Kim Won-sik (Korean: 김원식; born February 15, 1993),[1] better known by his stage name Ravi (Korean: 라비), is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and founder of the record label Groovl1n and The L1VE. He is a former member of the South Korean boy groupVIXX[2] and its sub-unit VIXX LR.[3] He debuted as a solo artist on January 9, 2017, with the release of his debut mini album R.eal1ze.[4]
Ravi was one of ten trainees who were contestants on Mnet's survival reality show MyDOL. During his time on the show, Ravi featured in the music videos for Brian Joo's "Let This Die" and Seo In-guk's "Shake It Up".[5][6] He eventually became one of six contestants chosen as the final line-up for a new boy group VIXX.[7] VIXX debuted on May 24, 2012, on M! Countdown with the single "Super Hero", which Ravi co-wrote.[2][8][9][10] On June 14 and 15, during "Super Hero" promotions, Ravi participated in Baek Ji-young's performances of her song "Good Boy".[11][12]
In 2013, he appeared in episode four of SBS's television drama The Heirs alongside his group members.[citation needed]
In 2014, Ravi collaborated with American artist Chad Future with "Rock the World" from Future's first mini album. Ravi also appeared in the music video for the single.[13]
In 2015, after much deliberation, Ravi became a contestant of Mnet's television rap competition series Show Me the Money 4[14] but was eliminated in the second round.[citation needed] Ravi was featured as a rapper in Rain's Chinese song "Diamond Love" from the soundtrack of the Chinese drama Diamond Lover (克拉戀人).
On August 7, 2015, Jellyfish Entertainment released a video trailer on VIXX's official website after a mysterious countdown with a silhouette of VIXX's last special album Boys' Record. As time went by, members of VIXX disappeared until finally only Leo and Ravi were left behind, which caused fans to speculate that it meant another comeback for all six members. A video trailer of VIXX LR was then revealed.[15]
In December 2015, Ravi was featured in the ballad girl group Melody Day's single "When It Rains" (Korean: 비가 내리면), as part of their Winter Ballad Project.[21][22]
On December 31, 2015, Ravi dropped a teaser on his Twitter and Instagram accounts for his first mixtape R.ebirth with tracks composed, written and produced by himself.[23]
2016–2019: R.ebirth , DamnRa, solo debut with R.eal1ze, Nirvana, and R.ook Book
On January 4, 2016, Ravi revealed the first pre-release to his mixtape R.ebirth, with the track "Where Should I Go" featuring Microdot.[24][25] The second pre-release "OX" featuring Basick, the winner of Show Me the Money 4, was released on January 20, 2016.[26][27] The third pre-release "Good Girls" (Korean: 착한 여자) featuring Hanhae and Soulman was released on February 4, 2016.[28] The fourth and final pre-release "Move" was released on February 22, 2016.[29][30] All the mixtape pre-releases have been released on VIXX's official YouTube channel and on Ravi's official SoundCloud. On March 4, 2016, the track list was revealed on Ravi's Instagram.[31] The full version of R.ebirth was released on March 12, 2016, available for free as streaming media also on SoundCloud and YouTube.[32][33] To celebrate the release of R.ebirth, Ravi held a showcase, titled Ravi's 1st Live Party [R.EBIRTH], on March 19 and March 20, 2016, at the Hyundai Card Understage in Seoul.[34][35][36] Rappers Basick, Esbee, and DJ/producer SAM&SP3CK attended the show as featured performers and VIXX members Leo, N, Ken, Hongbin and Hyuk also attended as guests.[37][38][39]
On July 14, 2016, Ravi participated in Jellyfish Entertainment's new music channel project Jelly Box and released the single "DamnRa" featuring SAM&SP3CK, a DJ/producer duo. "DamnRa" was released along with a performance music video.[40][41] On September 26, Ravi released a mixtape track titled "Who are U" and featuring Superbee.[42]
As of October 2016 with the release of Kratos, Ravi has contributed to the writing and composing of over 46 songs recorded by VIXX.
