Leader'S (리더스) was a five-member girl group under TGN Entertainment. Originally as seven members, they made their debut on March 22, 2011, with the single "Please".
The group disbanded on October 12, 2015.
Their name originally meant that all of the members were "talented enough to be leaders".[1] The name's meaning was later changed to express their desire to "create, lead new trends and become leaders in the music industry".[2]
History[]
2010: Pre-debut[]
Leader'S was first teased as a group in November 2010. The group was scheduled for debut in the same month with "Please", with a lineup consisting of: Dahae, Cindy, Seolji, Chaeyul, Yesol and 2 former Seven Size members: Sharon and Selyn.[1] However, plans fell through and the debut was postponed for unknown reasons. Subsequently, Sharon withdrew from the group and was replaced by Yeonsil.
2011: Debut with "Please", "Kiss Me", "Olympic Korea" & re-organization as 24[]
On March 22, 2011, Leader'S officially made their debut as a seven-member girl group with the digital single "Please". On June 16, 2011, they promoted the song on M Countdown.[n 1]
Around July 2011, Cindy left the group to focus on her studies and was replaced by two new members: Kyungsook and Paengi.[3][4]
Shortly after the lineup change, the group made their first comeback as an eight-member group on September 19, 2011, with their 1,5st single album "Kiss Me". The same month, Leader’S released their second single "Olympic Korea" on the 28th as a cheering song for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, sponsored by the sportswear brand FELICE.[5]
On October 27, 2011, TGN Entertainment announced that Leader'S would be reorganized into a 24-member girl group with three sub units:[6]
- Leader'S T, consisting of the eight-member lineup of the main group and was already promoting with "Kiss Me"
- Leader'S G and Leader'S N, each consisted of eight members, who were going to be revealed later.
In addition, it was revealed that the sub-units were set up to be competitive and their lineups could always changed based on fans' opinions, instead of having fixed lineups.[6]
In November 2011, Seolji withdrew from the group and was replaced by Aera.[citation needed]
On December 16, 2011, the lineups of their sub-units were revealed:[7]
- Leader'S T consisted of Yeonsil, Yesol, Dahae, Paengi, Kyungsook, Aera, and two new members: Soul and Yuseul, replacing Chaeyul and Selyn;
- Leader'S G consisted of Sally, Aeni, Yejin, Minhee, Danbi, Habin, Geonhye, and Soyoung;
- Leader'S N consisted of Seoyoon, Jiyoung, Sukyung, Bomin, E.Rang, Saerom, Sanga and Yunju.
On December 28, 2011, Leader'S held their debut showcase, SCENTIMOR & LEADER'S, which included a press conference for Leader'S and an investment briefing for Scentimor. During the showcase, lineup changes in Leader'S N were noticeable, as Jiyoung and two to five other members had left the group and were replaced by Seula, Pureum and Seunghee, who had been introduced days before. A first song as a their 24-member group, "X-Boyfriend", which was set to be released in January 2012, was also performed at the event.[8][7]
After the conclusion of the showcase, Leader'S was embroiled in controversy due to an employee of an outsourced event company swearing at the press who came for the group and the members lip-syncing due to issues with the on-site sound system.[9] The controversy resulted in the departure of four members from Leader'S N right after the event, including Seula and four other members whose identities remain unknown.[citation needed] As a result, this sub-unit was reduced to four members by the time Daum Cafe accounts were opened for Leader'S G and Leader'S N.[n 2]
2012-2013: 2012 Hallyu Dream Concert, cancelled comeback & hiatus[]
In the first three months of 2012, E.rang and Seunghee from Leader'S N, Aeni from Leader'S G and all eight members of Leader'S T withdrew from the group.[citation needed]
On March 31, 2012, Leader'S appeared at the 2012 Hallyu Dream Concert, as a 23-member group with 16 new members.[10] During this performance, it appeared that Habin had transferred from Leader'S G to Leader'S N, and Leader'S T was fully reformed with seven new members. The performance itself is also lost, leaving the identity of 14 ex-members unknown, except for Lee Yoonhee and Sarang, whose identities were later found.[11][12] After their appearance at the concert, Pureum and Habin were transferred to Leader'S T, while Saerom was transferred to Leader'S G.[citation needed]
In July 2012, it was revealed that the group experienced a significant decline following the showcase scandal as various of their planned schedules, sponsors, advertising model contracts and planned investments were cancelled one after another. In addition, TGN Entertainment lost their office, accommodations, and practice rooms due to fund exhaustion. Despite the situation, they were still determined to make their comeback in late October.[13]
Despite efforts to revive the group, the plans ultimately fell through and the group went on a hiatus. For the entirety of 2013, Leader'S didn't make any public appearance while TGN Entertainment continued to recruit new members for Leader'S, including Yoon Ahyeon[14] and Sandy[15], who would depart from the group shortly after joining.
