BP Rania

BP Rania (Hangul: BP 라니아, formerly known as Rania, shortened from Black Pearl Regeneration Idol of Asia; stylized as BP RaNia or BP RANIA) is a South Korean girl group formed by DR Music in 2011, created by American Teddy Riley.^[1] They debuted as RANIA with their debut mini album Teddy Riley, The First Expansion In Asia with title track Dr Feel Good released in April 2011.^[2] The group's current line-up is composed of Alex, Zi.U, Hyeme, Jieun, Ttabo & Yumin.

Career

Pre-debut

RANIA was originally set to debut in mid 2010 as the third generation of Baby V.O.X. However their record company DR Music decided to rebrand them as a new group named RANIA with 8 members: Saem (later known as Yina), Lucy (later known as Jooyi), Riko, Joy, Di, T-ae, Xia and Sarah.^[3] T-ae, Riko and Yina were chosen to star alongside former 2PM member Jay Park in his movie Hype Nation,^[4][5] causing DR Music to push back the group's debut. At the beginning of 2011, Sarah Wang made her decision to leave the group and was replaced by Chinese trainee Yijo. Before the addition of Yijo, Thai Korean trainee Data (Song Daeun) and Canadian Korean trainee Minhee (Moon Minhee) were set to take Sarah's place. However, Minhee left due to parental disapproval due to her age (at the time she was 15), and Data left due to homesickness (her family resided in Thailand).

2011–12: Debut and line-up changes

Rania on stage at the Multicultural Festival in Gyeonggi-do, in September 2011.

RANIA made their debut in April 2011^[6] as an eight-member group, consisting of Saem, Jooyi, Riko, Joy, Di, T-ae, Xia and Yijo. However, upon their debut mini album's release, Yijo was not present for live performances. It was later revealed that Yijo was having issues with her work visa. She left the group shortly after.^[7][8] They performed on 6 April on KBS's Music Bank, with the title track "Dr Feel Good", composed by producer Teddy Riley. The song was originally given to Lady Gaga.^[9] However, since their music video and live performances caused controversy in Korea as some viewers felt that their image and concept were too provocative,^[10] RANIA were forced to change their choreography and make minor changes to the outfits.^[11][12] After the conclusion of "Dr Feel Good" promotions, the group returned in June with their 1st digital single "Masquerade" ^[13](also composed by Riley).^[9] Despite having planned an American debut,^[9] the group made no advancements.^[14] Shortly afterwards Riley announced that he would have nothing more to do with the group after falling out with their record label, releasing a statement saying "I wish them the best. It's not the girls I dislike, I love Rania, they would be better with me at SM Entertainment. Their manager does shady business, used me for my music. I love Rania, I just don't like their company business. That's why they are not getting bigger. They don't do business upfront. They used my name every where then back door me on the group. It's ok if they will regret it. If they leave that company, I will sign them up quickly. Please know the facts before attacking me. Attack their company. Such great talent will be wasted if they don't get better support."^[15][16]

The group released their 2nd mini album, Time to Rock Da Show, on 16 November 2011.^[17][18] The music video for its title track, "Pop Pop Pop", written by Brave Brothers,^[19] was revealed four days later.^[20] Joy suddenly went on hiatus at this time, which DR Music claimed was because her parents' house had been affected in the flood which occurred in Thailand at the time of the release,^[21][22] and later left RaNia in June 2012. In a series of now-deleted tweets, she wrote "To everyone, I’m sorry I let you guys down so many times, but I’ve been thinking about it for months. I think I can’t go back to stand on that place anymore. [...] I can’t go back anymore. Thanks for all of your love and all of your hope, thank you so much and I feel so sorry that I [am disappointing beloved fans]…From now…I think I can’t be in the Entertainment [industry] or back to be a singer anymore since I was sick…But I haven’t got any confidence to go back to do it. I’m sorry that I made you all have to wait for me…and I made you all feel confused. Thank you so much for gifts, kindness, love that you give me. Thank you." ^[23] On 30 May 2012, RANIA performed a new song named "Killer" at the Dream Concert. They made a comeback on 16 September with 2nd digital single "Style", whose music video was revealed on 20 September. Jooyi did not participate in this comeback,^[24] although DR Music claimed she was still a member of the group.

