Baekho (singer)

Baekho

Baekho in October 2022

Born Kang Dong-ho

July 21, 1995 (age 28)[1]

Jeju Province, South Korea

Education Hanyang University – Institute for Future

Talents[2]

Alma mater Paekche Institute of the Arts[3]

 Singer
Occupations
 record producer

 songwriter

 actor

 television personality
 Musical career

Genres K-pop

Instrument(s)  Vocals

 Piano

Years active 2012–present

Labels Pledis

Formerly of  NU'EST

 NU'EST W

Korean name

Hangul 강동호

Hanja 姜東昊

Revised Romanization Gang Dong-ho

McCune–Reischauer Kang Tongho

Stage name

Hangul 백호

Hanja 白虎

Revised Romanization Baek-ho

McCune–Reischauer Paekho

Signature

Kang Dong-ho (Korean: 강동호; born July 21, 1995), known professionally
as Baekho (Korean: 백호), is a South Korean singer, songwriter, record producer and
television personality currently signed under Pledis Entertainment. He is the former
main vocalist and music producer of South Korean boy group NU'EST.
He made his debut as a solo artist in October 2022 with the release of his first extended
play Absolute Zero.
Early life and education[edit]
Kang Dong-ho was born on July 21, 1995 in Aewol, Jeju Province, South Korea.[4] He
has a younger brother.[5]
He has mentioned that he originally had no intention of going into the music industry
prior to being scouted,[6] later citing Korean boy group TVXQ as his role models and
musical inspiration.[7] He graduated from Seoul Broadcasting High School,[8] and later
from the Paekche Institute of the Arts.[9] 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.[10]
Career[edit]
Pre-debut[edit]
Baekho became a Pledis Entertainment trainee after being scouted by the company in
2010.[11] 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.[12]
Prior to his debut, Baekho made appearances in labelmates' music releases as a
member of Pledis Boys.[13] He was a backup dancer for After School Blue's "Wonder
Boy", and featured in Pledis Entertainment's Christmas release "Love Letter".[14]
2012–2022: NU'EST[edit]
Main article: NU'EST
On March 15, 2012, Baekho debuted as the main vocalist of NU'EST.[15] His stage name
was chosen by labelmate Uee of After School,[16] 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.[17]
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.[18] In February 2016, it was reported that he had completely recovered.[19]
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.
[20]
He has been listed as an album producer for every NU'EST and NU'EST W release
since then.
Produce 101[edit]
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.[21][22]
[23]
After performing a cover of BTS's "Boy in Luv" on the show, he gained the nickname
of 'sexy bandit' from netizens.[24] 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.[25] He was also noted by commenters for his stable vocals in the music
removed (MR) performance.[26] 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.[27] 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.[28]
Mnet vote manipulation investigation[edit]
On November 18, 2020, the Seoul High Court disclosed as part of the ongoing Mnet
vote manipulation investigation that Baekho was a victim of voting manipulation when
he participated on Produce 101 Season 2.[29] 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.[30]
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,[31][32] Pledis
Entertainment denied the allegations.[33] 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.[34] However, Pledis stated that they had not been
contacted by CJ ENM regarding the compensation as of November 18, 2020.[35]
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.[36] 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.[37] 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.[38]
Solo ventures and musical theatre debut[edit]
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'.[39][40]
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.[41] 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.[42]
On January 11, 2020, Baekho held his first overseas concert "BAEKHO-liday" in Macau.
[43]
The Taipei and Bangkok stops of the mini-Asia tour, intended to be held in February,
were cancelled due to the Coronavirus outbreak.[44][45]
Baekho attended Paris Fashion Week on January 19, 2020, at the invitation of British
luxury fashion brand Dunhill.[46] 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.[47][48][49]
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.[50] He received praise for his
"excellent singing skills with delicate expressive power" and "deep emotional acting" for
his role.[51]
From May 31 to June 7, Baekho hosted Power FM's radio show Youngstreet as a
special DJ.[52] 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.[53]
On December 19, Baekho released self-written ballad "Forevermore" as an OST track
for the drama Now, We Are Breaking Up.[54]
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.[55] Shortly
after conclusion of Altar Boyz's run, Baekho was cast as rural plague doctor Theo in the
two-hander musical Equal,[56] 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.[57][58][59]
2022–present: Absolute Zero, “Elevator”, and return to musical
theatre[edit]
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.[60]
On March 21, he released punk soul song "Bite!" for KBS2 drama Crazy Love.[61] On
April 6–7 and 10, he acted as a special DJ at MBC radio show Close Friend.[62]
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;[63][64] "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.'[65]
Baekho released his first solo EP Absolute Zero on October 12, 2022.[66] 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.[67] 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.[68][69] "No
Rules" marked his successful solo debut after 11 years, topping Bugs music charts
upon release.[70]
From January to May 2023, Baekho embarked on a mini-Asia tour "BAEKHoney Day",
holding concerts in Taipei, Bangkok and Seoul.[71][72] A Macau stop was also announced
but later postponed due to force majeure.[73]
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).[74] 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.
[75]

