Lee Gi Kwang (이기광)

“Whether you’re tired or not, always lean on me. I will always be with you.”

Name: Lee Gi Kwang (이기광)

Stage Name: Gikwang or Kikwang, AJ (Ace Jr.)

Birthday: March 30, 1990

Position: Lead Vocalist, Main Dancer, Face of The Group

Blood Type: A

Height: 171cm

Weight: 58kg

Hobbies: Watching Movies, Sports, Exercising, Dancing

Specialty: Singing, dancing

Education: Seoul Absence of Comprehensive Art School

Favorite Singers: Taeyang, Omarion, Usher

Lee Gi-kwang was born on March 30, 1990 in Naju, South Korea. Gi-kwang found interest in hip hop and had particular liking to many classic hip hop acts. He was backed by his family to pursue a musical career and after auditioing for a record company debuted under the stage name 'AJ'. He was known as the solo singer AJ or Ace Junior when he debuted and released a mini-album "First Episode: A New Hero” on April 4, 2009. He met controversies when his name created dispute among netizens for having a similar name with Paran’s AJ (Later became the new U-KISS member). He now goes with his original name when he redebuted with Beast. He debuted as an actor through High Kick Through the Roof and was also cast in a role for My Princess. He also became an MC for different shows such as Hot Brothers, Win Win and SBS Inkigayo.

Lee Gi-kwang was trained under JYP Entertainment for four years before transferring to Cube Entertainment. He made his debut on April 2, 2009 on Mnet M!Countdown. He was dubbed by Korean media as the next Rain. On June 17, 2009, AJ opened for Lady Gaga's Korean showcase.

Gi-kwang has now switched from a solo artist to a group member of Beast. The group debuted on October 16, 2009 on KBS Music Bank with their single "Bad Girl". He serves as the main dancer and lead vocalist in Beast. Band members Yoon Doo-joon, Yong Jun-hyung, Jang Hyun-seung and Yang Yo-seob were once backup dancers for Gi-kwang when he was still performing as AJ. Ace Junior was the topic of a short-lived reality show, Diary of AJ, which was hosted by MTV. The show ran on two episodes on May 9, 2009 with a total of two episodes showcasing his Journey on his debut as AJ.

The name "AJ", which is common not only in Korea but also overseas, has created disputes among netizens since many expressed their dissatisfaction over him having the same name as Paran's AJ. Cube Entertainment responded by saying that AJ’s name is different from that of Paran AJ’s for his (Cube's AJ) name is short for ‘Ace Junior’. The company later announced that he would continue activities under a different name, but no changes were made until it was revealed that AJ would no longer continue activities, as he will have been preparing to debut as a member of Beast. Since the group's debut, he is known as Gi Kwang, or Kikwang.

→ Fun Facts ←

• Has nickname’s such as Ace Jr and Holly 2
• Trained under JYPE for 4 years
• Debuted as a solo singer first under the name AJ
• Also trained under DSP Media
• He thinks 2NE1 is too good for them
• During “Shock” practices he asked Hyunseung to go to the gym afterwards, Hyunseung’s response: “We just worked out by dancing”
• He wasn’t allowed to have a cellphone during his AJ days
• He wouldn’t sleep on desks but he would hug the music stand and sleep
• The members told him not to do any adlibs and instead rip his clothes on stage
• He is allergic to seafood
• He jokes around saying he wants to marry Hyunseung
• He is the most gullible
• He won a poll in “Which star’s short figure is the most charming”
• He is very curious on how SHINee’s Jonghyun can sing really well
• He thinks he is always being pushed around by the members

Solo Discography/Work:

1^st Mini Album [2009]

A New Hero

Guest Appearance:

•2010•

- Love Is Pathetic [Ahn Jinkyung ft. Gikwang]

•2011•

- Should I Hug or Not [w/ Doojoon & Junhyung]

- Break Up [w/ Brave Brothers  & Electroboyz]

•2012•

- Yesterday [w/ Jinwoon, L.Joe, Lee Joon & Hoya]

Filmography:

Drama

High Kick Through the Roof [2009]

My Princess [2011]

Me Too, Flower [2011]

Television

Diary of AJ [2009]

MTV B2ST Documentary [2009]

MTV Almighty [2010]

MBC Idol Maid [2010]

Hot Brothers [2010]

Win Win [2010]

SHIN PD [2010]

SBS Inkigayo [2011]

Exciting CUBE TV [2011]

Running Man (ep. 127) [2012]

Win Win [2012]

Sammy Adventures 2 [2012]

Invincible Youth 2 [2012]

Running Man (ep. 162) [2013]

My Friend Is Still Alive [2013]

TvN 20’s (Twenty Year’s Old) [2014]
Showtime Burning the Beast [2014]
Cool Kiz on the Block [2014]
Running Man (Ep.199) [2014]

Music Videos:

K.Will – Seonmul [2010]

A Pink – Mollayo [2011]

Sunny Hill – Midnight Circus [2011]

Ailee – Heaven [2012]

1^st Mini Album: A New Hero

1. Intro

2. Dancing Shoes (댄싱슈즈)

3. 2009 (feat. Hyun A (현아))

4. Wipe the Tears (눈물을 닦고)

5. Dancing Shoes (inst.) (댄싱슈즈)

Solo M/V:

“Dancing Shoes”

“Wipe the Tears” [w/ Doojoon & Junhyung]