Peniel Dong Shin[1] (
Korean: 프니엘 신; born March 10, 1993), better known mononymously as Peniel (
Korean: 프니엘), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and host based in South Korea. He debuted as a member of the South Korean boy group
BtoB in 2012.
Biography
Shin was born in
Chicago,
Illinois, United States on March 10, 1993.[2][3] Shin attended Barbara B. Rose Elementary School before going on to
Barrington Middle School Prairie Campus in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He attended
Chungdam High School after moving to
Seoul to train.
In 2016, on May 1, He released his first English mixtape with KAIROS, titled Homesick.[10][11][12][13] On September 19,
BtoB Blue released a music video for their debut single "Stand by Me" which was directed by Shin.[14]
On June 27, 2017, Shin released the digital single "That Girl" as part of BTOB's 2017 solo project, Piece of BtoB.[15]
In 2019, Shin released his second digital single, "B.O.D", on May 13.[16] "B.O.D" is a hip-hop song that delivers the energy and vibe of a party inspired from Korean nightlife.[17] Two months later, Shin released the digital single, "Fly23", on July 31.[18] On August 27, Shin released his fourth digital single, "Flip", featuring South Korean rapper
Beenzino.[19] On November 15, he was featured on the song "Beautiful Girl" by
Woosung of
The Rose.[20]
In 2020, Shin collaborated with bandmate
Yook Sung-jae for the song "Hypnotized." The song, which was co-composed by Shin, was released on February 6 as a part of Yook's project single "
3X2=6 Part 3".[21]
On October 27, 2020, Cube announced that they have formed a unit called
BtoB 4U consisting Peniel, Eunkwang, Minhyuk and Changsub.[22] The unit debuted on November 16 with their first mini-album, Inside and title track "
Show Your Love".[23]
On February 14, 2021, Shin release a new digital single "Valentine".[24]
BtoB, including Shin, departed from Cube in November 2023.[25]
In February 2024, BtoB announced the establishment of BtoB Company for the group activities and for Shin's solo activities.[26]
Photography
In 2017, Shin held his first photography exhibition, titled "Penography", at White Studio gallery in
Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul from March 30 to April 12.[27] "Penography" is a compound word of his name, Peniel and photography, and contains Peniel's thoughts of showing a picture containing his own gaze and color.[28]
Shin also led the photography for bandmate
Changsub's debut Japanese EP bpm 82.5.[29]
In 2018, Shin held his second photography exhibition, "SECOND PENOGRAPHY", at Gallery Qum in
Seongdong District, Seoul from November 23 to December 2.[30]
Other activities
In 2016, Shin began to update his fans with his official
vlog channel, POV. The channel features activities from Shin's daily life.[31]
In 2019, Shin was selected to host an English K-Pop radio show, "Skool Of K-Pop" on tbs eFM starting February 25.[32]
On February 12, 2020, Shin was cast in the DIVE Studios variety program HWAITING!.[33] The program aired on
Facebook Watch from February to April. In July, Shin began hosting the
Dive Studios podcast GET REAL alongside BM (of
KARD) and Ashley Choi (formerly of
Ladies' Code).[34]
In February 2023, Shin co-founded the fashion label CEEBS.[35] Shin's involvement with the brand was only revealed on February 9, 2024, via his personal Instagram page.[36][37]
Personal life
In November 2016, Shin participated as a guest in the South Korean reality show
KBS2's Hello Counselor episode 299, opening up about suffering from
Alopecia areata.[38][unreliable source?] In the broadcast, he took off his hat and unveiled the head with sparse hair, further stating: "I concealed my hair loss for five years, and during those five years I kept wearing a hat for two-to-three years. It was very frustrating because I could not tell the truth. 70% of my hair was missing due to stress-related hair loss. The broadcast was natural and my close friends knew, It was very frustrating, but I finally made it public through Hello, so I feel really comfortable."[39][40] He said, "At first, my hair-stylist noticed it, but later it got worse. The hospital said it was difficult to treat...I pushed my hair back all and I didn't care, but I'm getting a little bit out of it."[41] As for the reason that he has not disclosed hair loss so far, Peniel said, "I just wanted to go confidently, but I had to hide it for five years after my debut considering the company, members and fans."[42] After the confession, BtoB members leaving affectionate support posts on their
Instagram, such as
Yook Sung-jae's "Peniel, you got the sweetest heart in the world. We got your back, just stay with us as you are."[43]
Season 1: alongside BM (of KARD) and Ashley Choi (formerly of Ladies' Code) Season 2: with pH1 and Ashley Choi, Season 3: with Junny and Ashley Choi, Season 4: with BM, Junny, and Ashley Choi
^
abJung Ji-won (September 22, 2016).
