Boyfriend (band)

Boyfriend
Boyfriend in Hong Kong, 2014 From left to right: Hyunseong, Jeongmin, Donghyun, Youngmin, Kwangmin, Minwoo
Boyfriend in Hong Kong, 2014
From left to right: Hyunseong, Jeongmin, Donghyun, Youngmin, Kwangmin, Minwoo
Background information
Also known asBF
OriginSeoul, South Korea
GenresK-pop
Years active
  • 2011–2019
  • 2021–present
Labels
Members
Websitestarship-ent.com/profile/musician/boyfriend.php

Boyfriend (Korean: 보이프렌드) is a South Korean boy band formed by Starship Entertainment in 2011. They are the first boy group to have twin members. The group consists of Kim Dong-hyun, Shim Hyun-seong, Lee Jeong-min, Jo Young-min, Jo Kwang-min and No Min-woo. They debuted on Mnet's M Countdown on May 26, 2011, with "Boyfriend".

On May 17, 2019, Starship Entertainment announced that Boyfriend disbanded. They reformed on April 30, 2021, and returned with the digital single "Ending Credit" on May 26 for their 10-year anniversary. On December 29, 2021, Boyfriend made a comeback under the new name "BF" and released the EP Adonis. BF celebrated their 11th year anniversary by releasing a fan song "Canvas" on May 26, 2022.

History

Pre-debut

Youngmin and Kwangmin trained under JYP Entertainment for two years.[2] By their 100th day mark of being child actors, the twins had appeared in over 300 commercials.[3] During his high school years, Donghyun starred in a variety show Conduct Zero where six rebellious high school students were made into exemplary students.[4]

2011: Debut

On May 26, 2011, Starship Entertainment released their debut single "Boyfriend". In response to fans concerned that the group had limited its appeal in mid-July, Boyfriend changed their choreography for their single "Boyfriend" when appearing on music shows after rehearsing for two days.[5] After ending their promotions for "Boyfriend", the group followed-up with the song "You & I", which received a more positive response from music critics.[6]

On October 6, Boyfriend's second single, "Don't Touch My Girl", was released.[7][8] Their December 2011 single "I'll Be There" peaked at #2 on the Gaon music charts.[citation needed]

2012: Love Style, Japanese debut and Janus

The group signed a contract with Japanese management agency 'Being', their first Japanese special album entitled "We Are Boyfriend" was released on June 6. They marked their debut with a 10,000 seat showcase on June 30 at the Nippon Budokan. On May 2, Hyunseong released a solo song, "Only You", for the original soundtrack (OST) of The King 2 Hearts.

Their debut Japanese single song is called "Be my Shine". On June 7, Boyfriend released their first mini album "Love Style" on 14 June 2012. On July 1, Boyfriend successfully completed their debut Japanese showcase 'First Date with Boyfriend in Japan' at the Nippon Budokan.[9]

Aside from their domestic comeback, Boyfriend released the short music videos for their second Japanese 'double single' "Dance Dance Dance" and "My Lady".[10] Their first full-length album Janus was released in November 2012.[11][12][13][14]

In December 3, Boyfriend released the music videos for their Japanese 'double single' "Dance Dance Dance" and "My Lady".[15][16] The boys held a high touch event in celebration of their second single album, 'Kimi to Dance Dance Dance/My Lady', on December 1 and 2 at the Kobe World Hall and the Saitama Super Arena.[17] Boyfriend performed for their 1st solo Japanese concert entitled "Love Communication 2012 ~Xmas Bell~". They held 5 concerts at the Tokyo Dome City Hall from December 22 to 24 with a total of 12,500 fans in all.[18] KBS Joy released a video teaser for Boyfriend's Hello Baby season 7 released on December 27. The members started shooting for the reality series this December, and the first broadcast was released on January 4, 2013, at 11 pm KST.[19]

2013: I Yah, On & On, Melody of Eyes, Seventh Mission and Pinky Santa

Boyfriend will become the first foreign artist to sing for the anime. Their song, "Hitomi no Melody", is the title song of their 3rd Japanese single album, which was released on March 27. The song was picked up as the ending theme song for ‘Detective Conan’, and as such, there was a ‘Detective Conan’ album version in addition to the regular album versions.[20] Melody of Eyes made it to the top 5 for 6 days and their highest ranking was 2nd place on Oricon.[21]