2014: Leader'S T's debut with "Kimchi Witch" & disbandment[]
On October 17, 2014, their sub-unit Leader'S T finally made their debut with the digital single "Kimchi Witch". The lineup consisted of Bini, Susanna, Pureum, Cherry and Mulan.[16] It was also revealed that the company planned to continue recruiting members for Leader'S G and Leader'S N.[17]
Shortly after the release, Pureum withdrew from the group and was replaced by Grace Jin and Aji. With this new lineup, they released a short dance practice video teasing the club remix of the song.[18]
By late 2014, all six members had left the agency and Leader'S T presumably disbanded.
2015: 24-member lineup concept abandonment, "Leader'S Story" & disbandment[]
On June 16, 2015, Leader'S released the repackage version of "Kimchi Witch" with a new lineup, consisting of Park Seol, Han Seoyeon, Sandy, Go Somi, and Yoon Seula.[n 3] Shortly after this, Go Somi left the group.
On July 30, 2015, TGN Entertainment posted the teaser for "Story", featuring Park Seol, Han Seoyeon, Sandy, Yoon Seula and new member Seo Hyoji.[19] Shortly after the comeback announcement, Park Seol left the group and was quickly replaced by Yoon Byul.
In September 2015, it was announced that the group would make their comeback later that month.[20] On September 30, 2015, they released their single album “Leader’S Story”.[n 4] By this point, the 24-member concept along with the three sub-units had officially been abandoned.[21]
On October 12, 2015, TGN Entertainment announced that Seoyeon, Sandy, and Yoon Byul had left the group due to personal reasons, ultimately leading to the group's disbandment. Meanwhile, members Yoon Seula and Hyoji went on to re-debut as Recipe.[22]
Aftermath[]
- On November 16, 2015, it was reported that the members of Leader'S and TGN Entertainment's former employees planned to sue former CEO Park for sexual harassment of a minor, extortion, intimidation, fraud, identity theft, and forgery of private documents.[22]
- Yoon Seula and Seo Hyoji debuted as the duo Recipe on November 16, 2015 under Woori Entertainment but disbanded shortly after their debut.
- Yuseul joined Heart Rabbit Girls in 2013 and debuted in their second generation lineup with the digital single "Ang" in December. She left the group in 2014.
- Yesol re-debuted in AILA with "Pretty Pretty Pretty Girl" in 2014, under the stage name Yena. In 2018, she joined Baby Boo, under the stage name Hajin, but left the group shortly after without officially debuting in the group. She was then introduced as a member of YULiONi in 2019, which later rebranded as DAHLIA and debuted in 2022 with "Spotlight".
- Habin debuted as a member of Scarlet in 2014, under the name Kimi. She went on to compete on Produce 101 in 2016 under her real name, Kim Min-ji but was eliminated at 44th place. She redebuted as a member of BULLDOK in 2016. In 2017, she made her solo debut with the single "I Am". She later became a member of We Girls in 2021 but never officially joined the group as they disbanded in 2022.[23] Later in the same year, she was revealed as a member of onair, but left in early 2024.
- Pureum became active as a soloist. She later made her debut in BaBa with "Sergeant Kim's Return from Vietnam" in 2015 and stayed until their disbandment in 2020.
