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Kim Ki-bum (Korean: 김기범 ; born December 29, 1990), now better known by his stage name in Japan Allen Kim, is a South Korean idol singer, best known for being a former member of South Korean boy band U-KISS. He is also the younger brother of SS501 member Kim Hyung-jun.

Career

2006-2007: Career beginnings

Kibum made his music debut in 2006 with the K-pop group XING, alongside Cheon Hye Sung, Yume and Kevin Woo. However, he left to better his future a year after debuting with XING.

2008: Debut with U-KISS

In 2008, Kibum together with 5 other members of U-KISS made their official debut with their first mini-album N-Generation. The title track from the album was Not Young an upbeat track that displayed the youth of all the members, and that they themselves are no longer boys.

U-KISS released their second mini-album Bring It Back 2 Old School in February 2009. U-KISS made their TV debut on their first ever variety show All About U-KISS. Later in November 2009 came ContiUKiss, a mini-album that displayed the boys metamorphosis from boys to men. Lee Ki-seop became the 7th member of U-KISS during this mini-album.

The group released their first full-length album Only One in early 2010, with the title track "Bingeul Bingeul". They starred in another second variety show called U-KISS Vampire, which was based on how different blood types interact and react in situations. After receiving much attention from their new album, U-KISS starred in a third variety show called Chef's Kiss, in which the members were divided into several groups and had to complete several missions, such as coming up with new recipes and be part of restaurant crew.

After returning from the Philippines concert series and fanmeets in Malaysia and Singapore, the group October released their fourth mini-album Break Time in October 2010. The song promoted from this album was "Shut Up!!" and the album was received well from the public. They also appeared as regular guests every Wednesday on a Japanese variety show called Made in BS Japan on TV Tokyo, before debuting with their Japanese debut album First Kiss. First Kiss charted at number 2 on the Daily Oricon Chart on its release date.

2011: Departure from U-KISS

On February 23, 2011, it was revealed that Kibum and Alexander's contracts with NH Media had been terminated. Although at first Kibum's character business with his brother had been cited as the reason for his departure, it was later revealed that NH Media believed he was "lacking"; therefore, NH Media desired member replacements.

2011-2012: HnB Company & Solo Activities

On December 29, 2010, Kibum setup HnB Company together with his older brother Kim Hyung Jun, a character business based on his original creation, PiroPiro and SiroSiro. following his departure from U-Kiss, he put much effort to promote the business, while at the same time embarking on his solo activity.

On May 21, 2011, Kibum, with the help of Warner Music Singapore held his first solo international activity in Singapore, "Till We Meet Again" Kibum's Farewell Meet&Greet and Fanmeet at IMM Garden Plaza and Dragonfly (St James Power Station) respectively. The trip to Singapore was also slated as a cultural exchange as part of the effort to promote the said character business.

In addition, Kibum also made several public appearances alongside his older brother, Kim Hyung Jun in Korea. On June 17, 2011, it was announced that Kibum, together with 5 other entertainers (Moon Chun Shik, Lady Jane, Kim Ho Young, Kwak Hyun Hwa, Gu Bon Hyung) would join a new reality show by GTV '드림메이커' (Dream Maker) as mentors (or known as 'Dream Planners').

Along with the announced appearance in Dream Maker, Kibum revealed through his official Japanese blog that he had been travelling to and from Japan, hinting at possible activities in Japan. In late August 2011, it was announced that he would be taking part in K-POP MUSIC FESTIVAL (Kagoshima), on September 10 as the MC.

Following his first Japanese stint at Kagoshima, Kibum embarked on his solo activities in Japan as アレン・キボム (Allen Kibum). Shortly after the Kagoshima event, it was revealed that he would be having his acting debut in a Japanese musical 「絆２０１１　少年よ大紙を抱け！」("Bond 2011, Boys Be Ambitious"), as Allen, a full-time Korean exchange student. The musical was held from October 20–25, 2011, with a total of 8 performances.

He had another short stint in acting as a cameo in Japanese drama 「孤独のグルメ」 (The Lonely Gourmet), which was aired on TV Tokyo on February 22, 2012, at 00:43–01:13 JST. Kibum appeared as guest MC for MADE IN BS JAPAN for several time before it was decided that he would be a regular MC for the show every Friday, starting from January 6, 2012. His regular MC appearance ceased together with the wrapping of the said variety show on March 30, 2012.

