9MUSES (나인뮤지스; also stylized as NINE MUSES) was a girl group under Star Empire Entertainment. Originally as nine, they debuted on August 12, 2010 with their first single album "Let's Have A Party".
They disbanded on February 24, 2019 following their final fan meeting.
On March 21, 2023, it was reported that the group would reform for a comeback. However, this ended up never materialized.
History[]
Pre-debut[]
On April 8, 2009, Star Empire Entertainment held a press conference for their upcoming Mnet's reality show Children of Empire, starring Star Empire Entertainment and their artists. During the press conference, the agency announced plans for a girl group named 9MUSES. Although they were a twelve-member group, only nine members would be active in the group, promoting in various fields such as variety shows, dramas, fashion models, and singers in the future.[1]
On May 13, the agency opened auditions to recruit members for 9MUSES, with applications being accepted through their website until May 27. Successful candidates were later announced on May 28, with auditions scheduled for May 31.[2]
During the airing of Children of Empire, it was revealed that the trainees for 9MUSES were separated into two teams: Team A (Surin, Yoori, Sera, Hyunjoo, Suri, Sungah, Victoria, Soyeon, and Seoyoung) and Team B (Eunbin, Bini, Yunkyung, Sumin and Sein).[3] However, when the second season Empire Kids Return premiered its first episode on October 19, it was revealed that the first generation of 9MUSES had disbanded.[4]
On November 12, two supposed members of 9MUSES, Surin and Victoria, were revealed as parts of Star Empire's upcoming project co-ed group A-Force.[5]
On April 7, 2010, they released "Give Me" as the OST for the drama Prosecutor Princess, in collaboration with Seo In Young.[6]
On July 22, Star Empire Entertainment announced that the group was in the final stages of working on their album ahead of their debut in early August, with the lineup consisting of Rana, Bini, Euaerin, Sera, Eunji, Lee Sem, Jaekyung, Hyemi & Minha.[7]
2010: Debut with "Let's Have A Party", Jaekyung's departure, Hyuna's addition, promotions for "Ladies" and first performance in Japan[]
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Promotional photo for "Let's Have A Party".
On August 12, the group officially made their debut with the single album "Let's Have A Party" and the title track "No Playboy", produced by Rainstone and J.Y. Park. The same day, they had their debut stage on M Countdown.[8]
On October 14, it was reported that Jaekyung had temporarily left the group to focus on modeling and would be replaced by new member, Hyuna, for their follow-up promotion with "Ladies".[9][n 1]
On December 26, 9MUSES performed at Seoul Train, alongside V.O.S and ZE:A, as their first venture into the Japanese music market.[10]
2011: Bini, Rana and Euaerin's departures, "Figaro", initial name change, Lee Sem's injury, Yat Salam 2011 and addition of Gyeongree[]
In February 11, 2011, it was announced that Bini, Rana, and Euaerin had halted their activities with the group due to various reasons: Euaerin left to focus on her studies while Rana and Bini left because they had a strong desire to become models and actresses. However, they didn't leave the group permanently and would rejoin the group if the opportunity arised.[11][n 2]
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Promotional photo for "Figaro".
On August 11, Rana and Bini officially left the group to pursue individual activities.[12] On the 18th of the same month, the group made their first comeback with the single album "Figaro" as a seven-member unit, with Euaerin returning and Hyuna making her official debut.[13] With this comeback, the agency initially planned to change the group name to Sweet Candy to avoid confusions over a seven-member group being named 9MUSES. However, they later decided that the group name would not change and that two members would be added in the future to reform the nine-member lineup.[citation needed]
On August 28, Lee Sem was absent from their performance as she suffered from an ankle injury during the filming for Idol Star Athletics Championships.[14] Despite not being fully recovered, she later returned on September 2 for the group's performance on Music Bank.[15]
On October 4, it was confirmed that the group would be attending the music festival Yat Salam 2011, held in Abu Dhabi, from November 8 to 13. During this, a new member was seen performing with the group.[16]
On December 28, Gyeongree was officially announced as a new member.[17]
2012: "News", Sweet Rendezvous and Sungah's addition[]
On January 10, 2012, the group released the music video for "News", with the single released a day later on the 11th. This release marked Gyeongree's official debut.
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Promotional photo for Sweet Rendezvous.
