The 10 Best K-Pop Boy Band/Girl Group Member Additions

[theemii.livejournal.com]

How do you feel when your favorite boy band or girl group adds a new member? The answer is not always straightforward. Sometimes new additions are an instant hit, and sometimes they can leave you wishing the group’s agency had never tinkered with a lineup that you thought was just right. But there have been some great new additions to some of K-pop’s best acts over the years. Join us as we look back at ten of the best so far.


1. Red Velvet – Yeri, 2015


Last year was not a great one for SM Entertainment acts. But for many fans, there was a silver lining in the form of its debuting girl group, Red Velvet. Conspiracy theorists will speculate that Red Velvet’s prolific output thus far is a smokescreen thrown up to hide troubles at the agency’s flagship groups. But for Red Velvet fans, the relative lack of activity from other groups has allowed this new group plenty of time in the limelight. After a decent enough debut with “Happiness” and a good sophomore track in “Be Natural,” the girls have now got their 2015 off to a bang. Not only is the mini album “Ice Cream Cake” a bagful of audio win (“Automatic” and “Somethin Kinda Crazy” in particular stand out), but the agency’s new-member gambit looks like it is going to pay off.

Yeri can not only sing, but she can dance, too, and adds another dimension to the group. I’ll admit that I am not really a fan of SM’s girl groups in general, but Red Velvet are coming dangerously close to convincing me otherwise.

2. U-KISS - Kiseop, 2010


The road has not always been easy for U-KISS, a group which has seen a whole slew of member changes in its relatively long history. The group has been rocked by departures – notably Alexander and Kibum in 2011, as well as Dongho in 2013. It has also welcomed in a fair few new arrivals (including AJ and Hoon in 2011, and the most recent addition, Jun, who joined the group last year). But for me, the pick of the bunch is Kiseop, who joined U-KISS in 2009. He proved to be a great dancer, with a lively personality to boot.

Kiseop fitted into the group effortlessly, with minimal fuss, and few U-KISS fans can now imagine the act without him.

3. KARA - Young Ji, 2014


I have a theory that when it comes to girl groups, less is more. And this group is Exhibit A in the matter. KARA had an absolutely horrible start to 2014 when two of the group’s most popular members, Jiyoung and Nicole, walked away from the group. What followed was little short of unbridled chaos. Angry fans protested the idea of adding a new member, and were at first horrified by the notion that one of the Baby KARA rookies might join the group.

And then Young Ji happened. Like a force of nature, she swept into the group, onto television screens, and has almost effortlessly become one of the most in-demand female idol stars out there. Bandmate Goo Hara has spoken about how Young Ji has injected “youth” into the act, but I say she has added more than that in terms of energy.

KARA as a four-piece is a tighter and more dynamic act. Going from a five- to a four-piece has galvanized the group in the same way as it did for Girl’s Day. If KARA sticks with a high-tempo dance concept (along the lines of “Mamma Mia”) for the girls’ next comeback, maximizing the youthful energy that the four-member KARA has already exhibited, 2015 could be a vintage year for the group’s fans.

4. Super Junior - Kyuhyun, 2006


You have to wonder if SM Entertainment was quite aware of the impact that adding an extra member to its then-fledgling boy band Super Junior would have in 2006. But then, this was not any old new member, this was Kyuhyun. Although his impact might not have been felt immediately (possibly due to the sheer size of Super Junior at the time, in an era of K-pop when boy bands with 10 or so members was almost unthinkable), Kyuhyun soon won the hearts of fans, and has gone on to become one of the act’s most recognizable stars, shining in songs such as this:

Kyuhyun may well claim that he was taken aback by the success of his recent solo debut, but most K-pop fans were not surprised one little bit.

5. The Nine Muses Revolving Door, Since 2010


It really is not easy being a Nine Muses fan. Remember the likes of Jaekyung, Rana, or Bini? If you are relatively new to the K-pop scene, then probably not, but they were once integral members of the group. In fact, out of the current eight members, only three are founders (Euaerin, Hyemi, and Minha, if you’re curious). Member departures are a common thing for this group, and if you are a MINE, it is probably for your own good if you do not develop an attachment to any one member.

Fortunately, recruitment is something of a forte for Star Empire Entertainment, the girls’ agency. In 2012, they drafted in Kyungri, an instant darling of magazine editors, who repeatedly call upon her to model in fashion photo shoots. Last year was an annus horribilis for the group, with all three of my own personal favorite members calling it a day when their contracts expired: rapper Eunji, the stunning Lee Sam, and the charismatic Sera, whom many felt was the glue (no pun intended) that held the group together.



With just six members left, it really looked like this was an act on the verge of a breakup. Somehow, though, Star Empire pulled off another minor recruitment miracle, drafting in Sojin (who had already proved her worth with the fabulously wicked Naughty Naughty project group) and rookie Keumjo.



