Infinite (인피니트)
(Left to right) Sungyeol, Woohyun, L, Dongwoo, Hoya, Sungkyu, Sungjong.
Background information
Origin	Seoul, South Korea
Genres	Pop, R&B, dance
Years active	2010 (2010)–present
Labels	Woollim Entertainment Universal D (Japan)
Associated acts	Infinite H, Epik High, Nell
Website	ifnt7.com infinite7.jp www.universal-music.co.jp/infinite
Members	Sung-kyu Dong-woo Woo-hyun Hoya Sung-yeol L Sung-jong

Infinite (Korean: 인피니트, Japanese: インフィニット; stylized as INFINITE) is a seven member South Korean pop boy group under Woollim Entertainment, which is also home to other talents such as Epik High and Nell. The group consists of 7 members: Sunggyu, Dongwoo, Woohyun, Hoya, Sungyeol, L, and Sungjong. The group is known for their highly synchronized dancing as well as the 'Scorpion Dance' in their "Before The Dawn" MV. With 2011 being their breakout year, Infinite continues to become successful and gain more popularity amongst other idol groups in both South Korea and Japan.

Career

2010: First Invasion

In 2010, Infinite first appeared in the reality show You Are My Oppa introducing the group before making their debut on June 9. They performed songs from their first EP First Invasion with the singles "Come Back Again" and "She's Back"^[1]

2011: Evolution, Over the Top, and Japanese debut

Infinite in August 2011

On January 7, 2011, the band debuted the single Before the Dawn (BTD) (Before the Dawn) from their second EP Evolution. Promotions for BTD ended on the February 17, 2011 on Inkigayo where Infinite performed a remix version of the song.

The MV teaser for their next title song Nothing's Over, off their first single album Inspirit, was released on March 7, 2011. The full version was later released on March 16, 2011 ahead of their comeback stage on M! Countdown on March 17, 2011 where they performed both Nothing's Over and part of Shot. Infinite then continued promotions with their follow-up track Can U Smile on May 12 on Mnet’s "M! Countdown".

Their first album Over The Top was released on July 21, 2011 together with the MV of their title track Be Mine (내꺼하자). The music video teaser of their title track was first released on their official website at midnight of July 15 followed by an album preview on the 20th. The group then had their comeback on July 23, 2011 on Music Core. They received their First Music Show #1 Award in M! Countdown on September 1, 2011. They have received a "Double Crown" for winning two consecutive #1 wins at M! Countdown. Infinite re-released their first album Over the Top as a repackaged album. This repackaged album was titled Paradise. "Paradise" was released on September 26, 2011. Woollim Entertainment revealed the music video teaser of "Paradise", the repackaged album's promotional track on September 22, 2011. On 9th of October, Infinite came first on Inkigayo for "Paradise." Infinite then won their second trophy with "Paradise" on October 13 on M! Countdown.

Infinite members Sungyeol and L walked the runway in Fashion Week in Seoul.

In November 2011, INFINITE participated in "Birth of a Family" where they had to take care of three dogs.^[2]

Infinite unofficially debuted in Japan with their first Japanese single To-Ra-Wa^[3] on January 26, 2011. Immediately after its release, their Evolution album hit #3 on real-time charts for sales in Korea.^[4] The song topped to #1 for ringtones on the daily charts of the K-POP section of Japan’s top mobile website. Infinite released various rental singles song including "She's Back", "BTD (Before The Dawn)", and "Nothing's Over" before they officially debuted in Japan. Infinite made their official debut with the Japanese version of "BTD". "BTD" was released on November 19, 2011. The single was released in three versions, a CD+Photobook including a 40-page photobook, CD+DVD that includes their first Japanese showcase at Zepp Tokyo on July 21, 2011 as well as "BTD"'s music video and making-of, and regular edition. All editions comes with a random (1 out of 7) trading cards. The B-side for the single is "Can U Smile", a remake from their 2nd Mini Album EVOLUTION found on the 3rd track of their first single album Inspirit.

On December 2011, they digitally released their first Christmas song "White Confession (Lately)".

