Chocolat (Korean: 쇼콜라; RR: Syokolla), commonly stylized as ChoColat, was a South Korean girl group created by Paramount Music in 2011. The group's name stems from the idea that each member is reminiscent of a different type of chocolate. The name of the group was initially going to be "Chocolate", but there was already a group with that name, so Paramount Music decided to use the French word chocolat instead.[1] The group consists of a total of five former members: Jaeyoon, Min Soa, Juliane, Tia and Melanie. The group became inactive in 2013. Melanie confirmed in an interview that the group members' contracts had concluded in February 2017 and the group had disbanded.[2]
Chocolat | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
Genres | |
Years active | 2011 | –2017
Labels |
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Past members |
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Website | cafe |
Career
edit2011: Debut and I Like It
editOn August 2, 2011, Chocolat was revealed to the public by Paramount Music as the first mixed race group to debut in South Korea.[3] Prior to their debut, their music had been described as electronic club music, a mix of the disco of T-ara's "Roly-Poly" and the club sounds of 2NE1's "I Am The Best".[4] They have also said their role models are from girl group 2NE1.[4]
The song "I Like It" was brought to the group at the last-minute by the Paramount's president, thinking that it better represented the group's image. At this point, the band had already recorded seven songs and were rehearsing another song for their debut.[1] At first, the song was not well-liked, but public reception made them more comfortable with it.[1]
The music video for "Syndrome" was released on August 16, prior to the release of the digital single.[5] Following the digital release of the single on August 17, Chocolat had their debut performance on Mnet's M! Countdown on August 18, 2011,[6][7] later performing on August 19, 2011 on KBS Music Bank, on August 20, 2011 on MBC Music Core and finally a week later on SBS Inkigayo, on September 4, 2011. The song peaked at number 68 on the Gaon Weekly Digital Singles Chart and was written by British songwriter group DWB (Paul Drew, Greig Watts, Pete Barringer).[8][9][10] Before the debut, the group also had a cameo in the film Mr. Idol as "Korea's best group".[11]
Later in the year, it was revealed that the group would be returning with an extended play in December. Promotions for "I Like It" began on December 3, 2011 at the music show K-pop Con. Due to severe illness, member Jaeyoon was unable to attend recording sessions for the title track and therefore had to miss the "I Like It" promotional period altogether.[citation needed] The EP contains a total of five songs, including the title track "I Like It", which is work of Girls' Generation's Genie's songwriters Anne Judith Wik, Robin Jenssen, Ronny Svendsen and Nermin Harambašić.[12] Writer team DWB, having previously composed their debut single, composed the EP's track "In a Heartbeat" (너만을 보고 너만을 그리는) and "World Domination" (싫어 싫어).[12] The EP was released on December 15, 2011, including their title track "I Like It", an English version of the single, and three other tracks, likely to have been amongst the seven previously recorded songs the group had prior to debuting.[13] The EP reached 63 on the Gaon Weekly Albums Chart,[14] while the title track went to number 81 on the digital singles chart.[15]
2012: Endorsements and One More Day
editOn January 5, it was announced that Chocolat had been chosen as new models for NBA Korea.[16] On January 21, through Twitter, member Tia announced that they wouldn't be going back home to celebrate the Korean New Year and would instead spend the holiday practicing for promotions for their follow-up single "One More Day".[17][18] The track, from their I Like It EP, was penned by Korean-American songwriters Jenny Hyun and Jean T. Na, and was originally sung as a demo by Hyun and titled "Same Thing To Her".[19] The first performance for "One More Day" was broadcast through KBS's Music Bank on February 3. The music video was then released on February 9, 2012,[20] alongside the physical and digital single album,[21] which included the title track, a B-side song titled "Get Up", as well as instrumentals of both songs.[20] The music video shows the members performing a chair dance contrasting with the storyline involving the girls capturing the man who's deceived them and punishing him for what he's done. The single reached number 83 on the Gaon Weekly Digital Singles Chart.[22]
2013: Black Tinkerbell
editOn May 29, it was confirmed that Chocolat would be releasing new material in June. A week earlier the members had been reported to have been filming their upcoming music video for their comeback.[23] The group has since been a four-membered unit, as their former main vocalist Jaeyoon continued her absence from activities. The new single, "Black Tinkerbell", is about the love of Peter Pan's fairy, Tinkerbell, who stays by his side although he has found a love of his own, Wendy. The track was composed by Kim Euisung, a member of the group Bring The Noiz, who was inspired to write the song for Chocolat after hearing people compare them to fairies. The song took almost two years to be written, and the recording took six months to be perfected.[24][25][26] The single also includes a B-side, "All Night Long", composed by the DWB songwriting team.
