Shotaro officially joined SM Entertainment in July 2020 and trained for approximately 3 months before debuting with NCT in 2020.

Before becoming an idol, he worked part-time at a gyudon restaurant and a lemonade cafe for about four years in Japan.

He was inspired to become an artist after attending an NCT 127 concert in Japan, which made him want to perform on stage.

Shotaro is known for his bright and positive personality, often described as the 'vitamin' of the group.

He is gentle and rarely gets angry, with fellow members commenting on his kind and caring nature.

Although sociable, Shotaro enjoys quiet moments and is serious about his work, showing great focus when needed.

He has a naturally sociable personality, making friends quickly without trying too hard, simply because he genuinely likes being around people.

Shotaro is said to have a competitive streak but maintains a humble and easy-going attitude in both his personal and professional life.

Shotaro’s favorite colors are blue and black, with blue representing his refreshing personality.

He loves sweet desserts, especially chocolate, and his favorite food is ramen.

He dislikes eggplant, oysters, and warm tomatoes.

He enjoys snowboarding, basketball, and fashion, often mixing vintage and new items in his style.

His favorite fruits are peaches, and he enjoys drinking matcha and bubble tea.

Shotaro dislikes bugs and olives, and he isn’t a fan of Hawaiian pizza.

Shotaro debuted as a member of NCT in 2020 and was active in the group for about 2 years and 7 months.

In May 2023, after discussions with his agency, he left NCT and re-debuted in September 2023 with the new boy group RIIZE.

During his time in NCT, he impressed fans with his powerful dance skills and his ability to create choreography.

Shotaro was known for his dynamic stage presence and frequently took on solo dance breaks in performances.

In RIIZE, although there is no official leader, his teammates have often mentioned that Shotaro acts as a reliable leader due to his maturity and experience.

Shotaro is famous for his precise dance movements, particularly in hip-hop and R&B styles, where he excels in isolation, speed control, and laybacks.

He has four piercings in his left ear and three in his right, and he is often compared to an otter or a puppy because of his gentle appearance.

He speaks Japanese, Korean, and English, and has achieved TOPIK level 5 in Korean.

Shotaro is interested in photography and frequently takes photos of his surroundings and members during group activities.

He is serious about skincare and enjoys taking half-body baths to relax, especially after performances or busy schedules.