2013–14: Further releases and line-up changes

Rania performing at the Hyosung Angel Village Festival, on October 4, 2013.

RANIA released the title track "Just Go" on 8 March 2013, along with their first studio album, also titled Just Go (or Goodbye's The New Hello).^[25] They also announced to debut in America in the summer of 2013.^[26] Empire Records was to be handling the girls' distribution while Fireworks was to handle their American management.^[27] Larry Rudolph and Adam Leber, two of Britney Spears's managers, decided to be RANIA's managers throughout their U.S. promotions.^[28] Starting 21 May, RANIA began filming for their MTV reality show Road to Fame in Los Angeles and other cities across the U.S. The show would feature the group's preparations for their U.S. debut and would air for three months. It was also revealed that the album would feature collaborations with both Snoop Dogg and 2 Chainz.^[29] However, RANIA's American debut was delayed again in June.^[30] Instead, they began to film a CF for Woongjin Waterpark Play°C^[31] and released a special digital single, "Up" for fans on 5 July.^[32]

In May 2014, the group signed with Spanish label INGENIOmedia and confirmed they would have a comeback in July with "Acceleration", with a second round of promotions in September.^[33] The label also confirmed that they were looking for a sixth member to replace Riko, who was absent from the group since "Just Go".^[25][34] Following an incident where a staffer at INGENIOmedia leaked RANIA's comeback track to a fan, the company severed ties with the group, stating they were "taking too long".^[35] INGENIOMedia later released a statement saying that they were not looking for a member to replace Riko, apologizing for any confusion, and said that any news on member changes would have to come from RANIA's company.^[36]

In late 2014, Saem stopped attending public events and deactivated her official social media accounts. This led to intense fan speculation that she had left the group, but DR Music did not release an official statement regarding her situation. Also on that same day that Saem's departure from the group was announced, DR Music announced that the departure of Riko the inactive member of the group, the company said: "After the completion of the promotions of the single "Style", Riko told us with that she would take her university entrance exams to study a career, she asked for a 3-year break to complete her university studies and once she graduated from college, she could return to the group as a member of RaNia, but the problem came back this year when she reproached subjects in the university, she made us aware of this situation and asked for a year more absence that we found impossible since although she promotes or not with the group, we as a company should continue paying a normal salary, And That is unfair for us and the other members of the group, because she can not postpone her absence anymore, she decided to leave the group and the agency." DR Music later added a new member, Sharon Park, who was a model before joining the group.

2015–16: Last release as Rania and line-up changes

Rania on November 10, 2015.

In January 2015, Jooyi stopped attending live performances with RANIA, to which DR Music claimed that she was simply on hiatus. In April 2015, Sharon Park left the group to focus on her modeling career. In July 2015, RANIA made their appearance with two new members, trainees Seulji and Hyeme. In October 2015, the group announced their comeback as a six-member group on 6 November with their 3rd mini album Demonstrate.^[37] On 3 November, Seulji and Hyeme were revealed as new member^[38] and also confirmed that Demonstrate would be featuring American Rapper Alexandra Reid, it was possible she became a new member.^[39] On 4 November, DR Music confirmed that Alexandra Reid became a new member of the group and also confirming that Saem and Jooyi had officially left from the group.^[40] Alex is the first ever African-American woman to be an official member of a South Korean girl group.^[41]

DR Music sent out a letter to fans that supported their Makestar project, informing them that RANIA's comeback has been pushed back to August 2016, and they were working on a Hyeme & Alex sub-unit. On 13 July 2016, however, Makestar announced that due to repeated failed attempts to contact DR Music about the project's progress and "the continued irresponsible behavior and stance taken by the RANIA project creator, and our unwillingness to ignore the inconvenience this is causing to the project participants", the project would be terminated and all money returned to the fans.^[42] On 26 May, it was confirmed that the last three original members of RANIA - Di, T-ae and Xia had withdrawn from the group and parted ways from DR Music after 5 years. They then signed with their new label ENTER HAMA, where they will re-debut as ELA8TE.^[43] On 26 June, RANIA performed in a China event with 3 DR Music trainees: Jian, Jieun (a former member of LPG) and Crystal. On 15 August 2016, Alex announced that she was the group's new leader.^[44] On 25 October, RANIA performed with 2 DR Music trainees (Ttabo and Hyeonji) at the 2016 Seoul ICARUS Drone International Film Festival. Two days later DR Music stated that from 7 DR Music trainees they will choose new RANIA members.^[45]

2017–present: Reformation as BP Rania

BP RANIA during a fan-sign event, on January 24, 2017.