On December 26, 2016, it was announced that Ravi would debut as a solo artist with a mini album titled R.eal1ze on January 9, 2017, and will hold a solo concert from January 6 to January 8 at the Yes24 Muv Hall in Seoul's Mapo District.[43]
On January 4, 2017, Ravi pre-released a single, "Home Alone" (Korean: 나홀로 집에) featuring Jung Yong-hwa from his upcoming first mini album R.eal1ze.[44][45]
On January 9, 2017, Ravi released his debut mini album R.eal1ze, which contains three tracks from his previous mixtape plus four new tracks including the title track “Bomb” featuring San E.[46][47] He was the producer, and personally in charge of the composition, arrangement and writing the lyrics of every song.[48]
On February 7, 2019, Ravi and Chungha confirmed that they will release their collaboration on February 18.[49] On the promised day the new single Live was released on various music streaming websites.[50]
On February 22, 2019, Ravi's second mini album R.ook Book was announced to be released on March 5.[51]
During March, Ravi appeared in several music programs performing "Runway" and "Tuxedo".[citation needed]
Ravi had his third solo concert REAL-LIVE R.OOK BOOK which took place at the Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul on March 22–24.[52]
On November 8, 2019, Ravi released the first part of his third mini album Limitless. The second part of the album was released on November 23.[53]
2020–2023: El Dorado, Paradise, Roses, Love&Fight and departure from VIXX
On February 24, 2020, Ravi released his first studio album El Dorado, with "Rockstar" as the title track.[54]
On July 28, 2020, Ravi released his summer mini album Paradise, along with the title track of the same name featuring Ha Sung-woon.[55]
On June 3, 2021, Ravi released his fourth mini album Roses, along with the title tracks "Flower Garden" and "Cardigan".[56]
On February 8, 2022, Ravi released his second studio album Love&Fight, with "Winner" as the title track featuring Ash Island.[57] On February 21, 2022, Ravi's agency confirmed that his concerts in February were temporarily postponed due to the spread of the coronavirus.[58]
In April 2022, Ravi announced that he would resume concerts on May 7 and 8, 2022.[59]
After appearing as a regular cast member for 2 years and 4 months, Ravi departed from KBS variety show 2 Days & 1 Night, in order to prepare for his upcoming military enlistment. His last episode aired on May 1, 2022, and he released a single titled "Who We Are" (Korean: 안녕; RR: Annyeong; lit. Goodbye) on the same day as a farewell song.[60]
On August 11, 2022, it was announced that Ravi would release a teaser image of Ravi's new single album 'BYE'.[61]
On September 5, 2022, it was announced that Ravi will release the EP album "Love & Holiday", which will be released on September 12.[62]
On October 6, 2022, they released their new single "Fashionable Dance", which will be released on October 13.[63]
On April 11, 2023, Ravi announced that he had departed from VIXX following the corruption issue related to his military service.[64]
Groovl1n
On June 27, 2019, Ravi revealed via his Twitter and Instagram account the name of his own hip-hop label name Groovl1n (Korean: 그루블린) a combination of Groove and Goblin which means "The cool folk of the orient".[65]
At that time, the label includes Cold Bay, Chillin Homie and Xydo (Park Chi Woong) whom he worked with in the past.[66] Currently, Korean rappers JUSTHIS, NAFLA and PRIMEKINGZ dance crew are included.[67]
The L1ve
On July 20, 2021, Ravi established his new label, The L1ve. The label aims to support music artists across different genres.[68]
On July 22, 2021, Ailee announced that she would be joining the new label, as their first official artist. On August 31, 2021, it was revealed that Wheein signed an exclusive contract with the agency.[69]
Personal life
Military service
On October 7, 2022, Ravi's agency announced that he will enlist for his mandatory military service on October 27. After completing basic training he will complete his service as a social worker.[70]
Legal issues and controversies
Suspicion of involvement in the 2022 epilepsy military service corruption case
On January 12, 2023, two military service exemption brokers that were questioned by prosecutors were arrested and charged. It was confirmed from the investigation that Ravi's name is one of the clients who have been consulted. Ravi's agency, which at first could not be contacted, later announced that it was only appropriate to give a statement after they find out the details, since the investigation is related to the duty of defense of the country.[71][72]
