Fromis 9 (; stylized as fromis_9) is a South Korean
girl group
A girl group is a music act featuring several female singers who generally harmonize together. The term "girl group" is also used in a narrower sense in the United States to denote the wave of American female pop music singing groups, many of who ...
formed by
CJ E&M
CJ E&M (Hangul: 씨제이이앤엠, an initialism for CJ Entertainment & Media) is a South Korean entertainment and mass media company created by CJ Group in 2011. As of July 2018, CJ E&M is a division of CJ ENM.
History
CJ E&M was established a ...
through the 2017 reality show ''
Idol School''. The group is composed of eight members: Roh Ji-sun, Song Ha-young, Lee Sae-rom, Lee Chae-young, Lee Na-gyung, Park Ji-won, Lee Seo-yeon and Baek Ji-heon.
Originally a nine-piece group,
Jang Gyu-ri
Jang Gyu-ri (, born December 27, 1997) is a South Korean singer and actress. She finished ninth in Mnet's girl group survival show '' Idol School'', becoming a member of the resulting girl group Fromis 9. Jang gained more recognition after st ...
departed the group on July 31, 2022.
The group debuted on January 24, 2018, under
Stone Music Entertainment
Stone Music Entertainment (Hangul: 스톤 뮤직 엔터테인먼트), is a South Korean music distribution company under CJ ENM, along with music streaming store Genie Music. It was one of the largest co-publisher companies in South Korea.
The ...
with the release of their first
extended play
An extended play record, usually referred to as an EP, is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single but fewer than an album or LP record. (EP), ''
To. Heart
''To. Heart'' is the debut extended play of the South Korean girl group Fromis 9. The mini-album was released on January 24, 2018 by Stone Music. The physical version of the EP is available in two versions: "Green" and "Blue". Both of them consis ...
''.
In September 2018, it was confirmed that Fromis 9 would be managed by Off the Record Entertainment, a new label established by Stone Music.
As part of their transfer, Pledis Entertainment was in charge of creative direction and the production of the group's music.
The group was co-managed by Off the Record and Stone Music. As of August 16, 2021, as part of the label reorganization of Off the Record Entertainment,
Pledis Entertainment
Pledis Entertainment () is a South Korean entertainment company founded by Han Sung-Soo in 2007. The label is home to actress Nana, Hwang Min-hyun, Baekho, and K-pop groups Seventeen and Fromis 9. Its name originates from the pleiades, a star cl ...
will serve as the management company for the group.
Name
The group's name Fromis_ was suggested by
netizens
The term netizen is a portmanteau of the English words ''internet'' and '' citizen'', as in a "citizen of the net" or "net citizen". It describes a person actively involved in online communities or the Internet in general. through the official ''Idol School'' website and chosen by
CJ E&M
CJ E&M (Hangul: 씨제이이앤엠, an initialism for CJ Entertainment & Media) is a South Korean entertainment and mass media company created by CJ Group in 2011. As of July 2018, CJ E&M is a division of CJ ENM.
History
CJ E&M was established a ...
, with described as "From Idol School" and "Promise" in Korean pronunciation, also means "to keep their promise
o viewers
O, or o, is the fifteenth Letter (alphabet), letter and the fourth vowel letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the English alphabet, modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in ...
to be the best girl group". Through the announcement of their SNS accounts by their agency, the group decided to add 9 in their name to be fromis_9.
History
Pre-debut: Formation through ''Idol School'' and "Glass Shoes"
In March 2017, it was announced that
Mnet
M-Net (an abbreviation of Electronic Media Network) is a South African pay television channel established by Naspers in 1986. The channel broadcasts both local and international programming, including general entertainment, children's series, ...
, the same channel responsible for several notable survival shows including ''
Sixteen'' and ''
Produce 101
''Produce 101'' is a reality television talent competition franchise created by South Korean entertainment conglomerate CJ E&M, based around the formation of a K-pop girl group or boy group. The format is noted for having no panel of judges, empl ...
'', would be launching a new reality survival show titled ''
Idol School'' to form a new girl group. The show premiered on July 13 and ended on September 29, 2017, with Roh Ji-sun, Song Ha-young, Lee Sae-rom, Lee Chae-young, Lee Na-gyung, Park Ji-won, Lee Seo-yeon, Baek Ji-heon and
Jang Gyu-ri
Jang Gyu-ri (, born December 27, 1997) is a South Korean singer and actress. She finished ninth in Mnet's girl group survival show '' Idol School'', becoming a member of the resulting girl group Fromis 9. Jang gained more recognition after st ...
as the nine members of Fromis. The final line-up was solely decided through live and online votes of viewers.
Pledis Entertainment
Pledis Entertainment () is a South Korean entertainment company founded by Han Sung-Soo in 2007. The label is home to actress Nana, Hwang Min-hyun, Baekho, and K-pop groups Seventeen and Fromis 9. Its name originates from the pleiades, a star cl ...
, led by CEO Han Sung-soo, managed the group's training and debut.
Fromis premiered its own reality program on October 19 titled ''Fromis' Room'' about continuing the path to debut. It followed the format of a simulcast, where it combined pre-recorded materials and replays of
Facebook Live
Facebook is a social-network service website launched on February 4, 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg. The following is a list of software and technology features that can be found on the Facebook website and mobile app and are available to users of t ...
broadcasts in their dorm. The group's name was later changed to Fromis 9 following the final episode of ''Fromis' Room'' on November 23, with the "9" meaning the nine students who graduated from ''Idol School''.
On November 29, Fromis 9 performed their pre-debut single titled "Glass Shoes" at the
2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards in Japan. The song was released as a digital single the following day. They also performed the song on the December 15 episode of
''Music Bank'', marking the group's first-ever appearance in a
music program.
2018: Debut with ''To. Heart'', ''To. Day'', and ''From.9''
On January 8, 2018, it was announced that Fromis 9 would officially debut with their first
extended play
An extended play record, usually referred to as an EP, is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single but fewer than an album or LP record. (EP) titled ''
To. Heart
''To. Heart'' is the debut extended play of the South Korean girl group Fromis 9. The mini-album was released on January 24, 2018 by Stone Music. The physical version of the EP is available in two versions: "Green" and "Blue". Both of them consis ...
''. The EP, along with its lead single, "To Heart", was released on January 24.
The EP debuted at number 4 on the
Gaon Album Chart
The Circle Album Chart, previously known as the Gaon Album Chart, is a record chart ranking the 100 most popular albums, extended plays and single albums in South Korea based on their Record sales, pure sales. It is a part of the Circle Chart, pr ...
issued on January 27, 2018.
On May 10, it was confirmed that Jang Gyu-ri had entered as a contestant in ''
Produce 48
''Produce 48'' () was the third season of the South Korean reality competition series ''Produce 101''. It was a large-scale project in which the public "produces" a girl group by voting for members out of a pool of 96 contestants from South Kor ...
''. Fromis 9 continued as an eight-member group and released their second EP, ''
To. Day
''To. Day'' is the second Extended play, EP of South Korean girl group Fromis 9. The EP was released on June 5, 2018 by Stone Music Entertainment, Stone Music. The physical version of the EP is available in two versions: "D-1" and "D-Day". Both of ...
'', on June 5, without Jang due to her participation in the show. Fromis 9 went back to being a nine-member group after Jang Gyu-ri was eliminated in the 3rd elimination as she ranked at 25th place.
Starting from September 21, Fromis 9 would be managed under Off The Record Entertainment, a new agency exclusively established for Fromis 9 and South Korean-Japanese girl group,
Iz*One
Iz*One ( ; ko, 아이즈원, Aijeuwon; ja, アイズワン, Aizuwan; stylized as IZ*ONE) was a South Korean–Japanese girl group formed through the Mnet reality competition show ''Produce 48''. The group was composed of twelve members: Jang ...
.
The group released a special single album titled ''
From.9
''From.9'' is the first special single album of the South Korean girl group, Fromis 9. The single album was released on October 10, 2018 by Off the Record Entertainment and distributed by Stone Music and Genie Music. The album's lead single is "L ...
'' on October 10 with the title song, “Love Bomb”. It was the first comeback with all the 9 members after the return of Jang Gyu-ri.
On October 15, Fromis 9 made their acting debut in a web series, ''Welcome to Heal Inn,'' on their official
VLive
V Live (stylized as VLIVE), sometimes referred to as V App, is a South Korean Livestreaming, live video streaming service that allows celebrities based in the country to broadcast live videos such as live chat sessions with fans, performances, ...
page. However, it was filmed during Jang Gyu-ri's absence.
2019–2020: ''Fun Factory'' and ''My Little Society''
On February 8, 2019, a second short/mini season of ''Welcome to Heal Inn'' was announced for the Winter Season, this time with Jang Gyu-ri added as a new traveller. In May, Jang made her solo acting debut in the web drama, ''Compulsory Dating Education''.
On June 4, 2019, Fromis 9 released their first single album ''
Fun Factory'', featuring the title track "Fun!". The album reached number 2 on the
Gaon Album Chart
The Circle Album Chart, previously known as the Gaon Album Chart, is a record chart ranking the 100 most popular albums, extended plays and single albums in South Korea based on their Record sales, pure sales. It is a part of the Circle Chart, pr ...
, a new high for the group.
The group released their third EP ''
My Little Society
''My Little Society'' is the third EP of South Korean girl group Fromis 9
Fromis 9 (; stylized as fromis_9) is a South Korean girl group formed by CJ E&M through the 2017 reality show '' Idol School''. The group is composed of eight members: ...
'' on September 16, 2020. This features the title track "Feel Good (Secret Code)". On September 10, Off The Record confirmed that Lee Seo-yeon would sit out of all promotions for this comeback due to a recent leg injury, and the group will promote as eight members. The EP reached no. 3 on the Gaon Album Chart.
2021: ''9 Way Ticket'', new management, and ''Talk & Talk''
On May 17, the group released their second single album ''
9 Way Ticket
''9 Way Ticket'' is the third single album by South Korean girl group Fromis 9
Fromis 9 (; stylized as fromis_9) is a South Korean girl group formed by CJ E&M through the 2017 reality show '' Idol School''. The group is composed of eight mem ...
'', featuring the title track "We Go".
On August 16, it was announced that Fromis 9 has departed from Off The Record and that
Pledis Entertainment
Pledis Entertainment () is a South Korean entertainment company founded by Han Sung-Soo in 2007. The label is home to actress Nana, Hwang Min-hyun, Baekho, and K-pop groups Seventeen and Fromis 9. Its name originates from the pleiades, a star cl ...
will take over the group's management.
On September 1, the group released their new special single album ''
Talk & Talk
"Talk & Talk" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Fromis 9. It was released as a special single album on September 1, 2021, through Pledis Entertainment. The song was written by Danke (Lalala Studio), composed by Andreas Carlsson
An ...
'', featuring the title track of the same name. On September 7, the group achieved their first ever music show win on
SBS MTV
SBS M is a South Korean pay television music channel owned by SBS Medianet, a division of SBS Media Holdings. It features South Korean pop artists, international music, news, and a few reality and variety programs.
It was launched in 2001 as t ...
's
The Show with "Talk & Talk".
2022–present: ''Midnight Guest'', ''From Our Memento Box'' and Jang Gyu-ri's departure from the group
On January 17, 2022, Fromis 9 released their fourth EP ''
Midnight Guest'', featuring the title track "
DM".
On February 24, 2022, it was announced that member Baek Ji-heon would be taking a break from activities due to health concerns.
On June 27, 2022, Fromis 9 released their fifth EP ''
From Our Memento Box'', featuring the title track "Stay This Way".
On July 28, 2022, Pledis Entertainment announced that member Jang Gyu-ri would be leaving the group on July 31. In their press release, Pledis stated that when Fromis 9's management were transferred to the company in 2021, every other member signed a completely new contract with the company. However, Jang chose to transfer her original contract from CJ ENM's Off The Record that would last only one year. After July 31, fromis_9 will continue as an eight-member group.
On October 28, 2022, it was announced that members Lee Sae-rom and Lee Seo-yeon would be taking a break from activities due to health concerns.
Members
Current
* Lee Sae-rom () – leader
* Song Ha-young ()
* Park Ji-won ()
* Roh Ji-sun ()
* Lee Seo-yeon ()
* Lee Chae-young ()
* Lee Na-gyung ()
* Baek Ji-heon ()
Former
*
Jang Gyu-ri
Jang Gyu-ri (, born December 27, 1997) is a South Korean singer and actress. She finished ninth in Mnet's girl group survival show '' Idol School'', becoming a member of the resulting girl group Fromis 9. Jang gained more recognition after st ...
()
Discography
Extended plays
Single albums
Singles
Soundtrack appearances
Music videos
Filmography
Reality shows
Web Drama
Awards and nominations
Notes
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
K-pop music groups
2018 establishments in South Korea
Musical groups established in 2018
Musical groups from Seoul
South Korean girl groups
South Korean dance music groups
South Korean pop music groups
Pledis Entertainment artists
Hybe Corporation artists