AKMU

AKMU(/ɑːŋmjuː/;Korean:악뮤), formerlyAkdong Musician(/ɑːŋdɒŋmjuːˈzɪʃn/;Korean:악동뮤지션), is a South Korean duo consisting of siblingsLee Chan-hyukandLee Su-hyunsigned toYG Entertainment. As prominent figures of South Korea, their musical impact in their native country has earned themnumerous accoladesand thehonorific title"The Nation's Siblings". They are also cited as "musical prodigies" and "geniuses".
Propelled to national stardom through thesecond installationofK-pop Star(2012–2013), AKMU officially debuted in April 2014 withPlay, astudio albumsolely crafted by Lee Chan-hyuk alone. It topped theGaon Album Chart, became their first entry onBillboard, namely theHeatseekers Albums Chartand theWorld Albums Chart, and birthed the three titular singles, "200%", "Give Love", and "Melted". It was well received by the public and critics, having sold more than 6.9 million downloads,and was awarded Best Pop Album in the 12thKorean Music Awards.Following the release of their critically acclaimedPubertyseries, consisting ofSpring(2016) andWinter(2017), the sibling duo reached greater career heights withSailing(2019) and its lead single "How Can I Love the Heartbreak, You're the One I Love", which not only topped theCircle Digital Chart, but also sold 2.5 million digital copies, following "Last Goodbye" (2017), and was the fourth single to be certified triple platinum for streaming inKorea Music Content Associationhistory.
Lee Chan-hyuk(born September 12, 1996) andLee Su-hyun(born May 4, 1999) lived with theirmissionaryparents in Mongolia for five years before returning to South Korea to pursue a career in music.Living an impoverished life, they werehome-schooled, unable to afford education;detesting the idea of studying, they turned to music out of sheer boredom,learning to play the guitar and piano, respectively.Lee Su-hyun, the younger sister, abruptly returned to Korea for a short stay to resolve visa problems; her brother soon followed, deciding to stay.The siblings, under the name Akdong Musician, joined Proteurment, an intercollegiate association that supports amateur artists, after they were discovered onYouTube,and performed on stages with an original song titled "Galaxy".
In August 2012, the duo participated in the preliminary auditions ofK-pop Star 2(2012–2013) atJamsil Arenain Seoul.Eligible to perform in the first round, they sang a cover ofMiss A's "Breathe" and an original song titled "Don't Cross Your Legs",an instant audience favorite.Amidst the panel of judges,Park Jin-youngpraised the chemistry between the siblings and the techniques they had incorporated in their performances;BoApraised the lyrics of their original song;Yang Hyun-sukdescribed them as "true artists".Crowned as the winners of the competition, Akdong Musician received a cash prize of₩300 million ($260,000), aRenault Samsungsedan,and the freedom to sign a contract with one of the three largest entertainment agencies in the country:S.M. Entertainment,YG Entertainment, orJYP Entertainment.Following almost two months of contemplation,the siblings signed an exclusive contract with YG Entertainment, believing it was the best place to support their music.Its founder, Yang Hyun-suk, cited the label would not change their unique image or their music style.The duo have since garnered a significant following, where songs performed on the show, namely "Don't Cross Your Legs," spawned to number two on theGaon Digital Chartin December 2012."You Are Attractive" topped the charts weeks after, beating the dominance of Christmas carols,and further compositions such as "A Foreigner's Confession", "Crescendo", and "It is Ramen", also displayed its reach.In the two months they were unafflicated, the duo filmed for commercials and released several singles, including "I Love You" fortvNdramaAll About My Romance(2013).
