Lee Seung-hyun (born December 12, 1990), better known by his stage name Seungri or V. I. (lit. meaning: Victory), is a South Korean singer-songwriter and actor. He is the youngest member of the South Korean boy band Big Bang. Seungri has released his first solo album, VVIP in 2011.

Biography

Pre debut
Before joining the group, in his hometown, Gwangju, he was the leader and part of the dance group "II Hwa". Seungri was known for his dance skills. He first appeared on television on the reality television series Let's Cokeplay: Mnet Battle Shinhwa, a show in which Shinhwa attempted to create a boy band that could be a "second Shinhwa". Although he was noticed for his dance skills, his lack of vocal skills led to him being eliminated. If he had not been eliminated, he would have debuted in "Battle" a group of 6 boys that each Shinhwa member had picked out. He was later scouted by the record label YG Entertainment and joined the group Big Bang. Although he was initially cut on the ninth episode of the group's documentary series, he was given another chance to impress YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun Suk and succeeded.


Dance career

Seungri is known for his dance skills. In his hometown, Gwangju, he was part of the dance group II Hwa. He has competed against his fellow Big Bang member Taeyang in several dance competitions, as well as against Super Junior's Eunhyuk, TVXQ's Yunho, and Shinee's Taemin. Seungri also choreographed a large portion of Big Bang's dances.

During Big Bang Documentary, for the dance battle between 2 teams, his team was made out with Taeyang and T. O. P. up against G-Dragon's team with Daesung and Hyunseung. Seungri was the team leader of the group from his dance skills, he choreographed the dance which they got the idea from a native African tribe dance. With an amazing performance and clothing they worn, they won the dance battle.


Career
Seungri debuted in 2006 alongside four other members as part of the group Big Bang. He recorded his first solo song "The Next Day" in 2007, which was included in Big Bang's first album Since 2007. The album was fairly successful, but the group only achieved mainstream success with the release of the song "Lies" (Korean: 거짓말; Revised Romanization: Geojitmal) from their 2007 mini-album Always, which topped several charts upon its release. The singles, "Last Farewell" (Korean: 마지막 인사; Revised Romanization: Majimak Insa) from the mini-album Hot Issue and "Day by Day" (Korean: 하루하루; Revised Romanization: Haru Haru) from Stand Up, became chart-toppers as well.

Seungri became the first member of Big Bang to act in a musical with the performance in Sonagi in 2008. His next musical, Shouting, was performed in 2009 alongside another Big Bang member Daesung, who was unable to perform at the last minute due to a car accident. Seungri also started his hosting activities by acting as a host for MBC's music program Show! Music Core, alongside fellow member Daesung. Seungri made his film debut in with the movie Why Did You Come to My House?, followed by 19 alongside fellow Big Bang member T. O. P. and former YG Actress Heo Yi Jae. The movie was released on November 12, 2009. Although his first solo song "Next Day" was recorded as part of Big Bang's album track, his second solo song "Strong Baby" was released as a promotional single for the group's second full-length Korean album Remember. In order to shed the "youngest member" look from Big Bang, Seungri promoted the single with a more mature look along with a stylized dance. He won his first triple crown for "Strong Baby" on Inkigayo.


2011: 1st Mini Album VVIP
In February, during the Lunar New Year, 18 Idols went to Pattaya, Thailand to battle out for the title "King Of Idols". At the end Seungri and After School's U-ie were crowned King & Queen of the Idols.

Seungri released his first solo mini-album, VVIP, on January 20, 2011. For the album's promotion cycle, Seungri promoted double title tracks, “VVIP” and "What Can I Do." Seungri participated actively in the production of the album, composing and writing six out of the seven songs. His songs, "VVIP" and "What Can I Do", won a triple crown on M! Countdown. He promoted his album for a short time from January 20-February 13 due to Big Bang's Comeback.


2012: Japanese Promotions, Kindaichi Case Files
In July Seungri started his 1st Japanese Promotions by appearing on variety shows. Such as Yomiuri TV‘s ‘Yoshimoto Jounetsu Comedy, Run for Money etc. He was chosen as the special MC on Fuji TV's 'Sakigake! Ongaku Banzuke Eight'. He interviewed many popular stars such as Oguri Shun, Exile’s Akira, Miori Takimoto, Takei Emi, Perfume, and even labelmates senior Se7en and his own bandmates.
Seungri had his first Japanese Show on Space Show TV. The 1st episode was broadcast on August 2. The name of his show was "Seungchan's Complete Victory Declaration"
On August 27, 2012, he held his 1st solo fanmeeting in Tokyo. Bandmate Daesung showed his support to him by appearing on stage to sing 'Fantastic Baby' with him. His next solo fanmeeting was on September 9, 2012 held in Osaka.

On September 1, 2012, it was announced that Seungri would appear in the upcoming Nihon TV special drama “Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo - Hongkong Kowloon Treasure Murder Case”. The show was created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Japanese broadcasting company, NTV. Seungri worked along with, Hey! Say! JUMP's Ryosuke Yamada and Daiki Arioka, popular Taiwanese actress Vivian Hsu, Taiwanese idol group Fahrenheit’s former member Wu Chun, and famous Hong Kong actor and MC Eric Tsang, Haruna Kawaguchi and Kiritani Kenta. The two-hour-long drama premiered on January 12, 2013.

The two-hour-long drama won the award 'Best Drama SP (Excellence Awards)' at the Tokyo Drama Awards 2013.


2013
Seungri resided in Japan along with bandmate Daesung for Japanese Promotions.

On July 28, 2013. It was announced by YG Entertainment that Seungri has been secretly preparing a 2nd mini album, that was released on August 19, 2013, the title track being "할말 있어요" (I Have Something To Say). He promoted his album in Korea until the end of September. He will release his 1st Japanese Album on October 9, 2013. The Japanese album contains songs from Let's Talk About Love as well as songs from his first mini album, VVIP, all of which were recorded in Japanese. The album will also include a new song called "空に描く思い" (The Feelings Painted In The Sky), which was used as the theme song for the Japanese mobile drama Yubikoi ～Kimini Okuru Message～. Which he also be starred in. This was Seungri's first original production in Japanese. This was the second Japanese drama that he has been a part of. Seungri was part of the main characters in drama, along with actress Miori Takimoto and actor Kanata Hongo.

Starting September 27, 2013, Seungri will be joining Popular Women 100 as a co-host. The program airs on Japan’s Fuji TV station.” Seungri will be co-hosting alongside comedian-host Hiroshi Yamazaki.
Seungri is the first international celebrity to clinch a hosting spot on a regular cable show in Japan.

On February 28, 2014, YG Entertainment announced that Seungri will star on the new SBS weekend drama 'Angel Eyes' alongside labelmate Ku Hye-sun. Seungri will play the role of Teddy who returns to Korea after living abroad with the dream of becoming a 119 rescue worker. Teddy is a cheerful, straightforward, and innocent character who has a strong sense of duty for saving lives and falls in love at first sight for a florist.