Baekho (singer)

Kang Dong-ho (born July 21, 1995), known professionally as Baekho, is a South Korean singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor signed under Pledis Entertainment.

Formerly the main vocalist and music producer of South Korean boy group NU'EST, Baekho made his debut as a solo artist in October 2022 with the release of his first extended play Absolute Zero. Known for his powerhouse vocals and powerful physique, he has been dubbed the "Sexy Icon" of his generation.

Early life and education
Kang Dong-ho was born on July 21, 1995 in Aewol, Jeju Province, South Korea. He has a younger brother.

He has mentioned that he originally had no intention of going into the music industry prior to being scouted, later citing Korean boy group TVXQ as his role models and musical inspiration. He graduated from Seoul Broadcasting High School, and later from the Paekche Institute of the Arts. On March 10, 2020, together with members JR, Minhyun, and Ren, he enrolled at Hanyang University Institute for Future Talents as freshmen in Practical Music Course.

Pre-debut
Baekho became a Pledis Entertainment trainee after being scouted by the company in 2010. He became better known after he appeared in labelmate After School's music video for the single "Play Ur Love". In 2011, he and bandmate JR appeared on the KBS talk show Hello Counselor and were revealed by After School's Kahi as two of the members of NU'EST.

Prior to his debut, Baekho made appearances in labelmates' music releases as a member of Pledis Boys. He was a backup dancer for After School Blue's "Wonder Boy", and featured in Pledis Entertainment's Christmas release "Love Letter".

2012–2022: NU'EST
On March 15, 2012, Baekho debuted as the main vocalist of NU'EST. His stage name was chosen by labelmate Uee of After School, because of his resemblance to Slam Dunk character Hanamichi Sakuragi (known as "Kang Baek-ho" in the Korean version).

In 2013, Baekho made a cameo appearance in the television drama Jeon Woo-chi.

In early 2014, he was diagnosed with vocal fold nodules. However, he decided to continue performing with NU’EST while receiving treatment. Pledis Entertainment announced in November that he would be taking a temporary hiatus from all group activities. His doctors advised that he completely rest his voice, and he underwent vocal cord surgery. In February 2016, it was reported that he had completely recovered.

In 2015, Baekho starred in a minor supporting role in Japanese independent film Their Distance alongside NU'EST members.

Baekho began participating in song-writing and music production in 2015, with his first self-produced songs "Lost & Found" and "VVith" included in NU'EST's fourth EP Q is. He has been listed as an album producer for every NU'EST and NU'EST W release since then.

Produce 101
In 2017, Baekho, under his real name Kang Dong-ho, participated as a contestant on Produce 101 Season 2 alongside NU'EST members JR, Minhyun and Ren. After performing a cover of BTS's "Boy in Luv" on the show, he gained the nickname of 'sexy bandit' from netizens. In the position-based challenge, he covered Blackpink's "Playing with Fire", and the view count of his fancam reached one million views within three days. He was also noted by commenters for his stable vocals in the music removed (MR) performance. His reading of the lyric 'Wow megaton bomb' also went viral, leading to a 400% increase in sales of Lotte's 'megaton bar' ice cream. Baekho eventually placed 13th and did not debut in the project group Wanna One, promoting with the remaining NU'EST members as sub-group NU'EST W from 2017 to 2018.

Mnet vote manipulation investigation
On November 18, 2020, the Seoul High Court disclosed as part of the Mnet vote manipulation investigation that Baekho was a victim of voting manipulation when he participated on Produce 101 Season 2. It was revealed by the Court that in the final episode, Baekho was directly swapped out of the group's line-up by the show's producers, who replaced him with the trainee that actually placed 13th.

Although both of the show's producers Kim Yong-bum and Ahn Joon-young alleged that Baekho requested to be removed from the final lineup of his own volition, Pledis Entertainment denied the allegations. CJ ENM (Mnet's parent company) released a statement regarding the progress of negotiations to financially compensate all the trainees who were affected by voting manipulation across all the Produce 101 programs, including Baekho. However, Pledis stated that they had not been contacted by CJ ENM regarding the compensation as of November 18, 2020.

On November 20, 2020, it was revealed that during the filming of Produce 101 Season 2, Baekho had been suffering from anxiety disorder to the point of collapsing from panic attacks, and that Ahn and the Mnet staff were aware of Baekho's diagnosis. Ahn alleged that after speaking to Baekho in May 2017 in regards to his mental health and his involvement in the show, he interpreted Baekho's responses to mean that Baekho wanted to be eliminated from the competition. However, the Court maintained that Baekho was not personally involved in the decision to have his rank manipulated, and ruled him as a victim of unfair elimination through vote manipulation.

