P. O

P.O
P.O perfoming with Block B at KCON 2015 in Los Angeles, California.
Native name	표지훈
Born	Pyo Ji-hoon February 2, 1993 Seoul, South Korea
Occupation	Rapper MC
Musical career
Genres	Hip-hop
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2011–present
Labels	Seven Seasons
Associated acts	Block B Bastarz
Website	Cyworld

Korean name
Hangul	표지훈
Hanja	表志勳
Revised Romanization	Pyo Ji-hun
McCune–Reischauer	P'yo Chihun
Stage name
Hangul	피오
Revised Romanization	Pio
McCune–Reischauer	P'io

Pyo Ji-hoon (born February 2, 1993), better known by his stage name P. O, is a South Korean rapper. He is a member of the Korean hip hop boy group Block B and a member of the group's Bastarz sub-unit.^[1]

Career

Pre-debut

P.O attended Hanlim Multi Art School.^[2] 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.^[3]

2011–2012: Debut with Block B 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.^[4] 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 Club), 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.^[5]

Along with fellow Block B member, Zico, they both were chosen as MCs for SBS MTV's The Show.^[6] 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.^[7]

2013–2014: Mixtape 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.^[8] He continued releasing songs each day until March 21.^[9] Rookie girl group Delight featured P.O in their song "Mega-Yak".^[10] 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.^[11] 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.^[12]

2015: BASTARZ sub-unit

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.^[13][14] The sub-unit's album was released April 13, along with a video for the title track, "Conduct Zero,"^[15] and it debuted at #3 on the Gaon album chart.^[16]

P.O was significantly involved with the creation of the Bastarz album, receiving a lyrics credit for "Conduct Zero," 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.^[17]

On May 23, P.O appeared with fellow Block B member Taeil on the KBS show Immortal Songs 2, where they performed a remake of the song "I Don't Know Why" by Kim Soo-chul.^[18] P.O featured in Kye Bum Zu's "Give It 2 U," which was released in late July.^[19]

Bastarz released a Japanese version of "Conduct Zero" in October; the CD single containing the song reached #20 on the Oricon weekly chart.^[20]

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 (극단 소년).^[21][22]

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.^[23] 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.^[24]

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, scheduled to first air November 22.^[25]

Filmography

Year	Title	Network	Role	Notes
2012	The Show	SBS MTV	MC	with Zico
2014	1000 Song Challenge	SBS	Guest	with Zico, Kyung, Taeil
	Fashion King Korea	SBS	Contestant	with Zico
2015	Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend	Korean Broadcasting System	Contestant	with Taeil

References

1. "Naver P.O" (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
2. Hwang, Mi-hyeon. "블락비 피오·트와이스, '골든벨' 한림예고편 등장..'모교 의리'". JoongAng Ilbo. JoongAng Ilbo Co., Ltd. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
3. "Block B members share the personal obstacles they faced in order to debut". Allkpop. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
4. Sunwoo, Carla. "Block B controversy carries on in Thailand and Korea". Korea JoongAng Daily. JoongAng Ilbo. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
5. "Block B's P.O releases "Dear My Wife" ft. BoM's Mino". Allkpop. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
6. Moon, Seong-yeol. "블락비 지코·피오 '더쇼' MC 확정..22일 첫녹화". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). JoongAng Ilbo Co., Ltd. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
7. Hong, Grace Danbi. "Is Block B's P.O. Also a Rich Idol?". Mwave. CJ E&M, Corp. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
8. "P.O releases "Amino Acid" ft. MINO". Allkpop. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
9. "P.O releases "Black Vans Authentic" from his mixtape". Allkpop. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
10. Hong, Grace Danbi. "Rookie Group Delight Teases with a Potential Featuring by Block B's P.O.". Mwave. CJ E&M Corp. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
11. "Kim Kyung Rok (V.O.S) releases 'It's Not a Big Deal' (ft. Block B's P.O.) MV with scenes from web drama 'Aftermath'". Allkpop. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
12. "Block B Unveils Fusion Hip-Hop Song for ′Secret Door′ OST". MWave. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
13. "Block B reveal new subunit 'BASTARZ' + first member P.O". allkpop. allkpop. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
14. "Block B reveal remaining members for subunit 'BASTARZ'". allkpop. allkpop. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
15. "'Block B Subunit BASTARZ Releases "Zero for Conduct" Music Video'". Soompi. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
16. "Gaon Weekly CD Chart". Gaon. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
17. "'Block B BASTARZ 1st Mini Album Preview'". Seven Seasons YouTube Channel. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
18. "[HIT] 불후의명곡2 - 블락비, 감성 보컬 태일 & 피오의 '왜 모르시나'.20150523". KBSKpop.
19. "'Kye Bum Joo returns with 'Give It 2 U' ft. Block B's P.O & Niihwa!'". allkpop. allkpop. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
20. 週間　CDシングルランキング 2015年10月19日付 [CD single weekly ranking - October 19, 2015] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
21. "[★SHOT!] 블락비 피오, 연극 준비에 '땀 뻘뻘'…무대 제작도 '뚝딱'" (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
22. 극단 소년 [Extreme Boys Facebook page] (in Korean). Retrieved February 6, 2016.
23. "BASTARZ drops teaser poster for pre-release composed by P.O". AllKPop. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
24. "Block B's BASTARZ Reveals Photos And Track List For New Mini Album, Featuring Title Track Composed By Dean". Soompi. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
25. "Lipstick Prince [1차 티저] 화장을 아는 섹시한 남자, 화섹남의 시대가 왔다! 161122 EP.1". OnStyle YouTube (in Korean). Retrieved 21 October 2016.

External links