Blackswan (group)
RaNia (라니아) is a Korean pop 6-member girl group that debuted in 2011 under DR Music and initially produced by Teddy Riley. The group consisted of members from Thailand, China, and Korea who were fluent in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Thai, however after Sarah, YiJo and Joy left, they became a full Korean group, until the addition of African-American Rapper Alexandra.
Contents
Members
- Di (Leader, Lead Dancer, Vocal, Rapper)
- T-ae (Lead Vocal, Visual, Main Dancer, Rapper)
- Xia (Main Vocal, Lead Dancer)
- Alexandra (Rapper)
- Seul Ji (Vocal)
- Hye Me (Vocal, Rapper, Maknae)
Former Members
- Sarah (Dancer)
- YiJo (Dancer)
- Joy (Vocal, Visual)
- Riko (Former Leader, Lead Vocal)
- Saem (Former Leader, Vocal)
- Jooyi (Former Leader, Main Vocal, Lead Rapper)
- Sharon (Vocal)
Members Timeline
| Member | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |||||
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| Sarah (pre-debut) |
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| YiJo (2011) |
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| Joy (2011) |
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| Riko (2011-2013) |
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| Saem (2011-2014) |
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| Jooyi (2011-2014) |
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| Di (2011-present) |
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| T-ae (2011–present) |
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| Xia (2011–present) |
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| Sharon (2014-2015) |
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| Hye Me (2015–present) |
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| Seul Ji (2015–present) |
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| Alex (2015–present) |
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Information
RaNia was first announced to debut in November 2010 as a eight-member group; however Sarah left the group before their actual debut. Other pre-debut members were Park Sori and Data Daranchas. The group debuted six months later in April 2011 with the digital single "Teddy Riley, The First Expansion In Asia". The group was also expected to debut in America with an English version of the digital single lead track (also included on the Korean release), but this was later cancelled
Only a few days after their debut a new member was introduced, YiJo. She was a last-minute addition to the group after Sarah left the group, hence she did not promote the single with the group (as she needed more practice). However, she appeared briefly in their debut music video and on the early promotional pictures of RaNia. YiJo left the group soon afterwards.
After the release of their debut single music video and their first live performances, a controversy arose surrounding the sexually suggestive choreography and outfits. Subsequently, the group changed the choreography and the member's outfits for their performances in order to not be banned from TV broadcasts.
In response of the controversy Teddy Riley uploaded a new version of the music video on PMGASIA official YouTube Channel titled "Dr Feel Good (Too Hot For Netizens)", although he eventually parted ways with the group in 2011, saying he could no longer work with DR Music.
The group signed with a Spanish label, INGENIOmedia for a Spanish advancement. When asked whether Riko would be taking part in the upcoming comeback, INGENIOMedia announced that Riko had left the group. However, they then released a clarification statement saying that there had been a communication error and that DR Music would have to release a statement about Riko's status in the group. No such clarification was ever made, but fans have noted that Riko has not appeared with the group for a while, and interpreted this to mean she has left.
INGENIOMedia cut ties with RaNia soon afterwards following a controversial event in which they purposefully leaked RaNia's comeback track "Acceleration" to a fan, forcing DR Music to do damage control and start work on a new single. INGENIOMedia then informed DR Music that the comeback was "taking too long", and said they were no longer willing to work with them.
In late fall of 2014, fans became worried when they realized that Saem hadn't appeared with the group since earlier that summer (July) and all the other members unfollowed her on social media. No information has come forwards regarding her position in the group, but fans speculate that she has left as well. At the same time as Saem's supposed departure, the group added a new member, Sharon Park.
In January of 2015, Jooyi stopped attending live performances and was seemingly replaced by a new member, Hyeme. When asked about the change, DR Music stated that Jooyi was simply on hiatus and that Hyeme was a trainee. Later that year both Jooyi and Riko released solo music.
In April of 2015 it was revealed that Sharon had left RaNia and Hyeme had become a member. In July 2015, the group performed at an event after months of hiatus and revealed a new member Seulji. In October 2015, the group announced the release of their third mini-album Demonstrate after over two years of hiatus. A sixth member, African-American member Alexandra was announced the day before their debut, becoming the first African-American member of a Korean girl group.
Trivia
- Official Fanclub: A'1st
Discography
Mini Albums
- [2011.11.17] Time To Rock Da Show
- [2013.03.08] Just Go
- [2015.11.05] Demonstrate
Digital Singles
- [2011.04.06] Teddy Riley, The First Expansion In Asia
- [2011.06.13] Gamyeonmudohoe (가면무도회; Masquerade)
- [2012.09.21] Style
External Links
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