Pyo Ji-hoon (Korean: 표지훈; born February 2, 1993), better known by his stage name P.O, is a South Korean rapper, singer and actor. He is the youngest member of the boy group Block B and its sub-unit Bastarz.[2] As an actor, he has appeared in television series Encounter (2018–19) and Good Partner (2024).
P.O got acting lessons in elementary school and entered Hanlim Multi Art School to chase after his original dream of becoming an actor. He then fell in love with Hip hop together with his bestfriend Mino. He decided to rejoin Stardom Entertainment, after they kicked him out previously before he lost weight and ignored offers from other agencies, to debut with Block B.[citation needed]
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.[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 (previously part of BoM's) Winner's Mino.[5][unreliable source?]
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: 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.[8][unreliable source?] He continued releasing songs each day until March 21.[9][unreliable source?] 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][unreliable source?] 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
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][unreliable source?][14][unreliable source?] The sub-unit's album was released April 13, along with a video for the title track, "Zero for Conduct,"[15][unreliable source?] and it debuted at No. 3 on the Gaon album chart.[16]
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.[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 Bumzu's "Give It 2 U," which was released in late July.[19][unreliable source?]
Bastarz released a Japanese version of "Conduct Zero" in October; the CD single containing the song reached No. 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, Company Boy (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][unreliable source?] 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][unreliable source?]
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 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.[28][unreliable source?] The show ranked No. 1 among New Year's specials.[29][unreliable source?] 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.[30]
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.[31][unreliable source?]
P.O also appeared in the second season of Lipstick Prince, which premiered March 30.[32][unreliable source?]
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.[33][unreliable source?] Later that month, it was reported that P.O had been cast on a pilot MBC variety show called Secret Variety Institute.[34][unreliable source?]
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.[35] P.O appeared in a second play by the Company Boy troupe, Manitoz, which ran from June 17 to 25.[36] Also in June, he and fellow group member U-Kwon received the Maxim K-Model Icon Idol Award.[37] In July, it was reported that P.O had been cast in the SBS drama Temperature of Love, which began airing in September.[38] The show's debut episode had the highest ratings in its time slot.[39]
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.[40]
On September 19, it was announced that P.O would make his solo debut.[41] His song, the funk tune "Men'z Night," was released September 27 and featured the singer Chancellor.[42][unreliable source?]
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.[43]
In addition to his work on variety shows, in 2018 P.O acted in two dramas, Encounter (broadcast by tvN)[48] and Love Alert (broadcast by MBN).[49]
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.[50][51][52]
In February 2019, it was announced that P.O would star in a new theatrical production by the Company Boy troupe, a live version of the 2005 film Boy Goes to Heaven scheduled to run from February 16 to March 3.[56]
In December 2020, P.O starred in another Company Boy theatrical production, the play Almost, Maine. P.O played the characters of Randy and Dave in the production, which ran from December 25, 2020, to February 14, 2021.[58][59] P.O also starred in the play's Busan production, which took place in June 2021.[60]
In September 2021, P.O's label, Seven Seasons, announced that he would not be renewing his contract with them at the end of the month.[61]
On February 10, 2022, it was reported that P.O would be recording his last show Amazing Saturday in March, three days before his military service.[63]
Personal life
Mental health
On February 24, 2012, P.O (real name Pyo Ji-hoon) was diagnosed with "stress-induced schizophrenia" shortly after being hospitalized for fainting. Though his uncle Pyo Jin-in would later dispute the accuracy of the diagnosis on his Twitter account. Jin-in criticized it for its vagueness, and the fact that it was given quickly. He cited that symptoms might have arisen due to SPD, schizoaffective disorder, brief psychotic disorder or PTSD and they would have been shown for at least six months if it were to match those of schizophrenia.[64]
Military service
P.O enlisted in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps on March 28, 2022.[65][66] Later in June 2022, the agency said that P.O. had just been assigned to the Marine Corps headquarters in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do and was planning to serve in a military band.[67] Previously, he has postponed his military service until December 2021 to focus on broadcasting and acting.[68] He was officially discharged on September 27, 2023.[69]
^Shim Eom-kyung (October 29, 2021). "피오, 아티스트컴퍼니와 전속계약...정우성·이정재 한솥밥[공식]" [P.O signed an exclusive contract with Artist Company... Woo-sung Jung, Jeong-jae Lee One Pot Rice [Official]] (in Korean). Spotify News. Retrieved October 29, 2021 – via Naver.
