The KingDom is a South Korean boy band formed by GF Entertainment in 2021. The group originally debuted as Kingdom with seven members: Dann, Arthur, Mujin, Louis, Ivan, Jahan and Chiwoo. They debuted on February 18, 2021, with the extended play (EP) History of Kingdom: Part I. Arthur. Chiwoo left the group on May 25, 2022 due to "personal circumstances". The group introduced a new seventh member, Hwon, on August 31, 2022.
Dann and Arthur were former members of the group Varsity. Dann also participated in JTBC's Mix Nine, finishing in 71st place among male contestants.[1]
Kingdom debuted on February 18, 2021, with the release of their first EP, History of Kingdom: Part I. Arthur, and lead single "Excalibur".[2] Their second EP, History of Kingdom: Part II. Chiwoo, and its lead single, "Karma", was released on July 1.[3] Their third EP, History of Kingdom: Part III. Ivan, and its lead single, "Black Crown", was released on October 21.[4]
2022: History of Kingdom: Part IV. Dann, History of Kingdom: Part V. Louis[edit]
Their fourth EP, History of Kingdom: Part IV. Dann, and its lead single, "Ascension", was released on March 31, and being delayed from March 17 after Arthur and Mujin tested positive for COVID-19.[5][6] On May 25, Chiwoo terminated his contract with GF Entertainment citing "personal reasons" and left the group.[7]
On August 31, Hwon was introduced as the newest member of the group. He made his debut with them in their upcoming fifth EP, History of Kingdom: Part V. Louis and its lead single, "Long Live the King", released on October 5.[8]
2023: History of Kingdom: Part VI. Mujin, History of Kingdom: Part VII. Jahan[edit]
On March 23, Kingdom made their sixth comeback with their EP History of Kingdom: Part VI. Mujin, with the lead single, "Dystopia".[9]
On October 17, Kingdom made their seventh comeback with their EP History of Kingdom: Part VII. Jahan, with the lead single, "Coup D'etat".[10][unreliable source?]
On November 20, GF Entertainment announced that due to worsening health, Louis will be going on a hiatus to focus on recovery. He was however, present for the 2023 AAA Performance.[11][unreliable source?][12]
On April 3, Kingdom unveiled a coming soon poster for their upcoming comeback, scheduled for April 30.[13] On April 4, GF announced the group's name would be changed to The KingDom.[14] On April 7, the group unveiled the scheduler of their eight EP Realize.[15]
^Kang, Min-sun (August 31, 2022). "다시7인 체제로...킹덤 새 멤버 훤 합류...하반기 발매 앨범부터 활동" [Back to the 7-member system... Kingdom new member Hwon joins... Active from the album released in the second half of the year] (in Korean). Segye Ilbo. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022 – via Naver.
^Choi, Yi-jung (April 3, 2024). 킹덤, 4월30일 컴백 확정 [Kingdom, comeback confirmed on April 30th] (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via Naver.
^Yoon, Ki-baek (April 4, 2024). 킹덤→더킹덤 그룹명 변경 [공식] [Kingdom→The KingDom group name change [Official]] (in Korean). E Daily. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via Naver.
^Park, Se-yeon (April 7, 2024). 더킹덤, 30일 컴백 앞두고 '리얼라이즈' 스케줄러 공개 [The KingDom unveils 'Realize' schedule ahead of comeback on the 30th] (in Korean). Ilgan Sports. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via Naver.
^"The KingDom". GF Entertainment (in Korean). Retrieved April 4, 2024.
^"Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on August 27, 2015. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
^Foundation Special Report AAA (December 13, 2022). "이준호·임영웅·세븐틴→스키즈·아이브·뉴진스 AAA 대상..김선호4관왕[2022 AAA][종합]" [Lee Jun-ho·Lim Young-woong·Seventeen → Skiz·Ive·New Jeans AAA Grand Prize..Kim Seon-ho wins 4 crowns[2022 AAA][Comprehensive]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022 – via Naver.
^Choi, Na-young (December 14, 2023). "킹덤, 3년 연속 '2023 AAA' 트로피 영예 "더욱 발전하는 그룹 될 것"" [Kingdom, honored with the '2023 AAA' trophy for 3 consecutive years, "We will become a further developing group"]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
^Hwang, Mi-hyun (January 13, 2023). "킹덤, '2023 대한민국 공헌대상'서 문화대상 수상 "책임감 가질 것" [Kingdom, won the cultural grand prize at the '2023 Korea Contribution Awards' "We will have a sense of responsibility] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023 – via Naver.