||This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2012)|
4Minute in Singapore, July 2012. From left to right: So-hyun, Ji-yoon, Hyun-a, Ga-yoon, Ji-hyun.
|Origin||Seoul, South Korea|
|Labels||Cube Entertainment (South Korea)
Far Eastern Tribe Records (Japan)
Universal Music Group (International)
|Associated acts||2Yoon, Beast|
4Minute (Korean: 포미닛) is a five-member South Korean girl group formed in 2009 by Cube Entertainment with music singles and albums released primarily in South Korea and Japan. The members of the group are Nam Ji-hyun, Heo Ga-yoon, Jeon Ji-yoon, Kim Hyun-a, and Kwon So-hyun. The group debuted in June 2009 with its first single, "Hot Issue", and in December 2010, it released its first Japanese album, Diamond. In 2011, the group released its first Korean full length album, 4Minutes Left.
The group received the Bonsang Award at the 20th Seoul Music Awards, and the Kpop New Artist Award at the 2010 Billboard Japan Music Awards.
2009: Debut and For Muzik 
Cube Entertainment, a South Korean record label, announced the creation of 4Minute in May 2009, along with the identity of two of the group's members: Nam Ji-hyun, the group's leader and Kim Hyun-a, a former member of Wonder Girls. On June 11, a silhouette teaser video was released online, along with its official website. The remaining members were announced on June 12.
On June 18, 4Minute released its first single "Hot Issue". On June 21, the group's van was raided by fans, who stole clothing and other items. Cube Entertainment said, "It was very unfortunate that such an ordeal occurred."
At the end of August, the group released a mini-album called For Muzik along with its second single, "Muzik", which won them a Mutizen[jargon] award and a Mnet award. Its third single, "What a Girl Wants", was released shortly after the release of the mini-album.
On August 27, South Korean radio and television network KBS banned the playing of "Won't Give You" (안줄래)" for what they considered to be overly sexual lyrical content. The lyrics in question, in the style of a first-person narrative, express an unwillingness on the part of the subject to "give" herself or her heart to her partner. Cube Entertainment responded to the ban by stating that the song was intended to be "about the pure feelings of a girl to a guy" and that they were very disappointed by the decision.
4Minute was featured in fellow label-mate Mario's Christmas digital single "Jingle Jingle", which was released on December 2. The group recorded a remix with American artist Amerie for her song "Heard 'em All" that was part of the Asian version of her fourth album. Korean rapper Jun Hyung of Beast was also featured on the remix.
2010: Hit Your Heart, Diamond 
Cube Entertainment announced that Universal Music Group would be assisting 4Minute with an international launch of its album. The group toured Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, and Hong Kong. On May 5, the group debuted "Muzik" as a Japanese single, and on May 8, held its first concert in Japan to a limited audience of 1,000 people. The single reached number 21 on the Oricon weekly singles chart, but peaked at number 3 on the Gaon Single Chart. On April 23, 4Minute released a version of the "For Muzik" mini-album to Taiwan. It included Hyuna's solo debut single "Change" and Amerie's song "Heard 'em All", as well as a bonus DVD of the group's concert in Taiwan.
4Minute released a mini-album entitled Hit Your Heart, and its title track "HuH", on May 19. The single featured fellow label mates Beast, who also rapped the group's introduction-themed track "Who's Next?" "HuH" peaked at number 3 on the Gaon Singles Chart. South Korean FM station "Voice of Freedom" began propaganda broadcasts to North Korea, and included 4Minute's "Huh" song, which has lyrics such as "When I say I want to appear on TV, when I say I want to become prettier, everybody says I can’t do it. Baby, you’re kidding me? I do as I please."
On July 5, the group released the music video for "I My Me Mine", which was the second single from Hit Your Heart. Cube Entertainment announced a Japanese version for "I My Me Mine", which was released on July 28.