Solo ventures and musical theatre debut
In June 2018, Baekho participated in vocal competition show King of Masked Singer, advancing to the third round. Under the mask of David Beckham, he received praise for his second-round performance of "Beautiful Night", which showed off his control over rhythm and pitch as well as his mid-to-low register, and his third-round performance of rock ballad "I Remember", which had him lauded by critics for his 'explosive' high register in addition to his emotional delivery and 'sensitivity beyond his age'.

Baekho had his first solo award show performance at the 33rd Golden Disc Awards in January 2019, singing his W, Here track "Thanksful for You", which is dedicated to his late father. In the same month, he also participated in his first original television drama soundtrack, releasing strings-based power ballad "That Day, We" for historical epic The Crowned Clown.

On January 11, 2020, Baekho held his first overseas concert "BAEKHO-liday" in Macau. The Taipei and Bangkok stops of the mini-Asia tour, intended to be held in February, were cancelled due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Baekho attended Paris Fashion Week on January 19, 2020, at the invitation of British luxury fashion brand Dunhill. For four consecutive years since September 2020, he has been selected as the brand representative model for The Wood of J One Cosmetic, releasing haircare products, body wash, foam cleanser and limited perfume.

Baekho was appointed ambassador for Korean Red Cross' blood donation campaign in December 2020, in an effort to alleviate the severe blood shortage crisis during the Coronavirus pandemic. Following a visit to a blood donation center, he further held gift events to encourage fans to become donors as well.

In 2021, Baekho made his musical theatre debut as the male lead Haram in the stage play Midnight Sun. The production ran from May–July 2021. He received praise for his "excellent singing skills with delicate expressive power" and "deep emotional acting" for his role.

From May 31 to June 7, Baekho hosted Power FM's radio show Youngstreet as a special DJ. In December, Baekho was selected as the MC for season 2 of Idol Challenge: Another Class, a donation-aimed variety show produced in collaboration with Good Neighbors, a non-profit organisation that focuses on children's rights around the world.

On December 19, Baekho released self-written ballad "Forevermore" as an OST track for the drama Now, We Are Breaking Up.

In December 2021, he acted in his second musical, playing boy band leader Matthew in the South Korean production of Off-Broadway concert-type musical Altar Boyz. Shortly after conclusion of Altar Boyz 's run, Baekho was cast as rural plague doctor Theo in the two-hander musical Equal, receiving acclaim for his matured "delicate emotional acting" in a difficult two-person play, cementing his status as a rising star in the musical theatre scene.

2022–present: Absolute Zero, “Elevator”, and return to musical theatre
It was announced on February 28, 2022, that NU'EST's exclusive contract with Pledis Entertainment will expire on March 14, 2022 and that Baekho and Minhyun have renewed their contracts with the agency while members Aron, JR, and Ren did not.

On March 21, he released punk soul song "Bite!" for KBS2 drama Crazy Love. On April 6–7 and 10, he acted as a special DJ at MBC radio show Close Friend.

From July 15 to 17, Baekho held his first fan meeting "Baekation" as a solo artist, where he performed a new unreleased song on the electric guitar; "Wanna Go Back" is later included in his debut EP.

He participated in the original soundtrack for ENA detective drama Good Job with the song "Savior", released on September 1.' He also appeared as a mission song producer on JTBC vocal survival show The Second World in October.

Baekho released his first solo EP Absolute Zero on October 12, 2022. Continuing to take the helm in record production, Baekho weaves a love story throughout the track list, capturing a relationship from its start to downfall. The EP is headed by title track "No Rules", for which he drew inspiration from his hometown Jeju's night seas, a song about liberation in love that mixes his signature bass lines with a rock sound. "No Rules" marked his successful solo debut after 11 years, topping Bugs music charts upon release.

From January to May 2023, Baekho embarked on a mini-Asia tour "BAEKHoney Day", holding concerts in Taipei, Bangkok and Seoul. A Macau stop was also announced but later postponed due to force majeure.

In May, Baekho was cast in his first television drama role, playing Cha Si-Wan in I'll Take the Trip for You (literal translation of Korean title 여행을 대신해 드립니다). Since May 18, he also has been a regular Thursday guest on KBS radio show Lee Eunji's Gayo Plaza.

On July 29, Baekho took part in the Plant Our Planet concert organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Forest Service, the Korean Committee for UNICEF, alongside broadcaster MBN, in an effort to raise awareness regarding the climate crisis.

On August 31, Baekho released a remake of Park Jin-young's 1995 sensational brass-powered hit "Elevator", rearranged in the style of new jack swing with an emphasis on vocals rather than rap. This release marks the start of his new digital single project "the [bæd] time", which aims to showcase his duality, with 'the bad time' representing his mature charismatic appeal and 'the bed time' his emotional inner side that contradicts with his strong exterior. "Elevator" topped Bugs real-time charts upon release, and was greatly received for its stage performances, which emphasised Baekho's sex appeal with sensual pair choreography and homage to Park's original chorus dance.

