Beast (비스트, stylized as BEAST or B2ST) is a boy group from South Korea that consists of six members, under Cube Entertainment. The group was originally known as B2ST, an acronym for Boys to Search for Top.[1] However, their name was changed to BEAST (Boys of the EAst Standing Tall) a few days before debut.[2][3] They released their first mini-album Beast Is The B2ST on October 14, 2009.
Member profiles
Yoon Doo Joon
* Birth name: Yoon Doo Joon (Hangul: 윤두준)[73]
* Date of birth: July 4, 1989 (1989-07-04) (age 21)[73]
* Position: Leader, Vocalist, Rapper, Dancer
Doo Joon is the leader of BEAST.[13] He was a trainee from JYP Entertainment. He was featured in the Mnet documentary Yeolhyeolnama(Hot Blooded Men) with 2AM and 2PM but was eliminated.[74] He was then transferred to JYP Entertainment's sister company, Cube Entertainment. Before his debut with BEAST, he auditioned for High Kick Through the Roof and was offered a role in the sitcom but turned it down to focus on his music career.[74] He became a member of reality-variety series Danbi, a segment part of MBC's Sunday Sunday Night line-up.[75] It ended with the last broadcast on August 15, 2010.[76]
Doo Joon was featured in AJ's music video for "Nunmureul Dakko" ("Wipe the Tears") as a rapper along with Jun Hyung before they debuted as part of BEAST.[77] He was also a rapper for Gavy NJ's song "Sun Flower".[78]
Doo Joon worked with Shin Sekyung on an ad for premium jeans brand, Buckaroo[79]
When Girls' Generation member Taeyeon left MBC Radio FM4U 91.9Mhz ‘Chin Chin Radio’ , he was chosen as the temporary DJ for two weeks together with solo singer IU.[80] Doo Joon was featured for
G.Na's album title song ‘I’ll Back Off So You Can Live Better’ music video along with the other Beast member, Jun Hyung.[81] Doojoon, Gi Kwang and IU appeared as special hosts on Music Core on August 21, 2010.[82] DooJoon was cast in MBC daily sitcoms ‘All My Love.’ and 'More Charming By The Day'.[31] On December 29, 2010, DooJoon was awarded with Rookie Comedy Award from the 2010 MBC Entertainment Awards for the cast in 'All My Love' and 'More Charming By The Day'.[83][84]
Jang Hyun Seung
* Birth name: Jang Hyun Seung (Hangul: 장현승)[73]
* Date of birth: September 3, 1989 (1989-09-03) (age 21)[73]
* Position: Vocalist, Lead Dancer
Hyun Seung first received media attention as a trainee under YG Entertainment with nickname So-1, when he was preparing to debut as a member of Big Bang. He appeared in 10 out of 11 episodes of the Big Bang Documentary, but wasn't chosen to be a part of the final group formation by YG's president.[85] He received a lot of concerns from Cube's management when BEAST was being formed, as the first thing the members were instructed to do was to have Hyun Seung gain weight.[86] On August 23, 2010, a video of Prepix ILL with Jang Hyunseung dancing was released, revealing swift dance to song Money Right by RnB Musiq Soulchild.[87]
Yong Jun Hyung
* Real Birth Name: Yong Jae Soon(Hangul: 용재순) but changed to Yong Jun Hyung (Hangul: 용준형) when he was in the 6th grade[73]
* Date of birth: December 19, 1989 (1989-12-19) (age 21)[73]
* Position: Main Rapper, Dancer
He was a member of the boyband "Xing" which also consists of Kevin from "U-Kiss". Noted by his unique hairstyles and exceptional talent in rapmaking, Jun Hyung was featured in AJ's music video "눈물을 닦고" ("Wiping the Tears") as a rapper with Doo Joon. Along with fellow BEAST member Yo Seob, MC and comedian Lee Hyukjae, Moon Hee Jun (formerly of H.O.T.) and Kim Sook, they welcomed Japanese tourists for "Visit Seoul 2010" campaign, where Korean celebrities and Japanese tourists explored Seoul in MBC's Star Guide Doshiraku to raise awareness of Seoul's famous areas as well as its delicious cuisine.[88]
Jun Hyung also featured in Hyuna's solo debut single "Change".[16][89][90] Jun Hyung along with 4minute were also featured in "Heard 'Em All" for Amerie's Asian version of the album In Love & War.[16] He was also a guest rapper for K.Wills song "Present".[91][92] He also starred in MBC High Kick Through the Roof as a cameo in one of its episodes. [93] He was also involved in the rap making and featuring for 4minute’s album "Hit Your Heart" where his composing skills were dutifully noted.[27][32] Jun Hyung was featured for
G.NA’s album title song ‘I’ll Back Off So You Can Live Better’ music video, his appearance giving an opposite vibe from Doo Joon's.[81] Currently, Jun Hyung is featured for FADDY ROBOT FOUNDATION together with 4minute`s Hyunah, Outsider, Verbal Jint, Mighty Mouth’s Ssangchu, Vasco and Jico; all profit from this album has been promised to be given out to charity.[94] In order to encourage the public participation in commemorating Seoul Summit Asia Bridge Contents (Representative Choi Jin) had announced that the G20 summit held in Seoul have created campaign song ‘Let’s Go’ composed by Shinsadong Tiger, Lim Sanghyuk, Eddie, and BEAST`s Yong Junhyung. Junhyung will also be rapping for the song.[95] Junhyung will be a guest rapper for chaeyeon song namely 'Ma Lover' on SBS inkigayo on October 31, 2010.[96]
