Astro (South Korean band)

ASTRO

Astro going to a Music Bank recording in July 2016. Left to right: Moonbin, MJ, Jin Jin, Rocky, Cha Eun-woo and Yoon San-ha
Background information
Origin Seoul, South Korea
Genres
Years active 2016 (2016)–present
Labels Fantagio Music
Members
  • MJ
  • Jin Jin
  • Cha Eun-woo
  • Moon Bin
  • Rocky
  • Yoon San-ha

Astro (Hangul: 아스트로) (stylized as ASTRO) is a South Korean boy band formed by Fantagio in 2015. The group is composed of six members: MJ, Jin Jin, Cha Eun-woo, Moon Bin, Rocky, and Yoon San-ha.[1] Astro released their debut mini album Spring Up on February 23, 2016.[2]

History

2015: Pre-Debut

The members started out as trainees under Fantagio iTeen, a rookie talent development program under Fantagio Entertainment, and were known as iTeen Boys. On August 14, Fantagio released information about the new group via their social media, including pictures and profiles of each member and the announcement of the group's name.[3]

Following the same technique Fantagio used to form 5urprise, ASTRO starred in a web drama series, To Be Continued, in August 2015.[4] The members starred as themselves along with Kim Sae-ron, 5urprise member Seo Kang-joon, and Hello Venus.[5]

In January 2016, Astro starred in their own reality show, Astro OK! Ready, which was aired on MBC Every1 at 7PM KST.[6] The group also made an appearance on the KBS variety show Star Golden Bell.[7]

Leading up to their official debut Astro held a nationwide showcase tour called "Meet U Project". The group toured all over South Korea and held twenty shows and two fanmeetings.[8]

2016: Debut with Spring Up, Summer Vibes, and Autumn Story

Astro's debut album, Spring Up was released on February 23, 2016 with the title song "Hide & Seek".[9] They also announced their official fanclub name, AROHA, which is an abbreviation for ASTRO Hearts All Fans.[10] Aroha also means "love" in Māori.[11] Within a week of its release, Spring Up had landed at #6 on the Billboard World Albums Chart in the United States,[12] as well as #4 on Gaon Music Chart.[13] On February 25, the group released the music video for "Cat's Eye", containing images from their webseries To Be Continued.[14] In March of the same year, the group was the only Korean act invited to the LeTV Entertainment Awards in China.[15]

Fantagio released a comeback photo of Astro on June 16, 2016.[16] Their second mini album, Summer Vibes, was launched on July 1, along with the title track "Breathless".[17] It landed at #6 on the Billboard World Albums Chart, the highest-charting k-pop album for that week, and "Breathless" landed at #21 on the Billboard World Digital Songs Chart.[18]

Astro performed at Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 31 for KCON 2016.[19][20] They held their first solo concert—only 6 months after their debut—on August 27–28, 2016 at the KEPCO Art Center in Seoul.[21] They held their first Asia showcase in Japan and Indonesia in October and November 2016 and will also hold it in Bangkok, Thailand in 2017.[22][23]

On October 31, Fantagio released Astro's comeback photos announcing their third extended play Autumn Story, that was released on November 10, 2016 along with the music video for their title track "Confession".[24]

Endorsements

On March 3, 2016, Astro signed a contract with uniform brand PL School Wear.[25][26]

In April 2016, Astro was chosen as models for cosmetics brand LOVLUV. The cosmetic brand explained: "ASTRO is well-prepared as they have trained for a long 7 years. Coincidentally, 'LOVLUV' is also a brand that took 7 years in preparation. They increased their value through thorough preparation." [27]

As of November, 2016, Astro were chosen as the new models for chicken franchise 'Chicken Mania'. The brand states Astro were chosen because of their "youthful and refreshing image".[28]

Members

MJ

MJ (Hangul: 엠제이), born Kim Myung-jun (Hangul: 김명준, Hanja: 金明俊) on March 5, 1994 (age 22) in Nowon District, South Korea. He is the main vocalist of the group.[29]

He participated in the 2012 JYP x HUM audition;[30] despite not being accepted he was given a one-year scholarship to the National University of Seoul.[31]

Jin Jin

Jin Jin (Hangul: 진진), born Park Jin-woo (Hangul: 박진우, Hanja: 朴真祐) on March 15, 1996 (age 20) in Nowon District, South Korea. He is the leader and main rapper of the group.[29]

