Loona

Loona (stylized as LOOΠΔ) is a South Korean girl group formed by Blockberry Creative. Its twelve members were revealed in a periodic fashion, corresponding to their Korean name Idarui Sonyeo (이달의 소녀), which translates to "Girl of the Month".

For other uses, see Loona (disambiguation).

Loona
Loona in August 2018 From left to right: Hyunjin, Jinsoul, Yeojin, Chuu, Yves, Heejin, Kim Lip, Olivia Hye, Go Won, Choerry, Vivi, and Haseul
Background information
Origin	Seoul, South Korea
Genres	K-pop
Years active	2016 (2016)–present
Labels	Blockberry Creative
Website	loonatheworld.com
Members	HeeJin HyunJin HaSeul YeoJin ViVi Kim Lip JinSoul Choerry Yves Chuu Go Won Olivia Hye
Korean name
Hangul	이달의 소녀
Hanja	이달의 少女
Literal meaning	Girl of the Month
Transcriptions Revised Romanization Idarui Sonyeo
Japanese name
Kanji	今月の少女
Transcriptions Romanization Kongetsu no Shōjo
Chinese name
Chinese	本月少女
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Běn yuè shào nǚ

Loona commenced their pre-debut project in October 2016, with each member releasing a promotional single over the next eighteen months.[1] The group has formed three sub-units: Loona 1/3, Loona Odd Eye Circle and Loona yyxy. Their debut EP as a full ensemble, [+ +] (2018), was supported by the lead single "favOriTe" and the title track "Hi High."

Name

Loona's English name is derived from the Hangul letters ㅇㄷㅇㅅㄴ, each an initial consonant in the syllabic blocks that make 이달의 소녀 (Idarui Sonyeo). When rearranged to ㄴㅇㅇㄷㅅ, it resembles LOONA in the Latin alphabet.[2]

History

2016–2018: Pre-debut project and Mix Nine

On October 2, 2016, Blockberry Creative announced through Naver that they would be debuting their first girl group through an 18-month long pre-debut project.[3] Between October 2016 and January 2017, four members (HeeJin, HyunJin, HaSeul, and YeoJin) were revealed; each member released a single album typically consisting of a solo track and another track performed with other revealed members, under the group's Korean name Idarui Sonyeo (Korean: 이달의 소녀; lit. Girl of the Month)[4] In March 2017, the group's first sub-unit, Loona 1/3, was introduced, consisting of previously revealed members HeeJin, HyunJin, HaSeul and a new member, ViVi.[5] Loona 1/3 released the extended play Love & Live and accompanying single of the same name on March 13, 2017,[6] with a television promotion on SBS's Inkigayo,[7] They released a repackaged edition of the extended play, titled Love & Evil, on April 27.[8]

Between April 2017 and July 2017, members ViVi, Kim Lip, JinSoul, and Choerry released their single albums, continuing the same Girl of the Month pattern.[9] In September 2017, three members, HeeJin, HyunJin and HaSeul, auditioned for JTBC's reality show Mix Nine; HeeJin and HyunJin passed the audition stage making it onto the show,[10] where HyunJin placed Top 18 and HeeJin placed fourth in the finale.[11] The group's second sub-unit, Loona Odd Eye Circle, consisting of JinSoul, Kim Lip and Choerry, released the extended play Mix & Match on September 21, 2017, and began promotions on Mnet's M Countdown.[12] The English version of their song "Loonatic" was released on October 23.[13] On October 31 they released a repackaged edition of the extended play, titled Max & Match, which included three new songs.[14]

Loona yyxy at the 2018 Incheon Airport Sky Festival

Between November 2017 and January 2018, they released the solo single albums for new members Yves, Chuu, and Go Won, continuing the monthly pattern along with the digital single "The Carol 2.0" sung by Yves, Vivi, and Choerry.[15] In March 2018, they released the solo single album for final member, Olivia Hye.[16] On May 30, 2018, the group's third sub-unit, Loona yyxy, made their debut with the extended play Beauty & the Beat. The single "love4eva" featuring Canadian musician Grimes was released the same day with an accompanying music video.[17]

On August 7, 2018, Loona released "favOriTe" as a digital pre-debut single.[18] The video was to be their first as a full group and focuses on the group's choreography.[19]

2018–present: Debut with [+ +], [X X], and [#]

On August 15, Blockberry published the official tracklist for [+ +] (read as plus plus) as their debut extended play as a full group.[20] The extended play included "Favorite" and was released on August 20, 2018 alongside the title track, "Hi High".[21] [+ +] was repackaged as [X X] (read as multiple multiple) on February 19, 2019, with six additional tracks, including a new single, "Butterfly".[22]

On August 17, 2019, Loona made their first appearance in the United States, performing at KCON 2019 in Los Angeles. On December 13, 2019, Loona released a single called "365" as an appreciation song for their fans.[23]

On January 7, 2020, Blockberry Creative announced that leader HaSeul would not participate in promotions of the upcoming album due to mental health concerns. She was said to be diagnosed with “intermittent anxiety symptoms” and would be taking time to focus on her health.[24]

On February 5, 2020, Loona released their second EP titled [#] (read as hash), along with the title track "So What".[25] Although HaSeul did not contribute to title track, her voice can still be heard on three of the songs on the album, including “365”.

