Dima Bilan, whose real name is Viktor Belan, was one of the most successful Russian pop singers of the mid-2000s. Originating from the Karachai-Cherkess Republic, Dima Bilan finished music school in Kabardino-Balkaria and then completed his studies at the famous Gnesins Musical College in Moscow. A good-looking graduate with a sweet voice, he attracted the attention of a prosperous producer, Yury Aizenshpis, well known for his work with Kino, Technologia, Vlad Stashevsky, and many other Russian pop groups and artists. With an inherent grasp of potential openings in the Russian pop music market, Aizenshpis created an image for Bilan that was romantic, rowdy, strong, courageous, and tender at the same time. Dima Bilan debuted at the 2002 New Wave International Song Contest in Latvia and took fourth place, and his first albums, Nochnoi Khuligan (Night Hooligan) and Na Beregu Neba (On the Heaven's Shore), released in 2003 and 2004, respectively, gained wide public admiration.