QWER
QWER | |
|---|---|
 QWER in April 2024 (L to R: Chodan, Magenta, Hina, Siyeon) | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2023–present |
| Labels |
|
| Members |
|
| Website | cafe |
QWER (Korean: 큐더블유이알) is a South Korean girl band under 3Y Corporation and Tamago Production. They debuted on October 18, 2023, with the single album Harmony from Discord.
Name
[edit]The group's English name is derived from the QWERTY keyboard, with Q, W, E, and R being the primary keys used in online games such as League of Legends.[1][2][3] The fandom's name 바위게 (Scuttle Crab) is also a reference to the multiplayer video game.[4]
Career
[edit]Formation
[edit]The group was formed through the "QWER Project", a YouTube series aiming to create a girl group composed of female online personalities.[1] The project was launched by Tamago Production, a company started by the YouTuber and web content creator Kim Gye-ran, in collaboration with 3Y Corporation. "QWER Project" followed the four members’ incorporation into the group, their training, and daily lives.[3]
Prior to their debut, each of the members already had established online careers. Chodan and Magenta were active streamers on Twitch, Hina was a popular content creator and cosplayer on TikTok, and Siyeon is a former member of the Japanese idol group NMB48.[1][3][5]
2023–present: Debut with Harmony from Discord, Manito and Algorithm's Blossom
[edit]QWER made their debut on October 18, 2023, with the single album Harmony from Discord.[2] Songs from the album were first performed during their debut showcase at Musinsa Garage in Seoul.[5] The lead track "Discord" placed 5th on Spotify's "Viral 50 – Japan".[6] It debuted at number 88 on YouTube Music's "Korea Weekly Top Songs" chart at the time of its release and remained on the chart for 21 weeks.[7]
On March 18, 2024, the group announced their upcoming comeback. On the day of the announcement, QWER visited a military base and performed their unreleased single "T.B.H (고민중독)" from their upcoming EP.[8] Their first EP Manito was released on April 1.[9] Tracks from the EP were first performed in a showcase held at the Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul on the day of its release.[10]
On August 28, the group announced the release of their single "Fake Idol" on September 2.[11] Their second EP Algorithm's Blossom was released on September 23.[12] The group took their first music show win with the second EP's lead single "My Name Is Malguem" on October 9 on Show Champion.[13]
Members
[edit]- Chodan (쵸단) – drums, vocals[2]
- Magenta (마젠타) – bass[2]
- Hina (히나) – guitar, keyboard[2]
- Siyeon (시연) – guitar, vocals[2]
Discography
[edit]Extended plays
[edit]| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [14] | |||
| Manito |
Track listing
|
14 |
|
| Algorithm's Blossom |
Track listing
|
10 |
|
Single albums
[edit]| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [14] | |||
| Harmony from Discord |
Track listing
|
8 |
|
Singles
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [18] |
KOR Songs [19] |
WW Excl. US [20] | |||
| "Discord" | 2023 | 24 | — | — | Harmony from Discord |
| "T.B.H" (고민중독) | 2024 | 4 | 2 | 117 | Manito |
| "Fake Idol" (가짜 아이돌) | 99 | — | — | Algorithm's Blossom | |
| "My Name Is Malguem" (내이름 맑음) | 2 | 1 | 111 | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory | |||||
Other charted songs
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR Down. [21] | |||
| "Harmony of Stars" (별의 하모니) | 2023 | 57 | Harmony from Discord |
| "Soda" | 2024 | 81 | Manito |
| "Free-Dumb" (자유선언) | 83 | ||
| "G9JB" (지구정복) | 82 | ||
| "Ferris Wheel" (대관람차) | 72 | ||
| "Make Our Highlight" (불꽃놀이) | 75 | ||
| "Manito" (마니또) | 84 | ||
| "Intro" | 79 | Algorithm's Blossom | |
| "Let's Love" (사랑하자) | 32 | ||
| "Run! Run! Run!" (달리기) | 35 | ||
| "Goodbye My Sadness" (안녕, 나의 슬픔) | 22 | ||
| "Rebound" (메아리) | 23 | ||
| "Outro" | 73 |
Filmography
[edit]Web shows
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Korean | ||||
| 2023 | QWER Project | 최애의 아이들 | Themselves | YouTube series introducing the members of QWER | [22] |
Accolades
[edit]Awards and nominations
[edit]| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee/work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K-World Dream Awards | 2024 | K-World Dream Best Band Award | QWER | Won | [23][24] |
| K-World Dream Bonsang | Won |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Kim, Ju-yeon (October 10, 2023). "New girl group QWER to debut with single 'Harmony from Discord". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Park, Dong-sun (October 18, 2023). "'김계란 걸밴드' QWER, '1집→1만집, 지구정복 걸밴드 첫 발!'[종합]" ['Kim Gye-ran's girl band' QWER, '1 to 10,000 albums, the first step of the Earth-conquering girl band!]. The Electronic Times (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c Heo, Ji-young (November 18, 2023). "유튜브서 데뷔해 초동 2.3만장…김계란의 걸그룹 'QWER' 아시나요 [허지영의 케해석]" [Do you know Kim Gye-ran's girl group 'QWER', which debuted on YouTube and sold 23 thousand copies?]. Seoul Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ Kim, Ha-young (October 16, 2023). "'데뷔 D-2' QWER, 팬과 소통한다…위버스 입점" ['Debut D-2' QWER connects with fans... with Weverse]. Nate News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ a b Kim, Chae-yeon (October 18, 2023). "'제작사 변신' 김계란 "QWER의 강점? 최강 비주얼 걸밴드..그 안에 독기를 봤다" [종합]" ['Production company transformed' Kim Gye-ran "QWER's strength? The strongest visual girl band...I saw the strength in them" [Synthesis]]. OSEN (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024 – via Chosen Biz.
