Gugudan

"스탠바이 큐! 안녕하세요 구구단입니다!" "Seutaenbai kyu! Annyeonghaseyo Gugudanibnida!" "Standby... Cue! Hello, we are Gugudan!" Gugudan (Hangul: 구구단), also stylized as gu9udan or gx9, was a South Korean girl group under Jellyfish Entertainment. The group currently consists of 8 members: Mimi, Hana, Haebin, Nayoung, Sejeong, Sally, Soyee and Mina. They debuted on June 28, 2016 with their 1st mini album Act.1 The Little Mermaid. Former member Hyeyeon announced her departure on October 25, 2018.

After four years of being together and two after no group activites, Gugudan disbanded on December 31, 2020.

Name
Their name means "multiplication table" in Korean. It also incorporates "gu", which means "nine". It symbolizes the nine charms of the nine girls.

"Gugudan" also sounds similar to "Geuk-dan" (극단), which means "theatrical company". It means the girls come together portraying stories in their own style.

Pre-debut: Produce 101
In January 2016, Nayoung, Sejeong and Mina were introduced as Jellyfish Entertainment's first female trainees on the Mnet survival show, Produce 101, where 101 female trainees from various companies competed to debut in an 11-member girl group that would promote for a year under YMC Entertainment. After placing 2nd and 9th respectively in the final episode, Sejeong and Mina debuted as members of I.O.I in May 2016.

2016: Debut with Act.1 The Little Mermaid
Despite denying earlier reports of Sejeong and Mina debuting in a 3-member girl group in June, Jellyfish Entertainment confirmed on June 7 that the two I.O.I members would debut within the month in what would be the company's first girl group. Because of YMC Entertainment's special terms in which I.O.I's members are allowed to do activities under their respective companies while I.O.I was on break or while the group promoted in sub-units, there were no complications with the plan.

Nayoung was also confirmed as a member on June 10 and on June 13, Jellyfish Entertainment revealed that Gugudan would be a 9-member group. On June 17, Jellyfish Entertainment announced the group name.

On June 22, the group confirmed that they were going for a "mermaid" concept. Following the announcement, a highlight medley of the group's debut mini-album was released on June 24. They debuted on June 28, 2016 with the mini-album, Act.1 The Little Mermaid, with "Wonderland" as the title song. Their debut showcase was held at the Yes24 Live Hall on the same day as the album's release.

Gugudan participated in Jellyfish Entertainment's yearly winter project, Jelly Christmas 2016, with their label mates Seo Inguk, VIXX, Park Yunha, Park Jungah, Kim Gyusun, Kim Yewon and Jiyul. The title track, "Falling" was released digitally on December 13, 2016.

2017: Act.2 Narcissus and Act.3 Chococo Factory
In early February 2017, Jellyfish Entertainment announced that Gugudan would make their first comeback since the debut of their second mini-album. The mini album, Act. 2 Narcissus, and its title track, "A Girl Like Me", was released on February 27.

On November 8, the group returned with a single album, Act.3 Chococo Factory, featuring the title track, "Chococo". Prior to the release, it was announced that Soyee will go on hiatus in order to fully recover from a shoulder injury that she had since prior to her debut.

2018: Act.4 Cait Sith, Act.5 New Action, Japanese debut, 1st Japan tour and Hyeyeon's departure
On February 1, the group's second single album, Act.4 Cait Sith, featuring the title track, "The Boots", was released.

On May 17, it was announced that youngest member Hyeyeon will go on a temporary hiatus from all the group activities due to health issues.

Gugudan debuted in Japan with the release of Stand By on September 19. On September 21, Gugudan held their debut showcase and fanmeeting titled Gugudan 1st Showcase ＆ Fanmeeting "Dear Friend" in Japan at Tokyo Akasaka Blitz. The group also scheduled to held their first Japanese tour in Osaka and Tokyo starting on December 7, 2018.

On October 25, Jellyfish Entertainment announced that member Hyeyeon had left the group to focus on her studies and recovery of her health. Though Hyeyeon has left Gugudan, she is still under Jellyfish Entertainment.

On November 6, 2018, Gugudan released their third mini album, Act.5 New Action, with the title track being "Not That Type".

2020: Sally's participation in Produce Camp 2020 and disbandment
Sally was a contestant on Produce Camp 2020, a Chinese version of Produce 101, which is a counterpart to Produce 101 China. She ultimately finished sixth in the ranking, making her a member of the temporary girl group BonBon Girls 303 along with six other trainees that debuted with her.

It had been revealed from Gugudan's agency, Jellyfish, on December 30, 2020, that they would be disbanding after being together for the last four years and the last two of inactivity following the release of Act.5 New Action after Hyeyeon's departure from the group. Afterwards, the day afterward, Gugudan completed their scheduled activities and thus officially disbanded.

Mini Albums

 * 1) Act.1 The Little Mermaid
 * 2) Act.2 Narcissus
 * 3) Act.5 New Action

Single Albums

 * 1) Act.3 Chococo Factory
 * 2) Act.4 Cait Sith

Reality Shows

 * Gugudan Project: Extreme School Trip

Concert and Tours

 * Gugudan 1st Showcase ＆ Fanmeeting "Dear Friend" in Japan (2018)
 * Gugudan 1st Japan Tour "PLAY" (2018)

Official Links

 * Jellyfish Entertainment
 * Daum Cafe
 * Twitter
 * Instagram
 * Facebook
 * YouTube
 * V Live
 * Japanese Website
 * Japanese Twitter