Apink (Korean: 에이핑크, Japanese: エーピンク) is a South Korean girl group formed by Play M

Entertainment (formerly A Cube Entertainment[1][2] and Plan A Entertainment[3]). The group debuted
on April 19, 2011, with the extended play (EP) Seven Springs of Apink and with seven members: Park
Cho-rong, Yoon Bo-mi, Jung Eun-ji, Son Na-eun, Hong Yoo-kyung, Kim Nam-joo and Oh Ha-young. Hong
left the group in April 2013 to focus on her studies.

Since their debut, Apink has earned success and recognition, and the group has won awards at shows
such as the Golden Disc Awards, the Seoul Music Awards and the Mnet Asian Music Awards. Their first
music program win was on M Countdown on January 5, 2012, for "My My" from their second EP Snow
Pink. Apink has won more than 30 music awards and 32 music program awards. To date, Apink has
released eight Korean mini-albums, three Korean studio albums and three Japanese studio albums.

Contents

1 History

1.1 Pre-debut

1.2 2011: Seven Springs of Apink and Snow Pink

1.3 2012–2013: Une Année, Yoo-kyung's departure, Secret Garden, and rise in popularity

1.4 2014: Pink Blossom, Japanese debut and Pink Luv

1.5 2015: Solo Concerts, Pink Memory, Japanese Album and Tour

1.6 2016: North America and second Japan Tours, Overseas Performances, Pink Revolution, and
Dear

1.7 2017: Solo activities, Pink UP, Japanese Promotions and Asia Tour

1.8 2018: Pink Space and One & Six

1.9 2019: Pink Collection: Red and White and Percent

2 Image and musical style

3 Discography

4 Concerts and tours

4.1 Headlining

5 Filmography

6 Awards and nominations

7 References
8 External links

History

Pre-debut

In February 2011, A Cube Entertainment announced the first trainee for new girl group, Apink, was Son
Na-eun, who was featured in Beast' "Soom" (숨; "Breath"), "Beautiful" and "Niga Jeil Joha" (니가 제일
좋아; "I Like You the Best") music videos in late 2010.[4] Park Cho-rong, who appeared at the end of
Beast's "Shock" Japanese music video, joined next, as the group's leader.[5] A Cube announced Oh Ha-
young as the third member.[6] In March, Jeong Eun-ji was introduced as the fourth member on A Cube's
Twitter account through a video of her singing a rendition of Jennifer Hudson's "Love You I Do".[7] Hong
Yoo-kyung was similarly announced through an online video where she was playing the piano.[8] The
last two members, Yoon Bo-mi and Kim Nam-joo, were introduced through the group's reality show,
Apink News.[9]

Prior to the group's debut, the documentary Apink News aired on the Korean cable channel Trend E.[10]
The show chronicled the launch process of Apink. The episodes were hosted by various celebrities,
including G.NA, Mario, MBLAQ's Seung Ho and G.O, Beast, 4minute, 2AM's Jinwoon, Secret's Sunhwa
and Hyoseong.[11][12] The week before Apink's official debut, they released their first television
commercial for Ceylon Tea.[13]

2011: Seven Springs of Apink and Snow Pink

A Pink at the GSL Season 5 Code S Final Performance, 2011

The group released their debut EP, Seven Springs of Apink and the music video for its lead single,
"Mollayo" (몰라요; "I Don't Know"), on April 19, 2011. The album consists of five songs, including "It
Girl" and "Wishlist". The music video for "Mollayo" featured Beast' Lee Gi-kwang.[14] Apink made their
debut stage performance with "Mollayo" on Mnet's M Countdown on April 21 to promote their
album.[15] After several months of promoting "Mollayo", they began promoting "It Girl".[5] Apink also
recorded the song "Uri Geunyang Saranghage Haejuseyo" (우리 그냥 사랑하게 해주세요; "Please Let
Us Love") for the SBS drama, Protect the Boss, the soundtrack of which was released in September
2011.[16]

In November 2011, Apink began recording a reality television show called Birth of a Family with boy
band Infinite. The show followed the efforts of the two idol groups to care for abandoned and
mistreated animals over the course of eight weeks.[17]
The group released their second EP, Snow Pink, on November 22, 2011, featuring the lead single "My
My", a song composed by Shinsadong Tiger. Promotions for "My My" began on November 25 on KBS'
Music Bank.[18] The promotions for "My My" included a one-day idol tea café, serving fans to raise
profits for charity, where the group members prepared the food and drinks themselves. The members
also auctioned off personal items for charity.[19]

