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NiziU
NiziU at Gimpo International Airport on October 14, 2022
NiziU in October 2022 (L to R):
Nina, Mako, Ayaka, Miihi, Rima, Maya, Mayuka, Rio, and Riku
Background information
Origin Seoul, South Korea
Genres
Years active 2020 (2020)–present
Labels
  • JYP
  • Sony Music
Associated acts JYP Nation
Members
  • Mako
  • Rio
  • Maya
  • Riku
  • Ayaka
  • Mayuka
  • Rima
  • Miihi
  • Nina
Japanese name
Katakana ニジュー
Transcriptions
Revised Hepburn Nijū
Kunrei-shiki Nizyû
Korean name
Hangul
니쥬

NiziU (Japanese: ニジュー; Korean: 니쥬) is a Japanese girl group formed by JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment Japan. The group is composed of nine members: Mako, Rio, Maya, Riku, Ayaka, Mayuka, Rima, Miihi, and Nina. NiziU was formed through the reality-survival program Nizi Project (2020) and debuted on December 2, 2020, with the release of their debut single "Step and a Step".

Career

2020: Formation and debut

On January 29, 2019, JYP Entertainment announced their plans of creating a Japanese girl group, under their vision "K-pop 3.0", "Globalization by Localization." Auditions for this new girl group took place in eight Japanese cities, Hawaii, and Los Angeles, for females aged between 15 and 22 years old. NiziU was formed through Nizi Project, featuring 26 contestants and was aired weekly on Hulu Japan Japan from January 31 to June 26, 2020. It was distributed internationally through JYP Entertainment's official YouTube channel. The show was split up into two seasons: the first season showing the auditions of prospective members around Japan, cutting the prospective lineup to 14 from 26 girls chosen by J.Y. Park; and the second season showing the girls moving to train in South Korea for six months.

On the final episode of Nizi Project, the debut line-up was revealed to the public. As a recording artist under JYP Entertainment, the group is announced to have partnered with record company Sony Music Japan for album sales and group management during their activities in Japan.

The group's digital pre-debut EP, Make You Happy, was pre-released on June 30 in Japan and South Korea, before being released internationally on July 1, 2020. It was a commercial success, topping Billboard Japan's Hot Albums chart and Oricon's Digital Albums chart. The album's eponymous lead single topped several major Japanese music charts such as Line Music, AWA, and Rakuten, while debuting at number two on the Billboard Japan Hot 100. "Make You Happy" was also an international success for the group, with the track debuting at number 84 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart and at number 192 on the Billboard Global 200 chart on its issue dated September 19. On October 14, "Make You Happy" recorded a cumulative number of 100 million streams within 15 weeks of charting on the Japan Hot 100, tying with Official Hige Dandism's "I Love..." and Eito's "Kōsui", with NiziU becoming the fastest female artist to achieve the feat.

NiziUSkytree
In commemoration of NiziU's official debut, Tokyo Skytree was lit up in rainbow colors

In August 2020, Mako, Miihi, Maya, Ayaka, Rio, and Rima made cameo appearances in the music video for "God's Menu" by Stray Kids. In September 2020, all of the members of NiziU appeared in the music video for "Back Door" by Stray Kids with the exception of Miihi, who could not appear due to attending school. From October 23 to December 20, 2020, Miihi briefly went on hiatus for health problems and was absent for most of NiziU's debut promotions. On November 25, 2020, NiziU released the full version music video of their debut single, "Step and a Step." A week later, on December 2, 2020, they officially debuted in Japan with the single's physical release. "Step and a Step" topped Japan's Oricon Singles Chart with 312,000 copies sold within the first week, becoming the second best selling debut single by a female artist in Japan (second only to Hinatazaka46's "Kyun"). The song also topped the Billboard Japan Hot 100, becoming the group's first chart-topper as it sold 318,562 copies in its first week. "Step and a Step" also marked the group's second entry on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. wherein they charted at number 149 on its issue dated December 5, as well as the Billboard Global 200, with NiziU charting at number 75 on its issue dated December 12.

Despite making their official Japanese debut only on December 2, NiziU performed at the 71st NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, the top-rated annual year-end musical show in Japan. They became the fastest artist to have appeared in a Kōhaku Uta Gassen, making their appearance only 29 days after their debut. By the end of the year, it was reported that NiziU ranked high on several Billboard Japan Year-End charts, with the group charting at number 7 on the Year-End Albums, number 13 on the Year-End Streaming, and ranking at number 15 on the Top Artist Chart. The group became one of five recipients of the Special Achievement Award at the 62nd Japan Record Awards.

2021: "Take a Picture" / "Poppin' Shakin", and first studio album

On January 20, 2021, the group revealed several planned activities for the year through a video released on their official YouTube channel titled "We need U 2021." Future activities include the group's first live showcase, an upcoming second single alongside their first studio album, and the release of their first English song, among others.

