Lightsum (Korean: 라잇썸; RR: Raitsseom; MR: Raitssŏm, stylized in all caps) is a South Korean girl group formed by Cube Entertainment. The group is composed of six members: Sangah, Chowon, Nayoung, Hina, Juhyeon, and Yujeong. The group debuted on June 10, 2021, with the release of their debut single album, Vanilla. Originally an eight-piece ensemble, members Huiyeon and Jian departed the group in October 2022.
The group's name, Lightsum, is a combination of the words "light" and "sum", which symbolizes "things that shine small gather together to light up the world, delivering greater positive energy through a message of hope".[1]
Juhyeon participated in The Unit: Idol Rebooting Project in 2017–2018 where she finished in 25th place.[2] Chowon, Nayoung, and Yujeong participated in Produce 48 in 2018 where they finished in 13th place, 21st place, and 51st place respectively.[3][4][5] It was later revealed that Chowon was rigged out of the lineup of Iz*One, and that her real final ranking was 6th place.[6] Juhyeon later participated in Dancing High in 2018, but did not pass the evaluation round.[7]
Chowon was cast in Bully Bad Guys and The Dominator 3: Junior Bullies in 2020.[8]
2021–present: Introduction, debut with Vanilla, Into the Light, and members departure
On April 15, 2021, Cube Entertainment announced that it would be debuting a new girl group, their first since (G)I-dle in 2018.[9] The members were revealed in pairs from April 19 to 22 (in order: Juhyeon, Sangah, Chowon, Jian, Nayoung, Huiyeon, Hina, and Yujeong).[10][11][12][13] A video trailer with all eight members was revealed on April 23, 2021.[14][15] On May 27, it was announced that Lightsum would release their debut single album Vanilla on June 10,[16] making their broadcast debut on Mnet's M Countdown with a performance of their debut single.[17] On October 13, Lightsum released their second single album Light a Wish, with "Vivace" serving as the lead single.[18]
On May 24, 2022, Lightsum released their first extended play Into the Light, with the lead single "Alive".[19] On October 25, Cube Entertainment announced the departure of members Huiyeon and Jian from the group and that Lightsum would be reorganized as a group of six.[20]
In June 2023, Sangah participated in Mnet's girl group survival show Queendom Puzzle as a contestant,[21] she was eliminated in the first elimination rounds.[22] On September 21, it was announced Lightsum would release their second extended play Honey or Spice on October 11.[23]
^"KBS 아이돌 리부팅 프로젝트 더 유닛 – 유닛순위" [KBS Idol Reboot Project The Unit – Unit Ranking]. Korea Broadcasting System (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 13, 2018. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
^Kang, Jin-ah (June 10, 2021). "'라잇썸' 초원 "'프로듀스48' 조작, 상실감 없었다면 거짓말"" ['Lightsum' Chowon "The manipulation of 'Produce 48' would be a lie if there was no sense of loss"] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on August 28, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kim, Ye-eun (September 8, 2018). "'댄싱하이' 비가 극찬한 이주현 "큐브 연습생, 어렸을 때부터 춤 좋아해"" ['Dancing High' Rain praised Lee Joo-hyun, "Cube trainee, I like dancing since I was little"]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
^Kim, Mi-ji (November 18, 2020). ""아이즈원 멤버였는데"...조작에 인생 바뀐 이가은·한초원 향한 관심 [엑's 초점]" ["I was a member of IZone" ... interest in Lee Ga-eun and Han Cho-won who changed their life due to manipulation [X's focus]] (in Korean). X-sports News. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021 – via Naver.
^Ji, Seung-hoon (April 15, 2021). "큐브 새 걸그룹 'LIGHTSUM(라잇썸)', 로고 공개...본격 데뷔 시동" [Cube's new girl group 'LIGHTSUM', logo released ... full-scale debut start] (in Korean). YTN. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021 – via Naver.
^Jeon, Hyo-jin (April 19, 2021). "큐브 신인 라잇썸, 멤버 주현X상아 프로필 공개" [Cube rookie Lightsome, member Joohyun X Sanga profile revealed] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021 – via Naver.
^Ji, Min-kyung (April 20, 2021). "큐브 新걸그룹 라잇썸, 두 번째 프로필 공개..'프듀48' 한초원 멤버 확정 [공식]" [Cube's new girl group Lightsome reveals second profile ... 'Produce 48' Han Chowon member confirmed [Official]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee, Sun-myeong (April 21, 2021). "큐브 엔터 새 그룹 '라잇썸' 나영·휘연, 얼굴 공개" [Cube Entertainment's new group 'Lightsum' Nayoung and Hwiyeon reveal their faces] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021 – via Naver.
