2000Won Members Profile 2026: Age, Career Timeline & Latest Updates
2000Won (이천원) is a South Korean male duo under Reve Entertainment, consisting of vocalist Kim Hyo-bin and rapper Kim Il-do. The pair first gained national attention as contestants on SBS’s K-Pop Star 2 in 2013, finishing in the Top Four. They officially debuted on March 14, 2014, with the single “Beautiful,” featuring Ailee. Despite being active for over a decade, 2000Won has maintained a relatively low-profile presence in the K-pop scene, releasing music sporadically rather than adhering to the high-frequency comeback cycles typical of idol groups.
Quick Overview
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Group Name | 2000Won (이천원) |
| Group Type | Male duo |
| Agency | Reve Entertainment |
| Members | Kim Il-do (김일도), Kim Hyo-bin (김효빈) |
| Formation | 2013 (via K-Pop Star 2) |
| Official Debut | March 14, 2014 |
| Debut Release | “Beautiful” (feat. Ailee) |
| Years Active | 2013–present |
| Fandom Name | Not officially confirmed |
| Official Facebook | facebook.com/2000won |
Table of Contents
Who Is 2000Won?
2000Won is a two-member South Korean music act that operates closer to a hip-hop-infused vocal duo than a traditional idol group. The name “2000Won” (이천원) literally translates to “2,000 Korean won,” a deliberately unusual choice that the members have acknowledged drew mixed reactions. In a 2014 interview with OSEN, they admitted they had considered changing the name before debut but decided to keep it to maintain their identity, noting that people would sometimes joke about whether their music was “worth 2,000 won.”
Both members were born in 1990 and grew up in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. They attended the same school and became friends before pursuing music together, a backstory that distinguishes them from the agency-assembled groups that dominate K-pop.
Musically, 2000Won’s output blends hip-hop and pop, with Kim Hyo-bin handling vocal duties and Kim Il-do providing rap. Their debut track “Beautiful” featured established singer Ailee, which gave the then-unknown duo immediate attention upon release.
How 2000Won Was Formed
Unlike many K-pop acts formed through agency auditions or survival show survival mechanics, 2000Won emerged from an existing friendship. Kim Il-do and Kim Hyo-bin were childhood friends from Gyeonggi Province who shared the same ambition of building a career in music. They decided to audition for K-Pop Star 2 as a duo.
On the show, they performed covers of songs including Park Jin-young’s “Elevator,” Sistar’s “Alone,” Sanulrim’s “Naughty Boy,” 2NE1’s “Lonely,” and Sim Soo-bong’s “Million Roses.” Their performances carried them to the final four before elimination. The exposure was significant enough that Reve Entertainment signed them in July 2013, and they spent the following months preparing for an official debut under producer Choi Min-hyuk.
Their path is a reminder that not all K-pop acts emerge from the traditional trainee system – 2000Won built their initial audience through a televised competition before entering the agency system.
Official Debut
2000Won made their official debut on March 14, 2014, with the digital single “Beautiful” featuring Ailee. The track was preceded by concept photos and a teaser released in early March, and the Ailee feature gave the release a notable boost in visibility for a rookie duo from a smaller agency.
On April 11, 2014, they followed up with their first mini-album, 2000Won 1st Mini Album, which included the title track “I Came to Hate Seoul” (서울이 싫어졌어) alongside “Beautiful” and other tracks. The mini-album demonstrated that their musical identity extended beyond a single novelty debut – it positioned them as a duo interested in blending hip-hop textures with melodic pop.
2000Won Members
| Member | Stage Name | Role | Birth Date | Nationality | Verified Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kim Il-do | Ildo (일도) | Rapper | October 23, 1990 | Korean | Childhood friend of Hyo-bin; same-age friend |
| Kim Hyo-bin | Hyobin (효빈) | Vocalist | April 14, 1990 | Korean | Studied Applied Music at Howon University; debuted as a solo artist in 2009 before 2000Won |
Note: Birth dates and roles are verified via KBS World Radio’s artist profile and multiple secondary sources.
Member-by-Member Profiles
Kim Il-do (김일도)
Quick Facts
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Ildo (일도) |
| Birth Date | October 23, 1990 |
| Position | Rapper |
| Height | 179 cm |
| Nationality | Korean |
Kim Il-do is the rapper of 2000Won. He and Kim Hyo-bin have been friends since childhood, growing up in the same area of Gyeonggi Province and attending the same school. Their decision to audition for K-Pop Star 2 as a duo was a joint effort rooted in their long-standing friendship and shared musical goals.
Within the duo, Il-do’s role as rapper gives 2000Won a hip-hop dimension that distinguishes their sound from purely vocal-focused ballads. His contributions are most evident on the group’s original material, where the interplay between his verses and Hyo-bin’s vocals defines the duo’s musical character.
Kim Hyo-bin (김효빈)
Quick Facts
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Hyobin (효빈) |
| Birth Date | April 14, 1990 |
| Position | Vocalist |
| Height | 174 cm |
| Education | Howon University (Applied Music Studies) |
| Pre-debut | Debuted as a solo artist in 2009 |
Kim Hyo-bin is the vocalist of 2000Won and brings a slightly longer professional history to the duo than his partner. According to KBS World Radio’s profile, Hyo-bin debuted as a solo artist in 2009 – five years before 2000Won’s official debut. This pre-debut experience likely informed his approach to the duo’s vocal arrangements and live performances.
