BabyMonster | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Also known as | Baemon |
Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
Genres | K-pop |
Years active | 2023 | –present
Labels | YG |
Members |
|
Website | yg-babymonster.com |
BabyMonster (Korean : 베이비몬스터; RR : Beibimonseuteo; stylized in all caps), also known as Baemon (Korean: 베몬), is a South Korean girl group formed by YG Entertainment through Last Evaluation (2023); and consists of seven members: Ruka, Pharita, Asa, Ahyeon, Rami, Rora, and Chiquita. The ensemble officially debuted on April 1, 2024, with their eponymous first extended play (EP) BabyMons7er .
Following the launch of YG Entertainment's representative girl groups, 2NE1 (2009) and Blackpink (2016), news of their next girl group circulated as early as 2018. [1] [2] They received applicants from various countries, some of whom were accepted into its training program as early as age 10, training an average of four to five years. [3] In the number of recruits, each prospective member placed first against thousands in their respective auditions. [4] In January 2020, "BabyMonster", one of many names initially considered for Blackpink, [5] and "Baemon" (a syllabic abbreviation of the former) were trademarked in English and Korean by the label and tentatively used by media outlets until the eventual disclosure of their official uses. [6] [7] [8]
Its selection process was chronicled in Last Evaluation (2023), a reality show showcasing seven potential members. [9] Label founder, Yang Hyun-suk, enlisted assistance by Lee Su-hyun of AKMU, and Winner's Kang Seung-yoon and Lee Seung-hoon amidst others to judge, rank, and determine its formation for the duration of the show. [10] [11] Yang revealed the number of members he first planned was five; [12] however, a seven-piece ensemble was finalized with three South Koreans (Ahyeon, Rami, Rora), two Japanese (Ruka, Asa), and two Thai members (Pharita, Chiquita). [13] Ahyeon, Ruka, Chiquita, Rami, and Pharita were selected by the label, while Rora and Asa were contemplated to be placed into two different projects before ultimately joining the final line-up as the "fans' choice". [13]
Before their acceptance into YG Entertainment, Rami began as a child model at age two; [2] Ruka debuted in the Japanese girl group Shibu3 project (2017); [6] Rora joined the children's music group U.SSO Girl with Hyein of NewJeans; [14] and Pharita modelled in contests and auditioned for survival reality programs. [15] Ruka, the longest trained member of the seven, [16] Rora, and Asa trained under the label for six years anterior to their debut. [17] Rami and Ahyeon honed their talent for five years, [17] and Pharita, who was chosen out of 1,226 applicants amidst her audition in July 2020, trained for four years. [18] [19] Chiquita became the final member to join BabyMonster, [2] training for three months since her recruit in 2021, [18] [20] the shortest period of all members. [2] In this time, their vocals were often recruited in the background of their senior labelmate's work, including in the final chorus of the lead single, "Iyah" (아이야; aiya) by Kang Seung-yoon. [21]
YG Entertainment signaled the septet's formal introduction on December 30, 2022, with a poster and the subtext "YG Next Movement". [22] It heralded a trailer-esque video posted on YouTube on New Year's Day that garnered 15 million views in three days, [23] and featured appearances by members of Winner and Blackpink, sibling duo AKMU, dancer and choreographer Leejung Lee, and label founder Yang Hyun-suk. [24] BabyMonster's introduction, together with the announcement of G-Dragon's feasible return as a soloist that same day, contributed to a subsequent rise in the label's stocks, leaping by 11.74%. [25] The seven members were revealed to the public through gradual releases of live performance videos starting on January 12 [6] (in order: Rami, Ahyeon, Chiquita, Asa, Rora, Pharita, and Ruka); [26] and a pre-debut promotional single titled "Dream"—exclusively released via YouTube on May 14, 2023, [27] debuting atop the Billboard Hot Trending Songs chart. [28] Their channel soon surpassed one million subscribers in 52 days since its creation on December 28, 2022, [18] and two million subscribers in 129 days, becoming the fastest K-pop girl group to reach the milestone. [29] The group released two singles as a six-piece titled "Batter Up" and "Stuck in the Middle" on November 27, 2023, [30] and February 1, 2024, [31] respectively, with the former serving as the sextet's debut single and BabyMonster's pre-debut release. [32] Label-mates Lee Chan-hyuk of AKMU and Choi Hyun-suk of Treasure contributed in penning the former piece, while its member Asa, worked on both its music and lyrics. [30] Its music video amassed 22.59 million views within a day, became the most viewed debut music video in the first 24 hours in K-pop history, [33] and became the fastest debut music video to reach 100 million views on the platform, eighteen days after its release. [34] It found further success on Spotify, achieving 10 million streams in ten days, the fastest for a rookie K-pop girl group. [35] Ahyeon, who was absent from its releases due to health reasons, [36] [37] soon recovered and returned from her hiatus, joining the ensemble to promote their future activities as a seven-member group. [38]
Marking the group's official debut, [39] their first extended play (EP) BabyMons7er , was released on April 1. [39] It was primarily supported by the titular single "Sheesh", included re-recordings of "Batter Up" and "Stuck in the Middle" with all seven members, [39] and a gift by Charlie Puth titled "Like That" following a viral cover of "Dangerously" sung by Ahyeon. [40] BabyMonster will be holding their first fan meeting tour in May 2024 in five countries, namely Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan and Indonesia. [41]
