Luminous (Korean루미너스, stylized in all caps) is a South Korean idol group signed with SE Group Entertainment (formerly Barunson WIP). Consisting of members Youngbin, Suil, Steven, and Woobin, the quartet released the pre-debut mini-album Vision in August 2021 before launching its first mini-album Youth the following month. The group has since released a second mini-album entitled Between Light and Darkness (Self n Ego) and its first full-length album Luminous in Wonderland in 2022.

Luminous
Luminous in August 2022
L–R: Youngbin, Woobin, Suil, and Steven.
Background information
OriginSeoul, South Korea
Genres
Years active2021 (2021)–present
LabelsSE Group • EVA
Members
  • Youngbin
  • Suil
  • Steven
  • Woobin
Websitecafe.daum.net/lmn.

History

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Luminous was originally set to begin releasing music with a different name and company in 2019, but the group's debut was delayed.[1] Vocal trainer Kim Sung-eun, who had previously worked with numerous artists including BTS and Twice, founded the music agency Barunson WIP and took in the ensemble with members Youngbin, Suil, Steven, and Woobin.[2][3] The name of the group was decided by vote and given the meaning of "a light shining brightly even in the dark".[2] A fictional universe was introduced as part of Luminous's concept and the members symbolize the elements of thunder (Suil), fire (Steven), light (Youngbin), and moonlight (Woobin).[4]

On August 17, 2021, Barunson WIP announced its plans to debut the four-member group produced by Kim and Barunson E&A, with its debut album slated to be issued in early September.[3] Luminous released a surprise pre-debut album entitled Vision and "Dreaming Luminous" two days later. The album also included solo songs composed by each member.[5] Luminous' debut mini-album Youth was scheduled to be released on September 1, but was postponed following Youngbin's COVID-19 diagnosis.[6] It was released along with the lead single "Run" on September 9.[7] The quartet made its first live performance on SBS MTV's music chart program The Show on September 14.[8] Luminous held a mini fan concert on October 4 called Youth: You and I.[9] A music video for the album track "Home Alone" was released later that month.[10]

Luminous released its second mini-album Between Light and Darkness (Self n Ego) and lead single "All Eyes Down (Advance)" on January 20, 2022.[11] Inspired by the fictional supervillain Joker, the album delves into the "confusion between the real self and the created self" as the lyrics try to determine, "Who am I?".[1][12] Announced one day prior, the group made the mid-tempo pop song "Wish You Were Here" available on online music platforms on May 21.[13] Luminous released their first studio album Luminous in Wonderland and its two single "Engine" and "Creature" on August 17.[14]

Musical style

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Luminous's lyrical theme revolves around youth.[15] The group aims to "convey a message of hope and comfort" to that audience through the songs lyrics.[4] Upon its debut, Luminous laid its music foundation in hip hop integrated with R&B and pop.[7] Luminous's first few singles comprised a dark atmosphere, but the group's music shifted to a "clear, bright" direction with "Engine".[16]

Members

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List of members and roles.

  • Youngbin – leader, lead vocals, dance[17]
  • Suil – sub-vocals, rap, dance[18]
  • Steven – sub-vocals, rap[19]
  • Woobin – main vocals[20]

Discography

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Albums

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Studio albums

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Title[21] Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[22]
Luminous in Wonderland
Track listing
  1. "Marionette"
  2. "Creature"
  3. "Engine"
  4. "Your Ocean"
  5. "Crazy" (열대야)
  6. "Far"
  7. "Hologram"
  8. "Upside Down"
  9. "Talking Myself"
  10. "Legend"
75

Extended plays

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Title[21] Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[22]
Vision (꿈을 꾸는 루미너스; Kkumeul Kkuneun Lumineoseu)
  • Released: August 19, 2021
  • Label: Barunson WIP, Kakao
  • Format: Digital download
Track listing
  1. "Dreaming Luminous" (끔루 (꿈을 꾸는 루미너스))
  2. "ROD (Ride Or Die)"
  3. "Up All Night"
  4. "Star" (별)
  5. "Orbit" (여행)
Youth
  • Released: September 9, 2021
  • Label: Barunson WIP, Kakao
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. "Intro"
  2. "Run"
  3. "Home Alone"
  4. "Run (Inst.)"
  5. "Home Alone (Inst.)"
Between Light and Darkness (Self n Ego) (빛과 어둠 사이; Bitgwa Eodum Sai)
  • Released: January 20, 2022
  • Label: Barunson WIP, Kakao
  • Format: Digital download
Track listing
  1. "Matryoshka"
  2. "Trouble"
  3. "All Eyes Down" (비상)
  4. "Blind" (섬광증)
  5. "Want It More?"
96

