B.I (IKON) Facts
- Ex-K-Pop Group: iKON (2015-2019)
- Position: Leader, rapper and dancer.
- Ex-Sub-Unit: B.I X Bobby
- Fan club name: ID (means “identity”)
- Languages: Korean (native language), English (intermediate) and Japanese (basic).
- Hobbies: Watching movies and dramas, writing songs.
- Specialty: Composing, writing lyrics, beatboxing.
- Favorite food Soup.
- Mascot: Obang (Pug).
- Favorite Artist: Michael Jackson.
- In 2009, B.I. gained attention in “Indian Boy” by MC Mong because of its resemblance to G-Dragon as a child.
- His musical influences are PSY and Tablo.
- He is usually the one who creates and guides the choreographies for his group.
- He created his stage name “B.I” (Be I) around the age of 11, after reading a book about Socrates.
- He was a member of YG’s team of producers, together with Olltii, Snacky Chan and Yook Jidam.
- He got an ‘all kill’ with his song for “SMTM 3”, “Be I” being, at the same time, the first and only artist to do so.
- He was eliminated in episode 3 of “SMTM 3”.
- He is the principal writer and composer of “Empty” debut song of WINNER.
- He also participated in the creation of “Whistle” one of the debut songs of BLACKPINK.
- He was one of the first three official members, at Mix & Match to integrate iKON.
- He was part of the cast of the show Mari and Me along with Jinhwan.
- He was the principal writer and sole producer of all the albums by iKON composing most of the songs.
- He won the best songwriter award at the 2018 MMAs, becoming the first idol and the youngest to achieve this at such awards
- On June 12, 2019, Dispatch reported that B.I was charged with attempting to buy drugs. The report stated that B.I attempted to buy marijuana and LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) in 2016 and that police failed to investigate despite having knowledge of this. An individual named “A” was arrested at his home on drug charges, and while investigating his phone, police found a KakaoTalk conversation shared between “A” and BI in April 2016 that suggested BI was attempting to buy drugs. In the conversation, BI allegedly told “A” that he smoked marijuana and asked “A” to buy LSD from him as a proxy.
- Following Dispatch’s report, B.I revealed his plans to leave the group and cancel his exclusive contract with the agency through a statement on Instagram. His official statement reads, “This is Kim Han Bin. First, I would like to sincerely apologize for stirring up trouble due to my wildly inappropriate actions. It is true that I wanted to rely on something that I should not have had any interest in due to going through a difficult and painful time. However, I was too scared and afraid to do so. Still, I feel ashamed and apologize to the fans who were very disappointed and hurt by my wrong words and actions. I intend to humbly reflect on my mistake and leave the group. Once again, I bow my head down and sincerely apologize to the fans and members. I apologize.” YG Entertainment later confirmed this decision.
- On September 28, 2020, it was announced through the IOK Company website that they had appointed six new executive directors, B.I being the youngest of them, and two new non-executive directors. On October 7, IOK Company issued a statement corroborating the news and clarifying that the company wanted to give another opportunity to a young and talented artist. They further indicated that B.I plans to begin being active as a producer while continuing to devote time to personal reflection and in terms of individual promotions, such as solo work, they plan to consider this through discussion at a time when public understanding and indulgence is deemed to be sufficient.
- B.I donated 200 million won (approximately $180,770) for masks in February 2020, and he and his company donated 300 million won (approximately $271,000) to the NGO World Vision to help vulnerable social groups in October 2020. On December 18, 2020, he donated another 20,000 masks and 10,000 pieces of underwear with a total monetary value of 200 million won to World Vision.
- On March 19, 2021 B.I released “Midnight Blue” for his “LOVE STREAMING” project, and proceeds from the album will be donated to World Vision.
