Block B

Korean name Hangul 블락비 Revised Romanization Beullakbi McCune-Reischauer Pŭllakbi This article contains Korean text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Hangul and hanja. Block B (Hangul: 블락비) is a South Korean boy group created by Cho PD under his label Brand New Stardom. On April 15, 2011, they made their debut on KBS Music Bank with their promotional single, "Freeze!" ("그대로 멈춰라!"). The group consists of seven members: Zico (Woo Jiho), Lee Taeil, B-Bomb (Lee Minhyuk), Ahn Jaehyo, U-Kwon (Kim Yukwon), Park Kyung, and P.O (Pyo Jihoon). The members of Block B have dancing, rapping, composing, and singing experience. Block B is short for the term Blockbuster. The group has its roots in hip hop but has branched out into different genres. Historyedit: 2011: Debutedit: In February 2011, Cho PD announced that he would be spending $1.4 million USD to create a seven-member hip hop group under his "Creating Korea's Eminem Project". He added that this septet had been mentored by other hip hop artists, including Verbal Jint, Skull, and Rhymer, and announced their debut to be in April 2011. The group garnered interest both domestically and internationally prior to their debut single, titled Do You Wanna B? which consists of three tracks. On April 13, 2011, their debut music video for "Freeze!" was released. "Freeze!" was banned by the Commission of Youth Protection because the organization felt that it was too sexy for Korean television. As a result of the ban, the song could not be sold to minors under the age of 19, and the video could not be aired before 10 PM. On April 15, 2011, Block B made their live debut on KBS Music Bank. The group followed up with another track, "Wanna B." Block B has made several appearances on both radio and variety shows, including Younha's Starry Night and 100 Points Out of 100. Their first mini album New Kids on the Block was released on June 23, 2011. On June 22, 2011, the first episode of MTV's eight-episode series Match Up! was aired featuring Block B and B1A4. The first episode revealed Block B's music video for their mini album's title track, "Tell Them". The show was designed to allow both groups to show off their musical talents and personalities through weekly missions and behind-the-scenes footage. On October 16, 2011 MTV started airing a series of specials for the Match Up series that followed Block B as they promoted in Japan. 2012: Welcome to the Blockedit: It was announced in early January that Block B would make their return with a new mini album titled Welcome to the Block. On January 13 a trailer for the album was released and soon after on January 27, a fifteen second preview of their new single "Nalina" ("Go Crazy") was revealed. A second teaser was also revealed three days later. On February 1, "Nalina" was unveiled to the public and Welcome to the Block was deemed an "all kill" on various music sites, however, two songs from the album ("LOL" and "Did You or Did You Not") were banned as inappropriate for minors by The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) and KBS. Controversy With Thailandedit In February 2012 Block B came under fire for a mistranslation of a video from an interview that had taken place in Thailand a month earlier. In response, the members issued letters of apology and released a video on their record company's YouTube channel. As result of this incident, leader of Block B, Zico, also shaved his head to demonstrate his remorse. Block B Returnsedit: Eight months after their last comeback Block B returned on October with their first full length album, Blockbuster. For that album, the group moved away from their usual hip-hop sound, incorporating many different musical styles. Most of the songs on the album were written or produced by the members. The title track "Nillili Mambo" was well received and ranked number 10 on the "Billboard World Albums Chart." Block B released a statement saying, "We're thankful to everyone who loved us endlessly even after a long wait. We worked hard to prepare for this album, so we hope more people enjoy it together. We're going to work hard to keep making good music." 