(G)I-dle (; stylized in all caps) is a South Korean girl group formed by Cube Entertainment in 2018. The group consists of five members: Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi and Shuhua. The group was originally a sextet, until Soojin left the group on August 14, 2021. (G)I-dle debuted on May 2, 2018, with the single "Latata" from their first extended play (EP) I Am. They debuted in Japan under U-Cube with Latata on July 31, 2019. Since their debut, they have been considered one of the most successful South Korean girl groups outside of the "big four" record labels.
Unlike most K-pop girl groups, (G)I-dle are directly involved in the creation of their music; in particular, Soyeon who has written and produced the majority of the group's songs. Members Minnie and Yuqi have also co-written and produced numerous album tracks. The group rose to domestic fame in 2020 with their single album Dumdi Dumdi, which charted at number two on the Circle Chart, became the second best-selling single album by a girl group of all time. Their next single, "Tomboy", from their first full-length album, I Never Die, topped the Circle charts, remaining at the top of the charts for more than two months. Additionally, the single was certified platinum by the Certification Korea Music Content Association (KMCA), followed by their next single, "Nxde", which also topped the Circle Chart, making (G)I-dle the only artist to have two songs achieve a PAK in 2022. In 2023, they became the first act from an independent label to rank at number 39 on Mediabase Top 40 Radio airplay charts and debuted at number 40 on the US Billboard Pop Airplay chart with a non-English song.
Name
In an interview with The Star, group leader Soyeon revealed that the name "Idle" came to her when she was composing the "Idle Song". She suggested it to Cube Entertainment, and the name was finalized after undergoing internal competition. However, the name received mixed reactions in South Korea and internationally since "아이들" (aideul) means "children", and "idle" in English refers to someone who avoids work. Accordingly, the group was renamed (G)I-dle, with the "I" standing for individuality, the hyphen showing that the name has been divided into two parts, and "Dle" (deul) as the plural form of "I" in Korean to indicate a group of six different personalities gathering together. When the name is stated aloud, the "G" enclosed in parentheses is not included. Following their return as a quintet, on an episode of 1theK Original's IDDP released on the March 15, 2022, the group confirmed they would like to be referred to verbally as "I-dle".
History
Pre-debut activities
Soyeon was a female trainee who represented Cube Entertainment in the survival show Produce 101, peaking at 20th place on the final episode. However, she did not become a member of the winning girl group, I.O.I. Soyeon also competed in the third season of the rap competition reality show Unpretty Rapstar, finishing as the second runner-up. She later debuted as a soloist, releasing two digital singles, "Jelly" and "Idle Song".
Miyeon previously trained under YG Entertainment between 2010 and 2015, leaving the company after unknown complications regarding her debut with Blackpink and attending a vocal academy. Before joining Cube Entertainment, she was a freelance singer and appeared as an associate singer with Lim Seul-ong in Urban Zakapa's Canada Tour in September 2016. In 2017, Miyeon had a small part in Lim Seul-ong's "You" music video.
Soojin was a former trainee under DN Entertainment in 2015. She trained as a member of the girl group Vividiva with the stage name N.NA but left before the group's debut. Minnie featured in Line Friends' album Dance Party, which was released in November 2017. In September 2017, Shuhua appeared alongside Yoo Seon-Ho in 10cm's "Pet" music video.
On April 5, 2018, Cube Entertainment revealed the name of their upcoming girl group, (G)I-dle. Before their debut, Cube unveiled the lineup to the public through Dingo Music's dance busking at Hongdae, Seoul. The busking performance video exceeded two million views on YouTube less than three weeks after its initial upload on April 15, 2018.
2018: Debut, I Am and "Hann (Alone)"