Banana Girl (바나나걸) was a rotation project group under Big Hit Entertainment. The group debuted on September 1, 2003 with the digital single "Hip Song". The project was created as a collaboration between Bang Si Hyuk, Gazaebal, Park Geuntae and Lee Cheolwon.[1]
The name "Banana Girl" does not refer to a specific vocalist; rather, it represents a rotating roster of vocalists contributing to each album. The first vocalist featured was Ahn Suzie, followed by Nam Minsul, Lee Hyunji, and Kim Sangmi.[2][n 1]
The project was presumably abandoned by late 2008, following the release of their last single, "Kiss Me".
History
2003: Debut with Banana Girl Chapter 1
On September 23, 2003, Banana Girl released their debut single "Hip Song". The song was written and sung by the 1st Banana Girl, Ahn Suzie.[3]
On October 29, 2003, they released their first studio album, Banana Girl Chapter 1, which featured downtempo, niche electronic music. In addition to Ahn Suzie, Lee Yoon Jung and Jeppet also contributed to the album.
Initially, "Hip Song" was going to be promoted on music shows. However, plans were cancelled after Ahn Suzie left the group as she was uncomfortable with the song's sexy concept.[4]
2005: Bubi-Bubi
On July 4, 2005, Banana Girl released their second single, "Banana Girl 2", featuring vocals by the second Banana Girl, Nam Minseol.[n 2]
On July 28, 2005, they released their second studio album Bubi-Bubi. A music video for "Bubi-Bubi" was also released, which drew attention for featuring Yoon Eun Hye, Kim Shinyoung, and J.ae.
In 2005, Banana Girl collaborated with Kim Jin Tae to release the webtoon Banana Girl, which ran from December 2005 to May 2007.[5] Kim Jin Tae also designed the album cover of their digital single "내 차를 가져가", which was released on July 28, 2006.[6]
On December 5, 2005, Banana Girl released "My Car Movie Final" as a part of the OST for the 2005 film Lover.
2007: Chocolate
On May 14, 2007, Banana Girl released a music video for "Chocolate" and announced plans to reveal their vocalist for the first time. The music video featured Kan Miyoun, Byul, Bae Seulgi, Solbi, Chae Eunjung, and Son Myeongeun, who were suspected as the third Banana Girl.[7]
On May 21, 2007, the group released a second version of the music video for "Chocolate" featuring Lee Hyunji, who was a SK Wyverns girl at the time, and announced her as the third Banana Girl.[8] The following day, Banana Girl released their third studio album Chocolate. Aside from Lee Hyunji, the album also featured Chae Eunjung, Hannah, Won Hyeyoung, Juhee, Cheon Danbi, Kan Miyoun and Kim Hyein as guest vocalists.
On July 20, 2007. Banana Girl released the digital single "S - Summer Special".
2008: Colorful, Disbandment
Ahead of the release of their fourth album at the end of July, Banana Girl held a survey titled "Vote for the New Banana Girl!" on Mnet.com, in which Jung Sia came in first place.[9] Four music video teasers for "Crazy Crazy Crazy" were later released, with each featuring a singer with their assigned color: Jung Sia (Orange), Baek Jiyoung (Gold), Kim Wansun (Red), and Jung Juri (White).[10]
On July 31, 2008, Banana Girl released their fourth and final studio album, Colorful and revealed Kim Sangmi as the 4th Banana Girl. The album also featured Park Daye, Rany and Sista Funk as guest vocalists.
On October 20, 2008, Banana Girl released their final digital single "Kiss Me". After this, the group presumably disbanded due to inactivity.
