#4YEARSWITHLADIESCODE: A History

[adenar.livejournal.com]

On March 7, 2013, newly formed girl group Ladies' Code simultaneously released their single, music video and first performance for their debut single, Bad Girl, and the accompanying mini-album, Code #01. Four of the members already had ties to the entertainment industry: Sojung previously competed on The Voice Korea; Rise, raised in Japan, was a former pageant competitor who went on to star on We Got Married with David Oh; Eunbi was related by marriage to an SBS news anchor; while Ashley, raised in America, had been scouted from her youtube dance covers and was known as a Cube trainee. Together with their maknae, Zuny, the group presented solid performances with a retro appeal. The song charted well and peaked at #34 on the Gaon Digital Chart.


The group promoted their debut song for six weeks. Four months and a bit of variety show promotion later, the group released 'Hate You' on August 6th as an unpromoted digital single, intended as a pre-release to their upcoming second album. It was an interesting release that, while it remained within the realm of Ladies' Code's sound, was still something of an experiment.

Their comeback had been delayed due to Zuny sustaining a leg injury during practise. Thankfully, the setback didn't prove disastrous to the group's building success. Code#2 was released on September 5th, 2013, and both Hate You and the mini album's lead single, Pretty Pretty, charted higher than their debut. Pretty Pretty presented addictive hooks and fun lyrics that boasted of the singers' confidence in their looks and popularity. That year they were nominated for multiple Best New Artist awards, mostly losing out to larger company debuts but managing to steal one for themselves at the Gaon K-Pop Chart Awards. Pretty Pretty became something of a signature song for them.

Their five-member formation, retro sound and funky dance moves often sparked comparisons to the Wonder Girls, with even former WG leader Sunye commenting during their Pretty Pretty era that Ladies Code reminded her of their 'Tell Me' and 'So Hot' days. The comparisons were never more strong than when Ladies' Code released So Wonderful in February 2014. With their matching outfits, microphone stand dance and brass band sound, the comparisons clearly worked, as So Wonderful charted even slightly higher than their previous comeback. The accompanying music video harkened back to the darker, spookier image they had shown with Hate You, presenting a haunting tale in which a lovelorn mannequin obsesses over her unaware creator and eventually comes to life in order to swap places with him and live life in the real world.

In the several-month hiatus that followed, Ladies' Code released a catchy OST for Grandpas Over Flowers, as well as continued to make TV appearances. At this point the Ladies' Code package was becoming standardised: funky retro sound; Ashley and Sojung on the chorus, Rise and Zuny on verse and Eunbi multitasking wherever she was needed; elegant yet youthful styling; catchy, easy to follow dance moves; and solid live performances. Unfortunately their popularity would take a slight dip for their next single, Kiss Kiss, released on August 6th, frequently criticised as a lower-energy copy of their signature hit, Pretty Pretty, but nonetheless a fun song with all the hallmarks of a quality Ladies' Code release. Though their chart performance dropped, a top 50 hit is still nothing to sniff at.

On September 1st, Ashley teased that the group was already working on their next release. On September 3rd, they filmed their final performance for Kiss Kiss promotions, but were involved in a major car accident on their way home. The car accident, and the deaths of members Rise and Eunbi, were well-publicised in both South Korean and international news. In the wake of the accident, the group would go on to achieve major chart success with album track I'm Fine Thank You, which fans urged the public to help send to the top of the charts to achieve Eunbi's dream of a number 1 hit. A few weeks after the crash, when the condition of the surviving members had been stabilised and all funeral arrangements had been fulfilled, Polaris Entertainment released a music video for the song consisting of BTS video of the group with a focus on Rise and Eunbi, to thank fans and the public for the outpouring of love and support.

A long hiatus followed, allowing Ashley, Sojung and Zuny time to recover from their physical injuries, and also to allow all involved to think over what the future of Ladies' Code would be. In November 2014, the driver of the crashed vehicle - Ladies' Code's manager - was arrested under the charge of causing a fatal traffic accident. Sporadic, nonspecific updates would occasionally come from Polaris Entertainment to reassure fans that the three members were continuing to recover. On August 22, 2015, the members performed at their first public appearance; a memorial concert, in which they unveiled their new song, 'I'll Smile Even If It Hurts', a song which Sojung was reportedly involved in the creaton of.

