AOA | |
|---|---|
 AOA in 2016 From left to right: Choa, Dohwa, Hyejeong, Seolhyun, Yuna, Jimin, and Mina | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2012 (2012)–2020 |
| Labels | |
| Spinoffs | |
| Past members | |
| Website | fncent |
AOA (Korean: 에이오에이; an acronym forAce of Angels) is a South Koreangirl group formed byFNC Entertainment. The original 2012 eight-member line-up included:Choa,Jimin,Yuna, Youkyung,Hyejeong,Mina,Seolhyun, andDohwa. The group has been inactive[a] since 2020, following a series of scandals within the group's lineup and the members' departures from FNC.
AOA began their career simultaneously promoting as a dance group and band, and officially debuted in July 2012 with the release of the single albumAngel's Story. In early 2013, the band unitAOA Black released their official single titled "MOYA" to moderate success. They released their firstEP in June 2014, and that year they also debuted in Japan underUniversal Music Japan. The group found nationwide success in 2014 after a series ofhit songs that established them as one of the leading girl groups of their era.[1] "Heart Attack" debuted at the top of several charts after its release, became one of the most downloaded songs of 2015,[2] and became one of the longest charting singles onMelon's top 100 chart.[3]
Following a series of consistent success, AOA debuted a second promotional unit,AOA Cream, in 2016. The group would later release their firstKorean languagestudio album in January 2017, and a few months later, held their first headlining Korean concert "Ace Of Angels" atOlympic Hall in Seoul. Among the groups' biggest hits are "Miniskirt", "Short Hair", "Like a Cat", "Heart Attack", "Give Me the Love", "Good Luck", "Excuse Me", and "Bingle Bangle".
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The eight members were introduced individually through teaser photos from July 16 to 23 (in order:Seolhyun,Choa,Hyejeong,Dohwa,Yuna,Mina,Jimin, & Youkyung).[4]
AOA were introduced with a 'transformer' concept, which the group described meant they would promote alternately as a band with various members playing instruments and as a dance group. Explaining the concept of their debut, FNC revealed that seven members are "full angels": Seolhyunari[5] (Seolhyun), Choaya[6] (Choa), Hyejeong.Linus[7] (Hyejeong), Chanmi T.T[8] (Dohwa), Yunaria[9] (Yuna), Minaring[10] (Mina), and leader Jiminel[11] (Jimin), while Youkyung (or "Y") is listed as a "half-angel/half-mortal" as she is only a member when the group promotes as a band, thus they were known as a "7+1" group.[12] The song and music video for their debut title track "Elvis" was released on July 30. The group began promotions with their debut stage on August 9 onM Countdown and thenMusic Bank on August 10 to minimal success.
Two months after their debut, FNC confirmed that the group would be making a comeback with a second single album "Wanna Be" on October 10. The album cover was released along with the announcement, which depicted the eight members as different fictional characters.[13] Hyejeong, Jimin, Choa, Yuna, Dohwa, Mina, Seolhyun and Youkyung dressed as characters fromKill Bill,Léon,Legally Blonde,Tomb Raider,Harry Potter,Breakfast at Tiffany's,Romeo and Juliet, andThe Fifth Element respectively.