On March 12, 2020, Loona took their first music show trophy with "So What" on Mnet's M Countdown.[26]

Members

Adapted from their Naver profile:[27]

• HeeJin (희진)
• HyunJin (현진)
• HaSeul (하슬) – leader[28]
• YeoJin (여진)
• ViVi (비비)
• Kim Lip (김립)
• JinSoul (진솔)
• Choerry (최리)
• Yves (이브)
• Chuu (츄)
• Go Won (고원)
• Olivia Hye (올리비아 혜)

Sub-units

• Loona 1/3 (이달의 소녀 1/3) – HaSeul (leader of sub-unit[29]), ViVi, HeeJin, HyunJin[30]
• Loona Odd Eye Circle (이달의 소녀 오드아이써클) – Kim Lip (leader of sub-unit[31]), JinSoul, Choerry[32]
• Loona yyxy (이달의 소녀 yyxy, youth youth by young) – Yves (leader of sub-unit), Chuu, Go Won, Olivia Hye[33]

Discography

Main article: Loona discography

Extended plays

• Love & Live (Loona 1/3; 2017)
• Mix & Match (Loona Odd Eye Circle; 2017)
• Beauty & the Beat (Loona yyxy; 2018)
• [+ +] (2018)
• [#] (2020)

Tours

Headlining

• Loonabirth – Debut Concert (++) in Seoul (August 19, 2018)[34]
• Loonaverse – Comeback Concert (XX) in Seoul (February 16–17, 2019)

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, award category, nominee(s) of the award, and the result of the nomination

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee(s)/work(s)	Result	Ref.
Asia Artist Awards	2018	Most Popular Artists (Singer) – Top 50	Loona	Nominated
	2019	Popularity Award (Girl group)		Won
		Focus Award (Singer)		Won
BreakTudo Awards	2019	K-pop Female Group		Nominated	[35]
Golden Disc Awards	2019	Rookie Artist Award		Nominated
		Popularity Award		Nominated
Genie Music Awards	2018	The Top Artist		Nominated	[36]
		The Female New Artist		Nominated
		Genie Music Popularity Award		Nominated
	2019	The Top Artist		Nominated	[37]
		The Female New Artist		Nominated
		Genie Music Popularity Award		Nominated
		Global Popularity Award		Nominated
Korea First Brand Awards	2019	Most Anticipated Female Rookie Idol		Won	[38]
Melon Music Awards	2018	Best New Artist (Female)		Nominated
Mnet Asian Music Awards	2018	Best New Female Artist		Nominated
		Artist of the Year		Nominated
MTN Ad Festival Awards	2019	Commercial Star Rookie		Won	[39]
MTV Europe Music Awards	2018	Best Korean Act		Won
Seoul Music Awards	2019	New Artist Award		Nominated
		Popularity Award		Nominated
		Hallyu Special Award		Nominated
Soribada Best K-Music Awards	2019	Performance Award		Won

