Kwon Hyun-bin (Korean: 권현빈; born March 4, 1997), also known by his stage name Viini, is a South Korean singer, rapper, songwriter, model and actor. He is well known for his appearance in reality survival program Produce 101 Season 2 and debuting in former boy group JBJ.[1]
Kwon Hyun-bin was born on March 4, 1997, in Seoul, South Korea.[2] He briefly resided in Tokyo, Japan for studies, also joining the baseball team in Aoba-Japan International School. Upon return to South Korea, he studied in Jungkyung High School as an athlete specializing in Fencing, and went on to being selected as a representative for the teens' fencing tournament. Not too long after, Kwon sustained an injury therefore having to give up on fencing and returning to a life of an ordinary high school student.[3]
In 2015, Kwon began his modelling career under YGKPlus, the youngest addition at the time. He appeared on a variety of pictorials, including the May issue of GQ Korea.[4]
2017–present: Rising popularity, solo debut and acting[edit]
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]
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]
Kwon was awarded with "Account With Most Growth" in South Korea through Instagram in 2017. The significant rise of followers within the year interpreted the impact he had made among the mass public.[16]
^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.