Created with a "high-teen" image different from the label's prior female acts, the septet maintains the signature "charismatic" elements of YG Entertainment. [42] BabyMonster was touted as an "all-rounder" group and its members labelled as "elites" by the public and media alike, [43] [44] wherein each excel in vocals, rap, and dance. [45] The ensemble is also proficient in multiple languages, including Korean, English, Japanese, Thai, and Chinese. [46]
In a survey conducted by entertainment business magazine JoyNews24, two hundred industry workers from entertainment companies and broadcasters, film and broadcast content producers, and entertainment reporters ranked the tentative group ninth in the "Most Anticipated Artist of Late 2021 and 2022", tied with Ive amidst others. [47]
In February 2024, BabyMonster became presenters for Pepsi in the Asia-Pacific region, [48] and the face of LG Household & Health Care's cosmeceutical brand CNP Laboratory, [49] to aid advancements into the Japanese beauty market. [50] Two months later, the group became global partners of Adidas. [51]
Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KOR [52] | JPN [53] | UK DL [54] | US World [55] | |||
BabyMons7er |
| 3 | 6 | 69 | 15 |
|
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KOR [59] | HK [60] | IDN [61] | JPN Hot [62] | NLD Glo. [63] | NZ Hot [64] | SGP [65] | TW [66] | US World [67] | WW [68] | ||||
"Batter Up" | 2023 | 123 | 22 | 14 | 100 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 101 |
| BabyMons7er |
"Stuck in the Middle" | 2024 | — [upper-alpha 2] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
"Sheesh" | 20 | 10 | 4 | 51 | 12 | 30 | 7 | 3 | — | 33 | |||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
Title | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"Dream" | 2023 | BabyMons7er |
Year | Title | Director(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | "Dream" | Unknown | [28] |
"Batter Up" | Seo Hyun-seung (Gigant) | [71] [72] | |
2024 | "Stuck in the Middle" | Jason Kim (Flipevil) | [73] [74] |
"Sheesh" | Seo Hyun-seung (Gigant) | [75] [76] | |
Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Circle Chart Music Awards | 2024 | Rookie of the Year – Global Streaming | "Batter Up" | Won | [81] |
Mubeat Global Choice Award – Female | BabyMonster | Nominated | [82] | ||
Rookie of the Year – Streaming Unique Listeners | "Batter Up" | Nominated | [83] | ||
The Fact Music Awards | 2024 | Best Music (Winter) | Nominated | [84] | |
Mubeat Awards | 2023 | Best Rookie Artist | BabyMonster | Won | [85] |
Music Video of the Year | "Batter Up" | Nominated |
YG Entertainment Inc. is a South Korean multinational entertainment agency established in 1996 by Yang Hyun-suk. The company operates as a record label, talent agency, music production company, event management and concert production company, and music publishing house. In addition, the company operates a number of subsidiary ventures under a separate public traded company, YG Plus, which includes a clothing line, a golf management agency, and a cosmetics brand.
Blackpink is a South Korean girl group formed by YG Entertainment and consisting of members Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa. Cited as the "biggest girl group in the world", they are considered the most successful Korean girl group internationally and a leading force in the Korean Wave. They are stylistically associated with the "girl crush" concept in K-pop—exploring themes of self-confidence and female empowerment.
"Whistle" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Blackpink for their debut single album, Square One (2016). The song was released through YG Entertainment on August 8, 2016, simultaneously with Square One's second single "Boombayah". An acoustic version of the song was also included on the group's second single album, Square Two (2016). The song was written and produced by YG Entertainment collaborators Teddy, Bekuh Boom, and Future Bounce, with additional lyrics penned by labelmate B.I of iKon. Musically, it consists of a minimal drum and bass beat and integrates a variety of instrumentations, including whistles and a heartbeat—alluding to the title.
Jennie Kim, known mononymously as Jennie, is a South Korean singer, rapper, and actress. Born and raised in South Korea, Jennie studied in New Zealand for five years before returning to South Korea in 2010. She debuted as a member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, formed by YG Entertainment, in August 2016. In 2023, she made her acting debut under the stage name Jennie Ruby Jane in the HBO television series The Idol.
"Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Blackpink. It was released on June 15, 2018, through YG Entertainment, as the lead single for the group's first Korean extended play, Square Up. It was written by YG collaborator Teddy Park, whilst production and composition were handled by Teddy, 24, Bekuh Boom and R. Tee. The Japanese version of the single was released through YGEX on August 22, 2018, and was distributed in three physical formats. A EDM trap and pop rap song infused with bubblegum pop sounds, "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" utilizes oriental percussion rhythms and whistling while its title imitates the sound of a gunshot. Its lyrics contain messages of strength and self-assurance.
