P.O


Pyo Ji-hoon, better known by his stage name P. O, is a South Korean rapper and actor. He is a member of the boy group Block B and its sub-unit Bastarz.

Early life and education

P.O was born Pyo Ji-hoon on February 2, 1993 in Seoul, South Korea. He attended Hanlim Multi Art School.

Career

Pre-debut

It was reported that P.O was not chosen as a Block B member because he failed his first Block B audition. A year later, P.O auditioned once more after more training and losing 10 kg, which led him to Block B's final line-up.

2011–2012: Debut and hospitalization

P.O debuted with Block B in April 2011. In February 2012, the band received heavy criticism for their disrespectful behavior during an interview in Thailand, particularly jokes regarding about the previous year's flooding disaster. P.O reportedly fainted and was hospitalized for shock on February 24, after learning of a petition calling for the members to apologize by committing suicide.
To show his gratitude to BBC, Block B's official fanbase, P.O released a song written especially for them. "Dear My Wife" was released into his cyworld on September 25, featuring Winner's Mino.
Along with fellow Block B member, Zico, they both were chosen as MCs for SBS MTV's The Show. During a November 2012 episode of Weekly Idol, P.O stated that he came from a wealthy family background, explaining that his father runs a duty-free store.

2013–2014: ''Bigboi is Ready 2 Showtime'' and collaborations

On March 9, P.O released the first song "Amino Acid" from his Mixtape Bigboi is Ready 2 Showtime, featuring Winner's Mino. He continued releasing songs each day until March 21. Rookie girl group Delight featured P.O in their song "Mega-Yak". In September 2013, P.O starred in Kye Bum-zu's "Something Special" music video alongside Hello Venus's Yoon-jo.
In 2014, P.O was featured in the digital single "It's not a Big Deal" by V.O.S's Kim Kyung Rok, released January 6. P.O also co-wrote the lyrics for the title track of the SBS drama Secret Door, which was performed by Block B and released September 22.

2015: Bastarz

On April 5, it was announced that P.O would participate in Block B's first sub-unit, Bastarz, along with members U-Kwon and B-Bomb. The sub-unit's album was released April 13, along with a video for the title track, "Zero for Conduct," and it debuted at #3 on the Gaon album chart.
P.O was significantly involved with the creation of the Bastarz album, receiving a lyrics credit for "Zero for Conduct," sole lyrics credit and a composition credit for "Charlie Chaplin," a lyrics credit for "Thief," and a lyrics and composition credit for "Sue Me," which he performed along with the rapper Incredivle.
On May 23, P.O appeared with fellow Block B member Taeil on the KBS show, where they performed a remake of the song "I Don't Know Why" by Kim Soo-chul. P.O featured in Kye Bum Zu's "Give It 2 U," which was released in late July.
Bastarz released a Japanese version of "Conduct Zero" in October; the CD single containing the song reached #20 on the Oricon weekly chart.

2016: Theatrical debut and Bastarz comeback

In February, P.O appeared in the theatrical play Superman.com, which he also helped write and produce as part of a new theatrical troupe, Extreme Boys.
In October, Block B announced that the Bastarz sub-unit would be having a comeback featuring a lead single composed by P.O, which was released October 24. The sub-unit's second mini-album, Welcome to BASTARZ, was released October 31; P.O received lyrics credits for all five songs on the album, and composition credits for three.
Also in October, the OnStyle network announced that P.O and fellow Block B member U-Kwon would be on the new show Lipstick Prince. The first season aired from December 1, 2016, to February 16, 2017.

2017: Variety and Drama Shows, Solo Debut

P.O was cast in Living Together in Empty Room, a special variety show broadcast on MBC for the Korean New Year in three episodes from January 26 to January 27, 2017. In the course of the show, two women, trot singer Hong Jin-young and comedian Kim Shin-young, moved into P.O's house. The show ranked #1 among New Year's specials. In March it was reported that the show would be picked up and aired as a series, and that P.O would be among the cast members.
In addition, P.O was cast as an MC for the cooking variety show Strange Restaurant, which premiered on the O'live television channel March 13. P.O hosted the show, in which guests attempted to cook dishes they have ordered, along with Kim Jong-min, Kim Yong-man, and Seo Jang-hoon.
P.O also appeared in the second season of Lipstick Prince, which premiered March 30.
On April 5, it was announced that P.O had been cast in the upcoming drama "Our First Romance," starring Lee Jong-hyun and Lee Yu-bi, and written by Go Sun Hee, who also wrote the tvN drama Cheese in the Trap. Later that month, it was reported that P.O had been cast on a pilot MBC variety show called Secret Variety Institute.
In May, it was announced that P.O would be an MC for the SBS MTV music program The Show, along with Jeonghwa of EXID and Yeonwoo of Momoland. P.O appeared in a second play by the Extreme Boys troupe, Manitoz, which ran from June 17 to June 25. Also in June, he and fellow group member U-Kwon received the Maxim K-Model Icon Idol Award. In July, it was reported that P.O had been cast in the SBS drama Temperature of Love, which began airing in September. The show's debut episode had the highest ratings in its time slot.
P.O took part in the Japanese special project album, Block B: Project-1, released September 20, performing the song "Winner" along with fellow Block B member U-Kwon and Japanese rapper Chanmina.
On September 19, it was announced that P.O would make his solo debut. His song, the funk tune "Men'z Night," was released September 27 and featured the singer Chancellor.
In December, P.O took part in a tribute album for the late singer Yoo Jae-ha to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his debut.

2018-19: Variety, Drama, Theater, and Music

In spring of 2018, P.O appeared again as a cast member on Living Together in Empty Room, living with stylist Han Hye-yeon and Jinyoung of Got7. In addition, the Extreme Boys troupe staged another production of Superman.com in which P.O starred. Later in the year, he became a regular cast member for Great Escape and New Journey to the West 5/6.
In addition to his work on variety shows, in 2018 P.O acted in two dramas, Encounter and Love Alert.
P.O released a new song, "Comme des Garçons," on November 11, 2018. The song features a funky sound and personal lyrics that discuss P.O's life from before his debut to the present.
During the broadcast of the last episode of New Journey to the West 6 on December 2, 2018, it was announced that P.O would be joining the upcoming second season of Kang's Kitchen.
In February 2019, it was announced that P.O would star in a new theatrical production by the Extreme Boys troupe, a live version of the 2005 film Boy Goes to Heaven scheduled to run from February 16 to March 3.
In November 2019, it was revealed that P.O would act as master of ceremony for the upcoming MBC Entertainment Awards, along with Hwasa of Mamamoo and Jun Hyun-moo.

Discography

Singles

Filmography

Variety shows

Television series

Radio show

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated WorkResult
2017MBC Entertainment AwardsBest Couple with Sandara ParkLiving Together in Empty Room
2017MBC Entertainment AwardsPopularity AwardLiving Together in Empty Room
2019Brand of the Year AwardsMale Variety StarP.O