Kang Dong-ho (; born July 21, 1995), better known by the stage name Baekho (), is a South Korean singer, songwriter, record producer and television personality currently signed under Pledis Entertainment. He is best known as the main vocalist and music producer of South Korean boy group NU'EST.
He made his debut as a solo artist in October 2022 with the release of his first extended play Absolute Zero.
Early life and education
Kang Dong-ho was born on July 21, 1995 in Aewol, Jeju Province, South Korea. He has a younger brother.
He has mentioned that he originally had no intention of going into the music industry prior to being scouted, later citing Korean boy group TVXQ as his role models and musical inspiration. He graduated from Seoul Broadcasting High School, and later from the Paekche Institute of the Arts. On March 10, 2020, together with members JR, Minhyun, and Ren, he enrolled at Hanyang University Institute for Future Talents as freshmen in Practical Music Course.
Career
Pre-debut
Baekho became a Pledis Entertainment trainee after being scouted by the company in 2010. He became better known after he appeared in After School's music video for the single "Play Ur Love". In 2011, he and bandmate JR appeared on the KBS talk show Hello Counselor and were revealed by After School's Kahi as two of the members of NU'EST.
Prior to his debut, Baekho made appearances in labelmates' music releases as a member of Pledis Boys. He was a backup dancer for After School Blue's "Wonder Boy", and featured in Pledis Entertainment's Christmas release "Love Letter".
2012–2022: NU'EST and solo ventures
On March 15, 2012, Baekho debuted as the main vocalist of NU'EST. His stage name was chosen by labelmate Uee of After School, because of his resemblance to Slam Dunk character Hanamichi Sakuragi (known as "Kang Baek-ho" in the Korean version).
In 2013, Baekho made a cameo appearance in the television drama Jeon Woo-chi.
In early 2014, he was diagnosed with vocal fold nodules. However, he decided to continue performing with NU’EST while receiving treatment. Pledis Entertainment announced in November that he would be taking a temporary hiatus from all group activities. His doctors advised that he completely rest his voice, and he underwent vocal cord surgery. In February 2016, it was reported that he had completely recovered.
In 2015, Baekho starred in a minor supporting role in Japanese independent film Their Distance alongside NU'EST members.
Baekho began participating in song-writing and music production in 2015, with his first self-produced songs "Lost & Found" and "VVith" included in NU'EST's fourth EP Q is. He has been listed as an album producer for every NU'EST and NU'EST W release since then.
Produce 101
In 2017, Baekho participated as a contestant on Produce 101 Season 2 alongside NU'EST members JR, Minhyun and Ren. After performing a cover of BTS's "Boy in Luv" on the show, he gained the nickname of 'sexy bandit' from netizens. In the position-based challenge, he covered Blackpink's "Playing with Fire", and the view count of his fancam reached one million views within three days. He was also noted by commenters for his stable vocals in the music removed (MR) performance. His reading of the lyric 'Wow megaton bomb' also went viral, leading to a 400% increase in sales of Lotte's 'megaton bar' ice cream. Baekho eventually placed 13th and did not debut in Wanna One, promoting with the remaining NU'EST members as sub-group NU'EST W from 2017 to 2018.
Mnet vote manipulation investigation
On November 18, 2020, the Seoul High Court disclosed as part of the ongoing Mnet vote manipulation investigation that Baekho (under his real name Kang Dong-ho) was a victim of voting manipulation when he participated on Produce 101 Season 2. According to the documents the Court released, the manipulation of Baekho's ranking only happened in the final episode of the season, which determined who would debut in the project group Wanna One. It was revealed that Baekho's true rank would have made him part of the group, but was swapped with another trainee's (who was the actual 13th place) by the show's producers, thus taking him out of the lineup.