SSTAR
SSTAR | |
|---|---|
| Origin | South Korea |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2008–2014[lower-alpha 1] |
| Labels | Starfish Entertainment |
| Members | 浜崎せら |
| Past members | |
SSTAR was the first K-Pop girl group of Starfish Entertainment. They were also the first K-Pop girl group to enforce the graduation system.
History
2007-2008; Debut, First Comeback
After a year that Starfish Entertainment debuted legendary girl group SOULGIRLS, they were talking about debuting their first K-Pop girl group.
Starfish Entertainment found 7 trainees; Kahi, Naeun, Sooyeong, Chunji, Shuji, HyunA, Chungwa.
They trained since 2007, and made a documentary viewing their time as a trainee.
Starfish Entertainment announced Hamasaki Sera (famous J-Pop artist who debuted in 2004, and sister of ultra-famous J-Pop soloist Utada Ayumi who debuted in 1998) would be added to the group.
On May 27, they officially debuted with 8 members with the song “LOVE.” It was an underappreciated debut.
In late 2008, they made a comeback with the song “Irony,” which got them their first win.
2009-2010; Naeun’s Departure, Comeback, Lineup Changes, Japan Debut
The beginning of 2009 saw member Naeun graduate from the group after thinking it wasn’t for her anymore.
Starfish put out a statement saying they were preparing for a comeback and it would be released in the final half of 2009.
SSTAR added 4 members to the group; Lizzy, Jiwoo, Nana, Raina, replacing Naeun.
SSTAR officially made a comeback with their 3rd single “Ah!” The song was the best-selling song in Korea at the time.
SSTAR was planning a Japanese debut in 2010. They signed with Japanese label BBB Entertainment.
SSTAR officially debuted in Japan on March 21, 2010, with a Japanese version of their hit single “Ah!” with B-side “Because Of You.”
In late 2010, SSTAR released their full-length Japanese album titled “Afterschool.”
2011-2012; Member Changes, Korean Comeback, Japanese Comeback
Starting off 2011, after 2 years, SSTAR came back to Korea with ballad hit “Shampoo” with new member Jinni joining the group.
After promotions were over, member Shuji officially graduated from the group, and new member Youngji joined.
In 2011, SSTAR collaborated with Sera’s sister, who is a very famous J-Pop idol Utada Ayumi. It was featured on Utada Ayumi’s album “Pop Diva.” The song “Make It Happen” was released in summer of 2011.
In summer of 2012, SSTAR released their 2nd Japanese album “Playgirlz” with the singles “Flashback” & “Diva.”
At the end of 2012, Chunji officially left the group.
2013-2014; Final Projects, Members Leaving
In 2013, SSTAR came back with single “Heaven.” It was promoted really well.
SSTAR released their 3rd Japanese album “Flash On” with the lead single of the same name.
November 2013 saw Kahi graduate from the group after a contract problem.
In summer 2014, SSTAR came back for the last time with single & album “Shh” off of their final album “Dressed To Kill.”
After promotions stopped, Nana left the group and activities were pretty much over.
Timeline
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Colors =
id:a value:rgb(1,0,0) legend:FirstGeneration id:b value:rgb(1,0.5,0) legend:SecondGeneration id:album value:black legend:Studio_album
Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:1 start:2009 gridcolor:black
PlotData =
color:blue width:7 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from bar:Naeun from:start till:03/22/2009 Color:a bar:Jiwoo from:05/01/2009 till:05/17/2014 Color:a bar:Nana from:07/09/2009 till:11/27/2014 Color:a bar:Rania from:07/09/2009 till:01/12/2016 Color:a bar:Lizzy from:08/27/2009 till:05/21/2018 Color:a bar:Jinni from:01/27/2011 till:02/18/2023 Color:a bar:Sooyeong from:start till:01/12/2017 Color:a bar:Chunji from:start till:06/21/2012 Color:a bar:Kahi from:start till:06/21/2013 Color:a bar:Shuji from:start till:08/21/2011 Color:a bar:Sera from:start till:09/21/2015 Color:a bar:Unwon from:01/01/2012 till:11/14/2019 Color:a bar:Youngji from:05/27/2011 till:07/20/2021 Color:a bar:HyunA from:start till:06/21/2017 Color:a bar:Chungwa from:start till:05/07/2015 Color:a
LineData =
layer:back color:album at:09/09/2010 at:07/14/2012 at:08/14/2013 at:11/22/2014
</timeline>
- Legend of colours
(horizontal): Active (horizontal): Inactive (vertical): Studio Album
Notes
- ↑ Indefinite hiatus
