You can find all of our “Bias Duality” articles in one place by clicking here! This week’s “Bias Duality” article is dedicated to an artist who inspires the greatest admiration with his unrelenting sincerity and unrivaled talent, BAE173’s Lee HanGyul. With 57.4% of the total votes cast by Kpopmap readers on the poll in our previous “Bias Duality” article, Lee HanGyul was chosen by an overwhelming majority of fans to appear on this series! To participate in choosing the artist who will be featured in our next “Bias Duality” article, you can vote for your favourite idol/actor below! If you would like to see a different idol/actor (one who is not mentioned in the poll) featured in the series, please leave their name in the comments section, and we will add them to the vote lineup next time! Now onto our bias!
Mettle & Mentality Wrapped In Steel: Lee HanGyul’s Evolution & Personal Duality
Leader of one of the most prolific 4th generation K-Pop groups in the industry, BAE173, Lee HanGyul is a global icon in the making. With the luminance of a thousand suns and the warmth of even more, HanGyul is the poster child of perseverance, patience, and determination. He is undoubtedly one of the most inspiring artists you’ll ever come across, not only in K-Pop but all over the world. This is the kind of role model who changes the world, one young dreamer at a time, and in this article, we will be diving deep into all the nuances, talents, and charms that make Lee HanGyul a King of Duality. If you’re a relatively new fan of K-Pop, you probably know Lee HanGyul as a 4th generation idol making waves in the industry with his multidimensional artistic prowess, otherworldly good looks, and a personality that makes you believe in love at first sight. While you’re not wrong at all, HanGyul has a much deeper history that will make you appreciate him even more. HanGyul first stepped into the entertainment world as a member of the boy group IM in 2017, followed by his debut in X1 after winning “Produce X 101” in 2019, then another debut following X1’s disbandment as the duo H&D with Nam DoHyon in 2020, and finally, as a member of BAE173 later the same year. Before his appearance in “Produce X 101” where he ranked 7th, HanGyul had just come out of another survival reality show, “The Unit”, where he, unfortunately, did not make the final cut. However, this was where HanGyul garnered the most attention and established a loyal fanbase of supporters who adored him. As a matter of fact, fans weren’t the only ones falling head over heels for HanGyul. Even the producers, staff members, and fellow contestants were hooked on HanGyul’s charisma. Not only did HanGyul showcase immense growth throughout the show’s runtime, he also knew exactly how to take care of others, brighten the mood, and always put on a happy face, even when he was struggling. This optimism is one of the core qualities that define Lee HanGyul, and it is his hopeful, unyielding disposition that has brought him this far. Keeping his fans in mind, who supported him no matter what, HanGyul kept moving forward in life without ever looking back. No matter how many challenges he’s faced with, HanGyul’s motto is that he can always try again. Today, Lee HanGyul is a household name - an idol, actor, variety star, model, and much much more but once again, what we’ve seen until now is but the tip of the iceberg that is HanGyul’s creative cosmos. In terms of HanGyul’s personal duality, trust us when we say that this is a man unlike any other. The first impression you get from HanGyul is overwhelming machismo, confidence, and a sense of magnanimity. However, once you get to know him a little bit more, it doesn’t take long for the layers of his character to show. HanGyul is a genuinely caring, honest, grounded, selfless, and gentle human being whose greatest asset is his inner strength. HanGyul grew up in an orphanage until the age of 7, when he was adopted by his mother into a loving family. Even after being adopted, HanGyul regularly visited his old orphanage to volunteer and spend time with the children there. As for why he’s so open about his background, Lee HanGyul shared that his mission is to remove the stigma around adoption so that adoptees can live a proud and happy life without having to be made fun of. Seeing someone as influential as HanGyul talking so freely about this on national television would lend some comfort and confidence to all those children who feel ashamed. Despite his numerous struggles in life, HanGyul never fails to show his endless gratitude for his family, who raised him with infinite affection and care. The principles and values that his mother ingrained in HanGyul are the same ones he encourages his fans to follow. Whether it be his positive mindset that simply doesn’t know how to give up or his rosy worldview that finds joy and beauty in the mundane little things, HanGyul’s philosophy of life deserves an entire book or two! Unbeknownst to him, it has certainly changed lives for the better and continues to do so every day. HanGyul once revealed that the reason why he wants to succeed in life is to return the love he received from his family. In fact, it was his mother who urged him to chase his dreams of becoming an idol if that was what he wanted to do. This was a turning point in HanGyul’s life, who was feeling lost after falling into a slump with