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Is Kim Han-bin back? BI to return in Epik High's collab along with CL and Zico, fans say '2021 is saved'

BI will be collaborating on a song titled ‘Acceptance Speech’ with Tablo, Mithra Jin and DJ Tukutz of Epik High

Former iKon member, Kim Han-bin aka BI is back after a two-year hiatus from the music industry. The former leader of YG Entertainment’s boy band is coming back with a collaboration on Hip-hop group Epik High’s latest project ‘Epik High is Here Part  1’ dropping on January 18.

Kim Han-bin is back

Epik High released a list of all the South Korean Hip-hop stars partaking in Epik High’s much-anticipated tenth album and Han-bin fans were thrilled to see the rapper’s name on the list. According to the tracklist, BI will be collaborating on a song titled ‘Acceptance Speech’ with Tablo, Mithra Jin and DJ Tukutz of Epik High. Along with BI, South Korean rapper CL, K-pop and hip-hop artist Zico, South Korean singer-songwriter G Soul, P Nation’s superstar Heize, rapper Nucksal, singer Kim Sawol, Woo, rapper Changmo and Miso will be participating in ‘Epik High is Here Part 1'. 

About BI’s track in the album ‘Acceptance Speech’, the South Korean Hip-hop group said, "It's life. The good always come hand in hand with the bad things. People see us from the glorious sides, but it's actually the difficult times that made us (who we are today)."

Prior to the formal announcement of the rapper’s awaited comeback, BI’s agency IOK Company addressed various issues which have been key factors to consider BI’s comeback. According to the company, Han-bin who was accused of expressing the wish to purchase illegal drugs in 2016, took time to reflect and participated in a number of community projects, volunteered in social projects away from the spotlight. 

What are fans saying?

The surprise announcement of BI featuring in Epik High’s new album has created all the more buzz for the album’s dropping. BI fans are celebrating the ‘BE I’ crooner’s much-needed return to the music scene. A fan said, “KIM HANBIN IS BACK. brooo he’s really goin back I’m crying. definitely best boy/man alive!” Another emotional tweet read, “To One and Only B.I Im so excited for you. We will get to listen to you "officially" in less than 15hrs. I know Im gonna cry at freaking 4AM. The wait, patience, prayers, hope & yearning its all worth it. D-0 ACCEPTANCE SPEECH!” Another shared, “Good morning kim hanbin dropping new music tomorrow, 2021 is saved!”

Kim Han-bin left YG Entertainment’s boy band iKon after Dispatch revealed the rapper’s wish to buy cannabis and LSD in 2016. BI did not deny the allegations and stated, "I'm sincerely sorry that I caused controversy with the inappropriate behavior. It is true that I once wanted to rely on things I should not be interested in because it was so hard and painful. But I was also scared and decided not to take drugs." Later in February 2020, the K-pop star tested negative for illegal drugs. 

‘Epik High is Here’ will be released on January 18, 6 pm KST. To check out the tracklist and how to live stream, click here.

Watch the teaser below: