AKMU (악뮤), formerly Akdong Musician (악동뮤지션), is a duo under YG Entertainment. Consisting of siblings Lee Chanhyuk and Lee Suhyun, they officially debuted on April 7, 2014 with the release of their full-length album Play.
History[]
Early life[]
Lee Chanhyuk and Lee Suhyun, were born in South Korea, their father's missionary work caused the family to move to Mongolia for almost five years before returning to South Korea to pursue a career in the music industry.[2] Due to his parent's financial difficulties, his parents suggested they be home-schooled.[3]
2013: K-pop Star 2[]
In 2013, the siblings auditioned for the second season of the reality show K-Pop Star finishing in first place and signing a contract with YG Entertainment.[4]
2014: Debut with Play, "Time and Fallen Leaves" and first concert[]
On March 31, 2014, YG Entertainment announced that the group would debut on April 7 with their first album Play containing 11 tracks produced by Lee Chanhyuk and three title tracks, "Melted" chosen by the duo, "200%" chosen by YG Entertainment, and the third title track, "Give Love", was chosen on April 14 after a round of fan voting.[5] On April 2 the album tracklist was revealed.[6]
On October 10, the duo released their first digital single "Time and Fallen Leaves".
On November 21, the duo hold their first concert titled "AKDONG MUSICIAN’s First Tour Concert: AKMU CAMP". YG Entertainment commented, “From November 21 to 23, AKMU is to hold their concert at Hannam’s Blue Square Samsung Card Hall. It is titled ‘AKMU CAMP’ as the two will create a camping atmosphere where the fans can listen to their music in a casual and comfortable way.[7]
2016–2017 (1): Spring and Winter[]
On April 25, 2016, YG Entertainment revealed that the duo would make their comeback with their first mini album titled Spring on May 4, 2016.[8] On April 27, a teaser titled "Art-film" was released.[9] On April 28, 2016, the tracklist of the mini album with its double title track "Re-bye" and "How People Move" was revealed.[10]
On December 22, 2016, YG Entertainment uploaded a poster that announces the release of the duo 20-minute long musical short film Spring of Winter, and announcing the release of the duo second full album Winter on January 3, 2017.[11] On December 28, 2016, The full track list was revealed, with Lee Chan-hyuk producing and writing all the songs on the album.[12] On January 1, 2017, a short musical film was released. On January 3, 2017 the MV for the title track "Last Goodbye" was released.[13]
2017 (2): "Summer Episode" and Chan Hyuk's enlistment[]
On July 14, 2017, YG Entertainment revealed two teaser images and a short clip, which hint at a spooky concept for the new single album, to be released on July 20.[14] In following days, teaser images were released with the captions “New Summer Episode Scene #1” and “New Summer Episode Scene #2".[15] On July 19, Summer Episode tracklist was revealed containing double title tracks.[16] "Dinosaur", which marks the duo's first time taking on the EDM genre, is a track about the feelings of fear that Chanhyuk had to endure alone as a child, whereas "My Darling", contains Akdong Musician’s characteristic cheerful, acoustic sound.[17]
On September 13, YG Entertainment confirmed Lee Chanhyuk would enlist for his mandatory military enlistment on September 18, with the Korean Marines to gain valuable life experience like his friends and for inspiration in songwriting, thus halting all activities of the duo.[18][19]
2019: Chan Hyuk's Discharge and Sailing[]
On May 29, 2019, Chan Hyuk successfully fulfilled his mandatory military service and was discharged, thus also simultaneously resuming the activities of AKMU.[20]
On September 5, YG Entertainment released a poster announcing the duo comeback in two years and two months, since Summer Episode in July 2017.[21] On September 6, a video teaser was released revealing the group's third album Sailing.[22] On September 9, a teaser was revealed informing that the album would be released on September 25, with the title track "How Can I Love the Heartbreak, You're the One I Love".[23]
2020: Su Hyun's solo debut and "Happening"[]
On October 16, 2020, Lee Suhyun made her solo debut with her first digital single "Alien".
