2PM () is a South Korean boy band formed by JYP Entertainment in 2008 composed of six members: Jun. K (formerly known as Junsu), Nichkhun, Taecyeon, Wooyoung, Junho, and Chansung. 2PM was originally a seven-piece group; Jaebeom left the band in 2009. Unlike most Korean boy bands at the time, 2PM constructed a tough and masculine image through their intense performances often featuring acrobatic stunts and sex appeal. As a result, 2PM is known for creating the "beast idol" () phenomenon within South Korea. As the group grew older, they stopped incorporating acrobatics in their choreography routines and transitioned into a more gentlemanly image. The group has achieved commercial success in several regions in Asia, including South Korea, Japan, and Thailand, as a leading figure of the Korean Wave.
2PM debuted with the song "10 Out of 10" on September 4, 2008. They achieved their first number-one single with "Again & Again" in 2009, which contributed to them winning the 2009 MAMA Award for Artist of the Year. Both singles, along with their hit song "Heartbeat", were featured on their debut studio album, 01:59PM (2009), which topped the first issue of the Gaon Album Chart. From 2010 to 2011, they cemented their popularity across Asia with their streak of hit songs: "Without U", "I'll Be Back", and "Hands Up", all of which were included in their second studio album, Hands Up (2011).
2PM ventured into the Japanese music scene in 2011 with their debut Japanese single "Take Off" and their debut Japanese studio album, Republic of 2PM. As the group began writing and producing more of their own music, they enjoyed significant commercial success in South Korea with their subsequent albums: Grown (2013), Go Crazy! (2014), No.5 (2015), and Gentlemen's Game (2016), each of which peaked within the top 3 on the Gaon Album Chart. 2PM achieved even greater success in Japan, with their albums Legend of 2PM (2013), Genesis of 2PM (2014), 2PM of 2PM (2015), and Galaxy of 2PM (2016) all topping the Oricon Albums Chart. Furthermore, out of their eleven Japanese singles, nine have been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for selling over 100,000 copies; Galaxy of 2PM also has received this certification.
The group took an official hiatus in 2017 due to mandatory military service. Following the members' discharge, 2PM returned with their seventh Korean studio album Must and Japanese EP With Me Again in 2021.
History
Pre-debut The members of 2PM all auditioned to join JYP Entertainment, with the exception of Thai-American member Nichkhun, who was scouted as a high school senior in the United States, became the company's first non-ethnic Korean trainee in 2006, and eventually became the first Thai idol in the Korean entertainment industry upon debut. Jaebeom and Jun. K were chosen from auditions in 2004, and Wooyoung was chosen after placing first in JYP Entertainment's first open audition in 2007. Taecyeon, Junho and Chansung had participated in JYP Entertainment's 2006 audition TV program ; Junho finished as the winner, while Taecyeon and Chansung were given trainee contracts despite being eliminated. Three of the members had previously lived in the United States: Jaebeom in the Seattle area, Nichkhun in Southern California, and Taecyeon in Massachusetts.
Originally, the members of 2PM were part of a larger group known as One Day. In early 2008, a reality TV series on Mnet called captured the group's training days and had viewers vote on which trainees would debut. Former member Jaebeom received the most fan votes, finishing in the top spot, while three trainees were eliminated: Lee Swichi, Jeong Jin-woon, and Yoon Doo-joon. However, Jeong would later replace Im Daehun upon the latter's withdrawal. By the end of the training process, One Day had been reduced to an eleven-member group. The band was then split into four-member ballad group 2AM and seven-member dance-focused group 2PM. Jaebeom was chosen to serve as 2PM's leader, as the oldest and most well-rounded member.
2008–2010: Debut, early success, and Jaebeom's departure 2PM debuted with their single album Hottest Time of the Day on August 29, 2008. The album consisted a total of 6 tracks, including its hip-hop title track "10 Out of 10". The group made their debut live performance on September 4, 2008 with "10 Out of 10" on M Countdown, drawing attention for their choreography which uniquely featured acrobatics and breakdancing. In December 2008, the group released a winter special version of their song "Only You", a B-side from their debut mini-album. Concurrently, 2PM hosted the third season of the Korean variety show Idol Show.On April 16, 2009, the group released their second single album, 2:00PM Time For Change, which they began promoting the same month with its title track "Again & Again". This comeback was met with commercial success, with "Again & Again" topping various domestic music charts and earning the group their first music show wins on M Countdown, Music Bank, and Inkigayo. In June, their two single albums were repackaged for a physical release in Thailand titled 2PM Thailand Special Edition; "10 Out of 10", "Again & Again", and the compilation album all topped various Thai music charts, and 2PM was later named the best-selling foreign artist in Thailand based on album sales in 2009. In July, 2PM became the first artist to receive two M Countdown Triple Crown awards with songs from the same album: "Again & Again" and "I Hate You". On August 15, 2PM held their first official fan meeting in Seoul with an audience of about 2,000 members of their fan club, named Hottest. From July to September, 2PM also starred in their own Korean variety show titled Wild Bunny, which was received positively.
