Ace (South Korean band)

A.C.E
A.C.E busking in Banpo-dong, November 2019 From left: Chan, Donghun, Jun, Kim Byeongkwan, Wow
A.C.E busking in Banpo-dong, November 2019
From left: Chan, Donghun, Jun, Kim Byeongkwan, Wow
Background information
OriginSeoul, South Korea
GenresK-pop
Years active2017 (2017)–present
Labels
Members
  • Jun
  • Donghun
  • Wow
  • Kim Byeongkwan
  • Chan
WebsiteOfficial website

A.C.E (Korean: 에이스; acronym for "Adventure Calling Emotions".[1]) is a South Korean boy band formed by Beat Interactive, and co-managed with Swing Entertainment. The group consists of five members: Jun, Donghun, Wow, Kim Byeongkwan, and Chan. The group debuted on May 23, 2017, with the single "Cactus".

A.C.E first gained a following busking on the streets of the hip Hongdae district in Seoul, covering the dance choreography of popular groups such as BTS, Blackpink and EXO.[2]

As of September 2021, the group have released 2 repackaged albums, 4 mini-albums, and 2 single albums.

History

Pre-debut

Jun trained under Jellyfish Entertainment alongside VIXX before transferring to CJ E&M.[3] He appeared on Mnet's I Can See Your Voice as Kangta's look-alike. Donghun competed on Superstar K5 prior to becoming a trainee under CJ E&M, and later appeared on I Can See Your Voice as well, winning the episode and earning high praise from Got7's JB. Wow trained at YG Entertainment alongside Winner[3] before later moving to CJ E&M, where he met Jun and Donghun.[3] Kim Byeongkwan participated in the first season of K-pop Star but was eliminated during the final round of casting.[3] He also trained under JYP Entertainment alongside Chan.[3]

2017–2018: Cactus, Callin, and A.C.E Adventures in Wonderland

A.C.E at the 2018 Incheon Airport Sky Festival
From left: Donghun, Chan, Wow, Kim Byeongkwan, Jun

On May 23, 2017, A.C.E released their debut single album Cactus, a hardstyle song produced by Zoobeater Sound.[4][5] A.C.E released their second single album Callin' on October 19, 2017.[6] On March 15, 2018, the group released a special single titled "5TAR (Incompletion)", with the song serving as a gift to fans after their brief hiatus to join The Unit and Mix Nine.[7]

Group members Kim Byeongkwan and Donghun won 4th and 8th place respectively on survival show Mix Nine in January 2018.[8] They would have debuted in a temporary boy group, but the debut was cancelled later that year.[9]

On June 7, 2018, A.C.E released their repackaged album, A.C.E Adventures in Wonderland, with their title track "Take Me Higher".[10] Group member Chan did not take part in this album due to his promotions with temporary boy group UNB, after winning 9th place on survival show The Unit earlier that year.[11]

A.C.E featured on their first collaboration with French DJ Hcue for the track, "I Feel So Lucky" that was released on September 14, 2018, aiming for a Moombahton sound fused with K-pop elements.[12]

2019–2020: Under Cover, Under Cover : The Mad Squad, and HJZM : The Butterfly Phantasy

On May 17, 2019, A.C.E released their second extended play Under Cover with the title track of the same name.[13]

A.C.E released their third extended play, Under Cover: The Mad Squad on October 29, 2019, with the title track "Savage".[14]

A.C.E released their fourth extended play, HJZM: The Butterfly Phantasy on September 2, 2020, with the title track "Favorite Boys".[15] On December 18, 2020, A.C.E signed with Asian Agent for global management.[16]

A.C.E released a remix of the song "Favorite Boys" by American DJ Steve Aoki, featuring the Nigerian-American rapper Thutmose, retitled "Fav Boyz" on January 8, 2021.[17][18]

2021–present: New agency, Siren : Dawn, Changer : Dear Eris and military enlistments

On February 5, 2021, it was announced that Swing Entertainment will co-manage A.C.E alongside Beat Interactive.[19] Swing Entertainment will be in charge of artist's domestic broadcasting appearances, while Beat Interactive is in charge of production, global marketing, artist care management and fan marketing.[20]