- Geonhye joined MOA in 2014, under the stage name Namigeonhye. She later became active as a model.[24]
- Mulan joined a dance group called Chamy Girls in 2014, under her real name Sujin.[25]
- Cherry re-debuted in Pocket Girls with "Bbang Bbang" in 2015, under the stage name JuA but left in 2016 to focus on her studies.[26]
- Sandy re-debuted in 2016 as a member of Lucky Girls with "Only You" but they disbanded just a month after debut. A months later, she re-debuted in RoseVary with "나요나요" but they also disbanded shortly after.
- Cindy is currently active as a freelance model and musical actress.[27]
- The remaining members' circumstances are currently unknown.
Members[]
Due to lack of information, some members still may be missing; Note that 15 members remain unknown.
| Name | Position(s) | Year(s) active |
|---|---|---|
| Dahae (다해) | Leader, Main Rapper, Vocalist | Nov. 2010 - 2012 |
| Yesol (예솔) | Sub-Vocalist | Nov. 2010 - 2012 |
| Cindy (신디) | Vocalist | Nov. 2010 - July 2011 |
| Seolji (설지) | Vocalist, Dancer | Nov. 2010 - Nov. 2011 |
| Chaeyul (재율) | Vocalist | Nov. 2010 - Dec. 2011 |
| Selyn (세린) | Leader (2010-2012), Rapper, Vocalist | Nov. 2010 - Dec. 2012 |
| Yeonsil (연실) | Vocalist | Mar. 2011 - 2012 |
| Paengi (팽이) | Sub-Vocalist | Sep. 2011 - 2012 |
| Kyungsook (경숙) | Vocalist | Sep. 2011 - 2012 |
| Yuseul (유슬)[n 5] | Vocalist | Dec. 2011 - 2012 |
| Seunghee (승희) | Vocalist | Dec. 2011 - Feb. 2012 |
| Danbi (단비) | Vocalist | Dec. 2011 - Late 2012 |
| Sally (샐리) | Vocalist | Dec. 2011 - Late 2012 |
| Habin (하빈) | Vocalist | Dec. 2011 - Late 2012 |
| E.Rang (이랑) | Vocalist | Dec. 2011 - Jan. 2012 |
| Aeni (애니) | Vocalist | Dec. 2011 - Feb. 2012 |
| Saerom (새롬) | Moodmaker | Dec. 2011 - May. 2012 |
| Minhee (민희) | Vocalist | Dec. 2011 - Late 2012 |
| Geonhye (건혜) | Vocalist | Dec. 2011 - Late 2012 |
| Aera (애라) | Main Vocalist | Dec. 2011 - Feb. 2012 |
| Pureum (푸름) | Leader (2014), Main Vocalist | Dec. 2011 - Nov. 2014 |
| Soyoung (소영) | Vocalist | Dec. 2011 - Late 2012 |
| Yejin (예진) | Vocalist | Dec. 2011 - Late 2012 |
| Soul (쏘울) | Vocalist | Dec. 2011 - Feb. 2012 |
| Bomin (보민) | Vocalist | Late 2011 - Jan. 2012 |
| Sanga (상아) | Vocalist | Late 2011 - Jan. 2012 |
| Yunju (윤주) | Vocalist | Late 2011 - Jan. 2012 |
| Seoyoon (서윤) | Vocalist | Late 2011 - Jan. 2012 |
| Jiyoung (지영) | Vocalist | Late 2011 - Jan. 2012 |
| Sukyung (수경) | Vocalist | Late 2011 - Jan. 2012 |
| Seula (슬아) | Vocalist | Late 2011 - Jan. 2012 |
| Lee Yoonhee (이유희)[11] | N/A | 2012 |
| Sarang (사랑) [12] | N/A | 2012 |
| Yoon Ahyeon (윤아현) [14] | N/A | Mar. 2013 - Late 2013 |
| Sandy (샌디) | Main Rapper, Sub Vocalist | Circa late 2013; June 2015 - Oct. 2015 |
| Cherry (체리) | Main Rapper, Sub Vocalist | Mid - Late 2014 |
| Susanna (수산나) | Leader (2014), Vocalist | Mid - Late 2014 |
| Bini (비니) | Vocalist | Mid - Late 2014 |
| Mulan (뮬란) | Vocalist | Mid - Late 2014 |
