AOA still thriving even after member departs

Girl band AOA members pose on the cover of their new album “Bingle Bangle.” / Courtesy of FNC Entertainment

By Kwak Yeon-soo

The days following the release of AOA's fifth mini album “Bingle Bangle” have not been disappointing. Instead the new record has been garnering mostly positive reviews, celebrating their new trajectory without Choa.

The new work opens with the title track “Bingle Bangle,” a modern, funky pop song that has catchy hooks. Upbeat and playful in its synth backing and melody, the song is addictive due to the whistling and guitar sounds.

The six-track mini album also includes retro-pop “Super Duper,” reggae-inspired “Heat,” and rhythmical synth-based pop “Ladi Dadi.”

After the release, their album was No. 3 on the iTunes K-Pop Albums charts in 13 countries, including the U.S., Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. The album also entered the Top 10 of iTunes Top Album charts in nine countries, including Finland, Norway, Thailand, and Singapore.

The title track “Bingle Bangle” was No. 1 on Mnet's online streaming service and No. 2 on Bugs Music chart in Korea.

“We thought our title track, Bingle Bangle, would be the perfect song for summer,” said Jimin, a rapper in AOA, during a showcase held at YES 24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul, Monday.

Members of AOA perform during a showcase held at YES 24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul, Monday. / Courtesy of FNC Entertainment

Despite Choa, the main vocalist of AOA, having left the band last January due to long-term depression and insomnia, her narrative continues to be woven within the band. Now a six-member girl group, which consists of Jimin, Yuna, Hyejeong, Mina, Seolhyun, and Chanmi, members fielded questions about their former band mate during their showcase.

“Many might be used to Choa's voice, but other members like Yuna and Mina have played big roles as vocalists too,” said Chanmi, a rapper-turned-vocalist of AOA. “All six members have put a lot of effort to fill the gap.”

Since their album released in January 2017, AOA chose to take a hiatus that was necessary for each member's individual growth.

“We've practiced really hard preparing for this album as if we had gone back to our trainee period,” said Seolhyun. “We traded heels for sneakers because our songs have the most challenging choreography so far,” added Hyejeong.

During a showcase, Seolhyun also opened up about a controversy over her personal Instagram account. She stopped following a few celebrities who had been embroiled in controversy related to gender issues, including Yoo Ah-in, IU, and Yoo Byung-jae.

“I just wanted to rearrange the list of people I was following and keep contact with my close acquaintances,” said Seolhyun.

AOA debuted as an eight-member girl band in August 2012, originally operating as two sub-units ―a band (with members playing instruments) and a dance group. When the band unit disbanded due to the success of the dance group, Youkyung, a drummer, left the group in 2016. Their hits include “Miniskirt,” “Short Hair” and “Like a Cat.”