2012: Touring, individual activities and Infinitize

Infinite performed their very first Korean concert ^[5] in front of approximately 8,000 fans on February 11–12 at the Seoul Olympic Park in Songpa District, eastern Seoul. The concert was titled Second Invasion, following after the band's debut album, First Invasion. The tickets for the concert sold out within 10 minutes after being released online on December 14. A teaser for the concert was released.^[6]

Dongwoo was featured on Baby Soul/Yoo Jia's new single "She's a Flirt" released on the 18 January.^[7]

L was cast in for the tvN TV drama Shut Up Flower Boy Band which started airing on the 30 January.^[8]

Sunggyu and Woohyun made their musical debuts in "Gwanghwamun Sonata" on the 7, February to the 11 March at the LG Arts Center.^[9]

On April 1, an encore performance of Infinite's first concert "Second Invasion" was held, once again at the Seoul Olympic Park. The performance was titled "Second Invasion - Evolution". Ticket sales for the concert began on February 28, and instantly sold out all 10 000 seats.^[10]

The encore performance also obtained a partnership with Youtube to broadcast parts of it live worldwide. Infinite is now the first K-pop group to ever live stream a concert through Youtube.^[11]

"Be Mine" was remade to serve as their 2nd Japanese single. It was released on April 18, 2012 with fourth versions, a CD+DVD limited edition ("SOLID VERSION"), two CD Only limited editions ("POP ART VERSION"/"INNOCENT VERSION"), and a regular CD Only edition. All the limited editions include a different packaging design and 9 photocards (of a total of 15 types). The title track is a Japanese version of their song "Naekkeohaja", which was the lead track for their Over the Top album. The single also includes the introduction track of the album, and a Japanese version of "Julia". It peaked at #2 both in Oricon Daily and Weekly Charts.^[12] Total reported sales amount to 54,218 copies.

The group made their comeback with their third mini album INFINITIZE with the title track "The Chaser". Before the official release, they released a prologue single "Only Tears" on May 7, 2012.

Infinite was awarded a "Triple Crown" for winning #1 in a week at all Music Programs. On June 14, 2012, Infinite won their first triple crown on M! Countdown for the "The Chaser" which achieved top spot on the charts for three consecutive weeks.^[13]

Hoya was cast in Reply 1997 that aired on the 24 July.^[14]

Woohyun was cast in The Thousandth Man which started airing on the 17 August.^[15]

L was cast in What is Mom that aired on October 8.^[16] Infinite sang the sitcom's OST, Fantasy.^[17]

Sungkyu debuted as a solo artist. Pre-releasing his song, Shine, on Nov 6th and releasing his first album, Another Me, on Nov 19th.^[18] L is featured in Sunggyu's title track song 60 sec MV. His album topped the Hanteo chart and to date it has sold 62,958 copies.

2013: Infinite H, New Challenge and Koi ni Ochiru Toki

Dongwoo and Hoya made their debut as Infinite H on January 10, 2013 with the mini album Fly High.^[19]

On March 21, the group released their fourth mini album, titled New Challenge. "Man in Love", title track of the mini album, has won seven (7) music show awards during the entire promotion. It received 1st place for two consecutive weeks in SBS' Inkigayo,[10] (March 31 and April 7) and KBS Music Bank (April 5 and 12). The song has as well ranked on top spot on MBC Music's Show Champion (April 3) and on Mnet's M! Countdown (April 4). The group has achieved an all-kill with their first place wins on all music broadcast shows during their third week of promotion. On April 20, MBC has introduced a brand new ranking system for ‘Music Core’ and hailed Infinite as the winner of that week's chart and the first receiver of the revived ranking award.

With INFINITE sweeping music shows with their single “Man In Love”, they’re now recognized as the first artist in 12 years to win #1 on three major broadcasting stations (SBS, MBC, KBS) with the same song.

The group is scheduled to release their Japanese debut album, Koi ni Ochiru Toki, on June 6.^[20]

Members

Discography

Awards and nominations

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Infinite

• Official Website (Korean)
• Official Website (Japanese)
• Infinite - Universal Music Japan