taekwondo and wanted to try something new that he would enjoy. As it turns out, idol life was exactly it, and we are eternally grateful that HanGyul chose this path because if he hadn’t, we would have never met someone as charming but mischievous, adorable yet alluring, sassy and funny all-rounder like him. On the surface, HanGyul might seem like the most mature, even intimidating, god of a man with the most striking, sculpted features, but in reality, he is just a big baby - a ball of pure sunshine! He can make his fans swoon over his statuesque physique, dimpled smile, and magnetic gaze, but he can also make their hearts melt when he’s being his endearing, playful self. As the leader of BAE173, HanGyul holds the group together with conviction. He is strict when he needs to be and laid-back at other times. He’s constantly learning from his members, who, in turn, are being guided by his expertise - whether that be in their career, household chores, cooking or even waste management. His sense of humor is unmatched, which perfectly fits his title of the mood maker of BAE173, and his knack for making people open up to him is truly admirable. He doesn’t take himself too seriously, but at the same time, he’s conscious of his own needs and doesn’t hesitate to tend to them. The Lee HanGyul aegyo is top-tier, but so is the Lee HanGyul smirk, and both are truly inimitable. He has a habit of puffing out his cheeks in the cutest way possible, making us want to protect him at all costs, but he also has the tendency to poke his cheek with his tongue before biting his lip, which is enough to make us weak in the knees. This, coupled with his exceptional artistic duality, is what makes Lee HanGyul a complete ace. That’s not all! In case you didn’t know, one of HanGyul’s most iconic nicknames, “SheenNa’s Dad” comes from the cutest little character he made up and adopted as his daughter. He is also the most loving uncle to his niece and nephew and dreams of having a big family of his own one day. This is also the same man who could easily put you in a trance if you looked into his eyes long enough because of just how captivating they are. To test this theory out, check out Kpopmap’s Idol STARing Championship Challenge with Lee HanGyul below! Lee HanGyul is the type of person who would give you the world but also the one who you want to give the universe to, and that is exactly why ELSE and HanGyul have the most wholesome relationship ever!
Leading The Future: Lee HanGyul’s Vocal Duality
The first thing that comes to mind when we think of Lee HanGyul’s voice is that it is absolutely godsent. Not only have the nine muses blessed him with the most gorgeous, unique husky vocal tone, but they have also given him the talent to color it as he pleases. Whether it be ballads, hip-hop, pop, EDM, techno, or anything in between, HanGyul delivers with perfection. Besides his range in genre, HanGyul’s own musical style has even more intricate diversity. He can take his voice from a soft, mellifluous whisper tone to a powerful, hard-hitting one, and the transitions are seamless, to say the least. HanGyul has the technical skill to pull off the most difficult riffs and runs, but rather than using them solely for ornamental purposes, he imbues them with the deepest emotions - ones that make the listener feel something. HanGyul’s voice has a cathartic effect on listeners, especially when he is singing live, and that speaks volumes of how impactful it is. To analyse HanGyul’s vocal duality even further, let’s take a look at some instances where it has shone the brightest: H&D’s ‘Umbrella’ and ‘Soul’, BAE173’s cover of SEVENTEEN’s ‘Very nice’, HanGyul’s OST ‘Melody’ for his drama “Love In Black Hole” and BAE173’s ‘DaSH’. In ‘Umbrella’, we get HanGyul’s delicate, deep, honey vocals expressed through a breathy, confessional tone. It almost feels as though he is crooning to the listener alone while it gently rains outside on a cold day; like you’d be able to listen to his heartbeat if you tried. In contrast, we see HanGyul bringing his higher register to the forefront with ‘Soul’, and the high notes he hits are majestic enough to make us levitate. His chest voice and falsettos are equally stable and wonderfully controlled, which makes ‘Soul’ one of the most precise illustrations of his vocal duality. The same goes for BAE173’s performance of ‘Very Nice’, where HanGyul once again takes on the most challenging high notes, only to ace them effortlessly. Despite the demanding choreography, HanGyul’s voice remains steady like a calm lake that runs deep, and it never fails to leave us in awe. On the other hand, in ‘Melody’, HanGyul alternates between his baritone and a higher pitch, all the while letting his husky tone adorn the sentimental lyrics. His vocals are warm and rich but light and airy, which is what brings out the nuance of the song itself. The authenticity with which HanGyul breathes life into this song is a testament to his natural genius. Finally, we could not have possibly glossed over the song that gave us a glimpse of rapper HanGyul - BAE173’s ‘DaSH’. Even his hidden vocals on this song are impressive! Just like the song itself opens up a whole new world of stylistic possibilities for BAE173, the same holds true for HanGyul’s personal artistry because we are now privy to the fact that he can pull off any genre or concept ever.
