UKiss

 

 

 

 

Pre-debut

U-KISS first was formed as a six-member boy-group. Kim Ki Bum and Kevin Woo were former members of the boy band Xing. Kim Ki Bum left the group in early 2007 while Woo left the group four months before the debut of U-KISS.

2008: Debut and members

U-KISS debuted in Japan on August 15, 2008 at the Power of Atamix 08. The group released their first mini album, N-Generation, on September 3, 2008, with the main track, "Not Young". U-KISS later debuted in South Korea on August 28, 2008, with a performance of "Not Young" on Mnet's M! Countdown.

2009: New member and mini-albums

U-KISS released their second mini-album on February 11, 2009, titled Bring It Back 2 Old School with its title song, "I Like You".
U-KISS starred in the variety show, All About U-KISS, after their promotional cycle for "Bring It Back 2 Old School".
Kevin joined Arirang's radio show Pops in Seoul hosting the 'All About You' segment alongside co-host Isak N Jiyeon. Shortly after, Alexander joined Kevin in hosting the show. In April that same year, Eli also became an MC of MBC's show, Fusion.
Later that year, U-KISS release a third mini-album titled ContiUkiss on November 5, 2009. Lee Ki Seop, a new member, also joined the group during the promotion of this mini-album.
Ki Seop appeared in a variety show known as Uljjang Shidae 2 or Ulzzang Generation 2 (Pretty Boys and Girls Season 2). Fellow member Shin Soo Hyun also appeared on the show as a guest in an episode in support of Ki Seop.
Dong Ho has made many appearances on many variety shows, helping to promote U-KISS. Such shows include The Invincible Baseball Team and Idol Maknae Rebellion.
Kevin and Alexander's voices were featured in Brave Brother's music video that was released then, "Finally".
Eli and Ki Bum also starred in the Thai drama Autumn's Destiny. The drama was aired in Thailand only. As both Eli and Ki Bum cannot speak Thai, their voices were dubbed. The drama aired its premiere episode on January 16, 2010.^[1]

2010: First full-length album and other activities

On the January 18, 2010, U-KISS opened their official fan club, KissMe.
Before the release of the first full length album, a television station in South Korea, MBC, stated that U-KISS will star in a new variety show called ''U-KISS' Vampire''. It was premiered on January 22, 2010. For the filming of the show, the members moved in together into a dormitory. They stayed together in the dormitory for the whole duration of the filming of the show. In the show, they were sorted into groups according to their blood types.
The full length album, Only One, was released on February 3, 2010. The song "Without You", which is a track from the album, was first released on January 27, 2010
On April 15, 2010, U-KISS started promotions for their follow up song from their Only One album, titled "Mworago" (What).
They also starred in a show that finished airing its last episode on July 30, 2010, called Chef's Kiss. It is a reality-variety show in which the seven members were split into teams and they opened a real restaurant, which they named U-KISSteak House. Each week, they held cooking challenges among themselves to decide which team would be chosen to cook in the restaurant that week.^[2]

2010: U-KISS Promotional activities overseas

Premiere Entertainment Philippines Inc. (PEP) brought U-KISS to Manila for the very first time for a series of special mall shows from March 26–28. This was in line with the promotion of the band's full-length solo concert in the Philippines in June.
U-KISS later had a concert in Manila, Philippines on June 14, 2010, at the Araneta Coliseum.
On June 19, 2010, Geneses Dream Entertainment brought U-Kiss in Malaysia for a fan meeting which was held in Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
On August 2, 2010, U-KISS members Alexander and Kevin are nominated to host Arirang's M-Wave program in both Korean and English. ^[3]
U-KISS joined star Rain as guest in his Intensity concert in the Philippines at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds on September 11, 2010.
On November 19, 2010, as part of the Break Time album promotions, U-KISS went to Singapore to perform at The Kings of Freedom Concert held at Bedok Reservoir Park.
On November 30, 2010, U-Kiss went to Mongolia to perform for a special on Arirang's music programme, M Wave concert.^[4] It was held in Mongol Palace Ulaanbaatar. This concert was to celebrate the 20th Korea-Mongolia friendship anniversary of the two countries.

2010: Break Time and Japan debut

U-KISS released their fourth mini-album, Break Time, on October 4, 2010, in South Korea. It included five new songs and instrumental versions of two of the new songs in the album. The album contained a 50-page photograph book and a photo card of any of the seven members or one of the group. Three days after the release of the album, it topped the Hanteo charts. The teaser for the "Shut Up!!" music video was scheduled to be released afternoon of October 3, 2010. But it was later pushed back to be released on October 4, 2010.
U-KISS had their comeback performance of "Shut Up!!", their title track of the mini-album, on Mnet's M! Countdown on October 7, 2010. The full music video was released on October 7, 2010.
U-KISS became regular Wednesday special MCs on a variety show in Japan called Made in BS Japan broadcast by TV Tokyo for the Wednesday Korean entertainment segments. They hosted the show from October 6, 2010 until December 22, 2010.
On December 10, 2010, they released a Japanese full album called 'First Kiss' which is a compilation of all their songs from their debut album until their break time album. 'First Kiss' placed second on Oricon daily charts on the day of its release.

2011-present: 2011 activities

Members Dong Ho, Eli, and Ki Seop have been cast for MBC every1’s special new sitcom, titled 'Real School'. Real School is 40-episode long sitcom series, for which they will play three high school students who board at an ‘English Village’ in an attempt to crack their fear of speaking English. Its pilot episode aired on January 10, 2011. Dongho is acting in his first drama, "Royal Family." Dongho will act as ‘Jo Byung Joon.' ^[5] Dongho also has played in several films, including the 'Villain & Widow' and 'My Black Mini Dress'.
Kibum and Alexander's contract has been terminated. The new members will be Yeo Hoon Min and Kim Jae Seop, also known as AJ, the youngest member of Paran.
With the two new members, U-KISS will make a comeback in the end of march. They'll be singing a ballad this time.
U-Kiss has released an official statement revealing their comeback date. Their new album will be unveiled on the 30th, along with the two new members. ^[6]