Universe (UNVS), which also serves as a
portmanteau of "unique" and "
verse", was formed in South Korea and managed by Media Asia Music. They decided on the name in hopes of having "universal appeal" and becoming a "pop group beloved by the people". The initial lineup compromised South Korean leader and main vocalist Sihoon, vocalist Changgong, and dancer Minho, as well as Chinese rapper IL and vocalist Yongyong; the quintet trained together for one year. UNVS spent the first three months of their career in Taiwan to establish a following of Chinese speakers. Their first single "Uni-verse" was written by lyricist
Francis Lee and digitally released on December 21, 2016. UNVS became the first
Korean idol group to make their debut in the country. UNVS departed from Taiwan two months later and were scheduled to debut in their home country and Japan later that year. Leader and rapper Jun H., main vocalist Eunho, and rapper Jen joined UNVS alongside YY (formerly Yongyong) and Changgyu (Changgong). The new lineup trained together for two years. They signed with Chitwn Music in South Korea and the company introduced the group by publishing a promotional poster on February 9, 2020.
SBS MTV rebooted its television series
Rookie King after seven years and began airing episodes on February 20. It featured the quintet in midst of their domestic debut. UNVS released their debut
single album Debut Single: Timeless and its lead single "Timeless" on February 23, 2020. In response to the decision of South Korea's government to upgrade the alert level to its highest amidst the
coronavirus pandemic, the record label followed the recommendation to avoid gathering people and canceled UNVS's scheduled showcase for reporters the following day; the event was
live streamed without an audience instead. UNVS began performing "Timeless" on weekly
music programs on February 25. From April 8, they promoted the followup track "Solar Eclipse".
Rookie King aired episode 14 two days later, the final with the group in the series. UNVS released their second single album
Soundtracks for the Lost & Broken : Give You Up and the
pop-
EDM track "Give You Up" on May 15. ==Members==