Lee Gi-kwang

In this Korean name, the family name is Lee.

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
이기광
Lee in September 2024
Born	(1990-03-30) March 30, 1990 (age 35) Gwangju, South Korea
Occupations	Singer songwriter actor
Musical career
Genres	K-pop dance
Instrument	Vocals
Years active	2008–present
Labels	Around Us Cube
Member of	Highlight
Korean name
Hangul	이기광
Hanja	李起光
Revised Romanization	I Gi-gwang
McCune–Reischauer	Yi Kigwang

He began his acting career with a supporting role in the popular television sitcom High Kick Through the Roof (2009–10) and had supporting roles in dramas My Princess (2011), Me Too, Flower! (2011), Mrs. Cop (2015), Monster (2016), Circle (2017), and Lovely Horribly (2018). He also became an MC for various shows such as Hot Brothers and Inkigayo.

Early life and career

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]

Also in 2011, Gi-kwang was cast in the romantic comedy drama My Princess starring Song Seung-hun and Kim Tae-hee;^[19] and played Lee Ji-ah's patrol partner in the drama Me Too, Flower!.^[20] Gi-kwang won the Best New Actor award at the SBS Drama Awards for his performance in My Princess.^[21]

On February 8, 2012 Gi-kwang appeared in Ailee's debut music video, "Heaven".^[22] Gi-kwang also hosted SBS K-Pop Super Concert in America on November 10 alongside Tiffany Hwang and Jung Yong-hwa and Melon Music Awards with Infinite's Woohyun, Moon Hee-jun, and Danny Ahn.^[23]

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]

Discography

See also: Beast discography

Gikwang performing in Singapore at BEAST Ordinary Fanmeet 2015

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions		Sales
		KOR [38]	JPN Down. [39]
Predator[40]	Released: April 17, 2023 Label: Around Us Entertainment, RCA Records Formats: CD, digital download	11	94	KOR: 42,242[41]

Single albums

Title	Album details
[I][42]	Released: March 18, 2019 Label: Around Us Entertainment, RCA Records Formats: Digital download

Extended plays

Title	EP details	Peak chart positions		Sales
		KOR [43]	JPN [44]
First Episode: A New Hero[45]	Released: April 4, 2009 Label: Cube Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download	—	—	KOR: 2,068[citation needed]
ONE	Released: September 4, 2017 Label: Around Us Entertainment, RCA Records Formats: CD, digital download	5	171	KOR: 25,570[46] JPN: 670[47]
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Singles

As lead artist

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Sales (DL)	Album
		KOR [48]
"Dancing Shoes"	2009	—		First Episode: A New Hero
"Wipe the Tears" (눈물을 닦고)		—
"What You Like"	2017	51	KOR: 31,832[49]	ONE
"Don't Close Your Eyes (D.C.Y.E)" (feat. Kid Milli)	2019	—[a]		[I]
"Nothing"		—		Goodbye with a Smile (single)
"Predator"	2023	—[b]		Predator
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

As featured artist

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		KOR [52]
"Love Is Pathetic" (사랑이 딱해) (An Jin-kyung feat. Gikwang)	2010	31	Be the Voice

Collaborations

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Sales (DL)	Album
		KOR [53]
"Let It Snow" (with Hyunseung)	2010	87		My Story
"Should I Hug or Not" (with Doojoon, Junhyung)	2011	16	KOR: 404,008[54]	Shinsa Dong Tiger Project: Supermarket – The Half
"Break Up" (with Brave Brothers, Electro Boys)		34	KOR: 456,105[55]	Non-album single
"Yesterday" (with Dynamic BLACK)	2012	9	KOR: 269,507[56]
"Baby It's You" (with Doojoon)	2016	66	KOR: 35,265[57]	Highlight
"Just Trust Me (오빠만 믿어)" (with Park Hyun-bin, Lizzy, Park Kwanghyun)	2017	—		Fantastic Duo 2
"Dazzling Dazzling (샤방샤방)" (with Park Hyun-bin)		—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Music videos

