Kwon Eun-bi (
Korean: 권은비; born September 27, 1995), known
mononymously as Eunbi, is a South Korean singer and actress. She debuted as a member of the short-lived
girl group Ye-A under the stage name Kazoo in 2014, before leaving the group and signing a contract with
Woollim Entertainment. In 2018, she participated on the
survival showProduce 48, finishing in seventh place, which allowed her to debut as a member and the leader of the show's girl group
Iz*One.
Following Iz*One's disbandment, Woollim Entertainment revealed on August 5, 2021, that Kwon was preparing to debut as a solo singer; her first mini album Open was released on August 24.
Life and career
1995–2017: Early life and pre-debut activities
Kwon Eun-bi was born on September 27, 1995, in
Geumcheon-gu,
Seoul.[2][3] Her family consists of her parents and an older brother. She attended Dong-il Middle School and graduated from
School of Performing Arts Seoul. In middle school, she expressed to her parents her desire to attend a dance academy. Her parents were initially against her becoming a singer, and told her to attend a dance academy only as a hobby, wanting her to focus on her studies instead. Determined to become a singer, she finally persuaded her parents by sending a letter to her other family members, asking for help in convincing her parents to let her attend an arts high school.[4][5] When she was 17, she was a
backup dancer for girl groups such as
Secret and
Girl's Day, and was encouraged by member
Hyeri (who was her senior in high school) to pursue her aspirations of becoming an
idol.[6] During this time, she was also working part-time at a
Paris Baguette store.[7][8] Kwon debuted in the Kiroy Company-managed eight-member girl group Ye-A under the stage name 'Kazoo' on July 18, 2014, with the single "Up and Down". It is assumed that the group quietly disbanded after releasing only one single. She auditioned for several entertainment companies afterwards, and signed a contract with
Woollim Entertainment.[9][10][11]
Kwon Eun-bi was one of four trainees from
Woollim Entertainment who participated on the
Mnet girl group
survival showProduce 48, a collaboration between the Mnet series Produce 101 and the
J-pop idol group
AKB48. She consistently ranked among the Top 12, eventually finishing in 7th place, which allowed her to debut as a member of
Iz*One, alongside fellow Woollim Entertainment trainee
Kim Chae-won, and was named the group's leader.[12][13] They debuted on October 29, 2018, with the single "
La Vie en Rose".[14]
In 2019, she became a permanent cast member of the
JTBC show Respect Your Style, Real Life alongside
Jung Hyung-don and
Ahn Jung-hwan which first aired in May and ended in August of the same year.[15][16]
In February 2020, she made her debut as a songwriter and wrote and composed the song "Spaceship" which was released as a track for Iz*One's first studio album Bloom*Iz.[17] The song charted at #130 on the
Gaon Digital Chart.[18] She wrote another song for their third mini-album Oneiric Diary entitled "With*One" as part of a songwriting team called Psycho Rabbit.[19] It was released on June 15, 2020, and debuted at #152 on the Gaon Digital Chart.[20]
2021–present: Solo activities and solo debut
On March 29, 2021, her Woollim Entertainment labelmate
Sungkyu released the music video for his single "Hush", in which she played the female lead.[21]
After wrapping up Iz*One's promotions on April 29, 2021, with a final concert in March, Kwon returned to Woollim Entertainment with labelmate Kim Chae-won as trainees. On June 29, she became the new host of FashionN's beauty program Follow Me along with
Ha Sung-woon,
Pentagon'sKino, and Freesia.[22] On August 4, Kwon's labelmates
Rocket Punch released their debut Japanese album Bubble Up! which includes a track written and co-produced by Kwon titled "Let's Dance".[23]
On August 5, 2021, Woollim Entertainment announced that Kwon Eun-bi was preparing to debut as a solo artist and would release her debut album at the end of the month. On August 24, Kwon released her first
extended playOpen, on which she received writing credits on two of the songs, including the lead single "Door."[24] Following her debut as a soloist, Kwon was nominated for Rookie of the Year at the
36th Golden Disc Awards,[25]Best New Female Artist at the
2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards,[26] Rookie of the Year at the
31st Seoul Music Awards,[27] and won Best Emotive Singer at the 2021
Asia Artist Awards.[28] On December 28, Kwon and label-mate
Rocket Punch's
Juri Takahashi released the song "I'll Be Your Energy" as part of the soundtrack for
Smilegate's mobile RPG Epic Seven.[29]
From January 2022 to January 2023, Kwon hosted the monthly show Mubeat Live.[30][31] On February 23, 2022, she released the song "Time" as part of the soundtrack for the