After that, investigators found the documents of Ravi's military service examination on the mobile phone of Mr. Gu, one of the illegal military brokers.[73]
On February 10, 2023, the agency confirmed that Ravi has never been summoned by the prosecutor for conscription evasion. If there is a request for an investigation, Ravi is willing to cooperate fully.[74]
On March 2, 2023, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutor's Office requested an arrest warrant for Ravi. On March 7, 2023, the judge in charge of the case dismissed the arrest warrant because of the unlikeliness of Ravi fleeing or destroying evidence.[75]
On March 13, 2023, a press conference held by the Seoul Southern District Prosecutor's Office and the Military Personnel Bureau confirmed that 137 people (109 people, 5 government officials, 21 accomplices, and two military recruiters) including Ravi himself, has been charged for violating the Military Service Act.[76]
On April 11, 2023, the court found Ravi guilty of violating the Military Service Act., while Ravi admitted to all the allegations and apologized, with the prosecution asking for him to be sentenced to 2 years in prison.[77]
On July 25, 2023, it was reported that the Seoul South District Court's military corruption trial was scheduled to hear nine people, including harasser Nafla, for violating the Military Service Act. August 10, the court, which completed the pleadings on July 20, is scheduled to give a verdict on them on August 10 after completing the trial of all the defendants through an additional date. As the charges of these nine people differed, the court proceeded sequentially from recognizing the prosecution's facts to seeking prosecution.[78]
On August 10, 2023, Judge Kim Jung-ki of the Seoul Southern District Court's Criminal Division 7 on Tuesday afternoon sentenced Ravi, with respect to his conviction, to one year in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to perform 120 hours of community service.[79]
^Kim Min-ji (February 21, 2022). "라비, 코로나19 확산으로 2월 콘서트 잠정 연기 [공식]" [Ravi, February concert temporarily postponed due to the spread of Corona 19 [Official]] (in Korean). News1. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via Naver.
^Cha Hye-young (April 11, 2022). "라비, 단독 콘서트 '르브아' 재개…팬들과 특별한 '재회" [Ravi resumes solo concert 'Lebua'... A special 'reunion' with fans] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved April 11, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee Jae-eun (April 30, 2022). "라비 '1박 2일'과 아쉬운 '안녕'" [Ravi's '1 Night 2 Days' and the disappointing 'Goodbye'] (in Korean). Sports Trend. Retrieved April 30, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Na-young (August 11, 2022). "라비, 15일 싱글 'BYE' 발매 확정...커밍순 이미지 기습 공개" [Ravi confirms release of single 'BYE' on the 15th... Surprise release of Coming Soon image] (in Korean). MK Sports. Retrieved August 11, 2022 – via Naver.
^Choi, Yoon-jung (September 5, 2022). "라비, 12일 새 앨범 발표…'러브 앤 홀리데이" [Ravi released a new album on the 12th... 'Love and Holiday] (in Korean). Newsis. Retrieved September 5, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park, Ah-reum (October 6, 2022). "라비, 새 싱글 '유행 지난 춤'으로 기습 컴백[공식]" [Ravi makes a surprise comeback with a new single 'Fashionable Dance' [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved October 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Yu-na (April 11, 2023). "'병역법 위반' 라비, 빅스 탈퇴 "멤버들 피해 더 없길...진심으로 죄송" [공식]" ['Violation of the Military Service Act' Ravi, leaving VIXX "I hope that there will be no more damage to the members...I am sincerely sorry" [Official]] (in Korean). YTN. Retrieved April 19, 2023 – via Naver.
^Choi, Hee-jae (October 7, 2022). "빅스 라비, 27일 입대…"사회복무요원 대체 복무" [공식입장]" [VIXX Ravi to enlist on the 27th... "Substitute service for social service personnel" [Official position]] (in Korean). X-ports News. Retrieved October 7, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jo, Yoon-sun (January 12, 2023). "라비 측 "병역 비리 의혹 관련 내용 파악 중...조사 성실히 임할 것" [공식]" [Ravi's side "Finding out the contents related to the military service corruption... We will faithfully participate in the investigation" [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved February 4, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Yu-na (January 13, 2023). "라비 병역 브로커가 작성한 글 재조명...입대 날짜·복무 방식 예고" [Article written by Ravi's military service broker re-examined... Notice of enlistment date and service method] (in Korean). YTN. Retrieved February 4, 2023 – via Naver.