A year after the accident, Polaris released a multi-artist cover of 'I'm Fine Thank You', featuring Sojung, the proceeds of which were donated to charity. 'I'll Smile Even If It Hurts' was officially released on September 7th, the singles together marking the days in which Eunbi and Rise passed. On January 23rd2016, it was revealed that Ladies' Code was preparing for a comeback, and on February 15th, started releasing teasers for the comeback, titled 'Galaxy'. The music video and 'Myst3ry EP' were released on the 24th, peaking at 36 on the Gaon chart. 'Galaxy' presented a more mysterious, elegant Ladies' Code, with stronger vocals and a more experimental sound. Both 'My Flower' and 'Chaconne' from the EP also charted on the US Billboard World Chart.

Ladies' Code limited their variety show appearances - Sojung appeared on King of Mask Singer prior to their first comeback as three, and then joined Girl Spirit, two programmes that focused on vocal skill over jokes. Promotions also didn't last long, so as not to push the members in their first public appearances since the accident. In the hiatus that followed Polaris released the 'Myst3r:Re' EP, consisting of an acoustic remix of each of the songs from the 'Myst3ry' release. Ladies' Code ultimately returned on October 13th with the 'Strang3r' EP and their lead single, 'The Rain', a single which had a stronger, funkier feeling but nonetheless kept in to the same feel of 'Galaxy'.

The Rain didn't chart as well as any of their previous singles, which was unfortunate but somewhat to be expected after several long hiatuses and very little outside promotion, but in the meantime Polaris have started to have Ladies' Code reappear in entertainment in ways other than their music promotions. Sojung continues to appear on music programmes, such as Singing Battle; Ashley hosts StyleCast with former U-Kiss member Alexander Eusebio; the group now perform at events (and older songs are getting easier to perform), appeared on Immortal Songs and most recently collaborated with band The Second Moon on JTBC's Sing For You to release a folk-influenced single, 'Sometimes' for the show. Fans now wait patiently for the final part of the Myst3ry/Strang3r trilogy.

There are subbed videos at their fancafe but no one seems to have reuploaded them :((((((((((( the girls also spent the day at Lotte amusement park, and posted a few v lives, which remain unsubbed. but fans have been busy:

Happy #4YearsWithLadiesCode from Super5Ladies and Lavelys! pic.twitter.com/yXi9ClEgHz

— LADIES' CODE INTL (@super5ladies) March 6, 2017

surprise, lavelys! my official concept + experience of #4YearsWithLadiesCode cake design! thanks to @super5ladies for letting me design! 🎂💕 pic.twitter.com/nSFXzPnI94

— josie 조시 (@honeyujung) March 6, 2017

{Project} #4YearsWithLadiesCode #LADIESCODE #레이디스코드
Donate for a good cause in the name of Ladies’ Code!
More info: https://t.co/zwJSMS4Lby pic.twitter.com/zi01e7hvy4

— 《 FY! LC 》 (@fy_lacode) January 5, 2017

CJENMMUSIC OFFICIAL, LADIES CODE (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7), Ladies' Code WORLD, DanalEntertainment, super5ladies, honeyujung, fyeahlacode, gif @ esojungs



when did you get into ladies' code omona? which is your favourite era? are you ready to put your money where your mouth is for their next release since the rain did abysmally? what's your favourite cover from them? your favourite performance? spam me!

Comments

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

I couldn't bring myself to make a post T_T
This is beautiful

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

I got into them with their debut teasers and my favorite era is Pretty Pretty although Hate you is visually amazing

[adenar.livejournal.com]

I was struggling because there are so few subbers in the fandom now! I wanted to post their cute Lotte adventures. So I thought what might be best is more of an intro/story post because I think a lot of people still see them as 'that group who had the accident', I think even fans do it sometimes, and they're so much more than that.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

I like the direction they took after.
I like that they found their own sound and stick to it no matter what the charts says
They're talented and beautiful and forever my little babies

[adenar.livejournal.com]

Yes! All of these things. Except I can't really call them my babies except for Zuny, who is my gorgeous handsome baby and I am very proud of her.

