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GI (group)

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Global Icon (GI)
OriginSeoul, South Korea
GenresK-pop
Years active2013–present
LabelsSimtong Entertainment (South Korea)
MembersEunJi
AI (Nayeon)
Jiamin
Heeso
Dokyung
Past membersOneKet
Aram
HaYun

Global Icon (Hangul: 지아이; acronym: GI) is a South Korean girl group formed by Simtong Entertainment in 2013. The current line-up consists of Eunji, Nayeon, Jinsil, Bomin, and Dokyung. They released their debut single "Beatles" on April 3, 2013.[1] The group originally debuted with a "boyish" concept, referring to the fact that the majority of the members had short hair and a more masculine attitude and style, opposed to the feminine concepts many Korean pop girl groups have, but after their line-up changes, the group returned in 2015 with a feminine and sexy concept.[2]

History

Debut

The group was announced on March 20, 2013, and image teasers were released revealing the members of the group.[3] It was revealed that they would take on a fresh concept from that of the usual girl group:

We’re going to be different from the cute and sexy girl groups that come out almost once every week with our music and style. You can look forward to them.

Following this, a music video teaser revealed the rappers, OneKet and AI,[4] followed by a video for singers Eunji, Hayun and Aram,[5] and a full group music video teaser.[6] The group released their debut single "Beatles" on April 3, 2013 along with its music video. They made their debut on Show Champion the same day.

Sim Tong released a video of GI's Aram singing "Stand Up For Love" by Destiny's Child.

2013 Comebacks and "Don't Lie" controversy

On July 1, 2013, Sim Tong Entertainment released album jacket photos for their upcoming 2nd digital single, "Because of You". "Because of You" was supposed to be released on the 3rd of July (with the release of Global Icon's first mini album to be later on in August), but the single was delayed to August 30 due to scheduling issues, and the mini album to September 3.[7]

The group was also chosen to become models for "94Street", a Korean restaurant.[8] This drew some criticism from fans, as the CF features the members dressed in fancy dresses, something which many took to mean that the group was straying from their original "boyish" concept.[citation needed]

The group announced that they would be returning in October of that year with the song "Don't Lie", but the song was deemed "unfit for terrestrial broadcast" by all the major networks,[9] and they were forced to go with "Giyeuk" as their comeback single instead.

2014 - Present: Line-up Changes and Comeback

On June 25, 2014, it was announced by GI International Fanclub that Aram had decided to leave the group.[10] This came after around two months of silence from Aram's social media accounts, right after coming back from promotion in Japan. Representative of SimTong Entertainment initially said to GI International Fanclub that "Aram’s withdrawal from GI and our agency is under discussion", but then revealed that "GI will stay as a 5 member group and instead of Aram, a new member will be added in her place." It was also announced that GI is preparing for a comeback with the new member, and she will be probably taking over Aram's position as main vocalist. Member Hayun uploaded a photo on Twitter on June 19 showing the girls practicing, including a shot of two unknown girls, who fans presumed to be the new members, although they were met with strong criticism when fans noticed that they were lip-syncing during live performances.

On November 14, 2014 it was revealed through the group's official page that Hayun had also left the group (in August of that year), leaving the group's future in doubt, although it was announced in January 2015 that the group would be making a comeback in that year.

On February 24, 2015, AlphaBat's Delta made a post on his Instagram account declaring that G.I. would release their third single on February 25.[11] The next day, G.I. member OneKet was revealed to have filed a contract termination lawsuit against Simtong Entertainment citing poor management, and Simtong responded with the claim that OneKet and Aram had breached their contracts.[12][13]

On June 29, 2015, SimTong Entertainment dropped individual videos for introducing the three new members: Do Kyung, Ji A-min & Hee So.[14] The group returned with the new lineup on September 2 and change their previous "boyish" concept to a more feminine concept in 'Doligo Doligo' MV.[15]

Members

  • Jung Eunji (정은지)
  • Kim Nayeon (AI) (김나연)
  • Jiamin
  • Heeso
  • Dokyung

Former Members

  • OneKet (Won Yeon-sang 원연상)
  • Lee A-ram (이아람)
  • Jeon Ha-yeon (전하연)[16]

Discography

Extended plays

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[17]
Tremendous 21 KOR: 756+[18]

Singles

Year Album information Peak chart positions
 Track listing Sales
KOR
2013 "Beatles"
  • Released: April 3, 2013
  • Language: Korean
  • Length: 06:42
  • Label: Simtong Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download
 158
  1. Beatles
  2. Beatles (BeatBurger Remix)

10,561 (digital)

References

  1. ^ "BEATLES Digital Single". music.bugs.co.kr. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  2. ^ jennywill (August 30, 2015). GI (Global Icon) fully reveals the faces of 3 new members + Jiamin's solo shot. Retrieved September 17, 2015. {{cite web}}: Invalid |script-title=: missing prefix (help)
  3. ^ "New tomboy girl group GI (Global Icon) releases member images!". allkpop.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  4. ^ "OneKet and AI Video Teaser". allkpop.com. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  5. ^ "Eunji, Aram and Hayun Video teaser". allkpop.com. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  6. ^ "Music Video Teaser". allkpop.com. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  7. ^ http://www.allkpop.com/article/2013/07/gi-global-icons-pre-release-because-of-you-delayed-until-august
  8. ^ http://www.allkpop.com/article/2013/08/gi-lands-endorsement-deal-with-94-street-announces-release-date-of-because-of-you
  9. ^ http://www.soompi.com/2013/09/04/giglobal-icons-first-mini-album-title-track-dont-lie-deemed-unfit-for-terrestrial-network-broadcast/
  10. ^ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=326032254218924&set=a.164059060416245.1073741826.164058700416281&type=1
  11. ^ https://instagram.com/p/zer11iFIaJ/?modal=true
  12. ^ http://www.soompi.com/2015/02/24/girl-group-gi-in-legal-battle-with-agency-as-members-demand-contract-termination/
  13. ^ http://pop.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=201502251051546015038_1
  14. ^ alim17 (June 29, 2015). GI (Global Icon) introduce the talented three new members of the group. Retrieved September 17, 2015. {{cite web}}: Invalid |script-title=: missing prefix (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ serendipity (September 2, 2015). GI (Global Icon) return with a new lineup and change in concept in 'Doligo Doligo' MV!. Retrieved September 17, 2015. {{cite web}}: Invalid |script-title=: missing prefix (help)
  16. ^ "GI official international fanclub". Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  17. ^ "Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  18. ^ "Gaon Album Chart - September 2013". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
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