Highlight (band)

Highlight
Lee Gikwang, Yoon Dujun, Yang Yoseob, Son Dongwoon standing from left to right, posing for press photos
Highlight in 2022
Left to right: Gikwang, Doojoon, Yoseob, Dongwoon
Background information
OriginSouth Korea
Genres
Years active2009 (2009)–present
Labels
Members
Past members
Websitewww.aroundusent.com/artist/main/1 Edit this at Wikidata

Highlight (Korean: 하이라이트; RR: Hailaiteu) is a South Korean boy band formerly known as Beast (Korean: 비스트). The band consists of four members: Yoon Doo-joon, Yang Yo-seob, Lee Gi-kwang, and Son Dong-woon.[1] Originally a six-piece band, Jang Hyun-seung departed from the group in April 2016,[2] and Yong Jun-hyung departed in March 2019.[3] In late 2016, the group moved labels from Cube Entertainment to Around Us Entertainment and subsequently changed their name to Highlight in 2017.[4]

The group debuted in 2009 with the extended play (EP) Beast Is the B2ST. In 2011, they released their first studio album, Fiction and Fact, and made their Japanese debut with the single, "Shock". As Beast, the group released three Korean studio albums, nine Korean extended plays, two Japanese studio albums, and numerous singles. The group re-debuted as Highlight in 2017 with the extended play (EP) Can You Feel It?.

Beast initially received attention for the lack of industry success previously experienced by its members, with media outlets referring to them as a "recycled group".[5] However, the group has achieved significant commercial success and critical accolades and is one of the most awarded groups of all time at the Golden Disc Awards, the Seoul Music Awards, and the Melon Music Awards.[citation needed]

  1. ^ Yoon, So-yeon (April 16, 2021). "Highlight returns with complete line-up after military service hiatus". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on March 30, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  2. ^ "장현승, 결국 비스트 탈퇴..솔로 가수로 활동(공식입장 전문)" [Jang Hyung-seung leaves Beast...will be active as solo singer (Official Statement)]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. April 19, 2016. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  3. ^ Yoon, So-yeon (March 14, 2019). "Yong Jun-hyung exits Highlight". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  4. ^ Herman, Tamar (February 24, 2017). "K-Pop Band Beast Changes Name to Highlight After Leaving Agency, Losing Member". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  5. ^ Ko, Kyung min (August 24, 2011). "비스트, 재활용 그룹이라 불리던 과거 어땠나" [Beast, what was it like in the past when we were called the recycling group]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2012.