In 2015, Samuel debuted as a part of hip-hop duo named 1PUNCH (with rapper One) under a collaboration between Brave Entertainment and D-Business Entertainment, taking 'PUNCH' as his stage name. They debuted on January 23 with the release of "Turn Me Back", which is the title track of their album The Anthem.[7] Eight months later, One was scouted by YG Entertainment, leading to the disbandment of the duo. Under the name PUNCH, Samuel collaborated with Silentó to release the single "Spotlight" in 2016,[8] for which they won the 26th Seoul Music Award for Global Collaboration.[9] He later joined Silentó on tour in the US.[10]