Wooah

Wooah (/wuɑː/; wuu-AH; Korean: 우아!; RR: Ua!, stylized in all caps; formerly known as woo!ah!)^[1] is a South Korean girl group launched by NV Entertainment (later SSQ Entertainment, and now H Music Entertainment). The group consists of members: Nana, Wooyeon, Sora, Lucy, and Minseo. The group debuted on May 13, 2020. Originally a six-member group, Songyee left in August 2020 for personal reasons.

Wooah
Wooah in August 2021 From left to right: Lucy, Wooyeon, Nana, Sora, Minseo
Background information
Origin	Seoul, South Korea
Genres	K-pop
Years active	2020 (2020)–present
Labels	H Music Entertainment
Members	Nana Wooyeon Sora Lucy Minseo
Past members	Songyee
Website	Official website

History

On March 20, 2020, the girl group "Woo!ah!" was announced on radio channels, by produced by NV Entertainment's director Han Ji-seok and CEO Kim Kyu-sang. Han Ji-seok is an overseas entertainment expert and had worked in SM Entertainment and Kakao M, while Kim Kyu-sang is a creative director and had produced and directed numerous artists representing Korea.^[2]

2020: Debut with 'Exclamation', Songyee's departure and 'Qurious'

On April 24, the release schedule for the group's debut single album, Exclamation, was published.^[3] Subsequently, image and solo film teasers for the members were released in the order: Wooyeon,^[4] Minseo,^[5] Lucy,^[6] Songyee,^[7] Sora,^[8] and Nana.^[9] The group made their debut on May 13 through a press showcase held at the Spigen Hall in Gangnam.^[10] However, the releases of the single album Exclamation and the music video for the title track woo!ah! was postponed to May 15, in order to show more completeness in the group through improvements in both releases.^[11]

On August 14, NV Entertainment announced that Songyee would leave the group for personal reasons.^[12][13]

The group made their comeback on November 24 with their second single album Qurious.^[14][15][16] The group held a press showcase and a comeback showcase for the release one day earlier.^[17]

2021–2023: Wish, Catch the Star, Joy, Pit-a-Pat, and Queendom Puzzle

On May 7, 2021, a teaser photo posted on the group's social medias announced their comeback with their third single album, "Wish". "Wish" was released on May 27 with "Purple" serving as the single's title track.^[18][19]

On January 4, 2022, the group released their first pre-release digital single titled "Catch the Stars".^[20] On June 9, 2022, the group released their first extended play Joy and its lead single "Danger". The group's previous single "Catch the Stars" was also included in the EP.^[21] On November 16, 2022, the group released their fourth single album Pit-a-Pat and its lead single "Rollercoaster".^[22]

Members Nana and Wooyeon have participated in Mnet's reality competition show Queendom Puzzle. Nana eventually finished in 2nd place, placing her in the final lineup of the supergroup El7z Up, while Wooyeon finished in 9th place.^[23]

2024–present: Company name change, Blush and Unframed

On January 1, 2024, NV entertainment changed their name to SSQ Entertainment.^[24] On March 27, it was reported that the group will be comeback in April. Later, it was announced that the group will be making their comeback on April 8, with the 2nd digital single "BLUSH", composed by Ryan S. Jhun.^[25] On April 1, the group released a promotion scheduler for the single.^[26] On April 5, the group's social media accounts were changed from woo!ah! to wooah.^[27] On April 8, the music video "Blush" was released.^[28]

On May 24, it was confirmed that they would be coming back with a new album in June.^[29] On May 31, SSQ announced that wooah will be releasing their second mini album Unframed on June 17.^[30] On June 4, the group released a promotion scheduler for the album.^[31] On June 17, the group made their comeback with the release of the EP Unframed, along with its lead single "Pom Pom Pom".^[32] In July 2024, SSQ entertainment changed their name again, to H Music Entertainment.