On November 23, 2010, Young Jee released a single named "Crazy, that's what love is" featuring Junhyung in rap making and the rapping.[97] On January 19, 2010, Navi released a single named "Go Again" featuring Junhyung rapping. [98]
Yang Yo Seob
* Birth name: Yang Yo Seob (Hangul: 양요섭)[99]
* Date of birth: January 5, 1990 (1990-01-05) (age 21)[99]20 years old
* Position: Main Vocalist, Dancer
Yo Seob is the main vocalist of BEAST.[100] Noted to be the "cute" member of BEAST,[85][101] his various hairstyles have received much attention, being compared to that of a Fairy Pitta and a Shih Tzu among other things.[99] Yo Seob was a former JYP Entertainment trainee. He moved agencies, to M Boat Entertainment (a former sister company of YG Entertainment) then to Cube Entertainment. He was also known for his self-created videos and parodies.[99] He was a backup dancer for AJ's music video "Wiping the Tears" and "Dancing Shoes".[102]
Along with fellow BEAST member Jun Hyung, MC Lee Hyukjae, Moon Hee Jun (formerly of H.O.T.) and Kim Sook, Yo Seob welcomed Japanese tourists for "Visit Seoul 2010" campaign, where Korean celebrities and Japanese tourists explored Seoul in MBC's Star Guide Doshiraku to raise awareness of Seoul's famous areas as well as its delicious cuisine.[88] On July 16, 2010, Yo Seob participated in the More Charming by the Day official soundtrack in promotion for the film with the song "Happy Birthday".[103][104] On November 29, 2010 , Yoseob will be releasing a digital single together with Dalmatian`s Daniel, namely "First Snow and First Kiss". Starting from when they were trainees, they were coined 'soulmates0115'. The two had an intimate relationship, prior to their debut, they released a UCC series, "To Pick On Mr. Daniel" which even succeeded to rise up as a hot topic when selected as #1 amongst the weekly TOP 5 UCC's by a sports newspaper.[105] Yoseob is currently a regular cast member on "100 Points Out of 100" which was originally known as "Oh My School" and replaced "Star Golden Bell".[106] YoSeob will be casting his first musical as JiYong through ‘Kwang Hwa Moon Love Song’; The Musical will start performances from March 20th until April 10th.[107]
Lee Gi Kwang
Main article: Lee Gi Kwang
* Birth name: Lee Gi Kwang (Hangul: 이기광), pronounced 'Ki Kwang'[99]
* Date of birth: March 30, 1990 (1990-03-30) (age 20)[99]
* Position: Lead Vocalist, Main Dancer
Gi Kwang was initially a trainee under JYP Entertainment.[16] He later transferred to sister entertainment company, Cube Entertainment where he originally debuted as a solo singer by the stagename, "AJ". Cube Entertainment then decided to have him join BEAST where he redebuted under his given name.[108] He is known as SaeHo in MBC High Kick Through the Roof,[18] and was selected as MC for MBC's Sunday Sunday Night segment Hot Brothers.[18] Lee Gi Kwang was chosen as the new MC for the KBS show 'Win Win'.[22]
Gi Kwang is featured in K.Will's music video for the song, Present.[109] He was also chosen as the model for the ‘Ice Tea Tio’ from DongSuh Foods.[110] Lee Gi Kwang will be featuring in Ahn Jinkyung’s title song ‘Love is Pathetic’ off of her second mini album ‘BE THE VOICE’ this will be his first project that he will be rapping in.[111] Doojoon, Gi Kwang and IU appeared as special hosts on Music Core on August 21, 2010.[82] Gi Kwang will be doing CF filming of LG Tromm cf with model Lee Nayoung.[112] Gi Kwang was casted as the comical role in the drama ‘My Princess’ starring Song Seunghun and Kim Taehee.[113] On December 29, 2010, Gi Kwang was awarded with Popularity Award from the 2010 MBC Entertainment Awards.[114]
Son Dong Woon
* Birth name: Son Dong Woon (Hangul: 손동운)[99]
* Date of birth: June 6, 1991 (1991-06-06) (age 19)[99]
* Position: Vocalist, Rapper, Dancer, Maknae
Dong Woon was a trainee from JYP Entertainment for 2 years, and was the last member chosen to join BEAST. He is the maknae (youngest) of the group. Dong Woon is known for his Western look from the other members. In December 2010, Dong Woon released a digital single album "Udon" together with Davichi’s Kang Min Kyung. After it`s release, the song quickly rose up to the top of the charts, bringing in immense popularity and it is expected to start another trend.[31][115] However, it is said that by the composers of ‘Udon' that the title of the song is in Japanese, hence the main 3 broadcasting networks confirmed that they will not be showing on television.[116]. Son Dongwoon will be entering at Konkuk University as an image and film major this year.
