Power, perseverance, elegance, and grace. When describing LADIES’ CODE, these terms are sorely inadequate as the group has suffered and overcome so much since their beginning. And as all the LAVELY’s out there prepare for LADIES’ CODE’s comeback on May 16, a fresh recap is not just desired, but mandatory.

LADIES’ CODE: The Basics

Formed in 2013 by Polaris Entertainment, the trio used to consist of five members: Kwon Risae (RiSe), Go Eunbi (EunB), Lee Sojung, Choi Bina (Ashley), and Kim Joomi (Zuny). Each of the various members had some kind of association with the entertainment industry prior to their debut. Risae generally stayed in the acting and film industry, as she was involved in the reality show We Got Married, and participated in various talent and beauty pageants including Miss Korea 2009 and Star Audition: The Great Birth. She was quite successful as she won the Korea Abroad Award during the pageant, and finished in the top 12 during Star Audition. Eunbi originally worked with FNC Entertainment as a trainee and was also a pre-debut member of AOA, although she left the lineup and the company to continue working as a trainee for experience’s sake. Sojung, always a powerful singer, participated on the first season of the reality show The Voice of Korea and ended up in the finals, finishing in the top eight. Both Ashley and Zuny were former trainees—Ashley under Cube Entertainment and Zuny under BigHit Entertainment. Together, these five women formed one of the most powerful female quintets in South Korea, debuting with their first mini-album Code#1 in March of 2013, with the title song “Bad Girl.” Being nominated for five major awards within their first two years and winning two of them, these women prepared to crush the music industry, until tragedy struck.

The group ceased to be a quintet during the unfortunate month of September in the year 2014, when they were involved in a fatal car accident due to irresponsible driving by the group’s manager. The crash left all of the girls with wounds, with Eunbi and Risae ultimately sustaining the worst and regrettably passing away four days after the accident. The event left the remaining members, as well as the group’s fans, in utter dismay; however, the girls persevered and continued to pursue their dreams, regardless of the circumstances. As of late 2016, the group has been functioning as a trio including Ashley, Sojung, and Zuny.

LADIES’ CODE: Past Works and Potential Influences

As we prepare to see our girls back in full throttle, it’s best to take a look at their past musical numbers to compare and contrast. The last two pieces that the group presented as a trio were the Christmas single THE LAST HOLIDAY in 2018, and the mini album Strang3r in 2016 with the lead track “The Rain.” Let’s take a listen, shall we?

“THE LAST HOLIDAY” presents various styles such as a mix of R&B and jazz, while also incorporating a slight infusion of traditionalpop. The song also shares some resemblance to the group’s previous piece, “The Rain.” Though “The Rain” utilizes a more pop/electronic style, the song still has strong hints of R&B and jazz—a common theme in the group’s music since debut. The music video for “The Rain” is filled with various special effects and decor, though not as intensely produced as TWICE’s“FANCY” or BLACKPINK’s “Kill This Love.” Granted, the piece was filmed in 2016, which only raises expectations as fans prepare for this comeback. One cannot help but wonder what their new comeback will incorporate, especially with the various styles that have since been implemented by sister groups throughout Korea. Only time will tell, as we desperately await the return of LADIES’ CODE.