QWER (Korean: 큐더블유이알) is a South Korean girl band under 3Y Corporation and Tamago Production. They debuted on October 18, 2023, with the single album Harmony from Discord.
The group's English name is derived from the QWERTY keyboard, with Q, W, E, and R being the primary keys used in online games such as League of Legends.[1][2][3] The fandom's name 바위게 (Scuttle Crab) is also a reference to the multiplayer video game.[4]
The group was formed through the "QWER Project", a YouTube series aiming to create a girl group composed of female online personalities.[1] The project was launched by Tamago Production, a company started by the YouTuber and web content creator Kim-Gyeran, in collaboration with 3Y Corporation. "QWER Project" followed the four members’ incorporation into the group, their training, and daily lives.[3]
Prior to their debut, each of the members already had established online careers. Chodan and Magenta were active streamers on Twitch, Hina was a popular content creator and cosplayeronTikTok, and Siyeon is a former member of the Japanese idol group NMB48.[1][3][5]
QWER made their debut on October 18, 2023, with the single album Harmony from Discord.[2] Songs from the album were first performed during their debut showcase at Musinsa Garage in Seoul.[5] The lead track "Discord" placed 5th on Spotify's "Viral 50 – Japan".[6] It debuted at number 88 on YouTube Music's "Korea Weekly Top Songs" chart at the time of its release and remained on the chart for 21 weeks.[7]
On March 18, 2024, the group announced their upcoming comeback. On the day of the announcement, QWER visited a military base and performed their unreleased single『T.B.H (고민중독)』from their upcoming EP.[8] Their first EPManito was released on April 1.[9] Tracks from the EP were first performed at a showcase held in the Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul on the day of its release.[10]
^ abcPark, Dong-sun (October 18, 2023). "'김계란 걸밴드' QWER, '1집→1만집, 지구정복 걸밴드 첫 발!'[종합]" ['Kim Gye-ran's girl band' QWER, '1 to 10,000 albums, the first step of the Earth-conquering girl band!]. The Electronic Times (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
^ abcHeo, Ji-young (November 18, 2023). "유튜브서 데뷔해 초동 2.3만장…김계란의 걸그룹 'QWER' 아시나요 [허지영의 케해석]" [Do you know Kim Gye-ran's girl group 'QWER', which debuted on YouTube and sold 23 thousand copies?]. Seoul Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
^Kim, Ha-young (October 16, 2023). "'데뷔 D-2' QWER, 팬과 소통한다…위버스 입점" ['Debut D-2' QWER connects with fans... with Weverse]. Nate News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
^ abKim, Chae-yeon (October 18, 2023). "'제작사 변신' 김계란 "QWER의 강점?최강 비주얼 걸밴드..그 안에 독기를 봤다" [종합]" ['Production company transformed' Kim Gye-ran "QWER's strength? The strongest visual girl band...I saw the strength in them" [Synthesis]]. OSEN (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024 – via Chosen Biz.
^Park, Dong-jae (February 26, 2024). "[브레이크뉴스] QWER, 日 페스티벌'Kstyle PARTY' 오프닝 무대 장식..'글로벌 최애 밴드' 입증" [[BREAK NEWS] QWER to open Japanese festival 'Kstyle PARTY'...proving to be a 'global favorite band']. Break News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
^Jang, Tae-yoon (March 12, 2024). "QWER, 4월 컴백 예고…"최애 소녀밴드, 돌아온다"" [QWER announces April comeback..."Your favorite girl band is back"]. Dispatch (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
^Park, Dong-jae (March 19, 2024). "'글로벌 최애 밴드' QWER, 4월1일 컴백 확정..미니1집 'MANITO' 발매" ['Global Favorite Band' QWER Confirms Comeback on April 1... Releasing 1st Mini Album 'MANITO']. Break News (in Korean). Retrieved March 19, 2024.
^Lee, Ji-sook (April 1, 2024). "김계란 걸그룹 QWER(큐더블유이알) - '고민중독' 쇼케이스 무대 [MHN영상]" [Kim Gye-ran's girl group QWER - 'T.B.H' showcase stage [MHN Video]]. MHN Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
Singles from Manito: "Digital Chart – Week 14, 2024". Circle Chart. March 31 – April 6, 2024. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
^Kim, Han-bin (August 10, 2023). "'최애의 아이들' QWER, 궁극의 보컬R은 누구?" ['Favorite Idol' QWER, Who's the Ultimate Vocal R?]. Open News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
