Epex

Epex (Korean: 이펙스, romanized: Ipekseu; stylized as EPEX) is a South Korean boy band formed by C9 in 2021. The group consists of eight members: Wish, Keum, Mu, A-Min, Baekseung, Ayden, Yewang and Jeff. The group debuted on June 8, 2021, with their first EP titled Bipolar Pt.1: Prelude of Anxiety.

Epex
Epex in October 2022
Background information
OriginSeoul, South Korea
Genres
Years active2021 (2021)–present
Labels
Members
  • Wish
  • Keum
  • Mu
  • A-Min
  • Baekseung
  • Ayden
  • Yewang
  • Jeff
WebsiteOfficial web

Name

The group's name, EPEX, which stands for "Eight Apex". The meaning of the group is said to be when the gathering of eight youths reaches eight different apexes.[1]

History

Pre-debut activities

Keum is a former contestant of Mnet's Produce X 101. As a 2-year old trainee representing C9 Entertainment, he was eliminated in the final episode and was ranked 17th place.[2]

2021: Introduction, debut, Bipolar series

On March 1, 2021, C9 Entertainment announced would introduced member of their upcoming boy group under tentative name C9Rookies.[3][4] The group's members were revealed individually starting on March 2 (in order: Keum, Baekseung, A-Min, MU, Yewang, Jeff, Wish and Ayden).[5][6][7] [8][9]On April 1, the group's logo and official name were revealed.[1]A teaser titled "Prelude of Anxiety" was released on May 7. Their debut EP, Bipolar Pt.1: Prelude of Anxiety and its lead single "Lock Down", was released on June 8.[10]

On September 24, 2021, a teaser titled "Prelude of Love" was released on the group's SNS accounts. Their second EP, Bipolar Pt.2: Prelude of Love and its lead single "Do 4 Me" was released on October 26.[11]

2022–present: continue with Prelude series, first concert tour

On March 15, 2022, a teaser titled "21st Century Boys" was released on the group's SNS accounts. Their third EP, Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 1. '21st Century Boys' and its lead single "Anthem of Teen Spirit" was released on April 11.[12]

On October 26, they released their fourth EP Prelude of Love Chapter 1. 'Puppy Love' , a sequel of their 2021 EP Bipolar Pt.2: Prelude of Love, alongside the lead single "Hymn To Love".[13][14] To commemorate of the EP release, they held an online showcase in the same day.[15] The group also announced their first international concert tour, Eight Apex, starting from Seoul on November 19 & 20, following Osaka, Tokyo, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur and more cities would be announced later.[16][17]

Members

Adapted from their Naver profile[18] and website profile.[19]

  • Wish (위시) – leader, vocalist, dancer
  • Keum / Keum Donghyun (금동현) – rapper, dancer
  • MU (뮤) – vocalist
  • A-Min (아민) – vocalist, dancer
  • Baekseung (백승) – rapper
  • Ayden (에이든) – rapper
  • Yewang (예왕) – vocalist
  • Jeff (제프) – rapper

Discography

Extended plays
Title EP details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[20]		 JPN
[21]
Bipolar Pt.1: Prelude of Anxiety
Track listing
  1. "Go Big"
  2. "Lock Down"
  3. "Cyanide"
  4. "No Question"
  5. "Sling Shot"
 1026
Bipolar Pt.2: Prelude of Love
  • Released: October 26, 2021
  • Label: C9 Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
Track listing
  1. "Love Virus"
  2. "Do 4 Me"
  3. "Breathtaking"
  4. "Traveller" (지구핼 여행자)
 6—
Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 1. '21st Century Boys'
  • Released: April 11, 2022
  • Label: C9 Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
Track listing
  1. "Lone Wolf"
  2. "Anthem of Teen Spirit" (학원歌)
  3. "Burnout" (번아웃)
  4. "Strike"
  5. "I'll Go First"
 5—
Prelude of Love Chapter 1. 'Puppy Love'
  • Released: October 26, 2022
  • Label: C9 Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
 4—
Prelude of Love Chapter 2. 'Growing Pains'
  • Released: April 26, 2023
  • Label: C9 Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
 624
Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 2. 'Can We Surrender?'
  • Released: October 4, 2023
  • Label: C9 Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
 3—

Singles
Title Year Peak position Album
KOR
Down.
[30]
"Lock Down" 2021 — Bipolar Pt.1: Prelude of Anxiety
"Do 4 Me" — Bipolar Pt.2: Prelude of Love
"Anthem of Teen Spirit" (학원歌) 2022 — Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 1. '21st Century Boys'
"Hymn to Love" (사랑歌) 127 Prelude of Love Chapter 1. 'Puppy Love'
"Sunshower" 2023 — Prelude of Love Chapter 2. 'Growing Pains'
"Full Metal Jacket" — Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 2. 'Can We Surrender?
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Videography

Music videos
Title Year Director(s) Ref.
"Lock Down" 2021 Kim Woo-je
(ETUI Collective)		 [31]
"Do 4 Me" [32]
"Anthem of Teen Spirit" 2022 [33]
"Hymn to Love" [34]
"Sunshower" 2023 [35]
"Full Metal Jacket" [36]

Filmography

Television shows
Year Title Network Role Notes Ref.
2021 Welcome 2 House Mnet Main Reality show (with TO1) [37]

Awards and nominations
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, award category, nominee(s) of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
Asia Artist Awards 2021 Male Idol Group Popularity Award Epex Nominated [38]
Gaon Chart Music Awards 2022 New Artist of the Year – Physical Bipolar Pt.2: Prelude of Love Nominated [39]
Golden Disc Awards 2022 Rookie Artist of the Year Epex Nominated [40]
Hallyu Influencer Grand Prize Awards[upper-alpha 1] 2022 The Male Idol in the Rise Won [41]
Hanteo Music Awards 2021 Rookie Award – Male Group Won [42]
2022 Emerging Artist Award Won [43]
K Global Heart Dream Awards 2023 K Global Next Leader Award Won [44]
Korea Culture Entertainment Awards 2021 Best New Male Artist Won [45]
Mnet Asian Music Awards 2021 Best New Male Artist Nominated [46]
Artist of the Year Nominated
Album of the Year Bipolar Pt.1: Prelude of Anxiety Nominated
Seoul Music Awards 2022 Rookie of the Year Epex Won [47]
Popularity Award Nominated [48]
K-wave Popularity Award Nominated

Notes
  1. The 2022 Hallyu Influencer Awards (planned/directed by Lee Ail) held at the large studio on the 1st floor of the Ilsan Bitmaru Broadcasting Center on June 1st was hosted by JGMC and hosted by Payton Foundation and HR Entertainment, OBS Kyungin TV, bntnews, It was held with the official support of Kukje News and Reborn Nature.

References
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  2. "김우석 ( 티오피미디어 ) | PRODUCE X 101 [엠넷닷컴]". produce-x-101.mnet.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 4, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
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  28. Accumulated sales for Prelude of Love Chapter 2. 'Growing Pains:
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