NU'EST

2012

NU’EST OFIFICIAL. JOURNAL

2020

REN. ARON. JR . MINHYUN. BAEKHO.

7

REN / page 23

6 5

BAEKHO

CONTENTS*

/ page 19

4

/ page 15

3

MINHYUN

JR / page 7

ARON / page 11

2

1

SNS / page 5

INFOR. / page 3

8

DISCOGRAPHY / page 27

9

11 12

COLOR / page 29

10

LIGHTSTICK / page 33

AWARD / page 37

CREDIT

/ page 37

* Polaris is the constellation that represents NU’EST

1

BAEKHO

REN

MINHYUN

JR

ARON

NU’EST (Korean: 뉴이스트) is a South Korean boy band formed by Pledis Entertainment. Following the key words NU (newly), Established, Style and Tempo, the name of this urban electro band, NU’EST, stands for ‘creating music with a new style’. Stylish NU’EST debuted as the most recognized boy band in 2012 and took their place as promising new Korean Wave Idols with defining style and looks.

Debut date 2012.03.15 Members JR ARON BAEKHO MINHYUN REN Fandom name L.O.Λ.E Official color Deep teal & Vivid Pink Years active 2012 - present Labels Pledis Ariola Japan Warnar Music Group Associated acts NU’EST M NU’EST W

3

Website pledis.co.kr/m/html/artist/nuest/ENG/profile

Facebook facebook.com/pledisnuest/

Youtube NU’EST

Fancafe cafe.daum.net/nuest

Instagram instagram.com/nuest_official

Twitter twitter.com/NUESTNEWS

nu ’est official accounts

5

JR

7

KIM JONG HYUN Stage Name: JR (제이알) Birth Name: Kim Jong Hyun (김종현) v: Leader, Main Rapper, Main Dancer, Face of the Group, Vocalist Birthday: June 8, 1995 Nickname: Bangkok City Boy, National Leader Zodiac Sign: Gemini Blood Type: O Official Height: 178 cm (5’10”) Real Height: 176 cm (5’9″) Weight: 58 kg (128 lbs) Instagram: @pockyjr

JR was the first male trainee of Pledis since 2009. He spent an extended training period and taught other trainees dance from time to time. In 2011, JR and Baekho appeared on KBS‘s “Hello” and were revealed by After School Kahi as two of the members of the group. This drew attention from the viewers, so they became a topic of interest on the internet. Prior to debut, JR also made numerous appearances in their labelmates’ music releases as a member of Pledis Boys. JR was featured in Orange Caramel’s “Bangkok City” MV. He later returned as the rapper for After School’s Uee’s Debut song “Sok Sok Sok”. He was also a backup dancer of After School Blue’s “Wonder Boy” and appeared in both the music video and live performance. JR also took part in the CF “New Balance” with Lizzy.

- - - Pre - debut

POSITION LEADER.

JR

was born and raised in Kangreung, Kangwon-do, South Korea. He is the youngest in his family, having two older sisters. One day, JR was heading home from school when he was approached by a Pledis agent to join the company. He thought the offer was a scam at first since he was not interested in the entertainment industry. However, his interest grew and decided to accept the offer. After becoming Pledis’ trainee, he attended Seoul Broadcasting High School, along with Baekho, and graduated in 2014 and then attended Dong-ah Institute of Media and Arts.

JR was the first NU’EST member to be revealed

by Pledis, debut on 15 March 2012 as the main rapper, main dancer, and leader of group. Since debut, along with Aron, Baekho, Minhyun and Ren, JR has been writing the lyrics and taking part in making of NU’EST’s songs. The Korea Music Copyright Association has 16 songs listed under his name.

JR participated in the reality television series Produce 101 Season 2 during the first half of 2017 and JR ranked 14th. Following the conclusion of Produce 101 Season 2, JR became a model for the cosmetics company Labiotte. He also joined the JTBC variety show Night Goblin as a fixed cast member and the tvN music show Shadow Singer as a judge.

On June 27, 2018, JR was confirmed as a member of Mnet’s new romance reality show Love Catcher . He will join the celebrity-studded cast alongside four others.

10 facts about JR 1. He is a huge fan of anime and he’s also a gamer 2. His role models are Eminem and Bigbang.

3. His favorite colors are black, yellow, and green.

4. He prefers having black hair.

5. He can’t eat spicy food well and also hates eating tomatoes.

6. His specialties are writing lyrics and speaking Japanese.

7. He also couldn’t ride a bike until 2018.

8. He is a fan of the YouTuber Buzzbean11 and became friends with him after they were on a variety show together.

9. He likes to eat chicken.

10. 2018, he visited his birthday ads wearing a wartortle costume.

JR’s ideal type: someone who is strong on the outside but tender on the inside; someone who can take good care of him.

9

AR

ON 11

Stage Name: Aron (아론) Birth Name: Aaron Kwak Korean Name: Kwak Young Min ( 곽영민) Position: Lead Rapper, Lead Dancer, Vocalist Birthday: May 21, 1993 Nickname: Maknae hyung Zodiac Sign: Gemini Blood Type: A Official Height: 176 cm (5’9″) Real Height: 173 cm (5’8″) Weight: 57 kg (126 lbs) Instagram: @nuestaron

Pre - debut - - -

AARON KWAK

Aron auditioned for “Pledis USA Personal Auditions” in 2011, in which he sang and rapped NeYo’s ‘So Sick’, and was quickly recruited afterward. Prior to debut, Aron made numerous appearances in his labelmates’ music releases as a member of Pledis Boys. He was shown as a backup dancer in After School Blue’s Wonder Boy and appeared in Pledis’s Christmas release Love Letter and Pledis Boys’ own music video for the song.

Aron was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, USA, a student at Loyola High School, an all-boys Jesuit Preparatory school in Southern California. In 2011, He was accepted into New York University’s journalism department, but he decided to pursue his dreams to be a singer.

On 15th March 2012, Aron officially debuted as a member of NU’EST along with JR, Baekho, Minhyun and Ren. In February 2013, Aron injured his right thigh muscle one day before the group’s comeback performance during showcase rehearsal. However, he was still able to perform on comeback stage of Mnet M Countdown. After few months, however, Aron was taken to the emergency room due to acute enteritis in July. He was unable to walk and could not take part in the “L.O.Λ.E Tour” in Taiwan on the 21st July. He also made appearances in various music videos during his time in the group. Aron was the main character in the music video of NuSoul’s “The Ceiling” to support NuSoul’s debut. In 2014, he was featured Chad Future’s ‘Got it Figured Out.’ He also made an appearance on the f(x)’s Amber ′Shakes That Brass′ music video. In 2017, NU’EST halted all promotions since other NU’EST members, JR, Baekho, Minhyun and Ren participated in the reality show, Produce 101, while Aron took a rest due to his leg injury.

The

Boy’s from L.A

10 facts about Aron 1. His parents didn’t want him to go to Korea but after he pestered them for six months they let him go.

2. He has two dogs named Noah and Kkotsunie.

3. He likes bad puns and pranks.

4. Aron was in the top 0.5 percentile for the SAT in the United States.

5. One of his favorite foods is pig skin because he loves the texture.

6. He was a radio DJ on Arirang for two years.

7. He cooked the members a meal when they came back to the dorm after the last day of filming.

8. His role models are Anthony Hamilton and TVXQ. 9. His fans are called Corgidans or Aronators.

10. His representative animal is a dog.

Aron’s ideal type: is a girl with a bright and pure smile.

13

BAEK

EKHO 15

Stage Name: Baekho (백호) Birth Name: Kang Dong Ho (강동호) Position: Main Vocalist, Producer Birthday: July 21, 1995 Nickname: Eye-Smiled Prince, Sexy Bandit Zodiac Sign: Cancer Blood Type: AB Official Height: 179 cm (5’10.5″) Real Height: 175 cm (5’9″) Weight: 75 kg (165 lbs) Instagram: @realbaekho

(deactivated)

KANG DONG HO

e r -P -

t u b de

Baekho became a Pledis trainee after being scouted in by the company in 2010. He gained more attention after he appeared in After School’s Music Video “Play Ur Love”. In 2011, JR and Baekho appeared on KBS‘s Hello Counselor and were revealed by After School Kahi as two of the members of the group. This drew attention from the viewers, so they became a topic of interest on the internet.

