IKON

A K-pop boy band formed by YG Entertainment in 2015, iKON serve up an energetic mix of euphoric, fresh-sounding synth-led pop and more temperate ballads. Comprising six members – Jay, Song, Bobby, DK, Ju-ne, and Chan (with original leader B.I quitting the group in June 2019) – iKON rose to fame on the South Korean reality competition shows WIN: Who is Next and Mix & Match and released their debut LP, Welcome Back, in 2015. The record rose to the top of South Korean and Taiwanese album charts, largely propelled by the hit single “My Type.” The Japanese version of Welcome Back was also a success, going to number three on Japan's Oricon Weekly chart and winning iKON the New Artist Award and Best New Artist Award at the 58th Japan Record Awards. Their second full-length album, Return (also known as New Kids: Return), arrived in 2018 and spawned a hit single in "Love Scenario," which went on to become one of the group's signature tunes. The slinky piano-laced pop bop was named Song of the Year at the 2018 Melon Music Awards and 33rd Golden Disc Awards. Two more Japanese albums followed Return – New Kids (2019) and Flashback [+ I Decide] (2022) – and iKON spent the '20s rolling out a stream of singles and EPs that included their fourth EP, Flashback, in May 2022. In July 2022, iKon held their Japan Tour in Kobe and Tokyo, with most of the shows selling out. On December 30, 2022, after seven years, the group left YG Entertainment upon completing their contracts. On January 1, 2023, all members signed with 143 Entertainment. On March 7, 2023, the group revealed a world tour, 2023 iKon World Tour: Take Off, with performances across Asia, Europe, and North America. Their third studio album, Take Off, was released on May 4, 2023.