[gathyou.livejournal.com]

*offers hugs*

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

thank you

[gathyou.livejournal.com]

I got into them when they released Hate You, though I knew them since debut and enjoyed their first mini. Goddamn Hate You is still a masterpiece, one of my favourite kpop song and MV. And quickly followed by Pretty Pretty... It was impossible not to love them!
I still can't watch the MV for I'm Fine Thank You :( Rise and Eunbi were my biases. It's a tragedy.
Their revamped sound is one of my favourite in kpop ever, it was already difficult to top their previous releases since they were all brillant but they nailed it. I'm sad that The Rain hasn't charted higher, they deserve more, hopefully the third act will have more success! I really can't wait.
They're the only group I'm willing to preorder from, I know they'll deliver and I really want to support!
Thanks for this post OP :) I think I'll come back to post videos once I leave work (typing this on my mid-day pause lmao). I'm surprised there isn't the live video of Dada La, I replayed it a lot!

[adenar.livejournal.com]

I tried to just keep to singles or this post would be TOO LONG haha. But that is such a good performance, and from right at their debut too! Post it when you get back! :D

[a-suitcase.livejournal.com]

The Rain is such an amazing song. I only got into Ladies' Code when someone here in Omona told me to listen to them. They're so talented and really incredible women to be able to still make music and perform after all that happened. I hope they'll continue blessing our ears for a long, long time.

[adenar.livejournal.com]

I really love this duet version of I'm Fine Thank You from Rise and Sojung, Rise had such a gorgeous, smooth voice - such a compliment to the richer tones in the group;

Also I love this video and the famous air ping pong game:

[yoonjeonghan.livejournal.com]

ugh yessss i love that first video. that was one of the first videos i watched after the accident and man... the tears that came

[yoonjeonghan.livejournal.com]

i had a bunch of their songs downloaded back when i was downloading every girl group discog out there but unfortunately i really didn't know much about them until the accident :/ which i really regret. but i don't regret following their progress after the incident and feeling a sad happiness when they came back to so much love and support.

my fave performance isn't a group performance but i love sojung's performances at masked singer. she did so well.

edit: i just watched that fancam of pretty pretty, and i'm glad that zuny seems more comfortable performing their older songs now. she always seemed a little bit not-ok with it (or at least that's how it felt to me) but her smile was so bright in the one that was linked.

[mamamoos.livejournal.com]

nice work, op! i got into k-pop right around ladies' code's debut, and back then i watched a lot of those big mashups on youtube to familarize myself with everyone. i used to go through every artist and song listed and check out everything lol, and i remember thinking, oh, these guys probably aren't that good bc i've never heard of them - obviously, i know now that was because they just debuted. i remember that, because then i went to check out bad girl, and was blown away. i fell in love immediately. dipped out of things a bit until pretty pretty then caught up and loved hate you and that dearly - i remember the lives for pretty pretty were so great. i suppose i already kind of considered myself a fan, and then so wonderful came out, and it's still one of my favourite and most played k-pop songs of all time.

i never watched any lc variety so i suppose i lack that personal connection, but musically and on stage, they've always been one of my absolute favourites. by kiss kiss, i loved them enough to follow each teaser - this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k31xPszBF4A) is my favourite performance of theirs, if it counts.

i preordered myst3ry to support the girls, i figured it would be a given that they'd top charts after what happened and i'm sad they didn't because the song deserved to anyway. i remember nearly crying listening to the preview - my flower in particular is such an incredible song. it was an amazing comeback. i loved the rain too, and will continue to support them as best i can! they're one of the only groups i trust never to disappoint me musically.

i've thought about rise and eunbi a lot since their passing, and still do. thanks for sharing that pretty pretty fancam, it made me really happy if a bit teary, i'm glad they didn't change the lyrics, and assume with polaris' attitude since the accident that they wouldn't be performing it if they didn't want to, even if it's still hard. i remember there was a fan project collecting letters for the girls to send in a book after the accident and i wrote one, i wonder if it ever reached them. i didn't expect them to return to the industry so soon if ever, but i hope it's helping them heal. they always have and always will be such a special group

[mamamoos.livejournal.com]

oh and how could i forget to say dada la really is one of the best k-pop songs of all time, like in my top five, titles and b-sides included

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

Beautiful post OP

They and BTS are the only groups I've been with since their beginning and I just adore them so so much. I just want them to be successful and happy ;___;

Favorite era was Pretty Pretty but Kiss Kiss was a really fun comeback and blessings to the choreographer for making 5 member formation transitions that weren't just walking to the back. I'll always wonder what the last now shelved album featuring all 5 of them would've sounded like since the last day for Kiss Kiss they had that video teasing a full album & making preparations for choosing a title and shooting the MV.

