Ciipher (Korean: 싸이퍼; RR: Ssaipeo) is a South Korean boy band created by South Korean singer Rain under R.A.I.N. Company. The group consists of three members: Hwi, Hyunbin, and Keita. Originally a seven-piece ensemble, members Tan, Tag, Dohwan, and Won left the group on August 9, 2023.[1] They debuted on March 15, 2021, with the extended play (EP) I Like You.
History
Pre-debut
Preparation for the debut of the group has been three years in the making.[2] About selecting the members for the first group signed under his R.A.I.N company, Rain said, "There were a lot of factors involved in the process of making Ciipher, but when I met these kids, I felt like I could bet it all on them. Not just my time or my skill, but all the things I had and have made. Whether the group has good results or not, I don't think I'll regret the things that I gave to this group. That's how talented and well-mannered they are".[3]
Prior to joining the group, many of the members had auditioned on popular television programs or trained at other major labels.[2] In December 2014, Tan competed in Mnet's survival reality showNo.Mercy under his birth name Choi Seok-won. However, he did not make it into the final lineup of Monsta X in 2015.[4] Keita and Dohwan were former contestants on YG's Treasure Box, but they both did not make it into the show's final debut lineup.[5] Won was a contestant on Under Nineteen under his birth name Park Sung-won. He became a member of the debut lineup as he finished in 7th place. Won debuted as a member of 1the9 on April 13, 2019, and the group officially disbanded as a group on August 8, 2020.[6][7][8] Hyunbin was a former contestant on Produce X 101 under Starship Entertainment,[9][10][11] and was eliminated on episode 8, finishing in 32nd place.
2021: Debut with I Like You and Blind
On December 12, 2020, Rain announced Ciipher would debut with their first extended playI Like You on March 15, 2021.[12]
On September 28, 2021, Ciipher released their second extended play Blind.[13]
2022–present: The Code, Boys Planet and Fantasy Boys, Evnne and lineup changes
On May 11, 2022, Ciipher released their third extended play The Code.[14]
Keita and Tag participated in Mnet's reality competition show Boys Planet.[15] and on February 20, 2023, Hyunbin became a contestant on Fantasy Boys.[16]
On August 3, it was revealed that Keita will debut as a member of the project boy group Evnne and on August 9, it was announced that members Tan, Tag, Dohwan and Won had left the group.[1]
Members
Adapted from their Naver profile[17] and website profile.
^Jeong, Ji-won (July 27, 2020). "[단독]원더나인, 8월 8일 끝으로 공식적 해산". Joynews24 (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
^Yoon, Sang-geun (September 1, 2021). "'비 프로듀싱' 싸이퍼, 9월 미니 2집 컴백[공식]". Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
^Lee, Seung-hoon (April 21, 2022). "'비 제작' 싸이퍼, 5월 11일 컴백 확정[공식]" ['Non-Production' Ciipher Confirms Comeback on May 11th [Official]]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved April 21, 2022.
^Jung, Ha-eun (December 30, 2022). "'보이즈 플래닛' 예열 시작...프로필 공개" ['Boys Planet' warm-up begins...Reveal your profile] (in Korean). Sports Seoul. Retrieved December 31, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park Seo-hyun (February 20, 2023). "'소년판타지', 프로필 영상→사진 오늘(20일) 공개..한동철 PD 제작" ['Boys Fantasy', profile video → photo released today (20th)..Produced by Han Dong-chul PD] (in Korean). The Herald Pop. Retrieved February 28, 2023 – via Naver.
