Ex-iKON's Kim Hanbin Returns to Music Industry After Drug Scandal

Alternative hip-hop group Epik High has announced the controversial star as a featuring artist on their upcoming album.

Popular South Korean hip-hop group Epik High is releasing its tenth album – “Epik High Is Here.”

D-7 『Epik High Is Here 上』 Lineup 3 of 3
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10집 『Epik High Is Here』. 2CD 중 첫 앨범 『Epik High Is Here 上』 2021년 1월 18일 저녁 6시 발매.
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Epik High’s 10th studio album Epik High Is Here. Part 1 of the double album will be released 1/18/2021 6PM KST. pic.twitter.com/pScNuIunlD

— 에픽하이 타블로 | Tablo of Epik High (@blobyblo) January 11, 2021

​And the group has welcomed some new members to rap alongside CL, Zico, Heize, Nucksal, Kim Sawol, and Changmo. The newbies are Woo Won Jae, Miso, G.Soul, and B.I – also known as Kim Hanbin.

The latter's name has really raised some eyebrows, given he was chucked out of the group and had his contract ripped up by YG Entertainment in 2019 amid a drug scandal. B.I allegedly purchased LSD and weed, strongly prohibited in South Korea, but there was not enough evidence for police to charge him. 

Since his departure, he's been involved in certain charities, with many fans willing to forgive him as a result. 

executive director kim hanbin just appeared on a national tv regarding the news about the charity they did to osan city and thank goodness we finally got to see him out in the public again this 2021 🥺

I'M SO HAPPY 😭 pic.twitter.com/R3xe9zJyUB

— thea (@godsftkjh) January 5, 2021

[2020.10.30] B.I Donates 1,500 Masks to Senior Citizens

On 26 Oct, B.I Kim Hanbin visited the Wongak Social Welfare and donated 1,500 masks to low-income seniors and the homeless. B.I has also announced his plans to volunteer at this place to help the senior citizens. pic.twitter.com/5lMphya1ZP

— Zombin (@mijingy0o) October 31, 2020

​After the lineup of artists on Epik High's album was revealed, both the nickname and name of ex-IKON member topped the worldwide trends.

KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN pic.twitter.com/8LrYUhwdPC

— dentapg_D-DAY¹³¹ (@Shxxbi_131Label) January 11, 2021

Hanbin is backkk😭😭😭
Wellcome back B.I
KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN pic.twitter.com/DfQug4KOhG

— avees (@afisnafisah27) January 11, 2021

KIM HANBIN AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA pic.twitter.com/MszIC9ItMJ

— c — SingerBIxEpikHigh (@hoshzidan) January 11, 2021

I came back to see KIM HANBIN trending - then I see his name on the final line up of features. I DO A PROUD.
KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM HANBIN KIM !!! pic.twitter.com/A0omQUi24V

— OT7 IN 131 LABEL PLS (@konbinic131) January 11, 2021

OH MY FREAKING– I JUST SAW KIM HANBIN IS TRENDING AND I THOUGHT HE MIGHT HAVE JUST ANOTHER INTERACTIONS OR WHATSOEVER OR MAYBE HE FINALLY HAVE SOME UPDATE OF RELEASING SOMETHING AND THIS... OH MY GOOGNESS IM SORRY YALL I CANT CONTAIN MYSELF😭😂 https://t.co/F6P53j8v1q

— bobNsoo♥️ (@jal_jinaela1204) January 11, 2021

'Kim Hanbin' and #RapperBIxEpikHigh is trending worldwide!!! continue dropping the tags y'all !! pic.twitter.com/fbeEaL31y7

— D-1, U MAD? (@foreheader) January 11, 2021

​"Epik High Is Here" will be released on 18 January.