U-Kwon
South Korean singer
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Kim Yu-kwon (Korean: 김유권, born April 9, 1992),[1] better known by the stage name U-Kwon (유권), is a South Korean singer. He is a vocalist and dancer in Block B; he is also a member of the sub-unit Bastarz along with P.O and B-Bomb, as well as the sub-unit T2u with Taeil.
Biography
Career
2011–2016: Career beginnings
U-Kwon debuted with Block B in April 2011. Four years later, it was announced that U-Kwon would participate in Block B's first sub-unit, Bastarz, along with members P.O and B-Bomb.[2][unreliable source][3][unreliable source] The group's first album was released on April 13, 2015,[4][unreliable source] and its second on October 31, 2016.[5][unreliable source] In between, U-Kwon, along with B-Bomb, recorded the song "Bingle Bingle" on the Block B album Blooming Period, which was released April 11, 2016.[6] U-Kwon released his first Japanese solo, "Painless" (痛くない), on June 24, 2016; the song was composed by him for the short vampire film Q Chan, in which he starred.[7]
On June 24, 2016, it was announced that U-Kwon had been cast on the idol-dance competition show Hit the Stage.[8][unreliable source] U-Kwon participated in the show with YooA as his partner.[9] U-Kwon won the premiere episode of the show with a dance routine in which he portrayed the Joker.[10][unreliable source] They ultimately finished fourth.[11]
2017–present: Solo career
In June 2017, U-Kwon and fellow Block B member P.O received the Maxim K-Model Icon Idol Award.[12]
U-Kwon performed a seven-show, six-city tour of Japan from August 26 to September 7, 2017, along with fellow Block B member Taeil as the special unit T2u.[13] U-Kwon also took part in the Japanese special project album, Block B: Project-1, released September 20, performing the song "Winner" along with P.O and Japanese rapper Chanmina.[14]
On October 18, it was announced that U-Kwon had been selected to host the music show The Power of K, along with Nancy of Momoland and Shownu of Monsta X. The show began broadcasting January 2018 in both Korea and Japan.[15]
In December 2017, U-Kwon along with the singer Rothy released an OST song for the drama Jugglers entitled "Baby Baby."[16]
On January 8, 2018, Block B released the album Re: Montage featuring a solo song by U-Kwon, "Everythin'." In addition to performing the song, U-Kwon helped write the lyrics.[17] U-Kwon also wrote the Japanese lyrics to the 2018 T2u song "Good Bye," which appears on the Block B The Best album,[18] and the Japanese lyrics to the song "Ocean," which appears on the subunit's debut album, T2U.[19]
On August 12, 2022, during Haha's Twitch stream with him, U-Kwon announced that he left KQ Entertainment and is currently working independently before deciding on an entertainment company to join.[20][unreliable source]
Personal life
U-Kwon announced in December 2012 that he was in a relationship with the model Jun Sun-hye.[21][unreliable source] She announced their breakup on May 1, 2022, saying the two remained friends.[22]
In May 2020, it was announced that U-Kwon would begin the military service required of South Korean men on May 18.[23] U-Kwon was discharged from military service on November 21, 2021 without returning to the unit after his last vacation in accordance with the Ministry of Defense guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19.[24]
Discography
Single albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR | |||
| Rise Up |
Track listing
|
— | N/a |
| Wanna Do |
Track listing
|
— | |
Soundtrack appearances
Filmography
Variety shows
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Hit The Stage | Contestant[25] |
| Lipstick Prince | Cast member with P.O[26] | |
| 2017 | Ranking Show 1, 2, 3 | Panelist |
| 2018–19 | Power of K | Host[27] |
| 2018 | Ranking Show 1, 2, 3 | Panelist |
| 2019 | King of Mask Singer | Contestant (Edison) |
| Sales King TV | Indonesia trip | |
| 2020 | Fact in Star | Idol of the Month |
| Voice Queen | Judge | |
Dramas
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Jumping Girl | Han Ga-eul[28] |
| 2018 | Radio Romance | Kang Minu |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Q Chan (Qちゃん) | Im | Part of the Thrilling Daily Life (スリリングな日常) omnibus[29] |
Musicals
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | All Shook Up | Elvis | Seoul production[30] |
| 2015 | HARU~If You Can Return to that Day~ (HARU～あの日に戻れるなら～) | Kang Young-won | Tokyo production[31] |
| Run to You~Street Life~ | Suchan | Tokyo production, with Jaehyo[32] | |
| 2016–17 | In the Heights | Usnavi | Seoul production, with Jaehyo[33] |
| 2017 | The Great Catsby | Hound | Seoul production[34] |
| 2018 | Evil Dead: The Musical | Scott | Seoul production[35] |
| 2019 | By the Age of 30 | Jin Yong | Tokyo & Osaka productions |
| Altar Boyz | Luke | Osaka production |