Fiestar

Fiestar

Company type	Girl group
Industry	Music
Founded	2012
Founder	LOEN Entertainment
Defunct	2018 (initial disbandment)
Headquarters	South Korea
Area served	South Korea, international
Key people	Cao Lu, Jei, Linzy, Hyemi, Yezi, Cheska (former member)
Products	Music albums, singles
Parent	LOEN Entertainment (initially), Bomnal Entertainment (2025)

Fiestar () is a South Korean female idol group comprising Cao Lu, Jei, Linzy, Hyemi, and Yezi. Before their official debut, they collaborated with labelmate IU on the duet "Sea of Moonlight," featured on LOEN Entertainment's compilation album released in July 2012. This track achieved notable domestic acclaim by securing a position within the top ten of the Gaon Digital Chart. The group made their formal debut on August 31, 2012, with the single "Vista". After six years, in May 2018, Fiestar disbanded when four members decided against renewing their contracts.

On August 27, 2024, the group revealed plans for a reunion single scheduled for release on August 31, coinciding with their 12th anniversary since debut. They reissued "You're Pitiful," originally from their 2015 EP Black Label, as their first independent single.

Subsequently, on April 9, 2025, Bomnal Entertainment confirmed signing exclusive contracts with all members of Fiestar. However, on August 28, Cao Lu disclosed through a video message that their contract concluded after six months and announced intentions to fund and release "Vista" independently.

Pre-debut

In July 2012, LOEN Entertainment publicized the upcoming debut of Fiestar, a six-member girl group set to launch in August. The members hail from South Korea, China, and the United States and underwent two years of collective training, with individual training periods averaging four years.

The eldest member, Cao Lu, had previously debuted as a solo artist in China after winning a singing competition hosted by CCTV in 2004.

Jei, who leads the group, had experience modeling for online fashion brands and appeared in the music video for Infinite's song "Paradise" released in 2011.

Linzy was formerly a trainee under YG Entertainment and was reportedly considered as a candidate for 2NE1. Additionally, she contributed a song to the soundtrack of the drama Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2010.

Cheska, a Korean American member, auditioned for JYP Entertainment in 2008 but did not join due to her parents' objections; she was later discovered by producer Kim Chang-hwan.

Yezi initially worked as a backup dancer for artists Park Mi-kyung and Hong Kyung-min before joining Fiestar.

2012–2013: Introduction and Subsequent Releases

Prior to their formal debut, Fiestar collaborated with labelmate IU on the track "Sea of Moonlight" for LOEN Entertainment's compilation album, which achieved notable success on domestic charts. Additionally, they partnered with Tiger JK on the pre-release single "Wicked".

Their official debut single, "Vista", was launched on August 31, 2012, with every track from the EP securing positions on the K-pop Billboard Hot 100.

On November 9, Fiestar unveiled their second single, "We Don't Stop", which included a B-side titled "Sweet Love" featuring ballad vocalist Kim Yeon-woo. Promotional activities commenced the following day on Music Bank. The members actively participated in various media engagements: Jei appeared on TVN's reality series Romantic and Idol and joined IU on Gag Concert; Linzy and Hyemi took part in KBS's 1000 Song Challenge. The group also made appearances on shows such as Weekly Idol and Dream Team 2, while endorsing HIM Magazine.

In 2013, Linzy portrayed Sharpay Evans in CJE&M's Korean adaptation of High School Musical, sharing the role with The Grace's Dana. The production premiered on July 2 at Blue Square Samsung Card Hall. That year, Fiestar was featured in the video series "Fiestar's A-HA! For the Global K-Pop Fan" and served as endorsers for the Samsung Galaxy S4.

On August 27, they released the pre-release single "Whoo!" featuring Eric Benét, which achieved favorable chart positions despite the absence of live promotional performances.

In September, LOEN Entertainment launched the sub-label Collabodadi to manage Fiestar’s forthcoming releases. Subsequently, on November 1, they issued "I Don't Know" from their EP Curious, returning to live performances on Music Core the next day. Following their promotional period, their reality program Channel FIESTAR! was broadcast on SBS MTV.

2014–2015: Cheska's Exit and Black Label Era

LOEN Entertainment announced Cheska's departure from Fiestar on March 20, 2014, without introducing any new members. The group’s comeback was initially delayed due to the Sewol ferry tragedy, but rescheduled for mid-July.

On June 16, Fiestar collaborated with The Friends to release "I Love Korea," a track supporting the 2014 Brazil World Cup. Their music video for "One More" premiered on July 1.

Fiestar’s first EP, Black Label, featuring the lead single "You're Pitiful," was released on March 4, 2015. Six months later, on September 22, Collabodadi was dissolved, resulting in Fiestar’s return to LOEN Tree as LOEN Entertainment’s sole in-house label.

On December 17, member Cao Lu appeared on Radio Star alongside rapper Jessi, Got7's Jackson, and Lena Park during an Outsiders special. Her appearance attracted widespread national attention, propelling both her and Fiestar to trending status on Naver.

2016–2018: Final Releases and Disbandment

In March 2016, Fiestar released their second EP A Delicate Sense, comprising six tracks including the title song "Mirror," with contributions from all members in its production. On May 31, 2016, they issued the digital single "Apple Pie".

Following a year without activity, Fiestar officially disbanded on May 15, 2018. This followed the expiration of contracts for four members on April 30 and Cao Lu’s contract ending May 31. On May 29, former member Cheska declared her departure from the entertainment industry and her decision to return to her home country for personal reasons.

