Jung Il-hoon

Biography

Jung Il-hoon (Korean: 정일훈; born October 4, 1994), simply known as Ilhoon or Illhoon, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He was a rapper in the South Korean boy band BtoB. He is well known for his collaborations with artists such as Hyuna and G.NA, as well as for being an assistant MC on the variety show Weekly Idol. Ilhoon made his acting debut starring in the drama Webtoon Hero: Tundra Show in 2015. He was also known for popularising the gestures for "Gwiyomi Player", later confirming that he was taught them by Yujin when she was a trainee.

Early life and education

Jung Il-hoon was born on October 4, 1994, in Seoul, South Korea. He graduated from Hanlim Multi Art School and attended Korea College of Media Arts with acting course. He is the younger brother of singer Joo.

2010–2011: Pre-debut

As a trainee Jung had filled in for labelmate Yong Jun-hyung during some of G.NA's promotions for "I'll Back Off So You Can Live Better" on music shows, in 2010. In 2011, Jung, along with four other members of BtoB's initial lineup, made his acting debut in the JTBC sitcom, I Live in Cheongdam Dong.

2012–2016: Debut in BtoB and early career

Jung debuted as the main rapper of the boy group BtoB in 2012. The group made their official debut on Mnet's M! Countdown on March 21.
From 2012 to 2016, Jung was featured as a regular guest together with Apink's Bomi on the music variety show Weekly Idol. He collaborated with 4Minute's Gayoon with the song "My Love By My Side" for the musical of the same name. He also featured in Hyuna's "Unripe Apple" which was a track from her second EP, Melting.
In 2013, he was featured in 2YOON's Harvest Moon EP for the track "Nightmare". He later collaborated with G.NA for her lead single, "Oops!", off the Beautiful Kisses EP.
In 2015, Jung starred in the web-drama, Webtoon Hero: Tundra Show as Kim Sung-min. Later that year, Cube Entertainment announced Hyuna's lead single for A+, titled "Roll Deep" (Because I'm the Best), would feature Jung. He also participated in the making of the album. He was only able to perform with Hyuna twice as there was a conflict with other BtoB schedules, and was covered by Cube Entertainment's trainee, Kim Hyo-jong. Later in 2015, Jung featured in Unpretty Rapstar 2's semi-finals episode as he performed with contestant Jiyoon for the track "This Ain't Me".

2017–2020: Solo career beginnings and hiatus

On May 24, 2017, it was announced that Jung would be releasing a self-composed track on May 30, as part of BtoB's "Piece of BtoB" solo project. He released "Fancy Shoes×Fancy Shoes30 May 2017 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Fancy Shoes3:28", a song that he had previously performed at BtoB's solo concert, BtoB Time 2017.
In September 2017, it was announced Jung would be joining the cast of web-mockumentary (fashioned as a cosmetics reality program), The Cushion, alongside label mate Yoo Seon-ho and Korean beauty YouTuber Lena. All the episodes were uploaded on Naver TV, YouTube and Oksusu from October to November 2017.
On February 12, 2018, it was announced that Jung would be releasing his first solo album in March. The album, titled Big Wave×Big wave8 March 2018 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1얘기 좀 해요3:432멋진 구두 (Fancy shoes remastered ver.)3:283She's gone3:294Big wave3:175Always3:35, was released on March 8, containing five tracks which featured fellow BtoB member Hyunsik with the song "Come Closer" and Jinho of Pentagon with the song "Always". The lead single, titled "She's Gone", is a hip-hop song which describes complicated break up feelings. Jung had previously performed the song at BTOB's 2017 BTOB Time - Our Concert, from 23 to 24 December at the Ilsan Kintex Exhibition Center. He participated in writing and composing all songs on the EP. In October, he was featured on the song "Cookies" from F.T. Island's Lee Hong-gi's EP Do n Do.
On February 21, 2019, Jung dropped a digital single, "Spoiler", featuring solo artist Babylon.
Jung departed from BtoB following a drug scandal on December 31, 2020, after being investigated by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency for using marijuana in prior years.

2024–present: Return to activities

From October 4 to October 6, 2024, Jung held his first solo art exhibition "Tiny Ark" at KIR SEOUL. On November 21, Jung released the digital single, "lullaby", his first release in nearly six years.

Enlistment

Jung enlisted on May 28, 2020, and was serving as a public service worker.

Legal issues

On December 21, 2020, it was reported that Jung was under investigation by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency along with accomplices for purchasing and using cannabis in prior years and that his case had already been handed to prosecution earlier in July. Cube Entertainment announced Jung's departure from BtoB on December 31, 2020.
Jung submitted 2 statements of self-reflection to the court on April 15, 2021, and attended the first hearing on the morning of April 22, 2021. According to the prosecutor's statement, from July 5, 2016, to January 9, 2019, Jung with conspirators remitted 133 million KRW over 161 times, using cryptocurrency, and bought and inhaled 826 g and 20 ml of cannabis. After that, Jung did cannabis without conspirators. Jung admitted all charges.
At the decision hearing on the afternoon of May 20, 2021, the prosecutors sought a 4-year prison sentence and a 133.065 million KRW fine. Jung submitted a letter of reflection to the court on June 8, 2021, and the trial court sentenced Jung to 2 years in prison and a fine of 133 million KRW on the afternoon of June 10, 2021. Jung, who was tried without detention, was arrested in court the same day.
Jung filed an appeal on June 14, 2021 on the basis of misunderstandings of the fact and the law during the initial trial. The prosecution did not file a cross-appeal. The first hearing of the appeal trial was held on the afternoon of September 2, 2021 while the second hearing was on the morning of October 7, 2021. The content of the indictment was partially changed due to the difference in the number of actual purchases and smoking times and the legal misunderstanding about the fine. A huge amount of petitions from fans were also submitted.
The decision hearing that was scheduled to be held on the afternoon of November 4, 2021 was postponed to the afternoon of November 18, 2021 due to the aftermath of the spread of COVID-19. The prosecutors sought a 2-year prison sentence and a lower 126.63 million KRW fine. At the sentencing hearing held on the afternoon of December 16, 2021, the appeal court overturned the judgment of the trial court suspending Jung's 2 years prison sentence with 3 years probation. Jung was also ordered a 40-hour drug treatment and a 126.63 million KRW fine.
According to the court, Jung did not systematically smoke marijuana, and Jung's purchase using cryptocurrency did not appear to be deliberate. Jung seemed to have voluntarily stopped around January 2019 and had since made efforts to prevent recidivism. Jung received psychiatric treatment to quit drugs, took online lectures for addiction treatment, and maintained a strong bond with his family as well as other social ties to keep him straight. Since the start of the appeal trial, Jung submitted 105 statements of self-reflection, and his fans also submitted petitions.
On December 24, 2021, Jung personally apologized for his case through a handwritten letter. The letter was later archived from his Instagram on September 29, 2022.