| “ |
Hello! Put your hands up! We are WA$$UP! |
” |
| —WA$$UP | ||
Wassup (와썹; also stylized as Wa$$up, WA$$UP or WASSUP) was a four-member girl group formed by Sony Music Entertainment Korea and Mafia Records.[1] Originally as seven, they debuted on August 8, 2013 with their self-titled digital single "Wassup".
They disbanded on February 10, 2019 following the termination of their contracts.[2]
History[]
2013: Debut with "Wassup", "Hotter Than A Summer", Nom Nom Nom and "La Pam Pam Pa"[]
On August 3, 2013, Mafia Records introduced their upcoming girl group Wassup, who had been training for three years.[3]
On August 8, Wassup officially debuted with their self-titled digital single, "Wassup."
On September 4, they made their first comeback with their second digital single, "Hotter Than A Summer", a follow-up to their debut.
On November 20, they released their first mini album, Nom Nom Nom.
On December 17, Wassup released their third digital single, "La Pam Pam Pa," as a special Christmas gift for fans.
2014-2015: "We Are The Champs", "Fire", cancelled Brazil concert, Showtime and Wooju's hiatus[]
On May 24, 2014, Wassup was featured on Champs' second digital single, "We Are The Champs".
On June 9, Wassup released the music video for their fourth digital single, "Fire," in celebration of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
On July 15, JW8 Entertainment announced Wassup’s first concert in Brazil, scheduled on September 13.[4][5] However, it was later cancelled on August 2 due to Brazil's presidential election and financial crisis at the time.[6]
On November 25, Wassup released their second mini album, Showtime. While the album and teaser were released as planned, the pre-release music video for "Shut Up U" was delayed to a week later due to post-production, first appearing on Naver Music.
On January 26, 2015, they released another music video, this time for "Stupid Liar", a b-side from their previously released mini album, and began promoting the song following the end of promotions for "Shut Up U."[7]
On November 30, it was announced that Wooju would be going on a hiatus due to an ankle injury during practice. As a result, the group would be promoting as six for the time being and their surprise comeback had to be delayed to the first half of 2016.[8]
2016: "Do You Know How I Feel", Makestar, hiatus, Unpretty Rapstar 3 and Nada's solo debut[]
On February 3, 2016, Wassup released a collaboration single titled "Do You Know How I Feel" with Rooftop Studio and MADTOWN. That same day, member Nada released her first mixtape, Homework.
On June 1, Wassup launched a Makestar campaign to crowdfund their upcoming comeback. The campaign ended on July 28 with ₩13,662,367 raised, surpassing its initial goal.[9]However, the group once again went silent after this. During this second hiatus, more solo activities were booked. Notably, Nada gained significant attention after appearing on Unpretty Rapstar 3, reaching to the finals before losing to Giant Pink.
Following the conclusion of Unpretty Rapstar 3, Wassup's agency shifted the focus of promotions to Nada, capitalizing on her newfound popularity. She appeared in multiple commercials and made her solo debut with the digital single "Seorae Village" on December 23. In an interview with Allkpop, Nada revealed that she was finally earning money after participating in the show, stating, "I'm seriously a beggar right now. [Wassup] is not promoting, so we can't receive [income]."[10] She also shared that she had been barely scraping by, relying on songwriting and demo royalties, which amounted to less than 100,000 won (approximately $88.86 USD) in her account.[11]
2017-2019: Dain, Jinju and Nada's departure, "Dominant Woman", Color TV, THE UNIT, Disbandment[]
On February 1, 2017, it was reported that Nada had officially left Wassup following a lawsuit filed on January 31 to terminate her exclusive contract. The legal action stemmed the agency using the earnings she had generated from Unpretty Rapstar to settle her pre-debut debt rather than being rightfully paid to her. In response, the agency also filed an injunction to ban Nada from pursuing independent activities.[12][13] Later that same day, it was reported that fellow Wassup members Jinju and Dain had also requested contract terminations, indicating further payment internal disputes within the group.[14] In response, Mafia Records announced plans to take legal action.[15]
During the contract terminations, Mafia Records stated that the process took place while the group was preparing for their comeback. They confirmed that the members who filed for contract termination had officially left the group, and that the four remaining members would continue as a quartet.[15]
On March 30, Wassup made a pre-release for their first comeback in over a year with the fifth digital single, "Dominant Woman". Despite Dain, Jinju and Nada's departure, the release still featured all seven members and marked the fulfillment of the project initially teased through their 2016 Makestar campaign.
On April 13, the group came back with their third mini album, Color TV, featuring the four remaining members: Jiae, Nari, Sujin, and Wooju.
In September, it was announced that members Jiae and Nari would be participating in the survival show The Unit.[16] Jiae didn't pass the audition, while Nari was picked and later made it to 21st place before getting eliminated.[17]
Following Nari's elimination from The Unit, there was no activity or updates from the members or the company, and communication became scarce. After two years of silence, it was announced on February 10, 2019, that the group had disbanded following the termination of their contracts.[2]
Aftermath[]
Following the disbandment of Wassup, the members went their separate ways.
- Jinju started working in the legal field after graduating from Sookmyung Women’s University Law School.[citation needed]
- On April 24, 2024, she announced through her Instagram that she had gotten married.[18]
- Dain started working as a model and influencer.[19]
- After leaving Wassup, Nada pursued a solo career and has since released multiple singles.
- She also participated in various reality shows, most notably Miss Back and GIRL'S RE:VERSE, where she performed under the name Barim.
- During her participation in the reality show Miss Back, Nada revealed that Dain, Jinju, and herself had won the lawsuit filed years earlier against their former company.[21]
- She also participated in various reality shows, most notably Miss Back and GIRL'S RE:VERSE, where she performed under the name Barim.
