Seo Eun-kwang

In this Korean name, the family name is Seo.

Seo Eun-kwang (Korean: 서은광; born November 22, 1990), also simply known as Eunkwang, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, entertainer and musical actor. He is the leader and main vocalist of the South Korean boy group BtoB.^[1]

Seo Eun-kwang
Seo in November 2016
Born	Seo Eun-kwang (1990-11-22) November 22, 1990 (age 34) Yongin, South Korea
Occupations	Singer songwriter entertainer musical actor
Years active	2012–present
Musical career
Genres	K-pop dance-pop R&B ballad
Instrument	Vocals
Labels	Cube BtoB Company
Member of	BtoB United Cube
Formerly of	BtoB Blue BtoB 4U
Korean name
Hangul	서은광
Hanja	徐恩光
Revised Romanization	Seo Eun-gwang
McCune–Reischauer	Sŏ Ŭn'gwang
Signature

Biography

Seo was born on November 22, 1990,^[2] in Yongin, Gyeonggi in South Korea. He graduated from Dongshin University, majoring in practical music.^[2] He has one younger brother named Seo Eun-chong.^[3]

Military service

Seo reportedly began military duty by enlisting as an active duty soldier in the military band on August 21, 2018, at the ROK army's 27th division, nicknamed the 'We Will Win' unit in Gangwon Province's Hwacheon County.^[4][5][6] In October 2018, he received first place out of the recruits in the overall results during basic training.^[7] On March 14, he was selected as ROK-SWC for receiving more than 90 points in sit-ups, push-ups, 3 km running, 10 km full combat gear marching and more.^[8]

He was discharged from the army on April 7, 2020.^[9]

Philanthropy

In 2017, Seo participated in the Donation Applause 337 Relay Campaign with another 200 entertainers and sports stars. The campaign is to share more than three donations and to send warmth to more than three friends and purchase more than 7,000 won. This resulting in Seo's 418 fans donated to the Children's Rehabilitation Hospital, a building facility who was fully funded by Seo to treat children with severe disabilities.^[10] On November 21, 2017, Seo and his fans donated ₩10 million to help children with childhood diabetes. Cube Entertainment revealed, "Eunkwang's fans wanted to do something nice for his birthday and started collecting donations for the Korea Diabetes Association, which BtoB works as ambassadors. When Eunkwang heard his fans were preparing to donate, he told the label that he wanted to participate as well and he participated in the donation and delivered the scholarship letter himself."^[11]

On April 9, 2019, while serving the military, Seo donated ₩20 million to help the affected areas of the Sokcho Fire through Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association.^[12]

In January 2020, Korea Heart Foundation reveals that Seo donated ₩20 million to help financially troubled heart patients at the end of 2019.^[13] In April 2020, BtoB's fan club 'Melody' donated women's hygiene products to commemorate Seo's discharge. The fan club delivered 3,201 sanitary napkins and wipes through World Human Bridge for pregnant women in vulnerable families who are suffering from COVID-19.^[14]

On February 9, 2023, Seo donated 10 million won to help in the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake through the Children's Foundation.^[15]

Career

BtoB

Main article: BtoB (band)

Seo debuted as the leader and main vocalist of Cube Entertainment's boy group BtoB on March 21, 2012, with the promotional single "Insane".^[16][17] The group is currently active with ten mini albums and two studio album. Eunkwang also contributed as the lyricist in their fourth mini album, Beep Beep with the song "Melody" that is dedicated to their fans.^[18]

During his enlistment, BTOB promotions continued in his absence, with Minhyuk as the second leader and Sungjae as the third leader till his discharge.

Solo activities, acting and debut

Seo in 2015

In 2012, he released a digital single with singer U Sung-eun entitled "Love Virus". A music video was uploaded to BtoB's official YouTube channel, featuring 4Minute's Nam Jihyun and singer Roh Ji-hoon.^[19][20]

In 2013, Seo made his musical debut as "Albert" in the musical, "Monte Cristo". He gained good responses after his performance.^[21] He also joined the cast for musical, "Bachelor's Vegetable Store" as Chul Jin-yeok.^[22]

In 2014, he became a fixed cast on tvN's variety show SNL Korea 5.^[23] He also released the song "Back In The Day" as part of the "Cube Voice Project Part 2".^[24]

In 2015, he sang the OST for the drama Mask with singer Miyu. It was entitled "I Miss You."^[25] He also joined the studio panel in the MBC variety show, and virtual marriage program, We Got Married.^[26][27]

