WJSN

WJSN (Korean: 우주소녀; RR: Ujusonyeo), also known as Cosmic Girls, is a South Korean girl group formed through a partnership between Starship Entertainment and Yuehua Entertainment. The group debuted on February 25, 2016, with twelve members and the extended play Would You Like?, featuring the double title tracks "Mo Mo Mo" and "Catch Me." A thirteenth member, Yeonjung, was added in August 2016 after her participation in Produce 101 and activities with I.O.I. The group's name WJSN is an acronym derived from four subunits: Wonder, Joy, Sweet, and Natural.

WJSN initially built a reputation with a dreamy, fantasy-oriented concept, releasing EPs such as The Secret (2016), From. WJSN (2017), and Dream Your Dream (2018). Their first music show win came in September 2018 with "Save Me, Save You," 950 days after debut. The Chinese members Xuanyi, Cheng Xiao, and Meiqi ceased group activities in September 2018 to pursue individual careers in China, and their contracts expired on March 3, 2023, making them former members.

The group continued as a ten-member ensemble, releasing EPs like Neverland (2020), Unnatural (2021), and Last Sequence (2022). A turning point came in June 2022 when WJSN won Mnet's Queendom 2, showcasing their versatility across multiple genres. In 2020 and 2021, two sub-units debuted: WJSN CHOCOME and WJSN THE BLACK. After a brief hiatus, WJSN returned on February 25, 2026, with the digital single "Bloom Hour" to celebrate their tenth anniversary. [edit]

WJSN was conceived as a joint project between Starship Entertainment and Chinese label Yuehua Entertainment, aiming to create a multinational girl group with members from both South Korea and China. The twelve original members were selected through auditions and training periods that varied from a few months to several years. Some members had prior experience: Exy appeared on Unpretty Rapstar Vol. 2 in 2015, Bona trained at Cube Entertainment for about six years, and several Chinese members had training backgrounds in China.

Before debut, the group was divided into four subunits, Wonder, Joy, Sweet, and Natural, each representing a letter in the group's name. The debut EP Would You Like? was released on February 25, 2016, with a debut stage on M Countdown. Just months later, Yeonjung, who had finished 11th on Produce 101 and promoted with I.O.I, was announced as a new member in July 2016, joining WJSN for their second EP The Secret in August 2016. [edit]

WJSN's musical style has undergone notable evolution across their career. Their early work, from Would You Like? through From. WJSN, established a dreamy, whimsical sound with orchestral flourishes, synth melodies, and bright vocal harmonies. Songs like "Secret" and "I Wish" evoked a fantasy atmosphere with lyrics about wishes and magic, supported by elaborate choreography and cosmic-themed visuals.

Starting with WJ Please? (2018), the group adopted a more mature direction, incorporating deeper basslines, R&B influences, and elegant arrangements. For the Summer (2019) embraced retro synth-pop, while As You Wish (2019) featured orchestral pop with a winter-royal aesthetic. The Neverland and Unnatural eras saw darker, more powerful concepts with trap and dance-pop elements. On Queendom 2, WJSN demonstrated genre flexibility, performing rearranged versions of their own songs and covers, ultimately winning with a final stage that combined orchestral pop and intense choreography. [edit]

WJSN's influence extends beyond music into acting and fashion. Member Bona has built a successful acting career, starring in dramas such as Girls' Generation 1979, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, and The Uncanny Counter series, bringing wider recognition to the group. The three Chinese members, Xuanyi, Cheng Xiao, and Meiqi, became major stars in China after participating in Produce 101 China in 2018, with Meiqi and Xuanyi debuting in the project group Rocket Girls 101.

WJSN's victory on Queendom 2 in 2022 was a significant milestone, as they were the first girl group to win the competition with a perfect score in the final episode. This win elevated their profile domestically and internationally, proving their performance capabilities and versatility. The group's cosmic concept and coordinated aesthetics have also influenced K-pop fashion trends, particularly their use of star motifs and ethereal stage costumes. [edit]

WJSN's official fandom name, UJUNG (우정), means "friendship" in Korean and was announced in 2017. The official lightstick features a star-shaped design with cosmic motifs, though it does not have a separate name. No single official fan color has been designated; instead, the group uses starry imagery. UJUNG is known for organized fan projects during comebacks, including creating oceans of stars with lightsticks and coordinating fan chants. Fans have also supported anniversary projects, birthday events for members, and charity donations in the group's name. [edit]

Exy, the leader, was chosen by members because she "cries easily" and is the main songwriter in the group, having composed many of their B-sides. Seola has aquaphobia and owns two pets: a cat named Yangmal and a dog named Yangdong. Soobin walks her dog Lucky for two and a half hours daily and is known as one of the most unfiltered members on live broadcasts. Bona trained at Cube Entertainment for six years before joining Starship. Yeonjung was the last member added, joining after her stint with I.O.I. [edit]