U-KISS debuted as a six-member South Korean boy band formed by NH Media in 2008. The members include Alexander Lee Eusebio, Shin Soohyun, Kim Kibum, Elison Kim (also known as Eli), Kevin Woo, and Shin Dong Ho.
U-KISS stands for Ubiquitous Korean International (Idol) Super Star. They debuted in Japan on August 15, 2008 and in South Korea on August 28, 2008. Later in late 2009, six-member U-KISS was turned into seven-member
U-KISS with the addition of Lee Kiseop. The group has released one full-length album, four mini albums and various singles. Their first full length album, Only One, was released on February 3, 2010.
The members of the group have had various activities as solo entertainers, such as acting in dramas, movies, sitcoms, and musicals and hosting various reality-variety shows and music shows.
U-Kiss Stands For:
U- Ubiquitous
K- Korean
I- International (Idol)
S- Super
S- Star
As many of the members either had come from overseas or had studied abroad, they were fluent in other languages. Kibum had studied in Australia for two years and can hold a basic English conversation. Dongho can speak
Chinese fluently as he had studied in Beijing, China before. He is currently learning English and Japanese. Both Kevin and Eli were born and raised in the United States, thus both of them are fluent in English. Eli is also fluent
in Mandarin as he had lived in China while trying to pursue an acting career. The international members came to South Korea to fulfill their dreams of becoming singers. As a result of the groups' fluency in many languages, they have
no problems communicating with their fans from different parts of the world, helping them to gain many international fans.
Before the group debuted it was announced that two former members of Xing (Ki Bum, who is also known for being the younger brother to SS501 member Kim Hyung Joon, and Kevin) would be joining the group.
U-Kiss's official debut was with the mini album New Generation, released on September 3, 2008. They released their second mini album, Bring It Back 2 Old School, a few months later, on February 3, 2009. In October of 2009 U-Kiss announced
on their official website that a new member, Lee Ki Sub, would join the group as well as their comeback mini album. The mini album, Conti Ukiss, was released on November 5, 2009. They released their first digital single "Without You" in January 27th, 2010.
The single was a teaser for their first full album, U-Kiss Only One Album, released a week later. In February 2011 it was announced the withdrawal of Alexander and Ki Bum. It was said that Alexander decided to leave for personal reasons, and to pursue his studies.
Ki Bum, through his own personal Twitter left a message regarding his decision of leaving the group: To start with the point, I've come to an agreement with my company to end my contract since February 2011. They wanted a change of members and I agreed to it.
Since that day I was not part of U-KISS any longer. I neither quit because of my company nor because I lost interest in U-KISS. [...] But I'm lacking in many points and I respect my former company's decision to switch members."
In March 7, 2011, two new members were announced, AJ, former member of the disbanded group PARAN, and Hoon, a former solo singer.