Mamamoo+ Explained
Mamamoo+ |
Origin: | Seoul, South Korea |
Genre: | K-pop |
Years Active: | 2022–present |
Label: | RBW |
Spinoff Of: | Mamamoo |
Current Members: |
|
Mamamoo+ (stylized in all caps) is a South Korean duo formed by RBW. The first sub-unit of the girl group Mamamoo, the duo is composed of members Solar and Moonbyul, the main vocal and main rapper of the group they originate from. Their debut single "Better" was released on August 30, 2022. This was followed by their first single album Act 1, Scene 1, released in March 2023 to commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies on the Circle Chart in its first month. They released their first extended play Two Rabbits on August 3, 2023.
Name
Since their early years with Mamamoo, Solar and Moonbyul together have been well-known by the nickname MoonSun, affectionately coined by fans as a portmanteau of their names: "Moon" from Moonbyul and "Sun" from Kim Yong-sun (Solar).
When plans to form an official sub-unit began, they considered several other names including Two Rabbits, which would later go on to become the title of their first extended play. Ultimately they decided on Mamamoo+. The name is meant to denote that they will be exploring new concepts and music, continuing to expand the horizons of their activities without limits, in addition to the existing group, Mamamoo.[1] [2]
Additionally, the motifs of the moon and the sun that represent each of them were incorporated into the Mamamoo+ logo when it was first revealed.[3]
History
Prior to their official debut as a sub-unit, Solar and Moonbyul had already performed and released songs together. As early as 2015, they appeared as a duo in the JTBC singing competition program Sugar Man. They performed a newly rearranged rendition of the nostalgic hit song "Like Yesterday" originally by J.ae, beating f(x)'s Luna and Amber to emerge as the final winners. The performance received attention for Solar's explosive vocals and Moonbyul's self-composed rap. The song also rose to the top of various music charts after the broadcast, sparking early requests for the two to form a sub-unit.[4]
In 2021, Solar and Moonbyul were invited to partake in the South Korean band Vibe's 20th anniversary project REVIBE vol.1 which featured remakes of their hit songs by various artists.[5] On July 28, 2021, the duo's remake and music video of the song "Promise U" was released.[6]
Career
2022: Formation and debut with "Better"
In August 2022, it was announced that members Solar and Moonbyul would be forming the group's first official subunit, Mamamoo+, with an expected album release at the end of the month.[7]
On August 22, 2022, a new YouTube channel was launched by surprise, uploading a video titled "Looking for a New Member of MAMAMOO". The channel was revealed to be created for the mockumentary series of the same name, which stars Solar and Moonbyul as they "search" for a new member to join them via auditions.[8] In the following days, spoiler photos were released which teased another artist who would be joining them as part of their debut song.[9] The duo's debut single "Better" featuring rapper Big Naughty, was released on August 30.[10] [11]
2023–present: Act 1 Scene 1, Two Rabbits and overseas performances
Mamamoo+ announced their first comeback in March 2023, set to consist of a single album, preceded by a digital single.[12] On March 21, they released the digital single "Chico Malo", which blends Latin trap beats and traditional Korean instruments such as the gayageum (plucked string instrument) and daegeum (bamboo flute).[13] The duo's first single album, Act 1, Scene 1, was released on March 29.[14] Billboard described the music videos from the album as "fresh visual treats", highlighting the intricate fan choreography and modernized versions of classic Korean outfits, the hanbok. As commended in the review, "not only is MAMAMOO+ experimenting and expanding with their music but with their visual storytelling too."[15] Within a month of release, the album Act 1, Scene 1 surpassed 100,000 copies sold on the Circle Chart.[16]
On July 7, it was reported that Mamamoo+ would be releasing new music in August 2023.[17] The pre-release single "Save Me" was released on July 18, along with a music video to accompany the pensive, lingering R&B track.[18] Upon release, "Save Me" entered the Top 10 on the iTunes Top Song Chart in ten countries and regions around the world. It also achieved a peak chart position of 14th on the Worldwide iTunes Top Song Chart.[19] Their debut extended play Two Rabbits was released on August 3.[20] [21]
From the summer of 2023 onwards and upon the conclusion of Mamamoo's My Con world tour, the duo have been invited to perform at multiple festivals and concerts overseas. Starting with the Kaohsiung Beer Rock Festival held in Taiwan on July 9, Mamamoo+ performed to a crowd of 28,000 people,[22] followed by Waterbomb Japan held in Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo on the 15th, 22nd and 29th of July respectively.[23]
Their upcoming appearances include: The Super Stage By K-Pop held at the Mall of Asia Arena on August 11 in Manila, Philippines,[24] RBW SUMMER FES ~Over the Rainbow~ at Tokyo Garden Theater from August 19 to 20 in Tokyo, Japan,[25] KPOP BANG at the Veltins Arena on September 9 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany,[26] and KPOP NATION at the PGE Narodowy Stadium on September 23 in Warsaw, Poland.[27] This is expected to continue into the second half of the year, with the potential of a global tour as well.[28]
Discography
Extended plays
Single albums
Singles
As lead artist
Soundtrack appearances
Other charted songs
Tours and concerts
- MAMAMOO+ 1st Fan Concert: TWO RABBITS CODE- ASIA TOUR (2023)
Notes and References
- Web site: Morales . Ivana E. . 2023-04-14 . Solar and Moonbyul on the creation of MAMAMOO+: “It was a road we had to achieve at some point” . 2023-07-23 . NME . en-GB.
