HISTORY

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by AwkwardVanilla

by AwkwardVanilla

2015: Pre-Debut

The members started out as trainees under Fantagio iTeen, a rookie talent development program under Fantagio Entertainment, and were known as iTeen Boys. On August 14, Fantagio released information about the new group via their social media, including pictures and profiles of each member and the announcement of the group's name.

Following the same technique Fantagio used to form 5urprise, ASTRO starred in a web drama series, To Be Continued, in August 2015. The members starred as themselves along with Kim Sae-ron, 5urprise member Seo Kang-joon, and Hello Venus.

In January 2016, Astro starred in their own reality show, Astro OK! Ready, which was aired on MBC Every1 at 7PM KST. The group also made an appearance on the KBS variety show Star Golden Bell.

Leading up to their official debut Astro held a nationwide showcase tour called "Meet U Project". The group toured all over South Korea and held twenty shows and two fanmeetings.

2016: Debut with Spring Up, Summer Vibes, and Autumn Story

Astro's debut album, Spring Up was released on February 23, 2016 with the title song "Hide & Seek".They also announced their official fanclub name, AROHA, which is an abbreviation forASTRO Hearts All Fans. Aroha also means "love" in Māori. Within a week of its release, Spring Up had landed at #6 on the Billboard World Albums Chartin the United States, as well as #4 onGaon Music Chart. On February 25, the group released the music video for "Cat's Eye", containing images from their webseries To Be Continued.[14] In March of the same year, the group was the only Korean act invited to the LeTV Entertainment Awards in China.

Fantagio released a comeback photo of Astro on June 16, 2016. Their second mini album, Summer Vibes, was launched on July 1, along with the title track "Breathless". It landed at #6 on the Billboard World Albums Chart, the highest-charting k-pop album for that week, and "Breathless" landed at #21 on the Billboard World Digital Songs Chart.

Astro performed at Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 31 for KCON 2016. They held their first solo concert-only 6 months after their debut-on August 27-28, 2016 at the KEPCO Art Center in Seoul. They will also hold their first Asia showcase in Bangkok, Thailand on October 29.

On October 31, Fantagio released Astro's comeback photos announcing their third extended play Autumn Story, that was released on November 10, 2016 along with the music video for their title track "Confession".