Power Personified: Lee HanGyul’s Stage & Screen Duality
No conversation about Lee HanGyul’s duality would ever be complete without due appreciation to the field where it manifests itself with the utmost clarity - on stage. Instead of transforming into a distinct stage persona, HanGyul maintains his own essence on stage, peppering his personality into his performance in a way that only he can. This is one of the many reasons why Lee HanGyul stands out as an idol and leaves a lasting impression on his audience, so much so that if you watch him live once, you’re bound to fall in love. HanGyul has always been praised highly for his stellar dancing and magnificent stage presence. He is a master of innumerable dance styles, all of which he can improvise with his own flair. He commands the audience (even the ones watching through a screen) with such mesmerism that you cannot help but be pulled into his spell. At the same time, like a true leader, HanGyul has a keen sense for sharing the stage in a way that shines the spotlight on each member’s strengths. In addition, HanGyul has a penchant for mastering concepts, no matter how particular they are. He can be sharp and fierce like a lone wolf, cuddly and appealing like a puppy, playful and curious like a cat, or bold and assertive like a lion. Either way, there’s no escaping his charms, and to be fair, we can’t think of a reason why you’d want to! To further bring attention to HanGyul’s stage duality, here are some fancams that you do not want to miss: the “Produce X 101” stages of EXO’s ‘Love Shot’ and Bruno Mars’ ‘Finesse’, H&D’s stage of ‘Good Night’ at “MCOUNTDOWN” and BAE173’s performance of ‘Jaws’ at “SBS Inkigayo”. While ‘Love Shot’ HanGyul boasts of a chimeric sensuality, evident from the way his piercing gaze complements his slight smirk, ‘Finesse’ is more cheeky and relaxed, pumped with energy and humor. This is also one of those fancams where you can truly see Actor HanGyul shining through because those facial expressions are out of this world. Similarly, ‘Good Night’ reveals HanGyul’s boyish charms that make every noona/hyung’s heart go pit-a-pat. His steps are light, and his aura is bright. No, we didn’t intend to rhyme; we simply said what was right! As a bonus, his vocals on this song are ethereal too! In contrast, ‘Jaws’ is diametrically opposed, drawing attention to HanGyul’s intense, unrestrained, smug irresistibility. He knows the effect he has on his audience, which amplifies it even more like a perpetual cycle of charisma that progressively gets more and more deadly. In fact, his nickname “Vegan Tiger” actually comes from the fact that he has the fiery energy of a tiger on stage, but in reality, he doesn’t want to be seen as a carnivorous tiger, so he prefers to be called a Vegan Tiger. How much more adorable can this man get? Given how outstanding HanGyul is on stage, it is no surprise that he is also an incredible actor with limitless potential that we hope will be tapped into soon enough. In “Love In Black Hole”, HanGyul played TaeYang, who quickly became a stand-in for everyone’s first love. If you ever want to vicariously feel butterflies in your stomach, tune into “Love In Black Hole” and indulge in the heart-fluttering romance that HanGyul will bring to your screens. HanGyul’s performance in “Love In Black Hole” makes it rather difficult to believe that it is his acting debut, but it leaves us even more excited for the future! If we had our way, we would love to see him take on more unconventional roles in genres like thrillers, noir, dark fantasy science-fiction, isekai (or, isegye in Korean), and so on because, for HanGyul, not even the sky can be the limit.
Visuals That Surpass CGI: Lee HanGyul’s Aesthetic Duality
Finally, we come to the most evident and vivid duality of them all - HanGyul’s visual duality. When it comes to aesthetics, HanGyul is someone who could spin a wheel of looks, and whichever it would land on would be his OOTD. Now, this can range from teddy hoodies to a simple white tee and denim, fluffy cardigans or oversized sweatshirts, leather jackets and chains, or even a suit and tie. Either way, HanGyul can pull off any and all of them with panache, leaving our jaws hanging. What’s more, is that HanGyul doesn’t need a photoshoot to look like a model. In fact, even when he’s out and about from schedule to schedule, fans have shared that HanGyul looks like he has the halo of an angel around him. Be it barefaced or in full idol glam, HanGyul’s visuals are nonpareil - almost like he came straight out of a romance webtoon! We don’t know about you, but we’re definitely manifesting a webtoon-based K-Drama for Lee HanGyul here at Kpopmap. Another aspect of HanGyul’s aesthetic duality that is awe-inspiring is the way he can switch from one concept to another in the blink of an eye. One moment, he’s the boy next door taking you out on a mature museum date, in the next, he is your doe-eyed boyfriend who just wants to follow you around. The best place to explore more of this duality is HanGyul’s Instagram feed (@lee_gyul_gyul), where he currently has half a million followers at the time of writing. At the end of the day, even with the multitudinous brilliance Lee HanGyul boasts of, there’s nothing more unparalleled than his unstoppable drive. A man of fortitude and resilience in the truest sense of the words, HanGyul is well on his way to dominating the entertainment industry. After all, with his extraordinary competence and conviction, the future of K-Pop is in more than capable hands, and we cannot wait to see what HanGyul has in store for us next. What is your favorite thing about Lee HanGyul’s duality? Tell us in the comments section down below! If you’re looking for more content about Lee HanGyul & BAE173 on Kpopmap, here are some articles you might enjoy!
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