B.I (rapper)

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.[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.[4] 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.[5][6]

B.I on the red carpet of the 2016 Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards

On September 15, 2015 iKon released the warm-up single "My Type", following lead singles "Rhythm Ta" and "Airplane".[7] In December 2015, B.I and fellow member Jinhwan joined the cast of JTBC's Mari and I.[8] In June 2017, B.I along with member Bobby made a featuring in label-mate Psy's studio album 4X2=8 on track "Bomb".[9] 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.[10] B.I was cast for JTBC2's variety show Grand Buda-guest in 2019.[11] He was featured on label-mate Lee Hi's single "No One" and co-produced the track "1, 2" from her EP 24°C.[12][13]

On September 28, 2020, B.I was appointed as the executive director of the agency IOK Company.[14]

On June 9, 2019 it was revealed that he alleged to attemped 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.[15] B.I acknowledged the validity of the messages, explaining that he was going "through a hard and painful time" and wanted something to rely on, but denied taking any drugs.[16][17] 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.[18][19][20] The drug dealer allegedly delivered drugs to B.I and took drugs together, but was persuaded by the head of his agency Yang Hyun-suk to cover the fact from the police investigation.[21] Following the allegation, Yang resigned from all his positions in the company.[22][23] 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.[24][25] In February 2020, result 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.[26], following this B.I announced his departure as a result due to legal issues and by this he terminated his exclusive contract from YG.