Highlight is a popular K-pop boy group that has been in the music industry for over a decade. While many fans know their hit songs and performances, there are some fascinating facts about the group that might surprise you. Let’s dive into 10 interesting things you probably didn’t know about Highlight!
1. They Were Originally Known as Beast
Highlight wasn’t always called Highlight. When they first debuted in 2009, the group was known as Beast. They performed under this name for several years and gained a lot of popularity. In 2017, they changed their name to Highlight. This change happened because they left their old company and started their own. They couldn’t use the name Beast anymore, so they chose Highlight, which was actually the name of their last album as Beast.
2. The Group Has Gone Through Some Changes
When Highlight first started as Beast, they had six members. Over the years, the group has changed. In 2016, one member named Jang Hyun-seung left the group. Then in 2019, another member named Yong Jun-hyung also left. Now, Highlight has four members: Yoon Doo-joon, Yang Yo-seob, Lee Gi-kwang, and Son Dong-woon. Even with these changes, the group has stayed strong and continued to make great music.
3. They Have Their Own Company
In 2016, Highlight did something that not many K-pop groups do. They started their own company called Around Us Entertainment. This was a big step for them because it meant they had more control over their music and careers. It’s not common for K-pop idols to run their own company, so this makes Highlight quite special in the industry.
4. They Are Multi-Talented
The members of Highlight aren’t just singers and dancers. They have many other talents too. For example, some members are good at writing songs and producing music. Yang Yo-seob is known for his amazing vocal skills and has even won singing competitions. Lee Gi-kwang is a great dancer and has taught dance classes. Yoon Doo-joon has acted in several TV dramas. This shows that the members of Highlight are well-rounded entertainers.
5. They Have a Special Connection with Their Fans
Highlight has a very close relationship with their fans. They even have a special name for their fan club: Light. This name is perfect because it matches well with the group’s name, Highlight. The members often talk about how important their fans are to them and how they want to make music that their fans will love. They frequently interact with fans through social media and special events.
6. They’ve Overcome Many Challenges
The journey of Highlight hasn’t always been easy. They’ve faced many challenges in their career. When they first debuted, some people called them a “recycled group” because the members had been trainees at other companies before. But Highlight worked hard and proved themselves with their talent and dedication. They’ve also had to deal with members leaving and changing their group name. Despite these difficulties, they’ve always stayed positive and continued to make music for their fans.
7. They Have Impressive Awards
Over the years, Highlight has won many awards for their music. They’ve received awards at big Korean music shows like the Golden Disc Awards, the Seoul Music Awards, and the Melon Music Awards. These awards show how much people love their music and performances. It’s a great achievement, especially considering how competitive the K-pop industry is.
8. They’ve Had Interesting Stage Names
Did you know that some of the Highlight members almost had very different stage names? For example, before debut, there were plans for V (who is now in BTS) to have stage names like Cis or Rex. Jungkook (also from BTS) was almost called Seagull! While these names weren’t for Highlight members, it shows how stage names in K-pop can be quite interesting and unexpected.
9. They’ve All Completed Military Service
In South Korea, all healthy men must serve in the military for about 18 to 21 months. This is called mandatory military service. All four members of Highlight have completed their military service. This is a big deal because it means they’ve fulfilled their duty to their country and can now focus fully on their music careers without any interruptions. Many fans waited patiently for them during this time, showing how loyal Highlight’s supporters are.
10. They Have International Appeal
While Highlight is very popular in South Korea, they also have many fans around the world. They’ve performed in different countries and their music is loved by people who don’t even speak Korean. This international appeal shows how powerful K-pop has become and how Highlight’s music can connect with people from various cultures.