H1-Key Explained

H1-Key
Landscape:yes
Origin:Seoul, South Korea
Genre:K-pop
Years Active:–present
Current Members:
  • Seoi
  • Riina
  • Yel
  • Hwiseo
Past Members:
  • Sitala

H1-Key (; ; read as High-key; stylized as H1-KEY) is a South Korean girl group. Formed and managed by Grandline Group (GLG) and Sony Music Korea, the group is composed of four members: Seoi, Riina, Hwiseo, and Yel. Sitala left the group on May 25, 2022, and Hwiseo was introduced as a new member on June 14, 2022. They made their debut with the release of their first single album, Athletic Girl, on January 5, 2022.

Name

Their group name H1-Key is pronounced and inspired by the word "High Key" and the aim for "confident" and "healthy beauty".[1]

History

Pre-debut activities and introductions

Yel was a trainee under JYP Entertainment.[2] Riina was previously training under WM Entertainment.[3] Sitala, daughter of the late Thai actor, singer and producer Sarunyoo Wongkrachang, was a trainee under Lionheart Entertainment.[4] Seoi was a trainee under YG Entertainment.[5]

On November 18, 2021, Naver News revealed that Grandline Group (GLG), the newly-established sub-label of the now defunct hip-hop based label Grandline Entertainment (GRDL), were planning to debut a new girl group on January 5, 2022. On November 20, 2021, the group opened their official social media accounts.[6]

On November 23, 2021, Yel was announced as the group's first member through a self-choreographed cover video of "Bad Habits" by Ed Sheeran. On November 26, 2021, Seoi was introduced as the group's second member. On November 29, Riina, a former Produce 48 contestant and WM Ggumnamu member, was revealed as the third member. On November 30, Sitala was introduced as the group's fourth member. Later the members made their first full group appearance in a dance cover video for the song "Me So Bad".

Controversy around Sitala

When GLG unveiled the group's Thai member Sitala in November 2021, various K-pop fans in Thailand called for her removal, as her late father was a known supporter of the People's Alliance for Democracy, a military tyranny that ousted two democratic-elected civilian governments in the 2006 and 2014 military coup d'états. In response to the backlash, GLG issued a statement on December 8 saying that Sitala cannot be held responsible for her father's actions, which do not reflect her individual merits or political views.[7]

2021–2022: Debut with Athletic Girl, Sitala's departure and Run

On December 21, 2021, it was announced via social media that the group make their debut with their first single album, Athletic Girl, with the title track of the same name. Prior to the release, it was announced that the group would be partnering with Sony Music for international promotions.[8] [9]

The album was released on January 5, 2022. They held a press showcase for the album on the same day.[10] H1-Key made their broadcast debut on January 7, at KBS2's Music Bank.[11]

On May 25, GLG announced that Sitala had left the group due to personal circumstances.[12] [13]

On June 7, it was announced that the quartet would be releasing their first maxi single album titled Run on July 6, with the addition of a new member, Hwiseo.[14] [15] On December 6, H1-Key confirmed their comeback on January 5, 2023, the anniversary of their debut.[16]

2023–present: Rose Blossom, Seoul Dreaming, H1-Keynote Project and Love or Hate

On January 5, the quartet released their first extended play titled Rose Blossom, with the title track of the same name.

In June 2023, members Riina and Hwiseo were participants in the Mnet girl group survival show Queendom Puzzle.[17] Riina was eliminated in the second elimination round in episode 9,[18] while Hwiseo finished in first place, debuting in the female supergroup El7z Up.[19]

The group released their second extended play Seoul Dreaming on August 30, led by the title track "Seoul (Such a Beautiful City)".[20] The single "Time to Shine", a pre-release of the EP, was released on August 23.[21] The group subsequently took their first music show win on The Show on September 5.[22]

The group would launch a music project titled H1-Keynote, beginning with the release of the digital single "Thinkin' About You" on January 19, 2024,[23] followed by the second digital single of the project "Deeper" on February 27.[24]

The group released their third extended play Love or Hate on June 19, 2024.[25]

Members

Current

Former

Timeline

Discography

Extended plays

Title! rowspan="2" scope="col"
DetailsPeak chart positionsSales
KOR
[27]
Rose Blossom 19
Seoul Dreaming
  • Released: August 30, 2023
  • Label: GLG, Sony Music Korea
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
3
Love or Hate
  • Released: June 19, 2024
  • Label: GLG, Sony Music Korea
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
21