Prior to debut, Baekho made numerous appearances in their labelmates’ music releases as a member of Pledis Boys. He was backup dances for After School Blue’s Wonder Boy, and appeared in their label’s Christmas release Love Letter, along with releasing their own music video for the song.

B

aekho was born and raised in Jeju, South 10 facts about Baekho Korea. He is the oldest child in his family, having one younger brother. According to 1. He did kumdo for seven years.

2. His specialties are fencing, writing lyrics, and Baekho, he was playing with his friends in his composing. hometown (Jeju Island) when he was casted by 3. Baekho writes most of NU’EST and NU’EST the Music Director of Pledis. After becoming Pledis’ W’s songs, along with his close friend Bumzu. trainee, he attended Seoul Broadcasting High 4. He is afraid of traveling alone on the School, along with JR, and graduated in 2014 and subway. During trainee days, JR would take the subway with him. then attended Paekche Institute of the Arts in the 5. His stage name means White Tiger. After Music Department. Baekho debuted on 15 March School’s Uee gave it to him before their debut 2012 as a main vocalist of NU’EST. In 2013, Baekho because Kang Baekho is a character from an and Ren began acting with appearances in Uee’s anime and Uee thought Baekho resembled him. drama Jeon Woo-chi.

6. He has/had pet fish.

In early 2014, Baekho was diagnosed with vocal 7. He was Pristin’s vocal director for their debut fold nodule. However, Baekho wanted to continue album. performing and he proceeded to promote and 8. Baekho wrote lyrics for Fromis_9’s DKDK and practice with NU’EST while receiving treatment.

Produce 48’s We Together under the pen name Bbaekkom (빼꼼).

Pledis Entertainment announced in November that 9. He is awkward when doing aegyo.

Baekho would be taking a temporary hiatus from 10. His role models are TVXQ. all group activities. His doctors advised that he Baekho’s ideal type: A girl who cooks well and completely rest his voice and underwent vocal cord has a lot of aegyo. surgery. In February 2016, he has revealed that he’s recovered from his vocal cord nodules entirely.

In 2017, NU’EST Baekho were announced to be participating in the second season of Produce 101 with JR, Minhyun and Ren. In the last challenge, debut song evaluation, he joined his groupmates, JR and Ren, and other contestants to perform Super Hot by Ryan Jhun. He finished the competition in 13th place. After PD101 finished, Baekho with JR, Aron anh Ren actived label NU’EST W, he participated composed, wrote lyrics and produce almost album’s songs of NU’EST W.

FROM SINGER TO PRODUCER 17

MIN HY

N HYUN 19

HWANG MIN HYUN Stage Name: Minhyun (민현) Birth Name: Hwang Min Hyun (황민현) Position: Lead Vocalist, Visual Birthday: August 9, 1995 Nickname: Shanghai Boy Zodiac Sign: Leo Blood Type: O Official Height: 183 cm (6’0″) Real Height: 181 cm (5’11″) Weight: 65 kg (143 lbs) Instagram: @optimushwang

Minhyun became a Pledis Entertainment trainee through scouting. Prior to his debut, he became more well known after appearing in Orange Caramel’s music video for their single “Shanghai Romance”. He also made appearances in labelmates’ music releases as a member of ‘Pledis Boys’.

- - - Pre - debut

Minhyun was born and raised in Busan, South Korea. He is the youngest in his family, having an older sister, Sujin. He was going to eat with a friend once when he saw the announcement of the audition for Pledis.

He then decided to participate and was recruited shortly after. After becoming Pledis’ trainee, he attended School of Performing Arts Seoul, and graduated in 2014. He is currently attending Inha University.

On 15 March 2012, Minhyun debuted as a member of NU’EST. Minhyun and Ren had been gaining attention since their debut because of their heights and appearance.

They appeared at the “2012-2013 Seoul Fashion Week” Runway as the models for designer Park Yoon Soo’s fashion show “Big Park.”

In 2015, Minhyun featured in indie artist Fromm’s new track, “후유증 (Aftermath)”. In 2016, Pledis released Minhyun and JR’s music video for “Daybreak”, which is part of NU’EST’s fifth mini album, Canvas.

