Kwon Hyun-bin (Korean: 권현빈; born March 4, 1997), also known by his stage name Viini, is a South Korean actor, rapper and model. He is known for his appearance in the second installation of Produce 101 and debuting in the former boy band, JBJ.[1]
Life and career
1997–2016: Early life and career beginnings
Kwon Hyun-bin was born on March 4, 1997, in Seoul, South Korea.[2] Briefly residing in Tokyo, Japan for studies, he joined the baseball team in Aoba-Japan International School, and soon returned to South Korea, enrolling in Jungkyung High School [ko] as an athlete specializing in fencing; serving as a representative at the teens' fencing tournament. Kwon eventually sustained an injury, resulting in his withdraw from the sport.[3]
In 2015, Kwon began his modelling career under YG KPlus, the youngest addition. He appeared on a variety of pictorials, including the May issue of GQ Korea.[4]
2017–present: Rising popularity, solo debut and acting
In April 2017, Kwon appeared on the second installment of Mnet survival program Produce 101. He finished by overall placing 22nd and soon was offered to join project boy group JBJ, consisting of contestants chosen by the viewers. In October 2017, JBJ debuted with their first extended play Fantasy.[5] After seven months, the group's contract came to an end in April 2018.[6] In midst of promotions with JBJ, Kwon appeared on JTBC reality program Live a Good Life alongside labelmates WINNER's Kim Jin-woo and Yoo Byung-jae.[7] Following disbandment, Kwon became a fixed cast member of MBC variety program Dunia: Into a New World.[8]
On February 1, 2019, Kwon joined as a cast member on JTBC's reality show Try It alongside labelmate Yoo Byung-jae.[9] On May 31, Kwon was revealed to be gearing up for a solo debut through YG Entertainment's subsidiary label YGX, followed news of the launch of YouTube channel Kwon Hyunbin Begins where footage of his album preparation, his daily life, and more would be revealed.[10] Kwon made his solo debut on August 19, 2019, with self-composed lead single "Genie" under the stage name Viini.[11] He began promotions with first music show appearance at MBC Show! Music Core on August 24.
In March 2024, Kwon signed with new agency Ghost Studio.[12]
Endorsement
South Korean cosmetics brand LiliByRed selected Kwon as an exclusive model on July 20, 2017. A representative from the brand revealed: "Hyun-bin is perfectly compatible with the image of the new product, which is known through Kwon Hyun-bin's lustful lips and refreshing charm."[13] The following year, he was joined by Gugudan's Mina as a modelling partner to increase synergy and strengthen the brand image.[14] On September 15, 2018, he attended a fan meeting held by the cosmetics brand as promotion for the lip products.[15]
Impact and influence
Kwon was awarded with "Account With Most Growth" in South Korea through Instagram in 2017. The significant rise of followers within the year interpreted his impact on the mass public.[16]
^함연지부터 이진기·임나영·권현빈까지…'4분 44초' 실종자 포스터 공개 [From Ham Yeon-ji to Lee Jin-ki, Im Na-young, and Kwon Hyun-bin… '4 Minutes 44 Seconds' Missing Person Posters Revealed]. Aju Economy (in Korean). Choi Song-hee. October 23, 2024.
^Kim So-yeon (May 25, 2021). 권현빈 '옷소매 붉은 끝동' 합류, 첫 사극 도전 [공식] [Kwon Hyun-bin joins 'red end of sleeves', first historical drama challenge [Official]]. TenAsia (in Korean). Retrieved May 25, 2021.
^Kim Hye-young (May 25, 2021). 권현빈, 사극 첫 도전! '옷소매 붉은 끝동' 정백익 役 캐스팅 [Kwon Hyun-bin, the first challenge in a historical drama! Casting as Jeong Baek-ik in Red sleeves]. iMBC (in Korean). Retrieved May 25, 2021.
^Lee, Min-ji (January 17, 2023). '판도라' 이지아X이상윤, 김순옥표 복수극으로 만났다…대본리딩 현장 ['Pandora' Lee Ji-ah X Lee Sang-yoon and Kim Soon-ok met in a revenge play... Script reading site] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved January 17, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kang Bo-ra (December 1, 2021). 아이즈원 출신 최예나→권현빈, '소녀의 세계2' 한·일·동남아 론칭 [Choi Ye-na from IZone → Kwon Hyun-bin launches 'Girl's World 2' in Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia] (in Korean). slist. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
^Woo-young, Jang (September 14, 2023). '사랑의 안단테' 권현빈, 로코 패치 완료! 송지우와 '남남북녀' 호흡 ['Andante of Love' Kwon Hyun-bin, romantic comedy patch complete! 'Namnambuknyeo' chemistry with Song Ji-woo] (in Korean). OSEN [ko]. Retrieved September 14, 2023 – via Naver.