Biography
FIFTY FIFTY (피프티피프티) is a South Korean girl group formed by ATTRAKT in 2022. The group consists of five members: Keena, Chanelle Moon, Yewon, Hana, and Athena. Originally a four-piece ensemble, Saena, Aran, and Sio left in 2023 following the termination of their contracts (eventually reforming under the name ablume).
Fifty Fifty debuted on November 18, 2022, with their extended play (EP) The Fifty. They experienced a commercial breakthrough with their viral hit single "Cupid". The single, which was released in February 2023, made Fifty Fifty the fastest K-pop group to enter the US Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart, within four months of debut. Furthermore, it made them the first K-pop girl group to enter the top ten of the UK charts.
Later that year, amidst a series of legal disputes and allegations surrounding the group's contracts and treatment by Attrakt, group members Saena, Aran, and Sio had their contracts terminated, leaving Keena as the only remaining member in the label. It was subsequently decided that Fifty Fifty would re-debut in September 2024, with Keena and four new members added to the group.
Name
Their group name 'Fifty Fifty' means '50 vs 50', which means a '50:50' probability, and also contains the meaning of 'ideal' and 'reality' respectively.
History
On November 12, 2022, it was announced that they would make their debut on November 18 with the EP "The Fifty" with lead track "Higher".
On November 14, FIFTY FIFTY released a music video for the track "Lovin' Me" as a pre-release for their upcoming first EP, followed by a dance performance video for the track "Log In" on November 15. Also on November 15, each of the four members were individually revealed.
By the end of January 2023, FIFTY FIFTY had gained recognition for being a formidable new girl group after they were chosen by the Grammys as one of the ten girl groups to watch out for in 2023 as girl groups that " will take over and define how K-pop will sound and look in 2023 and beyond". In the article, their debut EP, The Fifty, was applauded as a brilliant album: "Throughout its four dazzling tracks, the quartet displays various colors and a vocal maturity that is both hard to find and crucial to have". Later that month, music critic magazine IZM gave FIFTY FIFTY's debut EP a 4.5 out of 5 star rating, which at the moment is the highest rating IZM has ever given a girl group, and complimented the girl group with: "Fifty Fifty is a great example of what happens when a great song meets a good singer. Thanks to them, South Korea has one more good girl group."
On January 25, 2023, FIFTY FIFTY revealed that they were preparing for their first comeback. The comeback album was later revealed to be a single album titled, "The Beginning: Cupid", set to be released on February 24 along with the music video for title track "Cupid". The album contains a "Cupid" version titled "Cupid (Twin Ver.)" recorded in English with both group members Sio and Aran.
On February 23, FIFTY FIFTY announced "HUNNIES" as the official name of their fan club.
During mid-March 2023, "Cupid" went viral online and FIFTY FIFTY became the first girl group of any genre to top to Billboard Global Chart.
Legal dispute with Attrakt
On June 19, the members of the group filed for an injunction to suspend their exclusive contracts with Attrakt, citing the violation of contractual obligations, as well as the lack of transparency in financial settlements, and medical negligence, during the group's promotions. They also filed for trademarks of the group's name and their stage names. The news of the injunction was belatedly revealed to the public after Attrakt accused Warner Music Korea and Ahn Sung-il of trying to get the members to violate their contracts to sign with another agency. While both parties denied the claim, Attrakt filed criminal charges against Ahn and three other individuals for fraud, breach of duty, and obstruction of business.
On June 28, 2023, all members officially filed a lawsuit against Attrakt. On October 23, 2023 it was announced that Saena, Sio and Aran‘s exclusive contracts with Attrakt were terminated. On November 2, 2023 Attrakt announced that the group’s remaining member Keena would be joined by three new members.
On March 11, 2024, the three former Fifty Fifty members lost their breach of trust claim filed against Attrakt, after the police decided to dismiss the investigations of Attrakt on charges of alleged embezzlement, having found that there was no evidence of suspected criminal activity in the case. At the same time, Attrakt also announced that Fifty Fifty will tentatively re-debut in June or July 2024.
Reformation and comeback
On June 14, it was confirmed that Fifty Fifty would make their comeback in September 2024 as a five-member group, with four new members joining the new line-up with the current member Keena. The following month, Chanelle Moon, Yewon, Hana, and Athena were revealed as the four new members.
In early 2025, former Fifty Fifty members Saena, Aran, and Sio announced their intentions to reform under the name ablume with producer Ahn Sung-il.
Other acts called Fifty Fifty
There are several other lesser known groups that have performed under the name Fifty Fifty, including:
1. House
2. USA punk band
3. Indonesia band
4. Free jazz band from Germany
5. Abstract/ambient
6. Eurodisco
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