In 2017, NU’EST Minhyun participated in the male version of “Produce 101”. In the last challenge, debut song evaluation, he performed the song “Hands On Me” with his team. He finished the competition in 9th place, making it to the final debut team “Wanna One”. After Wanna One’s promotions ended in December of 2018, he returned to Pledis Entertainment.

10 facts about Minhyun 1. Personality: Conservative, with sharp and intellectual charm 2. He received attention for his famous giggling butt dance (can be seen in Produce 101 ep 11 and in “Happy Together”) 3. He can speak Japanese 4. He plays the piano, writes lyrics and composes music 5. His hobbies are: cleaning and organizing.

6. Minhyun is allergic to salt. Even when he’s dancing he would have an allergic reaction to his own sweat and get rashes.

7. Was a backup dancer in After School Blue‘s MV for “Wonder Boy“.

8. Minhyun, Ren and JR (NU’EST) acted in the Japanese movie “Their Distance” 9. His role models are Eric Benet and TVXQ, especially Kim Junsu, and dreamed of becoming a singer because of them.

10. He never really dated. His only dating experience is via text (when he was in the 9th grade), but they never hold hands or hug before breaking up. (“Happy Together”).

Minhyun’s ideal type: Someone older than him, with short hair, someone he can communicate well with.

21

R E N

23

Stage Name: Ren (렌) Birth Name: Choi Min Ki (최민기) Position: Sub Vocalist, Maknae Birthday: November 3, 1995 Nickname: Mango, Rabbit, “Queen” Zodiac Sign: Scorpio Blood Type: O Official Height: 178 cm (5’10”) Real Height: 178 cm (5’10”) Weight: 56 kg (123 lbs) Instagram: @glorypath Instagram: @ChoiGoRen

Prior to debut, Ren made numerous appearances in their labelmates’ music releases as a member of Pledis Boys. He was a backup dancer in After School Blue’s Wonder Boy and appeared in their label’s Christmas release Love Letter, along with releasing their own music video for the song.

re P -

CHOI MIN KI

e d -

t u b

9 facts about Ren

roles in the Japanese film, Their Distance. In 2017, Ren participated as a contestant on Produce 101 Season 2, but he was eliminated in the final episode at rank 20. After the show’s end, he and the remaining NU’EST members began promoting as the subgroup NU’EST W from 2017 to 2018. During the group’s activity, he wrote the lyrics for his solo songs, “Paradise” and “You & I.”At the same time, Ren became a fixed panelist on the talk show Learning the Hard Way.He was also cast in a starring role on the drama Four Sons. In 2018, Ren became a regular cast member on The Kkondae Live.

In 2019, he became a regular cast member on Hogu Chart.

REN

Many consider Ren as a progressive icon for his role in breaking gender conforming standards, as he has stated before that clothing does not define a person. He also modeled for a Chinese clothing brand that produces unisex or “genderless” fashions.

EAUTY

On March 15, 2012, Ren debuted as an official member of NU’EST. Ren and Minhyun had been gaining attention since their debut because of their heights and appearances. They appeared at the “F/W 2012–2013 Seoul Fashion

Week” Runway as the models for designer Park Yoon Soo’s fashion show, “Big Park.” In the following year, Ren led the runway at the “2013 S/S Seoul Fashion Week”. Along with his singing career, he has made appearances in several dramas. In 2013, Ren and Baekho had appearances in labelmate Uee’s drama Jeon Woo-chi. In 2016, Ren played lead

UNISEX

Ren was born and raised in Busan, South Korea. He has an older brother, Choi Minseok.

He went to the audition held

by Pledis Entertainment when he was in ninth grade and was quickly recuited afterwards.

Ren attended Korea Art School and graduated in 2014 and then attended Inja University.

1. His grandparents raised him because his parents had to work.

2. He is a huge fan of Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson.

3. His specialties are making performance ideas and cosplaying.

4. He dislikes sleeping alone.

5. He is the mood maker of the group, likes to dance around in the dorm and to annoy JR while he’s playing games.

6. His happiest memory from trainee days is when it was confirmed he would be a member of NU’EST. 7. His fans are called Tokkidans.

8 His Spoonz character is Cindy.

9. His representative animal is a rabbit.

Ren’s ideal type: a girl who “lies down looking at the blue sky above the green fields”.

