The Rookie List: La Shauna Introduces EXID

Hello American K-Pop Fans! I will be helping Niki out with her Rookie List intros! My first rookie group will be none other than the fierce new girl group, EXID.

이엑스아이디 (EXID),  pronounced [E-X-I-D] (tell me I wasn’t the only one who said [ex-id]), stands for ’Exceed in Dreaming’, made their official debut on February 16, 2012 with their first single, “HOLLA,” promoting with title track “Whoz That Girl?”

They were orignially supposed to be named WT for “Who’s That,” but thankfully they changed it a few months before they hit the scene.

Only two months after their debut, AB Entertainment announced the departure of leader Yuzi and members Dami and Haeryung. It was revealed that Yuzi was promoting while taking a leave from Seoul Institute of Arts and would be returning soon after, and that Dami was studying to get into college. Haeryung was working to start an acting career, so … let’s say she had a change of heart.

Recently AB Entertainment revealed two new members, Solji, and Hyejin, who effectively replaced Yuzi, Dami, and Haeryung.

Members:

엘이 (LE)

Real Name: 안효진 (Ahn Hyo Jin)

Position: Lead Rapper, Lead Dancer

Birthday: December 10, 1991

**formerly known as Elly, was a member of underground hip hop group, Jiggy Fellaz, along with:

Vasco, Maniac, RMK, Deepflow, B-Dubb, Hella Dope, JayRockin, Baby Nine, Joe Brown, G-Hun, 247 (Big Tray, Dirty Mack), Groove Master, Yeb5, 민킴 (Minkim), CHAN, Duckdab, Mark-K, KHAN, Untouchable (Sleepy & D.Action), Mister.JS, Woo-Side, Soulsnatch, essenti, Basick, Marco, Annie J, and Carlos

> sidenote: O_o I am in shock right now! While doing this feature I realized she is Elly. I’ve listened to Jiggy Fellaz, but I just didn’t recognize her!

After her debut in EXID, LE received some criticism for “copying CL“ of 2ne1 from her image to the blonde hair. Personally, I think this is ridiculous because Elly (or LE) has been releasing music longer than CL has, and she’s probably developed this image over that time. I wouldn’t accuse her of being a copy cat.

하니 (Hani)

Real Name: 안희연 (Ahn Hee Yeon)

Position: Lead Vocalist

Birthday: May 1, 1992

**Former trainee of JYP Entertainment

정화 (Junghwa)

Real Name: 박정화 (Park Junghwa)

Position: Vocalist

Birthday: May 8, 1995

**former trainee of JYP Entertainment (so many JYP trainees!)

솔지 (Solji)

Real Name: 허솔지 (Heo Solji)

Position: Lead Vocalist

Birthday:  January 10, 1989

혜린 (Hyerin)

Position: Vocalist

Birthday: August 23, 1993

Former Members:

다미 (Dami)

Real Name: 강혜연 (Kang Hye Yeon)

Position: Vocalist, Lead Dancer

Birthday: December 8, 1990

유지 (Yuzi)

Real Name: 정유지 (Jung Yoo Ji)

Position: Leader, Lead Vocalist

Birthday: January 2, 1991

해령 (Haeryung)

Real Name: 나혜령 (Na Hye Ryung)

Position: Vocalist, Lead Dancer

Birthday: November 11, 1994

Music Video and teasers:

 

EXID is set to make a comeback soon, show your love by dropping some comments below, and don’t forget to leave us any suggestions for future Rookie Lists on American K-Pop Fans!