In the latter half of 2012, it was confirmed that five-member band unit, AOA Black would perform a stage in the first week of promotions for "Get Out".[14] AOA Black made their first comeback appearance on the October 10 broadcast of KM's Music Triangle and performed the band version of "Get Out" for the first time.[14] The band made their second appearance on the October 12 broadcast ofMusic Bank.[14]
The following year, on July 11, it was announced that AOA Black would be releasing their debut song, "MOYA". The third single album and "MOYA" music video were released on July 26 and AOA Black had their first comeback stage on KBS Music Bank on the same day.[15][16] A few months later, the dance group released "Confused," alongside another single album,Red Motion, which was released on October 13 to moderate success.[17][18] At the end of that year, AOA appeared on FNC Entertainment's reality show "Cheongdam-dong 111," which depicted dramatized scenarios behind the scenes of the entertainment company among its artists, employees and other staff.[19]
On January 16, AOA released their fifth single and single album, "Miniskirt," which was produced byBrave Brothers, ElephantKingdom and Galactika.[20][21] Shortly after its release, FNC announced that Seolhyun would sit out promotions for the song after injuring herself.[22] The song went on to be a huge success and peaked at #11 onGaon Digital Chart and #8 onBillboardK-Pop Hot 100, which garnered them a lot of nationwide attention throughout South Korea and spawned their firsthit song. On February 9, the group celebrated their first music show win onInkigayo.[23]
In March, it was announced that member Seolhyun would make her theatrical debut in the action film, "Gangnam Blues".[24] In May that year, AOA appeared onReal Man to perform their hit song and play a quiz showdown with the soldiers.[25]
The following month, AOA released the single "Short Hair" alongside their first mini album on June 19. The album peaked at #4 onGaon Weekly Album Chart, and the song at #5 on the Digital Chart and also topped theM Countdown chart in July. The music video ranked eighth on Billboard's "Most Viewed K-pop Videos Around the World" for June.[26] The following month, they released their first photobook, which was accompanied with a behind the scenes video to promote the release.[27]
Due to their rising popularity, AOA released their firstJapanese single, a Japanese-language version of their hit song "Miniskirt" on October 1. Soon after, they were chosen as the promotional models for amobileRPG, 'Fantasy Hero.'[28] In late October, FNC announced that AOA would be having another comeback, and shortly afterwards, began releasing teasers for the music video, unveiling a darkerCatwoman concept.[29] The song and music video forLike a Cat were released on November 11, and the music video co-starredDaniel Snoeks. The song was a huge success, peaking at #5 on the Gaon Digital Chart, and ranking #1 onGaon Social Chart for six consecutive weeks. On November 19, AOA took home their second music show win onShow Champion.
By the end of the year, AOA's rising popularity and nationwide success due to their consecutive hit songs earned them a spot in the top 5 of best-selling girl groups of the year on Gaon.[30]
AOA released a Japanese version ofLike a Cat on February 25, 2015. The single also came with the Japanese versions of their original Korean songs "Elvis" and "Just the Two of Us".[31] On February 2, FNC released the short version music video of the Japanese version of "Like a Cat",[32] and it ranked No. 1 on Gayp! views daily and weekly ranking.[33]Like a Cat ranked #6 on Oricon Daily Chart and ranked #1 on Tower Records Shibuya on the first day of its release; it also ranked No. 3 as their peak on Oricon Daily Chart.[34]
AOA's first reality show "Open Up! AOA" premiered on February 26 on portal siteNaver. The series consisted of 10 episodes, each 10 minutes long, and aired every Thursday. All eight members, including drummer Youkyung, were on the program.[35][unreliable source?] AOA started filming their new variety show withMBC Music calledAOA One Fine Day inNanwan Monkey Island,Hainan,China on April 7, 2015. 'One Fine Day' started broadcasting on June 13, 2015.[36][unreliable source?]
On June 2, 2015, FNC confirmed the group were preparing for comeback aimed for mid-June.[37] The poster for the group's EP "Heart Attack" was released weeks later,[38] and the song and mini album were released on the 22nd. The group's comeback showcase was held the same day at AX-Hall Seoul.[39] The comeback ended up being a massive success. It peaked at number 2 on Gaon Digital Chart and in the music chart's year-end digital chart, it placed in the top 20 with over one million downloads by the year's end.[2] The song is also reported to be one of the longest charting songs on Melon's music chart.[3]
In August 2015, the group made their first appearances in the United States performing atKCON 2015 in Los Angeles on August 2 and New York on August 8. In the same month, it was revealed that AOA would make a comeback in Japan with a full-length album, being the first full-length album for AOA to release, featuring 8 of their previous Japanese singles and 3 new songs, including the title track, "Oh Boy".[40] This album,Ace of Angels, was later released on October 14, 2015.