Roseanne Park, known mononymously as Rosé (Korean: 로제), is a Korean-New Zealand singer and dancer based in South Korea. Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, Rosé signed with South Korean label YG Entertainment following a successful audition in 2012 and trained for four years before debuting as a member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink in August 2016.
Lalisa Manobal, known mononymously as Lisa (Korean: 리사), is a Thai rapper, singer and dancer. She is a member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, which debuted under YG Entertainment in August 2016. She is set to make her acting debut in 2025 in the HBO television series The White Lotus.
"Solo" is the debut solo single by South Korean singer and rapper Jennie, a member of South Korean girl group Blackpink. Released on November 12, 2018, through YG and Interscope, the song was written and produced by Teddy and 24. Musically, "Solo" is a dance, pop, and hip hop song with EDM elements. Its lyrical content revolves around the theme of independence after a break-up.
Kill This Love is the second Korean extended play by South Korean girl group Blackpink. It was released on April 5, 2019, by YG Entertainment and was distributed through YG Plus and Interscope Records. It was their first Korean material since the release of Square Up in June 2018, and their first release with Interscope Records. The title track was released as the lead single; it peaked at number two in South Korea and became the first top-50 hit by a female K-pop act in the United States and the United Kingdom. The track "Don't Know What To Do" was later promoted on Korean music programs.
Kim Ji-soo, known mononymously as Jisoo, is a South Korean singer and actress. She is a member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, formed by YG Entertainment, in August 2016. Outside of her music career, she made her acting debut with a cameo role in the 2015 series The Producers and played her first leading role in the JTBC series Snowdrop (2021–22).
"Forever Young" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Blackpink. It serves as the second track from the group's first Korean extended play Square Up, released on June 15, 2018. It was written and produced by Teddy and Future Bounce, and originally recorded in 2015. A Japanese version of the song was included in the group's first Japanese compilation album, Blackpink in Your Area (2018).
Treasure, is a South Korean boy band formed in 2019 by YG Entertainment, through YG Treasure Box (2018–2019); and consists of 10 members: Choi Hyun-suk, Jihoon, Yoshi, Junkyu, Yoon Jae-hyuk, Asahi, Doyoung, Haruto, Park Jeong-woo, and So Jung-hwan. Its former members, Mashiho and Bang Ye-dam, departed from the group in November 2022. Treasure debuted with the single album The First Step: Chapter One (2020)—the first in a tetralogy of albums which collectively sold over one million copies in five months.
"How You Like That" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Blackpink. It was released on June 26, 2020, through YG Entertainment, YG Plus and Interscope Records, as the first pre-release single from the group's debut studio album, The Album (2020). The Japanese version of the single was released through Interscope Records and Universal Music Japan on July 27, 2021. An EDM, hip hop, trap, club and pop song, it was co-written by Danny Chung, R. Tee, 24, and Teddy, while the latter produced the song.
"Lovesick Girls" is a song by South Korean girl group Blackpink, recorded for their debut studio album, The Album (2020). It was written and composed by Teddy Park, R. Tee, 24, Brian Lee, Danny Chung, David Guetta, Løren, Jisoo, Jennie, Leah Haywood, whilst production was handled by Park, 24, and R. Tee. "Lovesick Girls" was released on October 2, 2020, through YG Entertainment and Interscope Records, as the third single from the album. The Japanese version of the single was released through Interscope Records and Universal Music Japan on June 4, 2021. It is a dance-pop and electropop song containing influences from EDM and punk rock, with lyrics exploring pain associated with heartbreak.
Born Pink is the second studio album by South Korean girl group Blackpink. It was released on September 16, 2022, through YG Entertainment and Interscope. It marked the group's first full-length record since The Album in 2020. Production of the album was handled by various producers including Teddy Sinclair, Willy Sinclair, Bekuh Boom, R. Tee, Kush and Teddy Park. Blackpink conceived Born Pink as "the essence" of the group, taking inspiration from hip-hop sound throughout the album and combining various genres.
"Shut Down" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Blackpink. It was released on September 16, 2022, through YG Entertainment and Interscope Records, as the second single of the group's second studio album, Born Pink (2022). It is primarily a hip hop song driven by looped classical violin, trap beats, strings, and bass sounds. It was written by its producer 24, alongside Teddy, Danny Chung, and Vince.
"Batter Up" is the debut single by South Korean girl group BabyMonster. It was released on November 27, 2023, by YG Entertainment.
BabyMons7er is the debut extended play by South Korean girl group BabyMonster. It was released by YG Entertainment on April 1, 2024.
"Slow Motion" is a song by American rapper Matt Champion and South Korean singer Jennie. It was released on March 8, 2024, through RCA Records as the third single from the former's debut studio album, Mika's Laundry (2024). A drum and bass song, it was written by the artists Champion and Jennie with Adam Feeney, Dijon, Henry Kwapis, Jacob Reske, and Romil Hemnani, while it was produced by Champion, Kwapis, and Dijon.
"Sheesh" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group BabyMonster for their first extended play BabyMons7er. It was released as the EP's lead single by YG Entertainment on April 1, 2024.