Sunny Hill

Sunny Hill
Sunny Hill in February 2012 (L–R: Bitna, Jubi (former), Kota (former), Misung (former) )
Sunny Hill in February 2012
(L–R: Bitna, Jubi (former), Kota (former), Misung (former) )
Background information
OriginSeoul, South Korea
Genres
Years active2007 (2007)–present
Labels
Members
  • Bitna
Past members
  • Jubi
  • Misung
  • Janghyun
  • Kota
  • Eunju
  • Geonhee

Sunny Hill (Korean써니힐) is a South Korean musical act currently consisting of singer Bitna (Korean빛나).[1]

Sunny Hill debuted in 2007 as a co-ed singing group with members Janghyun, Jubi, and Bitna (then known as Seungah).[2] Members Kota and Misung joined the group in 2010 and 2011, respectively.[3][4] In the early 2010s, the group released several hit songs, including "Pit-A-Pat," "Midnight Circus", "The Grasshopper Song," and "Is The White Horse Coming?".[5]

After Janghyun left the group in 2014, Sunny Hill began promoting as a four-member girl group.[6] Following the departures of Jubi and Misung, two new members, Eunju and Geonhee, joined the group in 2019.[7] As of 2025, Bitna is the only remaining member of Sunny Hill, releasing solo music under the group's name.[8]

History

2007–2009: Debut with Love Letter and 2008 My Summer

Sunny Hill debuted in September 2007 as a co-ed group consisting of members Janghyun, Jubi, and Seung Ah. Their first release was the single album Love Letter, which later won the Excellent Newcomer Album award. Following this success, the group released their second single album, 2008 My Summer. The group then had a musical hiatus, and only released various songs for film and drama soundtracks.

2010–2011: Label and line-up changes and Midnight Circus

Following their musical hiatus, Sunny Hill unexpectedly changed labels to Nega Network, home of girl group Brown Eyed Girls. Nega Network later introduced a new member Kota for the group.

Sunny Hill was quickly thrown into their first project under Nega Network by featuring on Narsha's digital single "Mamma Mia". Janghyun did not vocally participate in the track, but was featured in the music video. The group quickly became known as "Narsha's Group", due to lack of popularity amongst fans of K-pop. Following promotions of "Mamma Mia", Nega Network introduced a new member for the group, Misung. The quintet released single "Pit-A-Pat" for the Korean drama The Greatest Love. The song attracted much attention and charted high.

Sunny Hill made another unexpected label change to LOEN Entertainment. On June 3, 2011, Sunny Hill's first extended play, Midnight Circus with the lead single being the title track. On August 4, 2011, Sunny Hill released their follow-up ballad, "Pray". The song continued the group's growing popularity and charted on the Top 10 of the Gaon Chart, despite there being no live promotions.

2012–2013: Antique Romance and Young Folk

On January 13, 2012, Sunny Hill made their comeback with their first maxi-single "The Grasshoppers". On January 20, it was announced that Janghyun would be entering his mandatory military service on January 31.[9] The single peaked at the Top 3 of the Gaon Chart.[10]

On April 14, it was announced that Sunny Hill would be making comeback as four-member girl group with digital single, "Is the White Horse Coming?".[11] Sunny Hill released their digital single Is The White Horse Coming? on April 19.[12] The next day, it was reported that the song had topped in the several music site such as Soribada, Melon, Mnet, and Bugs.[13]

On December 6, Sunny Hill's second extended play, Antique Romance with the lead single "Goodbye to Romance". The track was said to be about the members' first love story. The album was successful and both songs of the album reached the Top 10 songs in Gaon Chart.

On April 5, Sunny Hill released collaboration single Love Actually with South Korean modern rock group called Daybreak, as a part of project album Re:code - Episode III. Misung also participated as co-produced and co-wrote for the song. On April 6, the music video was released featured cameo appearances from comedian Kim Sungwon, Defconn, and ZE:A member Kwanghee. The collaboration single was peaked at No. 7.

On June 10, it was announced that Sunny Hill would be making comeback with their third extended play, Young Folk. The lead single would be folk music with featured folk musician Hareem. The same day, the group held a showcase announcing their comeback. Sunny Hill official released their third extended play, Young Folk on June 19 and charted high on real-time charts.

