ATBO
South Korean boy group formed via survival show, active as of 2025.
ATBO (Korean: 에이티비오; RR: Eitibio) is a South Korean boy group formed by IST Entertainment through the 2022 survival show *The Origin – A, B Or What?*. The name stands for "At The Beginning of Originality," symbolizing the start of a dream. It was originally announced as "ABO," but the label changed it after fans pointed out that the acronym is a racial slur in some regions. The group debuted on July 27, 2022, with the EP *The Beginning: 開花*.
The final lineup consists of six members: Junseok, Junmin, Hyunjun, Seunghwan, Yeonkyu, and Won Bin. Originally a septet, Rakwon left the group in 2024; the exact date and reason for his departure should be verified against official sources. Before debut, another trainee, Donghwa, was removed from the lineup on June 13, 2022, after past misconduct from his school days surfaced online; he was replaced by Won Bin, who had been eliminated in episode 5 of the survival show. Several members had prior training at major agencies: Junmin and Rakwon were former SM Entertainment trainees (Rakwon also worked as a child model), and Yeonkyu was a YG Entertainment trainee who had competed on *YG Treasure Box* but did not make the final group.
In 2024, ATBO joined forces with the group Just B to form the project boy group The CrewOne, which later reportedly participated in Mnet’s competition program *Road to Kingdom: Ace of Ace*; the exact date of formation and participation details should be cross-checked with official sources.
- formed
- 2022
- disbanded
- N/A (active as of 2025)
- debut
- July 27, 2022
- origin
- South Korea
- genre
- K-pop
- label
- IST Entertainment
- members
- 6 (current lineup)
Quick Facts
- Landscape
- yes
- Origin
- Seoul, South Korea
- Genre
- K-pop
- Years Active
- –2025
- Label
- IST
- Past Members
- Rakwon / Junseok / Junmin / Hyunjun / Seunghwan / Yeonkyu / Won Bin
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
ATBO was formed through IST Entertainment's survival program The Origin – A, B Or What?, which aired in 2022. The original lineup of seven contestants was determined on the final episode on May 7, 2022, but member Donghwa was removed before debut due to past misconduct, replaced by Won Bin. The group's name was initially ABO but was changed to ATBO after fan concern that the original name is a racial slur in some regions. Rakwon left the group in 2024; the exact date and reason for his departure should be verified against official sources. In 2024, ATBO collaborated with Just B to form the project boy group The CrewOne, which later reportedly participated in Mnet's competition program Road to Kingdom: Ace of Ace; the exact date of formation and participation details should be cross-checked with official sources. As of 2025, no official disbandment announcement has been made.
Reader's Guide
ATBO represents a brief but notable chapter in the fourth generation of K-pop, emerging from a survival show produced by IST Entertainment, a company known for groups like Victon, The Boyz, Apink, and Weeekly. Their debut EP The Beginning: 開花 marked the start of a career cut short by member departures and eventual disbandment. The group's name change from ABO to ATBO highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity in global branding. Their collaboration with Just B as The CrewOne and participation in Road to Kingdom: Ace of Ace demonstrated cross-group synergy in the competitive K-pop landscape. Despite a short active period, ATBO's formation through a survival show and their disbandment within three years reflect the volatile nature of the industry. Their legacy is tied to the survival program that created them and the project group that extended their presence briefly.
Did You Know?
- The group's original name ABO was changed to ATBO due to fan concern that ABO is a racial slur in some regions.
- Rakwon left the group in 2024; the exact date and reason for his departure should be verified against official sources.
- ATBO collaborated with Just B to form the project boy group The CrewOne in 2024; the exact date of formation and participation in Road to Kingdom: Ace of Ace should be cross-checked with official sources.
- Won Bin replaced Donghwa, who was removed from the debut lineup after past misconduct surfaced online.
More in South Korean boy bands 1-24
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