NiziU uploaded the music video of their double A-side single "Take a Picture" on March 29, 2021, with the song topping the real-time charts of several major Japanese music sites. In collaboration with Coca-Cola, the song was used for a local commercial of the said product. The song received over 12.5 million streams in its first week, surpassing the first-week streaming numbers of "Step and a Step" and setting an all-time record high on the weekly Oricon Streaming Chart. "Take a Picture / Poppin' Shakin'" was then officially released on April 7, 2021, wherein "Poppin' Shakin'" was used for a commercial in collaboration with Japanese telecommunication company Softbank. The single recorded sales of over 317,000 copies in its first week. On November 24, 2021, NiziU released their first studio album U, along with its lead single "Chopstick".

2022–present: "Clap Clap"

On April 12, 2022, NiziU released the digital single "Asobo". The English version of the single was released two weeks later. On May 8, the group had their first appearance at KCON in Seoul, South Korea. However, member Rio was not present for their premiere performance due to a sudden illness in the midst of their rehearsal. On July 20, NiziU released their single "Clap Clap". NiziU embarked on their first Japanese tour, Light it Up, originally scheduled from July 23 to September 17, but was then delayed to August 13 and finally concluded on October 5. This was followed by their first Japanese dome tour, Burn it Up, held at Tokyo Dome and Kyocera Dome Osaka from November 12 to December 18. In between concerts, NiziU released their first ballad single, "Blue Moon", on December 14. At the last concert, it was announced that the group's single "Paradise" had been selected as the theme song for the movie Doraemon: Nobita's Sky Utopia, released in Japan in March 2023. The group will embark on their second Japanese tour in 2023, with performances scheduled from July 1 to September 3. Their second studio album, Coconut, is scheduled for release on July 19.

Members

Adapted from NiziU's official website.

  • Mako (マコ) - leader
  • Rio (リオ)
  • Maya (マヤ)
  • Riku (リク)
  • Ayaka (アヤカ)
  • Mayuka (マユカ)
  • Rima (リマ)
  • Miihi (ミイヒ)
  • Nina (ニナ)

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions, sales and certifications
Title Details Peak chart
positions
Sales Certifications
JPN
JPN
Hot
U 1 1
  • JPN: 244,285 (phy.)
  • JPN: 10,001 (dig.)
  • RIAJ: Platinum (phy.)
Coconut
  • Released: July 19, 2023
  • Label: JYP, Epic Japan
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
1 1
  • JPN: 141,804 (phy.)

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected details, chart positions, sales and certifications
Title Details Peak chart
positions
Sales Certifications
JPN
JPN
Hot
Make You Happy
  • Released: June 30, 2020
  • Label: JYP, Epic Japan
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
1
  • JPN: 118,190 (dig.)

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released, sales, certifications and album name
Title Year Peak chart
positions
Sales Certifications Album
JPN
JPN
Hot
WW
"Make You Happy" 2020 2 129
  • JPN: 298,027 (dig.)
  • RIAJ:
    • Platinum (dig.)
    • Platinum (st.)
Make You Happy
"Step and a Step" 1 1
  • JPN: 431,994 (phy.)
  • JPN: 80,876 (dig.)
  • RIAJ:
    • Platinum (phy.)
    • Gold (dig.)
    • Platinum (st.)
U
"Take a Picture" 2021 1 1
  • JPN: 366,575 (phy.)
  • JPN: 87,206 (dig.)
  • RIAJ:
    • Platinum (phy.)
    • Gold (dig.)
    • Platinum (st.)
"Poppin' Shakin'" 7
  • JPN: 366,575 (phy.)
  • JPN: 69,553 (dig.)
  • RIAJ:
    • Platinum (phy.)
    • Gold (st.)
"Super Summer" 8
  • JPN: 22,648 (dig.)
"Chopstick" 7
  • RIAJ: Gold (st.)
"Need U" 80
"Asobo" 2022 5
  • JPN: 13,791 (dig.)
Coconut
"Clap Clap" 1 1
  • JPN: 199,156 (phy.)
  • RIAJ: Platinum (phy.)
"Blue Moon" 2 4
  • JPN: 194,524 (phy.)
  • RIAJ: Platinum (phy.)
non-album single
"Paradise" 2023 2 1
  • JPN: 187,224 (phy.)
  • RIAJ: Gold (phy.)
Coconut
"Coconut" 30
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released, sales, certifications and album name
Title Year Peak
chart
positions
Sales Certifications Album
JPN
Hot
"Baby I'm a Star" 2020 14
  • RIAJ: Gold (st.)
Make You Happy
"Boom Boom Boom" 15
  • RIAJ: Gold (st.)
"Beyond the Rainbow" (虹の向こうへ) 19
  • RIAJ: Gold (st.)
"Sweet Bomb!" 42
  • JPN: 8,850 (dig.)
Step and a Step
"Joyful" 44
  • JPN: 8,476 (dig.)
"I Am" 2021 49
  • JPN: 7,698 (dig.)
U