Year	Title
2009	"Dancing Shoes"
	"Wipe the Tears"
2017	"What You Like"
2019	"D.C.Y.E/Don't Close Your Eyes"
	"Lonely (Feat. Jiselle)"
	"Nothing"

Songwriting credits

Year	Album	Artist	Song	Lyrics		Music
				Credited	With	Credited	With
2009	Beast Is the B2ST	BEAST	"Beast Is the B2ST"	Yes	BEAST	No	Shin Sa Dong Tiger, Choi Gyu Seong
			"Bad Girl"	Yes	BEAST, Lee Sang Ho, Shin Sa Dong Tiger	No	Lee Sang Ho, Shin Sa Dong Tiger
2010	My Story	BEAST (Gikwang & Hyunseung)	"Let It Snow"	Yes	Jang Hyun-seung	No	Choi Gyu Seong
2013	Thriller	BtoB	"Why"	Yes	Lim Hyunsik	Yes	Lim Hyunsik, Lee Minhyuk, Shin Peniel, Jung IlHoon
2014	Good Luck	BEAST	"History"	Yes	Yong Jun-hyung, Noday	Yes	Noday
	Time		"So Hot"	Yes	Noday	Yes	Yong Jun-hyung, Noday
2015	Ordinary		"Oh Honey"	Yes	Yong Jun-hyung, Noday, Chloe	Yes	Noday, Chloe
2016	Highlight		"Curious"	Yes	Yong Jun-hyung, Noday	Yes	Noday
			"Lullaby"	Yes	Yong Jun-hyung, Noday, Chloe	Yes	Noday, Chloe
		BEAST (Gikwang & Doojoon)	"Baby It's You"	Yes	Noday	Yes	Noday
2017	Can You Feel It?	HIGHLIGHT	"Dangerous"	Yes	Yong Jun-hyung, Kwon Phillip	Yes	Kwon Phillip
	ONE	Gikwang	"ONE"	Yes	Kim Tae-joo	Yes	Kim Tae-joo
			"Misunderstand"	Yes	Noday, Kwon Philip	Yes	Noday, Kwon Philip
			"Dream"	Yes	Kim Tae-sung, Joo Chanyang, Luizy	Yes	Kim Tae-sung, Joo Chanyang, Secret Weapon
			"Look At Me Now"	Yes	Noday	Yes	Noday
			"Only U"	Yes	Noday, Chloe	Yes	Noday, Chloe
			"What Are U"	Yes	Noday, Chloe	Yes	Noday, Chloe
	Celebrate	HIGHLIGHT	"Love Like This"	Yes	Yong Jun-hyung, Kim Tae-sung, Joo Chanyang	Yes	Kim Tae-sung, Joo Chanyang, Secret Weapon
2018	Shake You Up	Rainz	"Music Up"	Yes	Joo Chanyang	Yes	Kim Tae-sung, Joo Chanyang, Secret Weapon
	Outro	HIGHLIGHT	"Leave Me Alone" (Junhyung & Gikwang)	Yes	Yong Jun-hyung	Yes	Good Life
2021	The Blowing	HIGHLIGHT	"NOT THE END"	Yes	Joo Chanyang, Lavin	Yes	Joo Chanyang, Lavin
			"Hey Yeah"	Yes	Kim Sooyoon, Moon Kim	Yes	Kim Tae-sung, Moon Kim, NOD, Ahn Seong-chan, Kim Yong-shin
2022	Daydream	HIGHLIGHT	"Night Fog"	Yes	Noday	Yes	Noday, Riskypizza
			"Don't Leave"	Yes	VO3E, Kim Jeung-jung, ZNEE	Yes	VO3E, Frederik Jyll
			"PLAY"	Yes	Sooyoon	Yes	Big Sancho, Moon Kim, Kim So-ming
			"Whatever"	Yes	NOD, Park Sol, Gyuberlake	Yes	NOD, Park Sol, Gyuberlake, Moon Kim
			"Classic"	Yes	Noday, Gyuberlake	Yes	Noday, Gyuberlake, WONJUN

