BtoB Blue (Korean: 비투비-블루) is the first official sub-unit of South Korean boy bandBtoB formed under Cube Entertainment in 2016. The sub-group consists of the group's vocal line Eunkwang, Changsub, Hyunsik and Sungjae. The sub-unit debuted with their digital single titled "Stand By Me" on September 19, 2016.[1]
History
Predebut
Prior to their debut as a subgroup, the group had performed on several singing competitions. In 2014, the group appeared on MnetThe Singer Game with the theme of 'A song you want to hear when you want to curse at your boss' to the 100-member judges of stressed office workers, and sang Urban Zakapa's "I Hate You" (니가 싫어), but lost during the first round with 69 to 31.[2]
In 2016, the group appeared on Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend singing "To My Love" (님에게). The group has captivated the audience with its overwhelming performance and quirky charm and emotional performance that shows off their vocal skills. Their vocal performance received a warm reception by the audience, describing "sweet voice, beautiful harmony, and rich sensibility." The senior singers who saw the quartet group's stage gave admiration and praised it, saying, "The harmony was perfect, and the four people sang in harmony with each other's colours."[3] The quartet scored 427 points, defeating Hong Ji-min, Homme, Second Moon and Lim Do-hyeok, winning 4 consecutive wins and won the championship.[4]
2016–2018: Debut and "When It Rains"
On September 12, 2016, a picture captioned, "Coming soon! 2016.09.19. 00:00(KST)." were posted to BtoB's Twitter account that formed an image of BtoB members crowded around a director's camera, staring intently into the monitor.[5][6] Following that, Cube Entertainment announced that they will debut BtoB's first unit, BtoB Blue with digital single "Stand By Me". The song is produced by Black Eyed Pilseung who previously worked on hit songs for Sistar, Twice and more. "Stand By Me" is described as a ballad featuring their matured and sorrowful voices. BtoB member Peniel directly participated in the music video production.[7] Immediately after the release, the song charted on several Korean music charts, Monkey 3 ranked 1st, Melon ranked 3rd and Mnet ranked 2nd.[8] On September 24, they performed for the first time on MBC's Show! Music Core stage.[9]
On July 8, 2017, BtoB Blue performed The Blue's "Under the Sky" (하늘 아래서) on KBS' program Immortal Songs 2.[10] Although the group lost to Homme, the original singer Kim Min-jong of The Blue commented, "I was really impressed with their singing, beautiful melody, thank you." and Son Ji-chang said, "It was a time that seemed to be a great strength for me to live in the future."[10][11]
^Heo Haeng-yoon (September 13, 2016). 육성재ㆍ서은광ㆍ이창섭ㆍ임현식, 첫 유닛 비투비 블루 결성 ‘내 곁에 서 있어줘’ 19일 발표 [Yook Sung-jae, Seo Eun-kwang, Lee Chang-seop, and Lim Hyeon-sik announce the formation of the first unit BTOB Blue 'Stand by Me']. Kyeonggi. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
^Park Soo-in (September 13, 2016). ‘비투비 보컬 라인 뭉쳤다‥비투비 블루, 19일 기습 음원 공개 [B2B vocal line united…B2B Blue, surprise sound source released on the 19th]. HeraldPop. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
^Jung Ji-won (September 22, 2016). 비투비 프니엘, 뮤직비디오 감독 변신…"만족스럽다" [Peniel transforms into a music video director… "Satisfied"]. XSports News. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
^Jeon Jong-seon (August 13, 2016). ‘불후의 명곡’ 비투비, 427점으로 감격의 첫승…“더 열심히 노래하겠습니다” ['Immortal Masterpiece' BTOB, first win with 427 points... “I will sing harder”]. Seoul Economic Daily. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
^Lee Sang-eun (July 8, 2017). 옴므, 비투비 꺾고 '불후의 명곡' 최종 우승…손지창 "살아가는 힘 될 듯" [Homme defeats BTOB and wins the final title of 'Immortal Song'... Ji-Chang Son "It seems to be the strength to live"]. Gyeongin Daily. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