Still in November, Apink received their first award, the "Female Rookie Award", at the 2011 Mnet Asian
Music Awards held in Singapore. In December 2011, Apink and Beast released a music video of the song
"Skinny Baby" for school uniform brand Skoolooks.[20] In January 2012, they received three more
"Rookie Awards", at the Korean Culture & Entertainment Awards and the Golden Disk Awards held in
Osaka and the High 1 Seoul Music Awards in Seoul.[21]

2012–2013: Une Année, Yoo-kyung's departure, Secret Garden, and rise in popularity

Apink performed "Bubibu" at Mnet M Countdown Smile Thailand Southeast Asia, 2012.

In January 2012, Apink won their first music show award on Mnet's M Countdown for "My My".[22] In
February, they received the "Rookie of the Year" award at the 1st Gaon Chart Awards.[23] The group
performed at the Canadian Music Fest in March 2012.[24][25] Apink News was continued for three
seasons.[26] For season 3, which began to air in June 2012, Apink members contributed as writers,
camera operators, directors, and in other production jobs.[27]

The group next released the eponymous "April 19" (4월 19일) to celebrate their one-year anniversary.
The song was composed by Kim Jin-hwan, with lyrics by the group's leader, Park Cho-rong.[28] The song
was included on their first studio album, Une Année, which was released on May 9, 2012. The group
began promotion of the album with weekly appearances on music programs to perform the title song
"Hush" through June.[29] They continued to promote the album in July with the release of their third
single from the album, "Bubibu". The single was chosen by fans through a poll on Mnet's website.[30]

In January 2013, Apink recorded another single with Beast to promote Skoolooks. On January 5, at the
AIA K-POP 2013 concert in Hong Kong, the group performed several of their songs along with other Cube
Entertainment groups 4Minute and Beast.[31] In April 2013, Hong Yoo-kyung left the group to focus on
her studies.[32]

The group's third EP, Secret Garden, and music for its title track, "NoNoNo", were released on July 5,
2013.[33] "NoNoNo" was the group's highest charting single, peaking at number 2 on Billboard's K-Pop
Hot 100.[34][35] In November 2013, at the 2013 Mnet Asian Music Awards, Apink received the Next
Generation Global Star award.[36] In December, Apink collaborated with Cube Entertainment acts
Beast, 4Minute, BTOB, G.NA, Roh Ji-hoon, Shin Ji-hoon and Kim Kiri to release "Christmas Song".[37] In
the same month, they recorded a collaboration single with B.A.P, titled "Mini" for Skoolooks.[38]

In July 2013, Apink were selected as honorary ambassadors for the Seoul Character & Licensing Fair
2013.[39]

2014: Pink Blossom, Japanese debut and Pink Luv

Apink at the 2014 KBS Song Festival red carpet

On January 13, 2014, Apink released "Good Morning Baby", a song composed by Duble Sidekick, to
celebrate the 1,000th day since the group's debut.[40] The song peaked at number 6 on Gaon's weekly
chart.[41] Their fourth EP, Pink Blossom, and the music video for its title track, "Mr. Chu", by Duble
Sidekick, were released on March 31.[42] The song peaked at number 2 on Billboard's K-Pop Hot
100.[43] Apink won six music show trophies for "Mr. Chu",[44] and the song was the eighth best selling
digital song in 2014, according to Gaon's year-end chart.[45]

In June 2014, Yoon Bomi and Kim Namjoo formed a sub-unit called Apink BnN, which released the single
"My Darling" for Brave Brothers' 10th Anniversary Project.[46] "My Darling" was later included on Pink
Luv, Apink's fifth EP. The single "Break Up to Make Up" for the project A Cube for Season #Sky Blue,
featuring Jeong Eunji and label mate Huh Gak, was released on July 8, ranking first on Gaon's weekly
digital chart.[47][48]

In August, Apink was chosen to replace Beast on MBC Every1's reality show, Showtime.[49] Apink's
Showtime first aired on August 7, 2014, and there were a total of eight episodes. The show followed
Apink's daily activities.[50]

Apink debuted in Japan with a showcase on August 4 in Tokyo and on September 15 in Osaka with 6,000
fans in attendance.[51] Their first Japanese-language single, "NoNoNo", also including a Japanese
version of "My My", was released on October 22.[52] The single was number 4 on Oricon's weekly
singles chart.[53] More than 20,000 fans reportedly gathered for their debut events held in three
Japanese cities.[54]