Endorsements

On March 29, 2021, their agency announced “Panasonic Korea has selected woo!ah! as its new brand model.”^[33]

On March 23, 2023 it was announced that Wooah will be the image model for Japan's popular color contact brand Eye Closet.^[34]

On June 1, 2024 their agency SSQ Entertainment announced, “WOOAH has been selected as the models in the Japanese market for the British fashion brand KANGOL.”^[35]

Members

Current

• Nana (나나) – leader
• Wooyeon (우연)
• Sora (소라)
• Lucy (루시)
• Minseo (민서)

Former

• Songyee (송이)

Discography

Extended plays

Title	Details	Peak chart positions	Sales
		KOR [36]
Joy	Released: June 9, 2022 Label: NV Entertainment, Kakao Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download, streaming Track listing "Danger" (단거) "Joyride" "Go Away" "Switch Up" "Straight Up" "Catch the Stars" (별 따러 가자)	13	KOR: 32,666[37]
Unframed	Released: June 17, 2024 Label: SSQ Entertainment, Kakao Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download, streaming Track listing "I'll Tell You" (내가 다 해보고 말해줄게) "Polaroid" "Pom Pom Pom" "Blush" "Girls Love Boys" (소녀... 소년을 만나다) "Pom Pom Pom" (EDM ver.)	15	KOR: 29,849[38]

Single albums

Title	Details	Peak chart positions	Sales
		KOR [36]
Exclamation	Released: May 15, 2020 Label: NV Entertainment, Kakao M Formats: CD, digital download, streaming Track listing "woo!ah!" (우아!) "Payday"	20	KOR: 5,522[39]
Qurious	Released: November 24, 2020 Label: NV Entertainment, Kakao M Formats: CD, digital download, streaming Track listing "Round & Round" (빙빙빙) "Bad Girl" "I Don't Miss U"	33	KOR: 4,036[40]
Wish	Released: May 27, 2021 Label: NV Entertainment, Kakao Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download, streaming Track listing "Scaredy Cat" (겁쟁이) "Purple" "Pandora"	10	KOR: 14,670[41]
Pit-a-Pat	Released: November 16, 2022 Label: NV Entertainment, Kakao Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download, streaming Track listing "Rollercoaster" "Love Thing"	19	KOR: 34,340[42]

Singles

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		KOR Down. [43]
"woo!ah!" (우아!)	2020	—	Exclamation
"Bad Girl"		—	Qurious
"Purple"	2021	135	Wish
"Catch the Stars" (별 따러 가자)	2022	54	Joy
"Danger" (단거)		110
"Rollercoaster"		65	Pit-a-Pat
"Blush"	2024	36	Unframed
"Pom Pom Pom"		41
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Other charted songs

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		KOR Down. [44]
"I'll Tell You" (내가 다 해보고 말해줄게)	2024	119	Unframed
"Polaroid"		121
"Girls Love Boys" (소녀…소년을 만나다)		120

Collaborations

Title	Year	Album
"Shining Bright" (with BAE173, Ciipher)	2021	Shining Bright

Videography

Music videos

Year	Title	Album	Director(s)	Ref.
2020	"woo!ah!"	Exclamation	Min-kwang Seop (Flying Blue Whale)	[45]
	"Payday" (Performance Video)		Spring Kim (LAUFL)	[46]
	"Bad Girl"	Qurious	Bo-Hyeong Kim (FantazyLab)	[47]
2021	"I Don't Miss U"		Spring Kim (LAUFL)	[48]
	"Purple"	Wish		[49]
2022	"Catch the Stars"	Joy	Unknown	[50]
	"Danger"		Spring Kim (LAUFL)	[51]
	"Rollercoaster"	Pit-a-Pat	Jong-seong Kim (Studio Dalmoo)	[52]
2024	"Blush"	Unframed	Unknown	[53]
	"Secret Princess"		Unknown	[54]
	"Pom Pom Pom"	Unframed	OWGE (OWGEDED)	[55]
	"Shining On You"		박정	[56]

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, award category, nominee(s) of the award, and the result of the nomination