Akdong Musician debuted with the studio albumPlayon April 7, 2014, twelve months after winningK-pop Star 2(2012–2013).It was promoted through three titular singles: "200%", selected byYang Hyun-suk; "Melted", chosen by the duo; and the third, decided by the public through the reflected chart performance of the other songs."Give Love" achieved the highest popularity, peaking at number four and three on the Gaon Digital Chart and theBillboardK-pop Hot 100, respectively, becoming the third single."200%" charted atop the aforementioned charts for two weeks,while "Melted" peaked at number five and eight, respectively. Both lead singles appeared on theUS World Digital SongsChart at number 5 and 21, respectively, their first entries on the chart. Entirely written and produced by Lee Chan-hyuk,Playclaimed number one on theGaon Album Chart,number two on theUS World Albums Chart,and number twenty onBillboard'sHeatseekers Albums Chart, nearing aBillboard 200entry,an uncommon achievement for a new K-pop act.Following theSewol Ferry Incident, all of the sibling's activities were cancelled to share a state of mourning.The duo dedicated their single, "200%", to the victims of the sunken Sewol ferry and their families,and honored its victims by inserting an image of a yellow ribbon in the music video of "Give Love", released on May 2, 2014.Initially created for their debut album,the acoustic-ballad, "Time and Fallen Leaves" (시간과 낙엽), was held back for the autumn season.Released on October 10, the digital single peaked atop the Gaon Digital Chart in its second week of release, the latest addition of autumnal hits in the country;the single was not accompanied by a music video so the listeners would imagine their own stories.In November 2014, the duo embarked on a nationwide tour commenced inSeoul, titled "AKMU Camp".
Two years since their last album, Akdong Musician returned with their firstEPtitledSpringon May 4, 2016,the first record of the two-part series,Puberty.It was promoted with two lead singles: "Re-Bye" and "How People Move" (사람들이 움직이는 게),and represented the duo "growing up" through the themes of adolescence,where all six tracks are about their youth during their five-years in Mongolia.It caught the attention of domestic and international listeners alike; every song charted in the top ten of Korean and foreign music charts,including the Gaon Digital Chart, with "Re-Bye" becoming a chart-topper.BillboardnamedSpringthe fourth best K-pop album of the year, where the record "boast a more theatrical feel to them to show the young duo is growing an exciting pace."To promote the EP, the duo performed atSeoul ForestonChildren's Dayin front of 10,000 people and 100,000 live streamers viaV Live, simultaneously.and toured in Asia, holding showcases atTaipei,Singapore,Kuala Lumpur, andShanghai.OnNew Year's Day, they released the short film "Spring of Winter", correlating to their second seasonally themed album,Winter(2017).In the film, playing themselves, they argue and disband Akdong Musician, while songs from the new album acted as its soundtrack.Two days later, the duo released theirsecond studio album, the second in a conceptual two-part album seriesPuberty.Its lead single, "Last Goodbye" (오랜 날 오랜 밤)became the second best-selling song within the first half the year,and the fourth within the entire year.It also became one of twelve songs to surpass 100 million streams in 2017,and was awarded Song of the Year (January) at the 7thGaon Chart Music Awardsand the Digital Bonsang at the31st Golden Disc Awards.Its second lead single, "Reality" (리얼리티),was chosen by the viewers ofMy Little Television'slive broadcast. The duo began a tour titled "AKMU Diary", holding concerts in seven cities nationwide, including eight sold-out shows in Seoul from March 23.Originally planned for six shows, two more shows were added due to the positive response of fans.
Marking their first experimentation in music withEDM, a challenge initiated to breakfree from the duo's usual acoustic mould,they released their firstsingle albumtitledSummer Episode, on July 20, 2017, fronted by the lead singles "Dinosaur" and "My Darling".Based on the siblings' childhood,the former single peaked at number six on the Gaon Digital Chart,number nine on the US World Digital Song Sales Chart,and received greater attention in the following years, re-entering charts six years after its release.Summer Episodeserved as the duo's last release ahead of Lee Chan-hyuk's mandatory military enlistment with theRepublic of Korea Marine Corpson September 18.Voluntarily enlisted early in comparison to other K-pop celebrities, he entered a training center inPohang,North Gyeongsang Province.In this time, he wrote most ofSailing(2019) while living on a ship over two years during his enlistment, as he was inspired by the new experience.The 22-year-old fulfilled his mandatory military service with the Marine Corps and was discharged on May 29, 2019, thus also simultaneously resuming the activities of Akdong Musician.
