2PM

2PM ( ) is a South Korean boy band formed by JYP Entertainment in 2008¹ composed of six members: Jun. K (formerly known as Junsu), Nichkhun, Taecyeon, Wooyoung, Junho, and Chansung. 2PM was originally a seven-piece group; Jaebeom left the band in 2009. Unlike most Korean boy bands at the time, 2PM constructed a tough and masculine image through their intense performances often featuring acrobatic stunts and sex appeal. As a result, 2PM is known for creating the "beast idol" ( ) phenomenon within South Korea. As the group grew older, they stopped incorporating acrobatics in their choreography routines and transitioned into a more gentlemanly image. The group has achieved commercial success in several regions in Asia, including South Korea, Japan, and Thailand, as a leading figure of the Korean Wave. 2PM debuted with the song "10 Out of 10" on September 4, 2008. They achieved their first number-one single with "Again & Again" in 2009, which contributed to them winning the 2009 MAMA Award for Artist of the Year. Both singles, along with their hit song "Heartbeat", were featured on their debut studio album, 01:59PM (2009), which topped the first issue of the Gaon Album Chart.…

2PM ( ) is a South Korean boy band formed by JYP Entertainment in 2008 composed of six members: Jun. K (formerly known as Junsu), Nichkhun, Taecyeon, Wooyoung, Junho, and Chansung. 2PM was originally a seven-piece group; Jaebeom left the band in 2009. Unlike most Korean boy bands at the time, 2PM constructed a tough and masculine image through their intense performances often featuring acrobatic stunts and sex appeal. As a result, 2PM is known for creating the "beast idol" ( ) phenomenon within South Korea. As the group grew older, they stopped incorporating acrobatics in their choreography routines and transitioned into a more gentlemanly image. The group has achieved commercial success in several regions in Asia, including South Korea, Japan, and Thailand, as a leading figure of the Korean Wave. 2PM debuted with the song "10 Out of 10" on September 4, 2008. They achieved their first number-one single with "Again & Again" in 2009, which contributed to them winning the 2009 MAMA Award for Artist of the Year. Both singles, along with their hit song "Heartbeat", were featured on their debut studio album, 01:59PM (2009), which topped the first issue of the Gaon Album Chart. From 2010¹ to 2011, they cemented their popularity across Asia with their streak of hit songs: "Without U", "I'll Be Back", and "Hands Up", all of which were included in their second studio album, Hands Up (2011). 2PM ventured into the Japanese music scene in 2011 with their debut Japanese single "Take Off" and their debut Japanese studio album, Republic of 2PM. As the group began writing and producing more of their own music, they enjoyed significant commercial success in South Korea with their subsequent albums: Grown (2013), Go Crazy! (2014), No.5 (2015), and Gentlemen's Game (2016), each of which peaked within the top 3 on the Gaon Album Chart. 2PM achieved even greater success in Japan, with their albums Legend of 2PM (2013), Genesis of 2PM (2014), 2PM of 2PM (2015), and Galaxy of 2PM (2016) all topping the Oricon Albums Chart. Furthermore, out of their eleven Japanese singles, nine have been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for selling over 100,000 copies; Galaxy of 2PM also has received this certification. The group took an official hiatus in 2017 due to mandatory military service. Following the members' discharge, 2PM returned with their seventh Korean studio album Must and Japanese EP With Me Again in 2021. ==History== ===Pre-debut=== The members of 2PM all auditioned to join JYP Entertainment, with the exception of Thai-American member Nichkhun, who was scouted as a high school senior in the United States, became the company's first non-ethnic Korean trainee in 2006, and eventually became the first Thai idol in the Korean entertainment industry upon debut. Jaebeom and Jun. K were chosen from auditions in 2004, and Wooyoung was chosen after placing first in JYP Entertainment's first open audition in 2007. Taecyeon, Junho and Chansung had participated in JYP Entertainment's 2006 audition TV program ; Junho finished as the winner, while Taecyeon and Chansung were given trainee contracts despite being eliminated. Three of the members had previously lived in the United States: Jaebeom in the Seattle area, Nichkhun in Southern California, and Taecyeon in Massachusetts. Originally, the members of 2PM were part of a larger group known as One Day. In early 2008, a reality TV series on Mnet called captured the group's training days and had viewers vote on which