Single albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
DetailsPeak chart positionsSales
KOR
[31]
Athletic Girl
  • Released: January 5, 2022
  • Labels: GLG, Sony Music Korea
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
70
Run
  • Released: July 6, 2022
  • Labels: GLG, Sony Music Korea
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
47

Singles

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsAlbum
KOR
[33] 		KOR
Songs
[34]
"Athletic Girl"2022— —Athletic Girl
"Run"— —Run
"Rose Blossom" (건물 사이에 피어난 장미)202314 12Rose Blossom
"Time to Shine" (불빛을 꺼뜨리지 마)——Seoul Dreaming
"Seoul (Such a Beautiful City)"— —
"Thinkin' About You"2024135 —H1-Keynote #1 (Thinkin' About You)
"Deeper"— —H1-Keynote #2 [기뻐 (Deeper)]
"Let It Burn" (뜨거워지자)— —Love or Hate

Other charted songs

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsAlbum
KOR Down.
[35]
"♥ Letter"2024103Love or Hate
"Iconic" (나를 위한, 나에 의한, 나만의 이야기)100
"Rainfalls" (국지성호우)96

Videography

Music video

YearTitleDirector(s)Length
2022"Athletic Girl"Kim Young-jo, Yoo Seung-woo
(Naive Creative Productions)		3:45[36]
"Run"Jimmy (VIA)3:44[37]
2023"Rose Blossom"Na Seung-gwon
(Studio L'Extreme)		4:49[38]
"Time to Shine"Kim Sung-jae3:37[39]
"SEOUL (Such a Beautiful City)Na Seung-gwon
(Studio L'Extreme)		3:26[40]
2024"Thinkin' About You"Chung Ki Youl
(Postpattern)		3:26[41]
"Deeper"3:48
"뜨거워지자(Let It Burn)"Hong Joo-yeon (HIGHQUALITYFISH)3:38[42]

Awards and nominations

Award ceremony! scope="col"
YearCategoryNominee(s)Result
Brand of the Year Awards 2023Rising Star Female IdolH1-Key[43]
Korean Music Awards2024Song of the Year"Rose Blossom"[44]
Best K-pop Song
Rookie of the YearH1-Key
Seoul Music Awards2022New Female Artist Award[45]
2024Hallyu Special Award[46]
Popularity Award

