BabyMonster

BabyMonster (; stylized in all caps), also known as Baemon (), is a South Korean girl group formed and managed by YG Entertainment. The group consists of seven members: Ruka, Pharita, Asa, Ahyeon, Rami, Rora, and Chiquita. They debuted on November 27, 2023, with the single "Batter Up".

History

2018–2022: Formation and pre-debut activities

Following the launch of YG Entertainment's representative girl groups, 2NE1 (2009) and Blackpink (2016), news of their next girl group circulated as early as 2018. They received applicants from various countries, some of whom were accepted into its training program as early as age 10, training an average of four to five years. In the number of recruits, each prospective member placed first against thousands in their respective auditions. In January 2020, "BabyMonster", one of many names initially considered for Blackpink, and "Baemon" (a syllabic abbreviation of the former) were trademarked in English and Korean by the label and tentatively used by media outlets until the eventual disclosure of their official uses.

Its selection process was chronicled in ''Last Evaluation'' (2023), a reality show filmed in the previous year prior to its airing, showcasing seven potential members. Label founder, Yang Hyun-suk, enlisted assistance by Lee Su-hyun of AKMU, and Winner's Kang Seung-yoon and Lee Seung-hoon amidst others to judge, rank, and determine its formation for the duration of the show. Yang revealed the number of members he first planned was five; however, a seven-piece ensemble was finalized with three South Koreans (Ahyeon, Rami, Rora), two Japanese (Ruka, Asa), and two Thai members (Pharita, Chiquita). Ahyeon, Ruka, Chiquita, Rami, and Pharita were selected by the label, while Rora and Asa were contemplated to be placed into two different projects before ultimately joining the final line-up as the "fans' choice".

Most held prior experience in the entertainment industry ahead of their acceptance into YG Entertainment. Rami began as a child model at age two ahead of her audition in 2018; Ruka debuted in the Japanese girl group (2017) before she became the longest trained member of the seven; Rora joined the children's music group U.SSO Girl under the stage name U.ha with Hyein of NewJeans prior to her audition in May 2018; and Pharita modelled in contests and auditioned for survival reality programs until she was chosen out of 1,226 applicants amidst her audition in July 2020, becoming the sixth to be accepted. Asa and Ahyeon auditioned for the label in 2018 and December 2018, respectively. Chiquita became the final member to join BabyMonster, training for three months since her recruit in 2021, the shortest period of all members. During this time, the members' vocals were often recruited in the background of their senior labelmate's work, including in the final chorus of the lead single, "Iyah" (아이야; ''aiya'') by Kang Seung-yoon.

2023–present: Introduction and debut

YG Entertainment signaled the septet's formal introduction on December 30, 2022, with a poster and the subtext "YG Next Movement". It heralded a trailer-esque video posted on YouTube on New Year's Day that garnered 15 million views in three days, and featured appearances by members of Winner and Blackpink, sibling duo AKMU, dancer and choreographer Leejung Lee, and label founder Yang Hyun-suk. BabyMonster's introduction, together with the announcement of G-Dragon's feasible return as a soloist that same day, contributed to a subsequent rise in the label's stocks, leaping by 11.74%. The seven members were revealed to the public through gradual releases of live performance videos starting on January 12 (in order: Rami, Ahyeon, Chiquita, Asa, Rora, Pharita, and Ruka); and through the eventual pre-debut promotional single titled "Dream", released exclusively via YouTube on May 14, 2023, debuting atop the ''Billboard'' Hot Trending Songs chart. Their channel soon surpassed one million subscribers in 52 days since its creation on December 28, 2022, and two million subscribers in 129 days, becoming the fastest K-pop girl group to reach the milestone.

BabyMonster officially debuted as a six-piece with a single titled "Batter Up", on November 27, 2023. Notably, label-mates Lee Chan-hyuk of AKMU and Choi Hyun-suk of Treasure contributed in penning the piece, while its member Asa, worked on both its music and lyrics. Its music video amassed 22.59 million views within a day, and became the most viewed debut music video in the first 24 hours in K-pop history. Ahyeon was absent from the release due to health reasons, and was announced to have been excluded from the debut line-up on November 15. She remains in the ensemble, only to be excluded from activities until her recovery.

YG founder Yang Hyun-suk announced that BabyMonster will be releasing their second single titled "Stuck in the Middle" on February 1, 2024. He later announced in a follow-up video that Ahyeon, having fully recovered her health, had returned from her hiatus and would be joining the other members of BabyMonster to promote their activities as a seven-member group. A mini-album is also scheduled to be released on April 1, which will include re-recordings of "Batter Up" and "Stuck in the Middle" with all seven members, including Ahyeon, who will begin her group activities. BabyMonster's first full-length album is also tentatively scheduled to be released during the autumn of 2024.

Public image

Created with a "high-teen" image different from the label's prior female acts, the septet maintains the signature "charismatic" elements of YG Entertainment. BabyMonster was touted as an "all-rounder" group and its members labelled as "elites" by the public and media alike, wherein each excel in vocals, rap, and dance. The ensemble is also proficient in multiple languages, including Korean, English, Japanese, Thai, and Chinese.

In a survey conducted by entertainment business magazine ''JoyNews24'', two hundred industry workers from entertainment companies and broadcasters, film and broadcast content producers, and entertainment reporters ranked the tentative group ninth in the "Most Anticipated Artist of Late 2021 and 2022", tied with Ive amidst others.

Members

* Ruka ()
* Pharita ()
* Asa ()
* Ahyeon ()
* Rami ()
* Rora ()
* Chiquita ()

Timeline

Discography

Singles

Videography

Music videos

Filmography

* ''Last Evaluation'' (2023, YouTube)

Awards and nominations

References

External links

*

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K-pop music groups
Musical groups established in 2023
South Korean girl groups
Musical groups from Seoul
YG Entertainment artists
2023 establishments in South Korea