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K-pop idol B.I gets 1st solo Korean magazine cover, fans say 'Hanbin we're getting there'

B.I aka Kim Hanbin has been on the cover of global magazines in the past but was yet to be acknowledged by the Korean entertainment industry

It has been a slow but steady climb for B.I aka Kim Hanbin who began his solo career in 2021. He went on to produce a charity album for his solo debut, dissed the K-pop industry for turning their back on him, was appointed as the youngest executive director of IOK company, and collaborated with global artists like Epik High and Destiny Rogers, and more. He had a star-studded solo concert as he invited guests like Pink Sweat$ and Afgan while becoming the first K-pop and Asian artist to perform at the ‘Grammy Global Spin’. And now, B.I has graced the cover of a major Korean magazine.

The leading Korean entertainment magazine Maps and its global edition Super! Maps have had popular idols gracing their covers like The Boyz’s Sangyeon, (G)I-DLE’s Miyeon, GOT7’s Bambam, Ateez, and more. Well, on April 11, Maps shared that B.I had been roped in to be on two covers of Super! Maps’ May 2022 edition and pre-orders have begun. B.I is seen wearing a black jacket paired with a thermal pattern shirt on one cover. On the second cover, the K-pop idol shows off his toned abs and tattoos as he sports a leather-vinyl suit.  

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B.I gets his 1st Korean magazine cover

Fans were extremely happy that B.I is finally being accepted by the mainstream Korean entertainment industry. Following rumors of drug possession and smoking marijuana in late 2019, he was made to leave his former K-pop group iKON and stand trial in court. Fortunately, he was let go with only a sentence of probation that allowed him to resume his music career. However, it has taken time for the K-pop industry to accept him back with open arms as he is yet to be seen on the usual programs and music shows meant for K-pop promotions.

In fact, fans were enraged when Chinese authorities banned B.I’s Weibo and Douyin accounts stating that it was because he had a criminal record. However, the Western media have been more than accepting as evident with the Grammy stint and B.I’s magazine covers for tmrw, The Glass Magazine, and Numero Netherlands. But with his covers for Korean magazine Maps, fans hope that his own country finally accepts him. Super! Maps is his first Korean magazine shoot after he left iKON and debuted as a soloist.

'So handsome'

IDs (B.I’s fandom) took to Twitter to trend B.I’s real name Hanbin as they made tweets like, “Please he’s so handsome.” Another cheered, “Hanbin gracing the cover of a Korean magazine, yes we're getting there.” One fan posted, “Hanbin in black leather jacket.” Another ID added, “Hanbin is just too attractive.” One commented, “I love how he showing off his tattoo like ‘Hello, my name is Kim Hanbin aka B.I, the sexiest man alive on earth’.”