Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, Kwon Jiyong began his career at the age of 5 as part of the group Little Lula. After releasing a Christmas album, the group's contract was terminated by their record company, to which Kwon described as a “shock”.Although he vowed to his mother that he "wouldn't do it [becoming a singer] again," Kwon Jiyong was scouted by SM Entertainment while on a ski trip with his family. He was a trainee under the record label for five years (8–13 years old), specializing in dance before he left as he was unclear about what he wanted to do. In third grade, Jiyong was introduced to the American rap group Wu-Tang Clan by a friend. Inspired by their music, he developed an interest in rapping and began taking classes. Under People Crew's tutelage, he participated in the release of the Korean hip-hop Flex album in 2001, becoming the youngest Korean rapper at just 13 years old. Although he wrote his own lyrics for the song, he admitted that his English was weak and the story behind the lyrics actually meant "I'm young, but I'm the best." Kwon Jiyong caught the interest of Sean of the hip-hop duo Jinusean from YG Entertainment, who later recommended him to CEO
Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, Kwon Jiyong began his career at the age of 5 as part of the group Little Lula. After releasing a Christmas album, the group's contract was terminated by their record company, to which Kwon described as a “shock”.Although he vowed to his mother that he "wouldn't do it [becoming a singer] again," Kwon Jiyong was scouted by SM Entertainment while on a ski trip with his family. He was a trainee under the record label for five years (8–13 years old), specializing in dance before he left as he was unclear about what he wanted to do. In third grade, Jiyong was introduced to the American rap group Wu-Tang Clan by a friend. Inspired by their music, he developed an interest in rapping and began taking classes. Under People Crew's tutelage, he participated in the release of the Korean hip-hop Flex album in 2001, becoming the youngest Korean rapper at just 13 years old. Although he wrote his own lyrics for the song, he admitted that his English was weak and the story behind the lyrics actually meant "I'm young, but I'm the best." Kwon Jiyong caught the interest of Sean of the hip-hop duo Jinusean from YG Entertainment, who later recommended him to CEO