He studied Applied Music at Howon University, giving him formal training that complements Il-do’s rap-focused contributions. In the duo’s discography, Hyo-bin’s vocals carry the melodic weight of tracks like “Beautiful” and “I Came to Hate Seoul,” while also providing the emotional center of their more introspective releases.
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Appear on K-Pop Star 2; finish in Top Four; sign with Reve Entertainment in July |
| 2014 | March 14 – Official debut with “Beautiful” (feat. Ailee); April 11 – Release 2000Won 1st Mini Album |
| 2015 | Release single “Good Bam” (굿밤) on May 27 |
| 2017 | Release single “Tears Are a Weapon” (눈물이 무기) on March 25 |
| 2018 | Release “4th Single” on February 1 |
| 2020 | Release “5th Single” on February 11 |
| 2025 | “3rd Single” (눈물이 무기) listed on Bugs, indicating continued catalog activity |
Sources: Qobuz discography, Bugs music listings, KBS World Radio.
Music and Major Releases
| Release | Type | Release Date | Title Track | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Beautiful” (feat. Ailee) | Single | March 14, 2014 | “Beautiful” | Debut release; featured Ailee |
| 2000Won 1st Mini Album | Mini Album | April 11, 2014 | “I Came to Hate Seoul” | Debut EP with five tracks |
| “Good Bam” (굿밤) | Single | May 27, 2015 | “Good Bam” | Follow-up single |
| “Tears Are a Weapon” (눈물이 무기) | Single | March 25, 2017 | “Tears Are a Weapon” | Third single |
| “4th Single” | Single | February 1, 2018 | – | Fourth single |
| “5th Single” | Single | February 11, 2020 | – | Fifth single |
Editorial context: 2000Won’s release pattern is notably spaced out compared to idol groups that typically release multiple EPs per year. Their first mini-album arrived less than a month after their debut single, suggesting a concentrated debut push. After 2015, however, their releases became increasingly infrequent, with gaps of two to three years between singles. This pattern is common for acts from smaller agencies that do not have the resources for continuous promotional cycles. The 2020 single, released during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, appears to be their most recent original release based on available streaming and discography data.
Major Achievements
2000Won’s verified achievements are limited but meaningful for a duo from a smaller agency:
- Top Four finish on K-Pop Star 2 – This remains their most visible public achievement. The show was one of South Korea’s most-watched audition programs at the time, and reaching the final four gave them a national platform.
- Debut single featuring Ailee – Securing a feature from an established artist for a debut release is notable for a rookie act. It signaled that Reve Entertainment was willing to invest in giving the duo a credible musical launch.
- Debut mini-album within a month of debut – Releasing a full mini-album shortly after a debut single is relatively uncommon for small-agency acts, and it demonstrated that 2000Won had enough recorded material to sustain an initial promotional cycle.
- Longevity – The duo has remained active (even if sporadically) from 2013 to 2025, spanning more than a decade. For a non-idol duo from a mid-sized agency, this continuity is itself a quiet achievement.
Note on chart data: No specific chart peak positions or streaming milestones for 2000Won have been verified through Circle Chart, Billboard, or other official chart providers during this research. Any chart claims circulating on profile websites should be treated as unverified unless an official chart source is cited.
Latest Verified Updates
Last Updated: September 27, 2026
As of the date of this article, no new releases, tours, or official announcements from 2000Won or Reve Entertainment have been confirmed for 2026. The most recent catalog activity identified is a 2025 listing on Bugs for a “3rd Single” (눈물이 무기), which appears to be a digital re-release or catalog update rather than a new recording.
The duo’s official Facebook page (facebook.com/2000won) remains the primary official social channel referenced across multiple sources. No active official Instagram, X (Twitter), or YouTube channel for 2000Won was verified during this research.
Important: The absence of 2026 activity does not mean the group has disbanded. No official disbandment announcement has been made by Reve Entertainment or the members. The group should be considered inactive but not formally disbanded based on currently available verified information.
What We Verified
- Official agency: Reve Entertainment (confirmed by KBS World Radio, Wikipedia, and Qobuz)
- Official lineup: Kim Il-do and Kim Hyo-bin (confirmed by multiple independent sources)
- Debut date: March 14, 2014 (confirmed)
- Debut release: “Beautiful” featuring Ailee (confirmed)
- Debut mini-album: 2000Won 1st Mini Album, April 11, 2014 (confirmed)
- Formation: Via K-Pop Star 2, Top Four finish (confirmed)
- Members’ birth dates: Il-do (October 23, 1990), Hyo-bin (April 14, 1990) (confirmed via KBS World Radio)
- Musical roles: Hyo-bin as vocalist, Il-do as rapper (confirmed via Qobuz and KBS)
What Is Not Officially Confirmed
- Current group status: Whether 2000Won is actively preparing new music or has effectively paused activities has not been confirmed by the agency or members.
- Fandom name: No official fandom name has been verified.
- 2026 activities: No comeback, tour, or event announcements for 2026 have been identified.
- Individual member activities: Neither member’s current individual schedule or projects have been confirmed through official sources.
- Chart positions: Specific chart rankings for their releases have not been verified through official chart providers.
Official Accounts and Sources
| Platform | Link | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Official Facebook | facebook.com/2000won | Listed on Wikipedia; not independently verified as active |
| Agency | Reve Entertainment | No standalone official website verified |
| Official Instagram | Not verified | – |
| Official X/Twitter | Not verified | – |
| Official YouTube | Not verified | – |
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