Various are the benefits of being in a subunit. For some, it means getting special and focused attention, rather than sharing it with the large number of group members. For others, it is an opportunity to implement new concepts and develop one’s skills in a more authentic, creative, and simply different way of expressing oneself. For instance, a vocalist in the main group could get a better appreciation of their vocal abilities by being highlighted in the subunit. There are also those who form a subunit simply because some of the members of the original group line-up decide not to renew their contracts or just leave the group. Thus, forming a subunit gives the remaining members a chance to continue promoting together and artistically express themselves in the music industry. A subunit often highlights unique talents and skills that group members might not have been able to demonstrate in the original group. Such are the examples of AOA Cream, Orange Caramel, My Girl’s Banhana, LOONA Odd Eye Circle, Gugudan’s OGUOGU, and Oh!GG. Curious to know more? Here are some of the subunits of the big girl groups you might be interested to know. Stay tuned and keep scrolling down this Channel-Korea article!
AOA Cream
AOA Cream is a subunit under FNC Entertainment that debuted in 2016. This subunit is made of members of the phenomenal girl group AOA and includes Yuna, Hyejeong, and Chanmi, who debuted with the lead track “I’m Jelly Baby.”
The debut single “I’m Jelly Baby” was released on February 11th, 2016, and also got 26th rank on the Korean Gaon chart. Moreover, they were still performing this song in late 2019 on TV Shows. The song is quite so fairy girl and looking fresh also cute at the same time. This has been a nice and easy listening song. You should definitely give it a shot! The concept of the subunit is a bright, cute girl group. Yet some criticize their performance and singing talent of the member. The netizens got annoyed with their singing ability, only Yuna got praise for her talent, but the others were questioned. Moreover, their hairstyles also received criticism. Nevertheless, apparently, they still got to perform their debut single in the show Queendom in 2019.
Orange Caramel
Orange Caramel is a subunit of girl group After School that was formed in 2010. This subunit consists of Nana, Raina, and Lizzy.
Orange Caramel debuted on June 16th, 2010, with the single “Magic Girl” and later on produced The First Mini Album on June 21st, 2010. The single was quite successful and peaked at number 2 on the Gaon Chart. The songs of their album also got published into a Taiwanese version which was titled The Day You Went Away. They had been actively releasing songs during 2010 in the album The Second Mini Album. This album was also successful. This subunit released many songs during their career. But since 2015, both the subunit and the girl group After School have been getting slow in promotions and seem to be more focused on individual projects. Raina decided to pursue a solo music career, whereas Lizzy and Nana decided to focus on acting. To this day, no one has confirmed that they have decided to disband the group, there is the feeling that they are going to stay together and might make a comeback in the future reviving Orange Caramel again. Yet, in December 2019, Raina left After School and Pledis Entertainment without any further statement about Orange Caramel.
Oh My Girl’s Banhana
The girl group Oh My Girl’s Banhana is a subunit of Oh My Girl that includes Hyojung, Binnie, and Arin. The group made their debut on April 2nd, 2018, under WM Entertainment. The group released “Banana Allergy Monkey” on April 2nd, 2018, which has a colorful and cute concept with their monkey costumes combined with bananas in the MV. Yet, some commented that this kind of concept might bring serious criticism by the netizens. They revealed this concept is rather a challenge for them rather than succeeding as a sudden concept. They wanted to make a surprise for their fans with this new concept, as Oh My Girl got so much attention after they made a comeback with the song “Secret Garden.” They refused to compare it with this song as it had a different concept, which is the Fairy concept of the subunit; they prefer to do new and different concepts. Apparently, during the album process, all the members of Oh My Girl extended their support and contributed to this subunit’s song. The other fellow members borrowed their voices for the song. Did you notice it?
LOONA Odd Eye Circle
LOONA Odd Eye Circle is the second subunit of girl group LOONA under Blackberry Creative. This subunit debuted on September 21st, 2017, with the mini-album Mix & Match. The subunit consists of Kim Lip, JinSoul, and Choerry. The group is meant to represent “Girl of The Month“ with the words ODD and circle adapted from English. This subunit has the concept of expressing seduction and fondness by showing romance and intimacy. This concept is quite unique and strong where they want to initiate that to pursue love to make it happen to yourself. The song itself has deep meaning and the beat is also very catchy. One package to your playlist for sure! The LOONA Odd Eye Circle also offered an outdoor concept which is very pleasing for the eyes. Please, feel free to check out the music video above!
Gugudan’s OGUOGU
Gugudan’s OGUOGU is a subunit under Gugudan that debuted on August 10th, 2017, with the single track “Ice Chu.” The subunit is consists of Mina and Hyeyeon.
This marked the first subunit of girl group Gugudan, Oguogu which means a combination of 5 and 9, the special number of Hyeyon and Mina. For your information, this subunit has been popular as the maknae line, both Mina and Hyeyeon are the youngest in the group Gugudan. This could be a beneficial point that will become of interest to the public. The concept of the song is quite similar to the one the subunit of Orange Caramel did. The song is still catchy and has a summer retro vibe. You should listen to it! The subunit has positive comments and also a kind of fun sugar song for the summer ode song.
Oh!GG
Oh!GG is a subunit of the legendary girl group Girls’ Generation that consists of Taeyeon, Sunny, Hyeyeon, Yuri. They debuted in September 2018 with the song “Lil’ Touch.” The original line-up of Girls’ Generation consists of Taeyeon, Yoona, Seohyun, Sooyoung, Tiffany, Hyoyeon, Yuri, and Sunny, and the former member Jessica. The group debuted in 2007 and has been marketed as the second generation of K-Idols. This girl has contributed greatly to the spread of the Korean Wave and the expansion of Korean music and culture internationally. The group Girls’ Generation had 8 members in the beginning, but later on, in 2017, Tiffany, Sooyoung, and Seohyun decided to leave the company SM Entertainment. Nonetheless, they didn’t confirm any information regarding disbandment. So, this subunit became a way in which Girls’ Generation members can express their music. All the SONE (name of their fans) get excited for their comebacks even though with this song they didn’t do any stage promotions, but who cares, they are still legends! The song “Lil’ Touch” is really giving off a great beat and it is easy to catch up with the song. The catchy song is so much fun and yet elegant and grown lady to this subunit group. Dare to see? That’s all about the subunits of some popular South Korean girl groups. What do you think? Let’s keep supporting all the subunits because they deserve to shine in another way. Don’t forget to leave a comment and share your thoughts in the section below!