^Baek, Ji-eun (April 22, 2021). "[공식] '큐브 新 걸그룹' 라잇썸, '프듀48' 유정-히나 공개" [[Official] 'Cube's new girl group' Lightsum, 'Produce 48' Yoojung-Hina revealed] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee, Min-ji (April 23, 2021). "큐브 新8인조 걸그룹 라잇썸, 단체 프로필 공개 '데뷔 초읽기'" [Cube's new 8-member girl group Lightsome, unveils group profile 'Countdown to debut'] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee, Seung-Hoon (May 27, 2021). "'큐브 신인' 라잇썸, 6월10일 데뷔 확정..'Vanilla' 아트워크 티저 오픈 [공식]" ['Cube Rookie' Lightsome, debut confirmed on June 10th..'Vanilla' artwork teaser open [Official]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on May 27, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kim, Min-ji (June 11, 2021). "큐브 신인 라잇썸, '엠카'서 성공적 데뷔 무대...상큼+발랄" [Cube rookie Lightsome, successful debut stage in 'Mcar' ... refreshing + lively] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021 – via Naver.
^Cho, Hye-jin (September 24, 2021). "라잇썸, 10월13일 컴백...두 번째 싱글 '라잇 어 위시' 발매" [Lightsum, comeback on October 13th...Release of the second single 'Light a Wish'] (in Korean). X-ports News. Archived from the original on September 24, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021 – via Naver.
^Go, Ah-ra (July 26, 2023). "'퀸덤퍼즐 탈락5人' 상아-채린-주이-서연-소은, 우리 다시 만나![엑's HD화보]" ['5 people eliminated from Queendom Puzzle' Sang-ah, Chae-rin, Joo-i, Seo-yeon and So-eun, we meet again! [X's HD pictorial]] (in Korean). X-ports News. Archived from the original on July 27, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Seung-hoon (September 21, 2023). "라잇썸, 레트로 품고 컴백..미니2집 아트워크 티저 오픈" [Lightsum, comeback with retro vibes...2nd mini album artwork teaser revealed] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2023 – via Naver.
^Peak positions for single albums on Gaon Album Chart:
"Into the Light". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). May 22–28, 2022. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
^Peak positions for single albums on Gaon Album Chart:
"Vanilla". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). June 6–12, 2021. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
"Light a Wish". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). October 10–16, 2021. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
^"2021년07월 Album Chart" [July 2021 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
^"2021년11월 Album Chart" [November 2021 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
"Vanilla": "2021년24주차 Download Chart" [Week 24 of 2021 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). June 6–12, 2021. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
"Vanilla": "2021년42주차 Download Chart" [Week 42 of 2021 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). October 10–16, 2021. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
"Alive": "2022년22주차 Download Chart" [Week 22 of 2022 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). May 22–28, 2022. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
^Peak chart positions on World Digital Song Sales Chart:
"Vanilla". Billboard. June 20–26, 2021. Archived from the original on June 22, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
"Vivace". Billboard. October 24–30, 2021. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
^Vanilla (Single Album) (photobook). Lightsum. South Korea: Cube Entertainment, Kakao Entertainment. 2021. Credits.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Light a Wish (Single Album) (photobook). Lightsum. South Korea: Cube Entertainment, Kakao Entertainment. 2021. Credits.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^"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. December 13, 2022. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022 – via Naver.
^"[APMA 2021] 亚洲流行音乐大奖2021年度入围名单" [[APMA 2021] Asian Pop Music Awards Shortlisted for 2021] (in Chinese). November 30, 2021. Archived from the original on November 30, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021 – via Weibo.
^Hwang, Soo-yeon (November 19, 2022). "라잇썸, '2022 지니뮤직어워드' 뉴 웨이브 아이콘상 수상" [Lightsum won the New Wave Icon Award at the '2022 Genie Music Awards'] (in Korean). X-ports News. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023 – via Naver.
^Jeong, Ji-eun (December 28, 2021). "BTS부터 엔시티드림까지... 한터뮤직어워즈 아티스트상 수상!" [From BTS to NCT Dream... Hanteo Music Awards Artist Award!] (in Korean). KBS Entertainment News. Archived from the original on December 28, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Min-ji (December 27, 2021). "임영웅→투모로우바이투게더, 2022 대한민국 퍼스트브랜드 대상" [Lim Young-woong → Tomorrow by Together, 2022 Korea's First Brand Grand Prize] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021 – via Naver.