He knows how to play the drums after learning for five years and started dancing in his second year of middle school. The first two genres of dancing he learned was street and house. He entered Hanlim Multi Art School with the highest score among the first-year students with his house dancing.[32] He previously attended NY Dance academy for three years before he became a trainee in Fantagio.[33]

Cha Eun-woo

Cha Eun-woo (Hangul: 차은우, Hanja: 車銀優, Simplified Chinese characters: 车银优), born Lee Dong-min (Hangul: 이동민, Hanja: 李瞳旼) on March 30, 1997 (age 19) in Gunpo, South Korea. He is the vocalist of the group.[29]

Before debut Eun-woo was the face of Shara Shara cosmetics in 2014 to 2015[34] and was featured in the film My Brilliant Life as the younger and "healthy" version of A-Reum.[35] He is able to play the violin, guitar, and piano.[36][37] He is currently enrolled in Sungkyunkwan University as an acting major.

Moon Bin

Moon Bin (Hangul: 문빈, Hanja: 文彬), born on January 26, 1998 (age 18) in Cheongju, South Korea. He is the lead dancer and vocalist of the group.[38][29]

He initially debuted as an actor and model in 2004.[29] Moon Bin starred in TVXQ's "Balloons" music video as the child version of U-Know Yunho.[39][40] Out of all his group members, he has trained the longest as he was a trainee since 2010.[41] His younger sister Moon SuA was the third runner-up in Unpretty Rapstar 2.[42]

Rocky

Rocky (Hangul: 라키), born Park Min-hyuk (Hangul: 박민혁, Hanja: 朴敏赫) on February 25, 1999 (age 17) in Jinju, South Korea. He is the main dancer and lead rapper of the group.[38]

Before debuting, in 2011 he auditioned for tvN's Korea's Got Talent.[43] Rocky knows many genres of dance such as tap, hip hop, modern, jazz, and ballet.[44] He choreographed the dance for "Morning Call" from Spring Up and "Fireworks" from "Summer Vibes".[45]

Yoon San-ha

Yoon San-ha (Hangul: 윤산하, Hanja: 尹產賀, Simplified Chinese characters: 尹产贺), born on March 21, 2000 (age 16) in Seoul, South Korea.[46][47]

He became a trainee for Fantagio on December 16, 2012.[48] He is the youngest child in his family out of his three older brothers.[29] San-ha is able play the guitar after getting taught by his father and brothers.[49] He is currently studying at Hanlim Multi Art School with Rocky.

Concerts

Discography

Extended plays

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[50]		 TW
[51]		 US
World
[52]
Spring Up 4 6 6
Summer Vibes
  • Released: July 1, 2016
  • Label: Fantagio Music, Interpark INT
  • Formats: CD, Digital download
 2 8 6
Autumn Story
  • Released: November 10, 2016
  • Label: Fantagio Music, Interpark INT
  • Formats: CD, Digital download
 6 3 15 TBA

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Billboard World
[55]
"Hide & Seek" 2016 — Spring Up
"Cat's Eye" —
"Breathless" 21 Summer Vibes
"Confession" TBA Autumn Story
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Filmography

Dramas

Year Network Title Member(s) Role Note(s)
2009 KBS2 Boys Over Flowers (TV series) Moon Bin Young Kim Bum / So Yi-jung
2015 Naver TVCast To Be Continued All Web Drama
2016 My Romantic Some Recipe Cha Eunwoo Cha Eunwoo Web Drama

Films

Year Title Member(s) Role Note(s)
2014 My Brilliant Life Eunwoo Healthy Ah-ruem Guest Role

Reality show

Year Network Title Member(s) Note(s)
2011 tvN Korea's Got Talent Rocky Contestant
2016 MBC Music Astro OK! Ready All
MBC Music Astro Project A.SI.A All

