Uniq (band)

Sung-joo and Seung-youn were originally YG Entertainment Trainees. Later, they joined UNIQ debut team and continued to train in YG Entertainment. It's because UNIQ was cooperatively trained by Yuehua and YG. Hence, all five members were trained in YG Entertainment from 2 to 5 years before official debut.[3][4][5][6]

On October 16, they had their first broadcast performance on M Countdown. Their debut single, "Falling In Love", was released on October 20 in both China and South Korea. Uniq was chosen to participate in the OST for the movies TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and Penguins of Madagascar.[7] On October 23, they released the song "Born to Fight" for the Chinese release of TNMT.[8] The group released the English adaptation of "Falling in Love" on November 5.[9] On November 10, they released "Celebrate" for the Chinese release of Penguins of Madagascar. Uniq made their official debut in China on November 25 with their first Chinese fanmeet in Beijing.[10] On November 27, Uniq commenced their first promotions in Taiwan and held a press conference on December 1.[11] Uniq's reality show The Best Debut began airing on December 2 on the Chinese online video platform, iQiyi, for three episodes.[12]

In January 2015, Uniq became endorsers for Xtep, a Chinese athletic brand. In February 2015, Uniq began promoting a Chinese beauty shop, Mix-Box, replacing Ko Chen-tung as the official endorser.[13]

Uniq held their first fanmeet in Thailand in Bangkok on March 7.[14]

On April 6 Yuehua Entertainment will aide in promotions in South Korea.[15][16] On April 9, Yuehua Entertainment announced UNIQ's comeback with their first mini album titled "EOEO".[17] Uniq made their official comeback in South Korea on April 22 and held their first comeback broadcast performance on MBC's Show Champion, performing their title track "EOEO" and "Listen to Me". On April 23, Uniq made their official comeback in China, performing "Listen to Me" at the KU Music Asian Music Awards. They were also awarded with KU Music Asian Music Awards' "Best New Artist" the same day.[18] On April 24, Uniq released their mini album and the official music video for "EOEO". After the release of "EOEO", the music video reached number 3 on the YinYueTai Weekly MV Chart.[19]

On May 22, Uniq released the official music video for their follow up track "Luv Again".[20] UNIQ achieved their first music show award on CCTV's Global Chinese Music on May 23.[21][22] Uniq holds the record for most wins on Global Chinese Music Chart with Three wins by non-live voting; Three wins by live voting, beating the record previously held by EXO-M in 2014 (Three wins by non-live voting; Two wins by live voting).[23]

Uniq held their first showcases in Japan on July 19 and July 20 in Osaka and Tokyo respectively marking their debut in Japan.[24]

In December, Uniq began to endorse Dr. Bear, a Chinese candy brand.

To commemorate their one year since debut, Uniq released their second digital album, "Best Friend", on October 16.[25] Uniq announced their 1st Anniversary Tour to be held in Beijing, Shanghai, and Japan. Uniq returned to Japan in November holding fanmeets across the country in Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka before ending the Japan tour in Tokyo. At this time, they released a special Japanese single, Best Friend, which includes the Japanese, Korean and Instrumental versions of "Best Friend."[26] UNIQ concluded the tour in Beijing on November 28. The Shanghai stop was postponed, however a new date was never announced.

On December 7, was launched "Erase Your Little Sadness." On December 28 UNIQ released "Happy New Year", with labelmate, Cosmic Girls, making a guest appearance in the music video.[27] The song debuted at #4 position in China V Chart.[28]

Uniq began Inke endorsements in February, a Chinese live-streaming app.[29]

In February 2016, American magazine Teen Vogue published an article on the group with the title "12 Major Boy Bands to Fill the One Direction-Shaped Hole in Your Heart", Teen Vogue speaks just as glowingly for Uniq, stating that their song "EOEO" is a "body-roll-worthy jam with punchy rap deliveries and a slick sax."[30][31] On March 24, 2016, the group released the song "My Dream" for the soundtrack of the movie MBA Partners, debuting at #3 position in China V Chart.[32] Yixuan, Wenhan and Sungjoo went on a two-week-long roadshow in 14 cities to promote the movie.

On June 25, Uniq held their first fanmeet in Sao Paulo, Brazil.[33]

Uniq released a Japanese single in December 2016, "Falling in Love".[34] Japanese versions of "Falling in Love" and "Listen to Me" are included in the single.[35] UNIQ held a Live Meet and Greet in Japan on December 10, and a fan signing and photo event on December 11.[36]

On January 19, 2017, the group released the single "Happy New Year 2017". The song was written by Zhou Yixuan and brings the freshness of the year that begins. Yibo was unable to participate in the music video and the recording of the song due to scheduling conflicts. In the MV, Yixuan, Sungjoo, Wenhan, and Seungyoun assembled a snowman that represents Yibo.[37]

Uniq had two singles "Never Left" and "Next Mistake" released on April 19, 2018. [38]

In 2018, Yibo was a dance mentor for China's version of Produce 101.

In 2019, Wenhan became a contestant of Idol Producer (season 2) by iQiYi, mentored by EXO's Lay, Li Ronghao, Jolin Tsai, MC Jin, After Journey and Seventeen's The8; while Yixuan competed in Youku's All for One, mentored by Kinjaz' Jawn Ha, Miss A's Fei, and S.H.E's Selina. Wenhan and Yixuan both won in the finals, and debuted with UNINE and New Storm respectively.

In 2019, Yibo was in a Chinese drama where he was one of the male leads along side Chinese Idol and fellow male lead Xiao Zhan named The Untamed (TV series) which aired from June 27 – August 20, 2019

On March 20, Seungyoun was revealed to be a contestant of Produce X 101. On July 20, Seungyoun placed 5th overall and became a member of X1. X1 debuted in August 27th 2019.[39]