- ^ Park, Dong-jae (February 26, 2024). "[브레이크뉴스] QWER, 日 페스티벌'Kstyle PARTY' 오프닝 무대 장식..'글로벌 최애 밴드' 입증" [[BREAK NEWS] QWER to open Japanese festival 'Kstyle PARTY'...proving to be a 'global favorite band']. Break News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ Jang, Tae-yoon (March 12, 2024). "QWER, 4월 컴백 예고…"최애 소녀밴드, 돌아온다"" [QWER announces April comeback..."Your favorite girl band is back"]. Dispatch (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ Kim, Ji-hye (March 20, 2024). ""내 마니또가 될래?" QWER, 서브컬처 유행타고 흥행 2연타 노린다" ["Will You Be My Manito?" QWER rides subculture wave to aim for a win]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ Park, Dong-jae (March 19, 2024). "'글로벌 최애 밴드' QWER, 4월 1일 컴백 확정..미니 1집 'MANITO' 발매" ['Global Favorite Band' QWER Confirms Comeback on April 1... Releasing 1st Mini Album 'MANITO']. Break News (in Korean). Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ Lee, Ji-sook (April 1, 2024). "김계란 걸그룹 QWER(큐더블유이알) - '고민중독' 쇼케이스 무대 [MHN영상]" [Kim Gye-ran's girl group QWER - 'T.B.H' showcase stage [MHN Video]]. MHN Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
- ^ Hwang, Soo-young (August 29, 2024). "여기서 형이 왜 나와⋯ QWER 그래피티 이 사람이 그렸다" [Why is my brother here⋯ QWER graffiti was drawn by this person]. Asia Times (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ QWER [@official_QWER] (September 3, 2024). "QWER The 2nd Mini Album Algorithm's Blossom Comeback Poster" (Tweet). Retrieved September 3, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Kim, Do-hyung (October 9, 2024). "'데뷔 만 1년 앞둔' QWER 일냈다…음악 방송 첫 1위 차지 [공식]" ['Just before their 1st debut anniversary' QWER has done something... achieved 1st place on music show [Official]]. Mydaily via Naver (in Korean). Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Peak positions on the Circle Album Chart:
- Harmony from Discord: "Album Chart – Week 42, 2023". Circle Chart. October 15–21, 2023. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- Manito: "Album Chart – Week 14, 2024". Circle Chart. March 31 – April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- Algorithm's Blossom: "Album Chart – Week 39, 2024". Circle Chart. September 22–28, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ Total sales of Manito:
- "Circle Album Chart – June, 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- "Circle Album Chart – Week 14, 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ Cumulative Sales of Algorithm's Blossom:
- "Circle Album Chart – Week 39 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- "Circle Album Chart – Week 40 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- "Circle Album Chart – Week 42 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- "Circle Album Chart – Week 44 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ Cumulative sales of Harmony from Discord:
- "Album Chart – Week 42, 2023". Circle Chart. October 15–21, 2023. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- "Album Chart – Week 52, 2023". Circle Chart. December 24–30, 2023. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ Peak positions on the Circle Digital Chart:
- "Discord": "Digital Chart – Week 1, 2024". Circle Chart. January 6, 2024. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- "T.B.H": "Digital Chart – Week 17, 2024". Circle Chart. April 21–27, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- "Fake Idol" and "My Name Is Malguem": "Digital Chart – Week 40, 2024". Circle Chart. September 29 – October 5, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ Peaks on the South Korea Songs chart:
- "T.B.H": "South Korea Songs: Week of May 4, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- "My Name Is Malguem": "South Korea Songs: Week of October 12, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Peak chart positions on the Billboard Global Excl. US:
- "T.B.H": "Billboard Global Excl. US: Week of May 11, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- "My Name Is Malguem": "Billboard Global Excl. US: Week of October 12, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Peak positions on the Circle Download Chart:
- "Harmony of Stars": "Download Chart – Week 42, 2023". Circle Chart. October 15–21, 2023. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- Manito: "Digital Chart – Week 14, 2024". Circle Chart. March 31 – April 6, 2024. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- Algorithm's Blossom: "Digital Chart – Week 39, 2024". Circle Chart. September 22–28, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ Kim, Han-bin (August 10, 2023). "'최애의 아이들' QWER, 궁극의 보컬 R은 누구?" ['Favorite Idol' QWER, Who's the Ultimate Vocal R?]. Open News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ Yang, So-yeong (July 29, 2024). "'2024 케이 월드 드림 어워즈' 김민기 황인혜 레드카펫 MC 발탁" ['2024 K-World Dream Awards' Kim Minki Hwang Inhye Selected as the Red Carpet MC]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ Ahn, Byung-kil (August 23, 2024). "'QWER, 데뷔 첫 시상식 2관왕 쾌거" ['QWER, The feat of winning two awards at the first awards ceremony since debut]. Kyunghyang Shinmun (in Korean). Retrieved August 24, 2024.