- Nari started working as an actress, as well as a pole dancer and dance instructor.[22]
- She debuted as a soloist on November 8, 2019 with the digital single, "Favorita".
- Jiae debuted as a soloist with her solo full-length album Love is Love on October 8, 2022.[23] She also works closely with producer UrbanHz for the Future Idol project, as well as writes, composes and providing background vocals for many of the girl group releases.[24]
- On January 11, 2020, Jiae came out as bisexual by uploading two photos to her Instagram story. Since then, she is currently in a relationship with a girl.[25]
- Sujin opened her own fashion company called Abara and also works as a model and actress.[26]
- Wooju appears to have left the entertainment industry and is now focusing on her personal life.
Members[]
| Name | Position(s) | Year(s) active |
|---|---|---|
| Jinju (진주) | Leader (2013–2017), Lead Vocalist | 2013–2017 |
| Dain (다인) | Lead Dancer, Lead Vocalist, Rapper | 2013–2017 |
| Nada (나다) | Main Rapper, Lead Dancer, Vocalist | 2013–2017 |
| Nari (나리) | Leader (2017–2019), Main Dancer, Lead Vocalist, Rapper, Visual, Center | 2013–2019 |
| Jiae (지애) | Main Vocalist | 2013–2019 |
| Sujin (수진) | Main Rapper (2017–2019), Vocalist | 2013–2019 |
| Wooju (우주) | Vocalist, Maknae | 2013–2019 |
Discography[]
Mini albums[]
- Nom Nom Nom (2013)
- Showtime (2014)
- Color TV (2017)
Digital singles[]
- "Wassup" (2013)
- "Hotter Than A Summer" (2013)
- "La Pam Pam Pa" (2013)
- "Fire" (2014)
- "Dominant Woman" (2017)
Collaborations[]
- "Do You Know How I Feel" (with Rooftop House Studio, MADTOWN) (2016)
Features[]
- Champs - "We Are The Champs" (2014)
Trivia[]
- They are known as the first girl group to introduce twerking to the Kpop industry, using it as part of their concept.[citation needed]
- It was later revealed that member Nari was the one who suggested it as the group’s concept during her trainee days.[27]
- Their fandom name W.A.F.F.L.E is an acronym for Wa$$up Fulfill Love Everyday.
- The album design for their debut single, "Wassup," was created by their former labelmate, DJ Koo.[citation needed]
- Prior to her debut, Dain worked at a performing arts training academy, teaching kids in music and dance.[citation needed]
- She also used to be a Fantagio Music trainee and almost debuted with the girl group HELLOVENUS.[28]
- Prior to her debut, Jinju worked in a coffee shop, as well as tutoring for kids.[citation needed]
- Prior to her debut, Nada worked in various restaurants from a young age.[citation needed] She attended Sunhwa Art School, majoring in Oriental Painting, but dropped out before graduating to pursue her career as an idol.[29]
Gallery[]
.png "WA$$UP Fire Promotional Photo (1).png (855 KB)")
References[]
- ↑ (KR) Joins: 소니뮤직·마피아레코드, 기대하시라 힙합 걸그룹 '와썹 Wassup'
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Allkpop: WA$$UP officially disband after nearly six years together
- ↑ (KR) News Nate: 와썹 티저공개 '흔한 걸그룹 엉덩이 털기춤' 주인공이었어?
- ↑ @mafiawassup on YouTube: WASSUP IN BRAZIL
- ↑ (BR) Tracklist: Wa$$up virá ao Brasil em setembro
- ↑ (BR) Kome World: Show do Wa$$up cancelado
- ↑ AllKpop: Wassup unveil MV teaser + MV for 'Stupid Liar'
- ↑ (KR) Ten Asia: 걸그룹 와썹 멤버 우주, 발등 골절 부상 '컴백 적신호'
- ↑ MAKEASTAR: Wa$$up Album Production Project
- ↑ AllKpop: Nada says she is finally making money after appearing on 'Unpretty Rapstar'
- ↑ Soompi: Watch: Wassup's Nada Reveals She's Been Barely Scraping By Doing Music
- ↑ (KR) DongA: [단독] ‘언프리티3’ 나다, 소속사와 갈등
- ↑ (KR) Korea Economic TV: 와썹 나다, 소속사 상대 전속계약 분쟁… 나다 "왜곡된 주장, 억울해"
- ↑ (KR) Entertain Naver: [단독]와썹 나다·진주·다인, 소속사 계약 해지 요청..갈등 점화
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Soompi: Wassup's Nada, Jinju, And Dain File Lawsuits To Cancel Contracts With Mafia Records Due To Lack Of Payments
- ↑ (KR) News Nate: 와썹 나리·지애, '더 유닛' 출연…"새로운 모습 보여주고 싶다"
- ↑ The Unit ep. 1-12
- ↑ @shining_jinju on Instagram (April 24, 2024)
- ↑ @dainssong on Instagram
- ↑ @jtbc.mixnine.official on Facebook (October 19, 2017)
- ↑ @wassupdate on Twitter (Jan 31, 2022)
- ↑ @Irzi_92 on Instagram
- ↑ @ji.aee Instagram post (October 7, 2022)
- ↑ @urbanhz on Instagram (May 19, 2023)
- ↑ Allkpop: Former Wassup member Jiae announces she is bi-sexual and has a girlfriend
- ↑ @bbang_su on Instagram
- ↑ @wassupdate on Twitter (October 4, 2022)
- ↑ @wassupdate on Twitter (June 25, 2022)
- ↑ @wassupdate on Twitter (May 23, 2022)
- ↑ (KR) Xport News: 나다 "데뷔 전 현아, B1A4 백업 댄서" (비스)
Official links[]
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