Lee Gi Kwang

Other Name: 이기광

Age: 34

Birthday: March 30, 1990

Nationality: South Korean

Gender: Male

Lee Gi Kwang, formerly known as AJ, is a South Korean singer, dancer, actor and member of HIGHLIGHT (하이라이트; formerly known as BEAST (비스트)). He graduated from Ahyeon Industrial Information School with an associate's degree in Practical Music and later obtained another associate's degree, this time in Dance Art, from Seoul Comprehensive Arts Practical School. As a trainee, he spent 4 years at JYP Entertainment but was told he was not going to debut. After switching agencies to CUBE Entertainment (큐브엔터테인먼트), he made his debut as a soloist (under the stage name AJ) with his first mini-album, "First Episode: A New Hero". However, his stage name became a point of controversy as it was the same stage name of former PARAN member AJ (now known as Siyoon). After discussing his future with the agency, he re-debuted in October 2009 as BEAST's main dancer, lead vocalist and visual with their first EP, "Beast is the B2st". They initially received attention as some members had failed in previous auditions and were even called a "recycled group". 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. In late 2016, their contracts with CUBE ended, and they decided to create a new independent agency called Around Us Entertainment (어라운드어스 엔터테인먼트). They were not able to keep the name trademark, and in March 2017, he re-debuted as part of HIGHLIGHT with their EP, "Can You Feel It?". He enlisted for his mandatory military service on April 18, 2019, and was discharged on November 18, 2020. After his release, he continues to promote as part of the group, as an actor and appears as a dancing mentor in survival shows. (Source: MyDramaList).