Ilhoon

Jung Il-hoon (정일훈), known by his stage name Ilhoon, is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, and record producer born October 4, 1994, in Seoul. He’s best known as the original main rapper of the K-pop boy group BtoB, which he was part of from the group’s 2012 debut until his departure in December 2020.

Ilhoon graduated from Hanlim Multi Art School’s Practical Dance Department and briefly attended Dong-ah Institute of Media and Arts before earning an associate degree from the Korea University of Arts. He debuted with BtoB on March 21, 2012, on the single “Insane,” and quickly became one of the group’s key songwriters, co-composing tracks alongside members Hyunsik and Minhyuk. Beyond BtoB, he wrote and produced material for artists including HyunA, G.Na, Dal★Shabet, Hwanhee, Samuel, Lee Hongki, and PENTAGON.

Ilhoon is widely credited as the creator of the viral “Gwiyomi Player” trend, which he popularized during an appearance on the variety show Weekly Idol — a moment that made him one of the most recognizable idols of his era. He went on to host Idol Radio from 2018 to 2019, and launched his solo career on March 8, 2018, with the mini album Big Wave.

In May 2020, Ilhoon enlisted for mandatory service as a public service worker. In December 2020, he was formally investigated for marijuana use, a serious offense under South Korean law, and left BtoB at the end of that month. He was initially sentenced to two years in prison, but after submitting extensive statements of reflection, his sentence was reduced on appeal to three years of probation, a fine, and mandatory drug treatment.

After a multi-year hiatus, Ilhoon announced his return to music in November 2024, signing with the label Carpenters Art Republic and releasing the single “Lullaby” on November 21, 2024, alongside plans to showcase his personal artwork.

Known for his distinctive rap flow, songwriting talent, and offbeat sense of humor, Ilhoon remains a notable figure in K-pop history — both for his creative contributions to BtoB’s catalog and for his ongoing efforts to rebuild his career as an independent artist.