On April 16, 2021, A.C.E released the collaboration single "Down", featuring Grey.[21]

A.C.E released their fifth extended play Siren: Dawn on June 23, 2021, with the title track "Higher".[22] The EP showed their growing popularity. It charted at Number 1 in several countries across the world. The album peaked at Number 1 on the iTunes Worldwide Albums Chart two days after it was released. The countries where it reached Number 1 include (but are not limited to): Brazil, Belarus, Ecuador, Peru, Norway, Indonesia, Russia, Singapore, Portugal and Malaysia. It also peaked at number 6 in the US iTunes chart and number 13 in the UK, two of the worlds biggest music markets. Within just 6 hours of release the album also peaked at number one on the K-Pop Albums Chart. Lead single 'Higher' was reached number 3 on the K-Pop Music Song chart.[23] The EP earned many strong reviews with NME praising the members, stating: “Keep an eye on this headstrong quintet, because there's no question they'll surprise us in the years to come.”[24]

A.C.E have shown support for the LGBTQ+ community, with the latest showing of support being the release of their song "Spark" which is part of the original soundtrack for boys' love Korean drama Light on Me. "Spark" was released on July 8, 2021. Jun said of the release: "Just like how all of our fans, CHOICE, are different in their own special ways, we know that there [are] a range of different ways to love among all kinds of people in this world which we acknowledge and respect."[25][unreliable source?]

A.C.E released their second repackaged album Changer: Dear Eris on September 2, 2021, with the title track "Changer".[26]

On August 20, 2021, it was announced that Wow would be enlisting for his mandatory military service on September 10, where he is serving as a public service worker. On September 23, 2021, Donghun enlisted as a public service worker.[27] On February 7, 2022, Jun enlisted for his military service as an active duty soldier.[28] On April 11, 2022, Kim Byeongkwan enlisted as a member of KATUSA.[29] On August 16, 2022, Chan enlisted for his military service as an active duty soldier.[30][unreliable source?]

On June 9, 2023, Wow was officially discharged from his military service.[31]

Members

  • Donghun (동훈) – vocalist[32]
  • Wow (와우) – dancer, rapper, vocalist[32]
  • Jun (준) – leader, vocalist, dancer[32]
  • Kim Byeongkwan (김병관, formerly known as Jason) – rapper, vocalist[32]
  • Chan (찬) – vocalist[32]

Discography

Reissues

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[33]
A.C.E Adventures in Wonderland
Track listing
  1. "Cactus" (선인장)
  2. "Callin'"
  3. "Black and Blue"
  4. "Take Me Higher"
  5. "Dessert"
  6. "5TAR (Incompletion)"
  7. "Cactus" (선인장) (Inst.)
  8. "Callin'" (Inst.)
  9. "5TAR (Incompletion)" (Inst.)
 6
Changer: Dear Eris
  • Released: September 2, 2021
  • Label: Beat Interactive, Swing Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. "Intro: Revolutions"
  2. "Changer"
  3. "Black and Blue" (Complete ver.)
  4. "Down" (Kor ver.)
  5. "Talk You Down" (해주고 싶은 한마디)
  6. "Prequel" (진도 아리랑)
  7. "Cactus" (선인장) (Eng ver.)
  8. "Cactus" (선인장) (Remix ver.)
  9. "Remember Us"
  10. "Remember Us Inst." (Secret Voice Letter) (CD Only)
 7

