Things You Didn’t Know About U-KISS And Why Some Members Left

Quick Facts

One of the most common problems attached to being a member of a band remains the issue of members leaving the group. Sometimes, this leads to the demise of the band while the few which survive struggle to retain their stance in the world of fame. With the South Korean boy band – U-Kiss, there was always the chance of the band members leaving and causing the band to seize to exist; however, though U-KISS has experienced the former problem, they have however managed to elude the latter. And even though a vast number of its members have left the band, its current members are standing strong and just can not stop impressing its fans with the good music they are known for.

Things You Didn’t Know About U-KISS

What the Band Name U-Kiss Stands For

Just like majority of South Korean bands, U-KISS was formed by the record label in which they are signed to. NH Media formed the South Korean boy band in 2008. The band’s name is an acronym which stands for “Ubiquitous Korean International Idol Super Star”. Members of the band were selected through an audition process.

Who Are U-Kiss Past Members And Why They Left

All former U-KISS members left the band after the expiration of their contracts. Some who were offered new contracts rejected it to focus on their individual music career. But in the case of Dongho, he not only chose not to renew his contracts but he also left the music industry completely so he could focus more on his family and projects outside the entertainment industry. U-Kiss former members include:

Alexander Lee

Alexander Lee started with the band when it was created in 2008 but he left the group three years later. He has since been active as a solo performer as well as an actor. Speaking further about his whereabouts, the young artist revealed that he also works as a radio DJ. He also appeared on MBC’s “South Korean Foreigners” which invites foreigners in Korea for a quiz session.

Kim Kibum

Known in Japan as Allen Kibum, he started his music career in 2006 with the band, XING. Two years later, he joined U-Kiss. However, he left the band on February 23, 2011 shortly after, he established ‘HnB Company’ with his older brother, Kim Hyung Jun.

Dongho

Best known as the Face of the group, the Rapper, Vocalist and Lead Dancer joined the band in 2008 after passing through the audition by NH Media. Dongho did not just leave U-KISS, he retired from singing entirely to become a DJ with the name “DJ Rushin’ Justin”.

AJ

Rapper and singer, Kim Jae Seop, better known as AJ, joined the band in 2011 after the departure of Alexander and Kibum. He first left the band in 2012 and on August 29, 2016, his contract with NH Media ended, officially ending his run with the band.

Kevin

Kevin is an American-born South Korean singer, TV host and actor. He joined the band in 2008 and after 9 years with U-KISS, he left the band and is presently thriving as a solo artist.

Kiseop

Lee Ki Seop joined U-KISS in the fall of 2009, during the promotion of the group’s “Man Man Ha Ni”. Kiseop is one of two ex-band members of U-KISS who departed the band recently. As of 2019, he is said to have been enlisted as a public service worker.

Eli

Eli is a South Korean-American rapper, singer and actor. He joined the band at its formation in 2008. Eli departed U-KISS in 2019, at the same time Kiseop did as well.

Meet the U-Kiss Current Members

Soohyun

Soohyun is the leader of U-KISS and also its main vocalist. He was born on March 11, 1989, in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Soohyun is currently serving on mandatory military service in his home country.

Hoon

Yeo Hoon-min, popularly known by his stage name Hoon, he was born on August 16, 1991, in Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. He did not start with the band when it was created in 2008 but instead joined in February 2011 after Alexander and Kibum departed the group. He began singing in 2009 as a solo artist. He has also ventured into acting and presently, he attends Dongguk University where he majors in theatre and film.

Jun

Jun is the youngest of all the past and present band members of U-KISS. He was born on January 22, 1997, in South Korea. He began singing professionally  in 2014 and joined U-KISS on May 15, 2014.

Discography

U-KISS has dropped 11 studio albums, 7 live albums, 2 compilation albums, 5 video albums, 30 music videos, 17 Eps and 35 singles so far. After its formation, the band made its debut in Japan when the members performed at a live performance at Power of Atamix 08 on August 15, 2008. The band’s debut in South Korea came on August 28, 2008, when they performed Not Young on Mnet.

 U-KISS in Reality Shows

In 2009, the band started appearing in two reality TV shows, You Know U-KISS and All About U-KISS. The following year,  they starred in U-KISS Vampire and Chef Kiss. The U-kiss members also became popular in 2013 when they starred in Kanzume!! TV Magazine Show and U-KISSme?.

2014 was no different for the famous group as they made another two reality show appearances, in Go U-KISS and U-KISS no Teatarishidai. The current U-KISS members are known for starring  in U-KISS no MassisoU – another South Korean widely watched reality show.

Also Read: Top 10 Richest People in the world with full biography and details.