Up10tion (Korean: 업텐션; pronounced eobtensyeon for "up tension", acronym for Unbelievable Perfect 10 members Teenager Idol Open Now[1]) is a South Korean boy band formed by TOP Media in 2015. The group currently consists of seven members: Kuhn, Kogyeol, Bitto, Sunyoul, Gyujin, Hwanhee and Xiao. The group debuted with their first extended playTop Secret. In 2017, they made their Japanese debut with EP ID. Originally as ten, Jinhoo, Lee Jin-hyuk and Kim Woo-seok departed from the group on February 28, 2023.
On September 9, Up10tion held a debut showcase at AX Concert Hall in Seoul which 500 fans attended.[3][4] Up10tion released their debut EP Top Secret, which includes the debut single "So, Dangerous", was released on September 11, 2015.[5] The album debut at number 9 and peaked at number 7 on Gaon Album Chart.[6][7] They made their official music program debut on September 10 through Mnet's M Countdown, performing their debut single "So, Dangerous".[8][unreliable source] They also had their debut album showcase in Beijing, China on September 22.[9] The "So, Dangerous" music video was ranked 9th place in Billboard's Most Viewed K-pop Videos in America for the month of September 2015.[10]
On November 26, Up10tion released their second EP Bravo! with the lead single "Catch Me!", which was produced by Iggy and Yong Bae, who produced Ailee's "Heaven" and GFriend's "Me Gustas Tu". It also includes the track "Party2nite", which was written and composed by Teen Top's Changjo.[11][12] The album peaked at number 5 on Gaon Album Chart.[13]
Up10tion released their third EP Spotlight with the lead single "Attention" on April 18.[14][15]
On August 5, Up10tion released their fourth EP Summer Go! with the lead single "Tonight".[16]
Up10tion released their fifth EP Burst with the lead single "White Night" on November 21.[17][18]
2017: Japanese debut and Star;dom
Up10tion released their Japanese debut single "ID" (アイディー) on February 27.[19] They launched their first Japan tour titled "Zepp Tour 2017 ID" in May.[20]
On June 6, TOP Media issued a statement regarding Wooseok's hiatus.[21] It was stated that his psychological condition had worsened due to the mental stress that he had been receiving since the end of 2016, due to a controversy that alleged he had inappropriately touched his "The Show" co-host, Jeon So-mi, near her chest area during a video. There were official statements released by both parties' agencies that denied these claims,[22] along with the production staff from "The Show".[23]
With Wooseok on hiatus, Up10tion continued their activities as nine members. They released their sixth EP Star;dom on June 29. The EP contained six tracks, including lead single "Runner". On October 12, the group released 2017 Special Photo Edition, containing two tracks, including lead single "Going Crazy".[24]
2018: Invitation, first world tour and Laberinto
On January 20, Up10tion released their second Japanese single album "Wild Love".
On March 15, Up10tion released their first studio album Invitation with title track "Candyland" which contain 10 other tracks. Wooseok returned to the group which ended his 8-month hiatus.[25]
In May, Up10tion started their first tour Up10tion Japan Live Tour 2018.[26] In June, the group started their second tour, "Up10tion 1st US Meet & Live Tour "Candyland" in 8 cities.[27][unreliable source]
On August 8, Up10tion released their third Japan single album "Chaser".[28] On August 20, Up10tion released 2018 Special Photo Edition with the single "So Beautiful".[29]
On September 19, Up10tion started their third tour, Up10tion Europe Tour.[30]
On December 6, Up10tion released their seventh EP Laberinto, with the lead single "Blue Rose".[31]
2019–2020: Produce X 101 and promotion as septet
On May 31, Up10tion started their 4th tour "Laberinto Tour in North America" without Wooseok and Jinhyuk.[32][unreliable source]
Jinhyuk and Wooseok were contestants on Produce X 101, with Wooseok being a finalist and in August, became a member of the new boy group X1.[33] The group subsequently disbanded due to the Mnet vote manipulation investigation.[34]
On August 22, Up10tion released The Moment of Illusion with the lead single "Your Gravity",[35] which was promoted without Wooseok and Jinhyuk.[36] Jinhyuk meanwhile debuted as a soloist in November.
On April 7, TOP Media announced Jinhoo will go on a hiatus due to health concerns. They also announced the group will be having a summer album but it did not happen until the comeback was announced in late August.[37][unreliable source]
Up10tion's new EP, Light Up with the single "Light", was released on September 24.[38] On November 23, it was announced that Jinhoo would begin his mandatory military service on the same day.[39]
On November 27, Up10tion released "Destiny" which was part of their Light Up album.[40]
On November 29, Bitto tested positive for COVID-19.[41] On December 1, Kogyeol also tested positive for COVID-19.[42] On December 15, Xiao tested positive for COVID-19.[43]
As of December 30, all 3 members have recovered from COVID-19.[44][45]
2021–2022: Connection, Novella and Code Name: Arrow
On June 14, 2021, Up10tion returned with their second studio album Connection with the accompanying lead single "Spin Off".[46]
On January 3, 2022, Up10tion released their tenth EP Novella with "Crazy About You" serving their accompanying track.[47]
On May 22, member Jinhoo was discharged from the military service.
