Member:
- Soohyun - Leader, main vocalist
- Kiseop - Vocalist
- Eli - Rapper
- AJ - Rapper, vocalist
- Hoon - Vocalist
- Kevin - Vocalist
- Dongho - Rapper
U-KISS (Korean: 유키스, Japanese: ユーキス) is a South Korean boy band formed by NH Media in 2008. Their name is an acronym, standing for Ubiquitous Korean International idol Super Star. The group consists of Soohyun, Kiseop, Eli, Kevin, Dongho, Hoon and AJ (the latter two joining the group in 2011). Their breakthrough hit was Man Man Ha Ni (2009) from their EP ContiUKiss. They released their first full-length album Only One on February 3, 2010. In September 2011, U-Kiss released their second full-length album, Neverland. They made their formal debut in Japan in 2011 with the release of the single "Tick Tack". The second single is entitled "Forbidden Love" while their first Japanese full-length album was A Shared Dream (2012). Since their debut, the group has released three full-length albums, seven extended plays and various singles. The group also participated in various TV reality shows and films.
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. 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.
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. 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). The new U-KISS made their comeback on March 30 with their fifth mini-album, Bran New Kiss, and a new ballad song 0330. U-KISS released their second full-length album Neverland in September with their promotional singles "Neverland" and "Someday". U-KISS also released a documentary DVD entitled U-KISS Days in Japan that featured their activities in the country. The said DVD debuted at #8 on the Daily Oricon Chart published in March 30, 2012. From June 8, 2011, the group stayed in Japan for three 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. The group also released their first Japanese album, Tick Tack. They also release their second Japanese album, Forbidden Love simultaneously with their first Japenese full-length album, A Shared Dream. The album peaked at No.6 and No.2 respectively. On 2012, Oricon published that U-KISS achieved high album sales in Japan along with other big artists like Girl's Generation and KARA.
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, Dream Concert at Seoul World Cup Stadium, K-POP Festival: Music Bank in Tokyo and Korean Music Wave 2011 in Singapore U-KISS also performed in Macau for the Youth's Ambition Concert along with fellow K-Pop stars Kim Hyun Joong and B1A4. On 2012 they participated in the Music Bank concert held in Paris, France. 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. The group also became the first K-Pop Idol to hold a fan-meeting and charity organization in Cambodia.
The group had their sold-out concert tour dubbed as "U-KISS 1st Japan Live Tour 2012" in March that was held in Zepp Hall all over Japan. They performed in various cities like Sapporo, Sendai, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka and Tokyo. 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. Due to this success, the concert will have an additional tour dates on July visiting a larger stadiums. On the second week of June, two additional shows were sold-out.
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. 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.
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. They had their comeback in South Korea with a release of their 6th mini-album, DoraDora on April 25, 2012. On May 2012, DoraDora gained first spot on Germany's German Asian Music Chart for the month of May beating BigBang's Fantastic Baby. The group also releases their 7th mini-album or the special album, The Special to Kissme on June 5. The title track, Believe was composed by AJ and was also included on their past album DoraDora. The music video for this [Believe] was released on June 8, 2012. The second single "Te Amo" was released on June 1, 2012 on various music sites that immediately placed No.4 on 'Soribada'. The group released their third Japanese single, "Dear My Friend" on July 5, 2012. It was used as a theme song for a Japanese anime, Stormy Night (Secret Friends). A follow-up track Beautiful composed by AJ is being used also as a commercial song for Kintetsu Department Store’s “Passe Bazaar”.
Aside from album releases, the group is also set to perform along with Girls Generation and Shinee at the K-POP Nation Concert in Macao 2012. Member Kim Jaeseop (AJ) was admitted at Columbia University of United States in 2011 falling within the 1% top students in the world. It was made announced on July 29, 2012 in their Japanese Live Tour that AJ will be in hiatus for 5 months and will no longer attend activities of U-KISS starting August to concentrate with his studies. According to NH Media, AJ will return in early 2013, meanwhile, U-KISS comeback in September will only feature 6 members. Before AJ's temporary departure from the group, the group attended the A-Nation opening ceremony at the Tokyo National Stadium. On August 9, 2012 they are expected to represent Korea in the Asia Progress M, part of the A-Nation's activities, the biggest music festival in Japan. The group also performed on August 26, 2012 with Hamasaki Ayumi, M-Flo and Big Bang at the Ajinomoto Stadium.
U-KISS had the last leg of their Japan Tour in Budokan wherein they garnered 10,000 audience, their biggest to date. The album is set to feature composers not only from Korea, but also Japan and USA. Meanwhile, the group released their fourth Japanese single, One of You on September 5, 2012. On its first week, it peak to #1 at the weekly chart of Tower Records. On September 20, the group will release their 7th mini album "Stop Girl" and plans to actively promote it in 10 countries including Thailand, Philippines, United States and China.
U-KISS will receive a special achievement award in recognition for their contribution to the Hallyu Wave. The group will attend Arirang TV‘s celebration event for their milestone of reaching over 100 Million clients. At the event, U-KISS will be awarded the "Special Hallyu Achievement Award" from the minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
Reality shows
- 2008: You Know U-KISS
- 2009: All About U-KISS
- 2009: U-KISS Vampire
- 2010: Chef Kiss
- 2012: K-Pop Tasty Road (Eli with UKISS as guest)
Dramas On TV
- 2010: I Am Legend (UKISS) (Korea)
- 2010: Autumn Destiny (Eli & Kibum) (Thailand)
- 2011: Royal Family (Korea) (Dongho)
- 2011: Real School (Dongho,Kiseop & Eli) (Korea)
- 2012: Holy Land (Dongho & Hoon)(Korea)
- 2012: The Strongest K-POP Survival (cameo)
- 2010: Villain & Widow (Dongho)
- 2011: Mr. Idol (cameo)
- 2011: My Black Mini Dress (Dongho)
- 2012: Don't Cry, Mommy (Dongho)
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