On June 5, Chocolat performed a preview of "Black Tinkerbell" for the first time on Arirang TV's Afterschool Club.[27] After a one-year-and-three-month hiatus, the group released the single and its music video on June 11, 2013 in South Korea.[28] The first performance for "Black Tinkerbell" was broadcast through KBS's Music Show! Champion on June 13, followed by Music Bank on June 14.[29] "Black Tinkerbell" reached number 81 on the Gaon charts.[30]
2017: Tia’s departure and disbandment
editAfter a four-year hiatus on February 3, 2017, Tia officially announced her departure from the group.[31] On April 14, 2017, Melanie did an interview with the website 'Kpopalypse' when she confirmed that the groups' contracts had officially concluded as of February 2017 saying that "It was a long time coming. I mean a really long time coming, I wanna say maybe since the beginning of the group, I saw it coming". She also said that she has not kept in contact with Soa or Tia, but has contacted Juliane as they've gotten closer.[2]
Members
editFormer members
edit- Soa (소아) (2011-2017)
- Juliane (줄리앤) (2011-2017)
- Tia (티아) (2011-2017)
- Melanie (멜라니) (2011-2017)
- Jaeyoon (제윤) (2011)
Temporary member
edit- Lori Thomas (로리) (2013-2014) joined the group in October 2013.[32]
Timeline
editDiscography
editChocolat discography | |
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EPs | 1 |
Singles | 4 |
Music videos | 3 |
Extended plays
editTitle | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales [33] |
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KOR [34] | |||
I Like It[35] |
Track listing
|
22[36] |
|
Digital singles
editYear | Title | Peak chart positions | Sales (Digital download)[38] |
Album | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KOR Gaon[39] | |||||||||||||
2011 | "Syndrome"[10] | 68 | 184,335+[40] | ChoColat First Single Album | |||||||||
"I Like It"[15] | 81 | 156,260+[41] | I Like It, The First Mini-Album | ||||||||||
2012 | "One More Day"[22] | 83 | 113,873+[42] | ||||||||||
2013 | "Black Tinkerbell"[30] | 81 | 50,350+[43] | Third Single Album | |||||||||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
Videography
editYear | Music video | Length |
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2011 | "Syndrome" | 3:35 |
2012 | "One More Day" | 3:40 |
2013 | "Black Tinkerbell" | 3:30 |
Filmography
edit- 2011: "Mr 아이돌 (Idol)" (cameo)
Awards and nominations
editYear | Event | Award | Nominated work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | Seoul Success Awards | Rookie of the Year | Chocolat | Won |
MTV Best Of the Best | Hot Debut Star[44] | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Chocolat (쇼콜라) @ Heart to Heart [ARIRANG Tv]". Arirang TV. November 20, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ a b kpopalypse (April 15, 2017). "KPOPALYPSE INTERVIEW: Melanie Lee (ex-ChoColat)". KPOPALYPSE. Archived from the original on April 16, 2017. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
- ^ 韓최초 백인혼혈들 주축 5人 걸그룹 출격..관심 (in Korean). Naver. August 3, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
- ^ a b 혼혈 걸그룹 쇼콜라, 외모-실력 겸비 음악은? '클럽-일렉트로닉 접목 댄스' (in Korean). Nate. August 3, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
- ^ "Chocolat releases debut MV, "Syndrome"'". Allkpop. August 16, 2011. Archived from the original on September 6, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
- ^ ":: Paramount Music to debut mixed race group" (in Korean). Naver. August 8, 2011.