trainees would debut. Former member Jaebeom received the most fan votes, finishing in the top spot, while three trainees were eliminated: Lee Swichi, Jeong Jin-woon, and Yoon Doo-joon. However, Jeong would later replace Im Daehun upon the latter's withdrawal. By the end of the training process, One Day had been reduced to an eleven-member group. The band was then split into four-member ballad group 2AM and seven-member dance-focused group 2PM. Jaebeom was chosen to serve as 2PM's leader, as the oldest and most well-rounded member. ===2020–present: End of military service, group comeback, and anniversary concerts=== Jun. K completed his military service and was discharged on January 2, 2020. Wooyoung was also discharged on February 25, 2020. Chansung was discharged on January 5, 2021. It was announced in January 2021 that 2PM would make a full group comeback later in the year, after Junho completed his military service. Junho was discharged on March 20, completing 2PM's military services. In early 2020, the music video and performance footage of "My House", 2PM's title track from their 2015 Korean album No.5, suddenly went viral on YouTube, causing the song to reenter various music streaming charts and spawn dance challenge videos. In early 2021, 2PM began airing the web content series Wild Six on YouTube, with later episodes marking the first time 2PM would be seen together as a full group since their mandatory military enlistment. This web series would later be broadcast on Mnet. Following guest appearances on popular YouTube variety series MMTG, 2PM made their first performance together as a full group since 2017 with "My House" on MMTG 's "Songs that Deserve a Comeback" Concert special broadcast on SBS on June 11, 2021. , July 2021]] On June 7, 2021, it was announced that 2PM would make a comeback with their seventh studio album Must. The album marked four years since their hiatus and five years since the release of Gentlemen's Game. Along with a television special focused on the group aired by Mnet, Must was released on June 28. The album featured ten tracks, seven of which were produced by 2PM members, including title track "Make It", which was co-written by Wooyoung. Must reached number three on the Gaon Albums Chart and number four on the Oricon Albums Chart. 2PM celebrated their 13th anniversary on September 4 with a fan meeting titled Dear. Hottest, which was held online via Beyond Live due to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. On September 29, 2021, 2PM released their first Japanese EP With Me Again, featuring seven tracks including a title track of the same name written by Jun. K digitally pre-released on September 9. The mini-album peaked at number two on the Oricon Albums Chart. In occasion of their 15th anniversary, 2PM held concerts titled It's 2PM at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul from September 9–10, 2023 and at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo from October 7–8, 2023. In addition, an unofficial sub-unit of Jun. K, Nichkhun, and Wooyoung called ENWJ held five concerts together in Tokyo, Kobe, Bangkok, and Taipei from 2023 to 2024. Also in 2024, Jun. K, Nichkhun, Wooyoung, and Chansung performed together on August 30 for a show celebrating J.Y. Park's 30th anniversary, which was later aired on KBS on September 16 under the title KBS Korea's Mega Performance Project – 30th Anniversary Special "Ddanddara JYP". On December 27, Jun. K, Nichkhun, Taecyeon, and Wooyoung performed together as guests at J.Y. Park's 30th anniversary concert titled Still JYP. On January 6, 2026, it was announced that 2PM would hold concerts in Japan in commemoration of their 15th anniversary since debuting in Japan. On February 2, 2026, JYP posted a teaser video and poster through their official social media channels revealing that the concerts, titled "The Return" in Tokyo Dome, would be held on May 9–10, 2026, ten years after their last concerts at that venue. The concert attracted over 85,000 fans over two shows, and a Korean leg of "The Return" was announced. "The Return" in Incheon was held on August 8–9, 2026 at a sold out Inspire Arena. ==Other activities== ===Television hosting=== In December 2008, 2PM began hosting the third season of MBC's Idol Show ( ) with senior entertainer Boom. The program ran from December 4, 2008 to March 26, 2009, with a total of seventeen episodes. In 2009, the group starred in a reality show on Mnet titled Wild Bunny, in which the members performed activities "forbidden" to idols, such as sneaking out. The show ran from July 21, 2009 to September 1, 2009, with seven episodes aired. The airing of the final episode, which featured the