Lee Gi-kwang (Korean: 이기광; born March 30, 1990), known professionally as Gikwang or Kikwang, is a South Korean singer, songwriter and actor. He originally debuted as solo singer with the stage name AJ (Ace Junior), releasing his first mini album First Episode: A New Hero on April 4, 2009. In October 2009, he debuted as the main dancer, visual and a lead vocalist of boy group Beast, which was renamed Highlight in February 2017.
Lee Gi-kwang was born on March 30, 1990[1] in Naju, South Korea. Gi-kwang found interest in hip hop and had particular liking to many classic hip hop acts. At first he was backed by his family to pursue a musical career but eventually he passed an audition and became a trainee. He was trained under JYP Entertainment for four years before being eliminated. He was asked by the former president of Cube Entertainment to join the agency without auditioning, making him the company's first trainee.
He was known as the solo singer AJ or Ace Junior when he debuted and released a mini-album First Episode: A New Hero on April 4, 2009. He made his debut on April 2, 2009 on Mnet M!Countdown,[2] and dubbed by Korean media as the next Rain.[3] However he met controversies when his name created dispute among netizens for having a similar name with Paran's AJ (who later became a U-KISS member). He now goes with his original name when he re-debuted with Beast.[4] On June 17, 2009, AJ opened for Lady Gaga's Korean showcase.[5] Fellow Beast members Yoon Doo-joon, Yong Jun-hyung, Jang Hyun-seung and Yang Yo-seob participated as backup dancers for AJ before debuting in Beast.[6] AJ also featured in reality show, Diary of AJ, which was hosted by MTV. The show ran on two episodes on May 9, 2009 with a total of two episodes showcasing his journey on his debut as AJ.
Career
2009–2016: Debut with Beast and solo activities
Six months after debuting as soloist, Gi-kwang was chosen to debut as member of Beast, originally known as B2ST, an acronym for "Boys 2 Search the Top". However, their name was changed to BEAST (acronym for "Boys of East Asia Standing Tall"). The group debuted in October 2009.[7] Gi-kwang made his acting debut in the MBC sitcom High Kick Through the Roof, which aired in 2009 and 2010.[8]
In 2010, Gi-kwang featured in K.Will's music video for the song, "Present".[9] He was also selected as the MC for MBC's Sunday Sunday Night segment Hot Brothers[10] and the KBS talk show Win Win.[11] In May, Gi-kwang was chosen as the model for the 'Ice Tea Tio' from DongSuh Foods.[12] In August, Gi-kwang featured on Ahn Jinkyung's single "Love is Pathetic" from the mini album Be the Voice as a rapper.[13] He, Yoon Doojoon and IU appeared as special hosts on Music Core on August 21, 2010.[14] On December 29, Gi-kwang was awarded with Popularity Award from the 2010 MBC Entertainment Awards.[15]
Lee in 2016
Gi-kwang, together with IU, were selected to be new MCs of Inkigayo in replacement of CNBlue's Jung Yonghwa from March 20, 2011. The two were paired with the existing MCs, 2AM's Jo Kwon, and f(x)'s Sulli.[16] He was also chosen as the leading man in A Pink's music video, "I Don't Know"[17] Sunny Hill's music video for "Midnight Circus". In July, Gi-kwang was featured on Brave Brothers' song "Break Up" alongside Electroboyz, as a part of Brave Brother's sixth project album on July 12, 2011.[18]
In 2013, Gi-kwang had a role as a terminally ill patient with leukemia on KBS Drama Special My Friend is Still Alive.[24] In 2014, he starred in the mobile drama 20's (Twenty Years Old).[25]
In 2015, Gi-kwang was cast in SBS's drama Mrs. Cop as the youngest detective on the team.[26][27] He next starred as the younger version of Kang Ji-hwan's character in the 2016 MBC drama Monster,[28] and the web drama Momin's Room.[29]
2017–present: Return to solo music career
In September 2017, Gi-kwang returned as a soloist with his first mini album One. The lead single was a future R&B single titled "What You Like".[30] Gi-kwang reportedly participated in 6 out of 8 tracks on the album.[31] He held his first solo concert Lee Gikwang Mini Live 2018 One in January 2018.[32]
Also in 2017, Gi-kwang was cast in tvN's science fiction drama Circle.[33] In 2018, Gi-kwang was cast in KBS' horror romance drama Lovely Horribly.[34]
On April 18, 2019, Gi-kwang began his mandatory military service as a conscripted police officer.[35] He was discharged on November 18, 2020.[36]
In 2022, Lee became a DJ on Gikwang's Song Plaza, which began in March and will end his duties as a DJ on April 16, 2023.[37]
^Jeong Ga-young (April 3, 2023). "가요광장' DJ 이기광, 16일 막방 "청취자들께 감사" [Gayo Square’ DJ Lee Gi-kwang, last broadcast on the 16th “Thanks to the listeners] (in Korean). Sports World. Retrieved April 3, 2023 – via Naver.
