Image courtesy of Korea JoongAng Daily

In the Grammy's article about rising girl groups, K-pop group UNIS was mentioned as one of the groups you should know about. What is so special about this group and why you should keep an eye on them?

Girl group UNIS made their debut almost a year ago through the "Universe Ticket" program aired by SBS. Many girls from ASEAN countries participated in this girl group debut project. Also, many celebrities such as Younha, Hyoyeon, Kim Sejeong, and Rian served as judges for the program.

Image courtesy of Inquirer

In "Universe Ticket" girls from various ASEAN countries participated, including those from the Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The final lineup consists of 8 members, with members from South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines. Elisia, who is of Filipino nationality, was the first to pass and join UNIS. Following her, Bang Yunha, Nana, Gehlee, Lim Seowon, Jin Hyeonju, Oh Yoona, and Kotoko are successfully passed the competition and joined group.

UNIS, who formed through "Universe Ticket" program, released their first mini-album WE UNIS at the end of March 2024, followed by the active promotion of the title track "SUPERWOMAN". Within less than a week of its release, they sold 50,000 albums. They even topped the iTunes Philippines Top Albums chart.

Image courtesy of Rappler

UNIS gained a huge popularity in Philippines as two of their members are of Filipino nationality and one of the members is Filipino-Korean. Member Elisia received a lot of love from Filipino fans. It was also revealed that she had been a trainee at Starship Entertainment in South Korea. Second Filipino member is Gehlee. On her first stage, she performed KARA's Pretty Girl. Before her debut, Gehlee worked as a fashion model in the Philippines and had won numerous beauty pageants, earning her the nickname Disney Princess among fans.

Image courtesy of Dojeon Media

The group UNIS released a W.W.C (World Wide Cover) video on the official 1theK Originals YouTube channel. In the video, they covered hit songs from five countries: South Korea, Colombia, the Philippines, the United States, and Japan. Many global fans cheered and showed excitement when the video was released.

Image courtesy of F&F Entertainment

UNIS' album CURIOUS, released on August 6, five months after their debut, showcases the group's bold confidence and vibrant portrayal of young women's lives. The album explores themes of self-discovery and the significance of individuality and togetherness, conveyed through sincere and emotional lyrics. CURIOUS quickly climbed the iTunes charts, reaching number one in Germany, Qatar, Colombia, Finland, and the Philippines, while also topping charts in the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, and beyond. With over 60,000 copies sold in its first week, the album marked a significant rise in sales compared to their debut, WE UNIS.

The members of UNIS are all pretty young, with Hyeonju being the oldest (born 2001) and Seowon being the youngest of the group (born 2011). Some fans even express their concern that Seowon seems to be too young to debut. But despite their age, each member brings a unique energy to their music, sharing experiences of self-discovery and growth through their lyrics. The age difference among the members adds a dynamic depth to their collective sound, showcasing diverse perspectives on youth, empowerment, and the journey of self-expression.

Be sure to keep an eye on UNIS, a global group that brings you music in multiple languages and continues to captivate fans around the world with their diverse talents and international appeal!