FT Island (Korean: 에프티 아일랜드 e-peu-ti a-il-laen-deu) Five Treasure Island, or FTI, is the name of a South Korean rock ballad band. The name F.T. Island stands for 'Five Treasure Island', each of the five members being a treasure. The band's official color is yellow, and their fans carry yellow flags known as "pentasticks." Their debut album, Cheerful Sensibility, was the sixth best-selling album of 2007 in South Korea.
Debut
F.T. Island's first album was scheduled to be released commercially in May 2007. However, instead of releasing the album as planned, all of the members appeared on a television program called “Dugeun Dugeun Yeochinmandeulgi” (Korean: 두근두근 여친만들기) on the Korean television channel MNet. The program title is officially translated by MNet as "Wanna Be My Girlfriend?" although "두근두근" refers to the sound a heart makes. The band also performed on stage live at Rolling Hall and held their first official showcase at Live House Melon-AX, Gwangjang-dong in Seoul on May 27, 2007. On June 7, 2007 F.T. Island performed their debut song on the music television program M!Countdown. Not only this but also they amazed people by winning their first best song award on M!Countdown by beating top artists such as Dynamic Duo and Fly To The Sky in just 2 weeks after debuting.
Cheerful Sensibility
Their first album Cheerful Sensibility combined 13 songs that can be divided into 2 parts: “Emotional Chapter” and “FT Island Chapter” respectively according to the style of the song in the album. For the “Emotional Chapter”, the genre is rock ballad oriented which produced by the composers who work for many songs of famous Korean singer such as SG Wannabe. The other part, “FT Island Chapter”, tend to be the upbeat pop-rock oriented style, which was produced by the Japanese famous composers participating with the Japanese band, SMAP. The album sold 79,786 copies in 2007, making it the sixth best-selling album of the year.
The album was re-released on December 3, 2007 and it was named "The Refreshment". In addition to three extra songs, the package also included various extras, including a photobook, a stack of photocards, and a mixing program called Music 2.0 which allows one to adjust the levels of the instruments and vocals accordingly. This edition sold 25,724 copies in December 2007.
2008: Concerts Abroad
The group was scheduled to hold their first concert in Malaysia on March 30, 2008, at Sunway Lagoon Amphitheater. On the day before the concert, they held an autograph session at Damansara Cineleisure. A special version of their debut album has been released in mid-February. However, the concert was suddenly cancelled, with no explanation given.
On April 12, 2008, the group held their first concert in Thailand, at the Royal Paragon Hall. In addition to playing material from their album, each member of the group had their own solos as well..
2008: Japanese Debut
F.T. Island's Japanese debut album, entitled Prologue of FT Island, was released on 7th June 2008, with the first single released being "Soyogi". The album consists of 8 songs, 2 of which are newer versions of the original songs "FT Island" and "Primadonna". The last track, "Always Be Mine", is an English version of "First Kiss". However, the lyrics are not translated, but completely original. A music video has been released for "Soyogi" and "Friendship".
Colorful Sensibility
Their second album reveals a more mature and angsty side of the band. The first song released from the album is After Love (사랑후애 sa-rang-hu-ae). They have also recently released a new MV, of the song Heaven, from Part 2 of Colourful Sensibility, just like how Cheerful Sensibility had the Refreshment, with 3 new songs.
The One
The single "The One" is the first Japanese single. The single released on the 17th December 2008, Jaejin's birthday. One day later is was announced that F.T Island made it onto the "Japanese Oricon Daily Charts". This achievement means the band is gaining popularity in Japan. They got the 9th rank. According to F&C Music this is the reason: "Other Korean bands utilized the assistance of large Japanese record labels to gain popularity, but FT Island was able to make it onto the charts without any true marketing efforts."
Other Works
Member Lee Jae Jin was a castmember of KBS's sitcom Unstoppable Marriage. The other members made a cameo appearance. In this sitcom Lee Jae Jin plays the role of Wang Sa Baek (Sim Mal Yeon's fourth son), and appears regularly on the show.
Member Lee Hong Ki debuted 6 years ago on a kid's sitcom KBS2's Magic Kid Masuri as the main character, Masuri. This sitcom gained explosive popularity among elementary school students.
Hong Ki has also been on many other shows, such as Becoming a Good Daddy (SBS), Monwonaehangbok (Happy Shares Company) (MBC), Family Outing (SBS), and more. Lee Hong Ki was also casted in a show that is coming this 2009.
As well, Choi Minhwan is in a sitcom this coming 2009, which will be aired on KBS1
FT Island are also hosting MBC Every 1 Idol Army Season 2. Total of 13 episode.
Band Members
Name: 이 홍기
Name: Lee Hong Ki
Position: Lead Vocal
Nickname: Cute Rebellion
D.O.B: 2nd March 1990
Blood Type: A
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 60 kg
Best Feature: Smile
Talents: Singing, Playing Soccer
Hobbies: Singing, Listening to music, Soccer, Internet, Cooking
For His Future Love: "Let's try our best, if I can't do well, please understand & forgive me"
Name: 최 종 훈Name: Choi Jong Hun
Position: Leader, Guitar & Piano
Nickname: Sexy Jonghun
D.O.B: 7th March 1990
Blood Type: A
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 60 kg
Best Feature: Nose
Talents: PianoHobbies: Listening to music, Internet
For His Future Love: "I’ll buy something for you, may I? What do you want?"
Name: 이 재 진
Name: Lee Jae Jin
Position: Bass Guitar
Nickname: Volunteer
D.O.B: 17th December 1991
Blood Type: A
Height: 177 cm
Weight: 58 kg
Best Feature: Lips
Talents: Bass Guitar, Listening to traditional music
Hobbies: Internet, Questioning
For His Future Love: "Saranghae~"
Name: 최 민 환
Name: Choi Min Hwan
Position: Drums
Nickname: 민둥이
D.O.B: 11th November 1992
Blood Type: A
Height: 171 cm
Weight: 55 kg
Best Feature: Cuteness
Talents: Drums, Eating chicken
Hobbies: Listening to music, Internet
For His Future Love: "My lovely beautiful girlfriend, please take care of your health. Love you!"
Name: 오 언 빈Name: Oh Won BinPosition: Vocal, GuitarNickname: Mischievous WonbinD.O.B: 26th March 1990Blood Type: OHeight: 180 cmWeight: 63 kgBest Feature: Dimples, SmileTalents: Martial arts, HarmonicaHobbies: Sports, Reading, Listening to musicFor His Future Love: "When will you appear in front of me? I’m so lonely~"
Tapi sekarang WonBin keluar dari FT Island.... T.T