비투비 프니엘, 뮤직비디오 감독 변신…"만족스럽다" [Peniel transforms into a music video director… "Satisfied"]. XSports News.
Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
^"비투비 육성재, 오늘(6일) 프로젝트 싱글 '3X2=6 Part 3' 발매" [BtoB Yook Sung-jae releases project single '3X2=6 Part 3' today (6th)]. Xports News (in Korean). Xports Media. February 6, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
^Ji-young, Hwang (October 28, 2020).
서은광·이민혁·이창섭·프니엘, 유닛 비투비 포유 결성 [Seo Eun-kwang, Lee Min-hyuk, Lee Chang-seop, Peniel, formed the unit BtoB]. isplus.live.joins.com (in Korean).
Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
^Ko Seungah (November 16, 2020).
[N현장] "7인 완전체 기다리며"…비투비 포유, 군백기 채운 유닛 데뷔(종합) [[N-site] "Waiting for all 7 people"... B2B U, debuts a unit filled with military flags (comprehensive)]. News1.
Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
^Chun Yoonhye (February 9, 2021).
비투비 프니엘, 14일 디지털 싱글 'Valentine' 공개..밸런타인데이 기념 선물[공식] [B2B Peniel, digital single 'Valentine' released on the 14th..Valentine's Day commemorative gift]. Herald Pop.
Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
^Shin, Young-eun (November 6, 2023).
"비투비, 큐브와 재계약 실패, "11년 동거 종료"" [BTOB fails to renew contract with Cube, “Ending 11 years together] (in Korean). Star Today.
Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Jeong-yeon (February 22, 2024).
"비투비 멤버들, 그룹 활동 위해 컴퍼니 설립 [연예뉴스 HOT]" [BTOB members establish company for group activities [Entertainment News HOT]]. Sports Dong-A (in Korean).
Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024 – via Naver.
^Kim Sol-ji (March 13, 2017).
프니엘, 첫 개인 사진전 오픈 “신나고 영광스러워‥많은 응원 부탁” [Peniel's first private photo exhibition opened “Exciting and honorable…Please support me”]. MBN Star.
Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
^Lee Hana (March 30, 2017).
비투비 프니엘, 첫 개인 사진전 'PENOGRAPHY(페노그라피)'오픈 [BTOB Peniel opens its first private photo exhibition'PENOGRAPHY']. Seoul Economic Daily.
Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
^Kang Hee-jung (November 15, 2016).
"탈모인 파이팅!" 프니엘, '안녕하세요' 출연 후기 게재 ["Fighting hair loss!" Peniel's review of'Hello' appeared]. News1.
Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
^Kim Hyun-kyung (November 15, 2016).
‘안녕하세요’ 프니엘 탈모고백, 비투비 멤버들도 응원 ‘훈훈’ ['Hello' Peniel hair loss confession, BTOB members also cheer'Hoonhoon']. Korea Economic Daily.
Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
^Lee Sang-eun (November 14, 2016).
'안녕하세요' 비투비 프니엘 "5년 전부터 탈모… 거짓말할 수 밖에 없었다" ['Hello' BTOB Peniel "I lost my hair from 5 years ago... I had to lie"]. Kyeongin.
Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
^Kim Kyung-sik (November 15, 2016).
'안녕하세요' 비투비 프니엘, 탈모 고백 "머리카락 70% 빠졌다" ['Hello' BTOB Peniel, hair loss confession "I lost 70% of my hair"]. Hankyung.
Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
^Lee Eunbi (November 15, 2016).
프니엘, 탈모 고백에 비투비 멤버들이 전한 말 [Peniel, the words of BTOB members on hair loss confession]. YTN News.
Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.