Extended plays

Title EP details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[33] 		US
World
[36]
Under Cover
  • Released: May 17, 2019
  • Label: Beat Interactive
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. "Do It Like Me"
  2. "Under Cover"
  3. "Mr. Bass"
  4. "If You Heard"
  5. "5TAR" (CD only)
 8 9
Under Cover: The Mad Squad
  • Released: October 29, 2019
  • Label: Beat Interactive
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. "Intro: Escape"
  2. "Savage" (삐딱선)
  3. "Slow Dive"
  4. "So Sick" (나쁜말)
  5. "Holiday"
  6. "Take Me Higher" (Complete Ver.)
 7 —
HJZM: The Butterfly Phantasy
  • Released: September 2, 2020
  • Label: Beat Interactive
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. "Golden Goose"
  2. "Favorite Boys" (도깨비)
  3. "Baby Tonight" (황홀경) (恍惚境)
  4. "Stand by You" (편지를 써)
  5. "Clover"
 4 —
Siren: Dawn
  • Released: June 23, 2021
  • Labels: Beat Interactive, Swing Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. "Intro: Miserere Mei Deus (We Fell Down)"
  2. "Atlantis"
  3. "Higher"
  4. "Chasing Love"
  5. "Story"
 2 —

Single albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[33]
Cactus
  • Released: May 23, 2017
  • Label: Beat Interactive
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 24
Callin'
  • Released: October 18, 2017
  • Label: Beat Interactive
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 28

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR Gaon
[42] 		US World
[43]
Korean
"Cactus" (선인장; Seoninjang) 2017 — 21 A.C.E Adventures in Wonderland
"Callin'" — —
"5TAR (Incompletion)" 2018 — —
"Take Me Higher" — 15
"Under Cover" 2019 — 23 Under Cover
"Savage" (삐딱선)[14] — — Under Cover: The Mad Squad
"Favorite Boys" (도깨비) 2020 — — HJZM: The Butterfly Phantasy
"Higher" 2021 — — Siren: Dawn
"Changer" —[A] — Changer: Dear Eris
"Effortless" 2023 — 10 Non-album single
Japanese
"All I Want Is You" 2019 — — Non-album singles
"My Lover" 2020 — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Collaborations

List of collaborations, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Year Artist(s) Peak chart positions
US World
[45]
"Tonight" 2016 Jang Won Ki feat. A.C.E (Donghun) —
"I Feel So Lucky"[12] 2018 Hcue feat. A.C.E —
"Sincerity" 2019 So feat. A.C.E (Chan) —
"First Love" 2020 Hong Chang Woo feat. A.C.E (Jun, Donghun, Chan) —
"Fav Boyz"[18] 2021 A.C.E feat. Steve Aoki and Thutmose 4
"Down" A.C.E feat. Grey —
"Hope, Fade Away" Zeun J feat. A.C.E (Donghun) —
"Christmas Time" A.C.E with Son Ho-young and Forestella —

Soundtrack appearances

Title Year Album
"Maybe" (어쩌면) 2018 My Healing Love OST
"The Beginning" (시작) 2019 Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life OST
"Where You Are" 2020 The Game: Towards Zero OST
"Still Love" How to Buy a Friend OST
"Show Your Heart" (너를 보여줘) Welcome OST
"I'm Me" Twenty-Twenty OST
"Where Are You" Kairos OST
"Something" (어떻게 할까?) 2021 Sometoon 2021 OST
"Is It Just Me?" (썸썸한 사이?) Sometoon 2021 OST
"Spark" Light on Me OST
"Buzzer Beater" 2022 Tracer OST
"Catch Your Attention" Mimicus OST

Filmography

Dramas

Year Title Role(s) Ref.
2017 Hello, My Twenties! 2 As members of idol group The Fifth Column [46]
2020 Zombie Detective Dancers; Jun and Chan also played the roles of part-timers at a Gopchang restaurant [47][48]

Television shows

Year Title Ref.
2019 Extreme A.C.E [49]
A.C.E Chuja Island [50]

Awards and nominations

Year presented, name of the award ceremony, award category and the result of the nomination
Year Award Category Result Ref.
2017 SBS PopAsia Awards Rookie of the Year Won [51]
2018 StarHub Night of Stars Best Newcomer Award Won [52]
2019 The Fact Music Awards Rising Star Award Won [53]
Soribada Best K-Music Awards Next Artist Award Won [54]
2020 Global GAIA Service Award World Star Award Won [55]
APAN Music Awards Choice Global Hallyu Star Won [56]

Notes

  1. ^ "Changer" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 64 on Gaon Download Chart.[44]

References

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External links

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