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Girl group · Choi Creative Lab · since 2022

H1-KEY

하이키

A small-label girl group saved by a slow climb: "Rose Blossom" topped Hanteo's physical album chart more than a month after release. In March 2026 they released their fifth EP, LOVECHAPTER.

5years on 5 January 2027 · in 72 days

Their story

Trainees from three big agencies

H1-KEY came from Grandline Group, a label founded in 2021 that was better known for singer-songwriter Stella Jang. The first line-up brought together trainees from bigger houses: Seoi from YG, Riina from WM and Produce 48, Yel from JYP, plus Sitala. They debuted on 5 January 2022 with Athletic Girl. Sitala left that May and Hwiseo joined in June, which gave the group the four members it still has.

The rose between the buildings

The first EP, Rose Blossom, came out in January 2023 and sold modestly at first. Then the title song, its Korean name meaning "a rose blooming between buildings", gradually caught on. Its lyrics were written by Young K of DAY6. More than a month after release the EP topped Hanteo's physical album chart, and the South China Morning Post wrote about a "miracle" for a small-label group. "Seoul", released that August, then gave them their first music show win.

Songs for the seasons

The name is read as "high-key" and was meant to stand for confidence and healthy beauty. The group often ties its releases to a season or a date. "It Was Summer" led Lovestruck in June 2025 and became their summer hit. The 2026 EP LOVECHAPTER went for first-love nostalgia with "To. My First Love". Between the EPs, the H1-KEYnote project of 2024 gave them two digital singles, "Thinkin' About You" and "Deeper".

Where they are now

In the summer of 2025 the group signed with Choi Creative Lab, leaving GLG, the company that had formed them. The same year they debuted in Japan with a Japanese version of Lovestruck. They marked their fourth anniversary on 5 January 2026 with the single "The World Is Not Like a Movie", and two months later came LOVECHAPTER, their fifth EP, with Seoi, Riina, Hwiseo and Yel still together.

Timeline

  1. Debut with the single album Athletic Girl.

  2. Sitala leaves the group.

  3. Hwiseo joins; single album Run follows in July.

  4. First EP Rose Blossom, which climbs the charts over the following weeks.

  5. EP Seoul Dreaming; its title track "Seoul" brings their first music show win in September.

  6. The H1-KEYnote digital singles "Thinkin' About You" and "Deeper", then the EP Love or Hate in June.

  7. Fourth EP Lovestruck, led by the summer song "It Was Summer".

  8. The group signs with Choi Creative Lab, after starting out at GLG.

  9. Official debut in Japan.

  10. Single "The World Is Not Like a Movie" on their fourth debut anniversary.

  11. Fifth EP LOVECHAPTER, with "To. My First Love".

  12. 25 October 2026

Start with these 5 songs

  1. Athletic GirlThe debut song.2022
  2. Rose BlossomKorean title "A Rose Blooming Between Buildings", with lyrics by DAY6's Young K: the slow-burning hit that turned things around.2023
  3. Seoul (Such a Beautiful City)The title track that won their first music show trophy.2023
  4. It Was SummerTheir 2025 summer hit and the title track of Lovestruck.2025
  5. To. My First LoveTitle track of the fifth EP, LOVECHAPTER.2026

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In the Fan Chart

The Fan Chart on The Crowd adds up every fan's top 10. Here is where H1-KEY stands.

    Add H1-KEY to your setlist

    For Maikey

    Seoi

    A former YG Entertainment trainee and one of the original members.

    Riina

    Trained at WM Entertainment and competed on Produce 48; she also took part in Queendom Puzzle in 2023.

    Hwiseo

    Joined in June 2022; she finished first on Queendom Puzzle in 2023 and debuted in EL7Z UP.

    Yel

    A former JYP Entertainment trainee and the first member to be revealed.

    Quick answers

    When did H1-KEY debut?

    On 5 January 2022, with the single album Athletic Girl.

    Who are the members of H1-KEY?

    Seoi, Riina, Hwiseo and Yel. Sitala, one of the original five, left in May 2022, and Hwiseo joined that June.

    What is the H1-KEY fandom called?

    Maikey.

    What does H1-KEY mean?

    It is read as "high-key" and was chosen to express confidence and healthy beauty.

    Is H1-KEY still active?

    Yes. They released the single "The World Is Not Like a Movie" in January 2026 and the EP LOVECHAPTER in March 2026.

    Know your H1-KEY?Six K-pop questions a day in the Daily, and a collectible card for every finished set.

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    Last checked 25 October 2026. Sources include The Korea Times, South China Morning Post, Sports Kyunghyang, Tenasia and SBS Star. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.