QWER
QWER | |
|---|---|
 QWER in April 2024 (L to R: Chodan, Magenta, Hina, Siyeon) | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2023–present |
| Labels |
|
| Members |
|
| Website | cafe |
QWER (Korean: 큐더블유이알) is a South Korean girl band under 3Y Corporation and Tamago Production. They debuted on October 18, 2023, with the single album Harmony from Discord.
Name
The group's English name is derived from the QWERTY keyboard, with Q, W, E, and R being the primary keys used in online games such as League of Legends.[1][2][3] The fandom's name 바위게 (Scuttle Crab) is also a reference to the multiplayer video game.[4]
Career
Formation
The group was formed through the "QWER Project", a YouTube series aiming to create a girl group composed of female online personalities.[1] The project was launched by Tamago Production, a company started by the YouTuber and web content creator Kim Gye-ran, in collaboration with 3Y Corporation. "QWER Project" followed the four members’ incorporation into the group, their training, and daily lives.[3]
Prior to their debut, each of the members already had established online careers. Chodan and Magenta were active streamers on Twitch, Hina was a popular content creator and cosplayer on TikTok, and Siyeon is a former member of the Japanese idol group NMB48.[1][3][5]
2023–present: Debut with Harmony from Discord, Manito and Algorithm's Blossom
QWER made their debut on October 18, 2023, with the single album Harmony from Discord.[2] Songs from the album were first performed during their debut showcase at Musinsa Garage in Seoul.[5] The lead track "Discord" placed 5th on Spotify's "Viral 50 – Japan".[6] It debuted at number 88 on YouTube Music's "Korea Weekly Top Songs" chart at the time of its release and remained on the chart for 21 weeks.[7]
On March 18, 2024, the group announced their upcoming comeback. On the day of the announcement, QWER visited a military base and performed their unreleased single "T.B.H (고민중독)" from their upcoming EP.[8] Their first EP Manito was released on April 1.[9] Tracks from the EP were first performed in a showcase held at the Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul on the day of its release.[10]
On August 28, the group announced the release of their single "Fake Idol" on September 2.[11] Their second EP Algorithm's Blossom was released on September 23.[12] The group took their first music show win with the second EP's lead single "My Name Is Malguem" on October 9 on Show Champion.[13]
Members
- Chodan (쵸단) – drums, vocals[2]
- Magenta (마젠타) – bass[2]
- Hina (히나) – guitar, keyboard[2]
- Siyeon (시연) – guitar, vocals[2]
Discography
Extended plays
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [14] | |||
| Manito |
Track listing
|
14 |
|
| Algorithm's Blossom |
Track listing
|
10 |
|
Single albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [14] | |||
| Harmony from Discord |
Track listing
|
8 |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [18] |
KOR Songs [19] |
WW Excl. US [20] | |||
| "Discord" | 2023 | 24 | — | — | Harmony from Discord |
| "T.B.H" (고민중독) | 2024 | 4 | 2 | 117 | Manito |
| "Fake Idol" (가짜 아이돌) | 99 | — | — | Algorithm's Blossom | |
| "My Name Is Malguem" (내이름 맑음) | 2 | 1 | 111 | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory | |||||
Other charted songs
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR Down. [21] | |||
| "Harmony of Stars" (별의 하모니) | 2023 | 57 | Harmony from Discord |
| "Soda" | 2024 | 81 | Manito |
| "Free-Dumb" (자유선언) | 83 | ||
| "G9JB" (지구정복) | 82 | ||
| "Ferris Wheel" (대관람차) | 72 | ||
| "Make Our Highlight" (불꽃놀이) | 75 | ||
| "Manito" (마니또) | 84 | ||
| "Intro" | 79 | Algorithm's Blossom | |
| "Let's Love" (사랑하자) | 32 | ||
| "Run! Run! Run!" (달리기) | 35 | ||
| "Goodbye My Sadness" (안녕, 나의 슬픔) | 22 | ||
| "Rebound" (메아리) | 23 | ||
| "Outro" | 73 |
Filmography
Web shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Korean | ||||
| 2023 | QWER Project | 최애의 아이들 | Themselves | YouTube series introducing the members of QWER | [22] |
Accolades
Awards and nominations
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee/work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Korea Grand Music Awards | 2024 | Best Band | QWER | Won | [23] |
| K-World Dream Awards | 2024 | K-World Dream Best Band Award | Won | [24][25] | |
| K-World Dream Bonsang | Won | ||||
| MAMA Awards | 2024 | Artist of the Year | Nominated | [26] | |
| Best Band Performance | "T.B.H" | Won | |||
| Best New Female Artist | QWER | Nominated | |||
| Fans' Choice Female Top 10 | Nominated | ||||
| Song of the Year | "T.B.H" | Nominated |
References
- ^ a b c Kim, Ju-yeon (October 10, 2023). "New girl group QWER to debut with single 'Harmony from Discord". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Park, Dong-sun (October 18, 2023). "'김계란 걸밴드' QWER, '1집→1만집, 지구정복 걸밴드 첫 발!'[종합]" ['Kim Gye-ran's girl band' QWER, '1 to 10,000 albums, the first step of the Earth-conquering girl band!]. The Electronic Times (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c Heo, Ji-young (November 18, 2023). "유튜브서 데뷔해 초동 2.3만장…김계란의 걸그룹 'QWER' 아시나요 [허지영의 케해석]" [Do you know Kim Gye-ran's girl group 'QWER', which debuted on YouTube and sold 23 thousand copies?]. Seoul Economic Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ Kim, Ha-young (October 16, 2023). "'데뷔 D-2' QWER, 팬과 소통한다…위버스 입점" ['Debut D-2' QWER connects with fans... with Weverse]. Nate News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ a b Kim, Chae-yeon (October 18, 2023). "'제작사 변신' 김계란 "QWER의 강점? 최강 비주얼 걸밴드..그 안에 독기를 봤다" [종합]" ['Production company transformed' Kim Gye-ran "QWER's strength? The strongest visual girl band...I saw the strength in them" [Synthesis]]. OSEN (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024 – via Chosen Biz.
