Zelo

This is a Korean name; the family name is Choi.
Choi Junhong
최준홍
Birth name Choi Jun-Hong
Born October 15, 1996
Mokpo, South Korea
Genres Hip hop, K-pop
Occupation(s) Rapper, singer, dancer, Beatboxer
Years active 2011–present
Labels TS Entertainment
Associated acts B.A.P, Bang&Zelo, Bang Yong Guk, Kim Himchan, Jung Daehyun, Yoo Youngjae, Moon Jong Up, Secret
Website

B.A.P

Bang&Zelo Zelo's Twitter

Zelo's Instagram
Birth name
Hangul 최준홍
Hanja 崔準烘
Revised Romanization Choe Jun-hong
McCune–Reischauer Ch'oe Chunhong
Stage name
Hangul 젤로
Revised Romanization Jello
McCune–Reischauer Chello

Choi Junhong (Hangul: 최준홍; born October 15, 1996) better known by his stage name Zelo, is a South Korean rapper, dancer, singer and beatboxer. He is best known as a member of a South Korean K-Pop group, B.A.P as the youngest and is the lead rapper of the group. He made his recording debut with the single, "Never Give Up" under B.A.P's sub-unit, Bang&Zelo in November 2011. He is currently signed under TS Entertainment. But has since, along with his group, filed a lawsuit to nullify his contract.


Biography

1996–2013: Early life and career beginnings

Zelo was born on October 15, 1996 in Mokpo, South Korea.[1][2] He has one older brother.[3] He aspired to be a soccer player when he was young, but then changed his dreams to becoming a singer as he chanced upon music and grew interest in it. He started practising beat-boxing and dancing at home. In 5th grade, Zelo was introduced by an acquaintance who recognized his talent to Joy Dance - Plug In Music Academy located in Gwangju, which is a well-known music academy as Big Bang's Seungri had attended it. He is a former YG Entertainment trainee. He auditioned for several recording companies but did not succeed generally because he was too young. He was finally accepted as a trainee at TS Entertainment.[3] He is currently studying at Seoul School of Performing Arts.

2011–Present: "Never Give Up" and B.A.P debut

Zelo serves as the lead rapper, dancer, as well as being the youngest member of the group. Being the tallest at 186 cm (6'1") fans affectionately nicknamed him "Giant Baby".

Artistry and influences

Zelo is the lead rapper of the group.[4] Zelo is influenced by Hip-Hop and R&B music, and cites will.i.am and Kanye West as his role models.[3] He also named 50 Cent and other rappers as his musical influences.[5]

Discography

For Zelo's work with B.A.P, see B.A.P's discography.

Bang Yongguk & Zelo

Digital Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
KOR
Gaon

[6]

2011 "Never Give Up" 65 Digital single
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Special Feature with Song Jieun

Zelo was featured in a track on labelmate Song Jieun's 2013 digital single album, Hope Torture. Zelo and Jieun performed their collaborative track, "Vintage" during a showcase for the album on September 30, 2013.[7]

Filmography

Television series

Year Network Show Role Notes
2012 SBS MTV Ta-dah It's B.A.P Robot Zelo Regular cast
2012 Mnet B.A.P's Killing Camp Himself Regular cast

Music shows

Year Network Title Role Notes
2012 Mnet M! Countdown Guest MC With B.A.P, RT M! Countdown (2012-02-23)

References

  1. ↑ "INFO (B.A.P Hot Debut Story) Zelo ① & ② the ‘country boy from Mokpo’ who wanted to become a soccer player!". DKPOPNEWS (Daily K-pop News). November 23, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  2. ↑ Bak Geon-Uk (2012-05-29). "B.A.P 핫데뷔일기, "젤로① "B.A.P 안됐다면? 축구선수 됐을 것"". Herald M News (in Korean). Herald Corporation. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Hwang Yo-Jin (2012-03-09). "(INTERVIEW) B.A.P Zelo, Jong-up". 10asia. 10아시아. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  4. ↑ "Artist Search - B.A.P, Profile". KBS World. Retrieved 2012-03-14.
  5. ↑ "Exclusive interview with Bang & Zelo!". Daily Kpop News. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Gaon chart search". Gaon. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCdymhbwt48

External links