On November 8, YG Entertainment announced that the duo would make their comeback on November 16, with their third digital single "Happening"[24]
2021: Contract renewal and Next Episode[]
On January 26, 2021, it was announced that the duo had renewed their contract with YG Entertainment for another 5 years.[25]
On July 12, it was announced that the duo would make their comeback on July 26 with their first collaboration album titled Next Episode with "Nakka" serving as the album's title track.[26] On July 16, YG Entertainment informed that the duo would release a music video for each of the 7 tracks on the album.[27] On July 21, the music video for "Hey Kid, Close Your Eyes" was released as a pre-release to the album.
2023: "Love Lee"[]
On July 25, 2023, E-Daily reported that AKMU will be releasing a new song in August. Later in the day, YG confirmed the reports and stated that details will be released soon.[28] On August 10, a title poster was posted which revealed that AKMU will be releasing their fourth digital single, "Love Lee", on August 21.[29]
2024: Love Episode[]
On May 14, 2024, YG Entertainment confirmed that AKMU is preparing for a June comeback.[30] On May 21, a comeback poster announced that the duo will be releasing a new album on June 3.[31] The next day, they announced the duo's third mini album Love Episode.[32]
Members[]
| Name | Position(s) | Years active |
|---|---|---|
| Lee Chanhyuk (이찬혁) | Main Rapper, Lead Vocalist | 2014–present |
| Lee Suhyun (이수현) | Main Vocalist, Maknae | 2014–present |
Discography[]
Studio albums[]Mini albums[]
Digital singles[]
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Promotional singles[]
OSTs[]
Features[]
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Concerts[]
Solo concerts[]
|
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Concert participation[]
- 15th Seoul Jazz Festival (2023)[39]
- Summer Sonic 2024 (2024)[40]
- Krazy Super Concert (2024) [41]
Filmography[]
Reality shows[]
- K-pop Star 2 (SBS, 2013) - contestant
- Long Live Independence (JTBC, 2021) - regular cast[42]
Talk show[]
- The Seasons: Long Day, Long Night with AKMU (KBS2 TV, 2023) - MC[43]
Awards and nominations[]
| Year | Recipient | Award | Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Disc Awards | |||
| 2022 | AKMU | Digital Song Division Bonsang | Won[44] |
| Korean Music Awards | |||
| 2022 | AKMU with IU - "Nakka" | Song of the Year | Nominated[45] |
| AKMU - Next Episode | Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| AKMU with IU - "Nakka" | Best Pop Song | Won[46] | |
| AKMU - Next Episode | Best Pop Album | Won | |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | |||
| 2021 | AKMU with IU - "Nakka" | Best Collaboration | Won[47] |
Gallery[]
Promotional[]
.png "AKMU Happening concept photo (4).png (1.09 MB)")
.png "AKMU Happening concept photo (3).png (434 KB)")
.png "AKMU Next Episode promo photo (1).png (1.18 MB)")
.png "AKMU Next Episode promo photo (2).png (579 KB)")
.png "AKMU Love Lee promo photo (1).png (2.23 MB)")
.png "AKMU Love Lee promo photo (2).png (2.85 MB)")
.png "AKMU Love Lee promo photo (3).png (947 KB)")
.png "AKMU Love Lee promo photo (4).png (962 KB)")
.png "AKMU Love Episode promo photo (1).png (757 KB)")
.png "AKMU Love Episode promo photo (2).png (3.44 MB)")