- On June 7, 2021,it was revealed that the violent crime department of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office charged B.I with violating the Narcotics Control Act, etc. on May 28.He was charged without detention. It is suspected that B.I bought marijuana and LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) from an acquaintance in 2016 and used it, and he admitted to some of the suspicions. In February 2020,he underwent rigorous investigation and drug tests a total of nine times and was reported to have tested negative in all of them. The hearing of his case will be held on July 9
- On June 8, 2021 IOK Company shared a statement in which they apologized for the release of B.I’s recent album “WATERFALL” while he was awaiting the decision of his case. The agency also explained the reasons for the release.
- On August 26, B.I’s first hearing on the violation of the Narcotics Control Act, etc. was held at the Seoul Central District Court. At the hearing, the prosecution stated that B.I used marijuana a total of three times in March 2016 and April 2016, and also bought LSD at that time for which he requested a three-year prison sentence along with a fine of 1.5 million won (approximately $1,300). B.I admitted to the charges and even submitted a letter of apology to the court on August 25. The final sentence will be determined at the sentencing trial scheduled for September 10.
- On September 10, 2021, the court sentenced B.I to three years in prison suspended for four years of probation along with 80 hours of community service, 40 hours of a drug treatment course and an additional fine of 1.5 million won (about $1,284).
- On February 17, 2022, IOK Company, revealed that B.I recently signed a contract with Wasserman, a major U.S. agency in charge of numerous global artists, including Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, Ed Sheeran and Skrillex. Tom Windish, who represents Billie Eilish will be B.I.’s agent.
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- NONA9ON (2015-2016)
B.I (IKON) Collaborations
- Lee Hi – Savior (Feat. B.I) (2021)
- Epic High – 수상소감 (Acceptance speech) (Feat. B.I) (2021)
- Lee Hi – No One (Feat. B.I of IKON) (2019)
- Seung Ri – 몰라도 (MOLLADO) (Feat. B.I) (2018).
- PSY – BOMB (feat. B.I, Bobby) (2017)
- Epic High – Born Hater (2014)
- MC Mong – Indian Boy (2009)
B.I (IKON) Music
- WINNER – Empty (2014)
- Epic High – Born Hater (2014)
- BLACKPINK – Whistle (2016)
- PSY – Last Scene (2017)
- PSY – Bomb (2017)
- PSY – Autoreverse (2017)
- Lee Hi – No One (2019)
- Lee Hi – 1, 2 (2019)
- Eun Ji Won – Whortless (2019)
- Eun Ji Won – Sexy (2019)
- Epic High – 수상소감 (Acceptance Speech) (Feat. B.I) (2021)
B.I (IKON) Awards
- 2018 Melon Music Awards Songwriter Award (Love Scenario)
B.I (IKON) TV Programs
- Talkmon (TvN, 12.03.2018, together with. Junee)
- The Game With No Name (MBC, 18.02.2018)
- Running Man (SBS, 2018, Ep.416-417, together with. Bobby)
- Two Yoo Project – Sugar Man (JTBC, 11.02.2018, together with iKON)
- Weekly Idol (MBC, 07.02.2018, together with iKON)
- Show! Music Core (MBC, 03.02.2018, as special MC, together with. Bobby and Yeri from Red Velvet)
- Knowing Bros (JTBC, 03.02.2018, together with. Bobby Junee, Yunhyeong and Seung Ri from BIGBANG)
- Idol School Trip (JTBC, 2017, besides iKON)
- Get It Beauty: YG Flower Boy Rapper Special (OnStyle, 20.09.2017)
- Oppa Thinking (MBC, 15.07.2017, besides. Bobby and Junee)
- Fantastic Duo 2 (SBS, 06/18/2017, besides iKON)
- Weekly Idol (MBC, 07.07.2017, with iKON)
- Mari and Me (JTBC, 2016, besides Jinhwan)
- Happy Together (KBS, 24.12.2015, together with. Bobby)
- Running Man (SBS, 27.12.2015, in conjunction with Bobby)
- Mix & Match (Mnet, 2014)
- Show Me The Money 3 (Mnet, 2014)
- WINNER TV (Mnet, 2014, together with Team B)
- WIN: WHO IS NEXT? (Mnet, 2013)