On July 19, the song "Superstar" was digitally released for the Korean TV show Superstar K2. 4Minute performed the song on the show and later performed for Celebration at Marina, the warm-up concert for the Singapore Youth Olympic Games 2010, on August 13. Together with Beast, they became the first Korean artists to perform for the Youth Olympic Games.
In September, Far Eastern Tribe Records announced a third Japanese single and its first double single, entitled "First/Dreams Come True". "First" was released as a music video on October 21, and as a single on October 27. In December, 4Minute held Japanese concerts 4Minute Energy Live Volume 2: Diamond in Tokyo and Osaka. Its Japanese album Diamond, released on December 15, debuted at the number 18 on the Oricon chart.
2011: Heart to Heart, 4Minutes Left, and Japanese activities 
4Minute participated in several events during the year. On January 13, the group performed at the DiGi Live K-Pop Party 2011 in Malaysia at Stadium Negara with Beast and G.NA. On January 20, the group received a Bonsang Award at the 20th Seoul Music Awards. In February 2011, the group received the Kpop New Artist Award for 2010 at the Billboard Japan Music Awards. On February 23, the group modeled for bridal designer Yumi Katsura at her 2011 Paris Grand Collection Tokyo Fashion Show held in Tokyo’s Ryōgoku Kokugikan, where it performed songs "Muzik" and "WHY". On March 12, the group performed at the 50th Anniversary Music Wave Concert in Thailand.
4Minute released several singles and albums in 2011. Its fourth Japanese single, "WHY" was the theme song to the TV Asahi drama, Akutou~Juuhanzai Sousahan. The music video was released in February, followed by a single release in March 9. "Heart to Heart" was released as a music video on March 29, and stars Hyuna and CN Blue's Jungshin. Cube Entertainment announced that 4Minute would release a full official album in March, but released Heart to Heart as a digital-only "mini-album" instead; the release schedule and promotional material titled Steal 20 confused fans. On April 5, 4Minute released the Korean album, 4Minutes Left, along with the music video for "Mirror Mirror". The album includes "Mirror Mirror", and songs from Heart to Heart and Diamond.[note 1] Because of the song's provocative spread leg choreography; music producers demanded that "Mirror Mirror" be changed or the group could not perform the song on their shows. 4Minute changed the song's choreography for its performance on M! Countdown on April 14, but in May, the music video reached number one on Europe's HIT INT'L VIDEOS TOP 20. The song reached number two on the Gaon Chart.
4Minute collaborated with Japanese singer Thelma Aoyama for her single, "Without U", which was released in May with Japanese and English versions. Hyuna was featured in SS501's Heo Young-saeng's title track from his first solo mini album, Let It Go. In July, Hyuna released a solo mini album, Bubble Pop!; its music video received over a million views in its first five days of release. 4Minute promoted the street basketball video game by JCE called "Freestyle" by releasing a music video.[clarification needed]
In August, 4Minute posted the music video for the Japanese version "Heart to Heart". On September 7, the group released "Heart to Heart" as its fifth Japanese single, which ranked 15 on Oricon Daily Singles chart. The group also released its first DVD, Emerald of 4 Minute, which ranked 15 on the Oricon Daily DVD Chart. In October, the TV Tokyo drama "Welcome to the El-Palacio" featured 4Minute's newest song, "Ready Go", as its opener. "Ready Go" was later released as their sixth Japanese single.
2012: Volume Up, "Love Tension" 
After announcements and postponements of a comeback, on April 9, 4Minute released the mini-album Volume Up, along with its title track and music video. The group promoted the album with performances on Mnet's M! Countdown, KBS's Music Bank, MBC's Show! Music Core and SBS's Inkigayo. Volume Up reached number 1 on the Gaon Weekly Album Chart, and its title single reached 2 on the Gaon Singles. On August 22, 4Minute released its seventh Japanese single "Love Tension", which featured a Japanese version of "Volume Up", as well as karaoke versions. Meanwhile, Hyuna continued to stand out with her role in the "Gangnam Style" music video.