I just feel very protective over them and am glad that the 3 of them continue to be close and we're given space to heal a bit. EunB & RiSe would be so proud of them ♥

[mjspice.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this OP. "Hate You" is still on my playlist but I really need to add their other songs too.

[dior-chic.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting this!!!!!

Ladies Code will forever be no.1 in my heart, they left a strong first impression with their debut and I've been forever loyal. Losing EunB and RiSe has been very difficult (I remember being in disbelief and then crying when the news set in) but I'm incredibly grateful that Ashley, Sojung, and Zuny are still performing. I'm also very happy they're continuing as a trio, I'd be gutted if they replaced the two girls.

[flywithsica.livejournal.com]

I got into them around Pretty Pretty era and as for choosing favourite song/era I honestly can't I love them all the only one I don't like as much is So Wonderful. I get people asking me why I still say RiSe is my bias when she's no longer with us and my answer to that is if the accident hadn't happened I'm confident that both her and EunB would still be active members so I have absolutely no reason to choose someone else and I love Sojung, Ashley and Zuny equally choosing a bias out of them would be way too difficult. I hope they get more and more success with each comeback. I just wish the albums they released prior to the accident weren't so hard for me to find because I would love to get all their albums

[rosiemotleymind.livejournal.com]

This is a great post!
I got into them around their Hate You era but I didn't keep up with them. I fell in love with Sojung's voice and EunB's lovely face though. I watched the episode of running man with Rise and fell in love with her too. Still so tragic about losing Rise and EunB but it's such a blessing to see the other girls smile and be happy. Every time I watch their VLives you can see how much they love each other. I'm going to have to listen to them all day today. I don't thin I'm ready to listen to I'm Fine Thank You just yet though. It still makes me cry.

[mattemate.livejournal.com]

ahhh what a nice post! ;_; i didn't get into ladies' code until pretty pretty and i remember being literally obsessed with the song to the point where it was pretty much the only thing i listened to for like 2 months lol. and then i checked out their previous stuff and really liked hate you. as much as i loved their music before, i loveee their newer more mature sound too. i remember listening to galaxy for the first time and my mouth literally dropping because i thought it was so good. it's just such a dreamy sounding song! i'm super excited for their next mini considering how much i loved the rain and galaxy.

[broadcities.livejournal.com]

thank you for this post op! although i only got into them during galaxy, i really appreciate their older discography too. their history as a group is so tragic and they deserve every success in the world.

[supersunshiner.livejournal.com]

i got into ladies' code right when i heard of their debut, sojung's voice was so smooth and husky and rich yet so powerful that she immediately caught my attention and risae was just so gorgeous with her chubby cheeks that i had to stan her in that moment. hate you was one of my ultimate favorite songs by them and one of the my all time kpop faves, i even took the time to learn the actual pronounciation for the entire song just to sing it around the house .. they were truly one of my favorite girl groups because they're so close .. you could tell from when sojung used to tell her story about her ED and rise cried because she wanted her to be healthy .. that's true friendship

it broke my heart when risae and eunbi passed .. i honestly cannot explain the feelings i had. the night before their tragedy i had watched a video of all the girls playing games with each other and i thought "wow they're so close, their friendship is amazing" and then it happened and i was so confused and worried and sad ... yeah its silly to feel so attatched to an idol you've never met/talked to/seen but it was the fact that the girls were more than just idols that passed tragically .. they were people's inspirations and silent friends, eunbi would walk down the street holding her fans hands and talking with them like long lost relatives. they mattered so much even though they were not extremely popular, they still mattered to me and to everyone that was a fan of them, and to see the girls still going strong even after sojung barely made it out of the hospital herself and they had to suffer through the emotions and injuries they had at rise and eunb's funerals .. they held onto the dream they had as 5 and made it into a reality, it could have been so easy for them to give up and just go back to their regular lives. they haven't won #1 but i dont think that matters to them: they haven't given up and they have each other and their fans, with risae and eunbi looking after them, and they'll only grow and improve and make more amazing music together and im happy that they were all able to continue their dreams

i love ladies' code thank u op for this post ❤️💕

[adenar.livejournal.com]

thank u for this reply :) <3

[supersunshiner.livejournal.com]

