Gugudan
South Korean girl group
Gugudan (Korean: 구구단), also stylized as gu9udan or gx9, was a South Korean girl group formed in 2016 by Jellyfish Entertainment and the company's first girl group. The group debuted on June 28, 2016, with their EP Act. 1 The Little Mermaid. The group was composed of eight members: Mimi, Hana, Haebin, Nayoung, Sejeong, Sally, Soyee, Mina, and previously Hyeyeon until her departure from the group in October 2018.
Following two years with very little group activities, Gugudan disbanded on December 31, 2020.
History
Pre-debut
In January 2016, Nayoung, Sejeong and Mina were introduced as Jellyfish Entertainment's first female trainees on the Mnet survival show, Produce 101, where 101 female trainees from various companies competed to debut in an eleven-member girl group that would promote for a year under YMC Entertainment. After placing 2nd and 9th respectively in the final episode, Sejeong and Mina debuted as members of I.O.I in May 2016.
2016: Debut with Act. 1 The Little Mermaid
Despite denying earlier reports of Sejeong and Mina debuting in a 3-member girl group in June, Jellyfish Entertainment confirmed on June 7 that the two I.O.I members would debut within the month in what would be the company's first girl group. Because of YMC Entertainment's special terms in which I.O.I's members are allowed to do activities under their respective companies while I.O.I was on break or while the group promoted in sub-units, there were no complications with the plan.
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