Astro (South Korean band)
ASTRO | |
---|---|
Astro going to a Music Bank recording in July 2016. Left to right: Moonbin, MJ, Jin Jin, Rocky, Cha Eun-woo and Yoon San-ha | |
Background information | |
Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
Genres | |
Years active | 2016 | –present
Labels | Fantagio Music |
Members |
|
Astro (Hangul: 아스트로) (stylized as ASTRO) is a South Korean boy band formed by Fantagio in 2015. The group is composed of six members: MJ, Jin Jin, Cha Eun-woo, Moon Bin, Rocky, and Yoon San-ha.[1] Astro released their debut mini album Spring Up on February 23, 2016.[2]
History
2015: Pre-Debut
The members started out as trainees under Fantagio iTeen, a rookie talent development program under Fantagio Entertainment, and were known as iTeen Boys. On August 14, Fantagio released information about the new group via their social media, including pictures and profiles of each member and the announcement of the group's name.[3]
Following the same technique Fantagio used to form 5urprise, ASTRO starred in a web drama series, To Be Continued, in August 2015.[4] The members starred as themselves along with Kim Sae-ron, 5urprise member Seo Kang-joon, and Hello Venus.[5]
In January 2016, Astro starred in their own reality show, Astro OK! Ready, which was aired on MBC Every1 at 7PM KST.[6] The group also made an appearance on the KBS variety show Star Golden Bell.[7]
Leading up to their official debut Astro held a nationwide showcase tour called "Meet U Project". The group toured all over South Korea and held twenty shows and two fanmeetings.[8]
2016: Debut with Spring Up, Summer Vibes, and Autumn Story
Astro's debut album, Spring Up was released on February 23, 2016 with the title song "Hide & Seek".[9] They also announced their official fanclub name, AROHA, which is an abbreviation for ASTRO Hearts All Fans.[10] Aroha also means "love" in Māori.[11] Within a week of its release, Spring Up had landed at #6 on the Billboard World Albums Chart in the United States,[12] as well as #4 on Gaon Music Chart.[13] On February 25, the group released the music video for "Cat's Eye", containing images from their webseries To Be Continued.[14] In March of the same year, the group was the only Korean act invited to the LeTV Entertainment Awards in China.[15]
Fantagio released a comeback photo of Astro on June 16, 2016.[16] Their second mini album, Summer Vibes, was launched on July 1, along with the title track "Breathless".[17] It landed at #6 on the Billboard World Albums Chart, the highest-charting k-pop album for that week, and "Breathless" landed at #21 on the Billboard World Digital Songs Chart.[18]
Astro performed at Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 31 for KCON 2016.[19][20] They held their first solo concert—only 6 months after their debut—on August 27–28, 2016 at the KEPCO Art Center in Seoul.[21] They held their first Asia showcase in Japan and Indonesia in October and November 2016 and will also hold it in Bangkok, Thailand in 2017.[22][23]
On October 31, Fantagio released Astro's comeback photos announcing their third extended play Autumn Story, that was released on November 10, 2016 along with the music video for their title track "Confession".[24]
Endorsements
On March 3, 2016, Astro signed a contract with uniform brand PL School Wear.[25][26]
In April 2016, Astro was chosen as models for cosmetics brand LOVLUV. The cosmetic brand explained: "ASTRO is well-prepared as they have trained for a long 7 years. Coincidentally, 'LOVLUV' is also a brand that took 7 years in preparation. They increased their value through thorough preparation." [27]
As of November, 2016, Astro were chosen as the new models for chicken franchise 'Chicken Mania'. The brand states Astro were chosen because of their "youthful and refreshing image".[28]
Members
MJ
MJ (Hangul: 엠제이), born Kim Myung-jun (Hangul: 김명준, Hanja: 金明俊) on March 5, 1994 (age 22) in Nowon District, South Korea. He is the main vocalist of the group.[29]
He participated in the 2012 JYP x HUM audition;[30] despite not being accepted he was given a one-year scholarship to the National University of Seoul.[31]
Jin Jin
Jin Jin (Hangul: 진진), born Park Jin-woo (Hangul: 박진우, Hanja: 朴真祐) on March 15, 1996 (age 20) in Nowon District, South Korea. He is the leader and main rapper of the group.[29]
He knows how to play the drums after learning for five years and started dancing in his second year of middle school. The first two genres of dancing he learned was street and house. He entered Hanlim Multi Art School with the highest score among the first-year students with his house dancing.[32] He previously attended NY Dance academy for three years before he became a trainee in Fantagio.[33]
Cha Eun-woo
Cha Eun-woo (Hangul: 차은우, Hanja: 車銀優, Simplified Chinese characters: 车银优), born Lee Dong-min (Hangul: 이동민, Hanja: 李瞳旼) on March 30, 1997 (age 19) in Gunpo, South Korea. He is the vocalist of the group.[29]
Before debut Eun-woo was the face of Shara Shara cosmetics in 2014 to 2015[34] and was featured in the film My Brilliant Life as the younger and "healthy" version of A-Reum.[35] He is able to play the violin, guitar, and piano.[36][37] He is currently enrolled in Sungkyunkwan University as an acting major.
