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Girl group · FNC Entertainment · since 2012

AOA

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The FNC group behind "Miniskirt" and "Heart Attack", which started out as both a dance group and a band. AOA has released no new music since 2019, and the last members left FNC in 2023 and 2024.

15years on 30 July 2027 · in 281 days

Their story

A dance group and a band

AOA's plan was unusual for a girl group. FNC Entertainment split the eight members into a dance line-up and a band line-up, and drummer Youkyung only played in the band. The name is short for Ace of Angels. They debuted in July 2012 with the single album Angels' Story and the song "Elvis", and fans later took their own name from that song. A year later the band side released "Moya" as the unit AOA Black.

The "Miniskirt" turn

The turn came with "Miniskirt" in 2014, a single produced by Brave Brothers. Its choreography drew so much comment that FNC changed some moves for broadcast stages within days. A few weeks after release the song gave AOA their first music show win, on Inkigayo. They kept going that year with the EPs Short Hair and Like a Cat.

Hits in Korea and Japan

The dance and band line-ups existed side by side until 2016, when Youkyung's time as the drummer ended. "Heart Attack" also came out in Japan and topped the Tower Records chart there. Their first Japanese album, Ace of Angels, followed in 2015. Back home, the summer single "Good Luck" went to No. 1 on seven Korean charts. Their only Korean full album, Angel's Knock, had two title tracks, "Excuse Me" and "Bing Bing".

Where they are now

Choa, Mina and Jimin left the group between 2017 and 2020. The remaining five took part in Mnet's Queendom in 2019 and performed "Miniskirt" again. That November they released the EP New Moon, led by "Come See Me", which topped the iTunes K-pop charts in eight countries. It is still their last group release. By 2024 all remaining members had left FNC, and no disbandment has been announced. Hyejeong signed with an acting agency, and Chanmi now acts under her real name, Im Do-hwa.

Timeline

  1. Debut with Angels' Story and "Elvis": eight members, with a dance line-up and a band line-up.

  2. First music show win, with "Miniskirt" on Inkigayo.

  3. EP Heart Attack. The Japanese version of the single later tops the Tower Records chart.

  4. First Japanese album, Ace of Angels.

  5. First Korean full album, Angel's Knock.

  6. Choa announces she is leaving the group.

  7. Mina leaves; the other five renew with FNC.

  8. EP New Moon with "Come See Me", their first release as five, after Mnet's Queendom.

  9. Jimin leaves the group.

  10. Yuna (2021), Seolhyun (2022), Hyejeong (2023) and Chanmi (2024) leave FNC.

  11. 22 October 2026

Start with these 5 songs

  1. MiniskirtThe song that gave them their first music show win.2014
  2. Short HairTitle track of their first EP.2014
  3. Like a CatTitle track of the second EP, from November 2014.2014
  4. Heart AttackTitle track of the 2015 EP, also a No. 1 in Japan on Tower Records.2015
  5. Good LuckA summer single that went to No. 1 on seven Korean charts.2016

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In the Fan Chart

The Fan Chart on The Crowd adds up every fan's top 10. Here is where AOA stands.

    Add AOA to your setlist

    For Elvis

    JiminLeader

    신지민
    Name
    Shin Ji-min
    Born
    8 January 1991

    Competed on the first season of Mnet's rap show Unpretty Rapstar in 2015.

    ChoaOldest member

    박초아
    Name
    Park Cho-a
    Born
    6 March 1990

    Released the solo single "Yesterday" in April 2022 and also works as a TV personality.

    Yuna

    서유나
    Name
    Seo Yu-na
    Born
    30 December 1992

    Played a lead role in the 2015 web drama Prince's Prince.

    Hyejeong

    신혜정
    Name
    Shin Hye-jeong
    Born
    10 August 1993

    Signed with actor Kang Ha-neul's agency THComPany in March 2023 to focus on acting.

    Mina

    권민아
    Name
    Kwon Min-a
    Born
    21 September 1993

    Was cast in a major role in the 2014 SBS drama Modern Farmer.

    Seolhyun

    김설현
    Name
    Kim Seol-hyun
    Born
    3 January 1995

    Played Baek Ha, a fictional commander, in the 2018 historical film The Great Battle.

    ChanmiYoungest member

    임도화
    Name
    Im Do-hwa
    Born
    19 June 1996

    Performed solo on Mnet's Queendom Puzzle in 2023 and now acts as Im Do-hwa.

    Quick answers

    When did AOA debut?

    On 30 July 2012, with the single album Angels' Story and the song "Elvis".

    Who are the members of AOA?

    The best-known line-up is Jimin (leader), Choa, Yuna, Hyejeong, Mina, Seolhyun and Chanmi. Drummer Youkyung was part of the band line-up until 2016.

    What is the AOA fandom called?

    Elvis, the same name as their 2012 debut song.

    What does AOA stand for?

    Ace of Angels.

    Is AOA still active?

    No. The last group release was the EP New Moon in November 2019. Hyejeong and Chanmi, the last members still with FNC, left in 2023 and 2024. No official disbandment has been announced.

    Know your AOA?Six K-pop questions a day in the Daily, and a collectible card for every finished set.

    Play the Daily

    Last checked 22 October 2026. Sources include The Korea Times, Aju Business Daily, Tenasia and Soompi. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.