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2012	A Turtle's Tale 2: Sammy's Escape from Paradise	Ricky	voice-dubbing	[58]

Television series

Year	Title	Role	Ref.
2009	High Kick Through the Roof	Kang Se-ho	[8]
2011	My Princess	Geon-yi	[19]
	Me Too, Flower!	Jo Ma-roo / Pink Chicken	[20]
2013	My Friend Is Still Alive	Kyeong-sook	[24]
2014	20's (Twenty Years Old)	Gi-kwang	[25]
2015	Mrs. Cop	Lee Se-won	[26]
2016	Monster	young Lee Gook-cheol / Kang Ki-tan (20s)	[28]
	Momin's Room	Wonee	[29]
2017	Circle	Lee Ho-soo	[33]
2018	Lovely Horribly	Lee Sung-joong	[34]
2024	Marry My Husband	Baek Eun-ho	[59]
TBA	I Kill You	Ho-joong	[60]

Television shows

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2009	Diary of AJ	Cast Member
2010–2012	Hot Brothers			[10]
2011	Inkigayo	Host		[16]
2011–2012	Win Win			[11]
2014	Style Log		with Gayoon and Do Sang-woo	[61]
2017	The Dynamic Duo 7	Cast member		[62]
	Love 10	Host	with Sung Si-kyung	[63]
2018	Why Not?: The Dancer	Cast member		[64]
	God of Football	Host	with Jeong Jin-woon	[65]
	Battle Trip	Contestant	with Doojoon (Episode 81-82)	[66]
	Dancing High	Dance coach		[67]
2020	Idol Wonderland	Host	with Kang Yu-chan	[68]
2021	Brad PT & GYM Carry		with Kim Sook and Lee Hyun-yi	[69]
2023	Peak Time	Judge		[70]
2024	Make Mate 1	Special host		[71]

Web shows

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2021	MuzieKwang Company	Host	Fake documentary entertainment	[72]
	Soldier Idol Camp	Cast Member		[73]

Radio show

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2022–2023	Gikwang's Song Plaza	DJ	March 14, 2022– April 16, 2023	[74]

Hosting

Year	Title	Notes	Ref.
2022	KCON 2022 Premiere	Special MC; May 7, 2022 – May 8, 2022	[75]

Concerts

Korean tours

• LEEGIKWANG Mini LIVE 2018 <ONE> - Blue Square I Market Hall, Seoul (January 27–28, 2018)
• LEEGIKWANG LIVE 2019 [I] - Blue Square I Market Hall, Seoul (March 23–24, 2019)

Japan tours

• LEEGIKWANG Mini LIVE 2018 <ONE> in Japan - Mynavi BLITZ Akasaka, Tokyo (July 22, 2018)
• LEEGIKWANG LIVE 2019 [I] in Japan - Toyosu PIT by Team Smile, Tokyo (13 April 2019)

Taiwan tours

• LEEGIKWANG LIVE 2019 [I] in Taiwan - Taiwan TICC Hall, Taipei (30 March 2019)

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee / Work	Result	Ref.
I-Magazine Fashion Face Award	2016	Asian Male	Lee Gi-kwang	Won
	2017			Won
KBS Drama Awards	2018	Best New Actor	Lovely Horribly	Nominated	[76]
KBS Entertainment Awards	2022	DJ of the Year Award	Lee Gi-kwang's Song Plaza	Won	[77]
MBC Drama Awards	2011	Best New Actor	My Princess	Won	[21]
MBC Entertainment Awards	2010	Popularity Award	Hot Brothers	Won	[78]

Notes

1. "Don't Close Your Eyes (D.C.Y.E)" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 57 on the component Download Chart.^[50]
2. "Predator" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 12 on the component Download Chart.^[51]