With the recent release of their latest title track, "Like A Cat," it seems like a good time to cover AOA, one of the sexiest groups in the industry in our "Then and Now" series. So, let's take a look!
Despite having "Love is Only You" from their first album leaked two days ahead of its official release, they debuted with the track "ELVIS" in July 2012. Starting with an attitude-laden rap and pounding beat, the song (not to mention the leaked track) got them noticed. I personally think "Temptation" is the strongest track on the album. There's a sexiness and smoothness to the time-changes and the way the vocals wrap around the tune. They released a band-version of their "ELVIS" MV, as well, which just piqued interest even more. An awesome start for a rookie band. In October they had their first comeback with 'Wannabe,' their second single album. The band-unit, dubbed "AOA Black," handled promotions for the new single, "Get Out" -- probably one of my favorite tracks by AOA. It also did extremely well on music charts and garnered them even more success. These talented, gorgeous ladies were getting even more attention -- they could not only sing and dance, but also handle instruments.
Around this time, the individual members starting getting tapped for drama and theater roles. Seolhyun got the part of the love interest for Jungshin (of CNBLUE fame) in 'My Daughter Seo-young.' Hyejong was cast in 'Cheondamdong Alice.' Not long after that, Seolhyun was in another drama, 'Ugly Alert,' as Gong Na Ri. Bandmate Yuna got the protagonist role in the musical adaptation of Japanese drama 'Summer Snow,' and ChoA was cast as Gabriella in 'High School Musical.'
They've had two more comebacks this year, both of which charted higher than 'Miniskirt.' With the release of the "Short Hair" MV, they started experimenting, marrying a sexy concept to another concept, a concept closer to the point of the song. Still as racy and seductive as Miniskirt, the "Short Hair" MV had them in different professions and ended with all of them sporting short hair bobs by the end of the video. The fun-to-watch MV featured funny woman Lee Guk Ju, arguably best known for her parody videos of KARA, f(x), etc.
Their most recent comeback was "Like A Cat," and the MV for the title song saw them branching out even more visually. Trying their hand at more drama-oriented MV fodder, they played cat burglars planning and executing their big heist. Playful and exciting, sleek and sensuous, and graceful like cats, it was fun to watch them at work. The song itself is really catchy and gets stuck in my head a lot. :)
I've had the pleasure of reviewing three of their latest music videos and their last two albums. With each new release they do what they do best, producing solid, straight on danceable pop music, and crank out MVs that are far more spicy and suggestive than in the "Get Out" era. Some pretty amazing vocal work from the ladies, notably ChoA's belts and Jimin's rapping keeps me coming back for more. I can't wait for their next comeback. Hopefully, if you're new to AOA, I've made a fan out of you as well.
Which AOA do you prefer, the "ELVIS" days or the current "Like a Cat" one? Vote in our poll below and share your opinions in the comments!
THEN
In 2012, Seolhyun, ChoA, Hyejeong, Chanmi, Yuna, Mina, Jimin, and Youkyung debuted as AOA, both an idol girl group and a band. The band is composed of ChoA, Jimin, Mina, Youkyung, and Yuna, and the idol group is all of them except Youkyung. They refer to this structure as "7+1." The name is an acronym for "Ace of Angels" -- the concept is that they are angels lured to earth by human music.Despite having "Love is Only You" from their first album leaked two days ahead of its official release, they debuted with the track "ELVIS" in July 2012. Starting with an attitude-laden rap and pounding beat, the song (not to mention the leaked track) got them noticed. I personally think "Temptation" is the strongest track on the album. There's a sexiness and smoothness to the time-changes and the way the vocals wrap around the tune. They released a band-version of their "ELVIS" MV, as well, which just piqued interest even more. An awesome start for a rookie band. In October they had their first comeback with 'Wannabe,' their second single album. The band-unit, dubbed "AOA Black," handled promotions for the new single, "Get Out" -- probably one of my favorite tracks by AOA. It also did extremely well on music charts and garnered them even more success. These talented, gorgeous ladies were getting even more attention -- they could not only sing and dance, but also handle instruments.
Around this time, the individual members starting getting tapped for drama and theater roles. Seolhyun got the part of the love interest for Jungshin (of CNBLUE fame) in 'My Daughter Seo-young.' Hyejong was cast in 'Cheondamdong Alice.' Not long after that, Seolhyun was in another drama, 'Ugly Alert,' as Gong Na Ri. Bandmate Yuna got the protagonist role in the musical adaptation of Japanese drama 'Summer Snow,' and ChoA was cast as Gabriella in 'High School Musical.'
They were guests and contestants in more than a few variety shows. This, along with their drama activities, was giving them the attention they deserved. A July comeback for the band unit, AOA Black, saw the single "MOYA" hit the top spot on online music charts Bugs, Monkey3, and Soribada the day of its release. In October, the idol group had a comeback with 'Red Motion.' The single from that album was "Confused" and while it didn't fare as well as "MOYA," the MV showed AOA flirting with the "sexy concept."
It was this year that everything would change.
NOW
They had another comeback in January with 'Miniskirt.' This is where I first heard about them, and apparently, a lot of others. On release day, 'Miniskirt' hit #1 on the Bugs, Monkey3, and Soribada music charts. That was their true taste of success. If the "Confused" MV was the jumping off point for their sexy concept, then "Miniskirt" was the payoff. Stylish and sexy, the "Miniskirt" MV has hit 13 million views currently and shows no signs of slowing down. Not only that but the single also earned them their first win on 'Inkigayo.' They had been cute before, and now they were downright provocative. They would continue this trend on their next releases.They've had two more comebacks this year, both of which charted higher than 'Miniskirt.' With the release of the "Short Hair" MV, they started experimenting, marrying a sexy concept to another concept, a concept closer to the point of the song. Still as racy and seductive as Miniskirt, the "Short Hair" MV had them in different professions and ended with all of them sporting short hair bobs by the end of the video. The fun-to-watch MV featured funny woman Lee Guk Ju, arguably best known for her parody videos of KARA, f(x), etc.
Their most recent comeback was "Like A Cat," and the MV for the title song saw them branching out even more visually. Trying their hand at more drama-oriented MV fodder, they played cat burglars planning and executing their big heist. Playful and exciting, sleek and sensuous, and graceful like cats, it was fun to watch them at work. The song itself is really catchy and gets stuck in my head a lot. :)
I've had the pleasure of reviewing three of their latest music videos and their last two albums. With each new release they do what they do best, producing solid, straight on danceable pop music, and crank out MVs that are far more spicy and suggestive than in the "Get Out" era. Some pretty amazing vocal work from the ladies, notably ChoA's belts and Jimin's rapping keeps me coming back for more. I can't wait for their next comeback. Hopefully, if you're new to AOA, I've made a fan out of you as well.
Which AOA do you prefer, the "ELVIS" days or the current "Like a Cat" one? Vote in our poll below and share your opinions in the comments!
SEE ALSO: [Original Feature] Then and Now: Girls' Generation
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