15&
South Korean duo formed by JYP Entertainment in 2012.
15& (피프틴앤드), also called Fifteen And, was a South Korean duo from JYP Entertainment that debuted in 2012. Its members were Park Ji-min and Baek Ye-rin. The group’s name came from their shared age of fifteen at debut, with the ampersand symbolizing potential for ongoing success. Their first single, “I Dream,” came out on October 5, 2012. After a hiatus that started in February 2015 and lasted four years, the pair effectively split when both members’ contracts with JYP Entertainment ended in 2019.
Park Ji-min won the first season of the competition show *K-pop Star* in 2012 and chose to sign with JYP Entertainment on May 21. Baek Ye-rin was called an “R&B genius” on *Star King* at age ten. In 2008, she auditioned with Beyoncé’s “Listen” and became a JYP trainee, training for five years before debuting with Park.
15& released “I Dream” on October 5, 2012, and performed it on SBS’s *Inkigayo* on October 7. On October 12, they held guerrilla concerts at Chungdam Middle School, Eonnam Middle School, and Sungil Information High School, supported by KT Corporation’s Genie Music. Their second single, “Somebody,” came out on April 7, 2013; its music video parodied the *K-Pop Star* judges, with cameos by Park Jin-young and other contestants. That same day, they performed “Somebody” on the *K-pop Star* season 2 finale, and the song topped charts on Olleh, Melon, and Daum.
On April 13, 2014, 15& released the single “Can’t Hide It” and performed it on the *K-pop Star* season 3 finale. Their first album, *Sugar*, followed on May 26, 2014, with a comeback on Mnet’s *M Countdown* on May 29. Their fourth single, “Love Is Madness” featuring Kanto of Troy, dropped on February 9, 2015. They first performed it at a Valentine’s Day concert for singles on February 14. After a four-year hiatus, Park Ji-min’s contract expired in August 2019 and was not renewed, leading to the group’s de facto disbandment.
- field
- K-pop
- nationality
- South Korean
- known_for
- Debut at age 15, JYP Entertainment duo
- years_active
- 2012–2019
- label
- JYP Entertainment
Lore & Background
15& was formed in 2012 after Park Ji-min won the first season of the South Korean reality TV competition K-pop Star. She chose to sign with JYP Entertainment on May 21. Baek Ye-rin had been a JYP trainee for five years before debuting, having been introduced as an "R&B genius" on Star King at age ten and auditioning with Beyoncé's "Listen" in 2008.
The duo debuted with the single "I Dream" on October 5, 2012, performing on SBS's Inkigayo on October 7. They held guerrilla concerts at several schools supported by KT Corporation's Genie Music. Their second single "Somebody" was released on April 7, 2013, and rose to the top of music charts on Olleh, Melon, Daum and others. Their first album Sugar was released on May 26, 2014, after the single "Can't Hide It" on April 13. The fourth single "Love Is Madness" featuring Kanto of Troy was released on February 9, 2015.
After a four-year hiatus beginning in February 2015, the group de facto disbanded when Park Ji-min's contract with JYP Entertainment expired and was not renewed in August 2019.
Reader's Guide
15& represents a notable example of a K-pop duo formed from a reality TV competition winner. Park Ji-min's victory on K-pop Star 1 and her choice of JYP Entertainment over YG and SM highlighted the competitive landscape of K-pop trainee recruitment. The duo's name, referencing their age at debut and future aspirations, was a unique branding choice. Their debut single "I Dream" and subsequent releases like "Somebody" and "Sugar" achieved chart success, with "Somebody" topping multiple music charts. The group's four-year hiatus and eventual disbandment upon contract expiration in 2019 illustrate the common trajectory of K-pop acts whose members pursue individual paths. Baek Ye-rin's early recognition as an "R&B genius" and long trainee period contrast with Park Ji-min's rapid rise from competition winner to debut. Their legacy lies in their brief but impactful run, producing several charting singles and a studio album before their de facto disbandment.
Did You Know?
- The name 15& refers to the members being fifteen at debut, with the ampersand symbolizing continued future success.
- Park Ji-min won the first season of K-pop Star and chose to sign with JYP Entertainment over YG and SM.
- Baek Ye-rin was introduced as an 'R&B genius' on Star King at age ten and auditioned with Beyoncé's 'Listen' in 2008.
- Their second single 'Somebody' rose to the top of music charts on Olleh, Melon, Daum and others upon release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is 15&?
15& (Pifteen And) was a South Korean pop duo signed to JYP Entertainment, made up of Park Ji-min and Baek Ye-rin. They debuted in 2012 and were active until their contracts lapsed in 2019.
What does the name '15&' mean?
The number 15 reflects the fact that both members were fifteen years old at the time of their debut. The ampersand was added to symbolize their open-ended potential for continued success as a pair.
How did Park Ji-min join 15&?
Park Ji-min won the first season of the audition show K-pop Star in 2012 and opted to sign with JYP Entertainment. There she was paired with Baek Ye-rin, and the two launched the duo that same year.
Why did 15& disband?
The group went on hiatus in February 2015 and never officially returned. Both members' contracts with JYP Entertainment expired in 2019, which marked the effective end of the duo.
What was 15&'s debut release?
Their first single, titled 'I Dream,' dropped on October 5, 2012, and served as the duo's official introduction to the K-pop scene.
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