On 23 May, Starship Entertainment announced that Boyfriend would be making a comeback with a new digital single entitled "On & On" on 28 May as a surprise gift for celebrating the group's second anniversary in music industry.[22] Starship Entertainment released a music video teaser on May 27 and on the next day they released the official music video. On May 30, Boyfriend's Donghyun has been cast to play the lead male role in musical "Thousandth Man." The musical was presented at Shibuya AiiA Theater Tokyo starting from 28 September 2013.[23] On 14 June, Jeongmin was rushed to a hospital after their schedule in Japan, and was diagnosed with acute appendicitis and ordered to rest for 17 days after being discharged. Boyfriend continued to promote as five members and followed their schedule during this period.[24] Boyfriend released a special Christmas premium single in Japan on November 20 this year. The single is entitled 'Pinky Santa' which obviously utilizes color pink, but pinky also means the smallest finger which is used when promising.[25] Pinky Santa landed on the Weekly Single Chart which rose to number 5 in Oricon.[26]

2014: Obsession, Witch and Bewitch concert

Boyfriend successfully wrapped up their solo concert in Puerto Rico, becoming the first-ever K-pop group to do so. On March 8, the group performed in front of 1,700 fans at the 'Centro De Bellas Artes Luis A Ferre'.[27] Boyfriend also performed in the United States for the first time, performing in Chicago on March 11 and Dallas on March 13.

On March 26, 2014, Boyfriend released their fourth Japanese Single "My Avatar" together with a music video.[28]

On May 15, 2014, they posted selfies whilst shooting for their music video, hinting at a new release that year.[29] On May 21, 2014, a short trailer was posted on their official YouTube channel.[30] Boyfriend's second Korean EP, Obsession, was released on June 4. The EP contains new six tracks, with the lead single "Obsession".

On July 23, Boyfriend's second Japanese album, Seventh Color was released. The album also released in three versions.

On October 9, Boyfriend began their comeback stage with their new track, "Witch" on M Countdown. Their third Korean EP, Witch, was released on October 13. The EP contains six tracks, including their second anniversary single "On & On" previously released in 2013. They held their first domestic concert, The First Chapter in Seoul "Bewitch" on 23 November 2014 at Olympic Hall, Olympic Park.

2015–2016: Boyfriend in Wonderland, First world tour, and Japanese promotions

In March 2015, Boyfriend released their fourth Korean extended play, Boyfriend in Wonderland, with "Bounce" serving as the lead single.[31] In the following month, they began their first world tour, "The First Chapter: "Bewitch" starting in Taiwan and following into Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Finland, Russia, and France.[32]

In May 2016, Boyfriend released their eleventh Korean digital single, "To My Bestfriend" to celebrate their fifth anniversary since their debut as a group. In November, they released their eighth Japanese single, "Jackpot". This single marked as their second single released under Kiss Entertainment in the Japanese music industry.

2017–2019: Summer, Never End, and disbandment

Boyfriend released their ninth Japanese single, "I Miss You", in February 2017. Five months later, they released their first Japanese extended play, Summer, with "Summer" as the lead single. Two years after releasing their fourth Korean extended play, Boyfriend released their fifth EP, Never End with title track "Star", in August 2017.[33][34]

Four Boyfriend members, Jeongmin, Donghyun, Kwangmin and Minwoo, auditioned for the KBS idol-rebooting show The Unit, with only Donghyun passing the audition. While ranking in the top nine for most of the show, he was eliminated in the last episode with a final ranking of 12.[35][36]

On May 25, 2018, Boyfriend released "Sunshower", a special song to commemorate the group's seventh anniversary. Jeongmin helped composed the track, and its lyrics were written by him, Donghyun, Kwangmin, and Minwoo.[37]

With teaser images released by Donghyun, it was confirmed that Boyfriend would have a Japanese comeback on February 27, 2019.[citation needed]

Boyfriend disbanded on May 17, 2019.[38]

2021: 10th anniversary and reunion

To commemorate their 10th anniversary, Boyfriend decided to reunite and released the digital single "Ending Credit" on May 26, 2021.[39]

