Tag: IKON

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Ikon’s Jay Begins Military Service

Kim Jinhwan, or also known as Jay, of K-pop boy group iKON has started his mandatory military service on Thursday, July 20. 

After entering the training center, Jay will undergo basic military training for several weeks, before he can serve as an alternative social worker. 

The vocalist first announced his plans to enlist in early July, taking to Instagram to pen a message to his fans. 

“I will diligently fulfill my duty and return quickly, so let’s find strength while thinking of each other, and please be well,” he promised them, according to a translation by Soompi. 

Days before his enlistment, Jay also shared a photo of him with a shaved head. 

Born in 1994, Jay is the first member of iKON to enlist in the military. 

Prior to his enlistment, Jay also made his debut as a solo artist in June by releasing his album Paradise Pt. 1. Meanwhile, the second part of the album, titled Blue Moon, was released on July 18 — two days before Jay’s enlistment. 

Composed of Bobby, DK, Chan, Ju-ne, Jay, and Song, iKON debuted in September 2015 under YG Entertainment. They left the agency in December 2022 and signed with 143 Entertainment. 

iKON made their group comeback in January with the album TAKE OFF. It’s also the title of their upcoming world tour, which will include shows around Asia, Europe, and the United States. 

Jay was able to take part in the TAKE OFF concert in Osaka, Japan that happened on July 8 and 9, but would be missing the rest of the shows because of military service. 

Featured image: iKON Jay’s Twitter

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B.I. Finally Addresses Past Controversy, Apologizes For ‘Wrong Choices’

B.I. is already preparing for the second part of his solo EP 'Love or Loved' and has finally revealed his comeback date

It has been several years but B.I. is still affected by the past. The former iKON member has finally addressed his 2019 drug controversy that led to his expulsion from the group. Kim Hanbin also apologized to his supporters for his “wrong judgements and choices.”

B.I. Finally Opens Up About Drug Controversy, Issues Apology For ‘Wrong Judgements and Choices’

On June 1, B.I. attended a media showcase for his second studio album ‘TO DIE FOR’ at Shinhan Play Square Live Hall in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Kim Hanbin was notably nervous during a Q&A session with the press. This would be the first time he would face reporters since his 2019 drug controversy.

Before the session started, B.I. decided to issue a statement.

“There is something I would like to address first,” he said in a trembling voice.

“I would like to apologize for disappointing many people and causing social controversy due to my past wrong judgments and choices.”

B.I. continued by acknowledging the concerns surrounding his actions.

“I have nothing to say except that I am sorry,” he said. “Not a single day has gone by where I have felt at ease. I am always self-reflecting and am repenting.”

Kim Han-bin then admitted that he decided to promote as a solo artist to give back to his supporters.

“I began promoting again with the heart to repay the debt,” he said. “I don’t think that self-reflecting and repenting ends after a certain period. it’s different depending on each person but I will live self-reflecting with a heavy heart for the rest of my life.”

On June 2019, it was revealed that B.I. had tried to purchase marijuana and LSD back in 2016. The drugs were purchased from a female drug dealer and the rapper had reportedly used the marijuana he purchased. Moreover, Kim Hanbin allegedly evaded police charges.

B.I. later took to social media to apologize for the controversy and announced his departure from iKON and YG Entertainment. In September 2021, he was sentenced to a probationary period of 4 years. If the rapper commits more drug-related crimes during the probationary period, he will be sentenced to at least 3 years in prison.

Although he still feels guilt for the controversy, B.I. continues to make music. He recently released his second full album ‘To Die For’ on June 1, 2023.

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B.I. Announces June Comeback Date With ‘TO DIE FOR’ Teaser

B.I. is ready for his next comeback. The “Keep Me Up” rapper just dropped a teaser for his new full album ‘TO DIE FOR’. Kim Hanbin is also giving fans a unique option to listen to the new songs through “Guerrilla Spoiler Stages”.

B.I. Confirms June Comeback With Mysterious Album Teaser

On May 1, B.I. dropped the teaser for his second full album ‘TO DIE FOR’. The simple teaser features a strange communication device writing down all the information. It confirms that the album will drop on June 1, 2023.

It’s awesome enough that Kim Hanbin is dropping new music next month. However, the “BTBT” rapper is introducing the songs through a truly unique concept. A follow-up tweet shares a spot poster with a list of dates and geographical coordinates for the mysterious “Guerilla Spoiler Stages”.

What Are B.I’s ‘Guerrila Spoiler Stages’?

So what is this all about? B.I.’s agency 131 Label shares an interesting explanation of how it will work.

“B.I’s new song will be pre-released in various regions and spaces from May 7th,” the statement reads. “It’s not an ordinary online promotion but a special offline promotion in which many people can listen to the new songs in person.”

“The promotion consists of two types: you can listen to the new songs on your own, or you can listen with B.I.,” it continues. “We have prepared special spoiler content for IDs who visit not only the places mentioned in the SPOT POSTER, which will be released at midnight on May 3rd but also all other places where the new song will be played.”

It’s a truly unique concept and an awesome way to promote the music before the album’s official release. Fans are already looking forward to more details on the “Guerilla Spoiler Stages”.

‘To Die For’ is B.I.’s second full album and his first major release of the year. The former iKON member previously dropped the EP ‘Love or Loved Part.1’ in November 2022.

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