After a two-year hiatus from the industry,the newly-renamed AKMU decided to permanently use the abridged version of the name, Akdong Musician, referencing a "mischievous child", to avoid feeling constrained in their musical pursuits by its meaning.The duo returned with their third studio album,Sailing, on September 25, 2019, supported by the lead single "How Can I Love the Heartbreak, You're the One I Love" (어떻게 이별까지 사랑하겠어, 널 사랑하는 거지),a song they had originally performed at the 2017 Someday Festival.The lead single topped theGaon Digital Chartfor the month of October,remained atop their country'slargest streaming platformfor over a month, the longest period since the chart's creation,and stayed within its top ten for one year and two months after its release.It sold 2.5 million copies, receiving a platinum certification for download from theKorea Music Content Association(KMCA), and was certified triple platinum for streaming.The song further won Artist of the Year (September) at the 9thGaon Chart Music Awardsand the Digital Bonsang at the34th Golden Disc Awards.Notably, the album marked Su-hyun's first credited contribution to an AKMU song, "Farewell" (작별 인사), which she arranged.To commemorate the launch ofSailing, AKMU held aguerillastage atYeouido Hangang Parkon September 29; it gathered over 30,000 people,7-8 times larger than the size of the venue.Released on November 16, 2020,the digital single "Happening" expanded on the themes of their previous single and stylistically acted as a bridge to AKMU's next studio album.
Following the end of AKMU's seven-year contract withYG Entertainment, the duo re-signed with the label for five more years, citing the reliable support and creative freedom as reasons.Their second EP,Next Episode, was released on July 26, 2021, with the lead single, "Nakka" (낙하) featuringIU. Described as a "collaboration album",it comprises seven songs, each featuring different artists includingLee Sun-hee,Beenzino,Crush,Sam Kim,Zion.T, andChoi Jung-hoonof indie rock bandJannabi,and served as an extension ofSummer Episode(2017), exhibiting themes of freedom.Inspired by the filmThe Greatest Showman(2017),"Nakka" debuted at number three on the Gaon Digital Chart in the issue dated July 31, 2021,and rose to number one the following week, becoming their seventh chart-topping single.The single also peaked atop theBillboardK-pop Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks.Furthermore,Next Episode'stracks occupied seven spots in the top ten of the Gaon Download Chart, indicating the best-selling singles of the week."Nakka" received aplatinumcertificationfor streaming by the KMCA,their second certified single since the system's implementation, and later won Best Pop Song at the 19thKorean Music Awards,Best Collaborationat the2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards,and the Digital Bonsang at the36th Golden Disc Awards.All seven songs were released with music videos, each depicting a theme from the seven songs included in the album.
Released on August 21, 2023, their digital single,Love Lee, primarily supported by the titular single of the same name,topped theCircle Digital Chart(formerly Gaon Digital Chart) for six non-consecutive weeks,and remained at number one on Korea's largest streaming platform for nine consecutive weeks, the longest among all releases that year."Love Lee" became their first entry on theBillboard Global 200and theBillboard Japan Heatseekers SongsChart, peaking at number 91 and 4, respectively.Its choreography also garnered interest, with related dance challenges and short-form videos posted onTikTokamassing over 200 million views."Love Lee" was later awarded Best Pop Song at the 21st Korea Music Awards, their second trophy in the category,andBest Vocal Performance Groupat the2023 MAMA Awards(formerly Mnet Asian Music Awards).ItsB-side"Fry's Dream", found similar success, peaking at number two on the Circle Digital Chart, only behind "Love Lee", and topped the V Coloring Chart, a component chart of theCircle Chart, for two consecutive months,presented with V Coloring of the Year at the13th Circle Chart Music Awards.
In commemoration of AKMU's tenth anniversary, the act held a two-day concert titled "10VE" atKSPO DomeinSeoul, garnering 21,000 attendees.In addition, their project further consisted their third EPLove Episode, with the lead single "Hero", released on June 3, 2024. It featured of six tracks, including their 2023 hit singles "Love Lee" and "Fry's Dream",and served as the third installment of AKMU'sEpisodeseries, followingSummer Episode(2017) andNext Episode(2021).The EP was praised for its exploration of the universal emotion of love, conveyed through their distinct sensibility and language, and was met with widespread acclaim, securing high positions on Korean music charts.