On August 13, Kota was featured in a duet with SS501's Kim Hyung-jun entitled "Always Love You", a special digital single,[14] with a release of a video teaser on August 8.[15] The song is an acoustic medium R&B produced by Kim Hyung Jun himself, while the music video has an innocent love story theme, filmed on Hanseo University's airfield.[16]

On October 30, 2013, Leader Janghyun was discharged from his military service.

2014–2017: Janghyun's departure, reformation as girl group, Sunny Blues, Way, and contract expiration

On January 17, LOEN announced that Sunny Hill would be returned as co-ed group with their third digital single Don't Say Anything. It was announced that Janghyun's the last participated with the group before departure to pursue his career as a producer. Sunny Hill official released their third digital single Don't Say Anything for the last time as co-ed group on January 24.[17]

Sunny Hill released their first studio album, Sunny Blues, separated into Part A and Part B, seven years after their debut. They released Sunny Blues Part A, consisting of eight tracks with the lead single "Monday Blues" on August 21, 2014.[18]Sunny Blues Part B released on January 29, 2015, consists of nine tracks with the lead single "Child in Time".[19]

Sunny Hill released their fourth single album Way with the lead single "On the Way Home" on August 29, 2016. The song is an upbeat mix of old pop and electronic that depicts the story about one's desires to return home, and get away from the tough side of reality.[20]

On August 18, 2017, LOEN Entertainment released a statement announcing that Sunny Hill had left the label and would continue as a group elsewhere.[21]

2019–present: Second line-up changes and comeback with Nom Nom Nom

On April 25, 2019, Sunny Hill joined BOD Entertainment. The group remained with Bitna (formerly SeungAh), Kota and two new members Eunju (formerly a soloist under the name "Ray.B") and Geonhee (former member of Purfles) after Jubi and Misung had chosen to leave the group.[22]

On October 14, 2019, the group announced they would be having a comeback on October 22, although this was later delayed to October 25.[23]

Kota auditioned to be part of the new project group WSG Wannabe and made it in, pausing her activities within Sunny Hill to participate.[24]

On September 16, 2023, Bitna, Eunju & Geonhee, began performing as a trio, and Kota confirmed via her Instagram that she had left the group, but supported them and wished them well in their future endeavours.[25]

Band members

Current members
  • Bitna (빛나) (2007–present)
Former members
  • Janghyun (장현) (2007–2014; inactive 2012–2013)
  • Jubi (주비) (2007–2018)
  • Kota (코타) (2010–2023)
  • Misung (미성) (2011–2018)
  • Eunju (은주) (2018–2025; inactive 2021–2023)
  • Geonhee (건희) (2018–2025; inactive 2021–2023)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak positions Sales
KOR
[26]
Sunny Blues
Part A
14
Part B
  • Released: January 29, 2015
  • Label: LOEN Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
7

Extended plays

Title Details Peak positions Sales
KOR
[26]
Midnight Circus
  • Released: June 3, 2011
  • Label: LOEN Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Girl With a Accordion (Intro)
  2. Marionette (꼭두각시)
  3. Midnight Circus
  4. Let's Talk About (Feat. Zia)
  5. Pray (기도) (Preview)
  6. Midnight Circus (Inst.)
20
Antique Romance
  • Released: December 13, 2012
  • Label: LOEN Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Cold Day ((추워지니 With Yoon Hyun-sang)
  2. Goodbye To Romance
  3. Marry Me? ((결혼할래요?)
  4. 3-Out
  5. Goodbye To Romance (Inst.)
  6. Marry Me? (Inst.)
10
Young Folk
  • Released: June 19, 2013
  • Label: LOEN Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Romantic Comics ((순정만화)
  2. Darling of All Hearts ((만인의 연인 (Feat. Hareem))
  3. Sitcom ((시트콤)
  4. Anything You Want
  5. I Don't Know About Too Many Things ((모르는 게 많아서)
  6. Darling of All Hearts (Inst.)
12
Way
  • Released: August 31, 2016
  • Label: LOEN Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Big Girls Don't Cry
  2. On the Way Home ((집으로 가는 길))
  3. Role Model
  4. On the Way Home (Inst.)
Nom Nom Nom
(놈놈놈)
  • Released: October 25, 2019
  • Label: B.O.D Entertainment, Music&NEW
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Nom Nom Nom ((놈놈놈)
  2. From Oz
  3. Tear Drop ((눈물닭발)
  4. Nom Nom Nom (Inst.)
  5. From Oz (Inst.)
  6. Tear Drop (Inst.)
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Single albums

