B.I (rapper)

Kim Han-bin (; born October 22, 1996), 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 Mnet "WIN: 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 single Born Hater alongside Beenzino, Verbal Jint, Bobby, and Winner's Mino, the track was performed together on 2014 Mnet Asian Music Awards.
2015–2019: Career with iKon and solo endeavors.
On September 15, 2015, iKon released the warm-up single "My Type", following lead singles "Rhythm Ta" and "Airplane". 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 album "4X2=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". B.I was cast for JTBC2's variety show "Grand Buda-guest" in 2019. He was featured on label-mate Lee Hi's single "No One" and co-produced the track "1, 2" from her EP "24°C".
2020–present: Solo activities.
On September 28, 2020, B.I was appointed as the executive director of the agency IOK Company. On March 19, 2021, B.I released his first single album, "Midnight Blue (Love Streaming)", under 131 Label, a subsidiary of IOK Company. All proceeds from the sound sources, recordings, and copyrights of the album will be donated to support children in crisis across the globe through World Vision. On April 15, 2021, B.I released a single titled "Re-Birth" under his fandom name ID (BE IDENTITY).
On May 14, 2021, B.I released the new global single "Got It Like That", featuring Destiny Rogers and Tyla Yaweh. He will also release his first studio album "Waterfall" on June 1.
Controversy.
Drug allegations and departure from iKon.
On June 9, 2019 it was revealed that he had allegedly attempted to purchase marijuana and LSD in 2016 from an undisclosed female dealer. He was also accused of evading police charges. B.I acknowledged the validity of the allegations, explaining that he was going "through a hard and painful time" and wanted something to rely on, but denied taking any drugs. His appearances on television series "Law of the Jungle", "Grand Buda-Guest", and "Stage K" were edited out by the networks prior to their broadcast. 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, results of a drug test conducted on B.I was released and delivered a negative result. 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., following this B.I announced his departure as a result due to legal issues and by this he terminated his exclusive contract from YG.
Other ventures.
Philanthrophy.
Since 2016, B.I had been anonymously donating to Seungil Hope Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to spread the awareness of ALS. The foundation revealed in 2018 the total amount of his donation was ₩30,220,000. In 2019, B.I donated ₩10,000,000 to the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association to support the victims affected by the forest fires in Sokcho, Gangwon Province. On June 10, 2019, B.I, along with the cast and crew of "Grand Buda-Guest," donated 2 tons of dog food for stray dogs worth ₩30,000,000 to a dog shelter in Gyeonggi-do. In 2020, B.I donated 100,000 face masks worth a total of ₩200,000,000 to fans, which were distributed by B.I's fanbases, in South Korea, China, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. B.I stated, "The most common gift I receive from fans are face masks. I used them to cover my face every day. But now, I want to give these masks to protect the ones who love and support me." The masks were delivered to fans, children, the elderly, and low-income families vulnerable to the virus and to those who were unable to obtain masks during the pandemic.
On August 6, 2020, a fanbase of B.I's donated socks to Angel’s Haven for Children in his name, and a few days later on August 10, 2020, B.I donated shoes to the same organization. On December 19, 2020, the same fanbase organized a project in Incheon aimed to help the less fortunate by delivering coal briquettes to families in need. After hearing about the difficulty of recruiting volunteers due to COVID-19, B.I made a surprise appearance and helped fans volunteer in the project. B.I and IOK Company also provided additional support to the briquette sharing project by donating 10,000 KF94 masks. B.I stated, "It's embarrassing to talk about volunteer work, but there are still many people around us who need help. It's a more difficult and colder time with COVID-19, but I hope we can share our warmth at times like this."
On December 18, 2020, B.I, together with IOK Company, donated ₩200,000,000 worth of donations, including 200,000 masks and 10,000 innerwear to World Vision, an international relief and development NGO. On January 5, 2021, B.I and IOK company CEO, Jang Jin-Woo, delivered an additional ₩200,000,000 worth of KF94 masks and innerwear to Osan City to help the vulnerable during COVID-19.
Songwriting.
As the leader of iKon, B.I was credited with the lead 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", ', their second full-length studio album, "Return", ', and "". 
For his work in "Return", B.I became the youngest Songwriter of the Year awardee in Melon Music Awards at the age of 22 and also the only idol to receive the award. B.I received multiple distinctions due to the immense popularity of iKon's hit single "Love Scenario" including Producer of the Year at the Gaon Chart Music Awards. This success led B.I to become the highest earner through music royalties in 2018.
During his stint in Mnet's "Show Me the Money 3", B.I released the digital single "Be.I", which became the first single from the show to top the charts.
As a former talent of YG Entertainment, B.I also has songwriting credits for fellow labelmates Epik High's "Born Hater", Winner's "Empty", Blackpink's "Whistle", and several songs on PSY's album "4X2=8".