Notes and References

  1. Web site: GLG . H1-KEY . Artist Channel - H1-KEY . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204050551/http://www.melon.com/artist/detail.htm?artistId=3064111 . 2021-12-04 . 2022-06-27 . . ko.
  2. Web site: Ji-eun . Jang . 2021-11-25 . [인터뷰] 하이키 옐 "롤모델은 이효리 선배님, 무대를 장악하는 모습이 멋있다" ]. [Interview] High-key Yel "Your role model is Lee Hyori-sunbaenim, it's cool to see you dominate the stage" . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204050551/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=438&aid=0000041089 . 2021-12-04 . 2022-06-27 . KBS Entertainment . ko . Naver.
  3. Web site: Na-yul . Kim . 2021-11-29 . 하이키 리이나, 프로필 공개.."롤모델은 아이유, 나만의 필살기 준비" . H1-KEY Riina, Profile Revealed.."Role Model IU, Prepares My Own Special Move" . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204050551/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003503704 . 2021-12-04 . 2022-06-27 . . ko.
  4. Web site: Ji-min . Kyung . 2021-11-30 . 하이키, 마지막 멤버는 시탈라.."'태국의 별'로 불리고파" [일문일답] ]. H1-KEY, the last member is Sitala.."I want to be called the 'Star of Thailand'" [Q&A] . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204050551/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004519192 . 2021-12-04 . 2022-06-27 . Osen . ko . Naver.
  5. Web site: 지 . 민경 . 2021-11-26 . 하이키 서이 "롤모델은 현아, 무대 장악력과 끼 닮고파" [일문일답] ]. H1-KEY Seoi "My role model is Hyuna, I want to resemble her stage control and talent" [Q&A] . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204050551/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004517544 . 2021-12-04 . 2022-06-27 . Osen . ko . Naver.
  6. Web site: Byung-gil . Ahn . 2021-11-18 . GLG 첫 걸그룹 하이키, 내년 1월5일 뜬다 [공식] ]. GLG's first girl group H1-Key to be released on January 5th next year [Official] . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204050551/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/144/0000775189 . 2021-12-04 . 2022-01-09 . Sports Khan . ko . Naver.
  7. Web site: 2021-12-08 . H1-KEY, controversy over Thai member before debut . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204050551/https://www.koreadispatch.com/2021/12/08/h1-key-controversy-over-thai-member-before-debut . 2021-12-04 . 2022-01-09 . Korea Dispatch . en-GB.
  8. Web site: Ahn . Byung-gil . 2022-01-02 . 'GLG X 소니뮤직' 하이키, 해외시장 뜬다 . 'GLG X Sony Music' Hi-Key, Overseas Market . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204050551/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=144&aid=0000784569 . 2021-12-04 . 2022-06-27 . Sports Khan . ko . Naver.
  9. Web site: Kyung . Ji-min . 2022-01-02 . GLG, 소니뮤직과 손잡았다..신예 하이키 해외 시장 진출 . GLG and Sony Music join hands.. H1-KEY entering overseas markets . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204050551/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=109&aid=0004534643 . 2021-12-04 . 2022-06-27 . Osen . ko . Naver.
  10. Web site: 하이키(H1-KEY) 넘치는 에너지와 탄탄한 몸매로 '시선집중' [MD동영상] ]. H1-KEY 'focused attention' with full of energy and a strong body [MD video] . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204050551/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/117/0003567972 . 2021-12-04 . 2022-01-09 . My Daily . ko . Naver.
  11. Web site: Shim . Min-kyung . 2022-01-07 . [뮤직뱅크] '당당돌' 하이키(H1-KEY) 당당하고 자신감 넘치는 4인 4색 매력 ♪애슬레틱 걸 ]. [Music Bank] 'Dangdang Idol' H1-KEY Four-members, four-color charms ♪ Athletic Girl . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20220627142207/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=438&aid=0000042706 . 2022-06-27 . 2022-06-27 . KBS Entertainment . ko . Naver.
  12. Web site: Oh . Yoon-joo . 2022-05-25 . 하이키, 태국인 멤버 시탈라 팀 탈퇴 "개인 사정" [공식] ]. H1-KEY, Thai member Sitala leave team "personal circumstances" [Official] . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204050551/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/now/article/117/0003607253 . 2021-12-04 . 2022-05-25 . . ko.
  13. Web site: Kang . Kyung-yun . May 25, 2022 . 그룹 하이키 측, '부친 논란' 태국인 멤버 시탈라 탈퇴 발표 . Group H1-Key announces departure from Thai member Sitala over 'father controversy' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204050551/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=416&aid=0000283606 . December 4, 2021 . May 25, 2022 . SBS Entertainment News . ko . Naver.
  14. Web site: Lee . Seul . 2022-06-07 . 하이키, 시탈라 탈퇴→새 멤버 영입..7월 6일 컴백 확정 [공식입장] ]. Sitala leaves H1-KEY→ Recruitment of new members... Confirmed comeback on July 6th [Official position] . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204050551/https://entertain.v.daum.net/v/EHN77xTrrx . 2021-12-04 . 2022-06-07 . Daum News/Xports News . ko . Daum.
