Berry Good (Korean: 베리굿; RR: Beri Gut) was a South Korean girl group formed by Asia Bridge Entertainment in 2014. They released their debut single Love Letter on May 21, 2014 as a quintet, then, after two line-up changes, they were mainly active as a sextet consisting of original members Taeha and Gowoon and new members Seoyul, Daye, Sehyung and Johyun. They officially disbanded on May 12, 2021.
History
2014–2015: Debut and line-up changes
Berry Good at the 2015 Seoul Fashion Week, on March 22, 2015.
Berry Good debuted on May 21, 2014, with the music video for "Love Letter", a remake of the song released by Click-B in 2000.[1][2][3] The eponymous single was released the following day,[4] when they also started promotions on M! Countdown.[5]
In January 2015, Asia Bridge Entertainment stated that Subin, Iera and Nayeon had left the group to concentrate on their studies,[6] and introduced new member Seoyul,[7][8] followed by Daye and Sehyung.[9][10][11]
Their second single Because of You was released on February 9.[12][13][14] They started promotions on February 10 on SBS MTV's The Show.[15] In June, their representative office launched various Berry Good goods (such as accessories, clothes and cosmetics) in China.[16]
On September 23, their third single My First Love was released.[17] Two music videos were produced, one of which features actress Kim Bo-ra. The song, posthumous work of composer Joo Tae-young, was first performed in advance on September 20 at Hallyu Dream Concert,[18][19] and promotions started on September 22 on The Show.[20]
2016–2017: New member Johyun and further releases
Berry Good in 2016.
On March 11, Berry Good launched a crowdfunding campaign to produce their first EP on Makestar. The ₩10-million goal was reached in ten days[21][22] and the campaign ultimately raised ₩16,084,438, 160.8% of its original goal. On April 20, the crowdfunded mini-album Very Berry, led by title track "Angel", was released.[23]
Their following release was crowdfunded on Makestar as well.[24] The project started on September 1 as a new single, but it was later upgraded to a mini album,[25][26] and ended raising ₩26,896,790, 268.97% of its original 10-million goal. The group also added a sixth member, Johyun.[27] Three out of four songs from the EP, including the lead track "Don't Believe", were showcased on Arirang Radio's K-poppin' one day before their release.[28] The official music video for "Don't Believe", and the group's second mini album Glory, were released on November 1.[29]
A third Makestar project was launched on March 9, 2017[30] to finance their sixth digital single Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo. While the song was released on April 16, its music video was uploaded to the group's YouTube channel the day after.[31] To promote Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo, Berry Good adopted a "part-timer concept", experiencing part-time works between schedules and sending proceeds to the needy.[32] On June 9, they performed three songs at the Thống Nhất Stadium of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.[33]
2018–2019: First sub-unit, first full-length album and Taeha’s departure
Taeha, Sehyung and Gowoon debuted in the group's first sub-unit, Berry Good Heart Heart, on April 27, 2018, releasing their digital single Crazy, Gone Crazy.[34][35] On August 16, the group made a comeback with their first studio albumFree Travel,[36] that they had been recording since August 2017.[37] They commemorated the release through a showcase held that afternoon at Ilji Art Hall in Cheongdam-dong.[38][39] After promoting the lead single "Green Apple", in September they went on with B-side "Mellow Mellow", but Sehyung sat out due to an ankle fracture;[40] despite participating in their single This Winter, released on December 15,[41] she was on hiatus until March 1, 2019.[42]
On October 18, 2018, Berry Good held their first concert in Japan, at Shinjuku Blaze in Tokyo.[43] They released their third mini-album, Fantastic, on May 25, 2019[44] with "Oh! Oh!" serving as the title track, as a five-member group, with Daye resting due to health issues.[45] They started comeback promotions that same day on Show! Music Core,[46] but, two days later, Taeha announced her contract had expired and she would no longer be in the group.[47] Berry Good therefore discontinued the album's promotional activities.[48]
2020–2021: Members departure and disbandment
On November 5, 2020, Berry Good returned with the new digital single "Accio" as a quartet.[49] It was included in their fourth extended play Undying Love, which was released on January 19, 2021.[50]
On February 22, 2021, Gowoon and Seoyul announced that their contracts have expired and they would be leaving the group.[51]
On May 12, 2021, Berry Good officially disbanded after discussions with the remaining members. JTG Entertainment announced they've been acquired by Star Weave Entertainment, Johyun will be joining Star Weave Entertainment, while Sehyung will leave the agency.[52]
Image and musical style
Berry Good didn't have a fixed basic image, changing it for every release.[53] They started their career with dance tracks,[54] before releasing their first ballad "My First Love" in September 2015. To promote "Don't Believe" in November 2016, Berry Good underwent a change of styling and concept to take off the original girlish, neat and pure image,[55] adding EDM and tropical house elements to their music.[28]
^"My First Love" did not enter the Gaon Download Chart, but it peaked at number 149 on the domestic download chart.[74]
^"Angel" did not enter the Gaon Download Chart, but it peaked at number 386 on the domestic download chart.[75]
References
^"베리굿, 첫 티저 공개...5人5色 매력 '눈길'" [Berry Good release the first teaser... the five girls are "attractive"]. The Korea Herald (in Korean). May 19, 2014. Archived from the original on May 20, 2014. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
^"상큼한 신인 베리굿 영상으로 만나다" [Let's meet the fresh-faced rookies Berry Good] (in Korean). Retrieved September 9, 2014.