The latter, in particular, is just as mesmerizing as any member Nine Muses have ever had.

6. F.Cuz – Daegun and Raehyun, 2012


When a four-piece loses one of its founding members, it is most certainly a big deal. F.Cuz’s agency decided to disregard my afore-mentioned less-is-more theory and replaced the departing LeeU with not one but two new stars – Daegun and Raehyun. The result was one of the group’s most energetic tracks to date, the fantastically addictive “No 1,” which came with a lush music video and replete with some nifty dance moves.

The winners? The fans, of course. LeeU supporters can still enjoy the star’s work with M.Pire, while the five-piece F.Cuz continues to sounds a lot more exiting.

7. After School – Raina and Nana, 2009


Today’s After School is an act quite literally unrecognizable from the group that debuted in 2009. Of the five members who founded the group, only (current) leader Jungah remains. My personal favorite lineup was the original five: Kahi, Jungah, Jooyeon, Soyoung and Bekah, and “Ah” is still one of the best female-vocal K-pop dance songs of all time.

But if there is one thing Pledis Entertainment, the girls’ agency, has unfailingly gotten right over the years, it has been recruitment. The first After School member change was the addition of Uee, scooped up after the dissolution of Five Girls (the best girl group that never was). Uee instantly rocketed to fame, becoming a favorite for advertising executives, appearing in commercials for everything from soju to sunglasses.



Over the years, more successful additions would come, including E-Young, Kaeun, and Lizzy, the latter in particular. But perhaps nothing in K-pop will ever eclipse the incredible foresight that in December 2009 saw the group add Nana, now a firm favorite of both Korean and Chinese TV producers, and Raina, one of the most talented idol group singers out there.

8. FTISLAND - Song Seung Hyun, 2009


The general rule of thumb for K-pop groups is: stay active. FTISLAND made quite a stir when they debuted in 2007 – there are relatively few acts who play their own instruments on the K-pop scene (with the notable exception of CNBLUE and FTISLAND’s labelmates AOA) – so FTISLAND made quite an impact with “Love Sick” and the “Cheerful Sensibility” debut album.

FNC then sent the group to Japan, and nothing was heard of them in Korea for some two years. Great news for Japanese fans, maybe, but a strategy that ran the risk of allowing Korean fans to forget about the group. When they finally came back in Korea in 2009, something had changed: namely, one of the guitarists. Out went Oh Won Bin, and in came a then-unknown rookie, Song Seung Hyun.

Now, as anyone who has ever been in a rock band will tell you, changing your guitarist is no small thing, especially as FTISLAND’s sound is so prominently guitar-led. But Song Seung Hyun (who, he claims, was once offered a contract by SM Entertainment) become a vital member of the group, and within the space of a year was already co-writing songs. And as the soaring guitar sounds on the pre-release track for the group’s latest effort go to show, recruiting Song Seung Hyun was nothing short of a masterstroke.

9. EXID – Solji and Hyerin, 2012


I recall being distinctly unimpressed when EXID released the debut track “Whoz That Girl.”

It wasn’t that the song – or the group, for that matter – was bad, per se. It was just that EXID was a bit too generic for my tastes. Another six-member girl group. If there was one thing the K-pop world did not particularly need in January 2012 was yet another six-member girl group – especially a fairly unremarkable one.

Not long after the debut, 50 percent of the group left. Instead of drafting three new members, however, the group added two: Hyerin and Solji. All of a sudden, generic was no longer an adjective that could be easily applied to this act. Visually they were a totally different proposition, and musically, the difference was astounding. Before the end of the year, the group had released “Every Night,” a radically different sound and look for the girls.

At one mature, sexy and a good vehicle for the girls’ voices, this was a statement of intent, a clear sign that things were about to take a turn for the better.

It took about two years for the girls to make their next move, but it resulted in “Up and Down,” a track that went on to dominate the charts for much of the latter part of 2014 and January of 2015. Don’t believe Solji, Hyerin and the rest have talent? Then watch this and prepare to eat your words.

No backing vocal track? No problem. If you happen to be EXID, that is.

10. SPEED ? and ?, 2015


Unlike girl groups, K-pop boy bands tend to be very conservative with member changes. That rule (which I just invented) goes straight out of the window in the case of SPEED, however. Almost from the outset, there have been member additions and departures, and this has become a trend that SPEED fans have had to learn to live with. The group has continued to tinker with lineups through the years, and keep up isn’t easy. Even though the group was rocked by the departure of Taewoon last year, we are currently at this stage:

..but all of that is set to change very soon.

Switching members around is a dangerous game in K-pop, where a single member alone can be the sole reason for a given fan to support a group. When an agency changes a member, for whatever reason, it represents a roll of the dice. A rookie who performs well at an audition or in a practice room does not always represent a hit with the group’s fans, who tend to be against any kind of change. Yet despite the fact that only four of the founding SPEED members remain, recruitment has been a strong suit.