Moon Bin
Moon Bin (Hangul: 문빈, Hanja: 文彬), born on January 26, 1998 (age 18) in Cheongju, South Korea. He is the lead dancer and vocalist of the group.[38][29]
He initially debuted as an actor and model in 2004.[29] Moon Bin starred in TVXQ's "Balloons" music video as the child version of U-Know Yunho.[39][40] Out of all his group members, he has trained the longest as he was a trainee since 2010.[41] His younger sister Moon SuA was the third runner-up in Unpretty Rapstar 2.[42]
Rocky
Rocky (Hangul: 라키), born Park Min-hyuk (Hangul: 박민혁, Hanja: 朴敏赫) on February 25, 1999 (age 17) in Jinju, South Korea. He is the main dancer and lead rapper of the group.[38]
Before debuting, in 2011 he auditioned for tvN's Korea's Got Talent.[43] Rocky knows many genres of dance such as tap, hip hop, modern, jazz, and ballet.[44] He choreographed the dance for "Morning Call" from Spring Up and "Fireworks" from "Summer Vibes".[45]
Yoon San-ha
Yoon San-ha (Hangul: 윤산하, Hanja: 尹產賀, Simplified Chinese characters: 尹产贺), born on March 21, 2000 (age 16) in Seoul, South Korea.[46][47]
He became a trainee for Fantagio on December 16, 2012.[48] He is the youngest child in his family out of his three older brothers.[29] San-ha is able play the guitar after getting taught by his father and brothers.[49] He is currently studying at Hanlim Multi Art School with Rocky.
Concerts
- ASTRO 1st Concert "Snowflake" (2015)
- ASTRO Mini Live "Thankx Aroha" (2016)
- MBC SHOW CHAMPION in Manila (2016)
- Kcon LA (2016)
- 1ST SEASON SHOWCASE (Tokyo, Jakarta, Bangkok, Shanghai) (2016-2017)
Discography
Extended plays
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
KOR [50] |
TW [51] |
US World [52] | |||
Spring Up |
|
4 | 6 | 6 |
|
Summer Vibes |
|
2 | 8 | 6 |
|
Autumn Story |
|
6 | 3 | 15 | TBA |
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
---|---|---|---|
US Billboard World [55] | |||
"Hide & Seek" | 2016 | — | Spring Up |
"Cat's Eye" | — | ||
"Breathless" | 21 | Summer Vibes | |
"Confession" | TBA | Autumn Story | |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
Filmography
Dramas
Year | Network | Title | Member(s) | Role | Note(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | KBS2 | Boys Over Flowers (TV series) | Moon Bin | Young Kim Bum / So Yi-jung | |
2015 | Naver TVCast | To Be Continued | All | Web Drama | |
2016 | My Romantic Some Recipe | Cha Eunwoo | Cha Eunwoo | Web Drama | |
Films
Year | Title | Member(s) | Role | Note(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | My Brilliant Life | Eunwoo | Healthy Ah-ruem | Guest Role |
Reality show
Year | Network | Title | Member(s) | Note(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | tvN | Korea's Got Talent | Rocky | Contestant |
2016 | MBC Music | Astro OK! Ready | All | |
MBC Music | Astro Project A.SI.A | All |
Variety show
Year | Network | Title | Member(s) | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | KBS1 | The Golden Bell Challenge (도전! 골든벨) | All | Ep. 800 |
Arirang | After School Club | Ep. 202[56] | ||
KBS2 | 1vs100 | Eunwoo, Moonbin, MJ[57] | Ep. 426 | |
Emergency Escape No. 1 | Eunwoo | Ep. 524-527 | ||
Piki | Fan Heart Attack Idol TV | All | Ep. 8[58] | |
Mnet | Show Me The Money 5 | Jinjin[59] | Cameo | |
SBS | Law of the Jungle | Eunwoo[60] | Ep. 220–224 | |
MBC Every1 | Weekly Idol | All | Ep. 256 with KNK and 4TEN | |
Arirang | After School Club | Ep. 219 | ||
MBC | Show! Music Core | Eunwoo | Special MC | |
SBS MTV | The Show | Eunwoo, Sanha | Special MC | |
Mnet | Hit The Stage | Rocky | Episode 5-6 | |
MBC | Replies that Makes Us Flutter | Eunwoo, Moonbin | with Twice's Dahyun | |
ISAC | All | with several idol groups | ||
KBS2 | Boom Shakalaka | Eunwoo | ||
MBC | The Imaginarium | |||
King of Masked Singer | Guest Panelist | |||
We Got Married (Season 4) | All | Chuseok 2016 special | ||
Show! Music Core | Eunwoo | MC October 1st-Present | ||
tVN | Tainer | MJ | Special Guest | |
MBC | We Got Married (Season 4) | Guest Panelist | ||
KBS2 | Hello Counselor[61] | Eunwoo | Episode 299
Guest | |
Happy Together [62] | Episode 469
Guest | |||
tVN | Problematic Men | Episode 86
Guest | ||