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee(s)/work(s)	Result	Ref.
Brand of the Year Awards	2021	Rising Star – Female Idol	Wooah	Nominated	[57]
	2023	Rising Star – Female Idol		Won	[58]
Korea First Brand Awards	2020	Rookie Female Idol Award		Nominated
MAMA Awards	2020	Best New Female Artist		Nominated	[59]
The Fact Music Awards	2024	Hot Potential Award		Won	[60]

Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement

Publisher	Year	Listicle	Placement	Ref.
Billboard Korea	2021	Best Rookie	Placed	[61]

References

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2. "'연예계 미다스 손' 한지석·김규상, 6인조 걸그룹 '우아' 상반기 론칭". Xports News (in Korean). March 20, 2020. Archived from the original on November 24, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
3. "우아!, 5월 13일 데뷔! 스케줄러 공개 "다양한 콘텐츠 준비"". Market News (in Korean). April 24, 2020. Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
4. "'신예' 우아, 우연 프로필 공개로 '콘셉트 포토' 릴레이 돌입". FN News (in Korean). April 27, 2020. Archived from the original on May 6, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
5. "걸그룹 woo!ah!(우아!) 민서, 총천연색 팔색조 매력…개인 필름 티저 공개". Korea Economic TV (in Korean). April 29, 2020. Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
6. "'新걸그룹' 우아! 루시, 감탄을 부르는 개인 티저 공개". FN News (in Korean). May 1, 2020. Archived from the original on May 12, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
7. "걸그룹 woo!ah!(우아!), 송이 개인 콘셉트 포토 공개". Korea Economic TV (in Korean). May 4, 2020. Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
8. "걸그룹 woo!ah!(우아!), 소라 개인 콘셉트 포토 공개…'심쿵유발 모태 귀요미'". Korea Economic TV (in Korean). May 6, 2020. Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
9. "걸그룹 woo!ah!(우아!), 리더 나나 공개…세련된 비주얼 '눈길'". Korea Economic TV (in Korean). May 8, 2020. Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
10. Lee, Deok-haeng (May 13, 2020). "우아 "너무나 꿈꿨던 데뷔…무대 올라가기 전까지 실감 안나"" [Woo!ah!, "The debut I've dreamed of so much...""I can't believe it until I go on stage".]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved January 13, 2022.
11. Lee, Seul (May 14, 2020). "'2020년 다크호스' 우아, '엠카'로 화려 데뷔 무대 예고" ["2020 Dark Horse" Woo!ah!'s flashy debut stage with "M Countdown".]. FN Star (in Korean). Retrieved January 13, 2022.
12. "woo!ah! (우아!) 멤버 송이 관련 공지입니다". Daum Cafe (in Korean). August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.^{[permanent dead link]}
13. "[공식] 신인 걸그룹 우아! 송이, 데뷔 3달 만에 탈퇴…"개인적 사유"". Mydaily (in Korean). August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020 – via Naver.
14. "woo!ah!(우아!), 11월 컴백 대전 합류..."한 뼘 더 성장…기대해도 좋다"". FN News (in Korean). November 3, 2020. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020 – via Naver.
15. "woo!ah!(우아!)가 돌아왔다" 두 번째 싱글 'QURIOUS' 24일 발매. Digital Times (in Korean). November 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
16. Ye, Lorr (January 21, 2021). "[INTERVIEW] woo!ah! reveals a day in their life and shares a special message for WOWs". Allkpop. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
17. "우아 'QURIOUS' 발매 쇼케이스[★포토]". Starnews (in Korean). November 23, 2020. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020 – via Naver.
18. "woo!ah!(우아!), 27일 싱글 'WISH' 발매 확정…6개월 만에 컴백". Xports News (in Korean). May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021 – via Naver.
19. Juvet, Aedan (May 28, 2021). "Woo!Ah! Opens Up About Their Addictive Album 'WISH' and First Anniversary". PopWrapped. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
20. "우아!, 컴백 스케줄러 공개". Sports Khan (in Korean). December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021 – via Naver.
21. "우아!, 6월 9일 컴백 확정…데뷔 2년 만에 첫 미니앨범". MK Sports (in Korean). May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
22. "woo!ah!(우아!), 'Pit-a-Pat' 발매…타이틀곡 '롤러코스터' D-DAY!". ET News via Naver (in Korean). November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
23. Jin-ah, Son (August 16, 2023). "'엘즈업 재데뷔' 휘서·나나·유키·케이·여름·연희·예은의 새 출발 [MK★이슈]" [EL7Z UP Re-debut' Hwiseo·Nana·Yuki·Kei·Yeoreum·Yeonhee·Yeeun's New Starts [MK★Issue]]. MK Sports (in Korean). Retrieved August 16, 2023 – via Naver.
24. "SSQ Entertainment: A new agency name for the groups WOO!AH! and DXMON". KSTATION TV. December 31, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
25. "우아!, 4월 8일 컴백 확정…작곡가 라이언 전과 협업". naver (in Korean). March 27, 2024. Archived from the original on April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
26. "woo!ah!(우아!), 'BLUSH' 스케줄러 오픈…컴백 기대 UP". enter.etoday.co.kr (in Korean). April 1, 2024. Archived from the original on April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
27. "'1년 5개월 만의 완전체' WOOAH (우아), 'BLUSH'로 엠카 출격". Naver News (in Korean). April 11, 2024. Archived from the original on June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
28. "걸그룹 Woo!ah!(우아!), 8일 'BLUSH'로 1년 5개월 만의 컴백". Sports Khan (in Korean). April 8, 2024. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
29. "'Z세대 아이콘' WOOAH(우아), 6월 컴백 확정…2개월 만의 초고속 컴백". Naver News (in Korean). May 24, 2024. Archived from the original on June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
30. "걸그룹 우아, '6월 대전' 합류…신보 'UNFRAMED' 발매". Naver News (in Korean). May 31, 2024. Archived from the original on June 11, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
31. "WOOAH(우아), 2개월 만의 컴백 초읽기…'폼 폼 폼' 찢는다". Naver News (in Korean). June 4, 2024. Archived from the original on June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
32. "WOOAH(우아), 신보 'UNFRAMED'로 컴백". sports khan (in Korean). June 18, 2024. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
33. "woo!ah!(우아!), 파나소닉코리아 브랜드 모델 발탁" (in Korean). March 30, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
34. "woo!ah!がカラーコンタクトブランド「eye closet」のイメージモデルに✨" (in jp). March 23, 2023. Retrieved June 4, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
35. "'17일 컴백' WOOAH(우아), 日 패션 브랜드 모델 발탁" (in Korean). June 1, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
36. "Gaon Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.