Singles

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Title[21] Year Album
"Dreaming Luminous" (꿈루 (꿈을 꾸는 루미너스); Kkumnu (Kkumeul Kkuneun Lumineoseu)) 2021 Vision
"Run" Youth
"All Eyes Down (Advance)" (비상; Bisang) 2022 Between Light and Darkness (Self n Ego)
"Wish You Were Here" Non-album single
"Engine" Luminous in Wonderland
"Creature"

Concerts

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  • Youth: You and I (2021)[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b Trudel, Nadia (February 25, 2022). "Rookie K-Pop Group Luminous talk about their first comeback "All eyes down (advance)"". The Concordian. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Yoon, Sang-keun (October 20, 2021). 김성은 더블유아이피 대표 "루미너스, 올라운드 아티스트 꿈꾼다"(인터뷰③)[스타메이커]. Starnews (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Seo, Ye-jin (August 17, 2021). [공식] 'BTS‧트와이스 보컬 트레이너' 김성은, 그룹 '루미너스' 9월 데뷔 확정. Ten Asia (in Korean). Korea Entertainment Media. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Dong, Sun-hwa (September 9, 2021). "K-pop boy group Luminous debuts with first album, 'Youth'". The Korea Times. Dongwha Enterprise. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  5. ^ Kim, Tae-sik (August 18, 2021). 'BTS‧트와이스 보컬 트레이너 제작' 루미너스, 19일 깜짝 프리 데뷔!. Onews (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  6. ^ Kim, Su-yeong (August 23, 2021). [단독] 루미너스 영빈, 코로나19 확진…앨범 발매 연기. Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Kim, Min-ji (September 9, 2021). 루미너스, 오늘 '유스'로 가요계 출격…청춘 대변할 '특급 신인' 탄생. News1 Korea (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  8. ^ Son, Bong-seok (September 14, 2021). '더쇼' 루미너스, 데뷔곡 'RUN' 음방 첫 공개. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Kyunghyang Company. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Maeng, Seon-mi (September 28, 2021). 루미너스, 미니 팬 콘서트 성료…글로벌 팬心 사로잡은 4인 4색 매력. BizEnter (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  10. ^ Kim, Ye-na (October 19, 2021). 루미너스, 첫 미니 수록곡 '홈 얼론' MV 공개…따뜻한 영상미. xportsnews (in Korean). xportsmedia. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  11. ^ An, Ha-na (January 20, 2022). 루미너스, 오늘(20일) 2nd 미니앨범 ‘빛과 어둠 사이’ 발매. MBN Star (in Korean). Maeil Broadcasting Network. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  12. ^ Yim, Seung-hye (January 19, 2022). "Rookie boy band Luminous holds its first showcase online". Korea JoongAng Daily. JoongAng Holdings. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  13. ^ Lee, Duk-haeng (May 21, 2022). 루미너스, 1st 싱글 'Wish You Were Here' 깜짝 발매. Starnews (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  14. ^ Park, Sang-hoo (August 17, 2022). 루미너스, 오늘(17일) 첫 정규 발매… 시리즈 3부작. JTBC News (in Korean). JTBC. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  15. ^ Jung, Hye-yeon (January 21, 2022). 루미너스 "청춘 키워드? 꿈과 희망 심어주고 힘 되고 싶었다"(일문일답). Herald Pop (in Korean). Herald Corporation. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  16. ^ Jung, Jin-yeong (August 17, 2022). '첫 정규' 루미너스 "더욱 심혈 기울여서 준비". Ilgan Sports (in Korean). JTBC Plus. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  17. ^ Chu, Seung-hyeon (September 6, 2021). '신예 보이그룹' 루미너스 영빈, 개인 콘셉트 포토 공개. Seoul Economic Daily (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  18. ^ Park, Seo-hyeon (August 23, 2021). '9월 1일 데뷔' 루미너스 수일, 첫 번째 콘셉트 포토..비주얼로 '눈도장'. Herald Pop (in Korean). Herald Corporation. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  19. ^ Baek, Ji-eun (September 2, 2021). [공식] 루미너스, 영빈 코로나19 확진 데뷔연기→9일 '유스' 발표 확정. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Chosun Media. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  20. ^ Seok, Jae-hyun (September 3, 2021). 루미너스 우빈 콘셉트 포토…올블랙 시크 눈빛 장착. Single List (in Korean). Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  21. ^ a b c 루미너스 (in Korean). Daum. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  22. ^ a b c Peak positions on the Circle Album Chart:
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