MBC Every1 | Weekly Idol | All | Ep. 279 | |
KBS | Immortal Song 2 | TBA | ||
Music video appearances
Year | Title | Artist | Member(s) |
---|---|---|---|
2006 | "Balloons" | TVXQ | Moonbin[39] |
Awards and nominations
Korean Culture Entertainment Awards
Year | Category | Recipient | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | K-pop Singer Award | Astro | Won |
Seoul Music Awards
Year | Category | Recipient | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Best New Artist | Astro | Pending |
Popularity Award | Pending |
Melon Music Awards
Year | Category | Recipient | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Best New Artist | Astro | Nominated |
Mnet Asian Music Awards
Year | Category | Recipient | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Best New Male Artist | Astro | Nominated |
HotelsCombined Artist of the Year | Nominated |
References
- ↑ Fantagio introduce the six members of new boy group Astro. Allkpop. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
- ↑ "Astro finally makes debut with 'Hide & Seek' MV!". Allkpop. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
- ↑ "판타지오 뉴 보이그룹, 팀명 '아스트로' 확정". entertain.naver.com. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
- ↑ Astro Kick Off Debut Promotions With New Web Drama 'To Be Continued'. KpopStarz. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
- ↑ Seo Kang Jun to act alongside rookie boy group Astro and Kim Sae Ron in 'To Be Continued'. Allkpop. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
- ↑ Just Before Their Debut, Astro To Star In A New Reality Show. Officially Kmusic. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
- ↑ Netizens go crazy over handsome student on Golden Bell. Koreaboo. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
- ↑ ]. allkpop.
- ↑ "Spring Up". Naver Music. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- ↑ Astro Announces Their Fandom Name at Debut Showcase. KMusic. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
- ↑ "Astro DEBUT SHOWCASE [Spring Up]". V App. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
- ↑ "World Albums 2016-03-12". Billboard. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- ↑ "Spring Up on Gaon Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
- ↑ "Check out ASTRO's talent-show-themed MV for 'Cat's Eye'!". Allkpop. February 25, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ↑ "ASTRO is exclusively invited to 'Letv Entertainment Awards' in China!". Allkpop. March 23, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ↑ "ASTRO Is Ready For Summer In New Teaser Photo". Soompi. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
- ↑ "ASTRO are 'Breathless' in full MV!". Allkpop. June 30, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ↑ "ASTRO Earn 2nd Top 10 Entry on World Albums With 'Summer Vibes'". Billboard. July 13, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
- ↑ "DEAN, ASTRO Added to KCON USA Lineup". Billboard. May 20, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
- ↑ "KCON 2016". Staples Center. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
- ↑ "아스트로, 데뷔 5개월만에 단독콘서트 개최" (in Korean). July 20, 2016.
- ↑ "ASTRO to Meet International Fans at 1st Asia Concert Tour". Kpopmap. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
- ↑ "ASTRO to hold their first Asia showcase in Thailand!". Allkpop. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- ↑ "ASTRO Looks Lovingly Sweet In Teaser Images For "Autumn Story"". Soompi. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ↑ "Move over EXO and iKON, make room for ASTRO!". Allkpop. March 24, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
- ↑ "피엘스쿨웨어". Retrieved July 19, 2016.
- ↑ "Rookie group ASTRO chosen as the models for cosmetic brand 'LOVLUV'". Allkpop. April 18, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ↑ "Astro selected as the newest models for chicken mania". Allkpop. November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Member Profile of ASTRO: Bio, Fan Facts, History etc.". Miner8 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2016-10-29.