From September to November 2014, Apink raised funds for the Seungil Hope Foundation to build a
hospital for ALS patients.[55] In November, Apink's online fan club surpassed 100,000 members.[56] On
November 13, Apink received the Best Female Dance award at the 6th MelOn Music Awards for their
video of "Mr. Chu".[57]
In November 2014, the group released their fifth EP, Pink Luv, as well as the music video for its title
song, "Luv", which was composed by Shinsadong Tiger.[58] The song was Apink's first number 1 ranking
on Gaon's weekly and monthly digital charts,[59] and Pink Luv topped Gaon's weekly album chart in its
first week of release.[60] Apink first performed "Luv" live at a showcase on November 20, followed by a
performance of Music Bank the next day, prior to the album's release.[61][62] The group won first place
on all three major Korean music shows two weeks in a row, the only girl group to do so in 2014.[63]
Besides The Show and Music Core, they also won a triple crown on Inkigayo, which only allows three
wins before removing a song from competition.[64] They finished the year by winning all the music
shows in December with "Luv".[44] On Gaon's year-end ranking, Apink was the third best selling girl
group in 2014.[65]

2015: Solo Concerts, Pink Memory, Japanese Album and Tour

Apink during Pink Paradise in Shanghai

On January 10, 2015, Apink became the first group to win five consecutive awards on Music Core.[66]
The same month, the group received the "Digital Bonsang" and "Best Female Performance Group"
awards at the 29th Golden Disk Awards in Beijing, "Bonsang" and "Popularity" awards at the Seoul Music
Awards, "Best Female Group" at the Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards and "Best Single of
December" at the Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards.[67][68][69][70] Their first headlining concert, billed as
'Pink Paradise', was held in Olympic Hall, Olympic Park, on January 30 and 31.[71] The 7,200 concert
tickets sold out within two minutes after going on sale.[72] Apink released a Japanese version of "Mr.
Chu" on February 18, 2015, which also included a Japanese version of "Hush".[73] It reached number 2
on Oricon's weekly singles chart, selling 54,000 copies the first week of its release.[74]

In February 2015, Apink entered Forbes Korea Power Celebrity for the first time at number 18.[75] That
same month, the group was chosen as one of the "Best 3 New Artists (Asia)" at the Japan Gold Disc
Awards, held by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[76][77]

Apink headlined their first overseas concert "Pink Paradise" in Singapore at The MAX Pavilion on March
22.[78][79][80][81] They appeared at the Korean Times Music Festival in Los Angeles in May, Music Bank
event in Hanoi, Vietnam and performed "Pink Paradise in Shanghai.[82][83]

Apink released a single entitled "Promise U" on April 19, written by Jeong Eun-ji to commemorate the
group's fourth anniversary.[84] A Japanese version of "Luv" was released on May 20 as their third single,
with "Good Morning Baby" as the B-side.[85] They performed the song for the first time at the "Girls
Award 2015 Spring/Summer" in Tokyo on April 29 ahead of the release.[74] The group also held release
events in four cities, Tokyo, Sapporo, Okayama and Osaka as part of promotional event.[86]
On July 16, the group released their second full-length album, Pink Memory, along with the title track
"Remember".[87] On August 22 and 23, the group held their second concert "Pink Island" at Jamsil
Indoor Stadium, after which they began overseas activities including a fan meeting in Thailand, hold
their first concert tour in Japan, and a performance at MTV World Stage in Malaysia
2015.[88][89][90][91] On August 26 the group released their first Japanese full-length album Pink
Season.

In November 2015, Apink announced their first tour in North America and are scheduled to perform in
Vancouver, Dallas, San Francisco and Los Angeles.[92] The group's fourth Japanese single Sunday
Monday was released on December 9, along with the Japanese version of Petal as B-side track.[93] At
the end of 2015, Apink received Top 10 for MelOn Music Awards.[94] The group closed the year as the
second best-selling girl group of 2015 with sales of both Pink LUV and Pink Memory albums.[95]

2016: North America and second Japan Tours, Overseas Performances, Pink Revolution, and Dear

Apink started their North American tour on January 5 in Vancouver, followed by shows in Dallas, San
Francisco and Los Angeles. The same month, they received Bonsang for Seoul Music Awards and Disk
Bonsang for Golden Disk Awards.[96][97] On January 24, the group was invited to attend KKBOX Music
Awards in Taiwan.[98] On February 25, the group released the music video to their first original
Japanese song called "Brand New days". The song is the opening theme song for anime Rilu Rilu Fairilu
~Yousei No Door~.[99] The group performed at 10th Asian Film Awards on March 17.[100] On April 2,
the group performed a mini concert "Pink Memory Day" in Singapore.[101] On April 19, Apink released a
digital single entitled "The Wave", written by Park Cho-rong to celebrate their 5th anniversary along
with a photobook called "Girls' Sweet Repose".[102][103]

