The KingDom (Korean: 더킹덤; RR: Deokingdeom), formerly known as Kingdom (Korean: 킹덤; RR: Kingdeom), is a South Korean boy band formed and managed by GF Entertainment. The group consists of six members: Dann, Arthur, Mujin, Louis, Ivan and Jahan. They debuted on February 18, 2021, with the extended play (EP) History of Kingdom: Part I. Arthur.
History
Pre-debut
Dann and Arthur were former members of the group Varsity. Dann also participated in JTBC's Mix Nine, finishing in 71st place among male contestants.[1]
2021–2023: Debut and History Of Kingdom series
Kingdom debuted on February 18, 2021, with the release of their first EP, History of Kingdom: Part I. Arthur, and lead single "Excalibur".[2] Their second EP, History of Kingdom: Part II. Chiwoo, and its lead single, "Karma", was released on July 1.[3] Kingdom's third EP, History of Kingdom: Part III. Ivan, and its lead single, "Black Crown", was released on October 21, 2021.[4]
On March 31, 2022, Kingdom's fourth EP, History of Kingdom: Part IV. Dann, and its lead single, "Ascension", was released. It was supposed to be released on March 17, but delayed after Arthur and Mujin tested positive for COVID-19.[5][6] On May 25, 2022, Chiwoo terminated his contract with GF Entertainment citing "personal reasons" and left the group.[7] On August 31, 2022, Hwon was introduced as the newest member of the group. He made his debut with the release of the fifth EP, History of Kingdom: Part V. Louis and its lead single, "Long Live the King", on October 5.[8]
On March 23, 2023, Kingdom released their sixth EP History of Kingdom: Part VI. Mujin, with the lead single, "Dystopia".[9]
On October 17, 2023, the group released their seventh EP, History of Kingdom: Part VII. Jahan, with the lead single, "Coup D'etat".[10] The album faced heavy criticism internationally, following the reveal of the album cover, which heavily resembled the cover of the Quran. GF Entertainment later released a formal apology, announcing they would reschedule pre-orders in orrder to redesign the album cover.[11][12][13][14]
On November 20, 2023, GF Entertainment announced that due to worsening health, Louis would be going on a hiatus to focus on recovery. He was however, present for the 2023 AAA Performance.[15][16]
2024–present: Reformation and Realize
On April 3, Kingdom unveiled a coming soon poster for their upcoming comeback, scheduled for April 30.[17] The next day, GF announced the group's name would be changed to The KingDom.[18] On April 7, the group unveiled the scheduler of their eight EP Realize.[19] On January 17, 2025, GF Entertainmend announced Hwon had left the group for personal reasons.[20]
^Kang, Min-sun (August 31, 2022). "다시 7인 체제로...킹덤 새 멤버 훤 합류...하반기 발매 앨범부터 활동" [Back to the 7-member system... Kingdom new member Hwon joins... Active from the album released in the second half of the year] (in Korean). Segye Ilbo. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022 – via Naver.
^Choi, Yi-jung (April 3, 2024). 킹덤, 4월 30일 컴백 확정 [Kingdom, comeback confirmed on April 30th] (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via Naver.
^Yoon, Ki-baek (April 4, 2024). 킹덤→더킹덤 그룹명 변경 [공식] [Kingdom→The KingDom group name change [Official]] (in Korean). E Daily. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via Naver.
^Park, Se-yeon (April 7, 2024). 더킹덤, 30일 컴백 앞두고 '리얼라이즈' 스케줄러 공개 [The KingDom unveils 'Realize' schedule ahead of comeback on the 30th] (in Korean). Ilgan Sports. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via Naver.
^Foundation Special Report AAA (December 13, 2022). "이준호·임영웅·세븐틴→스키즈·아이브·뉴진스 AAA 대상..김선호 4관왕[2022 AAA][종합]" [Lee Jun-ho·Lim Young-woong·Seventeen → Skiz·Ive·New Jeans AAA Grand Prize..Kim Seon-ho wins 4 crowns[2022 AAA][Comprehensive]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022 – via Naver.
^Choi, Na-young (December 14, 2023). "킹덤, 3년 연속 '2023 AAA' 트로피 영예 "더욱 발전하는 그룹 될 것"" [Kingdom, honored with the '2023 AAA' trophy for 3 consecutive years, "We will become a further developing group"]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
^Hwang, Mi-hyun (January 13, 2023). "킹덤, '2023 대한민국 공헌대상'서 문화대상 수상 "책임감 가질 것" [Kingdom, won the cultural grand prize at the '2023 Korea Contribution Awards' "We will have a sense of responsibility] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023 – via Naver.