On December 29, Boyfriend made a comeback under the new name "BF" and released the EP Adonis.[40]

Discography

Main article: Boyfriend discography

Members

Awards and nominations

Year presented, name of the award ceremony, award category, recipient of the award and the result of the nomination
Year Program Category Recipient Result Ref.
2011 13th Mnet Asian Music Awards Best New Male Artist Boyfriend Nominated [41]
SBS MTV Best of the Best Hot Debut Star Nominated [42]
SBS MTV Best of the Best Best New Artist Won
26th Golden Disc Awards Best New Artist Won [43]
21st Seoul Music Awards Best Newcomer Award Won [44]
2013 27th Japan Gold Disc Awards Best 3 New Artists (Asia) Won [45]
Korean Entertainment 10th Anniversary Award in Japan Special Jury Prize Won [46]
2013 MTV EMA Best Korea Act Nominated [47]
Billboard Japan Music 2013 Awards Animation Artist of the Year Nominated [48]
2015 2015 Asia Model Awards Popularity Singer Won [49]
2015 3rd YinYueTai V-Chart Awards Korean Artist with the Most Potential Won [50]
2016 2016 MTV Asia Music Stage Trending Male Group Won [51]

References

  1. ^ "We Are Boyfriend to be Released on June 6, 2012!". Being Group. Archived from the original on May 7, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  2. ^ "택연, 보이프렌드 영민-광민 형제와 인연 공개 '같은 JYP 연습생 출신'" (in Korean). Nate. July 15, 2011. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  3. ^ "보이프렌드, 미소년 쌍둥이 아역CF만 300개..'이렇게 컸네!'" (in Korean). Naver. June 1, 2011. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  4. ^ 보이프렌드 동현, '품행제로' 출연 과거모습 화제 (in Korean). Naver. June 8, 2011. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  5. ^ 보이프렌드, 안무 급수정 왜? (in Korean). Nate. July 14, 2011. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  6. ^ "보이프렌드, 후속곡 'You & I'로 활동. 차도남으로 변신 예고" (in Korean). Naver. July 27, 2011. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  7. ^ 보이프렌드, '내 여자 손대지마' 앨범 화보 공개 '소년에서 남자로' (in Korean). Nate. September 30, 2011. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  8. ^ 보이프렌드 뮤비 속 여신, 알고보니 아역출신 이세영 (in Korean). Naver. September 29, 2011. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  9. ^ "Boyfriend successfully completed their debut Japanese showcase". Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
  10. ^ "Boyfriend reveals short PVs for "Dance Dance Dance" and "My Lady"". Allkpop. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  11. ^ "Boyfriend is back with "Janus" on 'M! Countdown'". Allkpop. November 8, 2012. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  12. ^ "Boyfriend is back with Janus on Music Bank". Allkpop. November 9, 2012. Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  13. ^ "Boyfriend is back with Janus on Music Core". Allkpop. November 10, 2012. Archived from the original on November 16, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  14. ^ "Boyfriend is back with "Janus" on SBS's '2012 Nongshim Love Sharing Concert'". Allkpop. November 11, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
  15. ^ "Boyfriend releases PV's for "Dance Dance Dance" and "My Lady", places 2nd on Oricon Chart". Allkpop. December 3, 2012. Archived from the original on December 6, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  16. ^ "Boyfriend and F.T. Island rank #3 and #4 on Oricon Weekly Charts". Allkpop. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2012.
  17. ^ "Boyfriend holds high touch event at the Saitama Super Arena for 'Dance Dance Dance'". Allkpop. December 6, 2012. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  18. ^ "Boyfriend sells outs out all 12,500 seats for their Japanese solo concert". Allkpop. December 25, 2012. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  19. ^ "Boyfriend to star in season 7 of 'Hello Baby'". Allkpop. December 27, 2012. Archived from the original on December 30, 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