.png "AKMU Love Episode promo photo (3).png (956 KB)")
Pictorial[]
_(1).png "AKMU Marie Claire Korea pictorial (2021-08) (1).png (449 KB)")
(August 2021) (1)
_(2).png "AKMU Marie Claire Korea pictorial (2021-08) (2).png (657 KB)")
(August 2021) (2)
_(3).png "AKMU Marie Claire Korea pictorial (2021-08) (3).png (415 KB)")
(August 2021) (3)
References[]
- ↑ Soompi: AKMU Announces Fandom Name For First Time In Celebration Of Their 10th Anniversary
- ↑ (KR) Khan: "가요계 흔드는 ‘악동 뮤지션’… “우리가 부르면 인기 검색어가 바뀐다"
- ↑ Akdong Musician to Open Up About Family’s Past Financial Difficulties on “Healing Camp”
- ↑ (KR) SBS Biz: 악동뮤지션 YG행 "이하이 이어 양현석 품으로"…이유 들어보니
- ↑ Akdong Musician release first teaser picture for upcoming debut + YG updates on more comebacks
- ↑ Akdong Musician reveals play list for upcoming debut album
- ↑ AKMU holds first exclusive concert
- ↑ YG FAMILY on Twitter:"AKMU - '사춘기 상(思春記 上)' NEW ALBUM RELEASE"
- ↑ AKMU - ‘입주를 환영합니다’ ART FILM FOR 사춘기(思春記)上권
- ↑ YG FAMILY on Twitter:"AKMU - '사춘기 상(思春記 上)' NEW ALBUM TRACKLIST"
- ↑ AKMU releases a musical short film for new album “WINTER” on January 1
- ↑ “All songs written by LEE CHAN HYUK”… The full track list of AKMU’s new album is unveiled [Official]
- ↑ AKMU Reveals its Comeback Plans
- ↑ AKMU – COMEBACK TEASER
- ↑ AKMU – NEW SUMMER EPISODE SCENE #2
- ↑ AKMU – NEW SINGLE ALBUM ‘SUMMER EPISODE’ TRACKLIST
- ↑ (KR) WowTV: "악동뮤지션, ‘다이노소어’로 데뷔 첫 EDM 도전"
- ↑ (KR) OSEN: "악동뮤지션 이찬혁, 9월 18일 해병대 軍입대 확정"
- ↑ Soompi: Akdong Musician’s Lee Chan Hyuk Quietly Enlists In Military
- ↑ Soompi: Akdong Musician’s Lee Chan Hyuk Discharged From Military
- ↑ (KR) Osen: "악동뮤지션, 2년 2개월 만에 컴백..새로운 로고 티저 기습 공개 [공식]"
- ↑ Brother-sister duo AKMU signals September comeback VIDEO
- ↑ (KR) Daum: "악동뮤지션 25일 컴백 확정, 한층 성숙해진 매력"
- ↑ AKMU - COMEBACK TEASER
- ↑ (KR) Osen: "YG, AKMU와 5년 재계약 체결.."다른 회사 갈 생각 無"
- ↑ (KR) XportsNews:"악뮤, 7월26일 첫 콜라보 앨범으로 컴백"
- ↑ (KR) MBN:"AKMU, 새 앨범 전곡 오피셜 비디오 제작...블록버스터급 컴백"
- ↑ Soompi: AKMU Confirmed To Make Summer Comeback
- ↑ @ygent_official on Twitter (August 10, 2023)
- ↑ Soompi: AKMU Confirmed To Be Gearing Up For June Comeback
- ↑ @ygent_official (May 21, 2024)
- ↑ @ygent_official (May 22, 2024)
- ↑ AKMU holds first exclusive concert (October 9, 2014)
- ↑ Korean band Akdong Musician holds concert in Shanghai (December 23, 2016)
- ↑ (KR) XportsNews: 악동뮤지션 '다이노소어', 실험적 도전 성공…10개 도시 전국투어 피날레 (July 23, 2017)
- ↑ (KR) The Korea Economic Daily: AKMU '항해' 전국 투어, #세트리스트 #솔로무대 #밴드라이브…관전포인트 셋 (December 13, 2019)
- ↑ (KR) Edaily: 악뮤, 11월 단독콘서트 '악뮤토피아' 개최 (September 14, 2023)
- ↑ @ygent_official on Twitter (April 5, 2024)
- ↑ Soompi: BIGBANG’s Taeyang, Crush, AKMU, Epik High, And More To Perform At Seoul Jazz Festival 2023
- ↑ Soompi: ATEEZ And NCT DREAM To Perform At Summer Sonic 2024 In Japan
- ↑ Soompi: 2024 Krazy Super Concert Returns With New Dates And Star-Studded Lineup
- ↑ (KR) MK Sports: ‘싱어게인’ 가고 ‘독립만세’ 온다…김희철·붐·송은이·AKMU·재재 출연(공식)
- ↑ Soompi: AKMU Announced As New MCs For “The Seasons” After Jay Park And Choi Jung Hoon
- ↑ Soompi: Winners Of The 36th Golden Disc Awards
- ↑ Soompi: Korean Music Awards 2022 Announces This Year’s Nominees
- ↑ Soompi: Winners Of Korean Music Awards 2022
- ↑ Soompi: Winners Of The 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards
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