Biography of B.I
Kim Han-bin, popularly known as B.I, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and dancer. He was the leader of the South Korean boyband iKon under YG Entertainment, which he discontinued in 2019.
While he was in the group, he played a vital role in the production and song-writing of their music. He was the sole record producer for all of iKon’s releases. He made great contributions to iKon’s second studio album, ‘Return’, and its lead single, ‘Love Scenario’. His contributions earned him the ‘Songwriter of the Year award’ at the 2018 Melon Music Awards.
His solo artistry debut was in 2021 under his self-founded label, 131. He wrote a charity single album ‘Midnight Blue (Love Streaming)’ along with a full-length charity studio album ‘Waterfall’. In the year 2022, he released his global album project titled ‘Love or Loved’ with the single ‘BTB’ and the EP ‘Love or Loved Part.1’. He released his second album, ‘To Die For’ on June 1, 2023.
Early Life and Education
B.I was born on 22 October 1996, in Cheonam, South Korea. His first appearance in the music industry was in 2009, featuring and participating in MC Mong’s single ‘Indian Boy’. He also accompanied and featured with the rapper on the TV show ‘You Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook’. He appeared in the music video for ‘India Boy’ as well as in the ‘Horror Show’ by MC Mong. He joined YG Entertainment as a trainee in 2011.
Career
In 2013, he participated in the Mnet reality survival program ‘WIN: Who Is Next’ as a contestant under Team B. He continued as a trainee under YG Entertainment as Team A won the program. The following year, he and his labelmate competed in Mnet’s ‘Show Me the Money 3’ and released his self-written digital single ‘Be I’. It was the first single from the show to top the charts. At 17 years old, he was still a trainee and stole the spotlight with his talents.
In 2014, Team B participated in the survival program ‘Mix & Match’, which eventually led to the debut of Team B. They also included Jung Chan-woo, who was a trainee at the time, and the group was named iKon. The same year, B.I was featured in the lead single ‘Born Hater’ by Epik High with Beenzino, Verbal Jint, Bobby, and Winner’s Mino. They performed the song at the 2014 Mnet Asian Music Awards.
On 15 September 2015, B.I made his debut as the leader of iKon under YG Entertainment with the single ‘My Type’, followed by lead singles ‘Rhythm Ta’ and ‘Airplane’. He had a key role in the production and songwriting and is credited as the sole record producer for all of iKon’s releases. His other credits include full-length studio albums ‘Welcome Back’ and ‘Return’, compilation albums ‘The New Kids’, ‘#WYD’, ‘New Kids: Begin’, New Kids: Continue’, ‘Rubber Band’, and ‘New Kids: The Final’.
At the 10th Melon Music Awards, B.I was awarded the ‘Songwriter of the Year’ in 2018. His contributions to iKon’s second studio album, ‘Return’, and his work on the lead single ‘Love Scenario’ were celebrated and a huge success.
He also pursued his solo projects apart from his band’s contribution. In 2015, he and Kim Jin-hwan joined the cast of JTBC’s ‘Mari and I’. Along with Bobby, he featured in Psy’s studio album ‘4X2=8’ on the track ‘Bomb’ in 2017. He appeared on Seungri’s debut studio album, ‘The Great Seungri’, released on 20 July 2018, on the track ‘Mollado’. In 2019, he appeared in JTBC2’s variety show ‘Grand Buda-guest’. In Lee Hi’s single ‘No One’, he featured and was part of the production and composition of the track ‘1, 2′ from her EP ’24°C’.
On 12 June 2019, B.I left the band following drug allegations and terminated his contract with YG Entertainment. Despite his departure, he was credited for his writing and composition on iKon’s 2020 EP ‘I Decide’, including the title track ‘Dive’ which was released on 6 February 2020. He was appointed as the executive director of IOK Company on 28 September 2020.
On January 18 January 2021, B.I was featured on Epik High’s tenth studio album, ‘Epik High Is Here (Part 1)’ on the song ‘Acceptance Speech’. B.I released his charitable single album ‘Midnight Blue (Love Streaming)’ on March 19 March 2021. His solo artistry began on 7 May 2021, with works like ‘Got It Like That’ and the album ‘Waterfall’.
