By Isabel Miller
CRAVITY are set to bring a signature K-pop, rookie-like energy to San Antonio, following their rebrand and the establishment of a new artistic identity last year. This shift is the result of years of experimentation and growth, which is worth looking over and commending prior to their KPOPWORLD Festival performance.
For Jungmo, Wonjin, Minhee, and Hyeongjun, the path to becoming a member of CRAVITY publicly began pre-debut in 2019. All four participated in Mnet’s K-pop survival show Produce X 101 as Starship Entertainment trainees, and while Jungmo and Wonjin narrowly missed out during the show’s finale, Hyeongjun and Minhee made it into the debut line-up of X1. The group was short-lived, disbanding in January 2020, but bolstered support for the unveiling of Starship’s new nine-member boy group CRAVITY. Serim, Allen, Jungmo, Woobin, Wonjin, Minhee, Hyeongjun, Taeyoung and Seongmin debuted as a collective that April with the mini album Season 1. Hideout: Remember Who We Are.
The name CRAVITY, an amalgamation of the words “creativity” and “gravity,” holds two meanings: the intention of the members to draw fans into the centre of the CRAVITY universe with their charms, and a desire to achieve the perfect balance on stage. From the get-go, both came to life; CRAVITY’s debut album peaked atop Gaon’s Album Chart with over 100,000 first month sales. The group was dubbed “Monster Rookies” and was the first rookie artist to debut on the Billboard K-pop Hot 100. Six years on, they’re yet to slow down, with a total of eight mini albums and two studio albums making up their Korean discography and a list of charting results, accolades and global performances to match.
In 2024, the group showcased their ability to perform like never before in an all-new competition setting as a contestant on Mnet’s Road to Kingdom: Ace of Ace – and came out the other side victorious. Now, they are deep into a period of reinvention, carrying that win forward towards a more mature concept. “Creativity” became “CRAVE.” Growth, depth, and introspection showcase the group’s darker side in their projects since, forming the foundations of their second studio album Dare to Crave and eighth EP ReDeFINE.
What stands out about CRAVITY is their willingness to experiment and refusal to restrict themselves to one sound or image. Across their career, their music has spanned multiple genres; songs like “Break all the Rules” and “Gas Pedal” present power and confidence using hip-hop and rap, “Adrenaline” and “Groovy” are refreshing with their upbeat dance-pop and funk, while “Love or Die” and “Rendez-vous” look elsewhere to pop-rock and contemporary R&B. They present the full spectrum of what K-pop has to offer the U.S. market – and that is precisely why they belong on the KPOPWORLD Festival line-up.
Expect distinct, thematic segments that spotlight each chapter of CRAVITY’s career, and seamless transitions between bright, youthful beginnings and a mature, evolved state. An explosive stage presence and sharp choreography is supported by moments of playfulness and camaraderie, creating a vibrant atmosphere sure to inspire excitement. For their first visit to the U.S. in over a year, CRAVITY will arrive in Texas ready to remind the audience exactly why several of their past concerts in the country have sold out.
Before attending, give our CRAVITY recommendations a listen to get a taste for their discography.
“Break all the Rules” represents CRAVITY’s origins, establishing their energetic, youthful attitudes and scratching the itch for that classic, rookie K-pop sound.
“Love or Die” takes a turn towards intensity, with a powerful pop-rock instrumental showcasing the group’s ability to adapt while supporting a strong, dynamic live performance.
“SET NET G0?!” outlines CRAVITY’s new mature outlook post-rebranding, and offers a hint of the direction they aim to take in the future – a grittier chorus, soaring melodies, and a hip-hop twist.
Truthfully, CRAVITY needs little introduction. The group remains a recognised talent amongst the strong cohort of K-pop’s 4th generation, and their consistent musical expansion makes them an ideal candidate to bring that signature boy group tenacity and versatility to the KPOPWORLD Festival stage.