Kim Yu-kwon (, born April 9, 1992), better known by the stage name U-Kwon (), is a South Korean singer. He is a vocalist and dancer in Block B; he is also a member of the sub-unit Bastarz along with P.O and B-Bomb, as well as the sub-unit T2u with Taeil.
Biography U-Kwon was born in Suwon, South Korea.
Career
2011–2016: Career beginnings
U-Kwon debuted with Block B in April 2011. Four years later, it was announced that U-Kwon would participate in Block B's first sub-unit, Bastarz, along with members P.O and B-Bomb. The group's first album was released on April 13, 2015, and its second on October 31, 2016. In between, U-Kwon, along with B-Bomb, recorded the song "Bingle Bingle" on the Block B album Blooming Period, which was released April 11, 2016. U-Kwon released his first Japanese solo, "Painless" (), on June 24, 2016; the song was composed by him for the short vampire film Q Chan, in which he starred.
On June 24, 2016, it was announced that U-Kwon had been cast on the idol-dance competition show Hit the Stage. U-Kwon participated in the show with YooA as his partner. U-Kwon won the premiere episode of the show with a dance routine in which he portrayed the Joker. They ultimately finished fourth.
2017–present: Solo career In June 2017, U-Kwon and fellow Block B member P.O received the Maxim K-Model Icon Idol Award.
U-Kwon performed a seven-show, six-city tour of Japan from August 26 to September 7, 2017, along with fellow Block B member Taeil as the special unit T2u. U-Kwon also took part in the Japanese special project album, Block B: Project-1, released September 20, performing the song "Winner" along with P.O and Japanese rapper Chanmina.
On October 18, it was announced that U-Kwon had been selected to host the music show The Power of K, along with Nancy of Momoland and Shownu of Monsta X. The show began broadcasting January 2018 in both Korea and Japan.
In December 2017, U-Kwon along with the singer Rothy released an OST song for the drama Jugglers entitled "Baby Baby."
On January 8, 2018, Block B released the album Re: Montage featuring a solo song by U-Kwon, "Everythin'." In addition to performing the song, U-Kwon helped write the lyrics. U-Kwon also wrote the Japanese lyrics to the 2018 T2u song "Good Bye," which appears on the Block B The Best album, and the Japanese lyrics to the song "Ocean," which appears on the subunit's debut album, T2U.
On August 12, 2022, during Haha's Twitch stream with him, U-Kwon announced that he left KQ Entertainment and is currently working independently before deciding on an entertainment company to join.
Personal life U-Kwon announced in December 2012 that he was in a relationship with the model Jun Sun-hye. She announced their breakup on May 1, 2022, saying the two remained friends.
In May 2020, it was announced that U-Kwon would begin the military service required of South Korean men on May 18. U-Kwon was discharged from military service on November 21, 2021 without returning to the unit after his last vacation in accordance with the Ministry of Defense guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Discography
Single albums Title Details Peak chart positions SalesKOR Rise UpReleased: December 3, 2019 Re-released: January 13, 2020 Label: Seven Seasons Formats: digital download, CD — rowspan="2" Wanna DoReleased: January 6, 2023 Formats: digital download —
Singles Title Year Album "Feugo" 2019 Rise Up "Wanna Do" 2023 rowspan="3" "Tough Love" 2024 "Tú Y Yo" 2026
Soundtrack appearances TitleYearPeak chart positionAlbumKOR "Baby Baby" (with Rothy)2017—Jugglers
Filmography
Variety shows Year Title Notes 2016 Hit The Stage Contestant Lipstick Prince Cast member with P.O 2017 Ranking Show 1, 2, 3 Panelist 2018–19 Power of K Host 2018 Ranking Show 1, 2, 3 Panelist 2019 King of Mask Singer Contestant (Edison) Sales King TV Indonesia trip 2020 Fact in Star Idol of the Month Voice Queen Judge
Dramas Year Title Role 2015 Jumping Girl Han Ga-eul2018Radio RomanceKang Minu
Film Year Title Role Notes 2016 Q Chan () Im Part of the Thrilling Daily Life () omnibus
Musicals Year Title Role Notes2014–15All Shook Up ElvisSeoul production2015 HARU~If You Can Return to that Day~ () Kang Young-won Tokyo productionRun to You~Street Life~SuchanTokyo production, with Jaehyo 2016–17In the Heights Usnavi Seoul production, with Jaehyo 2017 The Great Catsby Hound Seoul production 2018 Evil Dead: The Musical Scott Seoul production 2019 By the Age of 30 Jin Yong Tokyo & Osaka productions Altar Boyz Luke Osaka production
References
External links