| The Grace 천상지희 |
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The Grace performing at A'Nation Concert. From left to right: Dana, Stephanie, Lina, Sunday |
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | TSZX The Grace CSJH The Grace Tenjochiki |
| Genres | Pop, RnB, dance |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | SM Entertainment Avex Asia (Taiwan) Rhythm Zone (Japan) United Asia Management |
| Website | 천상지희 (Korean) TJCK (Japanese) |
| Members | |
| Stephanie Lina Sunday Dana |
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| The Grace (group) | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 천상지희 |
| Hanja | 天上智喜 |
| Revised Romanization | Cheonsang Jihui |
| McCune–Reischauer | Ch'ŏnsang Chihŭi |
The Grace (Korean: 천상지희 더 그레이스; hanja: 天上智喜 The Grace ) is a South Korean girl group formed by SM Entertainment in 2005. It consists of four members who sing, dance, and act. The quartet debuted in 2005.
The band had been known as TSZX prior to the promotion of their 3rd Korean single around the end of 2006, at which the group added The Grace to their name to tell everyone that their music will be more "graceful". TSZX was the romanization of the Mandarin Chinese pronunciation, Tiān Shàng Zhì Xǐ which was also simplified to CSJH, the romanization of the Korean pronunciation, Cheon Sang Ji Hee and the simplifications are still sometimes used to refer to the band despite the change in the official name. In Japan, the group is still officially known as Tenjōchiki, which is also abbreviated (albeit less frequently) as TJCK. In addition, the name Cheon Sang Ji Hee / Tiān Shàng Zhì Xǐ also represents the girls' stage name; Cheonmoo/ Tiānwu Stephanie which means Dance of Heaven, Sangmi/ Shàngmei Lina which means Beauty of Heaven, Jisung/ Zhìsheng Sunday which means Soft Voice of Heaven, and Heeyeol/ Xǐyue Dana which means Happiness of Heaven (the first syllable of their stage name forms the name Cheon Sang Ji Hee / Tiān Shàng Zhì Xǐ)[1] . Their official fan club name is Shapley, named after the largest known megacluster in the universe whose brightest points are four very bright stars which can be seen from Earth. Originally, their official fans club color was pastel rose pink but was change to just pearl pink due to some incidents.[2]
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The Grace's first official performance occurred on April 29, 2005, in China. They performed their new songs "Too Good" and "Boomerang", and it was broadcast weeks later by the Chinese channel CCTV. The verses in Boomerang were also sung in Chinese. Two days later, the quartet debuted with "Too Good" on SBS's music program Popular Songs (Inkigayo).
"Too Good" was the first single by The Grace. They promoted the song for a few months before switching to "Boomerang".
After promoting their first singles in Korea for almost 7 months, the group headed off to China. Officially released in March 2006, according to online stores, the Chinese version of the single included three new tracks: the Chinese versions of "Too Good" and "Boomerang" and the pre-group track "Fight To The End". After promotional activities concluded, The Grace headed to Japan.
The debut Japanese single Boomerang was released January 25, 2006. "Boomerang" was re-recorded for the release, with Japanese lyrics and an altered instrumental. The Japanese single also had a B-side called "Do You Know?", a solo song by member Sunday. The Boomerang single ranked #110 in the Singles Top 200 chart.
The Club was released on March 8, with another solo song called "What U Want", sung by Stephanie. It reached #131 on the Japanese Oricon Charts. The single was also promoted briefly in South Korea. After quick promotional activities in Korea, the group went back to Japan for their 3rd Japanese single, Sweet Flower which was used as the theme for the month of April on the TBS Radio & Communications music show, Count Down TV. Sweet Flower entered the charts at #151. The single was also released in Korea by SM, but it was left unchanged from its Japanese version.
Between the 3rd and 4th single releases, official releases in other Asian countries took part. The Japanese single Boomerang was released in China on June 19 by Avex Trax official Chinese distributor CRSC. The Avex China website also lists the Japanese single of The Club, but it is not listed by CRSC. In Taiwan and Hong Kong, a new edition of the Korean version of The Club single was released, containing a Chinese version of "The Club" plus a DVD with the Korean music video.
