Eunkwang
은광 · 서은광 (Seo Eun-kwang)
Seo Eun-kwang — Leader · Main Vocalist
August 6, 2026 Korean 173 cm 62 kg Type A ESFJ Sagittarius
Eunkwang is the leader and main vocalist of BTOB, a six-member South Korean boy group formed by Cube Entertainment in 2012. Born Seo Eun-kwang on November 22, 1990, in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, he is celebrated across the K-pop industry for his powerful, emotive vocals and his warm, dependable leadership. Fans affectionately call him the "father" of BTOB. A graduate of Dongshin University, Eunkwang has led the group through iconic ballads like "Missing You" and "It's Okay," while also carving out a strong solo career with the EP FoRest: Entrance (2020) and studio album Unfold (2025). He is widely recognized as a talented musical theatre actor, appearing in productions such as Monte Cristo, Hamlet, and Barnum: The Great Showman, and as a beloved TV personality thanks to fixed roles on SNL Korea and Weekly Idol. In 2020 he became the first Cube Entertainment artist to join the agency's board of directors, and after BTOB's 2023 departure from Cube, he helped found BtoB Company in 2024. Known equally for his generosity — regularly donating to children's hospitals and disaster relief — and his musical talent, Eunkwang remains the emotional and vocal backbone of BTOB, balancing group leadership with an ever-expanding solo career in music, musical theatre, and broadcasting.
Story
Biography
Seo Eunkwang: The Heart and Voice of BTOB
Eunkwang (real name Seo Eun-kwang, 서은광) is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and musical actor best known as the leader and main vocalist of the six-member boy group BTOB. Born on November 22, 1990, in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Eunkwang has carried the group since its March 21, 2012 debut under Cube Entertainment, guiding BTOB through more than a decade of chart hits, ballads, and variety-show fame.
Fans call him the “father” of BTOB, a nod to his steady, caring leadership style and his powerful, emotive vocal tone. He graduated from Dongshin University with a degree in practical music, and his classically trained voice has powered BTOB anthems and karaoke staples like “It’s Okay,” “Missing You,” and “Beautiful Pain.” Beyond the group, Eunkwang has built an impressive solo career, releasing his debut EP FoRest: Entrance in 2020 and his first full studio album, Unfold, in December 2025.
Eunkwang is also a familiar face on Korean television. He was a fixed cast member on SNL Korea, joined the studio panel of We Got Married, and became the host of Weekly Idol in 2023. His talents extend to musical theatre as well, with lead and supporting roles in productions such as Monte Cristo, Hamlet, and Barnum: The Great Showman.
In 2020, Eunkwang made history as the first Cube Entertainment artist to join the company’s board of directors. He completed his mandatory military service from August 2018 to April 2020, serving in the ROK Army’s 27th Division. Known for frequent charitable donations — to children’s hospitals, disaster relief funds, and diabetes and heart-disease foundations — Eunkwang has earned a reputation as one of K-pop’s most consistently generous idols.
When BTOB’s contract with Cube Entertainment ended in November 2023, Eunkwang stepped down from his director role, and in early 2024 he helped establish BtoB Company, the group’s new independent label. He continues to lead BTOB’s group promotions while pursuing solo music, musicals, and hosting work — a true all-around entertainer and the emotional anchor of one of K-pop’s most respected vocal groups.
Profile
Basic Information
| Stage Name | Eunkwang |
| Full Birth Name | Seo Eun-kwang (서은광) |
| Date of Birth | November 22, 1990 |
| Birthplace | Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea |
| Hometown | Seoul, South Korea |
| Nationality | Korean |
| Height | 173 cm (5'8") |
| Weight | 62 kg (136 lbs) |
| Blood Type | A |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| MBTI | ESFJ |
| Education | Dongshin University (Practical Music) |
| Agency | BtoB Company (formerly Cube Entertainment) |
| Debut | March 21, 2012 (BTOB, "Insane") |
| Languages | Korean |
| Nicknames | Silver Light, Father of BTOB |
| Hobbies | Singing, playing piano, musical theatre |
| Favorite Color | Blue |
| Ideal Type | Someone kind-hearted and considerate who takes care of others |
Membership
Groups & Positions
BTOB
Cube Entertainment (2012–2023), BtoB Company (2024–present)
Leader Main Vocalist
March 2012 – Present
The Lineup
Group Members — BTOB
Eunkwang
Leader · Main Vocalist
This Idol
Minhyuk
Lead Rapper · Lead Dancer · Vocalist · Visual
Changsub
Lead Vocalist
Hyunsik
Main Dancer · Lead Vocalist
Peniel
Lead Rapper · Vocalist
Sungjae
Vocalist · Face of the Group · Maknae
Ilhoon
Main Rapper · Vocalist
Journey
Career Timeline
2011
Pre-debut sitcom appearance
Eunkwang, Minhyuk, Hyunsik and Il-hoon appeared in the JTBC sitcom "I Live in Cheongdam-dong," portraying a fictional trainee group called "Cheongdam Invincibles" before officially debuting.
2012
Debut with BTOB
BTOB officially debuted on March 21, 2012 under Cube Entertainment with the double title track "Insane"/"Imagine" from the EP "Born to Beat."
2015
First full-length album
BTOB released their first studio album, "Complete," in June 2015, cementing their reputation as one of K-pop's premier vocal groups.
2017
Breakthrough ballad hit
The group scored a major hit with the ballad "Missing You," one of the most beloved K-pop ballads of the era.