^"베리굿, 21일 데뷔곡 '러브레터' 뮤비 공개 '상큼발랄'" [Berry Good released on the 21st their debut song 'Love Letter' MV. It's "refreshing and youthful"]. The Korea Herald (in Korean). May 21, 2014. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
^"러브레터" [Love Letter] (in Korean). May 22, 2014. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
^"베리굿, 상큼한 다양한 '과일종합선물세트 같은 소녀들' [인터뷰]" [Berry Good, a variety of refreshing 'fruit-like girls'] (in Korean). February 9, 2015. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
^"AOA 유나 친동생 서율, 걸그룹 베리굿 합류" [AOA's Yuna's sister Seoyul joins group Berry Good]. MSN (in Korean). January 23, 2015. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
^"AOA 유나 친동생 서율, 걸그룹 '베리굿'으로 가요계 데뷔" [AOA's Yuna younger sister Seoyul debuts in the music industry in girl group "Berry Good"]. The Korea Herald (in Korean). January 23, 2015. Archived from the original on January 24, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
^"베리굿, 9일 두 번째 싱글 '요즘 너 때문에 난'으로 컴백" [Berry Good comes back on February 9 with second single 'Because of You'] (in Korean). February 9, 2015. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
^"베리굿 "새 멤버로 밝은 에너지 충전...파타야 찍고 유럽 GO~"" [Berry Good "gets a bright energy charge with new members... and now we aim to Europe!"] (in Korean). February 12, 2015. Archived from the original on October 7, 2013. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
^"Berry Good、中国進出が確定...商品ブランド館を立ち上げる" [Berry Good, China's entry is confirmed... To establish product brand hall] (in Japanese). June 6, 2015. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
^"걸그룹 베리굿, '한류 드림콘서트'서 컴백 첫 무대 "음원 발표 전 공개"" [Girl group Berry Good's first comeback stage "before the public announcement" at "Hallyu Dream Concert"] (in Korean). September 20, 2015. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
^"짝사랑의 추억과 감성들을 들려 줄 베리굿 '내 첫사랑'" [Berry Good hit memories and feelings with "My First Love"] (in Korean). September 23, 2015. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
^"그룹 베리굿, '내 첫사랑' 컴백무대서 눈물 쏟아" [Group Berry Good sheds tears during comeback stage for "My First Love"] (in Korean). September 22, 2015. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
^"베리굿, 미니음반 제작 크라우드 펀딩 120% 초과 달성" [Berry Good, mini album crowdfunding achieved record of more than 120%] (in Korean). March 30, 2016. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
^"걸그룹 베리굿, 오는 11월 1일 새 앨범으로 컴백 '변신완료'" [Girl group Berry Good to come back with new album and "complete transformation"] (in Korean). October 24, 2016. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
^"걸그룹 베리굿, 6인 완전체 공개 '비주얼 올킬' 티저 공개" [Girl group Berry Good, the six members teaser revealed, a "visual allkill"] (in Korean). October 27, 2016. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
^"베리굿, 새 멤버 조현 영입..6인조 재편 11월 1일 컴백" [Berry Good recruits new member Johyun... to come back on November 1 as a 6-member group] (in Korean). October 25, 2016. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
^"걸그룹 베리굿, '우월한 각선미' 공개" [Girl group Berry Good to reveal 'superior legs'] (in Korean). April 10, 2017.
^"[인터뷰] 베리굿(BerryGood), 이해와 소통으로 성장 중인 청춘들 (종합)" [[Interview] BerryGood, youths growing through understanding and communication (synthesis)] (in Korean). June 17, 2017. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
^"베리굿, 11월5일 컴백…조현 콘셉트 포토 공개". sports.donga.com (in Korean). October 30, 2020. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
^"'5인조 → 6인조' 베리굿 조현, 프로필 사진 공개" [From 5 to 6 people, Berry Good release member Johyun profile pictures] (in Korean). October 31, 2016. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
^"베리굿 "평균 나이 17.8세, 더 발랄해져 베리굿!"(인터뷰①)" [Berry Good: "White an average age of 17.8 years, we're becoming more youthful Berry Good!" (interview part 1)] (in Korean). February 9, 2015. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
^"Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
^ ab"Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
"Because of You": 2015년 02월 Download Chart [February 2015 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). p. 3. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016.
"Time For Me": 2021년 04주차 Download Chart [Week 04 of 2021 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 25, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
^My First Love (photobook). Berry Good. South Korea: KT Music. 2015. Credits.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Very Berry (photobook). Berry Good. South Korea: CJ E&M Corp. KOREA. 2016. Credits.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Glory (photobook). Berry Good. South Korea: CJ E&M Corp. KOREA. 2016. Credits.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo (photobook). Berry Good. South Korea: LOEN Entertainment. 2017. Credits.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^"하트하트 – 난리가난리가났네 M/V". SNP Film (in Korean). SNPfilm. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
^Free Travel (photobook). Berry Good. South Korea: LOEN Entertainment. 2018. Credits.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
