JJCC (pronounced J-J-C-C; Korean제이제이씨씨) is a five-member South Korean hip hop boy band formed under the management of Jackie Chan Group Korea.[1][2] The group debuted on March 20, 2014, with five members: E.co, Eddy, SimBa, San-Cheong and Prince Mak who performed live on MNet M Countdown.[3] Their debut single entitled At First was then released on March 24.[4] JJCC is the first K-pop idol group to be formed by Jackie Chan.[5]

JJCC
JJCC at the Digital Media City complex, 2015
Background information
OriginSeoul, South Korea
GenresK-pop; hip hop; dance
Years active2014–2021
LabelsJackie Chan Group Korea
Teichiku Records (Japan)
Past members
  • Eddy
  • Yul
  • Zica
  • SimBa
  • San-Cheong
  • Prince Mak
  • E.Co
Websitewww.jjcc.kr

Etymology edit

The name of the band is composed of the man who forms the group and the group's aim. The first "JC" comes from the first letters of the words Jackie and Chan while the second "JC" comes from the first letters of the words join and cultures. When combined, it is literally "Jackie Chan Joint Cultures" (JJCC) translated to "Jackie Chan, let's spread K-Pop". In the same way, the pronunciation of the group name (Double-JC) stands for "Double Joy Creative" or "Let's create double the joy".[5] The band name is a tribute to Chan as well as his effort to "join cultures" in Asia through music.[1][6]

History edit

Formation of the group edit

Jackie Chan is a long-time fan of K-Pop. After seeing Kpop's great potential and development, he started to form a Kpop group and even personally manages them. JJCC's aim is for the world to be conquered once Asian culture unites through their different music and charm. In preparation for this, the members of JJCC received individual training on their personality and stunts as well as improving their singing, dancing, rapping, songwriting, and acting skills.[6] Their dance skills include popping, b-boying, and even ballet. They are also able to speak in three languages- English, Chinese, and Korean.[1]

Together with Chan, veteran K-Pop producer-composer Choi Jun-Young is serving as the executive producer of the group while Sha-Sha Lee is the CEO of the newly formed Jackie Chan Group South Korea establishment.

Pre-debut edit

The group is composed of five Koreans (E.Co, Yul, Zica, SimBa, San-Cheong), one Korean American (Eddy) and one inactive Chinese Australian (Prince Mak). Eddy competed on the cooking challenge show "Master Chef Korea" once, and is known for his cooking skills. Members SimBa and Eco are also models.[6]

Although K-Pop is still rare on the Western mainstream, the group already attracted the American media prior to their debut mainly because of Jackie Chan. They were included in major news outlets such as the New York Post and even appeared in traditional papers. Jackie Chan's presence gave JJCC a possibility for the Korean wave to enter the American mainstream.[7]

2014-2016: Debut & first years edit

On March 13, 2014, JJCC released their first teaser which was posted on their YouTube account, "Double JC".[8] During this time, little is still known about the group except the revelation of the members and Jackie Chan as the producer-manager.[9] One week after, on March 20, 2014, JJCC was first seen live on Mnet's M! Countdown, performing "At First" ("Everyone Is Like This At First"), which was also their official debut date.[10] It was followed by Music Bank and Inkigayo. Finally on March 24, JJCC released their debut single as well as its music video.[11] The song combines a melancholy hip-hop beat and a bit of R&B track. Prince Mak is not included in the music video as it is reported that he injured himself before the filming.[12] Together with Kim Hee Sun and EXO, JJCC are performing on Chan's charity event entitled "2014 Peace, Love and Friendship" on April 6 in Beijing. The event, organized by Jaycee Chan, will have celebrities from all over the world and will include a concert, a fan meeting, launching event for ‘Jackie Chan Film Hall’ in Shanghai and more.[13] The youngest member of the group (Maknae) San-Cheong played a small role in the Korean drama " Madame Antoine " which aired in January 2016.

2017: Rumours surrounding Prince Mak's departure edit

Before the group began their Japanese promotions, there was a lot of confusion over Prince Mak's status amongst them. With JJCC's Japanese company and official Facebook page updating JJCC's bio to state that JJCC had six members, many assumed he had left the group.[14][15] However, Prince Mak personally stated that he is still a member of JJCC, but is currently working on solo activities,[16] although sources such as JJCC's official websites have stated otherwise.[17][18][19][20] Since then Prince has signed to Emperor Entertainment Group Beijing for his acting activities,[21][22] and JJCC has continued as a sextet.[23][24][25]

2017: Prince Mak's Departure edit

On the SBS PopAsia radio show 'The Prince Mak Hour', Prince Mak answered a fan's question about his status within JJCC. He stated that while he is not signed to JJCC's Korean agency, he still considers himself to be a JJCC member.[26]

JJCC's USA Tour edit

JJCC went on tour in the US from August 6–12, 2017.[27]

Produce 101 edit

San-Cheong and Yul participated in Produce 101 Season 2.[28][29][30] Both members were eliminated in episode 5.

