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SEVENTEEN member Dino in promotional photos for his alter ego Picheolin's debut EP. Photos courtesy of Pledis Entertainment
Dino, a member of the popular K-pop boy group SEVENTEEN, is set to debut as his fan-favorite alter ego, Picheolin, in August.
The character, originally introduced during the group's 2021 fan meeting, will release an extended play titled "吉BOARD (Gilboard)" on August 3, label Pledis Entertainment said in a press release.
The album creatively reinterprets the 1990s Korean street music culture known as "Gilboard" — with "gil" meaning street in Korean — a witty spin on Billboard that referred to unofficial street music charts and cassette compilations popular at the time, Pledis explained.
"Gil" also means "good fortune," and combined with the word "board," the album captures Picheolin's ambition to "turn the streets into his stage, spreading joy and prosperity to all through his music," the label added.
A trailer for the debut was recently unveiled by SEVENTEEN and HYBE Labels, featuring Picheolin in various eras, from a prehistoric figure to a futuristic hero.
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Born Lee Chan, Dino debuted in 2015 as the youngest member of SEVENTEEN, one of K-pop's best-selling male acts known for singles such as "Very Nice," "Don't Wanna Cry" and "Hot."
The group visited the country in March, performing at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan for their "New_" world tour.