Block B Buzz

Previously content with taking a backseat since the group’s 2011 debut, U-Kwon said he now seeks the spotlight.  

The yearning stems from his appearance last year in “Hit the Stage,” a TVdance competition for idol singers on Mnet.  

“A lot has changed since the show. At first I refused because I thought I couldn’t pull it off. … It made me think, ‘Wow, you never known unless youtry,’” he said. He went on to become one of the finalists of the competition. 

After the show, he embarked on a six-city tour in Japan from August 2016 to September of this year with Block B bandmate and friend Taeil forming special subunit T2U.  

He also has been working on his songwriting, although it is as yet unclear whether he will have a song included on the upcoming Block B EP. The boyband’s agency Seven Seasons on Wednesday confirmed the new EP’s release for Nov. 7.

“I don’t know if I can call myself an artist yet, but I want to be. Members like Zico and (Park) Kyung have what they can call their own style, and maybe I have that, too,” he said. “I’m a seventh-year singer and not many people know who U-Kwon is. That’s because I haven’t really shown myself.” 

Many who have heard of him have only through controversy, namely via Block B’s reputation as the resident bad boy of K-pop.  

U-Kwon’s became known for prank-like comments he would write for fans at the group’s autograph sessions. When a fans asked him what they looked like, he would respond with answers like a leaf, cement or a chair.  

“I’ve always been shy to strangers and I wanted to make a joke. But I sometimes go overboard trying to be funny.”  

Revealing his longtime girlfriend, model Jeon Seon-hye, also sparked mixed reactions from fans, as often do romantic relationships of K-pop stars.  

“Fans always say, ‘If you’re to date someone, please tell us.’ I did and they all left,” he said. “That made me confused as to what to think about the fans, leading me to build a wall.” 

U-Kwon said he and the fans have worked on such misunderstandings over the years, and now he is focused on building up his career.  

A looming question now is how long Block B will last, with the contracts expiring in a year and a half and older members due to serve mandatory military service soon. Another factor is the band’s individual success, with Zico having become a rap star on his own, even overshadowing the group itself. 

“Sometimes I wonder if seven of us could be as tight as we once were. We had a lot of talks between us, and I think we worked it out. The bottom line is that we all want to continue being part of Block B.”  

No matter what lays ahead in his career, U-Kwon said he wants to be someone with an influence over people.