B.I wrote, composed, and featured in Lee Hi’s third studio album ‘4 Only’ on the song ‘Savior’ on 25 August 2021, and the music video was released on 3 September 2021. On 1 October 2021 he released the digital single ‘Lost At Sea’ (Illa Illa 2) which is a reinterpretation of ‘Illa Illa’ featuring Bipolar Sunshine and Afgan.
His first-ever solo concert, ‘131 Live Presents: B.I First Online Concert’ was streamed on LiveXLive on October 3 October 2021. He released the first half of his second studio album, ‘Cosmos’, featuring South Korean singer-songwriter Colde. B.I made an appearance on the Philippine variety show TV5’s Lunch Out Loud.
For the GRAMMY Global Spin, organized by The Recording Academy, B.I became the first K-pop and Asian to participate in digital performance in 2022. He released a collaboration with Soulja Boy titled ‘BTBT, featuring DeVita. B.I’s label 131 disclosed their record producers and songwriting teams like White Noise Club, Millennium, Sihwang, Padi, and Kim Chang-hoon. Alongside other South Korean rappers Nucksal, Kid Milli, and Gaeko, B.I featured on Padi’s digital single ‘Handsome’.
His second online concert, ‘BTBT’ Performance Online Fancon, was exclusively streamed on LiveXOne on 26 June 2022. While at the concert, he unveiled two of his unreleased tracks, ‘Tangerine’ and ‘Endless Summer’ from the album ‘Love or Loved Part.1’. As a collaboration with Dingo Music, he released the digital single ‘Lullaby’ with Chuu.
B.I resigned as an executive director of IOK Company on 11 October 2022. With his departure, the label 131 confirmed it would work as an independent label. B.I’s first in-person solo concert, ‘All Day Show [L.O.L: The Hidden Stage], in Seoul on 10 December 2022. His concert was joined by special guests Lee Hi and the Epik High trio.
On 10 February 2023, B.I and White Noise Club produced the debut EP of South Korean R&B singer-songwriter Soovi’s ‘A Tempo’. He composed and wrote the lyrics for two of the songs, including the title track, ‘Missing You’. In the year 2023, he commenced the B.I 2023 Asia Tour [L.O.L: The Hidden Stage] tour, covering Southeast and East Asia. B.I released his second studio album ‘To Die For’ on 1 June 2023, with the lead singles ‘Dare to Love’, featuring Big Naughty, and ‘Die for Love, featuring Jessi.
Achievements
Kim Han-bin, widely known as B.I, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Over the years, he has contributed to and been credited for his band and is now focused on his solo career. With his exceptional songwriting abilities, he has written, composed, and produced several songs. He has proven his talent as a songwriter, performer, solo artist, and more. As a successful solo artist, he might, in the future, produce and release more songs.
- At the 2018 Melon Music Awards, B.I won the ‘Songwriter of the Year’.
Personal Life
iKON star B.I was accused of illegal drug use, and later he confessed to all charges. He admitted his mistakes and is deeply reflecting on his actions. The prosecution demanded a sentence of 3 years in prison and a fine of 1.5 million KRW.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
B.I has made a net worth of $6 million US dollars.
The major source of his income came from his contribution to the band and from his solo artistry.
Awards
- Melon Music Awards (2018)
Songwriter of the Year
Interesting Facts about B.I
- Kim Han-bin joined YG En in 2011.
- Kim Han-bin is a fan of Red Velvet‘s Seulgi and TWICE‘s Dahyun.
- B.I loves Mickey Mouse and Pringles snacks a lot.
- He really likes South American culture.
- Kim Han-bin has never had a girlfriend.
- B.I was a part of Team B on the survival show WIN.
- Yang Hyunsuk said that B.I was the next G-Dragon.
- He and Jay were both members of the variety show, ‘Mari and I’.
- Kim Han-bin has got three tattoos.
- He’s also part of F’Club.
- Kim Han-bin made his solo debut under 131 Label, a subsidiary of IOK Company.
- B.I is close with the former YG rapper ONE.
FAQs
- How old is B.I?
As of 2023, he is 27 years old. - Is B.I dating anyone?
B.I is single and has never dated before. - What is B.I’s Instagram ID?