2012 Mnet Asian Music Awardsedit: On November 30 at 6pm in the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre Block B performed for the first time in the MAMA awards at the red carpet pre-show event with their song "Nillili Mambo." Block B's Leader Zico performed for a special hip-hop stage called "Beats Rock The World," along with rappers Dynamic Duo, Double K, Davichi and Loco. 2013: Lawsuit against Stardom Entertainment and Suicide of Ex-CEOedit: It was reported on January 4 that Block B had filed a suit against their agency to ask for their exclusive contract to be nullified. According to media reports, the Block B members filed against Stardom at the Seoul Central District Court, stating, "During the signing of the exclusive contract, it was promised that in addition to providing proper training opportunity and facilities, we would be paid on every 25th of the following month... However, the agency has not paid us for nearly one year since April of 2011." (It's not clear whether it is 2011 or 2012 since the quote in the article states that it is nearly a year, but April 2011 would be well over a year). "It started last year in March when one member's contract was ended and his portion of the pay was calculated... Appearance fees from events as well as pay from SBS drama 'Phantom's OST, MBC drama 'Golden Time' OST, and funds collected from the inauguration of our Japanese fan site's fan club, and more for a total of 10 things, have been omitted." They added, "The CEO of the agency, Mr Lee, has also disappeared with the 70,000,000 KRW (~66,000 USD) that he collected from the members' parents." On May 20, 2013, it was reported that Mr. Lee had committed suicide. On June 7, 2013, the court ruled in favour of the company, saying "It's difficult to see the company not being able to pay the group as intentional. From the evidence provided so far, it is difficult to claim that the label purposely did not pay Block B. It is also difficult to say that the label did not provide proper facilities such as studios and dorms, and it is also difficult to say that they did not provide education and guidance. From written records, it cannot be said that Stardom Entertainment violated their management obligations. There is a possibility that the musical income of 430,000,000 KRW (approximately $385,000 USD) and the event income of 5,000,000 KRW (approximately $4,500 USD) was not properly taken care of. However, from just the evidence provided, it cannot be said that the label purposely kept the money from the members." Block B issued a statement in response to the ruling, apologizing to fans and saying they would no longer be working with Stardom Entertainment. The group also said that they would be contesting the ruling, and were preparing independent promotions. Membersedit: Member Name Birthday Birthplace Position Other Taeil (태일), (2011-present) Lee Tae Il (이태일), (1990-09-24) September 24, 1990 (age 22) Seoul Main Vocalist Education: Digital Seoul Culture Arts University deferred, Specialty: Singing, Experiences: Won daesung at Green Bank's Children Singing Competition, Featured in Han's Band's 2009 Winter Album as a chorus, Featured in Monday Kiz's Lee Jin Sung Sorry as a chorus, Attended as a guest at Wheesung's Concert, Participated in a vocal team called Brown City, MBC's audition program 위대한 탄생., Featured in Cho PD's Family Man, , Other: He once named a pet fish 'Super Equus", He was already preparing to be listed in the army before his debut., , B-Bomb 비범, (2011-present) Lee Min Hyuk (이민혁), (1990-12-14) December 14, 1990 (age 22) Seoul Vocalist and Main Dancer Education: Induk University as a broadcasting major deferred, Specialty: Dance Popping, Hip Hop, Experience: Group 5 in Battle Shinhwa, Won daesung for Coex Dance Jjang, Won 3rd place for Map District Youth Champion, Invited to participate in Family Love Gathering Cultural Performances, Appeared in SBS Mackerel Run, KBS My Mom, Supermom, Appeared in Cho PD's 'Korea City' MV, Appeared in tvN's Shut Up Flower Boy Band Episode 10, Previously trained to become a member of Infinite, , Jaehyo (재효), (2011-present) Ahn Jae Hyo (안재효), (1990-12-23) December 23, 1990 (age 22) Busan Lead Vocalist, Visual Education: Withdrew from Seoul Art College as a Music Application major, Youngdong High School, , Specialty: Singing, Business affairs, Activities: Trainee