- ^ "Mixed Race Girl Group ChoColat's Debut "Thoroughbred with foreigner" is given special attention" (in Korean). Newsen. August 18, 2011. Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
- ^ ":: Daum Music Syndrome" (in Korean). Daum Music. August 17, 2011. Archived from the original on January 10, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
- ^ "Syndrome at Maniadb" (in Korean). Maniadb. August 17, 2011. Archived from the original on November 14, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
- ^ a b "2011년 35주차 Digital Chart". Gaon (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
- ^ "Mixed Race Group 'ChoColat' makes a cameo as nation's best group on Mr. Idol" (in Korean). Naver. November 4, 2011.
- ^ a b "EP The First Mini Album" (in Korean). Daum Music. December 15, 2011. Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
- ^ "Chocolat (쇼콜라) @ Heart to Heart [ARIRANG Tv]". Arirang TV. November 20, 2011. Archived from the original on January 25, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
- ^ "2011년 52주차 Album Chart". Gaon (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
- ^ a b "2011년 53주차 Digital Chart". Gaon (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
- ^ "걸그룹 쇼콜라, 스포츠 브랜드 NBA코리아 모델로 발탁돼 (Girl Group Chocolat, chosen as new models for Sports Brand 'NBA Korea')" (in Korean). Naver. January 5, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ^ "Chocolat's Tia Follow-Up Promotions announcement" (in Korean). Twitter. January 21, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ^ "Chocolat's Tia Follow-Up Promotions Announcement (English)". Twitter. January 21, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ^ "Chocolat /쇼콜라 – 하루만 더 (Same Thing To Her)". Jenny Hyun. July 16, 2011. Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ a b "Chocolat unveils MV for "One More Day"". Allkpop. February 8, 2012. Archived from the original on April 13, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
- ^ "Chocolat releases second single album, 'Chocolat'". Allkpop. February 8, 2012. Archived from the original on April 13, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
- ^ a b "2012년 08주차 Digital Chart". Gaon. Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
- ^ "Chocolat to join the list of girl group comebacks this June!". Allkpop. May 30, 2013. Archived from the original on June 9, 2013. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
- ^ "ChoColat Transforms into "Black Tinkerbell" for New Music Video". 360kpop. June 11, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2013.[permanent dead link ]
- ^ "ChoColat Transforms into "Black Tinkerbell" for New Music Video". Soompi. June 11, 2013. Archived from the original on July 16, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ 쇼콜라 신곡 '블랙 팅커벨' "2년 공들인 맞춤형 신곡" (in Korean). eDaily. June 11, 2013. Archived from the original on January 10, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ "Chocolat perform a preview of their comeback track "Black Tinkerbell"". Allkpop. June 5, 2013. Archived from the original on June 9, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
- ^ "Chocolat finally returns with "Black Tinkerbell" MV + walks you through their 'fairy dance' choreography". Allkpop. June 10, 2013. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
- ^ "Chocolat transforms into "Black Tinkerbell" in their comeback stage on 'Music Bank' for New Music Video". Daily KPop News. June 14, 2013. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ a b "2013년 25주차 Digital Chart". Gaon (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
- ^ "Tia announces her departure from Chocolat". February 7, 2017. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
- ^ "Chocolat Reveals Their Newest Member". KpopStarz. October 17, 2013.
- ^ "Gaon Chart – Monthly Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on May 11, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
- ^ "Gaon Chart – Weekly Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
- ^ "쇼콜라 (Chocolat) – 1st 미니앨범 : I Like It (ChoColat I Like It Mini Album Volume 1)" (in Korean). Yes24. December 13, 2011. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
- ^ "Gaon Album Chart - Week 2, 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on May 8, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Cumulative sales for 'I Like It' (300 + 1,047):
- "Gaon Album Chart - December 2011". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- "Gaon Album Chart - January 2012". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Download sales
- "Gaon Download Chart". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ ":: Gaon Chart – Chocolat" (in Korean). Gaon. December 28, 2011. Archived from the original on May 14, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
- ^ Monthly sales of "Syndrome":
- "Gaon Download Chart - August 2011 (see #115)". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Monthly sales of "I Like It":
- "Gaon Download Chart - December 2011 (see #120)". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Monthly sales of "One More Day":
- "Gaon Download Chart - February 2012 (see #154)". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Monthly sales of "Black Tinkerbell":
- "Gaon Download Chart - June 2013 (see #159)". Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ "2011 SBS MTV Best of the Best" (in Korean). MTV Korea. December 12, 2011. Archived from the original on July 15, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2011.