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걸그룹 씨스타의 유닛그룹인 씨스타19의 이번 달 컴백 소식에 다른 아이돌 유닛그룹의 소식도 활발히 들리고 있다. 포미닛과 인피니트는 이미 유닛그룹계획을 발표한 바 있다.
지난해 상반기 출격한 소녀시대의 유닛그룹 태티서가 큰 성공을 거둔 후 올해 초부터 다른 아이돌 그룹의 유닛활동이 이어질 것으로 보인다.
씨스타19는 2011년 디지털 싱글 “Ma Boy” 를 발표한 4인조 걸그룹 씨스타의 유닛그룹이다. 씨스타가 본격적인 활동을 이어나가면서 한동안 씨스타19는 개별활동을 하지 않았다.
5인조 걸그룹 포미닛의 허가윤과 전지윤은 “더블 윤”이라는 가칭으로 유닛그룹을 결성한다. 포미닛의 후속 앨범활동이 끝난 후 활동을 시작할 “더블 윤”은 발라드 곡을 발표할 것이라고 큐브 엔터테인먼트 관계자가 언급했다.
2009년 타이틀곡 “핫이슈”로 성공리에 데뷔한 포미닛은 케이팝 최정상 걸그룹중 하나로 손꼽힌다. 하지만 포미닛의 멤버 현아의 독보적인 활동으로 다른 멤버들은 매력을 발산하지 못했다고 볼 수 있다. 허가윤과 전지윤은 풍부한 가창력으로 발라드 그룹으로 자리잡는 것을 희망하고 있다.
7인조 남성 그룹 인피니트는 동우와 호야로 구성된 유닛그룹 “인피니트 H”를 결성했다. 인피니트는 2010년 싱글앨범 “Before the Dawn”으로 데뷔해 현재까지 10장의 앨범을 발매하고 수만명의 팬덤을 가지고 있다. “인피니트 H”는 유명 프로듀서 프라이머리와 힘을 합쳐 힙합위주의 음악을 선보일 예정이다. 인피니티는 1월 말 데뷔 싱글앨범인 “Fly High” 발매할 예정이다. (코리아헤럴드)
Spin-off groups look to make splash in 2013
The announcement of Sistar19’s comeback in January has sparked news of other spin-off groups who wish to make a name for themselves this year. Girl group 4minute and the new boys of Infinite have both confirmed that they will be launching sub-groups of their own.
Early last year, one of the leading girl groups in the K-pop world, Girls’ Generation, found success with their own spin-off group, Girls’ Generation-TTS, also known as TaeTiSeo, with members Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun. Now, with the announcement of more of these groups looking to hit the stage, it seems as though this year will see the birth of many other sub-groups.
The duo of Hyo-rin and Bo-ra who comprise Sistar19, a spin-off of sexy four-member K-pop group Sistar, first debuted in 2011 with their single “Ma Boy.” However, Sistar19 has not been active since then and the members have just been promoting themselves within the main group Sistar.
After the news of the unit group’s comeback to the music scene, 4minute and Infinite both announced the debut of their spin-off groups last month.
Heo Ga-yoon and Jeon Ji-yoon of the five-member girl group 4minute will comprise the group’s first sub-group, which is currently being referred to as “Double Yoon.” Representatives of Cube Entertainment revealed that the two would be debuting after the release of 4minute’s next album. The representatives also stated that they would be promoted as a ballad duo.
Heo Ga-yoon (center) and Jeon Ji-yoon (far right) of 4minute will make their debut as a duo, tentatively named Double Yoon. (Cube Entertainment)
Dong-woo (far right) and Ho-ya (far left) of Infinite are set to debut this month as the hip-hop duo Infinite H. (Woolim Entertainment)
The ladies of 4minute debuted in 2009 with their dance track “Hot Issue” and have since made a name for themselves as one of the leading girl groups in the Korean entertainment industry. However, the members have had quite a shadow cast over them by the solo career of Hyun-a, who has become the face of the group. With the vocal skills of Heo and Jeon, the duo hopes to differentiate themselves as a ballad group.
The seven-member super rookie idol group Infinite has also revealed the creation of a spin-off group, called Infinite H, with members Dong-woo and Ho-ya. Infinite debuted in 2010 with the single, “Before the Dawn,” and have since released more than 10 albums and amassed one of the largest K-pop fan followings. The two hope to establish themselves as a hip-hop duo with the help of music producer Primary. Infinite H is scheduled to release debut single “Fly High” later this month.
By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)
