H1-KEY

Group Concept Photo for Seoul Dreaming.

**H1-KEY** (하이키) is a four-member South Korean girl group formed by GLG and Sony Music. The group's original lineup consisted of: Sitala, Seoi, Riina and Yel. They made their official debut on January 5, 2022, with the single album "ATHLETIC GIRL".

Following the departure of Sitala in May 2022, Hwiseo was added to the group on June 14, 2022.

## Name Meaning

The name H1-KEY is inspired by the word "high-key", and aims for a confident and healthy beauty. Moreover, the name has positive connotations such as 'very', 'really', 'clearly', 'out in the open', and 'intense.'

## History

### 2021: Pre-debut

On November 18, 2021, *Naver News* reported that Grandline Group (GLG) would be debuting its first-ever girl group on January 5, 2022. That same day, H1-KEY's official SNS accounts were opened and their group logo was revealed.

The first member of H1-KEY to be publicly revealed, Yel, was introduced on November 23 through a dance cover of Ed Sheeran's song "Bad Habits". Throughout the rest of the month, the other three members were revealed, beginning with Seoi on November 26, Riina on November 29, and finally Sitala on November 30. Following the reveal of Sitala, various Thai K-pop fans called for her removal in light of her family's political ties. In response to the public backlash, GLG released a statement apologizing to Thai K-pop fans whilst stating that Sitala would continue being a member of the group after reflecting on her past. On December 14, the members made their first full-group appearance in a dance cover of Tinashe's song "Me So Bad".

### 2022: Debut with ATHLETIC GIRL, lineup changes, & RUN

H1-KEY officially debuted on January 5, 2022, with the single album "ATHLETIC GIRL" and its title track of the same name. The group had their first broadcast performance two days later at KBS2's *Music Bank*.

On May 25, GLG announced that member Sitala would be leaving the group due to personal circumstances.

On June 7, a silhouette teaser posted across H1-KEY's social media accounts revealed they would be making their first-ever comeback on July 6 with the addition of a new member. On June 14, Hwiseo was revealed as the group's new member through a set of concept photos for their then-upcoming comeback. H1-KEY's first maxi single, "RUN", was released on July 6 and featured the title track of the same name.

On December 1, individual 'Rose Blossom' concept films for each of the members were uploaded across the H1-KEY's social medias, thus signaling a comeback from the group. Later that day, GLG confirmed the news.

### 2023: Rose Blossom and Seoul Dreaming

H1-KEY released their first mini album, *Rose Blossom*, on January 5, 2022 -- the group's first debut anniversary. The mini album's title track, also titled "Rose Blossom", helped the group achieve their first career number-one on any of South Korea's major music charts, as it peaked at #1 on the Bugs Chart in March.

On August 1, the group's social media accounts announced their second mini album, *Seoul Dreaming*, will be released on August 30. Prior to the mini album's release, the song "Time to Shine" will act as a pre-release single.

## Members

### Current

 Riina (리이나)
 Hwiseo (휘서)
 Yel (옐)

## Discography

### Mini Albums

* *Rose Blossom* (2023)
* *Seoul Dreaming* (2023)

## References

1. ↑ Naver (KOR): ‘GLGX소니뮤직’ 하이키, 해외시장 뜬다
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 @H1KEY\_official on Twitter: HWISEO (June 14, 2022)
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Naver (KOR): GLG 첫 걸그룹 하이키, 내년 1월5일 뜬다
4. ↑ YouTube: [H1-KEY] YEL | Ed Sheeran ‘Bad Habits’ Modern Dance | YEL Choreography
5. ↑ @H1KEY\_official on Twitter (November 26, 2021)
6. ↑ @H1KEY\_official on Twitter (November 29, 2021)
7. ↑ @H1KEY\_official on Twitter (November 30, 2021)
8. ↑ KpopStarz: GLG Issues Statement Regarding H1-KEY Sitala's Debut Following Controversy Over Family's Support for Dictatorship
9. ↑ YouTube: Tinashe ‘Me So Bad (ft. Ty Dolla $ign, French Montana)’ Cover | MINA MYOUNG Choreography
10. ↑ Naver (KOR): ‘당당돌’ 하이키(H1-KEY) 당당하고 자신감 넘치는 4인 4색 매력 ♪애슬레틱 걸
11. ↑ Naver (KOR): 그룹 하이키 측, '부친 논란' 태국인 멤버 시탈라 탈퇴 발표
12. ↑ @H1KEY\_official on Twitter (June 7, 2022)
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Naver (KOR): 하이키, ‘데뷔 1주년’ 맞아 2023년 1월 5일 컴백
14. ↑ Allkpop: H1-Key achieve their first #1 on a music chart as 'Rose Blossom experiences chart reversal
15. ↑ @H1KEY\_official on Twitter (August 1, 2023)