Banana Culture Newkid (바나나컬쳐 Newkid) was a trainee girl group under Banana Culture. The group is assumed to have disbanded due to the departure of several trainees and no new updates since the spring of 2019.
Career[]
2018–2019[]
On September 10, 2018, Banana Culture uploaded a dance cover onto the YouTube channel of their upcoming girl group, which at the time was unnamed. The dance cover featured eight unnamed trainees who are presumed to be the members of the upcoming girl group.[1] On September 21, a new dance cover was uploaded, this time featuring only seven trainees, suggesting one trainee has left the line-up.[2] Two days later on September 23, the first introductory video was made and revealed the remaining six trainees who will be members (also hinting that another trainee yet again left). The introduced six trainees were: Kim Songsun, Kim Jihye, Shin Minseo, Kim Nayoung, Maika and Kim Hyunbin.[3] Sometime in December 2019, Kim Jihye left the group line-up, and by March 2019, Shin Minseo had also left. Their last video was uploaded on April 12, 2019 and was a group carol medley featuring the remaining members Songsun, Nayoung, Maika and Hyunbin.[4] No further updates of the group were ever given.
Aftermath[]
On March 25, 2020, it was reported that Banana Culture had shut down after EXID’s contracts expired and employees stepped down. The CEO claimed that the company would continue managing TREI and their female trainees; however, this was proven false when TREI disbanded on June 19, 2020.
Shortly after, Songsun and Hyunbin joined Lionheart Entertainment and were introduced as members of the trainee group LIONGIRLS. The group later transferred to TR Entertainment, and both girls were confirmed as official members of the girl group, TRI.BE, which debuted in February 2021.
On April 21, 2021, it was revealed that Nayoung had joined Cube Entertainment when she was announced as a member of the girl group LIGHTSUM.[5]
The identities of the two members who joined before the official introduction are unknown. There also has not been any updates or information regarding the circumstances of Jihye and Minseo.
Members[]
| Name | Position(s) | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Kim Jihye (김지혜) | N/A | 2018 |
| Shin Minseo (신민서) | N/A | 2018–2019 |
| Kim Songsun (김송선) | Main Vocalist | 2018–2019 |
| Kim Hyunbin (김현빈) | Main Rapper, Vocalist | 2018–2019 |
| Maika (마이카) | Lead Rapper, Maknae | 2018–2019 |
| Kim Nayoung (김나영) | Lead Vocalist | 2018–2019 |
References[]
- ↑ YouTube: [PERFORMANCE VIDEO] BANANA CULTURE TRAINEE '16 shots' Teaser
- ↑ YouTube: [DANCE COVER] BANANA CULTURE TRAINEE ‘한(一)' (원곡: (G)I-DLE)
- ↑ YouTube: [LETTER BOX] 2018년 바나나컬쳐 연습생 추석편지♥
- ↑ YouTube: [COVER] BANANA CULTURE TRAINEE 봄캐롤 메들리(Spring Song Medley)
- ↑ @CUBE_LIGHTSUM on Twitter (April 21, 2021)