On March 6, a teaser video for their new song "Ticket" was released. The group's first mini album Sweet Rendezvous and the music video for "Ticket" were released on March 8.
On May 12, a new member, Sungah, was seen performing with the group.[18]
2013: "Dolls", Wild, Prima Donna and "Glue"[]
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Promotional photo for "Dolls".
On January 10, 2013, it was reported that they would return on the 24th with the single album "Dolls" as a nine-member group with Sungah.[19] This became the group's highest charting single to date, peaking at #17 on the Gaon Digital Chart..[20]
On May 9, the group released their second mini album Wild. The album debuted at #4 on the Gaon Album Chart, while the single peaked at #22 on the Gaon Digital Chart.[21][22]
On October 14, the group released their first full-length album, Prima Donna, along with its title track, "Gun".
On December 4, the group released their third digital single titled "Glue".
2014: Eunji, Lee Sem, and Sera's departures, and NASTY NASTY[]
On January 29, 2014, Star Empire announced Lee Sem and Eunji would be leaving the group to start individual activities under the agency.[23] On June 23, it was announced that Sera had also left the group after her contract with the agency expired.[24][n 3]
On August 22, it was announced that Gyeongree, ZE:A's Kevin and a Star Empire trainee Sojin would team up to form the project unit called NASTY NASTY.[25]
2015: Keumjo and Sojin's addition, Drama, 9MUSES S/S Edition and Lost[]
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Promotional photo for Drama.
On January 9, 2015, Star Empire officially announced the group's comeback with their third mini album, Drama, to be released on January 23.[26] On January 12, two new members were revealed to be Sojin and Star Empire trainee Keumjo.[27] With this, 9MUSES held a showcase for on January 21 and performed their title track "Drama" with their new eight-member line-up for the first time. The showcase was broadcasted live on their YouTube channel.[28]
On June 4, it was reported that the group would be making a summer comeback in early July.[29] They later returned on July 2 with their first special summer album 9MUSES S/S Edition, with "Hurt Locker" serving as the title track.
On November 24, 9MUSES released their fourth mini album Lost and promoted the title track "Sleepless Night".
2016: Muses In The City, Euaerin, Minha, and Hyuna's departure, 9MUSES A[]
On February 19, 2016, the group held their first solo concert Muses In The City at Wapop Hall in Seoul Children's Grand Park. Additionally, they held two solo fan meetings in China, one in Shanghai on February 27 and another in Guangzhou on March 19.[30]
On June 8, Star Empire announced that Minha and Euaerin's exclusive contracts had expired and they decided to graduate from the group.[31] It was also revealed that the group was preparing for a summer comeback in August with a sub-unit, later known as 9MUSES A.[32]
On October 4, Star Empire confirmed that Hyuna would be leaving the group after she posted a handwritten letter announcing the news on the group's fancafe.[33]
2017: Sungah's hiatus, comebacks with Muses Diary Part.2 and Muses Diary Part.3[]
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Promotional photo for Muses Diary Part.2.
On April 28, Star Empire announced that 9MUSES A was preparing for a summer comeback.[34] However, it was revealed on June 1 that they would make this comeback as a complete group consisting of only the members of 9MUSES A, excluding Sungah as she was focusing on individual activities.[35] The mini album, Muses Diary Part.2 : Identity, was released on June 19 with "Remember" as the title track. A repackage titled Muses Diary Part.3 : Love City was released on August 3.
2019: Disbandment[]
On February 11, 2019, Star Empire announced through the group's fancafe that they would be disbanding following their final fan meeting on the 24th. Additionally, a digital single titled "Remember" was released on February 14.[36][37]
2021: Reunion on MMTG Hidden Gems Concert[]
On June 10, 2021, it was revealed by Hyuna that she, Sojin, Euaerin, Kyungri, Minha, Hyemi and Keumjo would be reuniting as 9MUSES on MMTG Hidden Gems Concert.[n 4] When asked about the reunion, former member Sera confirmed that she would not be participating, as only the group's final lineup would be involved. She encouraged fans to show their love and support for the members.[38] The following day, 9MUSES reunited on MMTG Hidden Gems Concert for a performance of "Dolls".[39]
Right before their reunion performance, former member Lee Sem called out another group member for “manipulation”, as well as expressing her disappointment that she wasn't well informed, nor invited, for their reunion project despite them using a song from when she was in the group.[40] On June 14, she made an Instagram post organizing her feelings, as well as apologizing for her previous Instagram story.[41]
On June 16, former member Sera also posted a video reacting to the reunion.[42]
2023: Reported reunion and comeback[]
On March 21, it was reported that 9MUSES would be making a comeback as a full group (lineup yet to be confirmed) sometime between July and August 2023 with their sub-unit, 9MUSES A, to release a song as early as May 2023.[43]
As of 2025, no comeback has happened, neither for the entire group nor for the subunit.