Disney+ web series Rookie Cops.[32] On March 10, Kwon released the
promotional single "Esper" through
Universe Music for the mobile application,
Universe.[33] On March 24, 2022, Kwon Eunbi was announced as a cast member for the musical
Midnight Sun as Seo Haena, with
Ha Sung-woon,
Shinee's
Onew,
Pentagon's
Jinho,
Song Geon-hee,
Golden Child's Y,
Apink's
Kim Nam-joo, and Lee Sang-a.[34] On April 4, 2022, Kwon released her second extended play Color along with the title track "Glitch".[35] On May 9, 2022, Woollim Entertainment announced that Kwon would hold her first solo concert "Secret Doors" on June 18 and 19, 2022.[36] Later in May, Kwon was selected alongside
KCM and
Vromance's Park Hyun-kyu as hosts of the
LGU+ music-based
variety showWhy Not Crew.[37] In June, she was selected as a mentor in
Mnet's band survival competition show Great Seoul Invasion [
ko].[38] Later that month, she released the song "Oh My Boy" as part of the soundtrack for the
TVING web series New Normal Zine.[39]
On August 11, 2022, it was announced that Kwon's 'Rubi's Room' fan meeting would be held on October 30 and November 3 at Merpark in Osaka and Toyosu PIT in Tokyo; this was to be her first solo fan meeting to be held in Japan.[40] On August 17, she released the song "Light" as part of the soundtrack for K-pop CTzen, a
metaverse project based on
Web3.[41] On September 20, her agency Woollim Entertainment released a comeback poster for her third extended play,
Lethality, through its official SNS channel. The EP was released on October 12.[42] On November 7, Woollim Entertainment announced that Kwon would hold her second solo concert "Next Door" in Seoul on December 17 and 18.[43]
In May 2023, she acted opposite
Hyun Woo in the music video for
KCM's "Even if You Call Me a Fool".[44] The same month, she was confirmed to return for the second season of Why Not Crew.[45] On June 23, 2023, Kwon received attention for her viral performance at Waterbomb Seoul 2023, which led to media outlets such as the Hankook Ilbo declaring her the new "Summer Queen".[46][47] Also in June, she was selected as the new radio DJ for the daily
SBS Power FM radio show Young Street, with her first broadcast scheduled for July 3.[48] Also in July, she was selected to host Maepjjiri Crossing the Line, a web variety show where Kwon tried various spicy foods.[49]
On August 2, Kwon released her first single album, The Flash, along with the lead single of the same name.[50] On August 8, she achieved her first
music show win as a soloist on
SBS M's The Show.[51] On September 6, it was announced that Kwon would be holding her third solo concert "Queen" at the Blue Square Mastercard Hall in Seoul on October 7 and 8.[52] On October 24, she released the digital single "Like Heaven", a collaboration with hip-hop artist Paul Blanco.[53] On November 7, it was announced that Kwon had been cast as a host of the
MBC dating show Alumni Lovers.[54]
On December 8, 2023, it was announced that Kwon would be making her acting debut in the Japanese film Stolen Identity 3.[55] Five days later, she released "Can We Go Back to the Good Old Days" as part of the soundtrack of the Disney+ drama series Soundtrack 2.[56]
Endorsements
Beginning in 2023, Kwon was recognized as a rising model in the advertising world,[57] appearing in advertisements for beauty brand Nine Wishes,[58] colored
contact lens brand Lenstown,[59] massage brand Spaal,[60] chicken brand Jadam Chicken,[57] shower filter brand Dr. P.L.,[61] and health food brand Phytotics, all over a 7-month period.[62]
^Hosted by the Hong Kong Asia Pacific International Group and Sunway Records, the Asian Pop Music Awards bases its winners on "Asian Pop Music Chart" which opened on September 2019.[100]
^Seo, Dong-min (December 28, 2021).
"권은비-로켓펀치 쥬리, '에픽세븐' OST 불렀다" [Kwon Eunbi-Rocket Punch Juri sang 'Epic Seven' OST]. Game Toc (in Korean).
Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
^
abKim Won-gyeom (January 18, 2022).
"권은비, '뮤빗라이브' MC 발탁...재치 입담으로 전 세계 K팝 팬심 저격 예고" [Kwon Eun-bi selected as MC for 'Mubeat Live'... Prediction of sniping K-pop fans around the world with his witty talk] (in Korean). SpoTV News.
Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2022 – via
Naver.
^
abLee, Gee-eun (January 31, 2023).
"권은비, '뮤빗라이브' 시즌1 마무리 "스태프 덕에 성장했다"" [Kwon Eunbi, 'Mubeat Live' season 1 wrap up "I grew up thanks to the staff"]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean).
Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
^Lee, Dong-gun (February 23, 2022).
"권은비, 오늘(23일) '너와 나의 경찰수업' OST 'TIME' 발매...따뜻한 설렘 전한다" [Kwon Eun-bi, released today (23rd) 'You and My Police Class' OST 'TIME'... Send warm excitement]. Media Pen (in Korean).
Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
^Kim Soo-jin (May 9, 2022).
"권은비, 6월 첫 단독 콘서트 'Secret Doors' 개최 [공식]" [Eunbi Kwon, First Solo Concert 'Secret Doors' held in June [Official]] (in Korean). MT Star News.
Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022 – via
Naver.
^
abPark Eun-hae (May 13, 2022).
"KCM·권은비, 핫플레이스 버스킹...'와이낫크루'" [KCM · Eunbi Kwon, Hot Place Busking... 'Wynat Crew] (in Korean).
Newsis.
Archived from the original on May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022 – via
Naver.
^
abLee Da-gyeom (June 3, 2022).
"적재→권은비 멘토...차세대 밴드 발굴 '그레이트 서울 인베이전'" [Jaejae → Mentor Kwon Eun-bi... Discovering the next-generation band 'Great Seoul Invasion'] (in Korean). Star Today, Maeil Economic Daily.
Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022 – via
Naver.
^Ji Min-kyung (June 28, 2022).
"권은비, '뉴노멀진' OST 두 번째 주자..오늘(28일) 'Oh My Boy' 공개" [Kwon Eun-bi, 'New Normal Gene' OST 2nd runner..Today (28th) 'Oh My Boy' released] (in Korean). Osen.
Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2022 – via
Naver.
^Jang In-young (August 11, 2022).
"권은비, 日 첫 팬미팅 연다..."루비 만남 기대" [Kwon Eun-bi to hold her first fan meeting in Japan... "Looking forward to meeting Ruby] (in Korean).
Newsis.
Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2022 – via
Naver.
^Bae Jae-ryun (August 17, 2022).
"권은비, 오늘(17일) OST 깜짝 발표 "곡 너무 좋아" [Kwon Eunbi, surprise release of OST today (17th) "I love the song] (in Korean).
Herald POP.
Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022 – via
Naver.
^Lee, Seul-bi (September 20, 2022).
"권은비, 10월 12일 컴백 [공식]" [Kwon Eunbi, comeback on October 12 [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Donga.
Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022 – via
Naver.
^Kim, Min-ji (November 7, 2022).
"권은비, 12월 두 번째 단독 콘서트 개최...9일 선예매 오픈" [Eunbi Kwon to hold her second solo concert in December... Pre-sale open on the 9th] (in Korean). Sports Seoul.
Archived from the original on November 7, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022 – via
Naver.
^
abJang, Woo-young (May 2, 2023).
"권은비·현우, KCM 신곡 '바보라고 불러도' M/V 지원사격" [Eunbi Kwon and Hyunwoo, KCM's new song 'Even if I Call You a Fool' M/V support shooting]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean).
Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
^
abYoon, Sang-eun (May 4, 2023).
"LGU+, 여행 예능 '와이낫크루 시즌2' 공개" [LGU+ unveils travel entertainment 'Why Not Crew Season 2']. ZDNET (in Korean).
Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
^Hong, Hye-min (August 3, 2023).
"권은비, '더 플래시' 컴백이 관건인 이유" [Eunbi Kwon, the reason why 'The Flash' comeback is the key]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean).
Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
^
abPark, Soo-in (June 22, 2023).
"권은비 '영스트리트' 새 DJ 발탁, 레드벨벳 웬디 후임된다" ['Kwon Eun Bi Selected As New Radio DJ For SBS Power FM's "Youngstreet"]. Newsen (in Korean).
Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
^
abCha, Hye-young (July 17, 2023).
권은비, '선 넘는 맵찔이' 단독 MC 발탁...19일 첫 공개 [Eunbi Kwon selected as the sole MC for 'Maepjjil who crosses the line'... First released on the 19th]. Ten Asia (in Korean).
Archived from the original on December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
^"워터밤 여신 권은비, 더쇼 1위에 눈물 펑펑[포토엔HD화보]" [Waterbomb Goddess Kwon Eun-bi, Tears at No. 1 on The Show [Photo HD Pictorial]]. MSN (in Korean). Retrieved August 8, 2023.
^Kim, Myung-mi (September 6, 2023).
"권은비, 단독 콘서트 'QUEEN' 메인 포스터...여왕 아우라 폭발" [Kwon Eunbi, solo concert 'QUEEN' main poster... Queen Aura Explosion]. Newsen (in Korean).
Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
^권은비, 이번엔 가을 감성 저격..오늘(24일) '라이크 헤븐' 발매 [Kwon Eunbi, this time it's an autumn emotional snipe.. Today (24th) 'Like Heaven' will be released]. Korea Daily. October 23, 2023.
Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
^
abLee, Seung-rok (November 7, 2023).
