Winner (Korean: 위너), stylized as WINNER, is a South Korean boy group formed in 2013 by YGE through reality survival

program WIN: Who Is

Next. The group currently consists of four members, Jinwoo, Seunghoon, Mino and Seungyoon. Originally a five-piece group, Taehyun, departed
from the group in November 2016 due to health and well-being.
After several delays, the group officially debuted on August 17, 2014 with the release of studio album 2014 S/S ahead of official debut, claiming the
number one spot on Gaon Album Chart and Billboard World Albums Chart upon release. The lead singles "Empty" and "Color Ring" instantly hit
number one and three respectively on Gaon Digital Chart. The Korea Herald cited their success as "unprecedented" for a newly debuted group,
thus claiming the title "Monster rookies". The same year on September 10, the group debuted in Japan. They won numerous awards for Best New
Artist in 2014, including at the Mnet Asian Music Awards and the Melon Music Awards. Following the group's hiatus in 2015, Winner's first
extended play Exit : E (2016) was also number one in South Korea, alongside lead singles "Sentimental" and "Baby Baby" both yielding spots
within the Gaon top-six.
Following the group's reformation, Winner's first single album Fate Number For (2017) peaked at number two on Gaon while lead singles "Really
Really" and "Fool" became another chart-topper after placing number one and six respectively in South Korea. "Really Really" went on to selling
over 2.5 million digital copies on Gaon. The same year, Winner released their second single album, Our Twenty For. Their second studio
album, Everyday (2018) subsequently placed number one on Gaon along with second extended play, We (2019). Lead singles Everyday
(2018), Millions (2018) peaked at number two in South Korea.

Contents

 1History
o 1.12010–2013: Pre-debut and Win: Who Is Next?

o 1.22014: Debut with 2014 S/S and commercial success

o 1.32015–2016: Solo endeavors, Exit : E, and Nam Taehyun's departure

o 1.42017–2018: Reformation, continued success and Everywhere World Tour

o 1.52019: We, Cross and Cross Tour

 2Artistry
o 2.1Musicality and songwriting

o 2.2Choreography

 3Impact and Influence

 4Other ventures
 o 4.1Endorsements

o 4.2Philanthropy

 5Ambassador

 6Discography

 7Filmography

 8Concerts and Tours

 9Awards and nominations

 10Notes

 11References

 12External links

History[edit]
2010–2013: Pre-debut and Win: Who Is Next?[edit]
In 2010, the group's leader Kang Seung-yoon was a contestant on Mnet's Superstar K2, finishing in fourth place.[1] The following year, he signed
with YGE and made his acting debut in the MBC sitcom High Kick: Revenge of the Short Legged.[2] In 2013, he debuted as a solo artist and
released multiple songs, including hit single "It Rains". [3] In 2010, Kim Jin-woo was brought to the agency by Big Bang's Seungri through Joy Dance
Plug In Music Academy.[4] Nam Tae-hyun was recruited through audition in 2011. Lee Seung-hoon competed in SBS's K-pop Star in 2012, finishing
in fourth place.[5] Soon after, he signed under YGE the same year on May 16. [6] Song Min-ho initially debuted under Y2Y Contents Company in the
group BoM, which disbanded two years later. In 2013, he joined YGE through audition, after being noticed from his appearance in Channel A's The
Strongest K-POP Survival.[7]
On August 23, 2013 the five competed as "Team A" on Mnet survival program Win: Who Is Next against "Team B", consisting of trainees they also
have trained with under the label. Throughout the span of 100 days, the show consisted of three rounds of performances and public voting.
[8]
During the finale, on October 25 Team A was announced as the winners thus claiming the title "Winner" and commencing with preparation for
debut.[9][10] They performed as the opening act at labelmate senior Big Bang's Japanese dome tour beginning on November 15. [11] From December
13, Winner broadcast their reality program, Winner TV, consisting of ten episodes on Mnet showcasing their debut preparation and lifestyle. [12]

2014: Debut with 2014 S/S and commercial success[edit]

Winner performing at the Melon Music Awards on November 13, 2014.