members engaged in a "Leader Olympics" game to select a new leader, was postponed indefinitely due to Jaebeom's controversy and subsequent departure from the group. From 2008 to 2011, 2PM members were individually cast for various Korean variety shows and TV music programs in overlapping timeframes, most notably, Inkigayo, M Countdown, Star King, Let's Go! Dream Team Season 2, Family Outing 2, and We Got Married. In July 2011, 2PM Show!, another variety show hosted by the full group, began airing on SBS Plus. From 2012 to 2014, following their breakthrough success in Japan, 2PM hosted two Japanese TV shows: Wander Trip, a travel program co-starring 2AM, and two seasons of One Point Korean, an educational program teaching Japanese audiences the Korean language. Upon debuting as a soloist in Japan in the summer of 2013, Junho hosted a solo variety program in Japan titled Junho (From 2PM)'s Say Yes ~Friendship~. Members would individually continue to host music shows and award shows and be cast for various variety programs to date, including Chinese and Thai TV shows. In 2017, 2PM starred in a variety program titled 2PM Wild Beat, their final TV program together prior to their mandatory military enlistment. The show was filmed in Australia in November 2016 and featured the members earning money to fund their trip from Melbourne to Uluru through various challenges and real part-time jobs over the course of nine days. ===Endorsements=== Early in their career, 2PM established themselves among the most prominent advertising models in South Korea. They signed endorsement deals for and worked with several high-profile brands including Calvin Klein, Coca-Cola, Paris Baguette, Lotte Duty Free, Everland, Mr. Pizza, and Korean clothing brand NEPA. The group has released several promotional singles for such companies, such as the songs "My Color" and "Nori For U" (노리 포 유) for Samsung Anycall, "Crazy4S" for clothing brand SPRIS, "Tik Tok" featuring Yoon Eun-hye for Cass Beer, and "Cabi Song", a collaboration with Caribbean Bay co-spokespeople Girls' Generation. For Coca-Cola alone, 2PM released three promotional singles: the Korean version of "Open Happiness" (오픈 해피니스); a song sampling K'Naan's "Wavin' Flag" titled "What's Your Celebration?" (너만의 짜릿한 세레모니를 보여줘!), which was used as part of a campaign during the 2010 FIFA World Cup; and "Share the Beat" (셰어 더 비트), which was used as part of a campaign during the 2012 Summer Olympics. , June 2011]] In July 2009, the members of 2PM were selected as the representatives of foreign artists by the Thai government-led tourism campaign, I Love Thailand. Nichkhun was also selected by the Tourism Authority of Thailand as the face of their campaign, Come to Thailand; Let's Take a Break!, releasing a promotional single titled "Let's Take a Break" in August. The group has also endorsed various brands in Thailand such as Thai snack company Hanami and Chinese electronics manufacturer Oppo, releasing a promotional single titled "Follow Your Soul" for the latter. 2PM has also worked as promotional ambassadors on tourism campaigns for South Korea. In August 2010, 2PM released the promotional single "Fly To Seoul (Boom Boom Boom)". In November 2011, Annyeong, a short interactive film starring 2PM and their labelmates Miss A for the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO)'s Touch Korea campaign was released. In June 2012, 2PM and Miss A continued their work as ambassadors for the KTO by participating in a Touch Korea Tour program with foreign K-pop fans. In April 2013, 2PM released their first Chinese song, "Shining in the Night", a promotional single used for the video game soundtrack of Tencent Games' QQ Dance 2. Later that year, 2PM and Miss A partnered with South Korean video game developer Smilegate to work on CFs for the official relaunch of the Korean first-person shooter game Crossfire due to the game's massive audience in both South Korea and China; characters based on each of the groups' members were added to the game as a limited-time event. Following the group's return from their hiatus, 2PM endorsed sportswear brand Xexymix in April 2021. ==Artistry== ===Musical style and themes=== 2PM's overall musical style has generally been described as being musically rooted in the R&B genre, often combined with electronic influences. Academic Crystal S. Anderson opined that their later discography strongly leaned towards the R&B genre of "quiet storm" as the group transitioned into a sophisticated and mature masculine concept, beginning with the 2013 album Grown. They have occasionally experimented with genres; for example, "Go Crazy!", the lead single of the eponymously named 2014 album, was