- Web site: Ye-eun . Jie . 2022-08-30 . Mamamoo’s first subunit to release single ‘Better’ . 2023-07-23 . The Korea Herald . en.
- Web site: Yeo . Gladys . 2022-08-23 . MAMAMOO's Moonbyul and Solar unveil new subunit name MAMAMOO+ . 2023-07-23 . NME . en.
- Web site: Kim . Young-jin . 2015-11-25 . ‘슈가맨’ 마마무 솔라·문별, 에프엑스 루나·엠버 체지고 최종 우승 . On JTBC's 'Sugar Man', Mamamoo's Solar and Moonbyul beat f(x)'s Luna and Amber to win the final championship . 2023-07-22 . 아시아투데이 Asia Today . ko.
- Web site: Gan . Shanne . 2021-07-23 . MAMAMOO's Solar and Moon Byul drop music video for Vibe's 'Promise U' remake - watch . 2023-07-22 . Bandwagon Asia . en.
- Web site: Herrera . Kathleen . 2021-07-28 . Solar and Moonbyul celebrate Vibe's 20th anniversary with 'Promise U' . 2023-07-22 . TheKMeal . en-GB.
- Web site: Yeo . Gladys . August 22, 2022 . Moonbyul and Solar to form MAMAMOO's first official subunit . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220822115830/https://www.nme.com/news/music/moonbyul-solar-mamamoo-first-official-subunit-3294819?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign= . August 22, 2022 . August 22, 2022 . NME.
- Web site: 마마무 솔라·문별, 첫 유닛 출격...새 멤버는 누구? . Mamamoo Solar and Moonbyul's first unit takes off...Who is the new member? . 2023-07-23 . m.hankookilbo.com . Hankook Ilbo.
- Web site: Ha . Na-young . 2022-08-24 . 마마무 첫 유닛에 새 멤버 영입? 스포일러 포토 깜짝 공개 . Mamamoo's first unit to recruit new members? Spoiler photo surprise release . 2023-07-23 . 조선비즈 . Chosun Biz . ko.
- Web site: 2022-09-01 . It's only taken nine years, but Mamamoo finally has a subunit . 2023-07-23 . koreajoongangdaily.joins.com . Korea JoongAng Daily . en.
- Web site: 마마무 첫 유닛 출격, 오늘(30일) 마마무+ 첫 싱글 'Better' 발매. Mamamoo's first unit sortie, released Mamamoo+'s first single 'Better' today (30th). Naver. Newsen. ko. Lee. Min-ji. August 30, 2022. July 12, 2023. July 12, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230712134204/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=609&aid=0000621835. live.
- Web site: Mamamoo+ to return with new music in March. February 21, 2023. April 28, 2023. Gladys. Yeo. NME. April 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230428174945/https://www.nme.com/news/music/mamamoo-plus-subunit-solar-moonbyul-new-music-comeback-march-3401830. live.
- Web site: Mamamoo's Solar and Moonbyul drops fiery track for first subunit comeback. March 22, 2023. April 28, 2023. RepublicAsia. April 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230428174947/https://republicasiamedia.com/mamamoos-solar-moonbyul-drops-fiery-track-for-first-subunit-comeback/. live.
- Web site: Mamamoo+ drops music video of 'GGBB'. March 29, 2023. April 28, 2023. GMA Network. April 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230428174946/https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/99801/mamamoo-drops-music-video-of-ggbb/story. live.
- Web site: Benjamin . Jeff . 2023-03-30 . MAMAMOO’s Solar & Moonbyul Team Up for Duo Project: Watch ‘GGBB’ & ‘Chico Malo’ . 2023-07-23 . Billboard . en-US.
- Web site: 2023-05-24 . All-female stars at ‘The Super Stage by K-pop in Manila’ . 2023-07-23 . Daily Tribune . en-US . In March this year, MAMAMOO+ made their comeback with their first single album “Act 1, Scene 1” with title track “GGBB”. The single album surpassed 100,000 copies sold on Circle Chart..