| Aji (아지) | Vocalist | Late 2014 |
| Grace Jin (그레이스 진) | Vocalist | Late 2014 |
| Park Seol (박설) | Vocalist | June 2015 - July 2015 |
| Han Seoyeon (한서연) | Lead Vocalist | June 2015 - Oct. 2015 |
| Go Somi (고소미) | Main Rapper | June 2015 |
| Yoon Seula (윤슬아) | Main Vocalist | June 2015 - Oct. 2015 |
| Seo Hyoji (서효지) | Lead Vocalist | July 2015 - Oct. 2015 |
| Yoon Byul (윤별) | Vocalist, Maknae | Sep. 2015 - Oct. 2015 |
| Predebut | ||
| Sharon (샤론) | N/A | 2010 |
Sub-units[]
- Leader'S T (2011-2014)
- Leader'S G (2011-Circa. 2012)
- Leader'S N (2011-Circa. 2012)
| Name | Main Group Only | Leader'S T | Leader'S G | Leader'S N |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cindy (신디) | Yes | |||
| Chaeyul (재율) | Yes | |||
| Seolji (설지) | Yes | |||
| Selyn (세린) | Yes | |||
| Yesol (예솔) | Yes | |||
| Dahae (다해) | Yes | |||
| Yeonsil (연실) | Yes | |||
| Paengi (팽이) | Yes | |||
| Kyungsook (경숙) | Yes | |||
| Yuseul (유슬) | Yes | |||
| Aera (애라) | Yes | |||
| Aeni (애니) | Yes | |||
| Danbi (단비) | Yes | |||
| Sally (샐리) | Yes | |||
| Minhee (민희) | Yes | |||
| Geonhye (건혜) | Yes | |||
| Soyoung (소영) | Yes | |||
| Yejin (예진) | Yes | |||
| Seunghee (승희) | Yes | |||
| E.Rang (이랑) | Yes | |||
| Saerom (새롬) | Yes | Yes | ||
| Seula (슬아) | Yes | |||
| Soul (쏘울) | Yes | |||
| Habin (하빈) | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Sarang (사랑) | Yes | |||
| Bomin (보민) | Yes | |||
| Sanga (상아) | Yes | |||
| Yunju (윤주) | Yes | |||
| Seoyoon (서윤) | Yes | |||
| Jiyoung (지영) | Yes | |||
| Sukyung (수경) | Yes | |||
| Lee Yoonhee (이유희) | Yes | |||
| Pureum (푸름) | Yes | Yes | ||
| Cherry (체리) | Yes | |||
| Bini (비니) | Yes | |||
| Mulan (뮬란) | Yes | |||
| Susanna (수산나) | Yes | |||
| Aji (아지) | Yes | |||
| Grace Jin (그레이스 진) | Yes | |||
| Yoon Ahyeon (윤아현) | Yes | |||
| Yoon Seula (윤슬아) | Yes | |||
| Seo Hyoji (서효지) | Yes | |||
| Han Seoyeon (한서연) | Yes | |||
| Sandy (샌디) | Yes | |||
| Yoon Byul (윤별) | Yes | |||
| Go Somi (고소미) | Yes | |||
| Park Seol (박설) | Yes |
- Habin - was in Leader'S G from December 2011 to early February 2012, joined Leader'S N in March 2012 and transferred to Leader'S T in mid 2012
- Pureum - was in Leader'S N from December 2011 to March 2012, joined Leader'S T initially in mid 2012 and rejoined for the release of "Kimchi Witch".
Discography[]
Digital singles[]
- "Please" (2011)
- "Kiss Me" (2011)
- "Olympic Korea" (2011)
- "X-Boyfriend" (Unreleased) (2012)
- "Kimchi Witch" (Leader'S T) (2014)
- "Leader'S Story" (2015)
Notes[]
- ↑ This was their first and last appearance on a music show.
- ↑ These pages presented the members' profiles, including their positions in the group, but has since been deleted.
- ↑ Although it was labeled as a repackage, this release was the club version of the song.
- ↑ Despite not being a member of Leader'S anymore, Go Somi's vocals were still included in "Story".
- ↑ Yuseul previously went by the stage name Yujin (유진).
