The highly anticipated J-pop group ORβIT officially debuted on November 1st KST with the spectacular track “Universe.”
The Japanese-Korean boy group was formed independently by the members themselves after “Produce 101 Japan” contestants and three members of K-pop group HALO— Younghoon (formerly known as Ooon), Heecho (formerly known as Heecheon) and Yoondong— decided to leave the show and pursue their own activities.
They eventually recruited other trainees and close friends from the survival program: June (who also participated in Korea’s “Produce X 101”), Tomo, Shunya, and Yugo. Gathered together, the former reality show competitors came together to became ORβIT.
The group also established their own company, entitled Present Label, in addition to forming their own management agency. Heecho is the CEO of the new agency called Future Passport, an affiliate of the Japanese entertainment agency Dream Passport.
Moon Kim of Royal Pirates fame wrote and composed “Universe” with producer Chungyoon. Both artists worked on the group’s pre-debut release track “Lazurite” back in June and also worked on the majority of songs off the group’s upcoming debut album titled 00.
Both the song and the grand scale music video showcase all seven members’ skills, utilizing an extensive production crew spanning across Korea and Japan.
Kazuki of s**t kingz created the breathtaking choreography, the dance and performance troupe boasting a portfolio that includes working with prominent K-pop and J-pop groups such as TVXQ, Da-ice, Hey! Say! JUMP, and SHINee. They are notable for the choreography in NCT U’s “The 7th Sense,” EXO’s “Love Me Right,” and more.
Koshin and Mahiro, two of the dancers that appear in the MV, are members of the J-pop group BUGVEL, a music act also under the same agency as ORβIT. Mahiro participated alongside June in “Produce X 101” while Koshin was a fellow contestant on “Produce 101 Japan.”
Video production crew Rigend Film, whose credited work reads as a “who’s who” of K-pop artists, also worked on the debut MV.
Set for release on November 11th KST is ORβIT’s full-length album 00, in which almost every member participated in writing lyrics across the impressive 13-track offering. The highlight medley now is available online.
Watch the celestially stunning MV below!
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Justin is a K-pop fan from Australia who is passionate about shining a light on underrated and lesser known groups. As a lifelong lover of all styles of music, this deep-thinker is currently spending his time in lockdown getting acquainted with songs both new and old, creating the soundtrack to this season of spiritual and personal growth.
MEDIA: Present Label, Future Passport