- Web site: [단독] '솔라X문별' 마마무+, 8월 컴백 확정]. Naver News. Naver. July 7, 2023. July 7, 2023. July 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162437/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/117/0003748638. live.
- Web site: Yeo . Gladys . 2023-07-19 . MAMAMOO+ drop pensive music video for single ‘Save Me’ . 2023-07-23 . NME . en-GB.
- Web site: Baek . Ji-eun . 2023-07-19 . 마마무+, 선공개곡 전세계 10개 국가·지역 아이튠즈 톱송 차트 톱10 . Mamamoo+, pre-released song enters the Top 10 iTunes Top Song Charts in 10 countries/regions worldwide . 2023-07-23 . 조선일보 . Chosun Ilbo . ko.
- Web site: Hong . Yoo . July 12, 2023 . Mamamoo Plus to drop 1st EP 'Two Rabbits' next month . July 16, 2023 . The Korea Herald.
- Web site: Mathew . Anoushka . July 15, 2023 . MAMAMOO+ (Moonbyul, Solar) exude a mature look in first concept photos for TWO RABBITS . July 16, 2023 . Pinkvilla.
- Web site: ETtoday新聞雲 . 2023-07-09 . 直擊/MAMAMOO+來了! 突現場宣布1喜訊...2.8萬人當場暴動 ETtoday星光雲 ETtoday新聞雲 . 2023-07-23 . star.ettoday.net . zh-Hant.
- Web site: 2023-04-18 . パク・ジェボムからATEEZ、STAYCまで!「WATERBOMB JAPAN 2023」第1弾ラインナップが公開 . 2023-07-23 . Kstyle.
- Web site: TDT . 2023-05-24 . All-female stars at ‘The Super Stage by K-pop in Manila’ . 2023-07-23 . Daily Tribune . en-US.
- Web site: 2023-04-24 . MAMAMOO+からOH MY GIRLまで!RBW、初のファミリーコンサート日本公演の出演アーティストを発表 . 2023-07-23 . Kstyle.
- Web site: KPOP BANG . 2023-07-23 . en-GB.
- Web site: 2023-06-23 . THE BOYZ, MAMAMOO+, Kep1er and CIX are the first starts of the KPOP NATION Festival in Warsaw . 2023-07-23 . Exberliner . en-GB.
- Web site: RBW . 2023년 기업설명회(IR) 자료 게시 . RBW's 2023 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders Report . 2023-07-23 . ko-KR.
- Web site: Two Rabbits (2023). Circle Chart. ko. August 10, 2023.
- Cumulative Sales of Two Rabbits:
- Web site: Circle Album Chart. April 28, 2023. Circle Chart. April 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230406020616/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=13&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
- Web site: Act 1, Scene 1. April 28, 2023. Circle Chart. Korean Music & Content Association. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413201625/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=14&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
- Cumulative sales of Act 1, Scene 1 in South Korea:
- Web site: Album Chart 2023 Weeks 13. April 28, 2023. Circle Chart. Korean Music & Content Association. April 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230406020616/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=13&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
- Web site: Album Chart 2023 Weeks 14. April 28, 2023. Circle Chart. Korean Music & Content Association. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413201625/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=14&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
- Web site: Album Chart 2023 Weeks 15. April 28, 2023. Circle Chart. Korean Music & Content Association. April 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230420020525/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=15&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
- Web site: Album Chart 2023 Weeks 16. April 28, 2023. Circle Chart. Korean Music & Content Association. April 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230427024822/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=16&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
- Web site: Circle Digital Chart. April 28, 2023. Circle Chart. April 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230406020616/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=13&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
- Web site: Better. April 28, 2023. Circle Chart. Korean Music & Content Association. September 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030753/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=36&hitYear=2022&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
- Web site: Chico Malo. April 28, 2023. Circle Chart. Korean Music & Content Association. April 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230406222707/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=12&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
- Web site: GGBB. April 28, 2023. Circle Chart. Korean Music & Content Association. July 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220707084625/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=ALL&targetTime=14&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
- Web site: Circle Download Chart. April 28, 2023. Circle Chart. April 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230406020616/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=13&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
- Web site: Super Gap. April 28, 2023. Circle Chart. Korean Music & Content Association. April 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230420022806/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=15&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
- Web site: Circle Download Chart. April 28, 2023. Circle Chart. April 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230406020616/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=13&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
- Web site: LLL. April 28, 2023. Circle Chart. Korean Music & Content Association. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413023738/https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/onoff.circle?nationGbn=T&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=14&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3. live.
- Web site: Songs from Two Rabbits . . August 10, 2023 .