On March 1 and 2, 2014 Winner performed as guests at labelmate senior 2NE1's All or Nothing tour in Seoul.[13] Winner continued appearing as
guest performers in other stops of 2NE1's second world tour, including Hong Kong on March 22, April 11 in China, April 26 and 27 in Taiwan, May
17 in Philippines and May 24 in Malaysia. [14] In midst of touring with 2NE1, Winner joined the YG Family Power World Tour from April 12. Between
June and August, the group members were re-introduced to the public after eight months in anticipation for their debut, through series of teaser
images and videos.[15][16] Ahead of debut, on August 6 Winner awed the public through the unique idea of holding a showcase in the form of a launch
party with an audience of 400 attendees. The event held a fashion show with models from YGKPlus on the runway, ultimately finishing with the
members themselves in their unique suits. South Korean media revealed such an event was uncommon and fresh. [17] The show gave an insight to
the classy image the group will bring through their debut with the digital release of studio album 2014 S/S on August 12 and physical on August 14.
[18]

Winner receiving the bonsang award at the Melon Music Awards 2014

After several delays, the group officially debuted on August 17 with lead singles "Empty" and "Color Ring", [19] The same day, their first appearance
was on SBS' Inkigayo and soon became the fastest group to win on a music show through M! Countdown.[20][21] 2014 S/S charted at number one
on Gaon as well as Billboard World Albums Chart, while lead singles "Empty" and "Color Ring" claimed first and third respectively on Gaon.
[22]
Korea Herald cited the success of their lead single "Empty" as "unprecedented" for a newly debuted group, thus claiming the title "Monster
rookies".[23][24] Their commercial success earned them the 'Top 10 Artist' award on Melon Music Awards, followed multiple 'Best New Artist' awards
on shows including Golden Disc Awards and Gaon Chart Music Awards. Winner also found success in China, soon earning the Best New Force
Group award at the QQ Music Awards alongside the Most Popular Korean Group award on the Youku Tudou Young Choice 2014.[25][26] On
September 10, Winner released the Japanese version of their album, 2014 S/S: Japan Collection which peaked at No. 2 on the Oricon Weekly
Album Chart, selling 35,079 copies in four days.[27] They embarked on their first Japan tour the next day, later successfully concluding the tour
in Tokyo on October 11, drawing 50,000 people in total.[28][29] On December 9, Fuse announced their 13 Top Breakout Artists of 2014, with Winner at
number 11, being the only South Korean artists on the list.[30] Dazed Digital revealed their top 20 K-pop tracks of 2014 on December 17 with
Winner's "Color Ring" placing tenth.[31]

2015–2016: Solo endeavors, Exit : E, and Nam Taehyun's departure[edit]

Winner performing at the WINNER Japan Tour 2015 in Aichi on October 9, 2015

In 2015, the group went on hiatus while members of the group pursued solo endeavors. In September, Winner embarked on their second Japan
tour, finishing in October with over 36,000 attendees. [32][33] In December, they were revealed to be returning in 2016 with five 'project releases'.
[34]
Their first release in 2016 was a "warm-up" duet featuring Mino and Nam, titled "Pricked". [35] In the lead-up to the group's official comeback, a
number of musical covers of their lead singles were released as promotional teasers, featured artists include Lee Hi, Dean, AKMU, Zion.T, Epik
High, Taeyang and G-Dragon.[36] Winner returned with EP Exit : E on February 1, 18 months since 2014 S/S.[37] Exit : E debuted at Number 2 on
Billboard's World Albums Chart and Number 1 on the Gaon Album chart.[38] Lead singles "Baby Baby" and "Sentimental" topped all eight music
streaming platforms in South Korea and achieved a real-time "all-kill", further proving their title as "digital monsters". [39] Their lead single "Baby
Baby" received profound attention in China, becoming the most streamed song within the first half of the year among Korean releases on QQ
Music, the largest music platform in China.[40] Winner held their first-ever concert tour nationwide starting on March 12 and 13 at Olympic
Gymnasiums Arena in Seoul.[41][42]
From April 23, Winner's variety show Half-Moon Friends aired on JTBC, which gained popularity both domestically and abroad, particularly
garnering over 75 million views via Miaopai and surpassing 100 million views through other platforms in China. [43] Their heightened success in
China led them to winning the Overseas Popularity Award at the MTV Asia Music Gala. [44] In June, the group brought their Exit Tour to Japan,
drawing over 36,000 fans in Japan alone.[45] On October 12, YGE announced Nam would be taking a break due to health problems, thus the rest of
the Exit Movement series would be delayed indefinitely.[46] On November 25, Nam's departure from the group was announced, soon deciding to
continue as four.[47][48]

2017–2018: Reformation, continued success and Everywhere World Tour[edit]