2018
Golden Disc Awards win
BTOB won Best Male Group at the 32nd Golden Disc Awards and the Main Award at the 27th Seoul Music Awards.
2020
BTOB 4U sub-unit debut
Eunkwang, Minhyuk, Changsub and Peniel formed the sub-unit BTOB 4U, debuting with the EP "Inside" and title track "Show Your Love."
2023
Departure from Cube Entertainment
In November 2023, all members left Cube Entertainment after their contracts expired, following 11 years with the label.
2024
Formation of BTOB Company
In February 2024, the members established BtoB Company to oversee group and solo activities going forward.
2018
Military enlistment
Eunkwang enlisted as an active-duty soldier in the ROK Army's 27th Division on August 21, 2018, later selected for the Special Warfare Command training track for his outstanding physical results.
2020
Discharge & solo debut
Discharged on April 7, 2020, he celebrated with a 12-hour YouTube livestream and released his debut solo EP "FoRest: Entrance" that June.
2020
Cube board of directors
On August 13, 2020, Eunkwang became the first Cube Entertainment artist to be appointed to the agency's board of directors.
Music
Discography
🎵
FoRest: Entrance
EP
2020
🎵
Unfold
Studio Album
2025
💜
Born to Beat
EP
2012
💜
Complete
Studio Album
2015
💜
This Is Us
EP
2021
🎧
Insane
Digital Single
2012
🎧
Love Virus (with U Sung-eun)
Duet Single
2012
Recognition
Awards & Achievements
Best Male Group
Golden Disc Awards
2018
Main Award
Seoul Music Awards
2018
Rookie of the Year (Musical) – Daegu International Musical Festival
Daegu International Musical Festival
2022
Bonsang Award (with BTOB)
Soribada Best K-Music Awards
2017
K-pop Special Award (with BTOB)
Various Year-End Awards
2025
Best New Artist (Musical Theatre)
Various Awards
2022
Bonsang Award (with BTOB)
Melon Music Awards
2018
Did You Know?
Trivia & Fun Facts ✨
★
Eunkwang was born in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and moved with his family before joining Cube Entertainment as a trainee.
★
He has a younger brother named Seo Eun-chong, who has appeared with him in fan performances.
★
Fans and members alike call him the "father" of BTOB for his caring, nurturing leadership style.
★
His closest friend within BTOB is fellow member Minhyuk.
★
He attended an all-male middle school and high school before university.
★
Eunkwang graduated from Dongshin University with a major in practical music.
★
His specialties are vocals and piano, both of which he showcases frequently in BTOB's self-composed tracks.
★
He wrote lyrics for BTOB's song "Melody" from the EP Beep Beep, a heartfelt dedication to their fans.
★
In 2012, he released the duet digital single "Love Virus" with singer U Sung-eun.
★
He made his musical theatre debut in 2013 as Albert in "Monte Cristo."
★
Eunkwang has starred in numerous musicals, including "Hamlet," "Goddess Is Watching You," "Three Musketeers," and "Barnum: The Great Showman."
★
He was a fixed cast member on tvN's sketch comedy show "SNL Korea" starting in 2014.
★
He joined the studio panel of the popular MBC variety show "We Got Married" in 2015.
★
Eunkwang sang the OST "I Miss You" for the 2015 drama "Mask" alongside singer Miyu.
★
He enlisted for mandatory military service on August 21, 2018, serving in the ROK Army's 27th Infantry Division.
★
During basic training, he placed first overall among recruits and was later selected for elite Special Warfare Command training.
★
He was discharged from the army on April 7, 2020.
★
To celebrate his discharge, Eunkwang hosted a 12-hour YouTube livestream titled "Silverlight Is Back."
★
His debut solo EP, "FoRest: Entrance," was released on June 8, 2020, followed by an online solo concert due to COVID-19.
★
On August 13, 2020, he became the first artist under Cube Entertainment to join the company's board of directors.
★
Eunkwang has made multiple charitable donations over the years, including to children's rehabilitation hospitals, diabetes foundations, and heart-disease patients.
★
In 2019, while still in the military, he donated 20 million won to help victims of the Sokcho wildfire.
★
In 2023, he donated 10 million won to earthquake relief efforts following the Turkey–Syria earthquake.
★
He became the host of the long-running idol variety show "Weekly Idol" alongside Mijoo (ex-Lovelyz) in April 2023.
★
In December 2023, he served as a judge on the boy-group survival show "Build Up: Vocal Boy Group Survival."
★
He is a core member of BTOB's sub-units BTOB Blue, BTOB 4U, and 90TAN.
★
His representative fan emoji is a cat .
★
He released his debut full studio album, "Unfold," on December 4, 2025, under the newly formed BtoB Company.
★
If Eunkwang were a woman, he has said he would want to date fellow member Hyunsik.
★
He helped establish BtoB Company in February 2024 to manage BTOB's group activities and his own solo career.
The Fandom
Fan Club & Fan Name 💜
Official Fan Name
MELODY
MELODY (멜로디) is the official fandom name of BTOB, chosen to reflect the group's identity as a vocal-driven act whose music resonates like a melody in fans' hearts.
Official Fan Color
Slow Blue
BTOB's signature Slow Blue represents calm devotion and the steady, comforting bond between the group and their fans.
Official Light Stick
BTOB Official Light Stick (Melody Bong)
Nicknamed the "Melody Bong" or "Napalbong" (trumpet stick) for its horn-like silhouette, it glows in BTOB's signature blue to unite fans at concerts and fan meetings.
Stay Connected
Social Media
Photos
Gallery 📷
