WINNER

Winner debuted in August 2014 under YG Entertainment as the "winner" of the "WIN: Who is Next?" audition program that aired on Mnet in 2013.

Winner is a dance-pop band more tilted to the pop side of music than dance, unlike most boy bands in K-pop. Bandmates have been actively taking part in making the music for the band since their debut album "2014 S/S" (2014), with their names written on the credit of the band's most popular songs such as "empty" (2014), "Don't Flirt" (2014) and "Really Really" (2017).

The band initially had five members — Kim Jin-woo, Lee Seung-hoon, Song Min-ho, Kang Seung-yoon and Nam Tae-hyun — but Nam left the band in 2016 after a series of controversies surrounding his private life and attitude toward fans.

The members are all well-established as solo artists. Song Min-ho, who goes by his rap name Mino, is a famed rapper who made it to the final round of Mnet's "Show Me The Money 4" hip-hop competition show and is also a popular character on entertainment shows.

Kang Seung-yoon has been recognized both for his vocals and producing skills and also opened a solo photo exhibition on March 22. Kim Jin-woo released his first solo single, "JINU's HEYDAY" (2019), and will be taking part in channel KBS2's upcoming drama series this summer. Lee Seung-hoon has been cast in the musical "Dream High," set to go on stage in May.

Is Winner still active?

Yes. Winner released its fourth EP, "Holiday," in July, breaking the two-year hiatus as a group. The two-year gap was mainly due to Kim Jin-woo and Lee Seung-hoon's mandatory service. However, Song Min-ho started his service duty on March 24, and it will be another year and a half until the four all get together again. (https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2022/07/07/entertainment/kpop/winner-i-love-u-holiday/20220707151023709.html) (2023.03.27)

Who is the leader of Winner?

Winner's leader was known to be Kang Seung-yoon, but in a radio interview last July with KBS Cool FM, members said Lee Seung-hoon has been elected as the new leader due to Kang's leg injury. They said that leg injuries are important because "healthy legs are important to a leader because his choreography has to be perfect." (2022.09.25)

How long did Winner train?

While each member's training periods differ, all of Winner's members had established their own musical careers before debuting as Winner. Kang Seung-yoon was one of the four finalists of Mnet's "Superstar K2" audition program in 2010; Lee Seung-hoon took part in SBS's audition program "K-pop Star Season 1" in 2011 and landed on the fourth spot; Song Min-ho had been active as an underground hip-hop artist until he signed with YG Entertainment in 2013 through an audition; and Kim Jin-woo had been part of a dance academy until he joined the agency in 2011. (2022.09.25)