Busters (Korean: 버스터즈; RR: Beoseuteojeu) is a five-member South Korean girl group formed by Marbling E&M Inc. and JTG Entertainment in 2017.[1] The group was reorganized in 2020 after the original members left the company and the group.
History
Busters were formed to promote Monstergram’s upcoming TV series Idol Rangers Power Busters.[2] Prior to their debut, the group promoted with Chaeyeon, Jisoo, Hyungseo, Minji, and Soyeon.[3] Soyeon left the group and was replaced by Minjung.[citation needed] They released their debut single album Dream On on November 27, 2017,[2] and they made a comeback with their second single album Grapes on June 12, 2018.[4]
On January 26, 2019, it was announced through the Marbling official YouTube account that Minjung had left the group.[5][6] She was replaced by Yeseo at the end of the month.[7][8] They released their first extended play Pinky Promise on July 31, 2019, marking the official debut of member Yeseo.[9] On November 18, 2019, it was announced that Minji had left the group for personal reasons.[10] On December 10, 2019, it was announced through the Busters official fan cafe that Jieun had joined the group.[11]
On March 17, 2020, Marbling Entertainment added two new members to Busters, Takara and Jeon Minji, making Busters a six-member group.[12] On March 29, Hyungseo posted a letter to the official fan cafe announcing her departure due to her wanting to focus on her studies.[13]Chaeyeon didn't participate in the comeback due to conflicting schedules caused by her MC position in Boni Hani.[14] The group made their comeback with their third single album Paeonia on May 13, 2020.
On August 6, 2020, Marbling Entertainment announced that the group would be disbanding and be reorganized. Jisoo, Yeseo, and Chaeyeon left the group to pursue acting and other activities, while the remaining members Minji, Jieun, and Takara would be joined by a foreign member to pursue promotions as Power Busters.[15]
On May 20, 2021, Busters was reorganized into a five-member group, with the addition of members Seira and Minmin.[16] On October 22, 2021, new member Yunji performed with Busters for the first time during a concert at Jeongdong Theater. On October 24, 2021, it was announced that Minmin had officially left the group.
On March 28, 2022, it was announced that Busters will make their re-debut with the single Re:Born on April 27.[17]
On July 11, 2022, Busters released the new single album Tropical Romance.[18] On November 1, 2022, it was announced that Busters would hold a solo performance in Japan on December 9, 2022. Initially planned with all 5 members to perform, it was later announced that member Yunji would not be participating, due to personal circumstances. A special guest was invited to fill Yunji's position instead.[19]
On June 2, 2023, Marbling Entertainment announced that Nami, previously appeared as guest member during KCON Japan 2023, will officially join the group, and confirming Yunji's departure from the group due to personal circumstances, and Busters will active as a five-member group.[20]