Even with the first few singles having low sales, another single was scheduled to be released. juicy LOVE was in stark contrast with The Grace's previous singles, as it had a reggae beat, matching well with its summer release date. Japanese reggae singer Corn Head was featured in this song. This time, the B-side was "Sayonara no Mukō ni", The Grace's first Japanese ballad written and sung by Dana. Like the previous single, Juicy Love (styled juicy LOVE) was released in Korea, left unchanged.
After four singles, The Grace's promotion in Japan went on, continuing to perform at different events. During Juicy Love promotion, Dana hurt her leg and was unable to perform at a few of their venues. Their last song released in Japan at the end of their activities was "Get on the floor", a duet with rapper Dogma for a movie soundtrack.
The group's last event in Japan was the a-nation tour held by Avex Trax at an open-air stage.
After weeks of waiting, SM finally announced their 3rd Korean single and in addition, changes to the group concept. Although The Grace was first marketed as an a cappella pop group, they strayed away from that image and became a typical pop/dance girl group with their later releases. To strengthen their image as an a cappella band, SM changed the band name from just CSJH to CSJH The Grace (which their international name was later simplified to just "The Grace"). The name change was also applied to the members' stage names as well: Dana The Grace, Lina The Grace, Sunday The Grace, and Stephanie The Grace. The new name is being used extensively and consistently in place of the old ones on official promotional material.
The single 열정 (My Everything) (translated to Passion) was released on November 3, 2006. The lead single from it was the title song, a ballad track unlike their previous singles. According to the press release, the song matched with the winter season, having skillful vocals and harmony.[3] Other songs in the single include an a cappella version of George Michael's Faith, which had already been performed during the 1st single promotion, and new songs like "The Final Sentence" and "IRIS (할 말이 있어요)". Promotional activities started soon after the release, with performances on the various music shows done live in order to showcase the vocals. Members of the group have also appeared on variety shows, including SBS's New X-Man. However, the changes did not greatly increase sales; the single entered at #30 on the Music Industry Association of Korea's monthly sales charts[4] Promotional activities for the single ended in late January 2007.
In April 2007, a teaser video of The Grace was released, revealing a new "sexy upgrade" to their look for their first full album;[5] the video was aired on various Korean music channels. The album, entitled 한번 더, OK? (Hanbeon Deo, OK?, translated as "One More Time, OK?") was released on May 4, 2007."[6]
"One More Time, OK?" is The Grace's most successful song to the date, topping Mnet M! Countdown and SBS Inkigayo charts. The album sales in its first month were almost four times what My Everything sold in total, ranking the album at 6th place for the month.[7] On June 15, the album was released in Taiwan, being The Grace's first major release overseas.[8] A month and a half after release, the album was suggested to be inappropriate for younger audiences by The Commission on Youth Protection. The songs "One More Time, OK?" and "Tonight Is On Me" were considered to have "suggestive lyrics". The Commission on Youth Protection is currently undergoing judgement to see if the album will be flagged. The final decision will be made towards the end of August. If flagged, the album will have a 19+ sticker attached before being put to sale.[9]
In July, after "One More Time, OK?", the group shortly promoted two more songs off their first album. "女友 (그녀들의 수다)" (Girl Talk) was performed on various TV shows, with a music video for "Dancer In The Rain" released.
Shortly after promotions for their first Korean album ceased, a new Japanese single was announced for release on August 1. It featured three new songs: a dance number named Piranha and Japanese versions of the songs My Everything and Just For One Day, which features TVXQ's JaeJoong. The first presses included a remix of The Club (song) featuring SEAMO, their first remix to be released on CD. The single debuted at 26th place in the Oricon daily charts and ended at 50th place in the weekly charts.
About a month later, the release of their first Japanese album was set. The original date announced was November 21, though the date was then moved a week earlier to November 14. Entitled Graceful 4,[10] the album consisted of nine previously released songs and new material, including One More Time, OK?, a translated Japanese version of their first Korean album's title song. Just For One Day has also been remixed for the album, having a jazz variation.
During the first months of 2008, The Grace still promoted themselves in Japan, performing on various events in support of their first Japanese album. They held three concerts in April and May named Graceful Party Vol. 1.[11] The last one, at Daikanyama UNIT in Tokyo, featured Here, a new song in collaboration with hip-hop group Cliff Edge.