Members[]
| Name | Position(s) | Year(s) active |
|---|---|---|
| Rana (라나) | Leader (2010–2011), Lead Rapper, Vocalist | 2010–2011 |
| Bini (비니) | Vocalist | 2010–2011 |
| Hyuna (현아) | Leader (2014–2016), Lead Vocalist | 2010–2016 |
| Lee Sem (이샘) | Main Rapper, Vocalist | 2010–2014 |
| Jaekyung (재경) | Vocalist | 2010 |
| Sera (세라) | Leader (2010; 2011–2014), Main Vocalist | 2010–2014 |
| Euaerin (이유애린) | Main Rapper, Lead Dancer, Vocalist | 2010–2016 |
| Eunji (은지) | Main Dancer, Lead Rapper, Vocalist | 2010–2014 |
| Sungah (성아) | Lead Rapper, Lead Dancer, Vocalist | 2012–2017[n 5] |
| Gyeongree (경리) | Lead Vocalist, Lead Dancer, Visual | 2011–2019 |
| Hyemi (혜미) | Leader[44] (2016–2019), Main Vocalist | 2010–2019 |
| Minha (민하) | Vocalist, Visual, Maknae (2010–2015) | 2010–2016 |
| Sojin (소진) | Main Dancer, Lead Rapper, Vocalist | 2015–2019 |
| Keumjo (금조) | Main Vocalist, Maknae (2015–2019) | 2015–2019 |
| Pre-debut | ||
| Surin (수린) | N/A | 2009 |
| Yoori (유리) | N/A | 2009 |
| Soyeon (소연) | N/A | 2009 |
| Eunbin (은빈) | N/A | 2009 |
| Yunkyung (윤경) | N/A | 2009 |
| Sumin (수민) | N/A | 2009 |
| Sein (세인) | N/A | 2009 |
| Viki (비키) | N/A | 2009 |
| Arum (아름) | N/A | 2010 |
Sub-units[]
Discography[]
Studio albums[]
Mini albums[]
Special albums[]
|
Single albums[]
Digital singles[]Collaborations[]
OSTs[]
|
Concerts[]
- Muses In The City (2015)
- Re:Mine (2019)
Gallery[]
- Main article: 9MUSES/Gallery
Notes[]
- ↑ According to their documentary with BBC, Jaekyung was expelled from the group because the CEO of the company believed that she lacked passion for music.
- ↑ According to their documentary with BBC, Bini was fired from the group for the same reason as Jaekyung, Rana quit because she couldn't handle the pressure of being the leader and Euaerin left to pursue her dream in Japan.
- ↑ According to Sera in an interview with Fefo Caires, she wanted to renew her contract and stay with the group but got kicked out and only found out after the news came out.
- ↑ Sungah couldn't participate due to personal reasons but was still tagged.
- ↑ She went on a hiatus in 2017.
