2PM

A six-member boy band, South Korea's 2PM make dance-oriented pop and R&B. In contrast to the kkonminam or "pretty boy" style of many of their K-pop contemporaries, 2PM's more masculine, hip-hop-informed image helped popularize the jimseungdol or "beast" style. Formed by <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22JYP+Entertainment%22">JYP Entertainment</a> in 2008, the group came together after a previous outfit, One Day, split into two separate groups, 2PM and <a href="spotify:artist:5SnaL8SsjGMHQNyqpa8Zos">2AM</a>. Originally, 2PM featured vocalist <a href="spotify:artist:4XDi67ZENZcbfKnvMnTYsI">Jay Park</a>, along with <a href="spotify:artist:4m69UKabjuuaoayREZud9h">Jun. K</a>, Nichkhun, Taecyeon, Wooyoung, <a href="spotify:artist:1nEFr6pWrot80eRuOkZQxg">Junho</a>, and Chansung. They released the EP Hottest Time of the Day in 2008, which included the singles "10 Out of 10" and "Only You." The group's full-length debut, 01:59PM, followed in 2009 and featured the number one hit single "Heartbeat." Previous to the album's release, however, it was revealed that <a href="spotify:artist:4XDi67ZENZcbfKnvMnTYsI">Park</a> had posted negative comments about Korea on his Myspace page in 2005. Despite <a href="spotify:artist:4XDi67ZENZcbfKnvMnTYsI">Park</a>'s apologetic assertion that the comments were taken out of context, he was excluded from all promotional activities surrounding 01:59PM throughout 2009. Finally, in February 2010, it was announced that <a href="spotify:artist:4XDi67ZENZcbfKnvMnTYsI">Park</a> would not be returning to 2PM. After parting ways with 2PM, <a href="spotify:artist:4XDi67ZENZcbfKnvMnTYsI">Park</a> embarked on a solo career, releasing the album New Breed in 2012. In 2010, following <a href="spotify:artist:4XDi67ZENZcbfKnvMnTYsI">Park</a>'s departure, the now six-member 2PM released the EP Don't Stop Can't Stop and supported the female pop group <a href="spotify:artist:3Cv2vi3WTl8VZOTdrBkKdM">Wonder Girls</a> on tour. A year later, they released their sophomore full-length album, Hands Up, as well as their Japanese-language debut, Republic of 2PM. Also in 2011, 2PM began starring in their own television program, The 2PM Show. Two years later, they released their second Japanese-language album, Legend of 2PM, followed a few months later by their third Korean-language studio album, Grown, which included the singles "Comeback When You Hear This Song" and "A.D.T.O.Y." In 2014, they released their fourth full-length effort, Go Crazy!, which peaked at number three on the South Korean albums chart. That same year, they released their third Japanese-language album, Genesis of 2PM, which debuted at number one on the albums chart in Japan. In 2015, the group headlined the 2PM of 2PM tour and announced the release of their fourth Japanese-language album, also titled 2PM of 2PM. ~ Matt Collar, Rovi