David Lehre (born August 8, 1988[1]), also known as Chad Future, is an American director, actor, and singer. He is known for directing various films, such as Myspace: The Movie (2006).[2] He has also appeared in several television series and films such as Epic Movie. He has released 2 studio album EPs in English and Korean, featuring well-known K-Pop artists such as Ha Sung-woon, Aron, and Ravi.[3][4][5]

Chad Future
Chad Future in August 2021
Background information
Birth nameDavid Lehre
Born (1988-08-08) August 8, 1988 (age 36)
OriginDetroit, Michigan
Genres
  • Hip Hop
  • Pop
  • K-Pop
Occupations
  • Director
  • actor
  • singer
Instrument
  • Vocals
Years active2005-present

Early life

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Lehre grew up in the neighborhood of Washington, Michigan in the Metro Detroit area, with Italian heritage.[6][7]

Lehre credits his high school theatre classes as the catalyst for starting his career. He began making films after he and his friends were denied parts in their high school production of Little Women.[2]

Career

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Acting and filmmaking

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On January 28, 2006, Lehre uploaded Myspace: The Movie, a parody of the popular social networking site that he directed, co-wrote, edited, scored, and starred in.[8][9] Three days after Lehre uploaded the video to his personal site, another user uploaded the video to YouTube.[10] By February 2006, Myspace: The Movie became YouTube's most viewed video at 3.4 million views.[2] The film movie also began airing on rotation on Current TV, which reached 20 million U.S. homes.[2]

In 2007, Lehre co-starred in the film Epic Movie.[11]

In 2009, Lehre starred as Shamus Bryce in the sci-fi short Turbo, alongside Justin Chon.[12] Lehre appeared in several films, commercials, and music videos.

In 2011, Lehre also worked as an interviewer for MTV’s coverage of Billboard Korea’s KPOP Masters event.[13][4]

In 2021, Lehre’s short film The Newscaster was featured in the My RØDE Reel short film competition.[14]

Music

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Heart2Heart

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In 2011, Lehre, performing under the name Chad Future, formed the 5-member musical group Heart2Heart. The group was heavily influenced by the K-Pop boy band structure, with an assigned leader and each member fulfilling a specific role. It and consisted of members Chad Future, Pretty Boi Pete, KX, Nico, and Brayden.[15]

Former N*SYNC member Lance Bass mentored the group and made a cameo in their debut music video.[15][16] Lehre became friends with Bass while hosting the American Music Awards red carpet pre-show together in 2010.[17]

The music video for Heart2Heart's debut single "Facebook Official" was directed by Lehre.[18]

Chad Future

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Inspired by his interest in K-Pop and American pop music, Lehre officially announced his solo music project under the stage name Chad Future in 2012, with a goal to bridge the gap between the genres.[19][20] He chose the stage name Chad Future because he was nicknamed Chad while doing character work in high school theater.[21]

Chad Future began creating English covers of popular K-pop songs by artists such as EXO,[22] BigBang,[23] and B.A.P.,[24] which received attention from fans and some of the actual artists.[25]

Chad Future's English remix of BigBang's "Loser", which also featured American recording artist Preston Knight, was chosen as the winner of YG Entertainment's Made Series M cover competition.[23]

Chad Future performed at the first KCON in 2012,[26] and made his official debut on M-Net's M Countdown in Los Angeles on August 25, 2013.[21][27]

He released The First Mini Album in 2014, a 5-song EP which featured collaborations with K-Pop recording artists VIXX's Ravi and NU'EST's Aron.[28]

Chad Future's first television special "I Am Chad Future" aired on Mnet America in 2014, which documented the creation of his first album and the preparation of his M Countdown performance. In addition to being the title star, he also produced and edited the special.[29][30]

In 2015, exactly one year after releasing his first mini album, Future, Lehre released his 2nd mini album, titled AK-Pop, which included 5 songs and collaborations with artists such as Ha Sung-woon and Bestie's U.JI.[31][3] Both American and Korean artists, including Shin Hyuk, participated in its production.[31][3]

In 2016, he directed, executive produced, and starred in Chad Future TV, which premiered on The Audience Network channel as a documentary series, also airing on AT&T U-Verse, DirecTV, and Fullscreen.[32] Chad Future TV followed his first journey to Seoul, South Korea, where he collaborated with and interviewed K-Pop artists and went on several cultural adventures around the country.[33]

In 2022, Chad released original songs "Summer with You" and covers of popular songs by K-Pop artists BTS, Aespa, and Stray Kids.[34][35]

In 2023, he released "Good Vibes" with Korean singer-song writer Kyung Dasom on NHN Bugs Label.[36][37][38]

Filmography

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Short films

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Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes Ref.
2006 Myspace: The Movie  Y  Y  Y [8][9]
2008 Facebook: The Movie  Y  Y  Y
2012 Perfect Harmony  Y Coca-Cola promotion aired on American Idol
2014 I Am Chad Future  Y  Y

Television

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Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes Ref.
2008 Vendetta Revolution  Y  Y [8]
2011 MTV's The Seven  Y  Y  Y
2016 Chad Future TV  Y  Y [39]

Acting roles

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Year Title Role Notes
2006 Myspace: The Movie Dave Also director, writer, and producer[8][9]
2006 20/20 Himself On December 26, 2009 episode
2007 Epic Movie Ashton Kutcher
2008 Vendetta Revolution Various Characters Also creator, director, and head writer[8]
2008 Jimmy Kimmel Live! Himself On January 24, 2008 episode
2008 Facebook: The Movie Cody Also director, writer, and producer
2009 Third Shift Raven Short film
2009 Dragon Slayerz Evan Short film
2009 Turbo Shamus Bryce Short film[12]
2010 American Music Awards Himself/Red Carpet Host Red carpet streaming host for AMAs
2011 American Music Awards Himself/Red Carpet Host
2011 MTV's The Seven Various Characters Also director, writer, and producer
2014 I Am Chad Future Chad Future Mnet America Special
2016 Chad Future TV Chad Future Also director, producer, and editor

Discography

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Extended plays

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Title Released Label Format
The First Mini Album June 30, 2014 Vendetta Studios CD, Digital Download, Streaming
The 2nd Mini Album ‘AK-Pop' June 30, 2015 Vendetta Studios CD, Digital Download, Streaming