In 2017–2018, Seo was active in the Korean musical theater scene. He was cast in Hamlet, Goddess is Watching You, Three Musketeers and Barnum: The Great Showman. Due to the sudden news of his enlistment, he was only able to perform 6 of the shows for Barnum: The Great Showman despite practice.^[28]

On April 25, 2020, Seo broadcast a 12 hours YouTube Live, 'Silverlight Is Back' on Btob's official channel to celebrate his discharge from the military.^[29][30] On May 7, 2020, it was announced that Seo would release his debut EP in June. He is the sixth member of BtoB to debut as a solo artist.^[31] To accompany the release of the EP, Seo will release "Dear My Dear" (Korean: 서랍; lit. "Drawer"), which served as a pre-release single for Seo's upcoming first solo mini album.^[32] Seo's first solo mini album was released on June 8, 2020, with the title "FoRest: Entrance". Its released was followed shortly with the announcement of his first solo concert. Due to the COVID-19 situation in South Korea at the time, the concert was held online.

On August 13, 2020, Seo's appointment as a member of Cube Entertainment's board of directors was revealed through the company's 2020 half term report.^[33][34] Seo thereby became the first artist within Cube Entertainment to reach a director position within the agency.

On October 27, 2020, Cube announced that they have formed a unit called BtoB 4U consisting of Eunkwang, Minhyuk, Changsub and Peniel.^[35] The unit debuted on November 16 with their first mini-album, Inside and title track "Show Your Love".^[36]

BtoB, including Eunkwang, departed Cube in November 2023, with Eunkwang stepping down from his director position.^[37]

In December, 2023, he was announced as a judge for upcoming boy group survival show Build Up: Vocal Boy Group Survival. The show ran from January 26, 2024, to March 29, 2024.^[38]

In February 2024, BtoB announced the establishment of BtoB Company for the group activities and for Eunkwang's solo activities.^[39]

Discography

For Seo Eunkwang's works with BtoB, see BtoB discography.

Extended play

List of albums, with selected chart positions and sales

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions	Sales
		KOR [40]
FoRest: Entrance	Released: June 8, 2020 Label: Cube Entertainment, Kakao M Format: CD, digital download Track listing Drawer (서랍) Know Nothing (아무도 모른다) Have a Nice Day Even If There's Nothing That Is Forever in the World (Walk) (세상에 영원한 게 없다 해도(WALK)) Four Seasons (사계) Love Again Blue Bird (파랑새)	9	KOR: 30,237[41]

Songs

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Sales (DL)	Album
		KOR [42]
As lead artist
"Back in the Days"	2014	—	KOR: 18,557[43]	Cube Voice Project Part 2
"One Day"	2017	57	KOR: 36,646[44]	Piece of BTOB Volume 7
"Dear My Dear" (Korean: 서랍; lit. "Drawer")	2020	—[A]	—	Non-album singles
"The Little Prince" (Korean: 어린왕자)	2024	105
Collaborations
"Love Virus" (with Yoo Sung-eun)	2012	74	KOR: 87,146[46]	Non-album singles
"Fingertips Love" (with Changsub and Various artists )	2016	—	—
"So Do You" (with NC.A)	2018	45
"Let's Meet Once" (with Kim Bo Kyung)		60
"Sorry (미안해)" (with Changsub and Minhyuk)	2019	96
Soundtrack appearances
"I Miss You" (with Mi Yoo)	2015	—	—	Mask OST
"Goodbye Sadness" (with Changsub, Ilhoon)		—		Sweet, Savage Family OST
"For You" (with Minhyuk, Changsub, Ilhoon)	2016	—		Cinderella and Four Knights OST
"Ambiguous" (with Hyunsik, Sungjae)	2017	37	KOR: 155,093+[47]	Fight for My Way OST
"Dreaming of Spring (Winter Sleep)"	2018	—	—	Queen of Mystery 2 OST
"Why'd You Leave Me" (왜, 너만)	2021	—[B]		Replay: The Moment OST
"Dreamin"		—		Let Me Be Your Knight OST
"Once in a Minute" (1분에 한 번)	2022	—		Moonshine OST
"How Can I Forget You"		—		The Forbidden Marriage OST
"100 Wins" (지피지기 백전백승)	2024	—		Chief Detective 1958 OST
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Filmography

Main article: List of Seo Eun-kwang performances

Radio show

Year	Title	Notes	Ref.
2018	Idol Radio	DJ; July 7–27, 2018	[49]

