Younite (Korean: 유나이트; RR: Yunaiteu; stylized in all caps) is a South Korean boy band formed by Brand New Music. The group consists of eight members: Eunho, Steve, Eunsang, Hyungseok, Woono, Dey, Kyungmun, and Sion. Originally a nine-piece ensemble, member Hyunseung left the group in July 2024. They debuted on April 20, 2022, with their first extended play (EP) Youni-Birth.
In 2019, Eunsang competed on the show Produce X 101 representing Brand New Music alongside Kim Si-hun, Yun Jung-hwan, and Hong Seong-jun, now of BDC. In the show's finale, he was made a member of the show's debut lineup in the 'X' position, making him a member of the group X1.[2] He made his debut with the group on August 27, 2019, and amidst the Mnet voting manipulation scandal, the group ultimately disbanded on January 6, 2020.[3]
On August 31, 2020, Eunsang made his solo debut with the single album Beautiful Scar.[4] For the lead single, "Beautiful Scar", he collaborated with Park Woo-jin.[5][6] In October, Eunsang collaborated with former X1 groupmate Kim Woo-seok for the single "Memories".[7] On August 16, 2021, it was announced that Eunsang will be releasing his second single album Beautiful Sunshine and its lead single "Lemonade" on September 1.[8]
In 2021, Kyungmun competed on the show Loud.[9] Kyungmun represented JYP Entertainment alongside Lee Gye-hun and Amaru.[10] He was eliminated in the fifth round.
2022–present: Debut with Youni-Birth, Youni-Q, Youni-On, Bit: Pt. 1 and Hyunseung's departure
On March 18, Brand New Music announced that Younite will make their debut with their first extended play (EP), Youni-Birth on April 20, 2022.[11]
On July 25, Younite released their second extended play, Youni-Q.[12]
On October 31, the group released their third extended play, Youni-On. including their lead single "Bad Cupid",[13] However, on October 30, the label announced the cancellation of the comeback showcase due to the national mourning period following the Itaewon Halloween crowd crush incident on the 29th.[14]
On April 25, 2023, the group announced their fourth extended play, Light: BIT Part.1, which was released on May 17 of that year, with the lead single "Waterfall".[15]
On July 2, 2024, Brand New announced that Hyunseung departed from the group due to personal reason. Younite would continue to promote as an eight-member group thereafter.[16][17]
^Hwang, Mi-hyun (March 18, 2022). "'브랜뉴뮤직 신인' 유나이트, 4월20일 데뷔 확정" ['Brand New Music Rookie' Younite, confirmed to debut on April 20]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 24, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
^Jang, In-young (July 5, 2022). "유나이트, 3개월만 초고속 컴백...25일 '유니크'" [Younite, a super-fast comeback after only 3 months... 25th 'Youni-Q']. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
^[YOUNITE 멤버 현승 활동 관련 안내] [[Information regarding YOUNITE member Hyunseung's activities]] (in Korean). Brand New Music. July 2, 2024. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
^Kim, Min-ji (July 2, 2024). 유나이트 현승, 개인 사정으로 팀 탈퇴...8인 체제 재편 [Younite Hyunseung leaves the team due to personal reasons...8-member system reorganization] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024 – via Naver.
^"YOUNITE : 브랜뉴뮤직". brandnewmusic.co.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
Youni-Birth: "2022년 17주차 Album Chart" [Gaon Album Chart – Week 17, 2022]. April 17–23, 2022. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
^Jang Ji-yoon (November 29, 2022). "임영웅→블랙핑크, '2022 AAA' DCM 인기상" [Lim Young-woong → BLACKPINK, '2022 AAA' DCM Popularity Award] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Min-ji (September 2, 2022). "템페스트, '2022 올해의 브랜드 대상' 남자 아이돌 신인 부문 수상 영예" [Tempest wins '2022 Brand of the Year Grand Prize' in male idol rookie category] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park, So-Young (May 2, 2023). "송혜교x유재석→아이브, 브랜드 대상..코쿤x고윤정도 '쾌거' (종합)" [Song Hye-kyo x Yoo Jae-seok → Ive, Brand Grand Prize.. Cocoon x Ko Yoon-jeong 'Splendid Achievement' (Comprehensive)] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on May 23, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023 – via Naver.
^"2022 GMA, 부문별 후보 공개...김호중·임영웅→세븐틴·NCT드림·아이브 등 대상후보" [2022 GMA reveals nominations by category... Kim Ho-jung, Lim Young-woong → Seventeen, NCT Dream, IVE, etc. grand prize candidates]. ETNEWS (in Korean). October 7, 2022. Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