References[]
- ↑ (KR) Newsen: 스타제국 측 "여성12인조그룹 육성 중이다"
- ↑ (KR) OSEN: 기존 여성그룹의 판도를 바꾼다! 스타제국 '나인뮤지스' 공개 모집
- ↑ Children of Empire Episode 1-12
- ↑ Empire Kids Return Episode 1
- ↑ (KR) MK: 팝핀현준 에이포스, 여성멤버 4인 공개
- ↑ (KR) MK: 서인영-나인뮤지스, '검사 프린세스' OST 참여
- ↑ (KR) No Cut News: 9인조 여성그룹 '나인뮤지스', 8월 초 데뷔
- ↑ (KR) My Daily: 나인뮤지스, 엠카서 박진영 작사 'no playboy'로 첫 데뷔
- ↑ (KR) Kuki News: 나인뮤지스, 현아 투입…재경, 당분간 모델 활동 전념
- ↑ (KR) Asia Economy: 나인뮤지스, 첫 日 진출 무대 성공리에 마쳐
- ↑ (KR) Chosun: 나인뮤지스 측, "비니-라나-이유애린 탈퇴 아닌 개별활동"
- ↑ (KR) Star News Korea: [단독]나인뮤지스, 라나·비니 탈퇴 "개인활동 원해"
- ↑ (KR) News Nate: 나인뮤지스, 1년간 준비한 신곡 ‘휘가로’ 오늘(18일) 전격 공개
- ↑ (KR) Newsen: 이샘, 독보적 선두 허들경기서 '꽈당' 실격에 부상(아이돌육상선수권대회)
- ↑ (KR) TV Daily: 나인뮤지스 이샘 '투혼 발휘', 발목 부상 불구 '휘가로' 무대 완벽 소화
- ↑ (KR) Star News Korea: 나인뮤지스 "韓대표 중동진출..사뭇 느낌 달라"(인터뷰)
- ↑ (KR) Star News Korea: 나인뮤지스, 새 멤버 댄서출신 경리 전격 영입
- ↑ (KR) My Daily: [MD포토] 나인뮤지스 '숨막히게 늘씬하네'
- ↑ (KR) Segye: 나인뮤지스, 새 멤버 손성아 합류..3년 만에 9인조로 활동
- ↑ (KR) Gaon Music Chart: 2013년 5주차 Digital Chart
- ↑ (KR) Gaon Music Chart: 2013년 20주차 Album Chart
- ↑ (KR) Gaon Music Chart: 2013년 21주차 Digital Chart
- ↑ Soompi: Lee Sem and Eunji Are Leaving Nine Muses and Starting Individual Activities
- ↑ Soompi: Sera Departs Nine Muses, Agency Announces “New Member” and August Comeback
- ↑ (KR) TV Daily: 케빈·경리·스타제국 女신인, 혼성 유닛 네스티네스티로 데뷔
- ↑ (KR) Ten Asia: 나인뮤지스 볼륨감 넘치는 란제리룩 컴백 예고 더 성숙하고, 더 아찔하게
- ↑ (KR) Ten Asia: 나인뮤지스, 새 멤버 공개..소진-금조 합류 8인 체제
- ↑ (KR) My Daily: 나인뮤지스 소진·금조 "새멤버 합류 영광, 가수 꿈 이뤄 설렌다"
- ↑ (KR) Newsen: 나인뮤지스 7월 컴백 선언, 걸그룹 대전에 출사표
- ↑ (KR) Star Daily News: 나인뮤지스, 첫 단독 콘서트 '뮤즈 인 더 시티(MUSE IN THE CITY)' 성료
- ↑ Soompi: 9MUSES’s Euaerin And Minha Graduate From Group
- ↑ Soompi: 9MUSES Announces Comeback With 4-Member Unit In August
- ↑ Soompi: 9MUSES’s Hyuna Leaves Group And Writes Handwritten Letter For Fans
- ↑ Soompi: 9MUSES A To Make Summer Comeback
- ↑ (KR) Ten Asia: 스타제국 측 "성아, 나뮤 탈퇴 아니다.. 당분간 개인 활동" (공식)
- ↑ Daum Cafe: 안녕하세요 스타제국입니다
- ↑ Soompi: 9MUSES announces disbandment and release of farewell song
- ↑ Allkpop: Sera clarified that she would not be participating, as only the group's final lineup would be involved. She encouraged fans to show their love and support for the members.
- ↑ YouTube: [무대영상] 나인뮤지스(9Muses) - '돌스(Dolls)' Full ver. / 문명특급 MMTG
- ↑ Koreaboo: Former 9MUSES Member Lee Sem Publicly Calls Out A Group Member Right Before The 9MUSES Reunion Performance
- ↑ Allkpop: Former Nine Muses member Lee Sem apologizes for her Instagram story targeting Nine Muses members
- ↑ YouTube: [Reaction] [무대영상] 나인뮤지스(9Muses) - '돌스(Dolls)' Full ver. / 문명특급 MMTG
- ↑ JTBC: [단독]나인뮤지스 다시 뭉친다… "올 여름 컴백"
- ↑ (KR) OSEN: '7주년' 나인뮤지스 "7년간 정말 다사다난…계속 나아질 것"
Official links[]
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