Apink at Korea Sale Festa Opening Ceremony, 30 September 2016

Apink performed alongside international acts OneRepublic, Far East Movement, Bebe Rexha and
Philippines's artists Gary Valenciano and his son Gabriel, and love team James Reid and Nadine Lustre
for MTV Music Evolution in Manila on 24 June.[104] Apink held their second Japan concert tour in July,
kicking off in Sapporo on July 7.[105] They performed in front of 20,000 fans throughout six concerts in
five cities and was scheduled to release their 6th Japanese single, Summer Time, on August 3.[106] To
promote the song, Apink held release events in seven different cities, from 1 to 7 August, starting in
Fukuoka, followed by events in Hiroshima, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe, Tokyo and Niigata.[107]

Apink released their third full-length Korean album, Pink Revolution, on September 26, 2016, following a
hiatus of one year and two months, the group's longest since debut. The title track, "Only One" (내가
설렐 수 있게), was used to promote the album along with B-tracks "Boom Pow Love" and "Ding
Dong".[108][109] On the same day, they held a showcase which was broadcast live through V-live. Apink
worked with Black Eyed Pilseung for the title track, as well as well-known producers such as Shinsadong
Tiger and Dsign Music for the B-sides.[110] "Only One" topped seven music charts in Korea just a few
hours after it was released. During the showcase, leader Cho-Rong stated that Pink Revolution would
incorporate a new sense of Apink's growth and maturity since debut, while Eun-ji explained that Apink
will begin to focus on making complex and beautiful music, rather than tracks that "are simply fun and
catchy." [111] Apink promoted "Only One" and Pink Revolution for nearly a month, and the album has
since sold 50,000+ copies in South Korea.[112]

In November 2016, Apink began their "Pink Aurora" Asia Tour, performing at numerous destinations
throughout eastern Asia including Taiwan and Singapore. Plan A Entertainment also announced Apink's
3rd Korean concert "Pink Party," which took place in Seoul on December 17 and 18. After this
announcement, tickets sold out in just over two minutes. Also during this time, Apink returned to Japan
to promote their upcoming second Japanese album, "Pink Doll," which is set to be released in Japan on
December 21.

On November 30, Plan A Entertainment announced through Naver that Apink would be returning on
December 15 with their first special album, Dear, despite rigorous activities and promotions throughout
the end of 2016. Plan A stated that the album would commend the unwavering love and invaluable
support from their fans since debut. Dear has five new original songs, three of which are duets sung and
written exclusively by pairs of members. A music video for the album's title track, "Cause You're My
Star," was uploaded on YouTube by 1theK and Apink's official channel. The album also included
instrumentals and ballad versions of Apink's previous hits including "Mr. Chu," "NoNoNo," "Luv," and
"April 19th".[113]

2017: Solo activities, Pink UP, Japanese Promotions and Asia Tour

Apink performs at the Mercedes Benz Donatic & Race Event in May 2017

On March 21, Apink released their seventh Japanese single, "Bye Bye". Eun-Ji's second mini album, The
Space, and its title track, "The Spring", were released on April 10.[114] On April 19, Apink released
another fan song, "Always". Eun-ji's first solo concert took place on June 3–5.[115]

On June 26, Pink UP was released, along with the single "Five", written by Shinsadong Tiger. In its first
week of release, Pink UP topped the Gaon Album Chart, the first since Pink Luv.[116] "Five" peaked at
number 4 on the digital chart.[117]
Apink released the Japanese single "Motto GO!GO!" on July 25 and promoted the song by holding their
third Japanese tour, '3 Years' - performing in Kobe on the 22nd, Nagoya on the 26th, and Yokohama on
the 30th of July.[118] As a collaboration with labelmates Huh Gak and Victon, Apink released "Oasis" on
August 3, a remake of 2007 Brown Eyed Girls song.[119]

Starting in August, Apink began their "Pink Up" Asia Tour, performing in Hong Kong, Bangkok and Taipei.
In October, Apink returned to Japan to promote their ninth Japanese single, "Orion, and later that
month also announced the closing of their Japanese fan club 'Panda Japan'.[120][121] At the Asia Artist
Awards on November 15, Apink won the 'Best Celebrity Award'.