described as "[straddling] the line" between funk and EDM. The songs in their discography range from pop ballads such as "At Times" (문득), to emotional dance tracks such as "Without U" and "I'll Be Back", to party anthems such as "Hands Up". Their Japanese discography also explores music genres and dance styles not as prominent in their Korean discography, such as their track "Merry-Go-Round" exploring the pop rock genre or the choreography of their single "Beautiful" featuring voguing. Some of their songs garnered attention due to the overtly sensual nature of the lyrics. The self-composed "Make Love" from Gentlemen's Game was notably banned by the Korean Broadcasting System due to its lyrics describing one's desire to have sex with a lover. ==Legacy== MTV Asia stated, "[They] rose to prominence as their catchy lyrics and easy-to-follow dance moves exploded in the early days of YouTube, long predating today's viral TikTok challenges. They were also the first group to embody the jimseung-dol, or beast-like idol, a charismatic and sensual archetype that has influenced the presentation of newer acts like Monsta X." 2PM has been noted for successfully transitioning into a "manband" without overly relying on sex appeal gimmicks such as taking off their shirts, with Melon's e-magazine dubbing them "classic K-sexy" during their 2021 comeback from hiatus. The members of Monsta X themselves, as well as of newer idol groups such as Seventeen, SF9, and labelmates Stray Kids, have cited 2PM as "role models" for their stage presence and charisma during live performances. 2PM has won numerous music awards, including a Daesang award for Artist of the Year the 2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards. They have also won the awards for Best Male Group (2009 and 2010), Best Dance Performance (2010) for "I'll Be Back", and Best Music Video (2014) for "Go Crazy!" at the Mnet Asian Music Awards. In addition, they have won an Album Bonsang (2009) at the Golden Disc Awards, two Bonsangs (2009 and 2010) as a Top 10 Artist at the Melon Music Awards, and a Bonsang (2009) at the Seoul Music Awards. Their Japanese discography has also received several accolades, with Legend of 2PM winning the award for Album of the Year at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards Japan, and 2PM of 2PM and Galaxy of 2PM being awarded as one of the top three Asian albums (excluding releases by domestic artists) at the Japan Gold Disc Awards in 2016 and 2017 respectively. The group has appeared on the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 four times, from 2010 to 2013, peaking at fifth place. The group also placed in the top ten of Gallup Korea's Singer of the Year polls three times, from 2009 to 2011, peaking at second place, and they placed eighth on Gallup Korea's 2024 survey of the most beloved boy groups of the 21st century. In 2019, Billboard placed 2PM's song "A.D.T.O.Y." at number 36 on their list of the 100 Greatest K-pop Songs of the 2010s. In 2021, Melon and Seoul Shinmun placed "Heartbeat" at number 35 on their list of the Top 100 K-pop Masterpieces as determined by thirty-five music critics and industry experts. In 2023, Rolling Stone placed "Hands Up" at number 44 on their list of the 100 Greatest Songs in the History of Korean Pop Music. ==Members== Current Jun. K ( ) - Vocalist Nichkhun ( ) - Vocalist, Rapper, Visual Taecyeon ( ) - Rapper, Visual Wooyoung ( ) - Vocalist, Dancer Junho ( ) - Vocalist, Dancer Chansung ( ) - Rapper, Vocalist Former Jaebeom ( ) - Leader, Vocalist, Rapper, Dancer ==Discography== Korean albums 01:59PM (2009) Hands Up (2011) Grown (2013) Go Crazy! (2014) No.5 (2015) Gentlemen's Game (2016) Must (2021) Japanese albums Republic of 2PM (2011) Legend of 2PM (2013) Genesis of 2PM (2014) 2PM of 2PM (2015) Galaxy of 2PM (2016) ==Filmography== Films Annyeong (2011) Beyond the One Day ~Story of 2PM and 2AM~ (2012) Reality shows Hot Blooded Men (2008) Idol Show Season 3 (2009) It's Time 2PM (2009) Wild Bunny (2009) 2PM Show! (2011) One Point Korean (2012–2014) Wander Trip (2012) 2PM Wild Beat (2017) Wild Six (2021) ==Concert tours== World tours "Go Crazy" World Tour (2014) Asia tours and concerts Don't Stop Can't Stop (2010) Hands Up Asia Tour (2011–2012) "What Time Is It?" Asia Tour (2012–2013) House Party (2015–2016) 6Nights (2017) It's 2PM (2023) The Return (2026) Japan tours and concerts Take Off (2011) Republic of 2PM (2011) Six Beautiful Days (2012) Legend of 2PM (2013) Genesis of 2PM (2014) 2PM of 2PM (2015) Six "Higher" Days (2016) Galaxy of 2PM (2016) The 2PM in Tokyo Dome (2016) ==References== ==External links== 2PM Official Japan

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