References

1. "'이달의 소녀' 앞으로 기대되는 이유" (in Korean). Oh My Star. November 13, 2016.
2. Lee, Jiyoon. "LOONA: The Debut Project". Studio XXX. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
3. "[기획]"사전 검증받겠다" 걸그룹의 이색 데뷔·컴백 '눈길'" (in Korean). Segye Ilbo.
4. • "'이달의 소녀' 희진, 서울 이어 파리 티저 공개 '역대급 스케일'" (in Korean). Ten Asia. October 3, 2016.
   • "걸그룹 '이달의 소녀' 현진, 몽환+청순 매력" (in Korean). Ten Asia. October 29, 2016.
   • "이달의 소녀, 하슬 공개.. 톰보이 매력" (in Korean). Ten Asia. December 8, 2016.
   • "이달의 소녀, 4번째 주인공 여진.. 15세 발랄 상큼소녀" (in Korean). Ten Asia. January 4, 2017.
   • "이달의 소녀, 5번째 멤버 '비비'+첫 유닛 티저 공개 '기대감UP'" (in Korean). Ten Asia. February 13, 2017.
5. "'데뷔 임박' 이달의 소녀 1/3, 지상파 광고 돌입… "이례적"" (in Korean). Ten Asia. March 6, 2017.
6. "이달의 소녀 1/3, 오늘(13일) 베일 벗는다" (in Korean). Ten Asia. March 13, 2017.
7. "'이달의 소녀 1/3', 3월 10일 유닛 앨범 발표…비비 포함 4인조로 첫 활동" (in Korean). News Pim. February 16, 2017.
8. "이달의 소녀 1/3, 리패키지 앨범 'love&Evil' 오늘(27일) 발매" (in Korean). Ten Asia. April 27, 2017.
9. • "이달의 소녀 비비, 5번째 솔로 앨범 주인공 낙점…MV 촬영지 '궁금증 UP'" (in Korean). Ten Asia. April 5, 2017.
   • "이달의 소녀, 여섯 번째 멤버 김립 공개 "NEW 빌드업 소녀"" (in Korean). Ten Asia. May 15, 2017.
   • "이달의 소녀, 7번째 멤버 진솔 공개…'男心홀릭' 여신 비주얼" (in Korean). Ten Asia. June 13, 2017.
   • "이달의 소녀, 8번째 멤버 최리 공개…우아한 걸크러시" (in Korean). Ten Asia. July 12, 2017.
10. Choi, Ji-ye. "양현석X한동철 '믹스나인' 첫 주자, 드디어 베일 벗었다". Naver (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
11. Choi, So-young. "'믹스나인' 女신류진·男우진영 1등, 데뷔는 소년팀". StarNews (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
12. "'이달의 소녀 2nd 유닛' 오드아이써클, 21일 '믹스 앤 매치' 발매" (in Korean). Lunar Global Star. September 18, 2017.
13. "이달의 소녀 두 번째 유닛 오드아이써클, 'LOONATIC' 영어 버전 앨범 발매" (in Korean). SE Daily. October 19, 2017.
14. "이달소 오드아이써클, 신곡 추가해 31일 리패키지 앨범 발매" (in Korean). My Daily.
15. • "이달의 소녀 이브, 솔로 앨범 공개… "변화 이끌 것"" (in Korean). Ten Asia. November 30, 2017.* "이달의 소녀 열 번째 멤버 '츄', '하트 어택' 음원+뮤비 공개" (in Korean). Ten Asia. December 28, 2017.* "이달의 소녀 11번째 멤버 고원, 솔로 싱글 오늘(30일) 정오 공개" (in Korean). Ten Asia. January 30, 2018.* "The Carol 2.0 (ViVi, Choerry, Yves) by LOOΠΔ on iTunes". iTunes Store. United States: Apple Inc. December 13, 2017.
16. "이달의 소녀 올리비아 혜, 솔로 싱글 티저 공개...자아를 말한다" (in Korean). Ten Asia. March 28, 2018.
17. "이달의 소녀 yyxy, 30일 데뷔…내달 팬미팅서 신곡 무대" (in Korean). Ten Asia. May 30, 2018.
18. favOriTe - Single by LOOΠΔ, August 7, 2018, retrieved August 8, 2018
19. "K-Pop Girl Group Loona Releases First Single as Full Act: Watch 'favOriTe' Music Video". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
20. "이달의 소녀(LOOΠΔ) on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
21. "Loona Announces First Formal Single 'Hi High': Watch a Teaser". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
22. "LOONA Share Inspiring 'Butterfly' Music Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
23. "LOONA Release '365' Single & Hint At Something New". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
24. "From the fancafe". Twitter. January 7, 2020.
25. 소녀(LOOΠΔ), 이달의 (January 19, 2020). "2020. 02. 05 pm6 (KST) 이달의 소녀 [#] 01 # 02 So What 03 Number 1 04 Oh (Yes I Am) 05 땡땡땡 06 365 #이달의소녀 [#] 01 # 02 #SoWhat 03 #Number1 04 #Oh ( #YesIAm ) 05 #땡땡땡 06 #365 ⠀⠀⠀ #LOONApic.twitter.com/cGjP2VkWs8". @loonatheworld (in Korean). Retrieved February 7, 2020.
26. "'첫 1위' 이달의 소녀, 'So What' 트로피 들고 '눈물'…빅톤· ITZY 컴백 (엠카) [종합]". Xportsnews (in Korean). March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
27. "이달의 소녀 프로필" (in Korean). Naver.
28. "오드아이써클 "완전체 이달의 소녀 기대해주세요"" (in Korean). Zenith News. November 7, 2017.
29. ""과즙美 팡팡"…이달의 소녀 최리의 착한 미모" (in Korean). MK News.
30. "이달의 소녀 1/3 프로필" (in Korean). Naver.
31. "오드아이써클 Max&Match 사인회 현장&선물처럼 찾아온 깜짝 소녀는?!" (in Korean). Naver.
32. "이달의 소녀 오드아이써클 프로필" (in Korean). Naver.
33. "이달의 소녀 yyxy 프로필" (in Korean). Naver.
34. Allie Fasanella (August 7, 2018). "Why the Internet is Buzzing About K-Pop Group Loona's New Music Video With Matching Outfits". footwearnews.com. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
35. "BreakTudo Awards 2019: Veja a lista completa de indicados". BreakTudo (in Portuguese). August 22, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
36. ""BTS·워너원·트와이스·볼빨간"…'2018 MGA' 후보 공개, 투표 시작". Naver (in Korean). October 1, 2018.
37. "[뮤직토픽] '2019 MGMA', 여자 신인상 후보에 아이즈원이 없는 것에 대한 의구심". Topstarnews (in Korean). June 21, 2019.
38. "이달의 소녀, '퍼스트브랜드 대상' 신인상 추가 '멋진 무대로 보답'" (in Korean). star.hankookilbo.com. December 20, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
39. "소이현·이시언·헨리·이달소·배정남 MTN 방송광고 빛낸★[종합]". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). July 18, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2019.

External links

• Official website