  20. ^ hero27. "보이프렌드, 日'코난' 주제곡 부른다..韓가수 최초". Naver News. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ "Boyfriend Stays at No. 2 on the Oricon". enewsworld. Archived from the original on April 13, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  22. ^ sangho94. "해외에서 성과 올린 보이프렌드, 28일 새 디지털 싱글로 컴백". Naver News. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ jjangga. "보이프렌드 리더 동현, 뮤지컬 '첫번째 남자' 주연으로 캐스팅". Naver News. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  24. ^ Yoon, Seong-yeol (June 17, 2013). '충수염 수술' 정민, 오늘 퇴원예정 "회복속도 빨라" (in Korean). Starnews. Archived from the original on July 29, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  25. ^ "BOYFRIEND(Japan) Xmas Premium Single「Pinky Santa」is going to be released on 20th November!". Boyfriend(Official Facebook). Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  26. ^ "G-Dragon, KARA, INFINITE, Boyfriend, and MYNAME also rise to the top 10 on the Oricon charts". Allkpop. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  27. ^ "Boyfriend Becomes First K-Pop Act to Hold Concert in Puerto Rico". Facebook. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  28. ^ "Boyfriend make a charismatic return in pv for Japanese single 'My Avatar'". Allkpop. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  29. ^ "Boyfriend teases comeback with new group photo and member selcas". Allkpop. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  30. ^ "Boyfriend leave fans counting down the days until their comeback with a short trailer". Allkpop. Archived from the original on May 21, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  31. ^ "Boyfriend Tells You to "Bounce" in Comeback MV". Soompi. March 8, 2015. Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  32. ^ "Boyfriend Is Going on a World Tour". Soompi. March 20, 2015. Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  33. ^ "Update: Boyfriend Shares Donghyun's Individual Concept Photo For Comeback". Soompi. July 25, 2017. Archived from the original on August 12, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  34. ^ "Watch: Boyfriend Is Searching For Their "Star" In MV For Long-Awaited Comeback". Soompi. August 9, 2017. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  35. ^ Hwang, Soo-yeon (February 11, 2018). "[어제TV]'더유닛' 티모테오-동현-유나킴 탈락, 엇갈린 희비". Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  36. ^ Yoon, Seong-yeol (August 27, 2017). "[단독]달샤벳 이어 보이프렌드도 '더유닛' 참가 "일정 조율"". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  37. ^ "Watch: Boyfriend Releases Beautiful And Nostalgic MV For 7th Anniversary Fan Song "Sunshower"". Soompi. May 25, 2018. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  38. ^ Park, Yeong-woong (May 17, 2019). 보이프렌드, 데뷔 8년만에 해체...스타쉽 "진심으로 감사"(공식). YTN (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  39. ^ Jeong, Hee-yeon (May 20, 2021). "보이프렌드, 10주년 기념 음원 'ENDING CREDIT'발매". Naver News (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  40. ^ "Bf - 설화 (Adonis)". YouTube. December 29, 2021. Archived from the original on December 29, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  41. ^ "Winners from the 2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards". Allkpop. November 29, 2011. Archived from the original on October 30, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  42. ^ "Winners from the '2011 SBS MTV Best of the Best' awards". Allkpop. December 12, 2011. Archived from the original on April 17, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  43. ^ "Winners from the '26th Golden Disk Awards'". Allkpop. January 12, 2012. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
  44. ^ "Winners from the '21st Seoul Music Awards'". Allkpop. January 19, 2012. Archived from the original on March 2, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  45. ^ "2013 Japan Gold Disc Award winners list". RIAJ. January 7, 2013. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  46. ^ "Korean Entertainment 10th Anniversary Awards in Japan". Korean Entertainment 10th Anniversary. October 19, 2013. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013.
  47. ^ "MTV Ema 2013". 2013 MTV EMA. September 17, 2013. Archived from the original on September 22, 2013.
  48. ^ "Billboard Japan Music 2013 Awards". Billboard Japan. November 3, 2013. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  49. ^ "Boyfriend, SISTAR, Hong Jong Hyun, Siwan, and more win awards at the 'Asia Model Awards'". Allkpop. July 30, 2015. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  50. ^ "EXO, f(x), T-ara, Epik High, GOT7, and more win at the '3rd YinYueTai V-Chart Awards'!". Allkpop. July 31, 2015. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  51. ^ "Boyfriend awarded the 'Trending Male Group' award at Taiwan's 'MTV Asia Music Stage'!". Allkpop. Archived from the original on April 22, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Boyfriend (musical group).