Winner attending as endorsers for Kiehl's Nature + The City Event in Gangnam on May 15, 2018.
On April 4, 2017 Winner made their anticipated return with their first release as a four-member group with the single album Fate Number For and
lead singles "Really Really" and "Fool".[49][50] Notably, the music video for "Really Really" was filmed by director Dave Meyers.[51] Domestically, "Really
Really" achieved placing number one on Gaon, while also debuting at No. 3 on Billboard World Digital Song Sales, marking the group's best
position to date.[52] "Really Really" was also chosen to be on the Apple Music's "Best of the Week" list. [53] "Really Really" went on to creating the
record of surpassing 100 million streams, making Winner the first ever male idol group in history to achieve this while keeping their "Chart-In"
status.[54][55] As part of their promotions, Winner held a three-day "concept showroom" showcase, from April 2 to 4, located at Club NB in Seoul. [56] On
May 31, they released their debut Japanese single, containing Japanese renditions of "Really Really" and "Fool". [57] On August 4, Winner made a
comeback with the single album Our Twenty For including lead singles, "Love Me Love Me" and "Island". [58][59] "Love Me Love Me" was chosen
by Dazed Digital as one of the 20 best K-Pop songs of 2017. [60] Through tvN's New Journey to the West 4, Mino's wish to appear on “Youth Over
Flowers” with his fellow Winner members was granted as a special supplementary show. Filming for Winner's Youth Over Flowers took place in
West Australia while airing began on November 7.[61] On November 30, Kang and Mino released soundtrack, "The Door” for tvN's Prison Playbook,
where Kang starred in.[62]

Winner attending a fansign event at Lotte Department Store in Jamsil on December 29, 2018.

On February 7, 2018 Winner released their first Japanese studio album, "Our Twenty For", consisting new Japanese songs, "Raining" and "Have a
Good Day".[63] Soon after, the group embarked on their third Japan tour, "We'll Always Be Young". [64] On April 4, Winner released their second studio
album Everyday with lead single "Everyday" consisting of twelve songs including Korean versions of "Raining" and "Have a Good Day". [65] The
single became the group's first time experimenting with the genre, trap alongside reuniting with director Dave Meyers for the filming of the music
video.[66] On June 17, Winner successfully held their fan meeting, "WWIC 2018", 3 years since their last private stage in 2015. [67] A total of 6,000
tickets were sold out.[68] On July 4, Winner announced their first world tour, Everywhere, starting in Seoul on August 19, followed seven stops
throughout Asia.[69] The tour resumed in January 2019 with an encore tour in Seoul. [70] The same month, Winner branched their Everywhere tour to
North America tour beginning with Seattle, followed six other cities including Los Angeles, Dallas, and Toronto. [71][72] On November 26, Mino made
his solo debut with studio album XX and lead single "Fiancé".[73] The lead single also topped Gaon's Digital and Streaming charts for the month of
December.[74][75] On December 19, Winner returned with single album Millions with lead single of the same name. Millions soon claimed the number
two spot on Gaon.[76]

2019: We, Cross and Cross Tour[edit]

On May 15, 2019 Winner released their second EP We, alongside lead single "Ah Yeah". The single received positive reviews among the public for
it's cool lyrics that sublimates the realistic emotions of a cold-hearted breakup thus ultimately creating a cheerful breakup song. [77] Ultimately, "Ah
Yeah" peaked at number two on Gaon while EP We claimed number one, selling over 129,000 physical copies. Winner performed their first
broadcast stage for "Ah Yeah" on May 18 at MBC's Show! Music Core.[78] On June 29, the group successfully held their private stage, WWIC 2019.
The show was held twice within the same day at Jang Chung Gymnasium, Seoul. On July 3, Winner commenced on their 2019 concert tour in
Japan starting with their concert at Nakano Sun Plaza in Tokyo while ending on September 16 at Marine Messe in Fukuoka. The tour garnered a
total audience of 50,000 attendees in eight cities.[79] On August 14, Kim Jin-woo became the third member of Winner to release solo material after
Kang Seung-yoon and Mino. Kim made his solo debut with single album Jinu's Heyday and lead single "Call Anytime" (또또또) featuring bandmate
Mino.[80] The single album charted number two on Gaon Chart selling over 50,000 physical copies within the first week. [81] Kim performed his first
stage on August 17, also marking Winner's debut anniversary on MBC's Show! Music Core alongside bandmate Mino.[82]