U-KISS (; ) is a South Korean boy band formed in 2008. Their name is an acronym, standing for Ubiquitous Korean International Idol Super Star. The group is composed of Soohyun, Hoon, Kiseop, Alexander Lee, and Eli.
Their breakthrough hit was "Man Man Ha Ni" (2009) from their EP ContiUKiss. They made their formal debut in Japan in 2011 with the release of the single "Tick Tack".
Since their debut, U-KISS has released three full-length albums, twelve mini-albums/EPs, one special mini-album (created for their fans), and various singles. They have released seven Japanese full-length albums, one Japanese compilation album, and five Japanese mini-albums/EPs. The group and individual members have also participated in various musicals, radio programs, web shows, TV series, and films.
The group has recorded or performed songs in Korean, Japanese, Chinese, English and Spanish. U-KISS has earned six entries on Billboard's World Albums chart and has had 9 songs on the K-pop Hot 100 chart.
In 2012, U-KISS was the first K-pop group to hold a fan meeting in Cambodia. During that same year, U-KISS was not only the first K-pop act, but also the first Asian group, to perform at the "Los 40 Principales" concert in Colombia. In 2013, U-KISS was the second Korean artist to hold a solo concert in Mexico. U-KISS was also one of the first K-pop groups to release original albums in Japanese. In Japan, they ranked #1 on the Oricon Albums Chart with Action in 2015.
History
2008: Formation and debut U-KISS was formed as a six-member boy band in 2008. Kibum and Kevin were previously members of the boy band XING, but had left that group in early 2007. The other four members were all individually selected by NH Media through auditions. U-KISS held their first showcase on August 16 (originally planned to be on July 27) in Tokyo Takeshiba NONAME.
U-KISS made their first performed on August 15, 2008, at Power of Atamix 08 in Japan. The group made their official debut in Korea with performing "Not Young" on the music program M Countdown.U-KISS Members TVn E-News World. Retrieved March 30, 2012. Their first EP New Generation later released on September 3.
Although they were newcomers in the industry, U-KISS was considered for a Japan–Korea collaborative project. A Japanese entertainment company, Yashimoto Group, invested 150 billion KRW to develop U-KISS into an internationally known group.
2009–2010: Line-up change, Only One, and first tours
On February 3, 2009, U-KISS released their second EP Bring It Back 2 Old School, with the lead single "I Like You", which gained them popularity especially in Thailand.
On November 6, their third EP ContiUKiss was released with the lead single "Man Man Ha Ni" and new member Kiseop joined as the seventh member of the group.
On February 3, 2010, U-Kiss's first full-length album Only One was released. Their lead single "Bingeul Bingeul" of the album, generating their highest chart-topping single in the Philippines. The song peaked at #2 on the MYX Music Channel Hit and International Top 20 charts for the period of April 25 – May 1. The support of Filipino fans helped it stay on the Philippines' MYX Music Channel charts for more than a month. The album also topped Hanteo Charts, Hot Tracks, Syn-nara Records, and Evan Records in just one day. U-KISS promoting the album in Malaysia, Mongolia, and Japan. U-KISS promoted the album in the Philippines through a series of mall shows, where they sold more than 1,000 copies in one day, breaking the record for the highest sales in a launch and earning a million pesos. Due to its success, the group had their first major concert in the Philippines, later released on DVD as U-KISS First Kiss Tour in Manila.
On October 4, U-Kiss's fourth EP Break Time was released, with the lead single "Shut Up!". The U-KISS First Kiss Live in Tokyo & Osaka (2010) concerts were held December 6 in Osaka and December 10 in Tokyo. On December 10, their Japanese compilation album, First Kiss, placed #2 on the Oricon daily charts on the day of its release. In addition to their music career, U-KISS starred in their own variety shows, including All About U-KISS, UKISS Vampire, and Chef Kiss.
2011–2012: Line-up changes, NEVERLAND, and Japanese debut
In 2011, Member Soohyun was officially appointed the leader of U-KISS and the departure of Alexander and Kibum was replaced by former Paran member AJ and a former solo artist, Hoon. As a result, a U.S. album was canceled due to member termination of contract.
Following the new formation of U-KISS, they released their fifth EP Bran New Kiss, with the ballad lead single "0330" on March 30. U-KISS released the Japanese version of Bran New Kiss on August 24. The EP reached #3 on Japan's daily Oricon Albums Chart. On September 1, U-KISS released their second full-length album, Neverland, with the double lead singles "Neverland" and "Someday". At the Asia Song Festival in October, The Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange selected U-KISS as an Asia Influential Artist. On December 14, U-KISS released their first Japanese single, "Tick Tack", which marked the group's official Japanese debut date after signing a contract with Avex Trax. Later that year, member AJ was accepted to Columbia University in the United States.U-Kiss Member AJ Accepted Into Columbia University KBS World News. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
In 2012, U-KISS was chosen as the #1 Hallyu Group to Watch in Japan, while Kevin was chosen as the Luckiest Hallyu Star of 2012. On February 8, U-KISS participated in the Music Bank concert held in Paris, France. It featured a special presentation by Soohyun singing a duet with Sistar's Hyolyn of "Love Always Finds a Reason", with the original English lyrics. On February 29, U-KISS released their second Japanese single, "Forbidden Love", simultaneously with their first Japanese full-length album, A Shared Dream. "Forbidden Love" ranked #9 on the Oricon Daily Single Chart, while A Shared Dream ranked #6 on the Oricon Daily Album Chart.
