Multinational girl group UNIS debuted just four months ago and is already making a mark in the K-pop scene. With 13 million views and counting on their debut music video, “SUPERWOMAN,” the octet is making its first comeback on August 6th KST!
In the lead-up to the upcoming single album CURIOUS, now is the perfect time to learn about UNIS!
The Story Of UNIS
The eight-member project group is the winning team of the SBS survival program “Universe Ticket” which aired from November 2023 to January 2024.
Aspiring young girls from anywhere in the world showcased their talents to join a new global idol group under F&F Entertainment. Over 80 contestants hailed from Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Mongolia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Canada, and Australia to participate in the competition.
The final line-up of UNIS consists of Hyeonju, Nana, Gehlee, Kotoko, Yunha, Elisia, Yoona, and Seowon. With Korean, Japanese, and Filipino-descent members, the group is the first in K-pop to have its own “Filipina line.” Several members bring various industry experiences with them, including prior debuts in groups or solo, modeling, and participation in other survival shows.
Sometimes stylized as U&iS, the name UNIS holds a double meaning. Both an abbreviation of “U&I Story” and “UNiverse Is Started,” the team identifier symbolizes the desire to keep writing the story of achieving their dreams, which started on “Universe Ticket.”
UNIS Members
Leader Hyeonju is a member of the girl group Cignature under the stage name Belle and was also formerly part of the now-disbanded GOOD DAY where she promoted under the stage name Lucky. She also notably participated in the KBS survival show, “The Unit.”
Main dancer Nana is from Tokyo, Japan. She is a member of the Japanese girl group PRIKIL which is the winning group from FNC Entertainment Japan’s survival show “Who Is Princess?” Earlier this year, Nana became an MC on SBS M’s “The Show” alongside WayV‘s Xiaojun and CRAVITY‘s Hyeongjun.
Sub-vocalist Gehlee is the group’s visual and a member of the Filipina line. She is an established model who is the face of several brands in the Philippines in addition to being a multiple beauty pageant winner making her a certified Beauty Queen!
Sub-rapper Kotoko is from Osaka, Japan. The aspiring vocalist is in charge of “overreactions” in the group and (along with Gehlee and Elisia) was a competitor on “Universe Ticket” as an individual trainee.
Lead vocalist Yunha modeled for Korean kids’ fashion brands, appeared in an ad for BigHit’s “PLUS GLOBAL AUDITION,” and performed in a play at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
Elisia is one of the two main vocalists in UNIS and another member of the Filipina line. Interestingly, she is the cousin of fellow Filipino K-pop idol Marcus from the recently debuted global boy group, HORI7ON.
Main rapper Yoona is formerly of the co-ed kids group Play With Me Club consisting of casts from “Daekyo Children’s TV” YouTube show. She is also an ex-member of the pre-debut girl group Free In Sass which is currently believed to have disbanded.
Youngest member Seowon is the second main vocalist of UNIS. She is a trot singer and child model who debuted as a soloist in 2021. She participated in survival shows “Miss Trot 2” and “Music Love” and recently performed on “The King Of Masked Singer.”
WE UNIS
The group debuted with the mini-album WE UNIS and the title track “SUPERWOMAN” on March 27th KST. It combines Afrobeat, Moombahton, and House genres while declaring an unapologetic and endearing statement that anyone can be their own superwoman whenever they want.
In the debut music video, the girls shine brightly with their refreshing energy. As the eight members gather together, they signify the start of their new journey as UNIS.
Throughout the mini-album, WE UNIS quickly makes it evident that the members’ diverse and colorful past experiences are UNIS’ strength. Each B-side track shows off a different aspect of the group’s seemingly endless capabilities.
“Butterfly’s Dream” is a medium-tempo pop song with an ethnic pluck sound and a dynamic melody. The track is about first love that conveys the feelings of getting closer which makes you want to fly away like a butterfly.
Also, the uptempo “Watchu Need” with its kitschy and cute all-English lyrics. It contains a message of confidence and determination to show fans and listeners everything they want in the future. Additionally, the chorus is sung by all eight members.
Finally, the two closing songs “Dopamine” and “Dream of Girls” are UNIS’ versions of “Universe Ticket” fan favorite tracks.
Listen to WE UNIS on your preferred streaming platform using the link here.
UNIS Firsts
In the short time of less than six months since its formation, UNIS has already experienced many firsts.
UNIS is the first idol group under F&F Entertainment which is the entertainment division of fashion company, F&F. Their first major venture following their launch in late 2022 was “Universe Ticket.”
UNIS’ debut album surpassed 50,000 copies within five days of its release, ranking them eighth on the list of initial sales of a debut album by a K-pop girl group. Furthermore, the debut music video for “SUPERWOMAN” reached 2.5 million views within the first 24 hours!
Immediately after the release of WE UNIS, the album ranked first on iTunes Top Albums charts in the Philippines and Qatar as well as in Germany, Malaysia, the United States, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Turkey, and Australia.
WE UNIS also placed in the upper ranks of Apple Music’s Top Albums chart in four countries, in addition to “SUPERWOMAN” topping the iTunes Top Songs charts in Macau and the Philippines.
In May, UNIS completed their first fansign tour in the Philippines where they enjoyed an overwhelming response from fans and extended the tour by an additional day. Billboard Philippines interviewed UNIS while in the country and the group even appeared on the local news broadcast, “24 Oras.”
As of June, UNIS is the fastest Korean girl group ever to win a grand prize (daesung) at an awards ceremony. The group won the Asia Star Awards – Idol Star Category at the 2024 Korea Best Brand Awards.
CURIOUS Comeback
The octet is making their highly anticipated comeback with their first single album CURIOUS about five months after the release of WE UNIS.
Through various emotions and honest language, the album reveals the dynamic appearance of UNIS through self-transformation. Additionally, the concept of being valuable just for existing as individuals and as a group is explored with extraordinary confidence.
The title track “Only You Don’t Know” is said to immediately get stuck in your head with its intense electric guitar sound while the chorus contains a magical quality with catchy, repetitive lyrics that you will be tempted to hum along to. The song is about UNIS’ pursuit to be the greatest of all time. also known as “the G.O.A.T.”
UNIS’ first single album CURIOUS as well as the music video for the title track “Only You Don’t Know” is coming out on August 6th at 6 p.m. KST! In the meantime, check out the “UNIS CURIOUS FILM : Guess Who I Am” below!
Connect with UNIS on their official accounts: X | X (Japan) | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube | Official Website
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Justin is an Aussie K-pop fanboy passionate about underrated and under-loved artists. He loves all types of music and is a dedicated TV show and soap opera viewer.
MEDIA: F&F Entertainment