K-POP- BEAST

1. Introduction

The boy band BEAST is characterized by a powerful combination of intensity and tenderness. The members not only have strong visuals, but create an original stage presence with their up-beat music, moving vocals, and passionate dancing that is (dare we say it?) beastlike.

BEAST has been gaining steady popularity throughout Asia and in 2010 was even awarded the Golden Disk Award in three Asian countries. In March 2011, the group’s first album release in Japan sold 70,000 copies.

2. Group Introduction

The name ‘BEAST’ captures the group’s characteristic onstage performances filled with wild and intense music accompanied by powerful dance moves. The group consists of six members: Lee Gi-kwang, Yoon Doo-joon, Yang Yo-seob, Yong Jun-hyung, Jang Hyun-seung, and Son Dong-woon. The group released its first mini album ‘Beast is the B2ST’ in 2009, and is known for hit songs such as ‘Bad Girl,’ ‘Shock,’ ‘Soom,’ ‘Beautiful,’ and ‘Fiction.’

- First Album Release: ‘Beast is the B2ST’ (2009)
- BEAST Official Website: http://www.playb2st.com/ (Korean)

3. Member Profiles

* Name: Lee, Gi-kwang (이기광)
* Nationality: Korean
* Position: Vocals
* Education: Department of Broadcasting Entertainment, Dongshin University

BEAST’s representative member, Lee Gi-kwang, has a variety of talents. In 2009, he made his debut with BEAST and also appeared in the MBC sitcom ‘High Kick through the Roof,’ where his acting abilities received praise way beyond expectation. Following his success onscreen, he also gained recognition for his MC talents in the KBS talk show ‘Seungseungjanggu’ (2010), the MBC variety show ‘Our Sunday Night’ (2010), and SBS ‘Live Countdown (Inkigayo)’ (2011). Lee Gi-kwang conveys the image of being cool yet innocent, cute but intense. He best represents the essence of the group and captivates fans with a friendly, boy-next-door image offstage and passionate performance onstage.

* Date of Birth: March 30, 1990
* Blood Type: A
* Height: 170cm
* Weight: 58kg
* Hobbies: Watching movies, sports
* Special Talents: Dancing

* Name: Yoon Doo-joon (윤두준)
* Nationality: Korean
* Position: Vocals, Band Leader
* Education: Department of Broadcasting Entertainment, Dongshin University

Yoon Doo-joon leads the group with his strong charisma and is known for his big, mischievous eyes. Each member’s already breathtaking performance seems to come into sync under the leadership of Yoon Doo-joon. As a soccer player all throughout his school days, Doo-joon developed the physical strength and discipline allowing him to make consistent efforts to continue to develop his singing and acting abilities. In 2010, he appeared in the MBC sitcom ‘All My Love’ and received the rookie award at the 2010 MBC Entertainment Awards.

* Date of Birth: July 4, 1989
* Blood Type: A
* Height: 178cm
* Weight: 66kg
* Hobbies: Playing soccer
* Special Talents: Sports

* Name: Yang Yo-seob (양요섭)
* Nationality: Korean
* Position: Main Vocals
* Education: Dongah Institute of Media and Art

BEAST’s main vocalist, Yang Yo-seob, has a tender voice that gives a pleasant and unique balance to the group’s wild performances. His almost plaintive vocals skillfully tones down the group’s intensity at its peak before it goes over the top. In 2011, he was cast in the KBS show ‘Immortal Music 2,’ in which main vocalists of Korea’s popular idol groups sing old classics. He surprised the audience with his hidden singing abilities.

