About 4Minute

4minute (Korean: 포미닛) is a South Korean girl group created by Cube Entertainment who have released various singles and EPs since their founding in 2009. The members consist of Nam JiHyun (Hangul: 남지현), Heo GaYoon (Hangul: 허가윤), Jeon JiYoon (Hangul: 전지윤), Kim HyunA (Hangul: 김현아), and Kwon SoHyun (Hangul: 권소현).

Origin South Korea
Genres K-Pop
Years active 2009 (2009) – present
Website 4min.co.kr

2009: Debut and For Muzik

4minute was announced in May 2009, along with two of the group's members, Kim HyunAh and Nam JiHyun. Although Jihyun is known as the leader, many singing parts and centered dancing roles belong to Hyuna (who is a former member of Wonder Girls[1]) On June 11, 2009, the silhouette teaser video was released online, along with their official website.[2] The remaining three members' identities were kept a secret until June 12.[3]

Cube Entertainment had released a teaser for their first single "Hot Issue" on June 10 and debuted on June 18. The girls promoted the song from its release, continuing promotions until August. At the end of August, 4Minute released a mini-album called "For Muzik" which was alongside their second single, "Muzik". Their third single was "What A Girl Wants" and was revealed not long after the release of their EP.

On June 21, 2009, after the first week of "Hot Issue" promotions, fans stole various items from the group's van, including clothing and other items. Cube Entertainment said, "It was very unfortunate that such an ordeal occurred."[4]

On August 27, 2009, Korean broadcaster KBS banned playing of the 4minute song "Won't Give (안줄래)" for what they considered to be overly sexual lyrical content.[5] The lyrics in question, in the style of a first-person narrative, express an unwillingness on the part of the subject to "give" herself or her heart to her partner. Cube Entertainment responded to the ban by stating that the song was intended to be "about the pure feelings of a girl to a guy" and that they were very disappointed by the decision.[6][7]

4minute was featured in fellow label-mate Mario's Christmas digital single "Jingle Jingle", which was released on December 2, 2009; the music video premiered online on December 3, 2009. In the year 2010, their songs "Huh", "I My Me Mine" and also " First" came out.

They have recorded a remix with American artist Amerie for her song 'Heard 'Em All' to be released on the Asian version of her fourth album.

2010: Foray into Asia, Hit Your Heart and Japanese Music Career Debut

Cube Entertainment announced that Universal Music Group would be assisting 4minute with an international launch of their album.[9]

They embarked on their Asia Tour that started in January and followed into other countries such as Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Japan.[10] They had their first solo concert in Japan on May 8, 2010.[5] Cube Entertainment announced that the tickets to the concert had been sold out in a very short period of time. For their first solo concert in Japan, they performed in front of 4,000 people.

On April 23, 2010 a new repackaged album of 4minute was sold in Taiwan adding in the solo debut song of HyunAh, that features Yong Jun Hyung of BEAST, "Change" and their duet song with Amerie as well as a bonus DVD of their concert in Taiwan.

4minute released a new mini-album entitled HuH (Hit Your Heart) for their comeback on May 19, 2010. Along with this, they also released the first single from it, titled "HuH". In the first track "Who's Next," 4minute's fellow label mates, the members of BEAST, were featured and also appeared in the music video for "HuH" and "Invitation".

They released a new music video to the song "I My Me Mine" from the mini album "Hit Your Heart" on July 5, 2010.[11] Cube Entertainment also announced "I My Me Mine" as their next Japanese single. Three different editions of the single were released.[12]

On July 19, 2010, the song "Superstar" was digitally released for the Korean TV show Superstar K season 2.[13]

They performed for Celebration at Marina,[14] the warm-up concert for the Singapore Youth Olympic Games 2010, on August 13, 2010 together with BEAST, successfully becoming the first Korean artists to perform for the YOG.

In September, Far Eastern Tribe Records announced a 3rd Japanese Single and their first double single, entitled FIRST/Dreams Come True. After a teaser was released, the full music video for 'FIRST' was officially released on 21 October 2010. The single was released on 27 October 2010.

4minute has a rumored Korean comeback in December. They have started recording their songs for their Korean comeback after they came back from Japan for the promotions for FIRST:3rd Japanese Single. The recording for it is still ongoing and has not yet ended.

On December 4 and 5, 2010, they will be having their 2nd Solo Concert entitled "Energy Volume Live 2: DIAMOND" it will be held for 2 nights in Tokyo on December 4, 2010 and December 5, 2010 on Osaka, Japan, it will also mark as the starting of their promotions for their 1st Full Album: DIAMOND which was released on December 15, 2010.

2011-present: Third Korean EP

For 2011, they will also participate in singing the opening song/ OST for the Japanese Drama "Akutou: Juuhanzai Sousahan" which stars veteran actor Takahashi Katsunori. The single will be unveiled/released on January 2011.

Cube Entertainment have confirmed 4minute will release a new Korean album in February in their 2011 statement.

“The members are currently working hard to create high quality music fitting for the high expectations. Their new start for the new year will be unveiled in February.”

It is unknown if it will be another mini-album, or a full length studio album.