Lai Guan-lin
Quick Facts
Biography
Lai Kuan-lin, also romanized as Lai Guanlin, (Chinese: 賴冠霖; Hangul: 라이관린, born 23 September 2001) is a Taiwanese rapper and singer based in South Korea. He is known for finishing seventh in Produce 101 (season 2) and was a member of the South Korean boy band Wanna One.
Early life
Lai was born in Taipei, Taiwan. He lived in Los Angeles, US for five years until he returned to Taiwan. He attended Lin-kou High School.
Career
2017–2018: Produce 101 and Wanna One
Lai was recruited by Cube Entertainment during the Cube Star World Audition in Taiwan in 2016. In 2017, Lai participated in the second season of Produce 101, representing Cube Entertainment. He ranked seventh during the final episode with 905,875 votes, securing him a place in the show's project boy group Wanna One under YMC Entertainment.
In November 2017, Lai appeared in labelmate Jeon So-yeon's music video for her single "Jelly".
As well as being active as a Wanna One member in South Korea, Lai is also active in China, receiving an offer from skincare brand Dr. Jart to be their brand ambassador, resulting in a great success for the company with over 900 million KRW (US$800,000) of the endorsed product being sold in 56 minutes.
2019: Disbandment of Wanna One and solo activities
After Wanna One's disbandment on 31 December 2018, Cube Entertainment announced that Lai will focus on solo activities in China and that he will debut in a new boy group later in the year. He was confirmed to guest on variety show Happy Camp.
In January 2019, Lai was confirmed as male lead in Chinese drama A Little Thing Called First Love. Lai, alongside Yu Seon-ho and Ha Neul were chosen as new models for TBJ clothing brand.
On 20 February 2019, Cube Entertainment announced that Lai would participate in a new group project alongside Pentagon's Wooseok. The unit released their debut extended play, 9801 on 11 March, with the title song "I'm A Star".
Lai held his first fanmeeting 'Good Feeling' on 6 April at Olympic Hall in Seoul. Followed by Bangkok (20 April), Singapore (30 April), Taipei (4 and 20 May) and Hong Kong (11 May).
Endorsements
In 2018 and 2019, Lai Kuan-lin became an ambassador for Dr.Jart+, MGTV International APP, Chinese Social Assistance Foundation and Green Carpet Action (Marie Claire x China Green Foundation). He has endorsed Nongfu Spring (农夫山泉), TBJ, L'Oréal and Downy, KM Pharmaceutical (XYLIS), Perfect Diary, VIVLAS Lipstick, Wolong Nuts and elleair.
Discography
Concert
Concert participation
- U & Cube Festival 2019 in Japan (23 March)
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | 14th Asia Model Awards | Asia Special Award | N/A | Won | |
China Youth Public Welfare Award Ceremony | Next Generation Influencers for Global Philanthropy | N/A | Won | ||
Golden Bud - The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival | Best Newcomer | A Little Thing Called First Love | Nominated | ||
Cosmo Glam Night | Person of the Year (Beauty) | N/A | Won | ||
Sina Fashion Awards | Popular Idol of the Year | N/A | Won |