Variety show

Year Network Title Member(s) Notes
2016 KBS1 The Golden Bell Challenge (도전! 골든벨) All Ep. 800
Arirang After School Club Ep. 202[56]
KBS2 1vs100 Eunwoo, Moonbin, MJ[57] Ep. 426
Emergency Escape No. 1 Eunwoo Ep. 524-527
Piki Fan Heart Attack Idol TV All Ep. 8[58]
Mnet Show Me The Money 5 Jinjin[59] Cameo
SBS Law of the Jungle Eunwoo[60] Ep. 220–224
MBC Every1 Weekly Idol All Ep. 256 with KNK and 4TEN
Arirang After School Club Ep. 219
MBC Show! Music Core Eunwoo Special MC
SBS MTV The Show Eunwoo, Sanha Special MC
Mnet Hit The Stage Rocky Episode 5-6
MBC Replies that Makes Us Flutter Eunwoo, Moonbin with Twice's Dahyun
ISAC All with several idol groups
KBS2 Boom Shakalaka Eunwoo
MBC The Imaginarium
King of Masked Singer Guest Panelist
We Got Married (Season 4) All Chuseok 2016 special
Show! Music Core Eunwoo MC October 1st-Present
tVN Tainer MJ Special Guest
MBC We Got Married (Season 4) Guest Panelist
KBS2 Hello Counselor[61] Eunwoo Episode 299

Guest

Happy Together [62] Episode 469

Guest

tVN Problematic Men Episode 86

Guest

MBC Every1 Weekly Idol All Ep. 279
KBS Immortal Song 2 TBA

Music video appearances

Year Title Artist Member(s)
2006 "Balloons" TVXQ Moonbin[39]

Awards and nominations

Korean Culture Entertainment Awards

Year Category Recipient Result
2016 K-pop Singer Award Astro Won

Seoul Music Awards

Year Category Recipient Result
2017 Best New Artist Astro Pending
Popularity Award Pending

Melon Music Awards

Year Category Recipient Result
2016 Best New Artist Astro Nominated

Mnet Asian Music Awards

Year Category Recipient Result
2016 Best New Male Artist Astro Nominated
HotelsCombined Artist of the Year Nominated