On September 15, Up10tion announced would comeback on October 12, with their eleventh extended play Code Name: Arrow.[48]
2023–present: Boys Planet, line-up changes and departure from TOP Media
On December 29, 2022, Hwanhee and Xiao became contestants on Boys Planet.[49] On March 9, it was announced by TOP Media that Hwanhee would be leaving the show permanently due to his health issues.[50]
On February 28, 2023, Lee Jin-hyuk would leaving TOP Media after deciding not to renew his contract which expires on March 11. It was also announced that Kuhn, Kogyeol, Bitto, Sunyoul and Gyujin would also be leaving the agency, but Up10tion would continue with its current seven-member lineup, confirming Jinhoo, Lee Jin-hyuk and Kim Woo-seok departure from the group as well.[51]
In March 2023, TOP Media announced that members Kuhn and Kogyeol will be enlisting in the military on March 27 and April 10, respectively.[52]
On March 20, 2023, Top Media announced that Hwanhee's contract has ended.[53] Xiao subsequently left the agency on March 31, after wrapping up his participation in Boys Planet. He would be the last among the seven current members to depart from the agency.[54]
^황금연휴를 더욱 빛나게! 업텐션과 투어 떠나기 [Up10tion 1st Japan tour!]. Naver. May 10, 2017. Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
^Son, Jin-ah (November 30, 2020). 업텐션 비토, 코로나19 양성 판정…확진자와 접촉 [Up10tion Bitto tested positive for Corona 19... Contact with confirmed patient]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020 – via Naver.
^Kim, Minji (December 1, 2020). 업텐션 고결, 비토 이어 코로나19 확진…몬스타엑스 민혁·아이즈원 '음성'(종합) [Up10tion Kogyeol, Bitto followed Corona 19 confirmed... Monsta X's Minhyuk and Iz*one 'Voice' (general)]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2020 – via Naver.
^Yoon, Sang-geun (December 14, 2021). 업텐션, 내년 1월 3일 미니 10집 'Novella' 컴백[공식]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 28, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Naver.
^Jung, Ha-eun (December 30, 2022). "'보이즈 플래닛' 예열 시작…프로필 공개" ['Boys Planet' warm-up begins...Reveal your profile] (in Korean). Sports Seoul. Retrieved December 31, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim Hyeon-seo (March 10, 2023). 이환희, 건강 문제로 '보이즈플래닛' 하차…"무리한 활동 불가" [Lee Hwan-hee, leaving 'Boys Planet' due to health problems... "No excessive activity"]. Top Star News (in Korean). Retrieved March 10, 2023.
^Jung, Hye-won (February 28, 2023). "이진혁X업텐션 선율→고결, 티오피미디어와 계약 종료 "향후 활동 응원할 것"[전문]" [Lee Jin-hyuk X UP10TION's Sunyoul → Kogyeol, contract termination with TOP Media "We will support future activities" [Full text]] (in Korean). SpoTV News. Retrieved February 28, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim, Chae-yeon (March 17, 2023). "제이홉·송민호 가고, 태민·영케이 오고..계속되는 연예계 군복무 바통터치 [Oh!쎈 이슈]" [J-Hope and Song Min-ho go, Taemin and Young-K come.. Continued military service in the entertainment world [Oh!]] (in Korean). OSEN. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via Naver.
^Gong, Mi-na (March 20, 2023). "보이즈플래닛' 업텐션 환희, 티오피미디어 떠난다[공식]" [Boys Planet' UP10TION Hwanhee leaves TOP Media [Official]] (in Korean). Sport TV News. Retrieved March 20, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Seung-rok (March 31, 2023). ""7년6개월, 행복한 추억들만 만들어줘서 고맙습니다"…업텐션 샤오, 전속계약 만료 친필편지 [공식]" [7 years and 6 months, thank you for making only happy memories"... UP10TION Xiao, handwritten letter of exclusive contract expiry [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved April 1, 2023 – via Naver.
^업텐션 프로필. Naver (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
^週間 CDアルバムランキング 2017年11月06日～2017年11月12日 [CD album weekly ranking from November 6, 2017 to November 12, 2017] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
^Cumulative sales of 2018 Special Photo Edition on Gaon Chart:
^週間 CDアルバムランキング 2018年10月01日～2018年10月07日 [CD album weekly ranking from October 1, 2018 to October 7, 2018] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 10, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
^週間 CDアルバムランキング 2018年10月08日～2018年10月14日 [CD album weekly ranking from October 8, 2018 to October 14, 2018] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
^週間 CDアルバムランキング 2019年01月14日～2019年01月20日 [CD album weekly ranking from January 14, 2019 to January 20, 2019] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
^月次認定作品 認定年月：2017年 3月. www.riaj.or.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
^月間 CDシングルランキング 2018年01月度 [CD single monthly ranking of January 2018] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on February 14, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
^月間 CDシングルランキング 2018年08月度 [CD single monthly ranking of August 2018] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on September 13, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