* Date of Birth: January 5, 1990
* Blood Type: B
* Height: 170cm
* Weight: 56kg
* Hobbies: Playing soccer
* Special Talents: Sports

* Name: Yong Jun-hyung (용준형)
* Nationality: Korean
* Position: Rapper
* Education: Department of Practical Music, Dongshin University

Yong Jun-hyung livens up the stage with his spectacular dance moves and rapping. Widely recognized for his musical talent, he has been featured in a variety of singles including 4minute Hyunah’s ‘Change’ and G.NA’s ‘Kkeojyeojulkke Jal Sara’ (lit. I’ll Back Off So You Can Live Better) in 2010, and Wheesung’s ‘Words That Freeze My Heart’ in 2011. Known as the attractive baby-faced rapper with smiling eyes, he also has excellent songwriting abilities and contributes to the writing and composition of songs on BEAST’s albums.

* Date of Birth: December 19, 1989
* Blood Type: O
* Height: 178cm
* Weight: 64kg
* Hobbies: Writing lyrics, watching movies
* Special Talents: Writing lyrics

* Name: Jang, Hyun-seung (장현승)
* Nationality: Korean
* Position: Vocalist
* Education: Department of Practical Music, Dongshin University

Jang Hyun-seung not only has excellent singing abilities, but also outstanding dance skills that are a perfect combination of flexibility and powerful energy. His hobbies are collecting accessories, clothing, and action figures, and he is beloved by his fans for his exquisite and glamorous sense of style.

* Date of Birth: September 3, 1989
* Blood Type: B
* Height: 177cm
* Weight: 58kg
* Hobbies: Collecting accessories, shoes, clothes, and action figures
* Special Talents: Singing, dancing

* Name: Son, Dong-woon (손동운)
* Nationality: Korean
* Position: Vocals
* Education: Department of Theater and Film, Konkuk University

Son Dong-woon is the youngest member of BEAST, and has gained much popularity with female fans for his big, bright eyes and attractive physique. He has exceptional vocal and piano skills and is seen as a promising young musician with much potential.

* Date of Birth: June 6, 1991
* Blood Type: A
* Height: 181cm
* Weight: 64kg
* Hobbies: Writing lyrics, reading
* Special Talents: Playing piano, Chinese

4. BEAST’s Official Fan Club

1) B2UTYB2UTY is the name of the official fan club of BEAST, making it the BEAUTY and the BEAST when put together. It is said that the members of BEAST chose the name themselves to reflect the spirit of looking in the same direction with their fans instead of just looking at themselves.

2) Official Fan Club Website: http://cafe.daum.net/playb2st/

5. Discography (List of Albums)

Discography

2009	October, 2009	‘Beast is the Best’ (Mini album)
2010	March, 2010	‘Shock of The New Era’ (Mini album)
	April, 2010	‘Easy’ (Digital single)
	September, 2010	‘Mastermind’ (Mini album)
	November, 2010	‘Lights Go On Again’ (Mini album)
	December, 2010	‘My Story’ (Digital album)
2011	May, 2011	‘Fiction And Fact’ (1st full-length album)

6. Awards

Awards

2009	Korea Creative Content Agency: Rookie of the Month Award Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism: Rookie Music Award
2010	Seoul Music Awards: Newcomer Award M.net M Countdown: #1 (‘Shock’) Universal Music Group’s Choice Golden Disc – BEAST IS THE B2ST M.net 20’s Choice Awards: Special Award KBS Music Bank / M.net M Countdown: #1 (‘Soom’) SBS Inkigayo: #1 (‘Beautiful’)
2011	Seoul Music Awards: Bonsang Award KBS Music Bank / M.net M Countdown: #1 for 3 consecutive weeks (‘Fiction’) SBS Inkigayo: #1 for 2 consecutive weeks (‘Fiction’) KBS Music Bank: #1 (‘Biga Oneun Naren,’ lit. ‘On Rainy Days’)

7. Other Activities

Other Activities

2009	Cherry Ade advertising model (Lee Gi-kwang) BSX fashion model (Lee Gi-kwang)
2010	Buckaroo Jeans fashion model (Yoon Doo-joon) BBQ Chicken advertising model Ice Tea Tio advertising model (Lee Gi-kwang) Clride fashion model Seoul Character Licensing Fair 2010 model Dongshin University PR model LG TROMM Washing Machine advertising model (Lee Gi-kwang)