^Park Pan-seok (February 10, 2022). "[단독] 피오, 해병대 입대 3일 전 '놀토' 마지막 녹화 예정" [[Exclusive] P.O to record the last episode of 'Nolto' 3 days before enlisting in the Marines] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022 – via Naver.
^Yeon Hwi-seon (February 10, 2022). "피오 측 "3월 28일 해병대 입대, 입소 일정 비공개" [공식입장]" [P.O's side "Marine enlistment on March 28, enlistment schedule not disclosed" [Official position]] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park Soo-in (June 15, 2022). "피오 측 "해병대 사령부 자대배치, 군악대서 군생활"[공식입장]" [P.O's side "Arrangement to Marine Corps headquarters, military life in a military band" [official position]] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved June 15, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park Hye-jin (October 5, 2021). "피오, 올해 말까지 입영 연기...내년 상반기 입대 예정" [P.O postponed his enlistment until the end of this year... Expected to enlist in the first half of next year]. Dispatch (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
^Kim Ha-young (September 27, 2023). "피오, 오늘(27일) 해병 군악대 전역…母 소원 이뤘다" [P.O, discharged from Marine Corps Band today (27th)... Mom's wish came true] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023 – via Naver.
^Hwang Hye-jeong (June 14, 2022). "'제26회 BIFAN' 개막작 '멘'·폐막작 '뉴 노멀'..."논쟁적, 욕 먹을 각오하고 있어"" ['The 26th BIFAN' opening work 'Men', closing work 'New Normal'... "Controversial, ready to be insulted"]. Sports Seoul (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
^Jo Ji-young (June 17, 2022). "[공식] 표지훈, 정범식 감독 신작 '뉴 노멀'로 스크린 도전..입대 전 촬영 끝→BIFAN 폐막작 선정" [[Official] Pyo Ji-hoon, director Jeong Beom-shik's new film 'The New Normal' challenges the screen.. Filming finished before enlistment → Selected as the closing film of BIFAN] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jung Ga-young (August 20, 2021). "[단독] 2PM 준케이·틴탑 니엘·블락비 태일, '야생돌' 일일 멘토 된다" [[Exclusive] 2PM's Jun-K, Teen Top's Niel, and Block B's Taeil to become daily mentors for 'wild idols']. Sports World (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
^Shim Eon-kyung (December 2, 2021). "[단독]피오, '유미의 세포들2'로 만난다...'컨트롤 즤' 역 특별출연" [[Exclusive] P.O meets with 'Yumi's Cells 2'... Special appearance in the role of 'Control You']. Sports TV News (in Korean). Retrieved December 2, 2021 – via Naver.
^Choi Yi-jeong (January 16, 2024). "장나라X남지현X김준한X표지훈, SBS '굿파트너' 캐스팅..올해 첫 방송 [공식]" [Jang Na-ra X Nam Ji-hyun X Kim Jun-han X Pyo-hoon, SBS's 'Good Partner' cast... First broadcast this year [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024 – via Naver.
^Moon Wan-shilk (October 27, 2021). "[단독]피오, 카카오TV '소름' 출연..'마우스' 이어 열일 연기자 행보" [[Exclusive] P.O. Appears in Kakao TV's 'Goosebumps'.. After 'Mouse', he is an actor for ten days] (in Korean). Star News. Retrieved October 27, 2021 – via Naver.