Mix Nine edit

Simba, Yul, Eddy and Zica participated in JTBC's survival show Mix Nine audition. And only Simba passed the audition,[31] being placed 56th among the male contestants.[32] However Simba was eliminated in episode 7 ranking 118th.

Members edit

Former edit

  • Simba (심바) – Rapper (2014–2021)
  • Eddy (에디) – Vocalist (2014–2021)
  • Yul () – Vocalist (2015–2021)
  • Zica (지카) – Vocalist, rapper (2015–2021)
  • San Cheong (산청) – Vocalist, rapper (2014–2021)
  • Prince Mak (프린스 맥) – Vocalist (2014–2017)
  • E.Co (이코) – Vocalist, rapper (2014–2020)

Discography edit

Extended plays edit

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[33]
JJCC 1st Mini Album
Track listing
  1. One Way (빙빙빙)
  2. You’re Going To Leave (니가 떠나간다)
  3. Be Good
13
Ackmong
  • Released: August 21, 2015
  • Label: Jackie Chan Group Korea
  • Format: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Where You At (어디야)
  2. Trauma (트라우마)
  3. Insomnia (불면증)
21

Singles edit

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR
[36]
JPN
Korean
"At First (첨엔 다 그래)" 2014 Non-album single
"One Way (빙빙빙)" JJCC 1st Mini Album
"Fire (질러)" 2015 Non-album singles
"On a Flower Bed (꽃밭에서)"
"Where You At (어디야)" Ackmong
"Insomnia (불면증)"
"ToDay (오늘 한번)" 2016 Non-album singles
"Don't cry (울지마)" 2017
"JJUK's HOUSE (쯕이네)" 2020 Non-album single
Japanese
"Now (今すぐに)" 2016 25 Non-album releases
"Freedom"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Tour edit

  • JJCC Live Tour In America (2017)

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Jackie Chan’s K-Pop Group, JJCC (Double JC), Unveils All Five Members". Soompi. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  2. ^ "Jackie Chan's K-pop boy band to release debut album". March 11, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  3. ^ "Jackie Chan's Group JJCC to Debut Today on 'M Countdown'". Kpopstarz. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  4. ^ "Jackie Chan Trades Kicks for Artist Management, Guides K-Pop Band JJCC". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  5. ^ a b "[Interview Pt. 1] JJCC Reaches for the Top with Jackie Chan" Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Mwave. Retrieved 2014-04-01.
  6. ^ a b c "Jackie Chan reportedly managing new K-Pop band". The Guardian. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  7. ^ "Jackie Chan's JJCC Attracts US Media Prior To Debut". Kpopstarz. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  8. ^ "JJCC(더블제이씨) - 첨엔 다 그래 M/V Teaser (Jackie Chan Idol)". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
  9. ^ "The Debut Of Doubles: Jackie Chan's New Group JJCC Follows The Path Of SS501, Double K, And AA". Kpopstarz. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  10. ^ "Jackie Chan's boy group JJCC spike interest with first MV teaser". Allkpop. Retrieved 2014-03-23.
  11. ^ "JJCC(더블제이씨) - 첨엔 다 그래(At First) M/V (Jackie Chan Idol)". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-03-26.
  12. ^ "The quintet premieres with a mid-tempo R&B-pop release and special effects-heavy video". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-03-26.
  13. ^ "EXO, Kim Hee Sun and JJCC Invited to Attend Jackie Chan’s Charity Event". Mwave. Retrieved 2014-03-26.
  14. ^ "JJCC's Japanese website".
  15. ^ "JJCC's Facebook".
  16. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Prince Mak clarifies whether he's still in JJCC".
  17. ^ "JJCC's Official Japanese Website". Archived from the original on February 27, 2017.
  18. ^ "JJCC's Official Japanese Website".
  19. ^ "JJCC's Official Japanese Company linked interviews".
  20. ^ "JJCC's Official Facebook". Facebook.
  21. ^ "Prince Mak's weibo bio".
  22. ^ "Prince Mak's agency weibo".
  23. ^ "JJCC's 3rd anniversary video". YouTube.
  24. ^ "JJCC's Japanese agency post about JJCC's 3rd anniversary". Archived from the original on December 24, 2021.
  25. ^ "JJCC on Twitter".
  26. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Is Prince Mak still part of JJCC?". SBS PopAsia.
  27. ^ "Studio PAV". www.facebook.com.
  28. ^ "Produce 101 Yul PR". YouTube.
  29. ^ "Produce 101 San Cheong PR". YouTube.
  30. ^ "Produce 101 Season 2 Contestants". Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  31. ^ "Mix Nine Contestant, Simba". November 9, 2017.
  32. ^ "Simba Team, One Way - What Makes You Beautiful(One Direction) Performance". YouTube.
  33. ^ "Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on March 26, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  34. ^ "2014년 08월 (August 2014) Album Chart (Domestic)". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  35. ^ "2015년 09월 (September 2015) Album Chart (Domestic)". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  36. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on March 9, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2014.

External links edit