Title Album details Peak positions Sales
KOR
[26][a]
Love Letter
  • Released: September 20, 2007
  • Label: For Everyone Media, Soribada Media
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Because It's You (너니까)
  2. Good-Bye New York
  3. Ring Back Tone (통화 연결음)
  4. Leave (가버려)
  5. Because It's You (Inst.)
  6. Good-Bye New York (Inst.)
  7. Ring Back Tone (Inst.)
  8. Leave (Inst.)
2008 My Summer
(2008 내가 여름이다)
Track listing
  1. I Know Love Only (사랑밖엔 난 몰라)
  2. Elastic (고무줄 (Sub. Cool comeback))
  3. My Girl
  4. I Know Love Only (Inst.)
  5. Elastic (Sub. Cool comeback) (Inst.)
  6. My Girl (Inst.)
The Grasshoppers
  • Released: January 13, 2012
  • Label: LOEN Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
2
Adiós Amor
(아디오스 아모르)
  • Released: March 12, 2020
  • Label: B.O.D Entertainment, Music&NEW
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Adiós Amor (아디오스 아모르)
  2. Finally (드디어, 우리)
  3. Adiós Amor (Inst.)
  4. Finally (Inst.)
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[33][a]
KOR
Hot

[34]
"Ring Back Tone" (통화 연결음) 2007 Love Letter
"Because It's You (Winter Ver.)" (너니까) Non-album single
"Love Is All I Know" (사랑밖엔 난 몰라) 2008 2008 My Summer
"You Don't Know" (너는 모르지) 2009 Non-album single
"Pit-A-Pat" (두근두근) 2011 7 The Greatest Love Pt. 3
"Midnight Circus" 11 Midnight Circus
"Pray" (기도) 9 21 Non-album single
"The Grasshopper Song" (베짱이 찬가) 2012 4 9 The Grasshoppers
"Is The White Horse Coming?" also known as "Princess and Prince Charming" (백마는 오고 있는가) 10 14 Non-album single
"Goodbye To Romance" 5 7 Antique Romance
"Darling of All Hearts" (만인의 연인) (feat. Hareem) 2013 9 5 Young Folk
"Don't Say Anything" (아무말도 하지마요) 2014 24 21 Non-album single
"Once in Summer" (그 해 여름) 27 Sunny Blues
"Monday Blues" 83
"Here I Am" (지우다) 68 Non-album single
"Child in Time" (교복을 벗고) 2015 33 Sunny Blues
"On The Way Home" (집으로 가는 길) 2016 [b] Way
"Crossroads" (두 갈래 길) 2017 N/A Non-album single
"Nom Nom Nom" (놈놈놈) 2019 Nom Nom Nom
"Adiós Amor" (아디오스 아모르) 2020 Adiós Amor
"After Meeting You" (너를 만나고) 2021 [c] Non-album singles
"Hold Me Again" (안녕이란 말 대신) 2022 [d]
"You Walk, I'll Run" (넌 걸어와 난 달려갈게) 2024 [e]
"Hard to Explain" (설명이 어려워) [f]
"Cotton Candy" (솜사탕) (feat. Eunjung of T-ara) [g]
"On the Way to Meet You" (널 만나러 가는 길) (feat. Able) 2025 [h]
"Let's Go" (함께 떠나볼까) [i]
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Collaborations

Year Song Other performer(s) Album
2010 "Mamma Mia" Narsha Narsha (EP)
2012 "Brave Girls" Zia LOEN TREE Summer Story
2013 "들었다 놨다 (Love Actually)" DAYBREAK re;code Episode III

Soundtrack appearances

Year Song Album
2008 "잘나가던 여자" Last Scandal OST
"아파한다" Little Mom Scandal OST
2011 "두근두근 (Pit-A-Pat)" The Greatest Love OST Pat3
2012 "사랑한다 (I Love You)" Salamander Guru and The Shadows OST Part 2
"Do It" I Love Lee Taly OST Part 1
2013 "Counting Stars at Night" You Are the Best! OST Part 3
2014 "Cunning Thoughts" Cunning Single Lady OST Part 3
"낭랑 18세 (Sweet 18)" Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend (Park Si-chun)
2015 "Say I Love You" Flower of Queen OST Part 1
"I Like You" All About My Mom OST Part 1
2017 "Hello Tomorrow / Goma Move" Shōnen Ashibe GO! GO! Goma-chan OST