However, I have a hunch that the group’s best is yet to come. MBK, the boys’ agency, has recently stated that the group went to the United States with two new members, and will work with Joombas, producers of music for the likes of Justin Bieber, Cher, Paul Oakenfold, SHINee, VIXX, and EXO ahead of a spring comeback. Expect fireworks.



You’ve read our list and now it’s time to have your say, Soompiers! Who do you think has been the best member addition to a girl group or boy band? Let us know in the comments below.

*The views expressed in this article solely reflect those of the author and do not represent Soompi as a whole.

Source: Soompi (1) (2)

Youtube: SMTOWN, Kpop Minuteone, KBS World TV, sment, fcuz0108, xCHELLy, FTISLAND (FT아일랜드) (1), ancient208, 1theK (원더케이), D ace, kt music

Comments

[hipployta.livejournal.com]

I was expecting Kyuhyun for number #1...and Hara for Kara makes more sense to me

Also I get the article was inspired by Yeri but she shouldn't be on the list...get it together Soompi

[bunica1990.livejournal.com]

Youngji forever #1

[gray-fairy.livejournal.com]

Yeri, Youngji and Kyuhyun were definitely really good addictions.

[kjc48.livejournal.com]

What has Yeri done, other than be pedo-bait?

[ironicmustache.livejournal.com]

what? has it even been 30 days since yeri debuted with them?? isn't it a little too early to tell? smh.

[hyori-ish.livejournal.com]

lmao mte. u_____u

[leopolitan.livejournal.com]

im a 46/48g fan so adding members has never bothered me, i usually love new members equally to the old ones. its leaving that kills me ;_;

that said keumjo and sojin are really boring and ive tried to like them but theyre so bland lmao

[rightclick5ave.livejournal.com]

I wasn't a fan of Sojin during Nasty Nasty, but she (and her voice) have grown on me soooo much during Drama promotions.. I love the interactions she and Keumjo have with the unnies, it's what made me start to love them ♥ Moon treats Keumjo like her child and it's so adorable... I hope you'll eventually see their charms some way or another!!

[kamoku-ayame.livejournal.com]

If this was 4 years ago the list would probably include yoobin, hara and jiyoung lol makes me feel old
I'm surprised yura and hyeri aren't listed

[921227.livejournal.com]

Same. Like Youngji is good for KARA but Hara and Jiyoung helped solidify them as a top girl group

[adenar.livejournal.com]

that exid video is adorable (solji <33333333333)

nine muses article not mentioning the original new member addition hyuna is a crime but tbf kyungri is probably the most recognisable member now so i can't complain. it's a shame star empire sucks at literally everything else other than picking members/finding songs.

they're pretty nugu so i'm not surprised they're not here but without jerry and her STUNNING voice i probably wouldn't be into tahiti, she's really changed & improved the group for me.

[kjc48.livejournal.com]

they're pretty nugu so i'm not surprised they're not here but without jerry and her STUNNING voice i probably wouldn't be into tahiti,
I mean speed is here, I'm pretty sure that makes Taihiti practically over qualified.

[lysblack.livejournal.com]

lol at them placing nana and raina a bovinos uee when they didn't have half of the impact she had.

and isn't it too early to even hank the red velvet girl? what did she bring to the group? i fail to see any difference.

[kjc48.livejournal.com]

and isn't it too early to even hank the red velvet girl?
Made the f(x) similarity more obvious.

[bloodtaki2.livejournal.com]

I don't have much to say about the others, but Kiseop didn't have much of an impact on anything with U-Kiss.

[lainmyownworld.livejournal.com]

at first no, but he has a lot more parts now! after he participated in a musical he got a lot more confidence

[gathyou.livejournal.com]

Lol I would have never put Yeri as #1, it's been a month only...
Same with Keumjo and Sojin, it hasn't been long enough. I feel that Keumjo is still a bit off (she's so damn cute! maybe too cute for Nine Muses lol) and Sojin is a good performer, but vocally, she doesn't add much. We'll see with the next comeback.

I would have put Kyuhyun as #1 (his solo was so successful), Kara as #2 (they have been through two changes and are still relevant, it's a miracle), After School as #3 (UEE, Nana, Raina and Lizzy are main moneymakers now and they're all additions, but Pledis still has to give a chance to E-Young and Kaeun). After them, FT Island, Girls Day, maybe EXID for the most recent act.