Aside from his appearance in television program, Kibum also held his first solo fanmeet live premium in Billboard Live TOKYO, Japan on December 29, 2011, as a commemoration of the start of his solo activity, as well as to celebrate his 21st birthday. Up to date, he has released an official 2012 calendar and some other official merchandises, as well as opened his official Japan Fan Club. He has made live appearance as guest performer in several other events in various places in Japan such as Akita and Osaka. His latest stint as a live performer was Shin-Okubo K-POP STORY, which was held every Tuesday at esprive, Shin-Okubo.

2012: Japanese debut

Kim Kibum is set to release his debut solo CD entitled Dream (Japanese: ドリーム) on December 26, 2012, in Japan. The single album was initially set to consist of four tracks, all of which were composed by the artist himself. However, on November 15 Kibum revealed through his official Japanese blog that another song titled 'MELODY', composed by Tamaki Koji, had been added to the track list. Later on, it was revealed via Kibum's Twitter that his friend, LeeU (Lee Seung Hyun), had contributed in the making of the single album.

2013: Korea solo debut

On March 15, 2013, it was announced through an official press release by Professional Entertainment that Kibum will return to Korea entertainment industry with the release of his solo album Longing in April. He will use the stage name Allen Kibum (알렌기범).

Discography

Song writing

• "Hey G" (from SS501: Solo Collection) – composed by Kim Hyung-jun and Kim Ki-bum (H&B)
• "Want It", "The One", "I Am" (from SS501: U R Man) – lyrics by Kim Hyung-jun and Kim Ki-bum (H&B)

Filmography

• I Am Legend
• The Lonely Gourmet
• Made in BS Japan

References

1. "U-KISS's 'First Kiss' ranks second on Oricon Daily on day of release". Allkpop.
2. "김기범 "유키스 탈퇴 아닌 계약해지, 멤버교체 수순" 심경 밝혀, 알렉산더 '당황'(인터뷰)". Newsen. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
3. "U-KISS's Kim Kibum provides further detail on withdrawal on KBS's "Entertainers"". Allkpop.
4. "单飞后担心少了粉丝拥护 金起范落泪". Archived from the original on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2012-04-15.
5. "유키스 前멤버 김기범, 사업가로 亞 진출". 3 June 2011.
6. "GTV 드림메이커 론칭 '레이디제인 곽현화 비롯 6인 스타, 꿈 매니저로 변신'". Archived from the original on 2014-03-29. Retrieved 2012-04-15.
7. "Ｕ－ＫＩＳＳ脱退キボムが「アレン」で活動".
8. "Withdrawn from U-KISS, Kibum is now active as 'Allen'". Archived from the original on 2012-07-15. Retrieved 2012-04-15.
9. "絆2011-少年よ大紙を抱け- オフィシャルウェブサイト".
10. "アレン・キボム ： 韓流アイドル役で日本のドラマに初出演 本人は「お笑いが似合うかも」？".
11. "Allen Kibum: Role of Hallyu idol in the first drama appearance; "Comedy might suit me"?". Archived from the original on 2012-07-15. Retrieved 2012-04-15.
12. "Allen Kibum official homepage". Archived from the original on 2013-05-18. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
13. "新大久保 K-POP STORY". Archived from the original on 2012-09-09. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
14. "アレン・キボムが待望の日本ソロ・デビュー". Tower Records Online. Tower Records Japan Inc. 15 October 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
15. "12月26日のCDデビューの中に玉置浩二さんのメロディーも5曲に入ります。". 15 November 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
16. "오늘 드디어 ALLEN KIBUM으로 솔로가 된 후 첫번째 CD가 발매되는 날입니다!곡작업 함께 땀흘리며 열심히한 내 친구 승현이 그리고 중형이형 고맙고 지켜봐주길! 。". 26 December 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
17. "Former U-KISS Member Kibum to Release Album in Korea after His Success in Japan 。". 15 March 2013. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-15.
18. "Dream album info" Archived 2013-01-02 at the Wayback Machine Universal Music Japan. Retrieved 2012-12-19.

External links

• Official website
• Official website

• Living people
• 1990 births
• South Korean male idols
• U-KISS members
• Universal Music Japan artists
• South Korean male pop singers
• 21st-century South Korean male singers