References

  1. ↑ Fantagio introduce the six members of new boy group Astro. Allkpop. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Astro finally makes debut with 'Hide & Seek' MV!". Allkpop. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  3. ↑ "판타지오 뉴 보이그룹, 팀명 '아스트로' 확정". entertain.naver.com. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
  4. ↑ Astro Kick Off Debut Promotions With New Web Drama 'To Be Continued'. KpopStarz. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  5. ↑ Seo Kang Jun to act alongside rookie boy group Astro and Kim Sae Ron in 'To Be Continued'. Allkpop. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  6. ↑ Just Before Their Debut, Astro To Star In A New Reality Show. Officially Kmusic. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  7. ↑ Netizens go crazy over handsome student on Golden Bell. Koreaboo. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  8. ↑ ]. allkpop.
  9. ↑ "Spring Up". Naver Music. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  10. ↑ Astro Announces Their Fandom Name at Debut Showcase. KMusic. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Astro DEBUT SHOWCASE [Spring Up]". V App. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  12. ↑ "World Albums 2016-03-12". Billboard. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  13. ↑ "Spring Up on Gaon Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
  14. ↑ "Check out ASTRO's talent-show-themed MV for 'Cat's Eye'!". Allkpop. February 25, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  15. ↑ "ASTRO is exclusively invited to 'Letv Entertainment Awards' in China!". Allkpop. March 23, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  16. ↑ "ASTRO Is Ready For Summer In New Teaser Photo". Soompi. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  17. ↑ "ASTRO are 'Breathless' in full MV!". Allkpop. June 30, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  18. ↑ "ASTRO Earn 2nd Top 10 Entry on World Albums With 'Summer Vibes'". Billboard. July 13, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  19. ↑ "DEAN, ASTRO Added to KCON USA Lineup". Billboard. May 20, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  20. ↑ "KCON 2016". Staples Center. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  21. ↑ "아스트로, 데뷔 5개월만에 단독콘서트 개최" (in Korean). July 20, 2016.
  22. ↑ "ASTRO to Meet International Fans at 1st Asia Concert Tour". Kpopmap. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  23. ↑ "ASTRO to hold their first Asia showcase in Thailand!". Allkpop. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  24. ↑ "ASTRO Looks Lovingly Sweet In Teaser Images For "Autumn Story"". Soompi. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Move over EXO and iKON, make room for ASTRO!". Allkpop. March 24, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  26. ↑ "피엘스쿨웨어". Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Rookie group ASTRO chosen as the models for cosmetic brand 'LOVLUV'". Allkpop. April 18, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Astro selected as the newest models for chicken mania". Allkpop. November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Member Profile of ASTRO: Bio, Fan Facts, History etc.". Miner8 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  30. ↑ "[HUM] JYP auditions 2012 finale #2 (Men's Main vocal Team)". YouTube. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  31. ↑ "[INFO] 120206 Kim Myungjun - Won Scholarship from JYP Audition Contest". with-iteen. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  32. ↑ ARIRANG K-POP (2016-07-28), Pops in Seoul _ ASTRO(아스트로) _ Jin Jin(진진) _ Profile, retrieved 2016-10-29
  33. ↑ "Profile & Facts | JinJin". with-astro.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  34. ↑ "샤라샤라 Shara Shara - Timeline | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  35. ↑ "Lee Dong-Min - AsianWiki". asianwiki.com. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  36. ↑ "Profile & Facts | Cha Eunwoo". with-astro.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  37. ↑ i-Teen 아이틴 (2015-03-27), [i-Teen PLAY] 서강준&이동민의 젓가락 행진곡, retrieved 2016-10-29
  38. 1 2 🎶. "ASTRO Profile". NowKPop. Retrieved 2016-12-04.
  39. 1 2 "ASTRO's Moonbin expresses admiration for TVXQ | allkpop.com". Retrieved 2016-10-21.
  40. ↑ Kei Sakurane (2015-01-31), [ DBSK vietsub ] Star King 14 04 07 Ep 13 Special Part 2, retrieved 2016-10-29
  41. ↑ "Profile & Facts | Moonbin". with-astro.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  42. ↑ "K-celeb siblings: Unpretty Rapstar's Sua and ASTRO's Moon Bin". DramaFever News. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  43. ↑ Macafra (2016-03-10), 아스트로 ASTRO's ROCKY 라키 in Korea's Got Talent 2011, retrieved 2016-10-29
  44. ↑ ARIRANG K-POP (2016-07-28), Pops in Seoul _ ASTRO(아스트로) _ Rocky(라키) _ Profile, retrieved 2016-10-29
  45. ↑ "[V LIVE] [REPLAY] ASTRO 'Summer Vibes' COUNTDOWN LIVE (아스트로 컴백 카운트다운 라이브)". Rocky choreographed "Fireworks", skip to 41:58 to see. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  46. ↑ https://www.dramafever.com/news/meet-the-members-of-astro-the-new-idol-group-featured-in-to-be-continued/
  47. ↑ https://www.nowkpop.com/2016/01/20/astro-profile/
  48. ↑ "Profile & Facts | Sanha". with-astro.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  49. ↑ ARIRANG K-POP (2016-07-28), Pops in Seoul _ ASTRO(아스트로) _ Yoon San-ha(윤산하) _ Profile, retrieved 2016-10-29
  50. ↑ Gaon Weekly Album Chart
  51. ↑ "FIVE-MUSIC Korea-Japan Album Chart" (in Chinese). FIVE-MUSIC.
    To access, select the indicated week and year in the bottom-left corner:
    • Spring Up (2016): "The 9th Week of 2016"
    • Summer Vibes (2016): "The 27th Week of 2016"
    • Autumn Story (2016): "The 46th Week of 2016"
  52. ↑ Billboard World Albums
  53. ↑ "Gaon Album Ranking Monthly (10/2016) – see #93". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
  54. ↑ "Gaon Album Ranking Monthly (9/2016) – see #13". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
  55. ↑ Billboard World Digital Songs
  56. ↑ ARIRANG (2016-03-09), After School Club(Ep.202) Astro(아스트로) _ Full Episode _ 030816, retrieved 2016-03-30
  57. ↑ "Astro's Cha Eun Woo ranks 2nd place on KBS2 quiz program! | allkpop.com". www.allkpop.com. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
  58. ↑ 피키예능촌 (2016-05-07), [팬심공략 E08] 신인그룹에게서 몇 년 숙련된 예능미가 보인다, retrieved 2016-05-23
  59. ↑ crystalcove. ""Show Me the Money 5" Participants to Include One, Members From ASTRO and Topp Dogg, and Many More". Soompi. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
  60. ↑ "홍석천·유리·정연 등 '정글' 뉴칼레도니아 12人 출연 확정[종합]". entertain.naver.com. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
  61. ↑ "온리은우 on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
  62. ↑ "Se7en, Cha Eun Woo, Cheng Xiao, Sleepy, and Kang Kyun Sung to guest on 'Happy Together' | allkpop.com". allkpop. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
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