- ^ Park, Dong-jae (February 26, 2024). "[브레이크뉴스] QWER, 日 페스티벌'Kstyle PARTY' 오프닝 무대 장식..'글로벌 최애 밴드' 입증" [[BREAK NEWS] QWER to open Japanese festival 'Kstyle PARTY'...proving to be a 'global favorite band']. Break News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ Jang, Tae-yoon (March 12, 2024). "QWER, 4월 컴백 예고…"최애 소녀밴드, 돌아온다"" [QWER announces April comeback..."Your favorite girl band is back"]. Dispatch (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ Kim, Ji-hye (March 20, 2024). ""내 마니또가 될래?" QWER, 서브컬처 유행타고 흥행 2연타 노린다" ["Will You Be My Manito?" QWER rides subculture wave to aim for a win]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ Park, Dong-jae (March 19, 2024). "'글로벌 최애 밴드' QWER, 4월 1일 컴백 확정..미니 1집 'MANITO' 발매" ['Global Favorite Band' QWER Confirms Comeback on April 1... Releasing 1st Mini Album 'MANITO']. Break News (in Korean). Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ Lee, Ji-sook (April 1, 2024). "김계란 걸그룹 QWER(큐더블유이알) - '고민중독' 쇼케이스 무대 [MHN영상]" [Kim Gye-ran's girl group QWER - 'T.B.H' showcase stage [MHN Video]]. MHN Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
- ^ Hwang, Soo-young (August 29, 2024). "여기서 형이 왜 나와⋯ QWER 그래피티 이 사람이 그렸다" [Why is my brother here⋯ QWER graffiti was drawn by this person]. Asia Times (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ QWER [@official_QWER] (September 3, 2024). "QWER The 2nd Mini Album Algorithm's Blossom Comeback Poster" (Tweet). Retrieved September 3, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Kim, Do-hyung (October 9, 2024). "'데뷔 만 1년 앞둔' QWER 일냈다…음악 방송 첫 1위 차지 [공식]" ['Just before their 1st debut anniversary' QWER has done something... achieved 1st place on music show [Official]]. Mydaily via Naver (in Korean). Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Peak positions on the Circle Album Chart:
- Harmony from Discord: "Album Chart – Week 42, 2023". Circle Chart. October 15–21, 2023. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- Manito: "Album Chart – Week 14, 2024". Circle Chart. March 31 – April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- Algorithm's Blossom: "Album Chart – Week 39, 2024". Circle Chart. September 22–28, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ Total sales of Manito:
- "Circle Album Chart – June, 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- "Circle Album Chart – Week 14, 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ Cumulative Sales of Algorithm's Blossom:
- "Circle Album Chart – Week 39 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- "Circle Album Chart – Week 40 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- "Circle Album Chart – Week 42 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- "Circle Album Chart – Week 44 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ Cumulative sales of Harmony from Discord:
- "Album Chart – Week 42, 2023". Circle Chart. October 15–21, 2023. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- "Album Chart – Week 52, 2023". Circle Chart. December 24–30, 2023. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ Peak positions on the Circle Digital Chart:
- "Discord": "Digital Chart – Week 1, 2024". Circle Chart. January 6, 2024. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- "T.B.H": "Digital Chart – Week 17, 2024". Circle Chart. April 21–27, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- "Fake Idol" and "My Name Is Malguem": "Digital Chart – Week 40, 2024". Circle Chart. September 29 – October 5, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ Peaks on the South Korea Songs chart:
- "T.B.H": "South Korea Songs: Week of May 4, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- "My Name Is Malguem": "South Korea Songs: Week of October 12, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Peak chart positions on the Billboard Global Excl. US:
- "T.B.H": "Billboard Global Excl. US: Week of May 11, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- "My Name Is Malguem": "Billboard Global Excl. US: Week of October 12, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Peak positions on the Circle Download Chart:
- "Harmony of Stars": "Download Chart – Week 42, 2023". Circle Chart. October 15–21, 2023. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- Manito: "Digital Chart – Week 14, 2024". Circle Chart. March 31 – April 6, 2024. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- Algorithm's Blossom: "Digital Chart – Week 39, 2024". Circle Chart. September 22–28, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ Kim, Han-bin (August 10, 2023). "'최애의 아이들' QWER, 궁극의 보컬 R은 누구?" ['Favorite Idol' QWER, Who's the Ultimate Vocal R?]. Open News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ Kim, Ga-young (November 16, 2024). "뉴진스, '최고 영예' 그랜드 아티스트상 "끝까지 뭉치자"[2024 KGMA](종합)" [New Jeans, 'Highest Honor' Grand Artist Award "Let's stick together until the end" [2024 KGMA] (Full)]. EDaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ Yang, So-yeong (July 29, 2024). "'2024 케이 월드 드림 어워즈' 김민기 황인혜 레드카펫 MC 발탁" ['2024 K-World Dream Awards' Kim Minki Hwang Inhye Selected as the Red Carpet MC]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ Ahn, Byung-kil (August 23, 2024). "'QWER, 데뷔 첫 시상식 2관왕 쾌거" ['QWER, The feat of winning two awards at the first awards ceremony since debut]. Kyunghyang Shinmun (in Korean). Retrieved August 24, 2024.
- ^ Benjamin, Jeff (November 24, 2024). "Here Are the 2024 MAMA Awards Winners". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 24, 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2024.