Kim Han-bin, known by his stage name B.I is a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer and former leader of boy group iKon under YG Entertainment. He made appearances on MnetWIN: Who Is Next in 2013 as well as Mix & Match and Show Me The Money in 2014. In 2015, he debuted as the leader of iKon.
Biography
Early life
Kim Han-bin was born on October 22, 1996 in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. In 2009, B.I made his first appearance by featuring as well as participated in promotions for MC Mong's single "Indian Boy", where he also appeared in the music video, followed a cameo appearance in MC Mong's music video, "Horror Show". Soon after B.I joined YG Entertainment as a trainee in January 2011.
2013–2014: ''Win: Who Is Next'' and ''Show Me the Money 3''
After over two years of training, B.I took part on the Mnet reality survival program WIN: Who Is Next as a contestant under Team B. The show resulted in the victory of Team A, thus going back to training under the label. On May 14, 2014 it was revealed B.I as well as Bobby would compete in Mnet's Show Me the Money 3. Along the show, B.I released digital single "Be.I", soon becoming the first single from the show to top the charts. In September 2014, it was announced Team B will be returning to compete on survival program Mix & Match, where filming began in midst of B.I's appearance on Show Me The Money. The show resulted in the debut of Team B alongside trainee Jung Chan-woo under the name iKon. In October 2014, B.I featured in label-mate Epik High's lead singleBorn Hater alongside Beenzino, Verbal Jint, Bobby, and Winner's Mino, the track was performed together on 2014 Mnet Asian Music Awards.
2015–2019: Debut with iKon, solo appearances and departure
On September 15, 2015 iKon released the warm-up single "My Type", following lead singles "Rhythm Ta" and "Airplane". The group's first music show appearance was on SBS' Inkigayo on October 4, 2015, thus simultaneously receiving their third win for single "My Type". In December 2015, B.I and fellow member Jinhwan joined the cast of JTBC's Mari and I. In June 2017, B.I along with member Bobby made a featuring in label-mate Psy's studio album4X2=8 on track "Bomb". In December 2018, B.I received the Songwriter of the Year award at the 10th Melon Music Awards through iKon's lead single "Love Scenario" from their studio album Return. On May 7, 2019 it was revealed B.I would join the cast for JTBC2's Grand Buda-guest. B.I featured on label-mate Lee Hi's lead single "No One ", as well as participated in producing single "1,2 " from her EP titled 24°C, which were released on May 30, 2019. On June 12, 2019, B.I announced his departure from the group on his personal Instagram account after news agency Dispatch unearthed KakaoTalk messages from three years prior, outlining his attempt to purchase marijuana and LSD from an undisclosed female dealer. He was also accused of evading police charges. The messages allegedly detailed a conversation between B.I and the dealer, in which the singer asked for a bulk discount and the dealer warned him about the effects of taking drugs. He posted a letter on his personal Instagram account revealing that the messages were true and explained that he was going "through a hard and painful time" and wanted something to rely on. However, he has denied taking any drugs. The same day, iKon's agency, YG Entertainment, terminated B.I's contract. His appearances on television series Law of the Jungle, Grand Buda-Guest, and Stage K were set to be broadcast, but the networks edited him out of the programs. On June 14, 2019, it was revealed that the drug dealer allegedly delivered drugs to B.I and took drugs together, but was persuaded by the head of YG Entertainment, Yang Hyun-suk, to cover the fact from the police investigation. Following the allegation, Yang resigned from all his positions in the company. The dealer was revealed to be Han Seo-hee, a former female idol trainee, who was involved in drug issues with T.O.P and has received four years of probation in 2017. In February 2020, result of the drug test conducted on him was reported as negative. This was after South Korea's Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency sent a sample of Kim's body hair to the country's National Forensic Service for examination and no illegal drugs were detected.
Songwriting
As the leader of iKon, B.I was credited with a role in the production and songwriting of all releases under the group, such as their debut full-length studio album, Welcome Back, as well as their singles "#WYD", , and their second full-length studio album, Return.
