Life and career
2008: Pre-debut and Debut
U-KISS was first formed as a six member boy-group in 2008. Kim Kibum and Kevin Woo were members of the boy band Xing but left the group in early 2007. The other four members were all individually selected by NH Media through auditions. U-KISS debuted in Japan on August 15, 2008 at the Power of Atamix 08. The group debuted in South Korea on August 28, 2008 with a release of their first mini album, New Generation, (N-Generation)’’ on September 3, 2008 and a live performance of their first song "Not Young" on Mnet.[2] Even though they are new comer in the industry, U-KISS was considered for Japan-Korea collaborative project. A popular entertainment company, Yoshimoto Group in Japan, invested 150 billion KRW to groom U-KISS as an internationally known group. The reason behind this is their quality as a group with multilingual members: Alexander can converse in seven languages including Spanish, Portuguese, Cantonese, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean and English; Eli is fluent in English, Korean and Mandarin; the maknae Dongho can talk in Korean and Mandarin; Kevin in English while Kibum can speak Japanese.2009-10: Only One, variety shows and first major concert
U-KISS released their second mini-album Bring It Back 2 Old School on 2009 with its title song, "I Like You" which made them popular in Thailand.[4][5] The third mini-album titled ContiUkiss launched Lee Kiseop as the seventh member of the group. The title track Man Man Ha Ni was released following a change in their line-up.[6] The fourth mini album Break Time was released on 2010, along with their title track "Shut Up!.[7] The group's first full-length album, Only One, was released on February 3, 2010 spawning their highest chart-topping single in the Philippines, Bingeul Bingeul.[8] The album also topped Hanteo Charts, Hot Tracks, Syn-nara Records and Evan Records in just one day.[9] U-KISS then played in Malaysia, Mongolia and Japan to promote the album.[10] U-KISS promoted the album in the Philippines through series of mall show, wherein they sold more than 1,000 copies in one day which breaks the record of the highest sales in a launch, earning them a million pesos.[11] Due to the said success, the group had their first major concert in the Philippines dubbed as U-KISS First Kiss Tour in Manila.[12][13][14][15][16][17] Aside from their music career, U-KISS also starred in their own variety shows, All About U-KISS , ‘’UKISS Vampire’’ and ‘’Chef Kiss’’ while the members also appeared on other shows. Kevin Woo and Alexander Lee Eusebio joined Arirang's radio show Pops in Seoul hosting the 'All About You' segment and were also featured on Brave Brother’s song, Finally.[18][19] Kim Eli also became an emcee of MBC's show, Fusion. The new member Lee Kiseop appeared in a variety show known as Uljjang Shidae 2 (Pretty Boys and Girls Season 2) . Shin Dongho also made many appearances on shows, The Invincible Baseball Team, Idol Maknae Rebellion and My Black Mini Dress.[20] Kibum along with Eli, also starred in the Thai drama Autumn's Destiny wherein their voices were dubbed due to the fact that they cannot speak Thai.[21]2011-present: Japanese career, Neverland, Tour and DoraDora
NH Media announced that U-KISS was planning to debut in United States. The group recorded over 100 tracks to be sorted-out for their US album but it was cancelled due to member termination of contract.[22] Alexander and KIbum left the band on 2011, and were replaced by former ‘’Paran’’ member Kim Jae Seop ( AJ) and a former solo artist, Yeo Hoon Min(Hoon).[23][24] The new U-KISS made their comeback on March 30 with their fifth mini-album, Bran New Kiss, and a new ballad song 0330.[24] U-KISS released their second full-length album Neverland in September with their promotional singles Neverland and "Someday".[25] U-KISS also released a documentary DVD entitled U-KISS Days in Japan that features their activities in the country.[26] The said DVD debuted at #8 on the Daily Oricon Chart published in March 30, 2012.[27] From June 8, 2011, the group stayed in Japan for 3 months to prepare for their official Japanese debut and signed under Avex Japan. A compilation album called First Kiss placed second on Oricon daily charts on the day of its release. They also released the Japanese version of Bran New Kiss on August 24, 2011.