    • Exclamation: "2020년 21주차 Album Chart" [Week 21 of 2020 Album Chart]. May 28, 2020. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
    • Qurious: "2020년 48주차 Album Chart" [Week 48 of 2020 Album Chart]. December 3, 2020. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
    • Wish: "2021년 23주차 Album Chart" [Week 23 of 2021 Album Chart]. June 10, 2021. Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
    • Joy: "2022년 24주차 Album Chart" [Week 24 of 2022 Album Chart]. June 11, 2022. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
    • Pit-a-Pat: "Week 47 of 2022 Album Chart". November 19, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
    • Unframed: "Week 25 of 2024 Album Chart". June 22, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
37. "Album Chart 2022.07". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved August 11, 2022.
38. "Circle Album Chart – June, 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
39. "2020년 07월 Album Chart" [July 2020 Album Chart (see #148)]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
40. Cumulative sales of Qurious:

    • "2020년 12월 Album Chart" [December 2020 Album Chart (see #124)]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
    • "2021년 01월 Album Chart" [January 2021 Album Chart (see #143)]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
41. Cumulative sales of Wish:

    • "2021년 05월 Album Chart" [May 2021 Album Chart (see #59)]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
    • "2021년 06월 Album Chart" [June 2021 Album Chart (see #92)]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
42. Cumulative sales of Pit-a-Pat on Circle Chart:

    • "Circle Album Chart – Week 47, 2022". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved November 24, 2022.
    • "Circle Album Chart – Week 52, 2022". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 5, 2023.
    • "Circle Album Chart – Week 08, 2022". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved March 2, 2023.
43. Peaks on the Gaon Download Chart:

    • "Purple": "2021년 22주차 Download Chart" [Week 22 of 2021 Download Chart]. May 23–29, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
    • "Catch the Stars": "2022년 02주차 Download Chart" [Week 2 of 2022 Download Chart]. January 2–8, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
    • "Danger": "2022년 24주차 Download Chart" [Week 24 of 2022 Download Chart]. June 5–11, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
    • "Rollercoaster": "Download Chart 2022 Weeks 47". November 13–19, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
    • "Blush": "Download Chart 2024 Weeks 15". April 7–13, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
    • "Pom Pom Pom": "Download Chart 2024 Weeks 25". June 16–22, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
44. Peaks on the Circle Download Chart:

    • "I'll Tell You" and other songs from Unframed: "Download Chart 2024 Weeks 25". June 16–22, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
45. "UNBOXING Woo!Ah! (우아) - Exclamation, Qurious, & Wish Albums". Woo!ah 1st Single Album Woo!ah Photobook Credits Page. June 21, 2021.
46. "woo!ah! - Payday (Performance video)". Retrieved May 30, 2021.
47. @fantazylab (December 7, 2020). "woo!ah! - BAD GIRL 크레딧". Retrieved May 30, 2021 – via Instagram.
48. "woo!ah! - I Don't Miss U (M/V)". Retrieved May 30, 2021.
49. "woo!ah! - Purple (M/V)". Retrieved June 14, 2021.
50. woo!ah! (우아!) – '별 따러 가자' (Catch the Stars) M/V. Retrieved April 8, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
51. "woo!ah! - Danger (M/V)". Retrieved July 6, 2022.
52. "Woo!ah! Rollercoaster MV Release!". November 16, 2022.
53. WOOAH 우아 - 'BLUSH' M/V. Retrieved April 8, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
54. WOOAH (우아) - 비밀의 공주 Secret princess (시크릿쥬쥬 x WOOAH) Official M/V. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
55. WOOAH 우아 (June 17, 2024). WOOAH 2nd Mini Album [𝐔𝐍𝐅𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐃] l ‘POM POM POM' MV. Retrieved June 17, 2024 – via YouTube.
56. Koreanet (July 8, 2024). Shining on you official MV with WOOAH (The official song of Talk Talk Korea 2024). Retrieved July 8, 2024 – via YouTube.
57. @kcforum (June 23, 2021). "2021년을 빛낸. 올해의 <여자아이돌(라이징스타)> 후보" [Shining in 2021. Nominated for this year's "Female Idol (Rising Star)".] (Tweet) (in Korean). Retrieved January 2, 2022 – via Twitter.
58. @kcforum (May 2, 2023). "2023 브랜드 고객충성도 대상 <여자아이돌(라이징스타) 문>woo!ah! 수상을 축하드립니다" [2023 Brand Customer Loyalty Award <Girl Idol (Rising Star) Division> woo!ah! Congratulations on your award] (Tweet) (in Korean). Retrieved May 7, 2023 – via Twitter.
59. Hwang, Hye-jin (October 29, 2020). "크래비티·트레저→시그니처·위클리 'MAMA' 신인상 후보 공개" [Cravity, Treasure → Cignature, Weeekly "MAMA" Rookie of the Year candidates revealed.]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved January 2, 2022.
60. "[2024 TMA] 김재중부터 투어스까지…교세라 돔 후끈 달군 K팝의 위력(종합)". news.tf (in Korean). September 8, 2024. Archived from the original on September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
61. Lee, Do-yeon (January 1, 2021). "52주간의 빌보드 케이팝 100 기록" [Billboard K-Pop 100 Records for 52 Weeks]. Billboard Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 28, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2021.