Trivia[]
- "Kiss Me" and "Olympic Korea" were intended to have music videos. However, they ended up never getting released for unknown reasons.[28][29]
- Their 24 members concept was inspired by AKB48.[6]
- All three sub-units originally consisted of 8 members each, as it is considered a lucky number in China,[6]
- The SCENTIMOR & LEADER'S showcase was practically a briefing for a Leader'S themed cafe managed by Scentimor, working as a live theater for Leader'S.[30] The collab was Scentimor's attempt to stay afloat but due to the controversies surrounding their showcase/business briefing, they lost their investment and ultimately went bankrupt in 2012.[31]
- After leaving as a trainee in late 2013, Sandy joined TURAN, under the stage name Jiyoung.[15] She eventually returned to TGN Entertainment.
Gallery[]
.webp "Leader'S \"Kiss Me\" Promotional photo (2).webp (51 KB)")
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 (KR) Ilyo: [느낌이 좋아] 신인 걸그룹 리더스
- ↑ (KR) NewsWay: [리얼토크] 실력파 신예 걸그룹 `리더스', 첫 싱글앨범 내고 본격적인 활동나서
- ↑ @mrDeng on Twitter (August 29, 2011)
- ↑ @mrDeng on Twitter (August 28, 2011)
- ↑ (KR) Naver Blog: 걸그룹 리더스와 함께 하는 펠리체FELICE
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 (KR) Naver: 국내 최다 24인조 걸그룹 리더스 출범…日 AKB48서 아이디어
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 (KR) Newsen: 24인조 걸그룹 리더스 드디어 실체 드러낸다
- ↑ (KR) KNS: 24인조 걸그룹 리더스 베일 벗고 첫 선 보여
- ↑ (KR) Naver: 빈축 산 24인조 리더스 측 사과.."무리한 기획 인정"
- ↑ Photos of the 2012 Lineup at the Hallyu Dream Concert
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 (KR) News Pim: 기막힌 노출거부녀 "노출 싫어 걸그룹 리더스 탈퇴"
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 @LDsN_purum on Twitter (April 30, 2012)
- ↑ (KR) EToday: 24인조 걸그룹 ‘리더스’ 10월 컴백위해 구슬땀
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 (KR) GDB실용음악댄스 on KAKAO Story (March 5, 2013)
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 (KR) TopStarNews: [인터뷰] 리더스(Leader's) 윤슬아, “정직한 노래 들려드리고 싶다”… ‘기대할게요’
- ↑ (KR) Genie: Leader'S T Artist info
- ↑ (KR) StarDaily News: [단독] 걸그룹 리더스T, 새로운 모습으로 재탄생 '김치마녀' 신곡 발표
- ↑ YouTube: [Dance Practice] Leaders T(리더스T)_ 김치 마녀(KIMCHI WITCH) 빗자루 안무 Ver.
- ↑ YouTube: 리더스 (LEADERS) 'STORY ’ Official Teaser
- ↑ (KR) News Way: [NW포토]24인조에서 5인조로 변경 걸그룹 ‘리더스’ 30일 컴백
- ↑ (KR) Economy Talk: 24인조에서 5인조로 전환한 걸그룹 '리더스'
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 (KR) Daum: 리더스 측 "소속사 유령회사라 출연료 못받아, 멤버들 탈퇴로 해체"
- ↑ @nugupromoter on Twitter (March 9, 2022)
- ↑ @kkoneya Instagram profile
- ↑ YouTube: 샤미걸스 소개 영상
- ↑ (KR) Aju News: 걸그룹 포켓걸스, 멤버 교체…주아 빠지고 민채 합류
- ↑ @jh_cindy Instagram Profile
- ↑ @tgnent on Twitter (September 8, 2011)
- ↑ (KR) Felice Mall: 걸그룹 [리더스] 평창 동계 올림픽 유치 축하곡 '올림픽 코리아' 뮤직비디오 펠리체 협찬
- ↑ (KR) The JoongAng: [팝업] 초등학교 한 반 규모 24인조 걸그룹 탄생
- ↑ (KR) Khan: ‘빌리형’ 수제핫도그 광고모델이 된 까닭은