EXID

* Japan
* Korea

**EXID** (Korean:이엑스아이디 an acronym for **EX**ceed **I**n **D**reaming) is a South Korean girl group under Banana Culture. They debuted on 2012 with the first Korean single album titled "Holla" and the title track "Whoz That Girl". The original lineup was Yuzi, Haeryeong and Dami, Hani, LE and Jeonghwa. After problems within the company, the former three all went to form the four-member group BESTie. They were replaced by members Solji and Hyelin.

In Nov 2014 EXID gained success with the single "Up & Down" and reached the Gaon Charts in 4 months. They hit major popularity after a viral fancam of Hani dancing to the song was released.

Members Jeonghwa and Hani left Banana Culture in May 2019. The members still decided to release music together and released their latest mini album WE with the title track "ME&YOU". In January 2020, Hyelin left the agency on the 15, followed by Solji in February, and finally in March 2020, LE became the final member of the group to depart from the agency. EXID was said they will not disband, though they will go on an indefinite hiatus so that the members can focus solely on their own activities.

## History

### Pre-Debut-Debut (2011-February 2012)

EXID was a project group of producer Shinsadong Tiger under the company AB Entertainment. The group originally debuted with 6 members. Yuji, Hani, Haeryung, and Jeonghwa, were all trainees in JYP Entertainment. After all four were cut from the company, Yuji called the other three to audition for EXID, which was to be called "Whoz That" at the time.

Member Dami and almost member Hyelin were already trainees in AB Entertainment, and member LE, who was in an underground rap group (Jiggy Fellaz) at the time, was the last added to the lineup after she was asked personally by Shinsadong Tiger to join his girl group as their rapper and producer.

They began working on their name and concept, going through the names Whoz That and Exceed before landing on Exceed in Dreaming, or EXID for short. Member Hyelin was meant to debut with the group but left to focus on office work. EXID, which now had 6 members, was set to debut in January of 2012 but after LE injured her leg while practicing the debut was moved to February. The group debuted with the song "Whoz That Girl" on the 15th of February 2012 and shortly after their debut they lost three members.

### Lineup Changes (OT5 Debut/August 2012)

Almost right after debut the company split into two companies, splitting the group in half along the way. Vocals Yuji and Dami along with visual Haeryung were moved to one company, while LE, Hani, and Jeonghwa, stayed with AB Entertainment. With the group's career on the line, they added the company's vocal trainer, Solji, and "almost member" Hyelin to the new EXID, which debuted in August 2012 with the song "I Feel Good".

### Breakthrough Popularity (2014-2015)

In June 2014 it was announced that EXID was signing an exclusive contract with Yedang Entertainment and were preparing a comeback in collaboration with Shinsadong Tiger. EXID then held a comeback showcase at Ilchi Art Hall for their new single Up & Down. It initially charted poorly but slowly gained popularity over the years after a fancam of Hani dancing to the song was released.

### Solo album, Chinese Debut, Solji Departs (2016)

On Jan 11, 2016 signed with the Chinese Entertainment company Banana Project. On March 18, EXID held their first fanmeeting titled "EXID's LEGGO show in Shanghai".

On June 1, EXID released their first studio album titled Street with the title track L.I.E. All the songs were either composed and/or written by member LE and the solo song 3% was released by Solji in the album as well.

On Dec 20, 2016 EXID made their solo debut with Cream. A day later Solji was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism and she would be halting from all promotional activites for a while.

## MEMBERS

 Jeonghwa | Main Dancer, Lead Rapper, Sub Vocal, Visual, Maknae

**FORMER MEMBERS**

 Haeryung | Sub Vocal, Lead Dancer, Visual