[28] The group also released their first Japanese album Tick Tack.[29] They also release their second Japanese album, Forbidden Love simultaneously with their first Japenese full-length album, A Shared Dream.[30][31][32][33] The album peaked at No.6 and No.2 respectively.[34] On 2012, Oricon published that U-KISS achieved high album sales in Japan along with other big artists like Girl's Generation and KARA.[35]Aside from their album releases, U-KISS also participated in various music shows and concerts/ They performed for Korea-Taiwan Friendship Concert held at the TICC Taiwan,[36] Dream Concert at Seoul World Cup Stadium,[37] K-POP Festival: Music Bank in Tokyo[38] and Korean Music Wave 2011 in Singapore[39] U-KISS also performed in Macau for the Youth's Ambition Concert along with fellow K-Pop stars Kim Hyun Joong and B1A4.[40] On 2012 they participated in the Music Bank concert held in Paris, France.[41][42][43] The group also became the first K-Pop group to perform in Colombia in South America in line with the celebration of 2012's Los 40 Principales along with international star Shakira.[44][45]The group also became the first K-Pop Idol to hold a fan-meeting and charity organization in Cambodia.[46][47][48]
The group had their sold-out[49] concert tour dubbed as "U-KISS 1st Japan Live Tour 2012" in March that was held in Zepp Hall all over Japan.[50][51] They performed in various cities like Sapporo, Sendai, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka and Tokyo.[51] The tour kicked off on March 2, 2012 and ended on March 25, 2012, successfully completing the tour for 25,000 of their Japanese fans.[52] Due to this success, the concert will have an additional tour dates on July visiting a larger stadiums.[53][54]On the second week of June, two additional shows were sold-out.[55]
This year, U-KISS has been chosen as Number 1 Hallyu group to watch out in Japan, while Kevin was chosen as Luckiest Hallyu Star of 2012.[56] Aside from album releases and concerts, Dongho and Hoon have also been cast in the new movie-for-TV series Holy Land/Holiday that deals with rebellion of high school students.[56][57][58]
On New Year's Eve, U-KISS uploaded a video on their official YouTube Channel and stated that they will have their comeback in Korea on April with a new mini-album wherein they recorded a total of 100 songs.[59][60] They had their comeback in South Korea with a release of their 6th mini-album, DoraDora on April 25, 2012.[44][61] On May 2012, DoraDora gained first spot on Germany's German Asian Music Chart for the month of May beating BigBang's Fantastic Baby.[62] The group also releases their 7th mini-album or the special album, The Special to Kissme on June 5.[63] The title track, Believe was composed by AJ and was also included on their past album DoraDora.[64] The music video for this [Believe] was released on June 8, 2012.[65] The 2nd single Te Amo was released on June 1, 2012 on various music sites that immediately placed No.4 on Soribada. The group also will release their third Japanese single, Dear My Friend on July. The said track was used as a theme song for a Japanese anime, Stormy Night (Secret Friends).[66][67] A follow-up track Beautiful composed by AJ is being used also as a commercial song for Kintetsu Department Store’s “Passe Bazaar”.[68]
Aside from album releases, the group is also set to perform along with Girls Generation, Shinee and B.A.P at the K-POP Nation Concert in Macao 2012.[69] Member Kim Jaeseop (AJ) was admitted at Columbia University of United States in 2011 falling within the 1% top students in the world.[64]
Members
- Current members
Full Name: Shin Soo Hyun (신수현)
Blood Type: A
Birth Date: 1989.03.11 (Age 21)
About: Soohyun is the self-called "Power Vocalist" of the group. He was also formerly a member of Good Entertainment and JYP Entertainment.
Lee Ki Seop (이기섭)Blood Type: A
Birth Date: 1991.01.17 (Age 19)
About:
The newest member of U-Kiss, who joined in 2009. He is a former ulzzang and appeared on the second season of Uljjang Shidae.
Eli (일라이)Korean Name: Kim Kyoung Jae (김경재)
Blood Type: O
Birth Date: 1991.03.13 (Age 19)
About:
Was raised in Washington D.C. At the age of 15 he moved to Beijing to study for 3 years. Therefore, he is fluent in English and Mandarin. He is also known as a "pigeon" with his infamous pigeon imitations.
