Speed (South Korean band)

Speed
Origin Seoul, South Korea
Genres K-pop, dance-pop
Years active 2011–present
Labels Core Contents Media, MBK Entertainment
Associated acts Coed School, F-ve Dolls, T-ara, TS
Website www.mbk-ent.com/main_speed
Members
Past members

SPEED (Korean: 스피드; commonly stylized as SPEED) is a South Korean idol group from MBK Entertainment, formerly known as Core Contents Media. Its consists of all male members of the group: Jungwoo (also known as 'Yoosung'), Sungmin, and include new members Jongkook in 2011, Sejoon, Yuhwan, and Taeha in 2012.


History

2010-2011: Co-Ed School and the Creation of Sub-Units

Co-Ed School debuted in October 2010 with the single "Too Late". Their mini album, Something That Is Cheerful and Fresh, was released on October 28, 2010. Core Contents Media announced that it would be dividing the group into two sub-units in 2011. The female members, Soomi, Chanmi, Hyoyoung and Hyewon were joined by new member Eunkyo for female sub-unit "F-ve Dolls". Following the groups debut, they had a comeback later in the year, ultimately postponing the male groups debut. On November 4, 2011 it was announced that member Kangho was leaving the group to focus on an acting career.[1] He was replaced by Superstar K3 contestant Shin Jongkook and the sub-unit's debut was slated for an early 2012 date.

2012: Debut with "Lovey-Dovey Plus" and Line-up Changes

In late January, the sub-units name, Speed, was revealed, along with the announcement that they would release the digital single "Lovey Dovey-Plus", a "homage" track to T-ara's hit 'Lovey Dovey'. Ex-T-ara member Ryu Hwayoung and her twin sister Ryu Hyoyoung (from F-ve Dolls) were featured in the music video.[2] Speed followed the release of the single with two weeks of promotions on music shows.

In February, Core Contents Media decided to add Park Sejoon to Speed's line-up. Core Contents Media then moved Coed Schools and its sub-units to their subsidiary label, GM Contents Media. In September, Kwanghaeng and Noori left the group, and were replaced by Yoohwan and Taeha in October. The group was later moved back to the main label, Core Contents Media, along with 5dolls and label mates Gangkiz.

2013: Superior Speed repackage

The groups "official" debut was announced in late December 2012, confirming the release of single "It's Over". On January 6, two music videos were released for the song "Sad Promise" featuring Davichi's Kang Minkyung from the Digital single "Speed of Light". A dance version,[3] and a drama version which features Park Bo-young, A Pink's Naeun, Ji Chang-wook, and Ha Seok-jin.[4] On January 14, 2013, they released their debut album "Superior SPEED", along with two music videos for title track "It's Over.[5] A dance version, and a drama version which is part 2 of the "Sad Promise" drama video. The song was produced by Shinsadong Tiger and Park Bo-young (who also starred in the drama version of the music video) was featured in the song.[6] It was announced that Speed would return following their debut album promotions with a repackage album, Blow Speed. On February 20, 2013, the repackage was released, along with the music video for the title track 통증 (Pain).[7]

2014: SPEED mini concert, Speed Circus, Repackage EP

Before their album release, in 2013 they did a showcase in Mongolia.From February 3–7, 2014, they performed at UNIQOL AX Hall to release their newest mini-album 'Speed Circus'. The group performed six songs, and had three guest-stars, Shannon with Dani of T-ara N4 sing two songs during the intermission and Hyewon of F-ve Dolls dancing with SPEED on song 'Hey Ma Lady'. The showcase aired on February 17 on SBS MTV to the public.[8]

Released on February 18, 'Speed Circus' has a total of five tracks and revolves around a circus theme. There are several different genres blended into the album in an attempt to show off all seven member's musical talents. Leader Taewoon also took charge in most of the writing, composing, and producing of the album, and the group gave a lot of direct input in their choreography[9] The title track of the album is titled “늘리러 간다 (Don’t Tease Me!)”, and fully encapsulates the circus concept. The music video for "Don't Tease Me!" was shot at their showcase, and shows the group in several different circus-themed costumes. The climax of the song also features several impressive stunts performed by the members.[10] One of the tracks is titled “왜 난 꼭 (Why I’m not?)” and is a hip-hop ballad. Combining the two medium-tempo ballad with strong lyrics created a song distinct from SPEED's previous tracks, showing their growth in their musical abilities. The music video was directed by Cha Eun-taek and was filmed in one continuous shot.[10] Included in the mini-album is the track "Focus", a solo rap by Taewoon.[11] Most of the music video was filmed in Los Angeles, and was released on February 17 as a teaser for the mini-album.e The final track in the mini-album is titled "Hey Ma Lady", and it continues the circus theme in a more upbeat and flirtatious song. In addition, the mini-album also has the voice edition of "Don't Tease Me!". From re-released their mini album, comeback the digital single and music video "Zombie Party" with themes zombie concept and Shannon as guest star in the music video. On April 3, SPEED released the music video for "Look at Me Now," the title track to their repackage album, which is a trap-influenced song with a strong drum beat and synth sound.[12]

2015: 2nd Line-up Changes

In January 2015, MBK Entertainment announced that SPEED will be having a comeback in Spring with the additions of 2 new members and with the departure of former leader Taewoon, making SPEED an 8-member group.