A controversy regarding Jaebeom emerged when on September 4, 2009, articles surfaced on the internet regarding his posts from 2005 made on his personal Myspace account, in which he expressed his dislike for Korea while he was still a trainee for JYP Entertainment. These posts, leaked by a netizen who hacked his Myspace account, were taken out of context and severely misinterpreted by the Korean media. Jaebeom issued an apology regarding this matter. Lee, Mi-hye. JYP, 2PM 재범 한국비하 공식 사과문 "머리숙여 사과드립니다" (JYP, 2PM's Jaebeom Issues Apology on Korea Comments, "With His Head Hung in Shame") . Joins.com/Newsen. September 5, 2009. Retrieved September 5, 2009. Although some netizens demanded Jaebeom's expulsion from 2PM, JYP Entertainment CEO J.Y. Park stated on September 7 that he lent the singer a vote of confidence, suggesting that Jaebeom would remain in the group. Lee, Eon-hyeok. 박진영 "재범, 2PM 탈퇴는 없다" 공식입장 (Park Jin-young: "Jaebeom Will Not Leave 2PM") . Joins.com/Newsen. September 7, 2009. Retrieved September 7, 2009. However, the following day, Jaebeom announced on his official fancafé that he would be going on hiatus and returning to the United States. In addition, he apologized to his fellow band members and promised to return upon reflecting on his behavior. Park, Se-yeon. 재범 2PM 자진탈퇴, 마녀사냥 논란 분분 후폭풍 예고 (Jaebeom Announces that He's Leaving 2PM Amidst Surprising and Tumultuous Witch-hunt) . Joins.com/Newsen. September 8, 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2009. J.Y. Park confirmed that 2PM would continue on as a six-member group.Han, Sang-hee. Will Fallen Idol Star Make Comeback? . The Korea Times. September 18, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2009. Due to the sensitive topic of Jaebeom's departure, 2PM withdrew from their appearances on television shows for several weeks.2PM 예능 출연 자제 왜? "팬들에 대한 예의 차원" . Newsen. November 15, 2009.
Despite the controversy, the group went ahead with the release of their first studio album, 01:59PM, on November 10, 2009. . MK News. November 10, 2009. Retrieved November 14, 2009. The album included tracks from their previous single albums and would go on to top the very first issues of the Gaon Album Chart weeks later.Week 1 (Week 1 of 2010): In response to lingering questions regarding Jaebeom's future, J.Y. Park announced on the day after the release of 01:59PM that Jaebeom could return to 2PM if he wished to make a comeback, although the singer's return was not imminent. In support of Jaebeom, the six remaining 2PM members decided to equally split their income from their first album with him.2PM "재범은 영원한 리더"... 재범과 수익분배 . Hankook. December 21, 2009. The album included tracks voiced by Jaebeom, although his face was excluded from the cover.남성 그룹 2PM이 재범(박재범) 없이 6인조로 극비리에 최근 뮤직비디오 (2PM 'Without Jaebeom, returns on the 2nd, Fans wonder about tracks) Newsen. November 2, 2009. The group finished re-filming their music video for the album's title track "Heartbeat" without Jaebeom in October 2009. The group then began promotional activities for the album on TV music programs in November 2009. '6인조' 2PM, 수능날 Mnet '오 굿 콘서트'로 컴백 . E-Daily. November 11, 2009. Retrieved November 14, 2009. Performances of "Heartbeat" quickly became popular, with the song's choreography often being parodied on TV shows.
A week and a half after the album's release, 2PM performed at the Mnet Asian Music Awards on November 21, 2009 and won the awards for Best Male Group and Artist of the Year, the latter being one of the three Daesang awards, the most prestigious awards of the show. The group paid homage to Jaebeom during their performance of "Again & Again". During the performance, a spotlight shone over Jaebeom's usual position in the dance formation, and his vocals played over the speakers without being replaced. 2PM, MAMA 재범 위한 특별 퍼포먼스 뜬다 . Newsen News. November 21, 2009. Retrieved November 27, 2009. On December 30, 2009, at the KBS Song Festival, "Again & Again" was recognized as the Song of the Year, winning with 57,060 fan votes. 2PM '어겐앤어겐' 시청자 뽑은 최고가요상 . Newsen News. December 31, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2010. "Again & Again" was also ranked as the fourth most popular song of 2009 in South Korea in Gallup Korea's annual survey and appeared on various domestic year-end music charts. From December 2009 to January 2010, 2PM promoted another single from 01:59PM, "Tired of Waiting", which was also used in promotions for the blockbuster film Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard.
In February 2010, JYP Entertainment announced that Jaebeom would not return to 2PM, as his contract with the company had been permanently terminated, with the agreement of all 6 members. JYP "재범 한국비하보다 더 심각한 문제로 계약해지. 소속연예인 적합치 않다" . Newsen News. February 25, 2010. Retrieved February 25, 2010. A combined fan meeting and press conference was held two days later with the six remaining members of 2PM and JYP Entertainment CEO Choi Jungwook in attendance. Various 2PM fansites were shut down immediately after the conference as a protest of Jaebeom's termination. The record label then announced that although 2PM would move forward with six members, a new leader would not be chosen to replace Jaebeom.On April 19, 2010, the band released their third single album Don't Stop Can't Stop, with its title track "Without U" topping the newly-launched Gaon Singles Chart despite the previous controversy over Jaebeom's departure. In June 2010, 2PM served as the opening act for the first nine Wonder Girls concerts in the United States, the first leg of the Wonder Girls World Tour.WONDER GIRLS WORLD TOUR 2010 . Wonder Girls official website. April 5, 2010. Retrieved April 23, 2010.