Their sixth Japanese single, called Stand Up People, was released on July 23. It featured Dear friend, a mid-tempo ballad, and remixes of the title song and One More Time, OK?.
Their seventh single, Here, featured a collaboration between Tenjochiki and Cliff Edge. It was set to be released on October 22 only, but after the song leaked, it was offered for free download for a limited time. Here was chosen to be the theme song of both the drama and movie of "Homeless School Student", based on a Japanese best-seller book. A second song and PV were released entitled Near. Here reaching to #16 at the Oricon Charts with sales of over 16,000.
The album entitled "Dear..." [12] was released on January 7, 2009 from which the sixth and seventh singles ('Stand Up People' and 'Here') were released. The album debuted on 14# in Oricon.
The Grace appeared on the soundtrack of the Japanese movie Subaru. "少しでいいから" (Sukoshi De Ii Kara / A Bit of Good) and "Coming To You" are both featured tracks on the soundtrack.[13] "少しでいいから" (Sukoshi De Ii Kara / A Bit of Good) is a part of The Grace's second Japanese Album "Dear...". The movie also features member Stephanie as a ballet trainer [14]
Due to Stephanie's major back injury, all activities for CSJH The Grace were halted. Until mid 2010, members Lina, Dana, and Sunday have been appearing on the screen. They attended the annual SMTown concert, SMTown Live '10 in August and September. After the concerts, Dana and Sunday were cast in the musical "Rock of Ages" with SHINee's Onew and TRAX's Jay from the same company. In October, Dana was also cast in another musical, "The Three Musketeers". Stephanie has been going through rehab and recently recovered fully. She attended Korean Arts University and with the encouragement from the school, she auditioned for the Los Angeles Ballet. She stated in a interview that after she has completed the shows in the States with LAB, she will head back to Korea to continue on her singing career.
On November 24, Avex Entertainment, as well as SM Entertainment Japan, released a statement about the renewal of contracts of SM artists signed to Avex.[15]
Dana once again tweeted to one of her fans that The Grace will start producing a new album and it is believed that the album will be released next year. Dana also stated that they will start their recording between December and January. One of the SM representatives revealed “Dana has been recording consistently all this while. However, details are yet to be confirmed on the group’s actual comeback.” [16]
On January 27, SM Entertainment confirmed that the group was going to come back some time around April. Due to her ballet schedule, Stephanie won't be able to join the other girls for the release. It is presumed that the comeback will only consist of Sunday and Dana, since Lina has stated that she wants to focus on her acting career.[17] Stephanie and Lina will be joining their group's activities after they culminate their individual activities.
On June 27, SM Entertainment has confirmed, "CSJH will be undergoing a new project for their comeback in the beginning of July. Please look forward to their new image.” CSJH The Grace were rumoured to be making their comeback on July 13 with a song called “V.I.P".
However, on July 4, SM Entertainment announced The Grace would come back as a duo sub-unit - CSJH - Dana & Sunday or stylized as 'THE GRACE-DANA&SUNDAY'. In fact, they released a digital single named "나 좀 봐줘 (One More Chance)" on July 11. The first comeback stage was on KBS music program Music Bank on July 8.[18]
SM confirmed again in a news that the group might have a comeback together with Lina and Stephanie by end of 2011 or later in early 2012. The date however is unconfirmed.
On December 13, The Grace-DANA&SUNDAY released a song 'Amazing' as a participation in the 2011 Winter SMTown – The Warmest Gift. 'Amazing' is a slow ballad track.
As part of the "With Coffee" project, DANA&SUNDAY released the first song of the project that involves songs inspired by different types of coffee. The song and MV for "First Americano" were released on December 19th.
| Stage name | Birth name | Date of birth | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romanized | Hangul | Romanized | Hangul/Hanzi | |
| Lina | 린아 | Lee Jiyeon | 이지연 | February 18, 1984 |
| Dana | 다나 | Hong Sungmi | 홍성미 | July 17, 1986 |
| Sunday | 선데이 | Jin SeoYun | 진서윤 | January 12, 1987 |
| Stephanie | 스테파니 | Stephanie Kim | 스테파니 김 | October 16, 1987 |
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Japan Nationwide Tours |
Tours with SM Town Artists
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| Years | Awards |
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| 2005 |
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| 2006 |
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| 2007 |
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