2013: Name Is 4minute 
In late March, Cube Entertainment announced that 4Minute had started recording of a new album. "They’re heading in the direction of the groovy and powerful sound that they showcased at the start of their debut for this album. The members are involved in the whole album process including the song selection, choreography, and styling." On April 17, Cube released a group teaser picture and five individual teaser images that depicted the members in fantasy-inspired sets and neon tones. The mini-album, Name Is 4Minute, was intended to be released April 25, however, because of additional music video filming for the title track "What's Your Name?", on April 19, Cube delayed the release to the 26th, “Although it’s just one day, to console the fans about the delay, we’ll prepare it to the best of our ability.” On April 26, 4Minute performed "Whatever" and "What's Your Name?" on the KBS 2 program MusicBank.
Member positions are listed according to 4Minute's official Japanese website. There are no official "dancer", "lead rapper", "visual" or "maknae" (youngest) positions:
|Stage name||Birth name||Position||Birth date|
|Ji Hyun||지현||Nam Ji-hyun||남지현||Leader, Vocalist||January 9, 1990|
|Ga Yoon||가윤||Heo Ga-yoon||허가윤||Main Vocalist||May 18, 1990|
|Ji Yoon||지윤||Jeon Ji-yoon||전지윤||Lead Vocalist, Rapper||October 15, 1990|
|Hyun A||현아||Kim Hyun-a||김현아||Rapper, Vocalist||June 6, 1992|
|So Hyun||소현||Kwon So-hyun||권소현||Vocalist||August 30, 1994|
Plans for the sub-unit 2YOON (composing of Ga-yoon and Ji-yoon) were announced in late 2012.  On the 17 January 2013, 2YOON released the album, Harvest Moon, along with the music video for its lead single, "24/7".
Television work 
|2009||Featured in Super Junior Miracle|
|2010||MTV 4minute's Friend Day|
|2010||4minute's All In|
|2011||4Minute's Mr. Teacher|
|2011||4Minute @ Shikshin Road|
|2011||Exciting Cube TV|
|2012||Issue and People|
|2012||Weekly Idol (with BtoB)|
|2012||Entertainment Weekly – Guerrilla Date|
|2012||4Minute Travel Maker|
|2012||MBC Mr and Miss Idol Korea|
|2012||KBS Idol Crown Prince Chuseok Special|
|2012||SBS Star King|
|2012||MBC She and Her Car|
|2012||(Nam Jihyun) TVN The Romantic & Idol|
- 2010: 4Minute Energy LIVE Volume 1: 1st Concert [Tokyo]
- 2010: 4Minute Energy LIVE Volume 2: DIAMOND [Tokyo & Osaka]
Concert participation 
- 2011: United Cube Concert
- 2011: KBS New York Korea Festival Concert [New Overpeck Park, New Jersey]
- 2011: Billboard Korea's K-Pop Masters Concerts [MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada]
- 2011: Korean Music Festival in Sydney [ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Australia]
- 2012: KBS Music Bank in Paris [Palais Omnisport de Paris Bercy, Paris, France]
- 2012: MBC Korean Music Wave in Bangkok [Rajamangala Stadium, Huamark, Bangkok]
- 2012: MBC Korean Culture Festival in London [Indigo O2, London]
- 2012: Beauty & The Beast in Macau [Cotai Arena, Macau]
- 2012: KCON [Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre , Irvine, California]
- 2012: SBS Super K-Pop Concert in America [Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre , Irvine, California]
- 2012: MBC Korean Music Wave in Kobe [Kobe World Memorial Hall, Kobe, Japan]
- 2012: AIA K-Pop Concert in Hong Kong [AsiaWorld-Expo Arena, Lantau, Hong Kong, China]
- 2013: 27th Golden Disk Awards in Malaysia [Sepang International Circuit, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia]
- For Hyuna's endorsements see, Hyuna's Endorsements.
|2009||Dasarang Chicken|| Until 2010|
|Egg|| Until 2010|
|2010||Ariul Cosmetic|| Until 2011|
|Shoe Maker|| Until 2013|
|Scotch Puree (Thailand)|| Until 2013|
|2012||Samsung Galaxy S III|||
|Samsung La’Fleur|| Until 2013|
|Nexon Sudden Attack|||
- "KBS World – 4minute". KBS World. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
- Yang, Jeff (April 9, 2008). "ASIAN POP / Next stop, Wonderland". San Francisco Chronicle.