Concerts and tours

NiziU Live With U 2022 "Light It Up"

Date City Country Venue
August 13, 2022 Fukuoka Japan West Japan General Exhibition Center New Wing
August 14, 2022
August 20, 2022 Sapporo Makomanai Ice Arena
August 21, 2022
August 27, 2022 Rifu Sekisui Heim Super Arena
August 28, 2022
August 31, 2022 Tokyo Yoyogi National Gymnasium
September 1, 2022
September 3, 2022
September 4, 2022
September 10, 2022 Osaka Osaka-jō Hall
September 11, 2022
September 17, 2022 Tokoname Aichi Sky Expo
September 18, 2022
October 4, 2022 Kobe World Memorial Hall
October 5, 2022

NiziU Live With U 2022 "Burn It Up"

Date City Country Venue
November 12, 2022 Tokyo Japan Tokyo Dome
November 13, 2022
December 17, 2022 Osaka Kyocera Dome Osaka
Beyond Live
December 18, 2022

NiziU Live With U 2023 "Coco!nut Fes."

Date City Country Venue
July 1, 2023 Saga Japan Saga Arena
July 2, 2023
July 5, 2023 Tokyo Yoyogi National Gymnasium
July 6, 2023
July 8, 2023
July 9, 2023
July 19, 2023 Osaka Osaka-jō Hall
July 20, 2023
August 9, 2023 Hiroshima Hiroshima Green Arena
August 10, 2023
August 19, 2023 Nagoya Port Messe Nagoya
August 20, 2023
August 23, 2023 Rifu Sekisui Heim Super Arena
September 2, 2023 Sapporo Hokkai Kitayell
September 3, 2023
September 17, 2023 Chiba Zozo Marine Stadium
September 18, 2023

Filmography

Reality shows

Year Title Network Note(s) Ref.
2020 Nizi Project Hulu Japan, Nippon TV, YouTube Survival show determining NiziU's members. Broadcast period: Season 1: January 31, 2020 – March 27, 2020 (10 episodes), Season 2: April 24, 2020 – June 26, 2020 (10 episodes).
NiziU 9 Nizi Stories Hulu Japan, Nippon TV In exclusive interviews, NiziU members reflect on their experiences, express their ambitions, and discuss emotions they felt during Nizi Project and the time they spent living in South Korea. Premiered on September 13, 2020 (9 episodes).
We NiziU! ~We need U!~ Hulu Japan, Nippon TV, YouTube Following the daily lives of NiziU members after Nizi Project, as they prepare for their official debut. Premiered on November 5, 2020 (5 episodes).
We NiziU! TV Hulu Japan, Nippon TV NiziU members are assigned "loose" missions and have to clear them. Premiered on December 6, 2020 (4 episodes).
2021 NiziU Scout YouTube NiziU members will challenge various missions. Premiered on April 30, 2021 (10 episodes, 4 behind episodes).
We NiziU! TV 2 Hulu Japan, Nippon TV Premiered on November 28, 2021 (4 episodes).
2022 NiziU School YouTube NiziU School is set in a school class that "boasts a special curriculum than any other school", with help from 5 unique teachers.

Videography

Music videos

Year Music video Director(s) Ref.
2020 "Make You Happy" Kim Young-jo, Yoo Seung-woo (Naive Creative Production)
"Step and a Step" Naive Creative Production
2021 "Take a picture"
"Poppin' Shakin'"
"Chopstick"
"Need U" Jimmy (VIA)
"Take a picture" (English ver.) Naive Creative Production
"Poppin' Shakin'" (English ver.)
"Chopstick" (Another ver.)
2022 "Asobo" SL8IGHT Visual Lab
"Asobo (English ver.)"
"Clap Clap" Naive Creative Production
"Blue Moon" Unknown
2023 "Paradise" Naive Creative Production

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, award category, nominee(s) of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee(s)/work(s) Result Ref.
Asia Artist Awards 2021 Female Idol Group Popularity Award NiziU Nominated
2022 Hot Trend Award – Singer Won
Japan Gold Disc Award 2021 Best 5 New Artist Won
Best 5 Songs by Download "Make You Happy" Won
Best 5 Songs by Streaming Won
Japan Record Awards 2020 Special Achievement Award NiziU Won
2021 Excellent Work Award "Take a picture" Won
MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2020 Best Dance Video "Make You Happy" Won
2021 Best Buzz Award NiziU Won
Vogue Japan Women of the Year 2020 Idol Category Award Won
Yahoo! Japan Search Awards Won
CD Shop Awards 2021 Prize Awards "U" Won
We Push! Yamano CD Music Award 2022 Special Award Won

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: NiziU para niños

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