2018: Pink Space and One & Six

Apink in March 2018

Apink held their fourth Korean concert Pink Space in Seoul on January 12 and 13. The concert, which
was announced in December, had sold out tickets three minutes after its announcement. In celebration
of their seventh anniversary, Apink released single "Miracle" and a photobook on April 19, followed by a
fan meeting held on April 21.

On July 2, Apink released their seventh mini album One & Six. The title track, "I'm So Sick" (Korean: 1도
없어), was used to promote the album along with B-track "Alright". Once again, Apink worked with
common collaborator Black Eyed Pilseung for the title track, who had previously produced "Only One".
With this comeback, Apink took on a different direction conceptually, with a bolder image and a more
sophisticated sound. "I'm So Sick" topped several music charts in South Korea after its release. The
album itself topped the Gaon chart and led Apink to reach their highest-ever position on Billboard's
World Albums chart at No. 11. The success of the song and album further led to Apink making their
debut on Billboard's Social 50 chart, opening at No. 39.[122] Billboard have chosen the title track as one
of 20 Best K-Pop Songs of 2018, noting that "it felt a bit meta -- as the six-member girl group swapped
out their girlish image for something far more compelling.".[123]

In August, Apink embarked on another Asia tour, visiting Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore,
Tokyo and Taipei. On December 1, Apink received the Top 10 Artists award at the MelOn Music Awards
for their song "I'm So Sick".[124]

2019: Pink Collection: Red and White and Percent

Apink in January 2019

Apink held their fifth Korean concert Pink Collection: Red and White in Seoul on January 12 and 13. The
concert, which was announced in December, sold out all tickets three minutes after its announcement.
This was followed by concert Apink Japan Live Pink Collection in Tokyo, held on February 3 and 4.

On January 7, Apink released their eighth mini album Percent, along with the single "%%(Eung Eung)",
composed by frequent collaborator Black Eyed Pilseung and Jeon Goon. The single, which continued the
new direction taken by the group with "I'm So Sick", topped several music charts in South Korea after its
release and peaked at No. 17 on the Gaon digital chart,[125] while the album reached No. 3 on the
Korean chart and No. 14 on the Billboard World Albums chart.[126] To promote the new album, Apink
performed "%%(Eung Eung)" on various music shows, along with B-side track "Hug Me", for a period of
two weeks beginning on January 9.

Image and musical style

Apink at a fan event, 2014

Apink's image and music style are often compared to first-generation idol girl groups S.E.S. and
Fin.K.L.[127][128] Apink has an innocent and girlish image, unusual among girl groups' sexy
concepts.[129][130] In 2012, member Oh Ha-young said, "Other girl groups these days tend to highlight
their dancing skills and sexy looks, but our concept was an innocent and pure image. I think that's why
the audience felt comfortable with us".[131] However, with releases like 2014's "Luv" and 2015's
"Remember" group deviated, and showed a more mature and sensitive side to the group while still
retaining their trademark innocence.[132][133]

Apink's music generally fits within the bubblegum pop genre, with signature cheery lyrics.[43] Jeff
Benjamin of Billboard commented that "My My" recalled early 2000s bubblegum pop, "NoNoNo" was
influenced by 1980s synth-pop and "Luv" recalls 1990s hip-hop while blending it with ballad melancholy,
a fall-themed song of lost love.[134] "Mr Chu", released in spring 2014, continues a slew of Apink's
trademark bubblegum series which is 'very Apink'.[135][136] Meanwhile, title track "Remember" is a
'cheery synth-pop tune that reminisces about a love during the summertime,' and 'features a quick
rhythm and vintage sound to beat the summer heat,'.[137][138] Their 2016 title track, "Only One" is
described as mature, blending in mid tempo R&B and dance-pop with subtle hip-hop beats while song
like "Boom Pow Love" shows a far more urban-pop, energetic vibe with pulsing beats compared to their
previous hits.[139][140]

With the release of 2018's "I'm So Sick", Apink showed a shift in their style of music, moving towards a
more mature and sophisticated sound. The track, with its use of autotune, synth and house beats, and
its lyrical content of having 'not even one' bit of feeling left for an ex, makes "I'm So Sick" a much bolder
track than what Apink is known to put out.[141] 2019's "%%(Eung Eung)" does much of the same. Its use
of 'izzy snyths, snapping beats, and slapping percussion as the members sing about the type of person
one should love' make %%(Eung Eung) another song that is a departure from much of Apink's earlier
work.[142]