Make Some Noise for LEE HANGYUL’s Solo Debut
Photo: LEE HANGYUL Official X
LEE HANGYUL has made many debuts in groups, but now he is finally making his solo debut. HANGYUL has proved resilient in continuing to pursue a music career, and his NOISE EP, released on October 14, showcases the fruits of his efforts. Through his debut title track, “BUNZI,” HANGYUL declares that he will “keep fighting through the pain” to become the best.
NOISE TRACKLIST:
“BUNZI”
“Yeet it x2”
“007”
“Zero Point”
“SPIT IT OUT”
Beginnings in IM, X1, and H&D
HANGYUL began his K-Pop career as part of boy group IM, who debuted with the single “SAD STORY - 미치겠어” on September 1, 2017. Alongside his IM bandmates Giseok, Taeeun, and Kijung, HANGYUL participated on The Unit survival show, which started airing less than two months after the group’s debut. While Kijung placed within the show’s winning Top 8, forming UNB, the other members did not.
With IM presumably disbanded, HANGYUL made his next survival show appearance through 2019’s PRODUCE X 101. He and fellow PocketDol Studio trainee Nam Dohyon secured spots in the show’s final group, X1. The group debuted to massive success on August 27, 2019, with their QUANTUM LEAP EP eventually breaking the HANTEO Chart’s “record for most first-week sales” at 524,007 copies. However, the Mnet voting manipulation scandal, in which network executives tampered with the results of the PRODUCE series for their own benefit, led to X1’s sudden disbandment less than five months after debut.
HANGYUL and Dohyon quickly got back into the spotlight by debuting as the duo H&D on April 21, 2020, with their SOULMATE album. The two would release an additional single album that September before disbanding—this time, in order to debut in PocketDol Studio’s boy group BAE173. The group released their first EP on November 19, 2020.
Work with BAE173 and POLARIX
BAE173 released four EPs and one single album before the whole group went on a survival-show-related hiatus in 2024. HANGYUL, Yoojun, Doha, and Bit participated in the Chinese-Korean survival show Starlight Boys, and J-Min, Muzin, Junseo, and Youngseo went on PROJECT 7. HANGYUL earned a spot in Starlight Boys’s final lineup as part of POLARIX, and the group would officially debut with FREEFALL·漫游棱镜 on May 28, 2025. However, the group has not released any additional music since then.
HANGYUL would make a comeback with BAE173 on October 14, 2025, when they released their first full album, NEW CHAPTER : DESEAR. HANGYUL’s contract with PocketDol Studio expired in February 2026 after spending many years with the company. He later signed to Orca Music in August to pursue his solo career.
Solo Debut with “BUNZI”
“BUNZI” and its music video place an emphasis on dance, one of HANGYUL’s specialties. It offers a clean look at his capabilities as a performer, but not as much support in the musical aspects of the track. This Latin-pop song features a bass-heavy instrumental and a sing-talking hook. With the song sitting low in the register, “BUNZI” takes on an intimidating impression. Given that HANGYUL’s husky singing tone lends his vocals a distinctive, textured quality, it is a shame that “BUNZI” fails to capitalize on this aspect more. B-sides on the NOISE EP, such as “007” and “SPIT IT OUT,” include a more comprehensive vocal showcase.
HANGYUL’s solo debut proves his tenacity over the years. Though “BUNZI” may not showcase a wide depth of HANGYUL’s talents, it carries a statement of determination. The K-Pop industry is particularly difficult to stay afloat within, but this has not stopped HANGYUL from making his dreams come true.