AKMU have been lauded for their musical sensibility and emulated traits of a "musical prodigy" and "genius" since their first appearance in public,at ages 16 and 13.The duo quickly established themselves as "true artists",displaying skills in songwriting and singing.Steve Choi of theKorea Music Content Associationshared AKMU serves as the best representative of a diverse artist with the broadest musical spectrums, leading as the best inspiration and motivating factor for others.Furthermore, the duo excels and encompass any musical genre they delve into.
Beloved in their home country, the duo attained thehonorific title"The Nation's Siblings".
In the advertising industry, AKMU has represented for brands:Paris Baguette,EDM Education,Kia Motors'sK3,KB Securities,andLotte Chilsung.They have also endorsed for promotional campaigns ofKT Corporation,Daum,Yogiyo[ko],Life Plus,ChevroletKorea,andSocar[ko].ThroughYG Entertainment's collaboration withWoori Bank, the duo created a song with the credit card company to raise awareness of theKorean language, as part of celebrations forHangul Day.Further collaborations include participating in a project for Daum,creating a song forSamsung,and theme songs forNexon, namelyKartRider's "Drift",andMapleStory's "We are all Adventurers".The duo are widely known to create commercial songs for the brands they endorse and represent, including for KT Corporation,Paris Baguette,and Lotte Chilsung. AKMU have also worked with governmental institutions, becoming youth ambassadors appointed by theMinistry of Gender Equality and Familyin 2014.
AKMU's effect on the advertising industry was demonstrated through their commercial advert for KT Corporation, wherein the duo achieved results that equated an expenditure of₩70 billion over two years to replicate the same success,raising consumer awareness by 90%;they were awarded Best Advertising Model at the 2013 Korea Advertising Awards.Paris Baguette had also observed an increase of 50% in product sales, after the duo became its newest models in 2013.
Following their success onKpop Star 2(2012–2013) as its winners, the sibling duo donated their entire cash prize of₩300 million ($290,000), following a discussion with their parents,including ₩100 million ($97,000) from a record production support fund.For their tenth anniversary, AKMU donated ₩141 million ($102,350) and ₩47 million each, commemorating their debut date, April 7, to Green Asia to prevent desertification by planting trees in Mongolia,Severance Hospitalto support underprivileged people with incurable diseases, and the Korea Youth Counseling & Welfare Institute (KYCWI) to aid in mental health treatment for secluded and isolated teenagers.The duo have also participated in charity campaigns, including theIce Bucket Challengein 2014, where they opted to donating in lieu of pouring a bucket of ice water,and theGenie MusicChallenge in 2016, where ₩1.94 million was donated to Snail of Love,contributing towards acochlear implantsurgery for an 18-month-old infant.
AKMU have further engaged themselves in volunteering activities,and have donated their talent through performances at the Hope forLou Gehrig's DiseaseConcert in 2013,theYGXUNICEFWalking Festival in 2017, where all participation fees were donated to UNICEF Korea to treat children and adolescents of malnutrition,a charity event hosted by Compassion Korea in 2019,and a concert organized by the duo for pediatric patients atSeoul National University Hospitalin 2023, where they distributed gifts and personally visited the patients unable to leave their rooms.The duo had also donated their talent to create the song "Happy World", a rendition of their self-composed single "Don't Cross Your Legs", exploring themes of youth issues such as school violence, gaming and cellphone addiction, and friendship, for theMinistry of Gender Equality and Familyin 2014.
AKMU's entry into the market showcased the future cultivation of "hallyu", the Korean culture wave; where their win in theaudition programindicated the music consumers' level and point of view had improved and varied.It was further cited the beginning of AKMU raised the country's cultural consumption level.Analytic data provided by theGaon Chartshowed the duo were one of few rare artists in the country to not only have teenagers their own age consume and resonate with their music, but also with older age groups ranging up to their fifties equally as strong.In their career, artists that have cited the duo's work as an influence and as a role model include singer-songwriter Kang Ji-eum,Tomorrow X Together's Huening Kai,Itzy'sRyujin,andBabyMonster's Rami.AKMU has also been featured in listicles includingBillboard 21 Under 21.