😇❤️

[existingisfunny.livejournal.com]

I got into kpop in the beginning of 2013 and would dl anything I could find so I remember the Bad Girl mini being on my iPod and playing Dada La which stood out for its jazz theatrics, immediately drawing me into Sojung's vocals but I wasn't yet into the actual idol stanning side. I remember seeing gifs of the Pretty Pretty era and liking their performance outfits, not to mention that's one of my favorite gg songs of all time! Too good! I can't remember what time Hate You came out but it to me it sounded very 2ne1 and I know if they had put it out, it would've gotten the attention it deserved. After Rise and Eunbi's passing, I went back and watched videos of them like Rise's Running Man ep (and was touched by Jaesuk's care in making Rise comfortable). I was so glad when Rise and Eunbi had that memorial video at the one award show which escapes my mind and think LC's current era is one of the most interesting current eras in the whole industry.

[10135.livejournal.com]

I've followed them since their debut. It was one of my favorite songs back in the day. When EunB and Rise passed, I was heartbroken. I saw how heartbroken they were, and now I see how they are now. They are recovering well, and living their lives. Their music releases have been great too, and they seem to have great managers and a great support system. I stayed up last night to see them play at Lotte World on VLive and they looked so amazing, especially Sojung. They are so happy, and beautiful, and I'm proud to cal myself a fan.

[molly-hime.livejournal.com]

Their new songs haven't really been my style but I'm always wishing them the best. They deserve so much good.

[lazmy.livejournal.com]

op you did a great job with this post
bad girl was/is my favorite gg debut ever. i thought ashley would be my fav member bc i loved her yt channel but when i heard sojung sing it was a wrap

i do hope for them to return to the spot they had prior to their accident but they seem alright with each other's company regardless of where they chart.

admittedly i did get really teary when they performed old songs recently

[jinkiestabi.livejournal.com]

I didn't know much about them, aside from Ashley via Changsub, but their first comeback with Galaxy caught my attention. This is a great introduction post as well as a post of remembrance. Thanks, OP!

I came across an episode of Running Man with RiSe and I wasn't expecting it. She shined brightly in that episode, I fell in love with her. And then it hit me that she was gone. Life suck. Life is simply unfair, but these women have picked themselves up from that and are working on bettering themselves as individuals and as artists.

I hope their anniversary was filled with sweet memories of the past and optimism for their future. :)

[keytfelt.livejournal.com]

This is a fantastic post, OP. I saw the "Hate You" MV at a Korean restaurant and decided to check out their albums and loved them, but didn't know too much about the members themselves before the accident. I have no idea how, but my dad had even heard about it and asked me a few months later when I was home for Christmas if I knew the group. It still stings a bit when their older songs come up on shuffle, but I'm happy they're releasing music again and seem to be doing well.

Favorite songs: Super Girl, Hate You and Galaxy

[minho-lover.livejournal.com]

i remember watching their teasers for bad girl and thought they were gonna be great! and i was right ;; love all their promo songs, sorta got out of the loop during their pretty pretty promos tho but then when i heard about the accident i was in complete shock and so heartbroken for them. but im happy to see them still continuing to perform and release stuff <3
my fave era was def "so wonderful" loved everything about it!! I AM READY FOR THEIR COMEBACK DEF GONNA BE MORE SUPPPORTIVE! galaxy and rain are such jams, def hoping they get more and more success!

[lycorisc.livejournal.com]

they're precious girls, all of them. will forever support their projects

[goshipgurl.livejournal.com]

thank you OP, now rise's part of "pretty pretty" is stuck in my head.