U-KISS (Korean: 유키스 debuted as a seven-member South Korean boy band formed by NH Media in 2008. The members include Shin Soohyun, Elison Kim (also known as Eli), Kevin Woo, Shin Dong Ho, Lee Kiseop, Hoon and AJ ( both joined the group in 2011 ). U-KISS stands for Ubiquitous Korean International (Idol) Super Star. They debuted in Japan on August 15, 2008 and in South Korea on August 28, 2008. Later in late 2009, six-member U-KISS was turned into seven-member U-KISS with the addition of Lee Kiseop. When members Alexander Lee Eusebio and Kim Kibum left in early 2011, they were replaced by Hoon and AJ.
The group has released one full-length album, five mini albums and various singles. Their first full length album, Only One, was released on February 3, 2010.
The members of the group have had various activities as solo entertainers, such as acting in dramas, movies, sitcoms, and musicals and hosting various reality-variety shows and music shows.
Pre-debut
U-KISS first was formed as a six-member boy-group. Kim Ki Bum ( former member ) and Kevin Woo were former members of the boy band Xing. Kim Ki Bum left the group in early 2007 while Kevin 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 (former member) 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.
The voies of Kevin and Alexander(former member)were featured in Brave Brother's music video "Finally".
Eli and Ki Bum (former member)also starred in the Thai drama Autumn's Destiny. The drama was aired in Thailand only. As both Eli and Ki Bum (former member) could not 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 their first full length album, television station MBC stated that U-KISS would star in a new variety show called ''U-KISS' Vampire''. It premiered on January 22, 2010. The members moved into a dormitory that they stayed during the whole duration of filming. They were sorted into groups according to their blood types. Ki Bum (former member), Alexander (former member), Eli, and Kevin were grouped as Blood Type O. Soo Hyun and Ki Seop were grouped as Blood Type A. Dong Ho, the maknae (youngest member) was the only Blood Type B (with the exception of his manager).
Their full length album, Only One, was released on February 3, 2010. The song "Without You", the title track, was first released on January 27, 2010 as a digital single.
On April 15, 2010, U-KISS started promotions for their follow up song from their Only One album, titled "Mworago" (What).
U-KISS also starred in a reality-variety show called Chef's Kiss, opening a real restaurant which they named U-KISSteak House. The seven members were split into teams and each week, cooking challenges were held among themselves to decide which team would be chosen to cook in the restaurant that week.[2] Chef's Kiss aired its last episode on July 30, 2010.
2010: U-KISS promotional activities overseas
Premiere Entertainment Philippines Inc. (PEP) brought U-KISS to Manila 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 during June.
U-KISS later held 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 held in Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
On August 2, 2010, U-KISS members Alexander(former member) and Kevin are nominated to host Arirang's M-Wave program in both Korean and English. [3]
U-KISS joined world star Rain as guests 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 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 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 for the two countries.
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'.
U-Kiss is planning for a U.S. debut sometime next year.
Kibum and Alexander's contracts have been terminated and have left the band as of the 23rd of February 2011 . They were both kicked out because NH Media claimed they were "lacking" in areas. The new members are Yeo Hoon Min and Kim Jae Seop, also known as AJ, the youngest member of Paran.
With the two new members, U-KISS made their comeback on March 30th with their title track, 0330, a sad hip-hop song.
2011: U-KISS First Kiss Tour in Manila DVD
Last June 2010, U-KISS held their first major concert at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila, Philippines. The said event was taped and to be released on April 2, 2011 as the U-KISS First Kiss Tour in Manila DVD on three selected malls in the Philippines.[6] The DVD is under Universal Records (Philippines) and is also for release in South Korea and Japan on June marking it's first anniversary special.
debuted as a seven-member South Korean boy band formed by NH Media in 2008. The members include Shin Soohyun, Elison Kim (also known as Eli), Kevin Woo, Shin Dong Ho, Lee Kiseop, Hoon and AJ ( both joined the group in 2011 ). U-KISS stands for Ubiquitous Korean International (Idol) Super Star. They debuted in Japan on August 15, 2008 and in South Korea on August 28, 2008. Later in late 2009, six-member U-KISS was turned into seven-member U-KISS with the addition of Lee Kiseop. When members Alexander Lee Eusebio and Kim Kibum left in early 2011, they were replaced by Hoon and AJ.
