Maytree (메이트리) is a South Korean five-member a cappella group.[1] Members are Sang-in(S.I.) Jang, Soo-kyung(Soo) Kang, Young-hoon(Hoony) Kwon, Won-jong Kim, and Su-yeon(Erika) Lim. The group's members compose and arrange most of their songs. From 2021, they released numerous sound effect a cappella videos such as Squid Game medley on YouTube and TikTok, which have made them popular.
Maytree | |
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| Origin | South Korea |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2000–present |
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| Members |
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| Past members |
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| Website | www |
History
editFormation of the group (2000-2006)
editThe group was started in 2000 by the members of the university acappella club called "Gigahitz" where they created a 6 member group called "Mi wansung (美완성, a pun on the Korean word that means incomplete and describes that they are beautifully complete.)." Three members of this original lineup left the group for personal reasons, and three new members Kim Jung-hoon (then baritone) Park Ji-eun (then soprano) and Choi Kyung-young (then tenor) joined the group to form their first lineup as 6-member group Maytree led by Jang Sang-in and Choi Hong-seok and released their first album "Maybe" in 2005.[2] Even during these early days they appeared in commercials in South Korea.[3]
Frequent member changes (2006-2017)
editAt some point, soprano Park Ji-eun left the group and was replaced with Han Yeon-joo, earliest attestations from 2007 through their ad finding a new high tenor to replace former member Kim Jung-hoon (the lineup originally had a high tenor and second tenor) and Kang Su-kyong seems to have been alto.[4][a] New member Choi Soo-bin replaced Han Yeon-joo and Chon Song-hyun replaced Choi Kyung-young in 2008.[5] Jung Da-young and Kim Won-jong replaced two members Choi Hong-seok and Choi Soo-bin some time around 2014 to 2015.[6] Lim Su-yeon became a member some time around 2016.[7] Kwon Young-hoon replaced Chon Song-hyun in 2017.
Members
editThe current members of the group are:[8]
- Jang Sang-in, vocal percussion
- Kang Soo-kyung, alto
- Kwon Young-hoon, tenor
- Kim Won-jong, bass
- Lim Su-yeon, soprano
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- 2006: Maytree
- 2015: Maytree in Love (메이트리 인 러브)
- 2020: To Me Again (그대 내게 다시)
EPs
edit- 2011: The MayTree
- 2013: 5028
Singles
edit- 2021: When Snowflakes Fell on Your Head (임수연)
- 2021: What If (Andrea Figallo, Eddi Hüneke, Junko Kamei)
- 2022: Extraordinary Attorney Woo Pt7 - Flash -
- 2022: Carol of the Bells
- 2023: Gimme Toxic
- 2023: 夢のような日が
- 2023: My Ordinary Christmas
- 2024: Real New Year
- 2024: Water in the World
- 2024: Cantina Band
- 2024: MOM
- 2024: Mr. Moustafa
Sound effects and other covers
editIn 2021, the group began releasing a series of YouTube videos in which it covers sound effects used in computer and mobile phone systems. The first video, released in January 2021, covered Windows sound effects. Others followed, including sound effects for iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones, as well as the Angry Birds and other video games. The group then released covers of the introductory music for various major film distributors as well as others such as the music for the UEFA Champions League. These covers have generated a significant amount of attention for Maytree. For example, the iPhone covers, released on February 5, 2021, have generated (as of December 23, 2022) nearly 80 million views on YouTube. On October 1, 2021 at the height of the explosion of popularity of the South Korean show Squid Game, which became Netflix's most popular ever series, Maytree released covers of some of the main themes from the show. As of December 23, 2022, the video has amassed over 260 million views on YouTube.
Awards and nominations
edit- 2009 3rd prize at the International A Cappella Competition
- 2010 2nd prize at the International A Cappella Competition
- 2011 Busan Choral International Competition - 1st prize of Popular Music category
- 2011 Vokal Total International Competition (Graz), Gold Diploma
- 2013 Yeosu Choral International Competition - 1st prize of Pop & Jazz category
- 2014 World Choir Games - 2 Gold Medals of Jazz category and Pop choral category
- 2018 Moscow A Capella Festival - 2nd place
References
edit- ^ Jacob, Anansa (2014-08-11). "In perfect harmony with MayTree". The Sun Daily. Retrieved 2016-09-12.
- ^ "[음악]아카펠라 그룹 '메이트리' 1집 앨범 내놔". The Dong-a ilbo. 2005-12-28.
- ^ "첫째날 국악…둘째날 아카펠라…셋째날 클래식…온가족이 즐기는 음악소풍". kmib. 2004-08-10.
- ^ "아카펠라 테너 가수를 모집합니다. (메이트리)". daum cafe. 2007-05-03.
- ^ "[Refresh] 아카펠라 그룹 메이트리 인터뷰". hyndaicardcapital.
- ^ "화요일 아침 '선율'로 행복 맞는다". gnmaeil. 2015-02-03.
- ^ "메이트리, 신승훈과 함께한 달달한 콜라보 '마요' 영상 공개". enewstoday. 2016-09-08.
- ^ "Genelec Artist Room: Interview with Korean 'a cappella' group MayTree". YouTube. 2020-05-22. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
Notes
edit- ^ Member called Yoon Do-hyun replaced Kim. Yoon also left the group some time around 2010, making the group into a 5-member group