H1-KEY, the four-member girl group formed by GLG and Sony Music, has been making waves in the K-pop industry since their debut with “Athletic Girl” on January 5, 2022. With their unique concept of confident and healthy beauty, they have garnered a dedicated fanbase and continued to evolve as artists. Now, as they gear up for the release of their second mini album, “Seoul Dreaming,” on August 30, 2023, fans eagerly anticipate another exciting chapter in their musical journey. Back in November 2021, Naver News revealed the formation of a new girl group under the K-pop sub-label, Grandline Group (GLG), a part of Grandline Entertainment (GRDL). The group’s name, H1-KEY, derives its inspiration from the term “high-key,” symbolizing their goal of exuding confidence and beauty. As the excitement built, the group’s official SNS accounts were announced on November 20, 2021.
One by one, H1-KEY’s members were revealed to the public, beginning with Yel on November 23, 2021, via a mesmerizing choreography video. Seoi was introduced as the second member on November 26, 2021, followed by Riina, a former Produce 48 contestant and WM Ggumnamu member, on November 29, 2021. Finally, Sitala completed the lineup when she was introduced as the fourth member on November 30, 2021. With their anticipation soaring, H1-KEY debuted with the single album “Athletic Girl” on January 5, 2022. The release marked the beginning of their journey as artists, capturing hearts with their powerful performances and infectious energy. However, the path to success was not without challenges. On May 25, 2022, it was announced that Sitala had departed from the group due to personal reasons. Nevertheless, the group showed resilience and determination, hinting at their comeback with a new member through a teaser on June 7. On July 6, they made a strong return with their first maxi single album, “Run,” and introduced Hwiseo as the newest addition to the group on June 14.
As H1-KEY continued to grow in popularity, they set their sights on even greater heights. On January 5, 2023, they released their first mini album, “Rose Blossom,” captivating fans with its melodic tunes and heartfelt lyrics. The album further solidified their place in the K-pop landscape and showcased their artistic maturity. In an interview released on March 13, 2023, H1-KEY revealed their dedication to their craft, expressing their excitement about recording songs for their upcoming album. Little did their fans know that their dreams were about to come true sooner than expected. On August 1, 2023, H1-KEY thrilled their fans by announcing their comeback with their second mini album, “Seoul Dreaming,” scheduled to release on August 30. To add to the excitement, the pre-release single “Time to Shine” was announced to drop on August 23, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable musical journey.
“Seoul Dreaming” is poised to showcase H1-KEY’s growth as artists and their ability to tackle diverse musical genres with finesse. As they continue to dream big and explore new horizons, fans eagerly await the release of their latest work, which undoubtedly will exceed expectations and cement H1-KEY’s position as one of the most promising girl groups in the K-pop industry. H1-KEY’s journey from their debut with “Athletic Girl” to the upcoming release of “Seoul Dreaming” has been one of resilience, growth, and success. With each step they take, they prove their determination to make their mark in the competitive world of K-pop. As fans stand by their side, H1-KEY continues to inspire and delight with their talent, charisma, and dedication to their craft. “Seoul Dreaming” is undoubtedly set to be another significant milestone in their remarkable journey, and the K-pop world awaits the release with bated breath.
