The K-pop group that became an icon before they even debuted
In short: Before they ever stepped onto a stage, iKon was already a global phenomenon. Their journey from a reality survival show to breaking records in Japan and China highlights the high-stakes machinery of the K-pop industry, where fan demand can crash servers and dictate a group's destiny.
iKon was forged through a rigorous multi-stage survival process by YG Entertainment. The group's origins trace back to 2011, when B.I and Jay joined as trainees, followed by Bobby a week later. They formed the core of 'Team B,' which first competed on the show WIN: Who Is Next in 2013. Although Team B lost that competition to the group Winner, they continued to develop as a unit, performing as backup dancers and releasing singles before the final lineup was solidified in 2014.
The group's formation was a massive media event. During the reality show Mix & Match, 150,000 fans applied to watch the final performance, and the sheer volume of interest reportedly crashed YG Entertainment's blog server. Aiming to serve as a Korean 'icon', the group iKon gained rapid fame; even before their official launch, Billboard ranked them among the 'Top 5 K-Pop Artists to Watch' in January 2015.
iKon's trajectory was marked by rapid milestones and complex geopolitical shifts. They achieved a 'triple crown' on the Gaon chart within 24 hours of their debut single 'My Type' and became the first artist to top the Gaon Digital Chart for six consecutive weeks with 'Love Scenario' in 2018. However, their path also faced hurdles, including the editing out of their promotional appearances in China due to political tensions regarding the THAAD issue. After seven years with YG Entertainment, the group departed in December 2022 to sign with 143 Entertainment, continuing their evolution as independent artists.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: IKon
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