^"이기광, 새 디지털 싱글 [I] 18일 발매‥트랙리스트 공개[공식]" [Lee Gi-kwang's new digital single [I] will be released on the 18th...Track listing revealed [Official]]. Herald Pop (in Korean). March 13, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
^"Oricon Chart". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved September 14, 2017.
^"신예 AJ "댄싱슈즈 인트로 안무, 비가 짜준 것"" [Rookie AJ's 'Dancing Shoes' intro choreography was created by Rain]. No Cut News (in Korean). April 20, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
^Kim, Chae-yeon (October 25, 2023). "박민영·나인우·이이경·송하윤, tvN '내 남편과 결혼해줘'로 뭉친다 [공식]" [Park Min-young, Na In-woo, Lee Yi-kyung, and Song Ha-yoon to unite for tvN's 'Marry My Husband' [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN. Retrieved October 25, 2023 – via Naver.
^Hwang Hye-jin (September 13, 2021). "[단독]김숙X이현이X이기광, 운동예능으로 뭉친다 '브래드PT&GYM캐리' MC" [[Exclusive] Kim Sook X Lee Hyun Yi X Kik Kwang unite through sports entertainment 'Brad PT&GYM Carry' MC]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved September 13, 2021 – via Naver.
^Jeong Bit (December 20, 2022). "[공식] 규현·티파니·박재범·송민호, '피크타임' 심사위원 출격…MC 이승기와 호흡" [[Official] Kyuhyun, Tiffany, Jay Park, and Minho Song appear as judges for 'Peak Time'... Breathing with MC Lee Seung-gi] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved December 20, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kang Kyung-rok (August 16, 2021). "하이라이트 이기광, '뮤지광 컴퍼니' 출연…예능감 '기대 UP" [Highlight Lee Gi-kwang to appear in ‘Mujikwang Company’… Sense of entertainment ‘Expectation UP’]. Edaily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
^Jung Hee-yeon (December 1, 2021). "이진호·온유·이기광 '군필돌 캠프' 입소" [Lee Jin-ho, Onew, and Ki-kwang enlist at the 'Military Idol Camp] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Retrieved December 1, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee Nam-kyung (March 3, 2022). "이기광 DJ발탁, '가요광장' 정은지 후임 확정…3월 14일 첫방(공식)" [Lee Gi-kwang as DJ, ‘Gayo Plaza’ Jung Eun-ji’s successor confirmed… March 14 first broadcast (official)] (in Korean). MBN. Retrieved March 3, 2022 – via Naver.
^Yoo Byung-chul (April 22, 2022). "하이라이트 이기광, 3회 연속 '케이콘' 무대 오른다…스페셜 MC 낙점" [Highlight's Lee Gi-kwang to step up on 'KCON' for the third time in a row... Special MC score] (in Korean). Korea Economy TV. Retrieved April 23, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jo, Yoon-kyung (December 31, 2018). "[2018 KBS 연기대상] 김권·박성훈·박세완·설인아 신인상 수상" [[2018 KBS Drama Awards] Kim Kwon, Park Seong-hoon, Park Se-wan, Seol In-ah Rookie of the Year Award] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Retrieved October 8, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee Seung-gil (December 24, 2022). "이기광x이민혁, '올해의 DJ상' 받았다 [2022 KBS 연예대상]" [Lee Ki-kwang x Lee Min-hyuk, received the 'DJ of the Year Award' [2022 KBS Entertainment Awards]] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved December 24, 2022 – via Naver.
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