- ↑ "[HUM] JYP auditions 2012 finale #2 (Men's Main vocal Team)". YouTube. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
- ↑ "[INFO] 120206 Kim Myungjun - Won Scholarship from JYP Audition Contest". with-iteen. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
- ↑ ARIRANG K-POP (2016-07-28), Pops in Seoul _ ASTRO(아스트로) _ Jin Jin(진진) _ Profile, retrieved 2016-10-29
- ↑ "Profile & Facts | JinJin". with-astro.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
- ↑ "샤라샤라 Shara Shara - Timeline | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
- ↑ "Lee Dong-Min - AsianWiki". asianwiki.com. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
- ↑ "Profile & Facts | Cha Eunwoo". with-astro.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
- ↑ i-Teen 아이틴 (2015-03-27), [i-Teen PLAY] 서강준&이동민의 젓가락 행진곡, retrieved 2016-10-29
- 1 2 🎶. "ASTRO Profile". NowKPop. Retrieved 2016-12-04.
- 1 2 "ASTRO's Moonbin expresses admiration for TVXQ | allkpop.com". Retrieved 2016-10-21.
- ↑ Kei Sakurane (2015-01-31), [ DBSK vietsub ] Star King 14 04 07 Ep 13 Special Part 2, retrieved 2016-10-29
- ↑ "Profile & Facts | Moonbin". with-astro.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
- ↑ "K-celeb siblings: Unpretty Rapstar's Sua and ASTRO's Moon Bin". DramaFever News. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
- ↑ Macafra (2016-03-10), 아스트로 ASTRO's ROCKY 라키 in Korea's Got Talent 2011, retrieved 2016-10-29
- ↑ ARIRANG K-POP (2016-07-28), Pops in Seoul _ ASTRO(아스트로) _ Rocky(라키) _ Profile, retrieved 2016-10-29
- ↑ "[V LIVE] [REPLAY] ASTRO 'Summer Vibes' COUNTDOWN LIVE (아스트로 컴백 카운트다운 라이브)". Rocky choreographed "Fireworks", skip to 41:58 to see. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
- ↑ https://www.dramafever.com/news/meet-the-members-of-astro-the-new-idol-group-featured-in-to-be-continued/
- ↑ https://www.nowkpop.com/2016/01/20/astro-profile/
- ↑ "Profile & Facts | Sanha". with-astro.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
- ↑ ARIRANG K-POP (2016-07-28), Pops in Seoul _ ASTRO(아스트로) _ Yoon San-ha(윤산하) _ Profile, retrieved 2016-10-29
- ↑ Gaon Weekly Album Chart
- "Spring Up – 2016년 09주차 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
- "Summer Vibes – 2016년 27주차 Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
- ↑ "FIVE-MUSIC Korea-Japan Album Chart" (in Chinese). FIVE-MUSIC.
To access, select the indicated week and year in the bottom-left corner:- Spring Up (2016): "The 9th Week of 2016"
- Summer Vibes (2016): "The 27th Week of 2016"
- Autumn Story (2016): "The 46th Week of 2016"
- ↑ Billboard World Albums
- "Spring Up". Billboard Charts. March 12, 2016.
- "Summer Vibes". Billboard Charts. July 23, 2016.
- "Autumn Story". Billboard Charts. December 3, 2016.
- ↑ "Gaon Album Ranking Monthly (10/2016) – see #93". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
- ↑ "Gaon Album Ranking Monthly (9/2016) – see #13". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
- ↑ Billboard World Digital Songs
- "Breathless". Billboard Charts. July 23, 2016.
- ↑ ARIRANG (2016-03-09), After School Club(Ep.202) Astro(아스트로) _ Full Episode _ 030816, retrieved 2016-03-30
- ↑ "Astro's Cha Eun Woo ranks 2nd place on KBS2 quiz program! | allkpop.com". www.allkpop.com. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
- ↑ 피키예능촌 (2016-05-07), [팬심공략 E08] 신인그룹에게서 몇 년 숙련된 예능미가 보인다, retrieved 2016-05-23
- ↑ crystalcove. ""Show Me the Money 5" Participants to Include One, Members From ASTRO and Topp Dogg, and Many More". Soompi. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
- ↑ "홍석천·유리·정연 등 '정글' 뉴칼레도니아 12人 출연 확정[종합]". entertain.naver.com. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
- ↑ "온리은우 on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
- ↑ "Se7en, Cha Eun Woo, Cheng Xiao, Sleepy, and Kang Kyun Sung to guest on 'Happy Together' | allkpop.com". allkpop. Retrieved 2016-11-14.