History of K-Pop: EXID
Say the name EXID and you’re bound to strike a chord with anyone in the K-Pop community. The quintet has produced a number of hit K-Pop singles, but also one of the most quintessential K-Pop songs in history. Much like their hit single “Up & Down,” the group’s history has fluctuated up and down in success, but not many are familiar with the early years of this hit girl group.
The formation of EXID began in 2011, a scouting venture of AB Entertainment and producer Shinsadong Tiger. Yuji, a trainee at JYP Entertainment who failed to debut with a group, chose to join in the venture and brought on fellow trainees Hani, Haeryeong and Jeonghwa. LE was discovered from her underground rap activities, and final member Dami was already a trainee at AB Entertainment and rounded out the final lineup. Looks quite different from the EXID we know today, no?
The girls debuted in 2012 with single “Whoz That Girl,” a track that did alright on the charts (peaking at No.36), but ultimately was not much of a grand entrance onto the music scene. Just two months after debut, members Yuji and Dami left the group to focus on their studies, while Haeryeong left to pursue an acting career (at least this was officially stated at the time). Haeryeong ended up debuting with BESTIE in 2013. It was then when final members Solji and Hyerin were added to the lineup. Solji had actually been working as a vocal trainer for EXID, but agreed to become a member of the group due to her past as one half of vocal duo 2NB. Hyerin was a trainee who had previously been cut from EXID’s lineup before debut. 2012 saw the release of first EP Hippity Hop and digital single “Every Night,” both of which did moderately well but never quite hit any significant milestones. t Early 2013 also saw the formation of sub-unit Dasoni consisting of Solji and Hani, but saw little traction for their debut release.
Smash hit single “Up & Down” was released in August 2014 to poor reception, initially failing to even make the top 100 of the Gaon Music Chart. The turning point for this track was when a famous fancam of Hani performing the song went viral in October, and almost immediately the single shot all the way up to the top ten on the real time charts, and topping the Gaon chart altogether. The quintet was even invited back onto music programs to promote the song months after promotions had ended, and led to the group achieving their first music show win 35 months after debut. Even six years later, tales of Hani’s viral “Up & Down” fancam are still fresh in the minds of K-Pop fans, and it’s often brought up to those just getting into the scene.
The rest is history. With the extreme success of “Up & Down,” EXID became a quintessential girl group in K-Pop. Their next release “Ah Yeah” in 2015 garnered the group four more music show wins, and they went on to perform for the first time in America at the Korean Music Festival. They also won the “MBC Music Star Award” at the Melon Music Awards. Rounding out 2015 with the release of single “Hot Pink.”
Continuing expansion in 2016, EXID made a Chinese debut after some business shifting of their label Banana Culture (formerly known as Yedang Entertainment). They found relative success in the Chinese market, with first single “Cream” reaching No.6 on the Billboard China V Chart. Their first full length album STREET was also released in 2016, with rapper LE penning her name to many of the tracks on the album. The album peaked at Np.2 on the Gaon Albums Chart, and lead single “L.I.E” peaked at No.5 as a single.
The very end of 2016 brought the news that leader Solji had been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and would halt activities. It was initially scheduled to be a short term hiatus, but continued to be a problem and had fans fearing that the leader would be leaving the group any day. The 2017 comeback was delayed a number of months due to Solji’s illness before it was ultimately decided that the group would return with only four members. The third EP Eclipse was released in April alongside title “Night Rather Than Day,” and debuted at No.4 on the Billboard World Albums Chart, marking the groups best-charting album to date.They also embarked on their first solo Asia tour. Fourth mini-album Full Moon was supposed to mark the return of Solji, and while she did participate in the album, she was absent for the promotions and music video filming of lead single “DDD.” December also marked the beginning of the Re:Flower project, which you can read more on here.
Rolling into 2018, EXID returned as a quartet for single “Lady,” while Solji was recovering from surgery. This year also marked the group’s venture into Japanese activities, kicking off with a Japanese version of “Up & Down.” Solji made a fairly epic return to the spotlight, as she participated and eventually took the top spot on King of the Masked Singer. She officially rejoined group activities in September, much to the relief of fans who had been concerned by her long hiatus. Single “I Love You” was released in November and entered the Billboard World Digital Songs Sales Chart at No.5, their highest peak on the chart.
The steady flow of releases and activities took a turn in 2019. With contract dates expiring, it was unclear what the future would hold for this group. In May, both Hani and maknae Jeonghwa chose not to renew their contracts with Banana Culture, but would participate in an upcoming album before going their separate ways. This album was WE, accompanied by the lead title “Me & You.” After promotions were completed on this comeback, the group would go on an indefinite hiatus to focus on individual promotions, Japanese activities were to continue for a year with all five members. January 2020 saw Hyerin also choosing to leave Banana Culture, and finally Solji as well, leaving LE as the only member left under the label currently.
EXID had previously reassured fans that even when leaving their label, they did not want disbandment for the group. This declaration came back in May of 2019 at the first departures, so it’s difficult to say if all the members still feel as if that’s the case, though it’s hard to imagine with four of five members looking for a different agency that the group would be able to continue to promote together.
Although it could technically be said that EXID survived the “seven year curse” that seems to take many beloved girl groups, it’s somewhat of a hollow victory with such an uncertain future after the announcement of Hyerin and Solji’s departures. Every year it seems we lose another legend, and many K-Pop fans had hoped that EXID would be in it for the long haul. Maybe they will be, but it remains to be seen as we enter a period of individual activities and new agencies. Regardless, there’s no downplaying EXID’s role in the K-Pop world, and that mark is something that cannot be taken from their name.