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.[76] "Elevator" topped Bugs real-time charts upon release,[77] 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.[78]
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.[79] Following on the success of "Elevator", "What are
we" also topped Bugs real-time charts upon release.[80]
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.[81]
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.[82][83]
Baekho returned to the theatre stage to play Count Axel von Fersen in the
musical Marie Antoinette, which is currently running 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.[84][85]
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.[86]
Personal life[edit]
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.[7][87] He has also
placed first in international kumdo competitions.[88] His kumdo skills are showcased in the
teaser video that first introduced him as a member of NU'EST in 2012.[89]
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."[90][91][92] He has
been nicknamed 'Human Benz' by Korean netizens due to resemblance of his chest
muscles to the car brand's logo.[93][94] His thigh circumference once measured up to 25
inches.[95] During NU'EST's appearance in Idol Room in 2019, Baekho succeeded in
carrying all four members on his back unaided.[96][97] 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.[90] He once again covered the magazine in January
2020.[98]
He enjoys exercise and sports in his free time, including football and golfing.[99][100] He is
also a licensed free diver, and can hold his breath underwater for up to three minutes.[101]
[102]

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.[103]
Sexual harassment allegations[edit]
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.[104] She pressed charges against Baekho later that
month, while Pledis denied the allegations and filed a counter suit in response.[105] Pledis
also filed a complaint against the accuser for violating the laws on information
communication network and information protection.[106] The police forwarded the case to
prosecutors in September 2017.[107]
On April 16, 2018, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office cleared Baekho of the
sexual assault charges, and have since dismissed the case.[106] Baekho was ultimately
found not guilty and was acquitted of all charges.[108] The case was also raised to
the Korea Communications Commission over the fairness of how the allegations were
reported.[109]
Discography[edit]
For discography as part of NU'EST, see NU'EST discography.
Extended plays[edit]

List of extended plays, showing selected details, selected chart positions, and sales figures

Title Details Peak Sales

chart
 positions

KOR
[110]

 Released: October 12, 2022

 Label: Pledis
Absolute  Formats: CD, digital  KOR:
9
Zero download, streaming 93,220[111]
show
Track listing

Singles[edit]

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released, sales, and album name

Peak chart
positions

Title Year KOR Sales Album

Circle Hot
[112] [A][113]

As lead artist

Absolut
"No Rules" 2022 —[B] —
e Zero

"Elevator" —[C] —
Non-
2023 — album
"What are We" singles
—[D] —
(featuring Park Ji-won of Fromis 9)

"Love or Die" Love or

2024 — —
(featuring Bigone) Die
 As featured artist

Happy
"Love Letter"  KOR: Pledis
(Son Dam-bi, After School featuring Ara, 2011 37 43
Hyelim, Minhyun, Junghyun)
398,062[120] 2nd
Album
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that region.

Soundtrack appearances[edit]

List of soundtrack appearances, with selected chart positions, showing year released, and album name

Peak
chart
position
Title Year s Album

KOR

The Crowned
"That Day, We" (그날, 우리) 2019 —[E] Clown OST
Part 2

"Meet Me When the Sun Goes Down" (태양이 지면 널 만나러

—[F]
갈게)
Midnight Sun
OST Part 3
"Good-Bye Days" —[G]
(with Kei) 2021

Now, We Are
"Forevermore" (나는 너라서) —[H] Breaking Up
OST Part 10

2022 Crazy Love OST

"Bite!" (물어!) —[I]
Part 3

"Savior" —[J] Good Job OST

 Part 2

"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that region.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baekho_(singer)