Seolhyun was chosen to host the 2015KBS Entertainment Awards alongside comedianShin Dong-yup and singerSung Si-kyung.[41]
On January 31, 2016, FNC formed a new sub-unit calledAOA Cream, composed of members Yuna, Hyejeong, and Dohwa. They debuted on February 12, 2016, with the title track "I'm Jelly Baby".[citation needed]
On March 3, it was announced that "Give Me the Love", AOA's fourth and first original Japanese single, would be released on April 20. The track list comprised title track "Give Me the Love" featuring Japanese singerTakanori Nishikawa, a Japanese version of "Girl's Heart" and a new original song titled "Still Falls the Rain"[42]
On April 12, AOA aired their reality show "Channel AOA" on OnStyle Live.[43] The group came under widespread scrutiny following their appearance on the reality show when members Jimin and Seolhyun failed to recognizeAn Jung-geun in a game challenge they had performed on the series.[44] Following the outrage and criticism, the members issued a public apology for their actions.[45][46] In May 2016, they released their fourth mini-album entitledGood Luck with the lead single of thesame name.[47] The song peaked at number 2 on the Gaon Digital Chart and the album sold over 40,000 units.[48]
In October 2016, Youkyung departed from the group following termination of her contract. In her note to fans, she announced she would return to the group as a guest member for any future AOA Black activities.[49][unreliable source?] In November, AOA released their second Japanese albumRunway, which includes all songs from their previous "Give Me the Love" single.
In January 2017, AOA released their first Korean full-length album titledAngel's Knock with their double titled tracks "Excuse Me" and "Bing Bing". On the Gaon Chart, "Excuse Me" debuted at number #33.[citation needed] The song began rising once they began promotions on music programs, and peaked at #22.[citation needed] Despite this, they achieved three music show wins with the song during its promotions.[50][51] At the end of promotions, the group announced plans for their first headlining Korean concert.[52]
On June 22, Choa revealed that she had left the group. At first she announced that she would take a break from the industry for health reasons. After medication failed to ameliorate her symptoms, she announced onInstagram that she had made the decision to retire completely.[53] On June 30, the company confirmed that Choa had left the group, and the remaining six members would continue without her.[54] In November, AOA attended an event inIcheon, where they were appointed goodwill ambassadors for the2018 Winter Olympics.[55]
On May 28, 2018, the group returned with their fifth EP titledBingle Bangle with a title track of the same name.[56] The album's single peaked at #4 on Gaon Digital Chart and the group received a Bonsang at theSoribada Best K-Music Awards.[citation needed]
In late April 2019, contract negotiations had begun in light of the members' impending contract expiration.[57] FNC responded to reports shortly after stating that contract negotiations with the members were ongoing and discussions about resigning were going positively.[58] On May 13, 2019 the agency announced Mina's departure from the group to pursue her acting career.[59] In the statement the agency confirmed that the group would continue as five members.
In August 2019, AOA joinedMnet's reality survival showQueendom, which saw six female K-pop acts competing in a series of preliminary performances, and in the show's finale, each act would release a final song on the same day to compete for the top spot.[60][61] The series began airing on August 29, and following the premiere, AOA had begun to receive a lot of positive reception and widespread attention for their appearances on the show.[62] The performance for their cover ofMamamoo's "Egotistic" became a trending topic on Naver, and the digital release of their cover entered many Korean music charts.[63] On October 25,Queendom's six contestants released their final songs on Korean streaming services.[64] AOA released "Sorry," which would be their first official release as five members.[65]
AOA released their sixth EPNew Moon with the title track "Come See Me" on November 26, 2019.[66]