for J.Tune Entertainment, Trainee for CUBE Entertainment, a possible former trainee for BEAST., Appeared on Mnet 꽃미남 아롱사태 with actor Song Joong-Ki , Trainee for LOEN Entertainment, Won 1st Place in Mnet Pretty Boy, Busan category, Best Nine School Ulzzang 3rd Generation, , Experience: Made a cameo appearance on The Thousandth Man, , Other: He introduced Lee Joon to audition for J.Tune Entertainment, which is his current agency, and Joon got to debut with MBLAQ., He was an internet ulzzang, , U-Kwon (유권), (2011-present) Kim Yu Kwon (김유권), (1992-04-09) April 9, 1992 (age 21) Suwon Lead Dancer, Vocalist Education: Graduated from Anyang Technical High School, Specialty: Dance, Playing electric guitar, Beat boxing, Experience: Featured in 'It's Not Over' from Miss. $ Repackage Album Miss Independent, Won the dance award at Anyang Youth Arts Festival, Won the special award in dance at Gyeongido Youth Arts Festival, , Other: Participated in the lyric making of Miss S' mini album, Miss Independent., Has an older brother that supported his dancing academies, Auditioned for JYP ent, Known as the 'smile' in the group, , Kyung (경), (2011-present) Park Kyung (박경), (1992-07-08) July 8, 1992 (age 20) Seoul Lead Rapper, Composer Education: Attending Inha University as a student of theater and film studies major, Attended Kamo High School New Zealand, , Specialty: Rap, Composing, Writing lyrics, Experiences: Released Harmonix Digital Single Letter, Composed and rapped in "Hope for Korean Hip Hop" track from Cho PD Victory, Composed and rapped in "Origin of Species" & "Map Music" tracks from Cho PD vs. Verbal Jint 2 The Hard Way, Composed and rapped in "Hero Music" track from Bizniz Ego, Composed and rapped in "It's All Act" track from Jung Seulki Digital Single Same Spot In the End, Composed and rapped in "It's Not Over" from Miss. $ Mini Album Miss Independent, Participated in M.Net's Aura Concert Cho PD, Verbal Jint, Participated in MTV Rockem Hard, Participated in Zico's mixtape Zico on the Block, Composed in Block B 1st Single Album do u wanna, B?, , Other: Speaks fluent English, , Zico (지코), (2011-present) Woo Ji Ho (우지호), (1992-09-14) September 14, 1992 (age 20) Seoul Leader, Main Rapper & Composer Education: Dong-Ah Institute of Media and Arts attending, Specialty: Freestyle rap, Composing, Weaving melody lines, Writing lyrics, Experience: Composed and rapped in Harmonix Digital Single Letter, Composed and rapped in "Hope for Korean Hip Hop" track from Cho PD Victory, Composed and rapped in "Origin of Species" & "Map Music" tracks from Cho PD vs. Verbal Jint 2 The Hard Way, Composed and rapped in "It's All Act" track from Jung Seulki Digital Single Same Spot In the End, Composed and rapped in Jung Seulki Digital Single Acquaintance, Featured in IU's "Marshmallow" as a rap session, Composed and rapped in "Hero Music" track from Bizniz Ego, Composed and rapped in Faddy Robot Foundation Vol. 1, Composed and rapped in "It's Not Over" from Miss. $ Mini Album Miss Independent, Released Mixtape Vol. 1 Zico on the Block, Participated in M.Net's Aura Concert Cho PD, Verbal Jint, Participated in MTV Rockem Hard, Producing participation in Block B 1st Single Album do u wanna, B?, , Other: He is Co-Ed School's Taewoon's younger brother., He was made leader by Cho PD due to his experience in the music industry., Zico has recorded several mixtapes with his friends (Kyung, Mino,and Hanhae), Has lived in Canada, Japan, China, He was a former SM Entertainment trainee., He was featured for Hyuna's track Just Follow performing live for the replacement for DOK2 and wrote his own lyrics for his rapping., As known for his fast-paced rap, , P.O. (피오), (2011-present) Pyo Ji Hoon (표지훈), (1993-02-02) February 2, 1993 (age 20) Seoul Rapper, Maknae Education: Hanlim Entertainment Arts High School graduated, Specialty: Composing, Writing lyrics, Rapping, Beat Boxing, Experiences: Participated as a guest at Vibe Concert 2010/06, He was featured in Tritops's I'm A Bad Guy, , Other: P.O. was eliminated during the group's first official audition. He tried out again a year later after losing 10kg and training intensively to improve his vocals and dance skills., , Maknae

Source: Wikipedia

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