^Park, Jung-min (January 13, 2023). "[단독]라비 병역서류, 브로커 휴대전화에서 나와" [[Exclusive] Ravi's military service documents come out of the broker's cell phone] (in Korean). Dong-A Ilbo. Retrieved February 4, 2023 – via Naver.
^Ahn, Yoon-ji (February 10, 2023). "라비, 병역 면탈 혐의 기소대상서 제외?.."검찰 조사 요청 無"[공식]" [Ravi, excluded from prosecution for evasion of military service?.."No request for an investigation by the prosecution" [Official]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via daum.
^Kim, Min-ji; Han, Byung-chan (March 7, 2023). "라비, 병역비리 혐의 인정→法, 구속영장 기각…"수사 성실히 협조"(종합)" [Ravi admits to military service corruption → Law dismisses arrest warrant... "Cooperate faithfully with the investigation" (comprehensive)] (in Korean). News1. Retrieved March 7, 2023 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (March 13, 2023). "뇌전증·우울증 환자 행세 끝났다…라비·나플라, 병역법 위반 혐의 기소" [I'm done pretending to be a patient with epilepsy and depression... Ravi and Nafla were indicted for violating the Military Service Act] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved March 13, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kang, Da-yoon (April 11, 2023). "병역법 위반' 라비 "회사의 유일한 수익+거액의 위약금…해서는 안될 선택" [MD현장]" [Violation of the Military Service Act' Ravi "The company's only profit + a huge penalty... A choice that shouldn't be made" [MD site]] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved April 12, 2023 – via Naver.
^Yoon, Sang-geun (July 25, 2023). "라비·나플라 병역비리 재판 8월 10일 선고..반성문 '호소'[종합]" [Ravi, Napla military service fraud trial to be sentenced on 10 August...plea for remorse [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Retrieved August 2, 2023 – via Naver.
^Park, Yoon-jin (August 11, 2023). "'가짜 뇌전증' 라비 집행유예…'현역'으로 군대 다시 가나 [MD이슈]" [Fake epilepsy' Ravi gets probation...goes back to army on 'active duty' [MDIssue]] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved August 19, 2023 – via Naver.
^"Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on January 4, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
^2020년 2월 Album Chart [February 2020 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
^2022년 02월 Album Chart [February 2022 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved March 10, 2022.
^"Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on January 4, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
^"FIVE-MUSIC Korea-Japan Album Chart" (in Chinese). FIVE-MUSIC. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
To access, select the indicated week and year in the bottom-left corner:
^"Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on November 25, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
2017년 1주차 Download Chart [Week 1 of 2017 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
2017년 2주차 Download Chart [Week 2 of 2017 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on January 20, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
^Kim, Minji (November 5, 2019). "[공식입장] 김종민 연정훈 문세윤 김선호 딘딘 라비 '1박2일 4' 출연…12월 첫방" [[Official Statement] Kim Jong-min, Yeon Jeong-hoon, Moon Se-yoon, Kim Sun-ho, Dindin, Ravi '1 Night 2 Days 4'appearance... First broadcast in December] (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 5, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
^Park Seung-won (April 22, 2022). "라비 "군 입대 합니다"… '1박 2일' 2년4개월 만에 하차" [Ravi "I will enlist in the military"… '2 Days & 1 Night' to leave after 2 years and 4 months] (in Korean). Herald Economy. Retrieved April 22, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee Seung-mi (November 29, 2021). "[공식]티빙 오리지널 '아이돌 받아쓰기 대회 시즌2', 12월 16일 첫 공개" [[Official] Teabing Original 'Idol Dictation Contest Season 2', first released on December 16th] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved November 29, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee Seung-rok (December 25, 2021). "라비·홍성흔 가족, 생애 단 한번뿐인 신인상 쾌거 [KBS연예대상]" [Ravi and Hong Seong-heon's family, a once-in-a-lifetime Rookie of the Year award [KBS Entertainment Awards]] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved December 26, 2021 – via Naver.