"권은비, 첫 지상파 예능 MC 발탁됐다 "평소 연애프로 좋아해"...MBC '솔로동창회 학연" [Kwon Eun-Bi was selected as the first terrestrial entertainment MC "I usually like romance shows"...MBC's 'Solo Alumni Association Hakyeon]. My Daily (in Korean).
Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023 – via
Naver.
^
ab"권은비, 배우 데뷔...日판 '스떨뿐' 주인공[공식]" [Kwon Eunbi makes her debut as an actress... 日 version of "Shudder" protagonist [Official]]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). December 8, 2023.
Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Da-gyeom (December 13, 2023).
권은비, '사운드트랙#2' OST '그때 우리로 돌아갈 수 있을까요' 발매 [Eunbi Kwon releases 'Soundtrack #2' OST 'Can We Go Back to Us Then']. Maeil Business News (in Korean).
Archived from the original on December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
^
abKim, Won-gyeom (December 9, 2023).
요즘은 권은비가 대세...'글로벌 퀸' 노브레이크 행보 [Kwon Eun-bi is trending these days... 'Global Queen' no-break action]. SPOTV News (in Korean).
Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
^물 만난 권은비, 수분맛집 나인위시스 전속 모델로 발탁 [Kwon Eun-bi, who met the water, was selected as the exclusive model for the water restaurant Nine Wishes]. Ten Asia (in Korean). August 7, 2023.
Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024 – via Naver.
^Lee, Jeongbeom (December 6, 2023).
권은비, 컬러렌즈브랜드 렌즈타운 모델 발탁...역시 요즘 대세 [Eunbi Kwon selected as model for colored lens brand Lenstown... As expected, it's a trend these days]. Xports News (in Korean).
Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
^Lee, Jinju (December 13, 2023).
권은비, 마사지기 브랜드 모델 발탁...광고계 섭외 0순위 인증 [Eunbi Kwon selected as model for massager brand... Certified as 0th place in advertising industry recruitment]. BNT News (in Korean).
Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024 – via Nate.
^Hwang, Gyu-jun (January 4, 2024).
[영상] 샤워기필터 브랜드 닥터피엘, 물의 여신 권은비와 '닥터피엘송' 공개 [[Video] Shower filter brand Dr. P.L. releases 'Dr. P.L. Song' with water goddess Kwon Eun-bi]. Star Daily News (in Korean).
Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
^Kim, Won-gyeom (February 14, 2024).
권은비, 광고모델계 신흥강자...건강식품 브랜드 모델 발탁 [Eunbi Kwon, a rising star in the advertising model industry... Selected as a model for a health food brand]. SPOTV News (in Korean).
Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
^"Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).
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Archived from the original on September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
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^2022년 06주차 Download Chart [Download Chart - Week 6 of 2022]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). January 30 – February 5, 2022.
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^"Circle Chart" 2022년 11주차 Download Chart [Download Chart - Week 11 of 2022]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). March 6–12, 2022.
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"I'll Be Your Energy":
2022년 04주차 Download Chart [Download Chart - Week 04 of 2022]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). January 16–22, 2022.
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"Download Chart 2022.27" [Download Chart - Week 27 of 2022]. Circle Chart. June 26 – July 2, 2022.
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Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2022 – via
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^Park, Eun-hye (February 3, 2023).
"서로 다른 MBTI 끼리 여행하면 어떨까?...여행방송 '촌스럽게' 관심" [How about traveling with different MBTIs? Interested in travel broadcast 'Coldly] (in Korean).
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^Kim Hyun-sook (July 28, 2022).
"볼륨을 높여요' 스페셜 DJ 박재정→이주명...내달 방송" ['Turn up the volume' special DJ Park Jae-jeong → Lee Joo-myeong... broadcast next month] (in Korean).
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Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022 – via
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^"2020亚洲流行音乐大奖结果出炉 林俊杰获5奖成最大赢家" [2020 Asian Pop Music Awards results are out JJ Lin won 5 awards as the biggest winner]. VCT News (in Chinese). December 28, 2020.
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^"U+아이돌Live 베스트아티스트상 1차 투표" [1st vote for U+Idol Live Best Artist Award]. Idol Live TV (in Korean).
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^Choi, Ji-yoon (August 20, 2023).
"이제훈·김태희·비비 뜬다...제5회 뉴시스 한류엑스포" [Lee Je-hoon, Kim Tae-hee, and Bibi are on the rise... The 5th Newsis Hallyu Expo]. Newsis (in Korean).
Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
^Choi, Ji-yoon (August 20, 2023).
"이제훈·김태희·비비 뜬다...제5회 뉴시스 한류엑스포" [Lee Je-hoon, Kim Tae-hee, and Bibi are on the rise... The 5th Newsis Hallyu Expo]. Newsis (in Korean).
Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023 – via Naver.
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