Cignature

Cignature (Korean시그니처; commonly stylized in all lowercase) is a South Korean girl group composed of Chaesol, Jeewon, Seline, Chloe, Belle, Semi, and Dohee. Formed by C9 Entertainment and managed under their exclusive girl group sub-label J9 Entertainment,[1] the group made their debut on February 4, 2020, with their debut single "Nun Nu Nan Na".[2]

Cignature
Cignature in December 2021
L–R: Chloe, Chaesol, Semi, Dohee, Jeewon, Seline, and Belle
Background information
OriginSeoul, South Korea
GenresK-pop
Years active2020–present
Labels
Members
  • Chaesol
  • Jeewon
  • Seline
  • Chloe
  • Belle
  • Semi
  • Dohee
Past members
  • Ye Ah
  • Sunn
Websitec9ent.co.kr

History

2019: Pre-debut and introduced

Chaesol, Jeewon (formerly known as Jiwon), Ye Ah (formerly known as Haeun), Sunn (formerly known as Viva) and Belle (formerly known as Lucky) were debuted on August 30, 2017 as members of C9 Entertainment first girl group Good Day.[3] In October 2017, Members Chaesol, Jeewon, Sunn and Belle had competed in KBS2 reality television series The Unit.[4] However, all of them were eliminated and failed to become a member of the winning project girl group Uni.T.[5]

On November 11, 2019, C9 Entertainment launching their upcoming girl group temporarily named C9 Girlz, with Good Day's Jeewon being announced as the first member of the group and later confirming Good Day's disbandment.[6] Subsequently, from November 12 to 17, the remaining members were introduced in the order: Semi, Chaesol, Sunn, Belle, Ye Ah, and Seline.[7][8][9]

2020–2022: Debut and early days

On January 14, the group's name was revealed to be Cignature.[10] On February 4, the group released their debut lead single A "Nun Nu Nan Na", while the song's full music video was released one day earlier, on February 3.[11] Following their debut lead single B "Assa" was released on April 7.[12] Its full music video was released on April 6, one day before the song's release date.[13] The group released their first EP, Listen and Speak was released on September 22,[14] with "Arisong" as the lead single.[15] The EP also including their previous debut singles.[16] The promotion of the EP featured a schoolgirl concept, and Whosfan, a fan-focused platform, held a promotional event for them.[17] The EP received positive reviews, with the reviews from several news reporters describing it as refreshing,[14] youthful,[18] and having a unique expression method.[19] On September 23, the demand for the EP exceeded demand forecast calculated by J9 Entertainment, and the first batch sold out.[20] The music video for "Arisong" has reached 3 million views within two days of its release.[21] Listen and Speak reached no. 21 on the Gaon Album Chart.[22]

On April 27, 2021, J9 Entertainment announced that Ye Ah and Sunn had left the group and terminated their contracts with the agency due to undisclosed reasons.[23][24] On June 14, J9 Entertainment announced that two new members, Chloe and Dohee, had been added to the group.[25] On November 30, the group released their second EP, Dear Diary Moment, with the lead single "Boyfriend".[26]

On December 7, 2022, Cignature, alongside their labelmates Lee Seok-hoon, Younha, CIX and Epex were featured in the song "Merry Merry Christmas" as part of C9's first single album, "2022 C9 Christmas".[27]

2023–present: My Little Aurora, Us in the Summer, Belle inactive and Sweetie but Saltie

On January 17, 2023, Cignature returned after 14 months with the release of their third EP My Little Aurora. The EP consists of four tracks including the lead single "Aurora".[28][29] On August 29, the group released their fourth EP Us in the Summer. The EP consists of four tracks including the lead single "Smooth Sailing".[30][31] Member Belle was not involved in this comeback due to her participation in SBS survival show Universe Ticket under her real name "Jin Hyeon-ju".[32] On January 17, during the finale of Universe Ticket, Belle secured her spot as a member of the debuting group, Unis.[33] On January 18, C9 Entertainment released a statement announcing that due to member Belle debuting as a member of Unis, she would not participate in any future activites with Cignature and the group would continue to promote as six.[34]

On May 24, 2024, it was announced that the group will release their fifth EP Sweetie but Saltie on June 10, 2024.[35] On May 27, the group released a promotion scheduler for the album.[36] On June 10, the group made their comeback with the release of the EP Sweetie But Saltie, along with its lead single "Poongdung".[37]

Members

Current

  • Chaesol (채솔)
  • Jeewon (지원)
  • Seline (셀린)
  • Chloe (클로이)
  • Semi (세미)
  • Dohee (도희)

Inactive

  • Belle ()

Former

  • Ye Ah (예아)
  • Sunn ()

Timeline

Discography

Extended plays

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsSales
KOR
[22]
Listen and Speak
Track listing
  1. "Nun Nu Nan Na" (눈누난나)
  2. "Assa" (아사)
  3. "Arisong" (아리송)
  4. "Daldalhae" (달달해)
  5. "HingHing" (힝힝)
21
Dear Diary Moment
  • Released: November 30, 2021
  • Label: J9 Entertainment, Genie, Stone Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. "My Diary"
  2. "Boyfriend"
  3. "Villain"
  4. "Climax"
  5. "Sirius"
22
My Little Aurora
  • Released: January 17, 2023
  • Label: J9 Entertainment, Genie, Stone Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. "I'm Okay"
  2. "Aurora" (오로라)
  3. "Palace"
  4. "Parade"
18
Us in the Summer
  • Released: August 29, 2023
  • Label: J9 Entertainment, Genie, Stone Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. "Mess With My Mind" (어젯밤 이야기)
  2. "Smooth Sailing" (안녕, 인사해)
  3. "Sorry So Sorry"
  4. "Little Me"
19
Sweetie but Saltie
Track listing
  1. "I Like I Like"
  2. "Poongdung" (풍덩)
  3. "Melody"
  4. "I Like I Like (Eng. Ver)"
TBA

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
KOR
DL

[43]
"Nun Nu Nan Na" (눈누난나)2020Listen and Speak
"Assa" (아싸)
"Arisong" (아리송)
"Boyfriend"2021175Dear Diary Moment
"Aurora" (오로라)2023124My Little Aurora
"Smooth Sailing" (안녕, 인사해)Us in the Summer
"Poongdung" (풍덩)2024Sweetie But Saltie

Music videos

TitleYearDirector(s)Notes
"Nun Nu Nan Na" (눈누난나)2020[44]
"Assa"Sunny Visual[45]
"Arisong"Tiger Cave[46]
"Boyfriend"2021Sunny Visual[47]
"Aurora"2023[48]
"Smooth Sailing"PostPattern[49]
"Poongdung" (풍덩)2024[50]

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremonyYearCategoryNominee / WorkResultRef.
Asia Artist Awards2021Female Idol Group Popularity AwardCignatureNominated[51]
Asia Model Festival2023Rising Star Award – SingerWon[52]
Hanteo Music Awards2023Blooming Star AwardWon[53]
Korea First Brand Awards2020New Female Artist AwardNominated[54]
Melon Music Awards2020New Artist of the Year – FemaleNominated[55]
Mnet Asian Music Awards2020Artist of the YearNominated[56]
Best New Female ArtistNominated
Worldwide Icon of the YearNominated

References