Nature (Korean: 네이처; RR: Neicheo; stylized in all caps) was a South Korean girl group formed in 2018 by n.CH Entertainment.[1] The group consisted of nine members: Sohee, Saebom, Aurora, Lu, Chaebin, Haru, Loha, Uchae, and Sunshine. Nature debuted on August 3, 2018 with the single album Girls and Flowers.[2]
One of the group's original members, Yeolmae, departed from the group prior to its debut. In November of 2018, Loha joined as a member, followed by Kim So-hee in October of 2019. After five years of activity, Nature officially disbanded on April 27, 2024.[3]
History
2018: Debut, line-up changes, and further releases
In June 2018, n.CH Entertainment, a South Korean talent management and television production company founded and headed by former SM Entertainment executive Jung Chang-hwan, announced that it would launch its own all-girl group, Nature, in August of that year.[4]
Nature made their debut on August 3 with the single album Girls and Flowers and its lead single, "Allegro Cantabile."[5][6] The music video featured the nine members, including former member Yeolmae who had departed from the group quietly before Nature's debut. The songs were re-recorded to only feature the current 8 members, and the music video was re-structured to only include close-ups of the current members; Yeolmae was only present in the dance choreography segments.
The lead single "Allegro Cantabile" was a remake of the opening to Nodame Cantabile, a popular anime, which had been previously recorded by Suemitsu & the Suemith.[7] The group went on to perform the song through busking performances, as well as on various music shows including MBC TV, Music Bank, Inkigayo, Arirang TV, and Mnet.[8] On August 24, the group released a dance practice of "Allegro Cantabile."[9] Nature then won their first award, New Artist of the Year, on August 30 at the Soribada Best K-Music Awards.[10][11] On September 3, a month after its release, the group announced through Facebook that the "Allegro Cantabile" music video had reached over 2 million views on YouTube.[12]
In the end of August, Nature began the Pop Cover Project, a series where the girls vocally covered popular pop songs and performed dance sequences to them. The project ultimately consisted of five covers. The first video was released on August 28, a cover of "Walk Like An Egyptian" by The Bangles.[13] The second video was released on September 8, a cover "My Sharona" by The Knack.[14] The third video was released on September 13, a cover of "Shut Up and Let Me Go" by The Ting Tings.[15] The fourth video was released on September 17, a cover of "Rhythm Nation" by Janet Jackson.[16] The last video was released on September 20, a cover of "Kiss" by Prince.[17]
On November 4, a new member named Loha was introduced on V Live as part of the group.[18] The next day, the group began teasing their upcoming second single album, Some & Love, which was released with the lead single "Some (You'll Be Mine)" on November 22.[19] A performance version of the music video was released on December 3.[20]
2019–2020: I'm So Pretty, line up changes, Nature World: Code A, Japanese debut and Nature World: Code M
On January 15, Nature released a music video for the B-side track "Dream About You" from their second single, Some & Love.[21] The video featured the group donning blue tutus in a dream-like environment and was the first time the group incorporated an object into their choreography: a magic star wand. A performance version of the music video was released on January 25.[22]
On June 24, it was confirmed that Nature would make their comeback on July 10 with their first mini-album, I'm So Pretty. Member Gaga was not involved due her hiatus being undertaken in order to focus on her studies.[23] The music video for I'm So Pretty was released on July 10. A performance version of the music video was released on July 24.[24]
On October 8, former Produce 101 contestant and soloist Kim So-hee was introduced as a new member following her signing with n.Ch Entertainment. It was also confirmed that Gaga had fully departed from the group to focus on her studies.[25] n.CH Entertainment additionally confirmed that the group was preparing for a comeback in November.[26] It was later confirmed that the group would make their comeback on November 12 with their second mini-album Nature World: Code A; member Aurora would not be involved due to her participation in the third season of the Chinese audition show Idol Producer.[27] The music video for the title track "Oopsie (My Bad)" was released on November 12.[28]
Nature made their Japanese debut on February 12, 2020 after having signed with Pony Canyon; their first release was a Japanese version of "I'm So Pretty."[29]
On June 1, Nature was confirmed to make their comeback on June 17 with their third single album Nature World: Code M. Nature remained seven-member of the group,[30] as Loha went on hiatus for health reasons and Aurora was still in China.[31] On June 15, ahead of the single album's release, it was announced that Sunshine wouldn't be a part of upcoming promotions due to a leg injury, leading Nature to be promoted as a six-member group.[32] On June 17, Sunshine attended the single album's showcase.[33]
2022–2024: Nature World: Code W and disbandment
On January 13, 2022, through their mockumentary series, NATURE Can't Go Down Like This, Nature was revealed to be working on the upcoming special album Rica Rica, scheduled for released on January 24; it marked their first release in a year and six months.[34] On January 21, n.CH Entertainment confirmed that the choreography of the title track would be inspired by the Ivory Coast's Jaouli dance.[35] The special album was released digitally on January 24.[36][37] Only seven members were featured in the music video, as Loha was on hiatus due to a leg injury; however, she still participated in the album's recording and joined in later promotions.[38][39] Sunshine remained absent for the rest of Nature's career.
On October 17, n.CH announced that the group would release their third mini-album, NATURE World: Code W, on November 2.[40] On October 31, n.CH announced the mini-album would be postponed to November 6 due to the aftermath of Seoul Halloween crowd crush.[41] The album consisted of five tracks, including the lead single "Limbo" and the previously released "Rica Rica."[42] Lu did not participate in promotions due to health issues.[43]
In December 2023, Nature's contract with Japanese label Pony Canyon was terminated, with their Japanese website and mailing service also being terminated.[44] Their Japanese website and mailing services officially shut down on December 27, 2023.[45] Nature disbanded on April 27, 2024.[3]
^ abHeo, Ji-hyung. 네이처, 데뷔 6주년 앞두고 해체 '각자의 길을 가기로' [Nature disbands ahead of sixth anniversary of debut: "We decided to go our separate ways"]. 셀럽미디어 (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
