iKON (아이콘) is determined to be the icon of K-Pop.
The group was first introduced in YG Entertainment’s idol trainee reality survival program called “Who is Next: WIN” in 2013 as “Team B” alongside “Team A” aka WINNER. After losing to Team A, they participated a different survival show known as “Mix & Match” a year later to determine the final member line-up.
As a final result, iKON was confirmed as a 7-member idol group made up of leader B.I, lead rapper Bobby, Kim Jinhwan, Song Yunhyeong, Kim Donghyuk, Koo Junhoe, and maknae Jung Chanwoo. After many delays and postponements, the boys made their explosive debut on 15th September 2015 with their first digital single, “My Type” (취향저격).
In support of their first studio album, “Welcome Back“, the boys held their first solo concert in Seoul last October called “iKONCERT 2016 Showtime” at the Seoul Olympic Gymnastics Arena, which gathered a whopping 24,000 fans in total attendance. Due to popular demand, the concert was expanded into a world tour, going to countries like Philippines, Taiwan, Australia, US, Mexico, Brazil, and Chile.
And here’s the good news: Malaysia is included in the list of countries and they will be making their first Malaysian performance this August!
To prepare you for that, here’s a list of things that you probably didn’t know about the iKON members:
1. Leader B.I produced and composed all the songs for iKON’s first album
Dubbed by Yang Hyun Suk as the “2nd G-Dragon”, B.I aka Kim Hanbin is extremely talented in music making and dancing. You may know this but the 19-year-old leader is partly responsible for writing WINNER’s debut single, “Empty” and Epik High’s hit song, “Born Hater”. Also, he was involved in producing and writing all the tracks in iKON’s “Welcome Back”. That’s a total of 11 songs!
Did we mention that he was featured as a guest rapper in K-hip hop artiste MC Mong’s “Indian Boy” back in 2009 when he was only 13 years old?
2. Kim Jinhwan is multilingual and a cry baby
Although 22-year-old Jinhwan is oldest among his members, he is known for looking like the “maknae” (youngest). Like his mother, who is a businesswoman, he can speak fluent Japanese and English, making him the choice person to talk to the media when the boys are in Japan for their Japanese promotions. He was also voted as the group’s biggest cry baby by his members.
You can see him cry during the series finale of “Mari & I” at 2:09 mark:
3. Bobby won “Show Me The Money 3”
Bobby, real name Kim Jiwon, grew up in Virginia, US. Prior to his idol group debut, he won USD 100,000 in Mnet’s “Show Me The Money 3”, a rap survival program, as part of team “Illionaire” alongside legendary K-rapper Dok2 and The Quiett of Illionaire Records. Not only did the genius hip hop musician co-write all the songs for the group’s debut album alongside B.I, he was also featured on GQ Korea’s 2014 “Men of the Year” list.
P/S: The fierce rapper is obsessed with his childhood Winnie the Pooh soft toy. Aww 🙂
4. Song Yunhyeong is a “Successful Nivea (lip balm) Maniac”
Famed for his good looks and toned body, Yunhyeong’s most treasured item is apparently, his cherry-flavoured Nivea lip balm. During an interview segment of “Mix & Match”, he revealed that he has very dry lips and that he always carries his lip balm around. Knowing that Yunhyeong is obsessed with lip care products, leader B.I gave him a box full of it!
His unique obsession with lip balms eventually earned him a role as Nivea Korea’s model and spokesperson! Well, Mama always said that you should do what you love most, right? 😉
5. Kim Donghyuk lost his father when he was a kid
Donghyuk’s father passed away when he was only 8 years old. In an episode of “WIN: Who is Next”, YG granted him some free time to visit his late father in a memorial centre. Due to his busy trainee schedule, he hasn’t seen his dad in a long time. While he was sitting in front of his dad’s memorial plate, he couldn’t help but burst into tears when he tells his dad that he is doing well.
Watch the heartbreaking moment here:
6. Koo Junhoe is known as the “Young Michael Jackson”
When Junhoe was 13 years old, he appeared on SBS’s “Star King”, a popular reality talent show, and performed the late Michael Jackson’s “Billy Jean” choreography. Although he didn’t win that episode, his smooth and sleek dance moves eventually paid off when he was recruited by YG as a trainee after participating the first season of “K-Pop Star” in 2011.
Watch his performance in “Star King” here:
You can click here to watch his dance during JYP Entertainment’s (home to Wonder Girls and 2PM) trainee audition.
7. Jung Chanwoo played younger versions of Lee Minho
Although maknae Chanwoo is only 18 years old, he made his debut as a child model and actor in 2005, making him the most “senior” among other iKON members. Before he was a part of the idol boy group, the young member appeared in TVXQ‘s “Balloon” music video as kid Changmin but he is probably best known for playing younger versions of Lee Minho in K-Drama hits “Boys Over Flowers” and “The Heirs”.
Do you think they look alike?
So, do you think you have what it takes to be a true iKONIC (as iKON fans are lovingly known)? We hope that we didn’t make you fall even more in love with them than you already are 😉
Meanwhile, here’s a video of iKON greeting their Malaysian fans to tide you over until their concert:
Details for iKON’s “iKONCERT 2016 Showtime Tour in Asia” in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
- Date: 13th August 2016
- Time: 7:30pm onwards
- Venue: Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur
- Ticketing: RM188, RM288, RM388, RM488, RM548, and RM588
For more information on iKONCERT 2016 “SHOWTIME TOUR”, visit IME Asia’s website and Facebook page.
Sources: YouTube (1), (2), Miner8, iKON’s Facebook page, Ordinary Blog, Only in Korean, Kpop Zone.