Aftermath
- Ahn Suzie debuted as a soloist in 2010 under the stage name A:ga, as well as working as a reporter and food blogger.[11] She later changed her stage name back to Ahn Suzie in 2016. She got married in June 2017.[12]
- Nam Minseol returned to working as a lyricist. In 2013, she married film director Jang Hoon.[13]
- Lee Hyunji debuted as a soloist with "Kiss Me Kiss Me" in 2008. She later left the entertainment industry in 2010 and started working as a kindergarten teacher, as well as the vice principal of a children dance academy.[14]
- Kim Sangmi later changed her name to Kim Saeun and worked as a musical actress.[15] She got married to SUPER JUNIOR's Sungmin in December 2014.[16]
Members
| Name | Position(s) | Year(s) active |
|---|---|---|
| Bang Si Hyuk (방시혁) | Composer | 2003-2008 |
| Gazaebal (가재발) | Producer | 2003-2008 |
| Park Geuntae (박근태)[n 3] | Producer | 2003 |
| Lee Cheolwon (이철원)[n 3] | Producer | 2003 |
| Ahn Suzie (안수지) | Vocalist | 2003 |
| Nam Minseol (남민설) | Vocalist | 2005-2006 |
| Lee Hyunji (이현지) | Vocalist | 2007 |
| Kim Sangmi (김상미) | Vocalist | 2008 |
Discography
Studio albums
- Banana Girl Chapter 1 (2003)
- Bubi-Bubi (2005)
- Chocolate (2007)
- Colorful (2008)
Digital singles
- "Hip Song" (2003)
- "Banana Girl 2" (2005)
- "내 차를 가져가" (2006)
- "S - Summer Special" (2007)
- "Kiss Me" (2008)
OSTs
- "My Car Movie Final" (2005)
Trivia
- Ahn Suzie sang the OST for Trap of Youth in 1999, under the stage name Jisoo, prior to her debut in Banana Girl.[17]
- "Hip Song" is best known for the remix version by DJ Shin Chul.[18]
- Despite not being promoted on music shows, a choreography was still created for "Chocolate" and was performed by Lee Hyunji at a baseball game.[19]
Gallery
Notes
- ↑ Ahn Suzie and Nam Minseol's identity wasn't revealed during their time in the group.
- ↑ For unclear reasons, most articles about the group don't mention Kim Minseol and credit Ahn Suzie as the 2nd Banana Girl instead, even though she already left in 2003.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 It's unclear if Park Geuntae and Lee Cheolwon participated in any of their releases after 2003 but most articles only cite Bang Si Hyuk and Gazaebal as their producer and composer after 2003.
References
- ↑ (KR) News1: 바나나걸 출신 ★ 누가있나? '슈가맨'안수지·'포켓걸' 이현지·'성민아내' 김사은
- ↑ (KR) Segye: '엉덩이' 바나나걸, 6년만에 베일 벗는다
- ↑ (KR) Sports Khan: 바나나걸 안수지 ‘엉덩이’, 방시혁 “제가 쓴 건지 몰랐죠?”
- ↑ (KR) News Heraldcorp: ‘바나나걸’ 안수지 “난, 얼굴없는 가수였다…섹시 콘셉 데뷔 직전 도망”
- ↑ (KR) Star News Korea: 바나나걸, 만화캐릭터로 '인기 좋은 girl!'
- ↑ (KR) MelOn: Banana Girl - "Take My Car"
- ↑ (KR) Star News Korea: 바나나걸은 배슬기? 채은정?
- ↑ (KR) Chosun: 베일 벗은 '바나나걸', 알고보니 '포켓걸' 이현지네!
- ↑ (KR) JoyNews24: 정시아, 이현지 이어 '4대 바나나걸' 낙점?
- ↑ (KR) Hankyung: 80년대 ‘섹시아이콘’ 김완선 ‘레드바나나걸’ 깜짝 변신
- ↑ (KR) SportsQ: [TV컷Q]'TV쇼 진품명품' 가수 안수지 누구? '1대 바나나걸'로 '슈가맨' 출연...리포터로 활약 중
- ↑ (KR) Top Star News: '복면가왕' 연포탕 정체, 바나나걸은 최근 근황은?…안수지-이현지-김상미까지 궁금증
- ↑ (KR) The Fact: [단독] 장훈 감독 피앙세, '더 로맨틱' 출연 작사가 남민설
- ↑ (KR) Star MBN: [M+프리즘] 그리운 바나나걸 이현지, 뭐 하고 있나요?
- ↑ (KR) Donga: 1·2대 바나나걸 안수지 화제, 마지막 바나나걸은? 김사은 근황 보니…‘고무신 아내+뮤지컬 배우’
- ↑ (KR) Entertainment Naver: [단독] 성민, 슈퍼주니어 첫 품절남 된다…12월 13일 김사은과 결혼
- ↑ (KR) ETN News: '슈가맨' 바나나걸 안수지 "소속사 몰래 가명 사용하며 OST 불렀다"
- ↑ (KR) SportsQ: '슈가맨' 신철, 바나나걸 '엉덩이' 리믹스로 살린 장본인이었다 "내가 리믹스를 한 뒤, 이 음악을 클럽 등지로 퍼트렸다"
- ↑ YouTube: [추억팔이] 이현지(와이번스걸) - 초콜렛 직캠