Awards and nominations

Awards	Year	Category	Recipient/ Nominated Work	Result
Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend	2017	Chuseok Special: Sings with Family	Seo Eunkwang & Hwang Soonok – "With Love"	Won
	2022	Kim Bum-Soo Special	Seo Eunkwang	Won
	2022	2022 King of Kings Special	Kim Ki-Tae and Seo Eunkwang	Won
	2024	Baek Ji-Young Special	Seo Eunkwang	Won
Korea First Brand Awards	2021	Male Variety Idol	Seo Eunkwang	Won[50]
16th Daegu International Musical Festival	2022	Rookie of the Year	Xcalibur as King Arthur	Won[51][52]

Notes

1. "Dear My Dear" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 53 on Gaon Download Chart.^[45]
2. "Why, Only You" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 58 on Gaon Download Chart.^[48]

References

1. "비투비(BTOB), "'본 투 비트' 세계를 압도하는 그룹 될것"".
2. "스튜디오 C (STUDIO C) | MCㅣ은광ㅣBTOB". SBS MTV. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
3. "BTOB's Eunkwang's Brother Joins Eunkwang and Changsub for a Beautiful Ballad Performance". Soompi. February 8, 2016.
4. [단독] "비투비도 군대 간다"..서은광, 8월 21일 현역 입대. Osen (in Korean). August 6, 2018.
5. [공식입장] 서은광, 21일 육군 현역 입대 "건강히 돌아올 것". News1 (in Korean). August 6, 2018.
6. [팝업★]"2년 공백 두렵기도" 비투비 서은광, 전역 소감→2막 시작에 응원물결. Herald POP. April 7, 2020.
7. "[★해시태그] "멋지다! 우리 대장!"...양요섭, 윤두준 신병수료식 참석". XSportNews (in Korean). October 4, 2018.
8. 비투비 서은광 특급전사 선발, 모범적인 군 생활. Newsen (in Korean). March 14, 2019.
9. 비투비 서은광, 코로나19에 부대 복귀 없이 4월 7일 전역[공식]. Maeil Kyungje (in Korean). March 25, 2020.
10. 비투비 서은광, 애장품 기부 이벤트로 팬 418명 참여...어린이 재활병원 건립 후원에 기부. Seoul Economic Daily. February 9, 2020.
11. "비투비 서은광, 팬들과 함께 소아 당뇨 학생 위해 1천만 원 기부". Spot Tv News. November 21, 2017. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
12. 서은광 측 “강원도 산불 피해 지역에 2천만원 기부, 군 복무 중 직접” [공식]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). April 9, 2019.
13. Park Hyun-min (January 30, 2020). [단독] 비투비 서은광, 또 선행..."한국심장재단 2천만원 기부" [[Exclusive] BTOB Seo Eun-kwang, another good ... "Korea Heart Foundation 20 million won donation"]. YTN Star (in Korean).
14. 비투비 팬클럽 멜로디, 서은광 전역 기념해 뜻깊은 기부 [BTOB fan club melody, Seo Eun-gwang celebrates a significant donation]. Sports Donga (in Korean). April 14, 2019.
15. Jang Jin-ri (February 9, 2023). "비투비 서은광, 튀르키예 대지진에 1000만원 기부 "마음 무겁다" [BTOB Seo Eun-kwang donates 10 million won to Turkiye Earthquake "My heart is heavy] (in Korean). SpoTV News. Retrieved 2023-02-09 – via Naver.
16. "BtoB's "Insane" MV revealed!". Retrieved 2012-03-22.
17. "BTOB Targets Global Audience With Debut Showcase". Archived from the original on 2014-02-26. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
18. "BTOB Releases Teaser Images and Tracklist for 4th Mini Album "Beep Beep"". Retrieved 2014-02-09.
19. Seo Eunkwang – Yoo SeungEun, duet song "Love Virus" MV, Nam JiHyun – Noh JiHoon's couple acting^{[permanent dead link‍]}
20. "BtoB's Eunkwang and Yoo Sung Eun to release duet "Love Sickness" on July 12th".
21. ""은광 뮤지컬, 비투비 같지 않았다"(인터뷰)"".
22. "비투비 서은광 뮤지컬 '총각네 야채가게' 캐스팅".
23. "BTOB's Seo Eun Kwang Becomes Fixed Member on 'SNL Korea'". February 17, 2014. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
24. "BTOB's Eunkwang Revealed as Cube Voice Project Singer". Soompi. June 3, 2014.
25. "BTOB's Eunkwang and Miyu lend their beautiful vocals for drama 'Mask's OST".
26. "BTOB's Eunkwang to Join "We Got Married" Studio Panel". Soompi. June 19, 2015.
27. "BTOB's Eunkwang joins "We Got Married" as a studio panelist". Koreaboo. June 19, 2015.
28. "BTOB's Eunkwang Expresses Thoughts On Acting In Musical Ahead Of Military Enlistment". Soompi. August 16, 2018.
29. 돌림판 잘못 돌려 전역하자마자 '12시간 라이브 방송'하게 생긴 '꽝손' 서은광. Insight (in Korean). April 8, 2020.
30. 비투비 서은광, 25일 12시간 라이브 방송 진행 '팬들과 소통' [BTOB Seo Eun-kwang, live broadcast on the 25th for 12 hours 'Communicate with fans']. WowTv (in Korean). April 24, 2020.
31. 비투비(BTOB) 서은광, 솔로 컴백 예정 '제대 이후 열일 행보'…"6월 발매 목표.... TopStarNews (in Korean). May 7, 2020.
32. Kim Ji-ha (May 13, 2020). 비투비(BTOB) 서은광, 솔로 컴백 예정 '제대 이후 열일 행보'…"6월 발매 목표.... TvDaily.
33. 현정민 (August 15, 2020). 비투비 서은광, 큐브 소속 연예인 중 최초 이사 등극 ‘눈길’. 스포츠월드.
34. J.Lim (August 15, 2020). "BTOB's Eunkwang Becomes First Cube Entertainment Artist To Join Agency's Board Of Directors". Soompi.
35. 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). Retrieved 2020-11-07.
36. 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.
37. 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. Retrieved 2023-11-06 – via Naver.
38. Baek, Ji-eun (December 12, 2023). [공식] 이석훈·백호·서은광·솔라·웬디, Mnet '빌드업' 심사위원 확정 [[Official] Lee Seok-Hoon, Baek Ho, Seo Eun-Kwang, Solar, and Wendy confirmed as judges for Mnet's 'Build Up'] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved 2024-01-22 – via Naver.
39. 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). Retrieved 2024-02-22 – via Naver.
40. Gaon Weekly Album Chart:

    • "FoRest: Entrance – Week 24, 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-07-09.
41. "Circle Chart" 2020년 6월 Album Chart [June 2020 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-07-09.
42. Charted songs:

    • "Love Virus". July 8–14, 2012.
    • "Ambiguous". June 11–17, 2017.
    • "One Day". September 17–23, 2017.
    • "미안해 (Sorry)". April 7–13, 2019.
    • "어린왕자 (The Little Prince)". July 21–27, 2024.
43. "2014 Gaon Download Chart – Week 24". Gaon Music Chart.
44. "2017 Gaon Download Chart – Week 38, 2017". Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
45. "서랍 (Dear My Dear)". May 17–23, 2020.
46. Cumulative sales for "Love Virus":

    • "2012 Gaon Download Chart – Week 29".
    • "2012 Gaon Download Chart – Week 30".
47. Cumulative sales for "Ambiguous":

    • "2017 Gaon Download Chart – Week 24". Retrieved 2017-06-22.
    • "2017 Gaon Download Chart – Week 25". Retrieved 2017-06-29.
    • "2017 Gaon Download Chart – Week 26". Retrieved 2017-07-06.
    • "2017 Gaon Download Chart – Week 27". Retrieved 2017-07-13.
    • "2017 Gaon Download Chart – Week 28". Retrieved 2017-07-20.
48. "2021 Gaon Download Chart – Week 8, 2021". February 14–20, 2021.
49. "Seo Eunkwang BTOB as DJ on MBC Idol Radio Launching Broadcast". Newsen (in Korean). July 5, 2018.
50. "비투비 서은광, '대한민국 퍼스트브랜드 대상' 예능돌 남자 부문 신장 TV Daily. July 12, 2022.
51. "서은광, 대구국제뮤지컬페스티벌 신인상 "팬들 사랑해"" news1. July 12, 2022.
52. Lee, Ye-ju (July 12, 2022). "비투비 서은광, 신인상 수상 "진심 다해 노력하겠다" [BTOB Seo Eunkwang, Rookie of the Year Award "I will do my best] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved 2022-07-12 – via Naver.

External links

• BTOB Official website (in Korean)