BTOB

BTOB debuted in March 2012 as the second boy band under Cube Entertainment, following BEAST, or B2ST.

BTOB is a rare example of a K-pop boy band specializing in the emotional, vocal side of music rather than fast-tempo dance tracks common with other male acts.

Having debuted around the same time as some of the hottest bands in town, including EXO and BTS, BTOB had a relatively slow start in the K-pop scene but made steady progress in music charts.

Its best songs include "Missing You" (2017), "Only One for Me" (2018) and "Beautiful Pain" (2018), which were all popular not only among the band's fans but the bigger music-listening population around the country.

What is the meaning of the name BTOB?

The name, pronounced be-to-be, is an acronym for "born to beat" and means that the group has been made to put on a different level of new beat and stage. The "beat" also means to beat or overwhelm listeners with their music.

How did the band form?

BTOB debuted in 2012 with seven members — Seo Eun-kwang, Lee Min-hyuk, Lee Chang-sub, Lim Hyun-sik, Peniel, Yook Sung-jae and Jung Il-hoon. While it is now known as a ballad-centered K-pop group, BTOB was originally planned to be a group with similar vibes to FT Island and CNBLUE.

Seo, Lee, Lim and Jung were the first four members of the group. The others later joined the four, according to the members' interviews with the press in the early stages of debut. Member Jung quit the band in January 2021 after being charged with smoking marijuana. (https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/01/03/entertainment/kpop/Jung-Ilhoon-BTOB-Kpop/20210103155200567.html) (2022.09.26)

Is BTOB active?

Yes. BTOB released a new album in February 2022 to celebrate its members finishing their mandatory services in November 2021. Members have since been actively starring in television programs and releasing solo music.(https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2022/08/31/entertainment/kpop/btob-changsub-btob/20220831103538253.html) (2022.09.26)

Why did only four members of BTOB take part in Mnet's competition program "Kingdom" (2021)?

Mnet's K-pop boy band competition show "Kingdom: Legendary War" aired from April to June 2021, when members Hyunsik and Sungjae were still completing their mandatory services. So the band had no choice but to participate with the remaining four. (2022.09.26)