References

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  1. ^ "Chad Future Profile and Facts (Updated!)". Kpop Profiles. 2021-11-26. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  2. ^ a b c d "His MySpace odyssey". Los Angeles Times. February 25, 2006.
  3. ^ a b c "Chad Future Unleashes "Famous" Music Video w/ HOTSHOT's Sungwoon". July 12, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "A Heart2Heart with Chad Future". Soompi. 2012-11-27. Archived from the original on 2020-09-26. Retrieved 2021-08-03.
  5. ^ "Chad Future "Rock the World ft. VIXX Ravi" On-Set Exclusive". Soompi. 2014-05-22. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  6. ^ Sager, Mike (October 1, 2006). "David Lehre". Esquire.
  7. ^ Clark, John (February 11, 2007). "Web Auteur Takes the Leap From YouTube to Boob Tube". The New York Times.
  8. ^ a b c d e Chris, Williams. "This Revolution may be televised". Macomb Daily.
  9. ^ a b c Clark, John (July 23, 2006). "Hollywood Clicks on the Work of Web Auteurs". The New York Times.
  10. ^ "'MySpace: The Movie' Launches Film Career". Fox News. 2015-03-25. Archived from the original on 2021-04-13. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  11. ^ "10 Things you Probably Didn't Know about Chad Future..." The latest kpop news and music | Officially Kmusic. 2015-02-03. Retrieved 2021-08-03.
  12. ^ a b "Full Sci-Fi Video Game short film TURBO Online". ScreenAnarchy. October 21, 2009.
  13. ^ "Being White in K-Pop: Chad Future's "Hello" MV". Seoulbeats. 2012-08-19. Retrieved 2021-08-03.
  14. ^ "My RØDE Reel 2021 | The World's Largest Short Film Competition". My RØDE Reel Short Film Competition. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  15. ^ a b "5 Things To Know About Lance Bass' Heart2Heart Boy Band". Billboard. 14 October 2011.
  16. ^ "Heart2Heart: Is the new Lance Bass-backed boy band for real? Watch here". EW.com.
  17. ^ "[Exclusive Interview] A Heart2Heart with Chad Future". Soompi. November 27, 2012.
  18. ^ "Heart2Heart Releases the Full Music Video of "Facebook Official"". Soompi. October 4, 2011.
  19. ^ "Is "American K-Pop" Star Chad Future The Future?". www.vice.com. 16 August 2012.
  20. ^ "Is it K-pop if Koreans aren't singing it?". South China Morning Post. 2017-07-02. Retrieved 2021-08-03.
  21. ^ a b "Chad Future, "Ask. Believe. Receive."". hypnoticasia.com. November 15, 2013. Archived from the original on 2021-04-13.
  22. ^ "Chad Future Releases an English Cover of EXO's "Growl"". Officially Kmusic. 24 August 2013.
  23. ^ a b "Chad Future wins BIGBANG's "MADE SERIES [M]" cover competition". SBS PopAsia. 19 June 2015.
  24. ^ "Chad Future Covers B.A.P's 'One Shot' In English". kpopconcerts.com. April 8, 2013.
  25. ^ "B.A.P's Daehyun Shares Chad Future's "One Shot" Cover". Soompi. April 8, 2013.
  26. ^ "Chad Future To Have His Own Show On MNet America". The latest kpop news and music | Officially Kmusic. 2014-04-06. Archived from the original on 2014-04-09. Retrieved 2021-08-03.
  27. ^ "Review: G-Dragon, Missy Elliott, EXO and more at KCON 2013". Los Angeles Times. August 26, 2013.
  28. ^ "Chad Future To Release His First Mini Album This June!". hypnoticasia.com. June 13, 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-04-13.
  29. ^ "[KMusic Review] International Premiere of Mnet America's "I AM CHAD FUTURE"". Officially Kmusic. 12 April 2014.
  30. ^ "Introducing Chad Future + first episode of 'I AM CHAD FUTURE' released". Allkpop.
  31. ^ a b "Chad Future releases his second mini album, 'AK-POP'". Allkpop.
  32. ^ Spangler, Todd (July 8, 2016). "Fullscreen Comes to TV: DirecTV, AT&T to Offer Sampling of Original Series". variety.com. Archived from the original on 2016-07-09.
  33. ^ Chad Future TV (Documentary), David Lehre, Fullscreen Studio, Vendetta Studios, 2016-07-07, retrieved 2023-10-09{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  34. ^ "American K-Pop artist Chad Future teams up with YELO to release 'Summer with You' comeback MV!". Allkpop. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  35. ^ "AK-POP 창시자 '채드 퓨처, 5년만에 사랑스런 힙합곡 컴백(ft. 옐로)". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 2021-10-12. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  36. ^ "Chad Future and Kyung Dasom send 'Good Vibes' in new MV release". Allkpop. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  37. ^ "경다솜X채드 퓨처와 콜라보..기분 좋은 'GOOD VIBES' [이주의 신곡]". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 2023-01-10. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  38. ^ 최, 이정 (2023-02-01). "경다솜X채드 퓨처와 콜라보..기분 좋은 'GOOD VIBES' [이주의 신곡]". 스포츠전문 콘텐츠 기업 스포탈코리아 (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  39. ^ "AT&T Brings Fullscreen's Digital Stars to the Big Screen TV | AT&T". about.att.com. Retrieved 2021-08-03.

[1][2]

  1. ^ "Enjoy hating on boy bands? Meet maybe-joke group Heart2Heart". The A.V. Club. 2011-10-14. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  2. ^ ""Rock the World" with Chad Future". Seoulbeats. 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2023-10-07.