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https://scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3080180/next-monsta-x-meet-cravity-upcoming-k-pop-boy-band-already Entertainment
The next Monsta X? Meet Cravity, the upcoming K-pop boy band already making waves
- Their music video has more than four million views and the boy band’s debut EP topped the iTunes K-pop album chart
- Cravity, who are are on the same label as Monsta X, were seen on Produce X 101 and debuted this week
Monsta X label mates Cravity are the latest K-pop band to debut, and they are already making waves with a hit EP and music video that has already been seen four million times. Photo: Handout
Fans of South Korea’s hit singing competition reality show Produce X 101 won’t need any introduction to K-pop newcomers Cravity.
With their boyish charm, slick choreography and a rapidly expanding fan base, the nine-member outfit has become the latest boy band obsession, and are now making waves with their debut EP, “Hideout: Remember Who We Are”.
Their music video for the lead single, Break All The Rules, has received more than four million views since its release on April 14, and their seven track EP has hit the top spot on the US iTunes K-pop albums chart – making them the first K-pop act to debut in 2020 to achieve this feat. And they’re just getting started.
Before they officially take over the K-pop world, here’s everything you need to know about Cravity.
Who are Cravity?
Cravity made their debut on April 14 under the management of Starship Entertainment, home to top acts including Monsta X, Cosmic Girls and Jeong Sewoon. The band is made up of nine performers: Serim, Allen, Jungmo, Woobin, Wonjin, Minhee, Hyeongjun, Taeyoung and Seongmin.
Since the release of their concept photos, fans have been exploding with excitement on Twitter, with the members’ names and celebratory hashtags such as #Happy_cravity_debutday dominating recent Twitter trend charts.
Cravity, a combination of creative and gravity, also means ‘centre of gravity’. Photo: Handout
Where did Cravity come from?
Starship Entertainment announced in February that it would be launching a new boy group – the agency’s first new boy band since the debut of Monsta X five years ago. The news came shortly after the disbandment of boy band X1 after a vote-rigging controversy on Produce X 101. Hyeongjun and Minhee are former members of X1, while Jungmo and Wonjin participated in the Produce X 101 series.
What does Cravity mean?
The band’s name is a combination of “creativity” and “gravity”. It also stands for “centre of gravity”, which symbolises their ambition to draw listeners into their universe with their creativity and talent.
Cravity’s Break All the Rules shows a harder edge than expected from their performances on TV show Produce X 101. Photo: Handout
What about their music?
Their debut EP, “Hideout: Remember Who We Are”, makes a bold declaration with the title track Break All The Rules – an attitude-laden youth anthem that celebrates the breaking of rules. It wouldn’t feel out of place on a Monsta X record – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Those who are familiar with their appearances on Produce X 101 would probably expect a softer, bubblegum pop sound, but it’s a welcome change of pace. The song comes with an equally striking music video, which showcases their slick choreography.
Another stand-out number on the EP is Jumper, a high-energy banger notably produced by rapper Joohoney of Monsta X. “I personally tried my hardest to highlight the strengths of the members,” the rapper said in a press statement. “It’s very meaningful for me to be in charge of producing their debut album.”
All of our members have a lot of dreams that we want to achieve, and we will make sure to do our best to accomplish them
What else can we expect from Cravity?
Although they only made their debut a few days ago, these monster rookies are already proving themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
Their debut showcase, streamed on the broadcasting app V Live, received a whopping one million viewers in real time. Not only did they garner praise from overseas fans for their flawless live show, the members also received a tonne of attention on the domestic front which landed them on trending pages of major music sites.
Appearing on variety shows is another sure-fire way to boost public interest. On the latest episode of popular cable programme Weekly Idol, the members can be seen showing off their hidden talents and performing a cover version of Monsta X’s Dramarama as a tribute.
The group will also be performing Break All The Rules on music shows this week. And if the name of their title track is any indication, it’s only a matter of time before they start breaking records left and right.
“It still feels like a dream to me,” said vocalist Jungmo. “But I want to show you that we will continue to improve ourselves. All of our members have a lot of dreams that we want to achieve, and we will make sure to do our best to accomplish them.”