Alice (Korean: 앨리스; formerly known as Elris), is a South Korean girl group consisting of EJ and Chaejeong.[1] The group originally debuted as Elris on June 1, 2017, with their first extended play, We, First.[2] Member Sohee retired from the music industry on April 26, 2024, while members Karin, Do-A, Yukyung, and Yeonje left on May 2-3, 2024.
In December 2021, the group was transferred to IOK Company and later re-branding as Alice in April 2022.
Prior to the group's debut, Kim So-hee and Min Ka-rin were contestants on the reality show K-pop Star 6.[3] Sohee was part of the KWIN unit, which made it to the final episode as the runner-up.
Following the conclusion of K-pop Star 6, on May 19, 2017, Sohee released her first solo digital single "Spotlight".
2017–2020: Debut as Elris and re-formation as seven members
On June 1, 2017, Elris released their first EP, We, First, containing five tracks including the titular lead single.[4]
Their second EP, Color Crush, was released on September 13, 2017, consisting of five other tracks and the lead single "Pow Pow".[5]
In late 2017, members Bella and Hyeseong participated in the reality show MIXNINE. Both of them did not make it to the final lineup of the female winners.
On June 6, 2018, Hunus Entertainment confirmed that Elris would be coming back on June 28 with their third EP titled Summer Dream.[6] On June 28, Elris released their third mini-album, containing three tracks, including the titular title song.
On October 18, 2018, Sohee debuted as a soloist, with the digital single "Hurry Up".[7][better source needed]
Elris released a digital single titled Miss U on November 12, 2019.[8]
On February 12, 2020, Hunus Entertainment confirmed the addition of two new members, EJ and Chaejeong.[1] On February 26, the group released their fourth extended play Jackpot, including a single of the same name.[9] This was their first release as a seven-member group following the addition of two new members and their first proper comeback in nearly two years since their third mini album. Jackpot was also the last release that carried the name ELRIS. The group went on hiatus for most of 2020 and all of 2021.
2021–present: New agency, rebranding, Sohee’s retirement and members departure
On December 1, 2021, it was announced that Elris would be transferred to IOK Company.[10]
On April 11, 2022, it was announced that the group rebranded to Alice. Members Hyeseong and Bella changed their stage names to Yeonje and Do-A, respectively. Chaejeong was also appointed as the new leader.[11] They were scheduled to make their comeback in May 3 with the digital single "Power of Love".[12] However, it was announced that the digital single's release would be delayed to May 4.[13] On October 4, 2022, it was announced that Alice would comeback with "Dance On" as a single; the song was released on October 27, 2022.[14]
On April 19, 2023, Alice released their second single album Show Down. In addition, a representative from the agency IOK Company stated, “Alice members Do-A and Yeonje are temporarily halting their activities due to recent health issues and are currently resting and recovering. This comeback featured five members.[15] On April 26, 2024, Sohee retired from being an idol after marrying her boyfriend.[16] On May 2, 2024, Do-A made an Instagram post saying that she left ALICE after her contract expired.[17] On May 3, 2024, Yukyung, Yeonje, and Karin made Instagram stories and went on Bubble saying that they left ALICE after their contracts expired.[18] Alice came back on May 13, 2024 with the song "Milky Way."
^ ab엘리스, 새 멤버 이제이·채정 합류→26일 새 앨범 컴백 [공식] [Elris joined by new members Lee Jae-yi and Chae-jung → New album comeback on the 26th [Official]]. OSEN (in Korean). February 12, 2020.
^'K팝스타6' 김소희, 걸그룹 'ELRIS'로 가요계 데뷔 ['K-Pop Star 6' Kim So-hee debuts in the music industry with the girl group 'ELRIS'] (in Korean). Retrieved September 14, 2017.
^엘리스, 데뷔곡 M/V 티저2탄 공개 [Elris, debut song M/V teaser 2nd release] (in Korean). Ten Asia. May 31, 2017.
^엘리스, 팬 향한 그리움 노래한다…12일 신곡 '그립다' 공개 [Elris sings of longing for fans... Released new song 'Miss U' on the 12th]. OSEN (in Korean). September 30, 2018.
^엘리스, 새 멤버 이제이·채정 영입…'JACKPOT'으로 컴백 [Elris recruits new members Lee Jae-yi and Chae-jung... Comeback with 'JACKPOT']. TV Report (in Korean). February 12, 2020.
^Oh, Yoon-joo (December 1, 2021). 아이오케이컴퍼니, 7인조 걸그룹 엘리스 영입 "아낌없이 지원할 것 [IOK Company to recruit 7-member girl group Elris "We will support you generously"] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved December 1, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kim, Myung-mi (April 12, 2022). 엘리스→앨리스, 4년9개월만 그룹명 교체 '새로운 변화'[공식] [Elris → Alice, group name change for the first time in 4 years and 9 months 'new change' [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved April 12, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Myung-mi (April 13, 2022). "앨리스 '혜성→연제' 법적 개명..'벨라→도아' 활동명 변경해 새 출발 [공식]" [Alice's 'Hyeseong → Yeonje' legal name change... 'Bella → Do-A' activity name changed and a new start [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN. Retrieved April 13, 2022 – via Naver.
^Moon, Wan-shik (May 2, 2022). "앨리스, 이름까지 바꾼2년3개월만 컴백4일로 연기..왜?" [Alice, who changed her name, postponed her comeback to 4 days after 2 years and 3 months... Why?] (in Korean). Star News. Retrieved May 2, 2022 – via Daum.