On 23 December, 2016, DR Music revealed a teaser image for Black Pearl and hinted a comeback as a seven-member group.^[46] On 24 December, an image teaser for Hyeme and new member Jieun were revealed.^[47] On 25 December, Zi.U (formerly known as Seulji) and new member Yumin teaser images were revealed.^[48] On 26 December, DR Music revealed teaser images for Alex and new Chinese member Ttabo.^[49] It was reported that former member Saem had rejoined the group after 2 years following her departure in late 2014, and that she had changed her stage name to Yina.^[50][51] On 27 December, DR Music revealed last teaser image for Saem, confirming that she had re-joined the group.^[52] On December 28, Rania released teaser music video for upcoming comeback track Start a Fire as BP RANIA, symbolizing that the group is a "rare existence in the music industry."^[53] "Start a Fire" was released, on December 30, 2016, along with 4th mini album with the same name.^[54] DR Music said "Through Spanish company "Ingeniomedia", the song will be available in more than 60 countries around the world."^[55] On February 10, 2017, DR Music announced that BP RANIA will start promotions for their 2nd song "Make Me Ah" from the 'Start a Fire' album, on February 14, 2017. ^[56] It was also announced that this will be the first time that leader Alex will take part in the entire choreography.^[57].^[58]

On February 21, 2017, DR Music revealed that the company was approached by a well established production company with an acting opportunity for Alexandra.^[59] They also stated that they hoped that fans could understand the benefits of this opportunity, and that this opportunity would allow the group to gain 'exposure and help BP Rania's success by expanding their fan base.' DR Music assured the fans that Alexandra will remain a fully active member of BP Rania, and will return to her regular schedules after her return to Korea. DR Music asked people to send positivity to Alexandra and to wait patiently and enthusiastically for their return. On May 12, 2017, DR Music announced that they are looking for 3 to 4 new members to start BP Rania W, a worldwide group that will promote alongside the current members of BP Rania.^[60] Since the end of March, BP Rania has been promoting 'Make Me Ah' with only 5 members, many fans have noticed that Yina has been notably absent from the promotions of the group, to which DR Music replied that Yina is busy with her own individual activities. On June 8 2017, Yina announced in an Instagram post that she was leaving BP Rania.^[61]The agency later confirmed that Yina decided to focus her acting career.^[62]

On August 2nd, DR Music announced their next comeback with their 7th mini album REfresh 7th of which the title track is called "Beep Beep Beep", will be released on August 12th.

Members

Current members

• Alex (Hangul: 알렉스), born Alexandra Reid (Hangul: 알렉산드라 리드) on (1992-03-05) March 5, 1992.
• Jieun (Hangul: 지은), born Kang Ji-eun (Hangul: 강지은) on (1993-10-17) October 17, 1993. She is a former member of LPG.
• Yumin (Hangul: 유민), born Kim Yu-min (Hangul: 김유민) on (1994-04-22) April 22, 1994.
• Zi.U (Hangul: 지유), born Kim Seul-ji (Hangul: 김슬지) on (1995-02-24) February 24, 1995.
• Ttabo (Hangul: 따보), born Fu Ying-nan (Chinese: 付英男) on (1995-06-08) June 8, 1995. She is a former member of Miss Mass
• Hyeme (Hangul: 혜미), born Kim Hye-mi (Hangul: 김혜미) on (1995-12-22) December 22, 1995.^[63]

Former members

• Joy
• Riko
• Jooyi
• Di
• T-ae
• Xia
• Saem/Yina

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

Videography

Music videos

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rania (band).

• Official fancafe
• BP Rania's channel on YouTube
• BP Rania on Facebook
• BP Rania on Twitter
  
• BP Rania on Instagram