Circle is the first multinational idol girl group. They were one of Asia's first South Korea-Japan joint venture groups. They were formed by Chosun Music (South Korea) and Soma Office (Japan).
The original lineup consisted of Korean members Lee Jeehyun and Han Boram, Chinese-Japanese member Shirayuki On August 12, 1998, the group made their Korean debut with their first studio album Graduation with "Sweetest Love" serving as the title track. Prior to their debut, they made their first stage appearance on SBS's Inkigayo performing "Sweetest Love" on August 9. They also did this strategy for their promotions in Japan.
On August 24, they appeared on NHK's Mayonaka no kkoku (Kingdom of the Night). The Japanese version of their Korean title track "Sweetest Love" served as their Japanese debut on September 19. Ending Circle's year long hiatus, she was introduced as a member in January 2000.
In April 2000, Circle returned as a four-member group by releasing their second Korean studio album Magic Eyes. Initial plans for a Japanese release fell through due to the poor performance of their Korean comeback. Circle eventually disbanded sometime later that year.
In 2019, the three Japanese-Chinese members reunited again but this time with Han Boram. They stated that they were on good terms and intended to reunite as five. In 2022, Han Boram and Lee Jeehyun met up and referred to each other as friends of 24 years.
Following the disbandment of Circle, all the members went their separate ways: - Ogawa Ayako left Circle in 1999 to focus on her career in Japan. It is unclear what her circumstances were after she pursued a career in Japan due to lack of reports. However, it is presumed she has retired from the entertainment industry soon after.
In 2018, she shared via Instagram that she became a Certified Level 1 Organization and Storage Advisor. - Lee Jeehyun (now Romanizing her name as Jihyun) debuted as a member of the girl group Jewelry in March 2001. She left the group in February 2006.
She is also an actress and appeared in dramas such as Good Day to Love (SBS, 2007) and Again My Life (SBS, 2022). In 2023, she joined P&K Entertainment and debuted as a soloist. - Han Boram became an actress and appeared in dramas such as 네 멋대로 해라 (MBC, 2002) and films such as Break Out (2002).
She also starred in stage musicals such as 인생은 아름다워 (2005) and Single Party (2012). She has been inactive from projects since 2012 therefore presumably retired from the entertainment industry. - Shirayuki became a model and influencer.
She is signed under No Ties Model in the U. S. A and BARK in STYle in Japan.
She frequently uploads vlogs on her YouTube channel. - Eguchi Yuka has seemingly retired and left the entertainment industry. She is living a quiet life with her family.
- The original lineup follow each other on Instagram. - The circumstances of Ryu Semin is unknown.
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