25

01 The 1st SINGLE ALBUM ‘FACE’ 2012.03.15

02 The 1st MINI ALBUM ‘ACTION’ 2012.07.11

03 The 2nd MINI ALBUM ‘Hello’ 2013.02.13

04 The 3rd MINI ALBUM ‘Sleep Talking’ 2013.08.22

05 NU’EST The Fisrt Album [RE:BIRTH] 2014.07.09

06 Special Single ‘I’m Bad’ 2015.02.27

07 The 4th MINI ALBUM ‘Q is.’

2016.02.17

08 The 5th MINI ALBUM ‘CANVAS’ 2016.08.29

09 NU’EST W ‘If you’ 2017.07.25

10 NU’EST W ‘W,HERE’ 2017.10.10

11 NU’EST W ‘WHO,YOU’ 2018.06.25

12 NU’EST W ‘WAKE, N’ 2018.11.26

13 NU’EST ‘노래 제목’ 2019.03.15

14 The 6th MINI ALBUM ‘Happy Ever After’ 2019.04.29

15 The 7th MINI ALBUM ‘The Table’ 2019.10.21

27

Deep Teal: The calm and deep spring night sky symbolizes NU’EST. Vivid Pink: Symbolizes LOVEs, who are always next to empower and love NU’EST. The name of the official color is Pearl Nightberry. The nickname among the fans is called Jaws Bar

29

#01

Deep Teal

CMYK RRB HEX

94

66

56

54

0

49

60

#00313C

Vivid Pink

#02

CMYK RRB HEX

5

98

20

0

227

28

121

#E31C79

31

33

NU’EST OFFICIAL LIGHTSTICK The NU’EST official light stick was announced ahead of the full group comeback on March 25, 2019. The light stick looks like a torch and is in a shape of a heart (the name of the group’s official fan club is L.O.Λ.E). It is officially licensed product from Pledis Entertainment.

The light stick needs 3 alkaline (AAA) batteries to operate (they are not included in the package) and can work for 4 hours. It can produce the light in three colors: white, pink and blue.

35

AWARD AWARD 2020 The 29th Seoul Music Awards, Bonsang 2020 The 34th Golden Disk Awards, Album Bonsang 2020 The 34th Golden Disk Awards, Cosmopolitan Artist Award 2019 Stagetalk Audience Choice Awards, Best New Musical Actor (MINHYUN) 2019 KBS Entertainment Awards, Hot Issue Entertainer Award (BAEKHO) 2019 KBS Entertainment Awards, Best Challenge Award (BAEKHO) 2019 Asia Artist Awards, Best Musician Award 2019 Asia Artist Awards, Singer Category – Asia Celebrity 2019 Brand of the Year, Male Idol 2019 The Fact Music Awards, Artist of the Year 2019 First Brand Awards, Male Idol Variety Star (JR) 2019 The 28th Seoul Music Awards, Bonsang (NU’EST W) 2019 The 33th Golden Disk Awards Album Bonsang (NU’EST W) 2018 Mnet Asian Music Awards, Worldwide Fans’ Choice Top 10 (NU’EST W) 2018 Asia Artist Awards, Best Music Award (NU’EST W) 2018 Asia Artist Awards, Artist of the Year (Music) (NU’EST W) 2018 The 7th Gaon Chart Music Awards, Hot Performance (NU’EST W) 2018 The 32th Golden Disk Awards, Album Bonsang (NU’EST W) 2018 The 27th Seoul Music Awards, Bonsang (NU’EST W) 2018 Asia Model Awards, Popular Star Award (Music) (NU’EST W) 2018 Asia Model Awards, Special Asia Award (NU’EST W) 2018 Soribada Best K-Music Awards, Icon Award (NU’EST W) 2018 Soribada Best K-Music Awards, Bonsang (NU’EST W) 2017 Asia Artist Awards, Best Entertainer Award (Music) (NU’EST W) 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards Discovery of the Year (NU’EST W) 2016 The 9th China Mobile Wireless Music Awards 2016, Best Potential Group

CREDIT NU’EST JOURNAL / PLEDIS ENTERTAINMENT / Contents/Design DAO HONG NHO / Reference pledis.co.kr/m/html/artist/nuest kprofiles.com/nuest-members-profile nuest.fandom.com/wiki

37