Epex
Epex | |
|---|---|
_221022.jpg) Epex in October 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2021–present |
| Label | C9 |
| Members |
|
| Past members |
|
| Website | c9ent.co.kr/EPEX |
Epex (Korean: 이펙스; RR: Ipekseu; stylized in all caps) is a South Korean boy band formed and managed by C9 Entertainment. The group consists of seven members: Wish, Mu, A-Min, Baekseung, Ayden, Yewang, and Jeff. Originally an eight-member group, Keum departed in November 2025. They debuted on June 8, 2021, with their first extended play (EP) Bipolar Pt.1: Prelude of Anxiety.
Name
[edit]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
[edit]Pre-debut activities
[edit]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 and Bipolar series
[edit]On March 1, 2021, C9 Entertainment announced would introduced the members of their upcoming boy group under the 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 social media accounts. Their second EP, Bipolar Pt.2: Prelude of Love and its lead single "Do 4 Me" was released on October 26.[11]
2022–2023: Prelude of Anxiety and Love series
[edit]On March 15, 2022, a teaser titled "21st Century Boys" was released on the group's social media 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 the EP release, they held an online showcase in the same day.[15] The group also announced would be embarking on their first concert tour, "Eight Apex", kicking off in Seoul on November 19–20, with ensuing shows in Osaka, Tokyo, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur and more cities.[16][17]
On March 27, 2023, the group released a logo animation for their upcoming fifth EP Prelude of Love Chapter 2. 'Growing Pains', set to be released in April.[18][19] Later that day, the timetable was released and confirmed that their fifth EP would be released on April 26.[20][21] The EP consists of four tracks including the lead single "Sunshower".[22] On April 26, the group held a showcase at Shinhan Play Square Live Hall in Mapo-gu, Seoul to commemorating the release of their fifth EP.[23] Following the release of their fifth EP, the group announced to embarking their first fan-con "Sunshower" would held in June across four cities in Asia.[24][25]
On September 4, 2023, the group announced schedule to be release their sixth EP Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 2. 'Can We Surrender?' on October 4.[26] Pre-orders for the EP surpassed 260,000 copies.[27] The sixth EP was officially released on October 4, containing four tracks including the lead single "Full Metal Jacket." It was the final chapter of Prelude of Anxiety series.[28][29]
On November 17, it was announced that Epex would perform another live show, "So We Are Not Anxious", in Seoul's Blue Square Mastercard Hall on December 16 and 17.[30]
In December, Epex collaboration with Japanese boy group Fantastics from Exile Tribe for the song "Peppermint Yum".[31]
2024–present: Youth series, collaboration and Keum's departure
[edit]In January 2024, Epex was announced to appear on the Japanese variety show K-Pop House for two weeks.[32] Not long after that, they were confirmed to perform "Peppermint Yum" in the Japanese music program CDTV Live! Live! on January 22.[33]
On February 26, 2024, the pre-release song "Graduation Day" for their upcoming first full-length album was released.[34][35] On March 18, Epex confirmed that their first full-length album Youth Chapter: Youth Days would release on April 9.[36] The album contains eight tracks including the lead single "Youth2Youth", the coupling song "Breathe In Love" and the pre-released "Graduation Day".[37] On April 22, the coupling song "Breathe In Love" also released music video that filmed in Taiwan.[38] The album surpassed 231,247 copies in the first week after release.[39]
On May 4, 2024, it was announced that Epex would held their second fan-con "Youth Days" in Seoul's KBS Arena on July 27 and 28.[40] On June 7, the second fan-con was also announced, to be held in Osaka's Zepp Osaka Bayside on September 1 and in Tokyo's Zepp Haneda on September 3.[41] Epex released its second full-length album "Youth Chapter 2: Youth Deficiency” on November 5.[42] Following the release, the band went on another tour, visiting Macao, Taipei, and beyond.[43]
On May 6, 2025, Epex released the single "So Nice" in collaboration with the Arkansas-based indie rock band joan.[43]
On May 31, 2025, Epex performed in Fuzhou, China as part of their Youth Deficiency Asia Tour. The show was the first performance by an all-Korean K-pop group in mainland China since the nation's unofficial K-pop ban went into place in 2016.[43]
On November 21, 2025, Keum departed Epex, following the expiration of his contract with C9 Entertainment.[44]
Members
[edit]Adapted from their official website.[45]
Current
[edit]- Wish (위시)
- MU (뮤)
- A-Min (아민)
- Baekseung (백승)
- Ayden (에이든)
- Yewang (예왕)
- Jeff (제프)
Former
[edit]- Keum (금동현)
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [46] | |||
| Youth Chapter 1: Youth Days |
Track listing
|
1 |
|
| Youth Chapter 2: Youth Deficiency |
|
4 |
|
| Youth Chapter 3: Romantic Youth |
|
2 |
|
Extended plays
[edit]| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [46] |
JPN [50] | |||
| Bipolar Pt.1: Prelude of Anxiety |
Track listing
|
10 | 26 | |
| Bipolar Pt.2: Prelude of Love |
Track listing
|
6 | — |
|
| Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 1. '21st Century Boys' |
Track listing
|
5 | — |
|
| Prelude of Love Chapter 1. 'Puppy Love' |
Track listing
|
4 | — |
|
| Prelude of Love Chapter 2. 'Growing Pains' |
Track listing
|
6 | 24 | |
| Prelude of Anxiety Chapter 2. 'Can We Surrender?' |
Track listing
|
3 | — |
|
| Youth: Epilogue |
Track listing
|
5 | — |
|