  15. Web site: Ahn . Ha-na . June 7, 2022 . 하이키, 새 멤버와 7월 6일 컴백 확정…독보적 운동 콘셉트 ing . High-key, a comeback with a new member confirmed on July 6th... Unique exercise concept ing . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204050551/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=057&aid=0001668394 . December 4, 2021 . June 7, 2022 . . ko . Naver.
  16. Web site: 하이키, '데뷔 1주년' 맞아 2023년 1월 5일 컴백. Jeong. Ga-young. Highkey to make a comeback on January 5, 2023 to mark the ‘1st anniversary of their debut’. Sports World. Naver. December 6, 2022. December 6, 2022. ko.
  17. Web site: Here's everything we know about 'Queendom Puzzle' . Gladys . Yeo . June 7, 2023 . . August 23, 2023.
  18. Web site: '퀸덤 퍼즐', 나나→휘서 14인 파이널 진출…파이→보라 7인 탈락 . 'Queendom Puzzle', Nana → Huiseo advances to the 14-member final... Fye → Bora 7 eliminated . ko . Top Star News . August 9, 2023 . Lee . Soo-hyun . August 9, 2023.
  19. Web site: 'Queendom Puzzle' reveals lineup for project girl group EL7Z UP . August 16, 2023 . . Cho . Yong-jun . August 23, 2023.
  20. Web site: 하이키, 30일 미니 2집 발매…'건사피장' 인기 잇는다 [공식]]. Lee. Min-ji. H1-Key, to release 2nd mini album on (August) 30... trickled public interest with "Rose Blossom" [Official]. Newsen. Naver. August 1, 2023. August 1, 2023. ko.
  21. Web site: '중소돌의 기적' 하이키, 오늘 '불꺼마' 선공개. Go. In-hye. 'Small-Medium Idols' Miracle' H1-Key, to pre-release 'Time to Shine' today. Newsis. Naver. August 23, 2023. August 23, 2023. ko.
  22. Web site: 하이키, 초동 10배 상승·음악방송 첫 1위…'커리어 하이' 달성. Lee. Seul. H1-Key, first week orders increased by 10 times·first music show win... 'career high'. XportsNews. Naver. September 6, 2023. September 6, 2023. ko.
  23. Web site: '역주행 신화' 하이키, 새해 첫 출격 '띵킨 어바웃 유' 19일 발매. Ji. Seung-hoon. 'Chart Reversal' H1-Key, first release of the new year 'Thinkin' About You' on January 19. Maeil Kyungje. Naver. January 11, 2024. January 15, 2024. ko.
  24. Web site: 하이키, 27일 '기뻐' 발매…흑백 포스터 공개. Jeon. Hyo-jin. H1-Key, to release 'Deeper' on 27 (February)... reveals black and white poster. Sports Donga. Naver. February 20, 2024. February 20, 2024. ko.
  25. Web site: 하이키, 본격 컴백 카운트다운...다양한 콘텐츠 예고. Ahn. Ha-na. H1-Key, full-fledged comeback countdown... preview of a variety of contents. MBN. Naver. May 31, 2024. May 31, 2024. ko.
  26. Web site: H1-KEY: 네이버 통합검색 . H1-KEY: Naver Integrated Search . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204050551/https://m.search.naver.com/search.naver?sm=mtb_hty.top&where=m&oquery=%EC%95%84%EC%9D%BC%EB%A6%AC%EC%9B%90+%ED%94%84%EB%A1%9C%ED%95%84&tqi=hCWbesprvA4ssaA7xrKssssssQV-135502&query=H1-KEY . 2021-12-04 . 2022-04-04 . m.search.naver.com . ko.
  27. Peaks on the Circle Album Chart:
  28. Cumulative sales of Rose Blossom on Circle Chart:
  29. Cumulative Sales of Seoul Dreaming:
  30. Cumulative Sales of Love or Hate:
  31. Peak chart positions on Gaon Album Chart:
    • Web site: Athletic Girl . Korea Music Content Association . ko . Gaon Chart.
    • Web site: Run . Korea Music Content Association . ko . Circle Chart.
  32. Web site: Circle Album Chart – Week 28, 2022. Circle Chart. ko. July 14, 2022.
  33. Peaks on the Circle Digital Chart:
  34. Peaks on the South Korea Songs Chart:
  35. Peaks on the Circle Download Chart:
  36. Web site: January 12, 2022 . H1-KEY(하이키) - ATHLETIC GIRL .
  37. Web site: July 6, 2022 . H1-KEY(하이키) 'RUN' M/V . .
  38. Web site: January 5, 2023 . 건물 사이에 피어난 장미 .
  39. Web site: August 23, 2023 . H1-KEY(하이키) '불빛을 꺼뜨리지 마 (Time to Shine)' M/V . .
  40. Web site: August 30, 2023 . SEOUL (Such a Beautiful City) .
  41. Web site: Instagram . 2024-02-12 . www.instagram.com.
  42. H1-KEY(하이키) 뜨거워지자(Let It Burn) Official M/V . 2024-06-19 . H1-KEY . 2024-06-19 . YouTube.
  43. Web site: https://n.news.naver.com/article/015/0004886912. ko:세상을 바꿀 수 있는 힘 브랜드에 있다. September 3, 2023. Naver. ko. September 4, 2023. September 4, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230904080016/https://n.news.naver.com/article/015/0004886912. live.
  44. Web site: Yeo . Gladys . 2024-01-26 . Here are all the nominees of the 21st Korean Music Awards . 2024-01-26 . NME . en-GB.
  45. Web site: The 32nd Seoul Music Awards . 2022-12-05 . seoulmusicawards.com.
  46. Web site: Jeong . Ha-eun . January 3, 2024 . ko:역사상 첫 해외 개최, 대상은 엔시티 드림 “2년 연속 수상 영광…시즈니 덕분”[제33회 서울가요대상] . Held overseas for the first time in history, the grand prize was awarded by NCT Dream "Honored to be awarded for the second year in a row...Thanks to Czennies" [The 33rd Seoul Music Awards] . https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=468&aid=0001017599 . January 3, 2024 . Sports Seoul . ko . Naver.

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