[rightclick5ave.livejournal.com]

I was super unimpressed by Sojin's vocals in Nasty Nasty but after looping the Drama mini I've upgraded her to second-fave voice in 9m orz (#1 Moon) her tone just really reminds me of Lim Kim... if only she wasn't a ghost whisperer like Minha she'd get more lines u_u it's so sad listening to Choice and hearing her get only the "no no no" lines lmao

Soompi needs to stop with these whack lists

[kjc48.livejournal.com]

Firstly, it's at least 3 months too soon to have Ye..the new maknae on this list and pretty insulting to even place her at the top.

Half of these groups have had at least 2 new members and are unofficially revolving door/graduation system groups. Exactly how did they chose which member had impact~ (because very few of these people did). Even Youngi, who was a great PR move for the group, wasn't the most impactful~ addition to Kara (obviously that was Hara). I'm actually pretty sure Youngi's fame now is pretty similar to Kara's last maknae pre-anti-aegyoo.

If they had just put Orange Caramel I could understand them saying Uee was less impactful, since OC is keeping AS (the group) relevant.

I pretty sure Speed only has 1 member still under MBK (?), so why are they even...I mean literally dozens of groups have had new members.

WHY IS T-ARA NOT HERE???? RUINING YOUR TOP STAR GROUP takes a lot more than what half these people have done.

[revertigo.livejournal.com]

solji's voice <3

[adlyeith.livejournal.com]

If this was based on when the members joined I could understand why Yeri is all the way up in the #1 spot, but if we're going off what the member has brought to the group/their talent, I personally think Kyuhyun should be first. She just joined what, like a month ago?

[sra-interesante.livejournal.com]

this list seems really subjective to me ...... putting the newest of them on top idk
i think we need at least some time to prove certain member is the one making the difference
otherwise you're not giving enough credit to the rest of the group

[torontok.livejournal.com]

IDK about best, but worst was probably that T-ara girl

[nekokonneko.livejournal.com]

the 14 year old?

[setsuna16.livejournal.com]

I'm not trying to shade Yeri, but putting her at the top of the list seems MORE than a bit premature...

[gee.livejournal.com]

Nobody F.cuz gets put on a list but I don't see my Dal*Shabet girls anywhere? Psh. Woohee fits the group perfectly, adding her made the group seem complete.

[rightclick5ave.livejournal.com]

;A; WOOHEE MY CUTE DIMPLED POCKET PET... so so so pumped for their comeback

[dot-rose.livejournal.com]

Yeri's addition didn't even do much to the group (it's far too early to determine her impact).
But so far, there isn't been anything to justify her. Performance wise, she's the weakest, and SM hasn't launched her into variety or anything.

Don''t know why F.cuz's addition is placed higher than Afterschool's addition. Afterschool's 2nd generation (Uee) and 3rd generation (Nana, Lizzy, Raina) are doing very well variety wise and acting wise (for Uee).

IMO: 1. Afterschool's addition - (to be able to get success from 2 generations of addition is impressive)
2. Kara's addition - I'm going to group both Hara, Youngji. Both attracted a lot of attention to the group and done a lot of nice outside promotions. I honestly thought Kara might have ended when Sunghee left.
3. Kyuhyun - he's only this low because it's one person as oppose to the several listed above. His voice = <3

[verinka1.livejournal.com]

I would kill to see original After School line up together once more doing Ah and Diva...

[mad-nux.livejournal.com]

kyuhyun's #1 for me he was my first kpop bias when he was just added

[miwa201.livejournal.com]

yeri is cute but she sucks live, seulgi is a better dancer and irene is the visual so i fail to see what she adds. i'm just a bit irked bc the age difference between her and irene is so big (or maybe it's because i can't fathom someone born in 1999 is almost an adult). but i actually prefer her to irene and wendy lol.

[megustaelmoney.livejournal.com]

unless yeri is some sort of variety queen she adds absolutely nothing to the group. idgi

[miuratenshi.livejournal.com]

Kyuhyun should be number one. And Hara and Jiyoung should be there for KARA. I'm glad to see that Seunghyun was including for FT.

And, as adorable as Yeri is, Red Velvet didn't really need her. They were pretty well balanced vocally and skills wise. Yeri is the weakest vocally and her voice sounds babyish.

[yukahoo.livejournal.com]

I think Yeri is cute as a button but to be completely frank if anything she brings the group average down. She'll probably get better with time but yeah, it's a bit premature. Kara ja After School seem to have had the best additions and T-ara the worst.

Kyuhyun, while a great member to any group, I don't think he was critical in their success. Suju would have done well with or without him. It's not until the more older/popular/important members started enlisting that his role and contribution has become more pronounced. So I don't really know if you can say he was a great addition per se, he's just a great individual talent.

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

I think it's way too early for Random Variable to be on any 'best of' list, much less this one. Yeri is fine but isn't everyone 30 days in? With Nine Muses covered I'd give my vote for best girl group addition to Yubin, which isn't a slight to HyunA but I'm not sure that she fits what the Wonder Girls became.