- For other articles titled 'Circle', see Circle.
Circle (써클) was four-member multinational kids girl group under Chosun Music and Soma Office. Originally as five, they debuted on August 12, 1998 with their first studio album Graduation.
They disbanded in 2000 following the release of Magic Eyes.
History[]
Pre-debut[]
Circle is the first multinational idol girl group. They were Asia's first Korea-Japan joint venture group.[1]
They were formed by Chosun Music (South Korea) and Soma Office (Japan). The original lineup consisted of Korean members Lee Jeehyun and Han Boram, Chinese-Japanese member Shirayuki[n 1], as well as Japanese members Ogawa Ayako and Eguchi Yuka.[2]
1998: Korean debut with Graduation, Japanese debut with "Sweetest Love"[]
On August 12, 1998, the group made their Korean debut with their first studio album Graduation with "Sweetest Love" serving as the title track.
Prior to their debut, they made their first stage appearance on SBS's Inkigayo performing "Sweetest Love" on August 9.[3]
They also did this strategy for their promotions in Japan. On August 24, they appeared on NHK's Mayonaka no kkoku (Kingdom of the Night). The Japanese version of their Korean title track "Sweetest Love" served as their Japanese debut on September 19.[2]
1999-2000: Lineup changes, hiatus, Magic Eyes, disbandment[]
In 1999, Ogawa Ayako announced she would be departing from the group to pursue an acting career in Japan. This had pushed Circle's comeback to a later date and paused their activities.[1]
To fill Ayako's vacancy, they recruited Ryu Semin, a former South Korean child actress. Ending Circle's year long hiatus, she was introduced as a member in January 2000.[1] However, she dropped out shortly after saying "she didn't match the team's color".[2][4]
In April 2000, Circle returned as a four-member group by releasing their second Korean studio album Magic Eyes.
Initial plans for a Japanese release fell through due to the poor performance of their Korean comeback.
Circle eventually disbanded sometime later that year.[4]
2018-2022: SNS reunions[]
In 2018, Ogawa Ayako, Yuka Eguchi and Shirayuki reunited for their 20th anniversary and posted about it on their SNS.[5][6]
In 2019, the three Japanese-Chinese members reunited again but this time with Han Boram. They stated that they were on good terms and intended to reunite as five.[7]
In 2022, Han Boram and Lee Jeehyun met up and referred to each other as friends of 24 years.[8]
Aftermath[]
Following the disbandment of Circle, all the members went their separate ways:
- Ogawa Ayako left Circle in 1999 to pursue an acting career in Japan. It is unclear whether she went through with this or not. In 2018, she shared that she became a Certified Level 1 Organization and Storage Advisor.[9]
- Lee Jeehyun (now romanizing her name as Jihyun) debuted as a member of the girl group Jewelry in March 2001. She left the group in February 2006. She is an actress and appeared in dramas such as Good Day to Love (SBS, 2007) & Again My Life (SBS, 2022). In 2023, she joined P&K Entertainment and debuted as a soloist.[10]
- Han Boram became an actress and appeared in dramas such as 네 멋대로 해라 (MBC, 2002) and films such as Break Out (2002). She also starred in stage musicals such as 인생은 아름다워 (2005) and Single Party (2012). She has been inactive from projects since 2012 therefore presumably retired from the entertainment industry.
- Shirayuki became a model and influencer. She is signed under No Ties Model in the U.S.A and BARK in STYle in Japan. She frequently uploads vlogs on her YouTube channel.[11]
- Eguchi Yuka has seemingly retired and left the entertainment industry. She is living a quiet life with her family.
- The circumstances of Ryu Semin is unknown.
- The original members follow each other on Instagram.
Members[]
| Name | Nationality | Position(s) | Years active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Jeehyun (이지현) | South Korean | Leader (1998-2000)[n 2], Sub Vocalist | 1998-2000 |
| Ogawa Ayako (오가와 아야코) | Japanese | Leader (1998-1999)[n 2], Main Vocalist | 1998-1999 |
| Han Boram (한보람) | South Korean | Main Vocalist | 1998-2000 |
| Eguchi Yuka (에구치 유카) | Japanese | Sub Vocalist | 1998-2000 |
| Shirayuki (시라유키)[n 1] | Chinese/Japanese[n 1] | Sub Vocalist, Maknae | 1998-2000 |
| Ryu Semin (류세민) | Korean | N/A | 1999-2000[n 3] |
Discography[]
Korean[]
Studio albums[]
- Graduation (1998)
- Magic Eyes (2000)
Japanese[]
Single albums[]
- "Sweetest Love" (1998)
Notes[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Shirayuki is also occasionally referred to as Baixue (바이슈에), from Báixuě (白雪) which is her original Chinese birth name whilst Shirayuki is a Japanese reading of those Chinese characters. This occurred because while she is from Japan, she is ethnic Chinese. See Chinese people in Japan on Wikipedia for contextual information.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lee Jeehyun and Ogawa Ayako shared the leadership position. Jeehyun was the leader for South Korean promotions and Ayako was the leader for Japanese promotions. When Ayako departed from the group, the leadership position for Japanese promotions was abandoned.
- ↑ Ryu Semin was recruited after Ogawa Ayako left but was only briefly a member (in late 1999 and early 2000). She did not release any music with the group.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 (KR) MUSICLIFE: January 2000 issue
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 [90's K-Pop Idol Group] Circle
- ↑ YouTube: 써클 (Circle) - Sweetest Love (인기가요 1998.08.09)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 (KR) Xports News: 오투포 출신 안미정 화제… 당시 걸그룹 누가 있었나
- ↑ @yanko.ns on Instagram (January 17, 2018)
- ↑ @yanko.ns on Instagram (March 12, 2018)
- ↑ @yanko.ns on Instagram (November 15, 2019)
- ↑ @peace89421 on Instagram (May 30, 2022)
- ↑ @yanko.ns on Instagram (May 18, 2018)
- ↑ (KR) Herald Pop: 쥬얼리 출신 이지현, 솔로곡 깜짝 발매.."많은 고민 속 큰 용기 냈다"
- ↑ YouTube: サンディエゴ最大のクラシックカーショーに行ってきた！😍 Goodguys car show 2024
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