- "Former Wonder Girls member Hyun Ah to redebut". Hankyung.com (in Korean). Hankyung.com. May 14, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
- "4minute Members Revealed" (in Korean). mydaily.co.kr. June 12, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
- "포미닛, 차량 파손 및 소지품 도난 사고 당해 (4minute, Victim of Theft from Vehicle)". TodayKorea (in Korean). June 22, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-23.
- Poole, Robert Michael (April 30, 2010). "Only got 4Minutes to take the world". Japan Times. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
- "포미닛, 신곡 '안줄래' 선정성으로 방송불가 판정". Star News (in Korean). August 28, 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
- "포미닛 '안 줄래', KBS서 방송 '빨간불'" (in Korean). Nocutnews.co.kr. August 28, 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
- "에이머리(Amerie)와 포미닛, 새 앨범서 환상 호흡!". The Star.chosun.com (in Korean). February 4, 2010. Archived from the original on March 12, 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
- Kim, Song-Hui (January 6, 2010). "비스트-포미닛, 기자회견 통해 해외 진출 계획 밝혀 (Beast-4minute, Deal for Overseas Launch Announced)". MBC News (in Korean). Retrieved 2010-01-11.
- "4Minute Wraps Up Philippine Tour". The Korea Times. February 7, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
- "Wonder Girls celebrates 2nd win on Gaon charts with "2DT" - 아시아경제". June 3, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
- Lim, Bomi (May 25, 2010). "S. Korea Renews Propaganda With Pop Song, Eating Advice". Bloomberg. "The propaganda broadcast made on FM radio began at 6 pm local time yesterday when a woman anchor announced what she called the “voice of freedom.” North Korean listeners were regaled with a song by a South Korean girl band, Four Minute. In the tune, “Huh,” the band sings: “When I say I want to appear on TV, when I say I want to become prettier, everybody says I can’t do it. Baby, you’re kidding me? I do as I please.”"
- Lucia Hong & Jessica Kim (July 5, 2010). "4minute releases full version of 'I MY ME MINE'". 10asia.co.kr. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
- Hong, Lucia (July 6, 2010). "4minute reveals cover for 2nd Japanese single". 10asia.co.kr. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
- "포미닛 ‘슈퍼스타’ Mnet ‘슈퍼스타K’ 타이틀 송 선정" (in Korean). Joinsmsn.com. July 19, 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
- "Celebration @ Marina". Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games. Archived from the original on August 16, 2010.
- "Malaysia DiGi K-pop Party 2011". YeinJee's Asian Journal. January 17, 2011.
- "Billboard Japan name Exile Band of the Year". Billboard. Feb.19, 2011. p. 4.
- "[Review] ‘Heart To Heart’ by 4minute". Allkpop.com. 2011-03-31. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- "4minute ‘STEAL 20′ album on the way?". The Prophet Blog. 2011-03-29. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- "4minute Releases "Heart to Heart" EP - AX3". Ax3battery.com. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- "포미닛, 정규앨범 5일 발매… ‘쉐도우 타이틀’ 공개 임박". news.nate.com (in Korean). April 1, 2011.
- "4minute Releases "4minutes Left" Album - AX3". Ax3battery.com. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- "4minute releases eclectic 3rd mini-album ‘Volume Up’". Allkpop.com. 2012-04-08. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- "4minute to replace their controversial ‘spread leg’ dance". allkpop.com (references Star News). April 12, 2011.