On December 7, Baekho released "What are we", the second single off his "the [bæd] time" project. A duet featuring labelmate Park Ji-won of Fromis 9, the mid-tempo song fuses pop, R&B and disco together, with lyrics flowing like a conversation to depict a blossoming mysterious relationship. Following on the success of "Elevator", "What are we" also topped Bugs real-time charts upon release.

Baekho closed his year with a heated performance of "Elevator" at the MBC Gayo Daejejeon on December 31. This was his first time attending the MBC year-end event since 2019, and his first solo year-end stage since the 2019 Golden Disc Awards.

Baekho made his judging panel debut on Mnet's vocal survival program Build Up: Vocal Boy Group Survival, which began airing in January 2024. Selected for his renown as a vocalist alongside his experience and insight of being a professional idol active in his 13th year, he is expected to judge and guide contestants in terms of their vocal skills as well as their stage sense and overall performance. As the only regular judge with experience participating in an audition program, Baekho also brings more sympathy and sincerity in the guidance given to contestants.

Baekho returned to the theatre stage to play Count Axel von Fersen in the musical Marie Antoinette, which ran from late February until May 2024. The only idol singer amongst professional musical actors in this production, which is in honour of the 10th anniversary of the musical's premiere in Korea, Baekho was cast for his command over his wide vocal range, solid overall ability and for the favourable reviews for his past theatre work. He received acclaim for the desperation and sensitivity conveyed in his portrayal of Fersen, and was praised for his vocal skills and delivery.

He is announced to star in a football variety program as a player, scheduled for broadcast in the first quarter of 2024. It will be his second football-related program following the 2019 award-winning Let's Go, Man Soo Ro.

On May 8, Baekho released project single album LOVE OR DIE in collaboration with rapper Bigone, as well as a music video for the title track of the same name. The project falls musically in the rock genre, with lead single "Love or Die" being an alternative rock song. LOVE OR DIE is co-written fully by Baekho, marking his first delve into the genre. Billboard ranked "Love or Die" number 13 on their mid-year critic's picks list. Baekho and Bigone held two joint concerts "우리樂" on May 18 in support of the project album, a matinee show added following tickets selling out within a minute for the initial evening concert.

Baekho appeared as a surprise guest during Park Jin-young's set at the Weverse Con Festival on June 16, performing his viral rearrangement of "Elevator" as well as covering Rain's parts in Park's 2020 hit duet "Switch to Me". His performance garnered widespread attention for his live vocals, sensual charm, and surprising physical flexibility in performing leg-splits.

Baekho was announced to perform on various dates at Korea's representative summer music festival Waterbomb across Korea and Japan, including the main stop in Seoul on July 5. Following nationwide anticipation of his appearance, Baekho was chosen to sing the official theme song for the festival; "Wet & Wild" was released on June 1. His Seoul performance was greatly received, with local media crowning him 'Waterbomb Hot Guy' and 'Sexy Baek'.

Personal life
Baekho is a skilled haedong kumdo practitioner, having reached sam dan rank (third-degree black belt) in his seven years of training during school days. He has also placed first in international kumdo competitions. His kumdo skills are showcased in the teaser video that first introduced him as a member of NU'EST in 2012.

Baekho has struggled with weight since early in his career, and turned to exercise to lose weight instead of dieting, earning him a reputation of being a "fit idol." He has been nicknamed 'Human Benz' by Korean netizens due to resemblance of his chest muscles to the car brand's logo. His thigh circumference once measured up to 25 inches. During NU'EST's appearance in Idol Room in 2019, Baekho succeeded in carrying all four members on his back unaided. After a fan sent a photo of him in a gym to Men's Health Korea, the editorial team invited him to be the cover of the magazine's November 2018 issue. He once again covered the magazine in January 2020.

He enjoys exercise and sports in his free time, including football and golfing. He is also a licensed free diver, and can hold his breath underwater for up to three minutes.

He also enjoys spending time with horses and horse-riding in his hometown in Jeju, having sponsored the rescue of four former racehorses at a shelter centre.

Sexual harassment allegations
In June 2017, a former acquaintance alleged anonymously online that in 2009, when she and Baekho were both in middle school, she had been molested by him on the bus on their way home from cram school. She pressed charges against Baekho later that month, while Pledis denied the allegations and filed a counter suit in response. Pledis also filed a complaint against the accuser for violating the laws on information communication network and information protection. The police forwarded the case to prosecutors in September 2017.

On April 16, 2018, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office cleared Baekho of the sexual assault charges, and have since dismissed the case. Baekho was ultimately found not guilty and was acquitted of all charges. The case was also raised to the Korea Communications Commission over the fairness of how the allegations were reported.