2024–present: Comeback and new agency

On August 27, 2024, it was officially announced that Fiestar would reunite with a new track to commemorate their 12th anniversary since debut. Two days later, on August 29, the members appeared on Cao Lu's YouTube channel to reveal plans for a remake of their 2015 hit "You're Pitiful," for which Cao Lu had secured the copyright. This single, which fuses elements of UK Garage and Rage Pop, was subsequently released on August 31.

On April 9, 2025, Fiestar entered into an exclusive agreement with Bomnal Entertainment, gearing up to produce a remake album and scheduled to perform at the Kpop Super Concert in Macau on April 27. Nevertheless, on August 28, 2025, Cao Lu disclosed via YouTube that their contract with Bomnal had concluded on July 31 after a six-month tenure. She additionally announced the upcoming release of the previously recorded track "Vista" on August 31 to honor their 13th debut anniversary.

"One More" broadcast ban controversy

The group's single "One More" faced a broadcast ban by MBC due to provocative lyrics. Although initially cleared by the three major Korean broadcasters (KBS, MBC, and SBS), public criticism prompted a re-evaluation. Despite assertions that the lyrics were harmless, Fiestar re-recorded the song with modified lyrics. This incident led MBC to adopt stricter measures toward songs containing ambiguous or potentially misinterpreted content.

Members

Current

• Cao Lu ()
• Jei ()
• Linzy ()
• Hyemi ()
• Yezi ()

Former

• Cheska ()

Extended plays

Title	Album details	Peak positions	Sales
		KOR
Black Label	Released: March 4, 2015 Label: LOEN Entertainment Format: CD, digital download	11	KOR: 3,021
A Delicate Sense	Released: March 9, 2016 Label: LOEN Entertainment Format: CD, digital download	9	KOR: 3,060

Singles

Title	Year	Peak chart positions			Sales	Album
		KOR Gaon		KOR Hot
		Digital	Album
"Sea of Moonlight" (with IU)	2012	12	Template:N/A	10	KOR: 1,004,426	LOEN Tree Summer Story
"Vista"		27	9	28	KOR (Phy.): 1,920 KOR: 350,922	Vista (single)
"We Don't Stop"		66	21	58	KOR (Phy.): 1,408 KOR: 107,083	We Don't Stop (single)
"Whoo! " (with Eric Benét)	2013	58	Template:N/A	80	KOR: 30,599	Template:N/A
"I Don't Know"		63	17	63	KOR (Phy.): 1,629 KOR: 72,042	Curious (single)
"One More"	2014	51	rowspan="5" Template:N/A	57	KOR: 73,668	Template:N/A
"You're Pitiful"	2015	60	rowspan="4" Template:N/A	KOR: 65,454	Black Label
"Mirror"	2016	80	KOR: 47,100	A Delicate Sense
"Apple Pie"		84	KOR: 39,118	rowspan="2"Template:N/A

|- ! scope="row"| "You're Pitiful 2024 ver." !2024 !Template:TBA !Template:N/A |}

Additional Charted Tracks

Song Title	Release Year	Highest Chart Positions		Sales Figures	Associated Album
		South Korea Gaon	South Korea Hot 100
"Wicked" (featuring Tiger JK)	2012	57	71	South Korea: 85,571 copies	Vista (single)
"Sweet Love" (featuring Kim Yeon-woo)		70	—	South Korea: 69,762 copies	We Don't Stop (single)
The symbol "—" indicates that the release either did not enter the charts or was not issued in the respective region.

OST Contributions

Track Title	Year Released	Original Soundtrack
"So Tight"	2014	My Lovely Girl OST Part 7
"Miraculous Ladybug"	2015	Miraculous Ladybug OST
"Save Me Tarzan"		Golden Tower OST Part 1
"#Like"	2016	Centerpole OST

Guest Appearances

Track Title	Year Issued	Album Name
"Such A Woman" (performed by Zia)	2014	Such A Woman (repackaged album)

Music Video Releases

Release Year	Song Title	Album Name	Date Released	Duration	Director / Production Company	Remarks
2012	"Sea of Moonlight" (collaboration with IU)	LOEN Tree Summer Story	July 26	3:43	Hwang Soo-ah (LOEN Entertainment In-house / Film Production Korea)	Special joint project
	"Vista"	Vista	August 31	5:11		Debut video clip.
	"Vista (Performance Version)"		September 4	3:34
	"We Don't Stop"	We Don't Stop	November 8	3:40	Jo Soo-hyun
2013	"I Don't Know"	'Curious'	October 31	3:46	Kim Young-jo, Yoo Jun-seok (Naive Creative Production)
2014	"I Love Korea"	'–'	June 16	6:27		Official World Cup cheer song
	"One More"	'One More (single)'	July 1	3:18	Seong Won-mo, Park Sang-woo (Digipedi)	First official release without Cheska
2015	"You're Pitiful"	'Black Label'	March 4	3:57	Lee Gi-baek (Tiger Cave Studio)
2016	"Mirror"	'A Delicate Sense'	March 9	3:59	Hong Won-ki (zanybros)
	"Apple Pie"	'Apple Pie (single)'	May 30	4:05

Honors and Recognitions

Year, Award Ceremony, Category, and Outcome

Year	Award Event	Award Category	Result Status
2012	4th Annual Seoul Success Awards	Best Newcomer of the Year	Template:Won
	2012 Arirang's Simply K-Pop Awards	Super Rookie Idol of the Year	Template:Won
	All the Kpop - World-Class Rookie Awards	Newcomer of the Year	Template:Won
		Knock-Out Award Winner	Template:Won

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External links

• Fiestar at LOEN Entertainment
• [1] at BOMNAL Entertainment