- "SS501 Heo Young-saeng to release solo album on May 12". 10Asia. May 4, 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
- "4minute reveals “Freestyle” MV". Allkpop.com. 2011-08-03. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
- "4Minuteニューシングル発売決定!! – 2011年10月1日". 4Minute Japan Official Site (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-08-27.
- "‘Welcome to the El-Palacio’ opening credits uses 4minute’s "Ready, Go"". Tokyohive. October 9, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
- "4minute pushes comeback date back to April". Allkpop.com. March 18, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
- Robert Michael Poole (2012-11-16). "HEY, SEXY LADY: HYUNA, KPOP'S GANGNAM GIRL". Interview (magazine). Retrieved 2012-11-21.
- Barretto, Clyde Erwin (August 25, 2012). "K-Pop Darlings Hyuna & 4Minute Coming to the United States". Prefix Magazine.
- "4minute to go back 4 years for their comeback". Allkpop.com. 2013-03-29. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
- "4minute announces comeback with the release of intriguing teaser photos". Allkpop.com. 2013-04-16. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
- Benjamin, Jeff (April 18, 2013). "4minute Announces 4th Mini-Album With Electric Concept Photos". Billboard.com.
- "4minute delays “What’s Your Name?” comeback by a day to the 26th". Allkpop.com. April 19, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2013.
- "포미닛 컴백, 섹시함-파워로 무대 '압도'". News.nate.com (in Korean).
- 4Minute Diamond (booklet). 4Minute. Japan: Universal Music. 2010. 2760099.
- "Profile&Biography – ナム・ジヒョン(Nam Ji-Hyun)". 4Minute Japan Official Site (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-08-27. "ポジション：リーダー・サブボーカル (Position: Leader, Sub-Vocal)"
- "Profile&Biography – ホ・ガユン(Heo Ga-yoon)". 4Minute Japan Official Site (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-08-27. "ポジション：メインボーカル (Position: Main-Vocal)"
- "Profile&Biography – チョン・ジユン(Jeon Ji-Yoon)". 4Minute Japan Official Site (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-08-27. "ポジション：リードボーカル・ラップ (Position: Lead-Vocal, Rap)"
- "Profile&Biography – キム・ヒョナ(Kim Hyun-A)". 4Minute Japan Official Site (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-08-27. "ポジション：ラップ・サブボーカル (Position: Rap, Sub-Vocal)"
- "Profile&Biography – クォン・ソヒョン(Kwon So-Hyun)". 4Minute Japan Official Site (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-08-27. "ポジション：サブボーカル (Position: Sub-Vocal)"
- Lee, Eun-jung (26 December 2012). "포미닛 가윤·지윤, '쌍윤' 결성..1월 신보". Yonhap News (in Korean). Retrieved 25 February 2013., translated to English at "Ssangyoon Sub-Unit to Debut in January". 4-minutes Forum. 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2013-02-25.
- 4minuteofficial (2013-01-16). "2YOON - '24/7' (Official Music Video)". YouTube. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
- 4Minute Promotes Dasarang Chicken
- by lilchoiboy18 (2009-12-22). "4minute’s Egg CF". Allkpop.com. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- "4Minute models for Sony Walkman E | K Bites". Sookyeong.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- "4minute endorses Vegemil". Allkpop.com. 2009-12-02. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- "4minute to endorse Ariul cosmetics". Allkpop.com. 2010-05-18. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- 4minute models for Shoe Marker
- "4minute promotes Thailand’s Scotch Puree (Prune Juice)". Allkpop.com. 2010-09-17. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- "4minute reveals new teaser for “Freestyle”". Allkpop.com. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- "Team SIII release “Win the Day” support single for the 2012 Olympics". Allkpop.com. 2012-07-04. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- Samsung Has Something Special for the Ladies
- "4minute are angelic beauties in BTS footage for ‘Talent Cosmetics’". Allkpop.com. 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
- "[PICS] 4Minute at Sudden Attack | 4nia Indonesia". 4niaindonesia.wordpress.com. 2013-05-02. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
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