Members

Current members
Stage name Birth name
Romanized Hangul Romanized Hangul
Jungwoo 정우 Kim Jung-woo 김정우
Yuhwan 유환 Kim Yu-hwan 김유환
Taeha 태하 Oh Sung-jong 오성종
Jongkook 종국 Shin Jong-kook 신종국
Sejun 세준 Park Se-jun 박세준
Sungmin 성민 Choi Sung-min 최성민

Former members

Former members
Stage name Birth name
Romanized Hangul Romanized Hangul
Kwanghaeng 광행 Lee Kwang-haeng 이광행
Kangho 강호 Park Yong-soo 박용수
Noori 누리 Kang In-oh 강인오
Taewoon 태운 Woo Ji-seok 우지석

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums
EPs

Videography

Music videos

Year Title Length Notes
2012 Lovey Dovey Plus Ver.1 4:10 Features ex-T-ara Ryu Hwayoung and 5dolls's Ryu Hyoyoung.
Lovey Dovey Plus Ver.2 4:16 Features ex-T-ara Ryu Hwayoung and 5dolls's Ryu Hyoyoung.
2013 슬픈약속 "That's My Fault" (Drama Ver.) 13:17 Drama version features Park Bo-young, A Pink's Naeun, Ji Chang-wook, and Ha Seok-jin.
슬픈약속 "That's My Fault" (Dance Ver.) 4:18 Featuring Davichi's Kang Minkyung
It's Over (Drama Ver.) 14:30 Drama version features Park Bo-young, A Pink's Naeun, Ji Chang-wook, and Ha Seok-jin.
It's Over (Dance Ver.) 3:36 Featuring Actress Park Bo-young.
Never Say Goodbye 1:30
통증 (Pain)훌렁 휴양과 3:31
2014 Focus 2:29 Tae-woon Solo.
왜 난 꼭 (Why I'm Not?) 3:52 Starring model Hwang Hyunjoo
눌리러 간다 (Don't Tease Me!) 3:58 Performance in Showcase.
좀비파티 (Zombie Party) 4:12 Starring singer Shannon Williams
Look At Me Now 3:52

Television show appearances

Year Title Member Network Note
2013 SPEED's Dreaming Polaris/Real Documentary SPEED Mnet SPEED's Reality
People looking for a laugh SPEED SBS Guests
All the KPOP Taewoon, Sungmin MBC Contestant
Let's Go Dream Team! Season 2 Taewoon KBS Contestant
ShimShimTapa SPEED MBC Guest Star
Weekly Idol SPEED MBC Guest Star (without Sejoon)
SPEED's Eating TV SPEED Mnet
Beatles Code 2 Taewoon, Jungwoo, Sungmin Mnet Guest Star with Davichi
Show Champion's "True Back Show" Taewoon MBC as MC
All the KPOP Taewoon MBC Contestant
Money Tower Jungwoo Channel A Contestant
2014 Good People SPEED MBC Appearance for Shannon's story
ShimShimTapa SPEED MBC Guest Star
After School Club SPEED Arirang Guest Star
Moon Hee Jun's Pure 15 Taewoon, Sungmin Mnet Guest Star
DEEPSPEED SPEED Core Contents Media's Official YouTube SPEED's Documentary
Get It Beauty SPEED OnStyle Guest Star

Awards and Nominations

Year Award Category Result
2013 Cyworld Digital Music Awards Rookie of the Month (January) "It's Over" feat. Park Bo-young Won[13]

References

  1. ↑ (Korean)'남녀 공학' 합류 신종국, 내년 3 월 팀내 男 유닛 출격 StarNews.
  2. ↑ (Korean)남녀공학, 티아라 '러비 더비' 리메이크 '눈길'' Naver. January 31, 2012.
  3. ↑ "SPEED releases "Sad Promise" dance version MV with Davichi’s Kang Min Kyung". Allkpop.com. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  4. ↑ "SPEED releases drama version MV for "Sad Promise"". Allkpop.com. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  5. ↑ "[Updated] SPEED releases drama and dance version MVs for "It’s Over" + ‘Superior SPEED’ album". Allkpop. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  6. ↑ http://www.koreaboo.com/index.html/_/comeback/speed-scheduled-for-comeback-in-december-with-r18676
  7. ↑ SPEED release music video for Pain, The Love of Heart Allkpop. February 20, 2013.
  8. ↑ (Korean) 가요계 놀리러간다” 1년만 컴백 스피드, 놀라운 성장(종합) "Newsen". February 12, 2014.
  9. ↑ (Korean) Speed Circus Profile Album "Genie". February 18, 2014.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 (English) SPEED release MVs for 'Why I'm Not?' and 'Don't Tease Me' from mini-album 'SPEED Circus' Allkpop. February 17, 2014.
  11. ↑ (Korean) 스피드 태운, 美힙합가수 레이제이와 작업 ‘Focus’ 공개 Newsen. February 17, 2014.
  12. ↑ "SPEED Is Back with a New MV, "Look at Me Now"". Soompi. 2014-04-21. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  13. ↑ (English)"Cyworld Digital Music Awards - Rookie Of The Month (January)". cyworld.

External links