U-KISS held a sold-out concert tour, "U-KISS 1st Japan Live Tour 2012", in Zepp Hall venues across Japan. The tour lasted from March 2–25. In the second week of June, two additional shows were also sold out. The U-KISS Japan Live Tour "A Shared Dream" (2012) held performances on March 2 in Sapporo, March 4 in Sendai, March 10 in Osaka, March 11 in Fukuoka, March 17 in Nagoya, and March 24–25 in Tokyo. Due to its success, more dates were added: July 7 in Hiroshima, July 8 in Osaka, July 14 in Sendai, July 16 in Nagoya, July 18 in Fukuoka, July 20 in Nagasaki, July 25 in Sapporo, July 27 in Niigata, and July 28–29 in Tokyo. A DVD titled U-KISS Days in Japan debuted at #8 on the Oricon Daily Chart published on March 30.
On April 25, U-KISS released their sixth EP DoraDora. In May, "DoraDora" gained the #1 spot on the German Asian Music Chart. On May 12, U-KISS became not only the first K-pop act, but also the first Asian group, to perform in Colombia at "Los 40 Principales" (the biggest pop concert in Latin America) along with Shakira. The group's seventh EP The Special to Kissme was released on June 5. On June 1, the second single from it, "Te Amo", had been released on various music sites and immediately placed #4 on Soribada. On July 2, U-KISS performed at the 2012 K-POP Nation Concert in Macao, along with Girls' Generation and SHINee.소녀시대 샤이니 등 K팝스타, 7월2일 마카오서 대형공연 개최 NATE. Retrieved June 1, 2012. On July 5, U-KISS released their third Japanese single, "Dear My Friend" and later was used as the theme song for a Japanese anime movie, Stormy Night (Secret Friends). On July 29, it was announced during the Japanese Live Tour that AJ would be take hiatus for 5 months and would no longer attend U-KISS activities starting in August, in order to concentrate on his studies.IMPORTANT NOTICE to stop the activities associated with AJ NH Media Official Statement. Retrieved July 29, 2012. According to NH Media, AJ would return in early 2013, and the U-KISS comeback in September 2012 would only feature six members.유키스 AJ, 美명문대 입학..활동 중단 "내년 복귀" (AJ to pursue his education at Columbia University and halt his activities in U-KISS for the time being) Star News via NATE. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
Before AJ's temporary departure from the group, U-KISS attended the A-Nation opening ceremony at the Tokyo National Stadium on August 3. On August 9, 2012, U-KISS represented Korea in Asia Progress M, part of A-Nation, the biggest music festival in Japan. On August 26, the group also performed with Hamasaki Ayumi, M-Flo, and Big Bang at Ajinomoto Stadium.
On September 5, the group ended their Japanese tour with the U-KISS Japan Live in Budokan (2012), where they attracted an audience of 10,000, their biggest to date. Meanwhile, the group released their fourth Japanese single, "One of You", on September 5.Tracklist – One Of You by U-KISS Jpop Asia. Retrieved August 8, 2012 During its first week, it peaked at #1 on the Tower Records weekly chart.K-POP Weeklyチャート＜2012/9/3～9/9＞ KStyle. Retrieved September 11, 2012 On September 14, U-KISS received a special achievement award in recognition of their contribution to the Hallyu Wave.유키스, 19일 문광부장관 한류특별공로상 수상 Sports Chosun. Retrieved September 16, 2012 The group attended Arirang TV's celebration event for the milestone of reaching over 100 million clients. At the event, U-KISS was awarded the Special Hallyu Achievement Award from the minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. On September 20, the group released their seventh EP, Stop Girl, and planned to actively promote it in 10 countries including Thailand, the Philippines, the United States, and China.유키스, 한류붐 공로 인정 문화부장관상 수상 NATE. Retrieved September 16, 2012 The mini-album also included an English version of the title track, "Stop Girl". U-KISS released their fifth Japanese single, "Distance", on December 12.
2013–2014: Collage and line-up changes On January 19, 2013, U-KISS participated in the Dream KPOP Fantasy Concert in Manila, Philippines. The Japanese single "Alone" was released on February 13. It was used as the theme song for NHK's TV drama, Bookstore Worker Michiru's Personal Story.U-Kiss to sing theme song for new Japanese drama, Daily K Pop News U-KISS released their third full-length album Collage on March 7, with the lead single, "Standing Still" (composed by Ryan Jhun), was released on March 6. The group also performed at the "Formula 1" event held at the Petronas Tower in Malaysia on March 22, sharing the stage with K-pop group 2NE1 and American artists Backstreet Boys and Demi Lovato.
The sub-unit uBEAT debuted at the end of April, composed of Eli and AJ, with Kevin featuring as the main vocalist. In June, U-KISS went on tour in Latin America, traveling to Peru, Colombia, and Mexico. The group became the second Korean artist to have a solo concert in Mexico, after JYJ's Junsu. With 4,000 tickets were sold out and fans who did not get tickets sang along with the songs outside the concert hall. U-KISS performed a Spanish version of "Dear My Friend", specially prepared for their Latin American fans. Just the previous year, U-KISS had launched their official South American fan club.