Unis (Korean: 유니스; RR: Yuniseu; MR: Yunisŭ; stylized in all caps or as U&iS) is a South Korean girl group formed and managed by F&F Entertainment through the survival reality show Universe Ticket (2023–24). The group consists of eight members: Hyeonju, Nana, Gehlee, Kotoko, Yunha, Elisia, Yoona, and Seowon. They debuted on March 27, 2024, with the extended play (EP) We Unis.[1]
The group's name is derived as an abbreviation of "U&I Story", as well as "UNiverse Is Started", which symbolizes the group's desire to continue writing its own story of achieving their dreams that began in Universe Ticket.[2]
Unis was formed through the SBS reality survival show Universe Ticket, which aired from November 18, 2023, to January 17, 2024.[3][4] The show brought 82 contestants from around the world, primarily in South Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Canada, to compete to debut in a multinational girl group.[5]
Before appearing on the program, several members had already been active in the entertainment industry. In 2017, Hyeonju was a member of the girl group Good Day under the name Lucky,[6] and competed in The Unit: Idol Rebooting Project.[7] However, she was eliminated in the third elimination round and redebuted in Cignature in 2020 under the name Belle.[7] In December 2020, Seowon appeared as a contestant on the reality survival show, Miss Trot 2.[8] Sometime after the show, Seowon signed a contract with Lean Branding.[9] and went onto make her official debut as a soloist on April 24, 2021, with the release of her first digital single, "Shoulder Dance".[10] In March 2021, Yoona joined the music group and YouTube collective Play With Me Club formed by PocketTV, and graduated from the group on March 25, 2022.[11] In October 2021, Nana competed in Who Is Princess?.[12] She ranked fifth and made her debut as a member of a five-member girl group Prikil in May 2022.[13]
On January 18, 2024, it was reported that Unis will be debuting sometime in March. Later, it was announced that the group will be making their debut on March 27, 2024, with the extended play We Unis.[14] On March 7, the group released a promotion scheduler for the album.[15] On March 27, the group made their debut with the release of the EP We Unis, along with its lead single "Superwoman".[16] On April 3, it was announced that the group will be having fansign tour in Philippines "U&iS Fansign Philippine Tour". It begins on May 4 in Cebu and May 5 and 6 in Manila.[17][18]
^Lee, Soo-hyun (January 18, 2024). 굿데이→시그니처...'유니버스 티켓', 유니스 리더 진현주 과거 보니 [Good Day → Cignature...'Universe Ticket', a look at the past of Unis leader Jin Hyeon-ju]. Top Star News (in Korean). Retrieved March 31, 2024.
Media related to Unis (group) at Wikimedia Commons