Music videos

Title Year Director
"Love Is All I Know" 2008
"Mamma Mia" (With Narsha) 2011
"Midnight Circus" Hwang Soo-ah
"Midnight Circus (Stage Ver.)"
"Pray" Hwang Soo-ah
"The Grasshopper Song" 2012 Hwang Soo-ah
"Princess and Prince Charming" Hwang Soo-ah
"Do It"
"Goodbye To Romance" Hwang Soo-ah
"Cold Day" (With Yoon Hyun-sang)
"Love Actually" (With DAYBREAK) 2013
"Darling Of All Hearts" (Feat. Hareem) Hwang Soo-ah
"Don't say anything" 2014
"Once in Summer"
"Monday Blues" Hong Won-ki
"Here I Am"
"Child in Time" 2015 Hong Won-ki
"Child in Time (Lip Ver.)"
"on the way home" 2016
"Crossroads" 2017
"NomNomNom" 2019

Awards and nominations

Award ceremony Year Category Nominee/work Result Ref.
Cyworld Digital Music Awards 2007 Rookie of the Month (October) "Ring Back Tone" Won [56]
Melon Music Awards 2011 Best Original Soundtrack "Pit-A-Pat" Won [57]
Best Music Video "Midnight Circus" Nominated [58]
Mnet Asian Music Awards 2011 Nominated [59]

Notes

  1. ^ a b The Gaon Chart was established in 2010.
  2. ^ "On The Way Home" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 75 on the component Download Chart.[47]
  3. ^ "After Meeting You" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 143 on the component Download Chart.[49]
  4. ^ "Hold Me Again" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 33 on the component Download Chart.[50]
  5. ^ "You Walk, I'll Run" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 92 on the component Download Chart.[51]
  6. ^ "Hard to Explain" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 64 on the component Download Chart.[52]
  7. ^ "Cotton Candy" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 45 on the component Download Chart.[53]
  8. ^ "On the Way to Meet You" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 99 on the component Download Chart.[54]
  9. ^ "Let's Go" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 114 on the component Download Chart.[55]

