Kino

Kang Hyung-gu, known professionally as Kino, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, rapper, composer and dancer. He is a member of the boy group Pentagon and runs his own independent label NAKED. Kino is known for his sharp choreography and emotionally honest solo music that blends K-pop polish with indie vulnerability.

Since going solo in 2023, he has released the EP If This Is Love, I Want a Refund and toured the U.S. and Asia. His singles "Skyfall" and "Broke My Heart" showcase a restless creative spirit. Fans connect with his raw lyrics and the way he treats his career as a personal reinvention. [edit]

Kino was born in Seongnam, South Korea, and grew up with a younger sister named Minju. He passed an audition at age 12 and later said, "I can't remember a time in my life when I was not dreaming of becoming a singer." Before joining Cube Entertainment, he trained at Power Vocal and was part of a dance team called Urban Boyz.

He attended Hanlim Multi Art School, graduating in 2015 alongside GOT7's Yugyeom and other future idols. He then enrolled at Sejong University as a Practical Dance major through non-scheduled admission, bypassing the college entrance exam. He also studied at Cyber University of Korea. He lived in the Philippines for three months and can speak Korean, Japanese, and English.

In 2016, he appeared in Rain's music video for "Rain Effect" and was formed into Pentagon through the Mnet survival show Pentagon Maker. [edit]

Kino debuted as a member of Pentagon on October 10, 2016, with the self-titled mini-album Pentagon. Within the group, he served as main dancer, vocalist, sub-rapper, and face of the group. He created choreography for Pentagon songs including "Gorilla" and "Like This," earning the nickname "Dancing Machine." He also joined the musical collective M.O.L.A. and released tracks on SoundCloud as Knnovation.

His first solo single album Pose dropped on August 9, 2022. On October 9, 2023, Cube Entertainment announced that Kino and four other Pentagon members had ended their contracts. Two months later, he founded his own one-man label, NAKED. He released his first EP If This Is Love, I Want a Refund on May 2, 2024, and embarked on his first U.S. solo tour, "I think I think too much." In 2025 he released the singles "Skyfall" and "Broke My Heart" featuring Lay Bankz. He performed at Coachella, where he asked strangers to rate his single. As of early 2026, he continues touring the U.S. and working on what he calls "the most honest album in my life." [edit]

Kino is known for his versatility as a performer, blending K-pop idol polish with indie artist authenticity. His solo work under NAKED reveals a more vulnerable, personal side compared to his group work. Media outlets describe him as a determined, friendly artist who is constantly evolving. Billboard noted his "intuition at work" in his creative decisions. He maintains an active social media presence across Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok, sharing behind-the-scenes content and personal updates with fans. The Pentagon fandom is called UNIVERSE. [edit]

Kino currently holds no placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 rankings or any scope-specific top lists. The iFANN Global Fame Engine evaluated his profile in August 2026 and determined that he does not yet occupy a published ordinal position among the world's most famous individuals. This absence of a rank reflects a specific evaluation status rather than a lack of public presence; while he maintains a significant following through his independent label NAKED and his work with Pentagon, his individual metrics have not crossed the threshold for inclusion in the current global hierarchy. His audience, often referred to as Kinophiles, engages directly with his solo releases and tour activities without the structured organization seen in larger idol groups. Unlike many contemporaries who rely on massive, named fan clubs with coordinated campaigns, Kino's supporters connect primarily through his musical output and social media interactions. The lack of a distinct official fandom name in public records suggests that his fanbase remains fluid, identifying more with his artistic evolution than with a singular organizational identity. While fans frequently discuss his transition from Cube Entertainment to an independent artist, there are no documented rituals or viral folklore events that define his legend in the same way as other top-tier performers. The narrative surrounding him focuses on professional resilience and creative autonomy rather than extraordinary crowd reactions or street-shutdown incidents. As he continues his world tour and releases new material, his standing within the iFANN framework remains unranked, pending future shifts in global consumption signals and media coverage.[edit]

Kino represents himself with a lion face emoticon and admits to fearing only being tickled. He possesses a notable skill for imitating girl group dances, despite his reputation for sharp choreography. In dorm life, he acts quite differently than his broadcast persona, a contrast he acknowledges openly. High school records confirm he was in the same batch as ASTRO's Eunwoo. His independent label, NAKED, signifies a desire to be reborn purely as himself. Recent career milestones include his solo debut with the single album Pose in August 2022 and his departure from Cube Entertainment in October 2023 to establish his own label. Fans often cite his collaboration with American producer Lay Bankz on Broke My Heart as a key moment in his international expansion. A story from his recent global tour highlights his ability to engage diverse audiences across Brazil and Asia, though no specific viral folklore or legendary crowd incidents have been documented. His journey from a trainee to a self-directed artist owning his label remains the primary lore shared by those familiar with his career trajectory.[edit]

Kino has a younger sister named Minju. He was born in Seongnam, South Korea, and has not publicly shared details about his parents. He currently lives and works in South Korea, running his independent label NAKED. [edit]

Kino is a member of Pentagon alongside Hui, Jinho, Hongseok, Shinwon, Yeo One, and Wooseok. He is also part of the musical collective M.O.L.A. He has collaborated with Lay Bankz on the single "Broke My Heart." He is friends with GOT7's Yugyeom, UNIQ's Seungyoun, SEVENTEEN's Vernon, and ASTRO's Eunwoo. [edit]

Kino has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships. As a K-pop idol, his personal dating life has remained private. As of 2026, he is presumed single with no known public partner. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Kino's net worth at $2 Million for 2026. This figure aggregates earnings from his tenure with Pentagon between 2016 and 2023, revenue generated by his solo music releases, and income derived from touring across the United States and Asia. Additional financial streams include royalties from music streaming platforms, compensation for choreography work, and profits generated through his independent label NAKED. Since leaving Cube Entertainment, he has assumed full control over his earnings and reinvested capital into his solo career development. His ongoing U.S. tour and expanding discography continue to shape his financial profile as an independent artist.[edit]