Within the genre of K-Pop, there are many well-known artists that represent both Korean and Asian culture as a whole. The two K-Pop groups most people think are BTS and BLACKPINK. However, there are many more artists than just those two. Each one, no matter how big or small, has gone through an intense amount of training and work to become who they are today. The focus of this article goes to B.I, or Kim Hanbin.

B.I was known as the leader of the group iKON. He had been wanting to become a rapper for a long time, and even starred in a music show as a kid. He auditioned for YG, a K-Pop label, where he was accepted and became a trainee.

B.I worked through the intense training courses, and eventually, a singing survival show known as Winner came up, and he, along with other YG trainees, competed. At the end, B.I lost and were unable to debut.

Months later, the CEO of YG created a new survival show called Mix & Match that B.I and other eliminated contestants from Winner participated in. 

The show ended with the group iKON being formed. They debuted with the song “My Type,” and launched their record-breaking career. B.I has won many awards, especially for their hit song “Love Scenario,” which he both composed and wrote. B.I has been called a genius for his amazing composing and lyrical skills, and almost every single song iKON has ever released has been created by B.I.

However, in 2019, B.I was forced to leave the group due to suspicions of drug use, a very controversial issue in South Korea. He wasn’t heard from for a while. He continued making short songs that he would upload to Spotify, showing that his love for music was still there.

B.I eventually joined together with two rappers, Destiny Rogers and Tyla Yaweh, with the song “Got It like that.” He has continued making music since, with a project album called Midnight Blue, which he created for charity. He’s been charitable since his iKON days, and his being removed from the public spotlight didn’t change his view on this. After almost two years, the court gave B.I four years of probation, and he was free.

B.I is doing great now, releasing another album, Cosmos, with a total of six songs. His album became an instant success like his previous albums.

Although B.I’s image and reputation was once destroyed due to drug suspicions, he was a genuine and kind-hearted person who continued doing what he loved and what he wanted. The South Korean public has already begun accepting B.I back. Although it’ll take a bit more time for all of Korea to forgive B.I, that day is sure to come soon.