Blood Type: O
Birth Date: 1991.03.13 (Age 19)
About:
Was raised in Washington D.C. At the age of 15 he moved to Beijing to study for 3 years. Therefore, he is fluent in English and Mandarin. He is also known as a "pigeon" with his infamous pigeon imitations.
AJ
Real Name: Kim Jae Seop (Hangul:김재숩)
Birthdate: June 4, 1991
Blood Type: A
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 68 kg
Rapper, vocalist and dancer in U-Kiss
He was former member of Paran
He is the first addition to the group after Alexander andKibum’s departure from the group
Birthdate: June 4, 1991
Blood Type: A
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 68 kg
Rapper, vocalist and dancer in U-Kiss
He was former member of Paran
He is the first addition to the group after Alexander andKibum’s departure from the group
- Former members
HOON
Real Name: Yeo Hoon Min (Hangul:여훈민)
Birthdate: August 16, 1991
Blood Type: B
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 67 kg
Vocalist of the group
He is the first addition to the group after Alexander andKibum’s departure from the group
Birthdate: August 16, 1991
Blood Type: B
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 67 kg
Vocalist of the group
He is the first addition to the group after Alexander andKibum’s departure from the group
Kevin (케빈)Korean Name: Woo Sung Hyun (우성현)
Blood Type: O
Birth Date: 1991.11.25 (Age 18)
About:
Lived in San Francisco, California. Is also a former member of Xing like member Kibum. From living in America, he is also fluent in speaking English. He is also known to be the prettiest of the group.
Blood Type: O
Birth Date: 1991.11.25 (Age 18)
About:
Lived in San Francisco, California. Is also a former member of Xing like member Kibum. From living in America, he is also fluent in speaking English. He is also known to be the prettiest of the group.
Dong Ho(동호)Full Name: Shin Dong Ho(신동호)
Blood Type: B
Birth Date: 1994.06.29 (Age 15)
About:
The maknae of the group and spent most of his childhood in China, therefore he is fluent in Mandarin.
Blood Type: B
Birth Date: 1994.06.29 (Age 15)
About:
The maknae of the group and spent most of his childhood in China, therefore he is fluent in Mandarin.
Alexander (알렉산더)Full Name: Alexander Lee Eusebio
Blood Type: O
Birth Date: 1987.07.29 (Age 22)
About:
Was born Hong Kong and was raised in Macau. Alexander is capable of speaking 7 languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese), Korean and English. Although he is the oldest in the group, Alexander is considered a child at heart with his personality.
Birth Date: 1990.12.29 (Age 19)
About:
Was a former member of Xing and is the younger brother of SS501's Kim Hyung Joon. Kibum is also considered the main prankster in the group.
Philanthropy
On June 7, 2011, U-KISS along with other K-Pop groups like 2NE1, MBLAQ, 4Minute, FT Island and BEAST held a special show dubbed as Seoul-Osaka Music of Hearts to raise funds to help the victims of the 2011 Japan earthquake.[72][73] The group also became the first K-Pop Idol to hold a fan-meeting in Cambodia held on June 18, 2012 dubbed as Share The Love Charity Concert.[47] The fanmeeting leads to a charity organization in a nearby school wherein the members interacted with the kids and passed out baseball bats and other baseball equipments for the children.[47][46]The show, as a part of the benefit project was sponsored by famous Cambodian people and was even attended by the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen.[74][47][75]Discography
Korean discography
| Videography
|
Filmography
Reality shows
- 2008: You Know U-KISS
- 2009: All About U-KISS
- 2009: U-KISS Vampire
- 2010: Chef Kiss
- 2010: Autumn Destiny (Thailand)
- 2011: Real School (Korea)
- 2011: I Am Legend (cameo)(Korea)
- 2012: Holy Land (Korea)
- 2012: The Strongest K-POP Survival (cameo) (Korea)
Films
- 2011: Mr. Idol (cameo)
Concerts
- 2010: U-KISS First Kiss Tour in Manila
- 2010: First Kiss Live
- 2012: U-KISS First Japan Nationwide Tour
- 2012: U-KISS por primera vez en Colombia
- 2012: U-KISS Share The Love Tour (Southeat Asia)[Malaysia,Indonesia,Thailand,Cambodia,Vietnam,Singapore]
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2008 |
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| 2011 |
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