References

  1. ^ "'써니힐' 빛나, M.O.T. 엔터와 전속계약…솔로 체제 본격화" [Sunny Hill's Bitna signs exclusive contract with M.O.T. Entertainment, officially launching her solo career]. MBN Star (in Korean). 2025-07-23. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  2. ^ "써니힐 '통화연결음', 무서운 질주" [Sunny Hill's "Ring Back Tone" is a tremendous rush]. Joy News 24 (in Korean). 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  3. ^ "혼성 3인그룹 써니힐, 우선 4인조로 전격 확대" [Sunny Hill, a co-ed trio, will expand to a four-member group]. Star News (in Korean). 2010-08-20. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  4. ^ "'두근두근' 써니힐, 5인조로 멤버 재정비…6월 초 컴백!" ["Pit-A-Pat", Sunny Hill to make a comeback as a 5-member group in June!]. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). 2011-05-20. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  5. ^ "써니힐 "우리만의 색깔? 뷔페같은 음악!"" [Sunny Hill: "Our own unique style? Music like a buffet!"]. Sports Donga (in Korean). 2013-07-02. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  6. ^ "써니힐, 걸그룹 됐으니 군부대 러브콜 많겠죠?^^" [Sunny Hill, now that you're a girl group, you must be getting a lot of love calls from military bases, right?]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). 2014-09-11. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  7. ^ "써니힐(SunnyHill), 멤버 개편 후 첫 앨범…25일 컴백 맞이 티저 이미지 공개" [SunnyHill releases teaser images for first album since the group's reshuffle, set for comeback on the 25th]. Top Star News (in Korean). 2019-10-24. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  8. ^ "'새출발' 써니힐, 오늘(25일) 신곡 발매" [A new start for Sunny Hill, releasing new song today (the 25th)]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  9. ^ 써니힐 장현, 오는 31일 현역 입대. 써니힐은 4인조로 활동 지속 Naver News (January 20, 2012). Retrieved on August 8, 2012.
  10. ^ 아이유, 써니힐 무대에 정장+넥타이 남장 차림 깜짝등장 Nate News (January 29, 2012). Retrieved on August 8, 2012.
  11. ^ 써니힐, '백마는 오고 있는가' 실시간 차트 1위 '반응폭발' Sports World (April 20, 2012). Retrieved on August 8, 2012.
  12. ^ "Sunny Hill releases music video for "Is The White Horse Coming?"". Allkpop. 2012-04-19.
  13. ^ "Sunny Hill's "Is The White Horse Coming?" tops music charts". Allkpop. 2012-04-20.
  14. ^ "[MV] Kim Hyung Jun(김형준) _ Always love you(우리 둘이)(Duet. KOTA(코타) of SunnyHill)". YouTube.com. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  15. ^ "[Teaser] Kim Hyung Jun(김형준) _ Always love you(우리 둘이)(Duet. KOTA(코타) of SunnyHill)". YouTube.com. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  16. ^ "[Video] Kim Hyung Jun Promises to ‘Always Love You’ in New MV with Sunny Hill's Kota" Archived 2013-08-15 at the Wayback Machine. Enewsworld. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  17. ^ "Sunny Hill drop their last MV as a co-ed group for Don't Say Anything". allkpop. Retrieved 2014-01-23.
  18. ^ "Sunny Hill try to get over their 'Monday Blues' at the office in new MV".
  19. ^ "Sunny Hill evoke nostalgia with 'Child in Time' MV".
  20. ^ "Sunny Hill return in a year and 7 months with 'On the Way Home'".
  21. ^ "써니힐(SunnyHill) on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.
  22. ^ "써니힐, 다시 뭉친다 "새 멤버 2인 합류 4인조 시동"(공식입장)".
  23. ^ "네이버 엔터". m.entertain.naver.com.
  24. ^ "WSG Wannabe Covers MOMOLAND In 1st Performance As Full Group". 5 June 2022.
  25. ^ "[Live] 제 2회 들숲날숨 산사음악회 "공감 그리고 나눔..." | 2023년 9월 16일 오후 6시 당진종합운동장 내 당진실내체육관". YouTube. 16 September 2023.
  26. ^ a b c "Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  27. ^ 2014년 08월 Album Chart. Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  28. ^ 2015년 01월 Album Chart. Gaon Chart. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  29. ^ "2011년 06월 Album Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  30. ^ "2012년 12월 Album Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  31. ^ "2013년 06월 Album Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  32. ^ "2012년 02월 Album Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  33. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  34. ^ "Billboard K-Pop Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  35. ^ "Pit-A-Pat" sales
  36. ^ "Midnight Circus" sales
  37. ^ "Pray" sales
  38. ^ "The Grasshopper Song" sales
  39. ^ "Is The White Horse Coming?" sales
  40. ^ "Goodbye To Romance" sales
  41. ^ "Darling of All Hearts" sales
  42. ^ "Don't Say Anything" sales
  43. ^ "Once in Summer" sales
  44. ^ "Monday Blues" sales
  45. ^ "Here I Am" sales
  46. ^ "Child In Time" sales
  47. ^ "2016년 36주차 Download Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2021-10-26. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  48. ^ "2016년 36주차 Download Chart".
  49. ^ "2021년 17주차 Download Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2021-10-09. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  50. ^ "2022년 04주차 Download Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2022-06-01. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  51. ^ "Download Chart, 2024 Weeks 21". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  52. ^ "Download Chart, 2024 Weeks 23". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  53. ^ "Download Chart, 2024 Weeks 40". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  54. ^ "Download Chart, 2025 Weeks 12". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  55. ^ "Download Chart, 2025 Weeks 30". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  56. ^ "원더걸스 '텔 미', 싸이월드 '이달의 음악상' 수상" [Wonder Girls' "Tell Me" Wins Cyworld's "Song of the Month" Award]. Yonhap News (in Korean). 2007-11-23. Retrieved 2025-08-01 – via Naver News.
  57. ^ "써니힐 '두근두근' 멜론뮤직어워드 OST 수상 '최고의 사랑 받았다'" [Sunny Hill's "Pit-A-Pat" Wins Melon Music Awards OST Award for "Best Love"]. Newsen (in Korean). 2011-11-24. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  58. ^ "티아라 '롤리폴리', MMA 뮤비상 수상" [T-ara's "Roly Poly" wins Best Music Vido at MMA]. OSEN (in Korean). 2011-11-24. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  59. ^ "'2011 MAMA' 후보공개, 브아걸-소시-카라 여자그룹 부문 '최대 격전지'" [2011 MAMA nominees revealed: Biggest battleground in the girl group category: Brown Eyed Girls, SNSD, and Kara]. TV Daily (in Korean). 2011-11-01. Retrieved 2025-08-01.