In early July 2020, former memberMina made a series of Instagram posts, in which she alleged thatJimin had bullied her for ten years, driving her to the point of self-harming and attempting suicide.[67][68][unreliable source?] Following the allegations,FNC Entertainment and Jimin issued separate apologies to Mina.[69][70][unreliable source?][71][unreliable source?] On July 4, 2020, Jimin left the group and retired from the entertainment industry entirely due to the scandal and backlash against her.[72]
On January 1, 2021, FNC Entertainment announced that Yuna's contract had expired, and that she would be leaving the company.[73]
On October 20, 2022, it was announced that Seolhyun would also be leaving the company.[74]
On March 15, 2023, Hyejeong moved from FNC to TH Company.[75]
On May 22, 2024, Dohwa announced through her personal social media that she had left FNC Entertainment following the expiration of her contract.[76]
Sub-units
Korean albums
Japanese albums
| Year | Title | Korean Title | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Queendom | 퀸덤 | [77] |
| Year | Title | Korean Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Cheongdam-dong 111 | 청담동 111 | FNC Ent's reality show |
| 2015 | Open-up! AOA | AOA-맴을 열어봐 | AOA's first web reality show |
| AOA – One Fine Day | AOA의 어느 멋진 날 | AOA's first reality show | |
| 2016 | Channel AOA | 채널 AOA | AOA's second reality show |
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia Artist Awards | 2016 | Best Celebrity Award (Female Group Category) | AOA | Won | |
| 2018 | Brilliant Award | Won | |||
| Gaon Chart Music Awards | 2015 | Hot Performance of the Year | Won | ||
| 2016 | World Rookie | Won | |||
| 2019 | Song of the Year – May | "Bingle Bangle" | Nominated | ||
| Golden Disc Awards | 2015 | Digital Bonsang | "Miniskirt" | Won | [78] |
| 2016 | Digital Disc Daesang | Heart Attack | Nominated | ||
| Digital Single Daesang | "Heart Attack" | Nominated | |||
| Digital Bonsang | Won | ||||
| Popularity Award | AOA | Nominated | |||
| 2019 | Nominated | ||||
| NetEase Most Popular K-pop Star | Nominated | ||||
| KBS World Global Fan Awards | 2018 | Best Artist (Female) | Nominated | ||
| Melon Music Awards | 2014 | Top 10 Artists | Nominated | ||
| Best Song | "Miniskirt" | Nominated | |||
| Best Dance Piece | Nominated | ||||
| Best Music Video | Nominated | ||||
| 2015 | Top 10 Artists | AOA | Nominated | ||
| Best Dance Piece | "Heart Attack" | Nominated | |||
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2012 | Artist of the Year | AOA | Nominated | [79] |
| Best New Female Artist | Nominated | [80] | |||
| 2014 | Best Dance Performance (Female) | "Miniskirt" | Nominated | ||
| Union Pay Song of the Year | Nominated | ||||
| 2015 | Best Female Group | AOA | Nominated | [81] | |
| Union Pay Artist of the Year | Nominated | [82] | |||
| Best Dance Performance – Female Group | "Heart Attack" | Nominated | [83] | ||
| Union Pay Song of the Year | Nominated | [84] | |||
| 2016 | Best Dance Performance (Female) | "Good Luck" | Nominated | ||
| Hotels Combined Song of the Year | Nominated | [85] | |||
| 2018 | Best Dance Performance (Female) | "Bingle Bangle" | Nominated | ||
| Song of the Year | Nominated | ||||
| SBS Gayo Daejeon | 2015 | Best Promoter Award | AOA | Won | |
| SBS MTV Best of the Best | 2012 | Best New Artist | Nominated | [86] | |
| 2014 | Best Female Group | Nominated | [87] | ||
| Best Sexy Video | "Miniskirt" | Nominated | |||
| Seoul Music Awards | 2012 | Rookie Award | AOA | Nominated | [88] |
| Popularity Award | Nominated | [89] | |||
| 2015 | Bonsang Award | "Miniskirt" | Won | ||
| Daesang Award | Nominated | ||||
| 2016 | Bonsang Award | AOA | Nominated | ||
| Popularity Award | Nominated | ||||
| 2019 | Bonsang Award | Nominated | [90] | ||
| Popularity Award | Nominated | ||||
| 2020 | Bonsang Award | Nominated | [91] | ||
| Hallyu Special Award | Nominated | ||||
| Popularity Award | Nominated | ||||
| QQ Music Most Popular K-Pop Artist Award | Nominated | [92] | |||
| Soribada Best K-Music Awards | 2018 | Bonsang Award | Won | ||
| Popularity Award (Female) | Nominated | ||||
| Global Fandom Award | Nominated |
| Publisher | Year | Listicle | Ranking | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forbes | 2016 | Korea Power Celebrity | 20th | [93] |
| 2017 | 18th | [94] | ||
| 2018 | 15th | [95] |
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