EXID: The Group’s Journey to Becoming K-pop Icons

Introduction

EXID is a popular K-pop girl group from South Korea, initially formed in 2012 by producer Shinsadong Tiger and Chinese entertainment company Banana Culture. Throughout their decade-long journey, EXID has built up an incredibly loyal fan base across the world with their unique style of music and captivating live performances. In this article, we take a look at how EXID has become one of the most iconic groups in K-pop today and how their journey has been shaped by their many highs and lows.

From Debut to Hiatus

EXID made their official debut in February 2012 with the single, “Whoz That Girl”. Despite the risqué nature of the song’s lyrics, it was a popular hit and was praised for its blend of EDM and hip-hop elements. Following their debut, the girls quickly rose in popularity with their following released singles, such as “Everynight”, “Up and Down” and “Ah Yeah”.

However, upon the release of their third mini-album, “Eclipse” in 2015, the group went on an unannounced hiatus due to two members leaving and the group being placed on hiatus by the agency. It seemed like the end of the road for EXID as they were dropped from their Korean label and all promotional activities were halted.

The Unexpected Success with “Up and Down”

Despite the difficult period that EXID was going through, their 2014 single “Up and Down” found new fame in 2015 after a fan-recorded dance video went viral through the social media platform Vine. This unexpected success rejuvenated the groups popularity overseas, leading to them rejoining the charts and securing their highest ever charting spot on the Gaon Digital Chart.

Further Success in South Korea and Overseas

Following the success of “Up and Down”, EXID released their first full-length album in 2016 titled “Street”. The 2nd single from the album “L.I.E” secured the group their first-ever music show award and the title track was their first single to peak at No.1 on the Gaon Digital Chart.

More recently, EXID has gone on to achieve more success in South Korea and overseas, with the group’s most recent album “Full Bloom” breaking the top 5 on the iTunes K-Pop Albums chart. They also held their first-ever online fan-meeting in May 2021, where they performed a number of fan-favorite tracks and showcased never-before-seen content.

Their Legacy and International Impact

While EXID may not be as popular today as they were in the early 2010s, their impact in the K-pop industry has been immense and undeniable. Not only have they inspired a new generation of K-pop fans, but they have also made their mark on the global music scene with their infectiously catchy tunes and face-paced dance performances.

Their pioneering in the K-pop industry has also opened up new possibilities for upcoming artists to push the boundaries of musical boundaries and set themselves apart from the rest.

Conclusion

EXID’s journey to becoming K-pop icons has been nothing short of remarkable. Against all odds, the group has endured, and this is testament to their commitment to the craft and their passion for music. From South Korea to all around the world, EXID has left a lasting legacy and will continue to be an inspiration to many.