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Khaos is the Featured Group of February 2025
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| “ | Welcome to the khaos!! (Welcome to the Chaos!! 카오스에 오신 것을 환영합니다!!) |
„ |
| – khaos |
khaos (Korean: 카오스; RR: kaoseu), is a multinational boy band formed in 2010 and consists of Tian, Nik, Taran, Kai, Alex, Dae and Yuuri, who have written and producen most of their material. From the beginning they incorporated a wide variety of genres into their musical style, while their lyrics thematically revolve around youth, coming of age, loss and grief, anxiety, mental health and individualism. Their discography and adjacent work has also referenced literature, philosophy and psychology, and includes an overarching fantasy storyline.
khaos debuted in 2012 under ANAKT with the studio album YOUTH.
Concept
Main article: khaos' Lore
Name
Their group name comes from the ancient greek concept of Chaos ( Ancient Greek: χάος, romanized: Kháos), referring to the first thing to exist[1]. Hesiod‘s chaos has been interpreted as either "the gaping void above the Earth created when Earth and Sky are separated from their primordial unity" or "the gaping space below the Earth on which Earth rests".[2] Primal Chaos was sometimes said to be the true foundation of reality, particularly by philosophers such as Heraclitus. The meaning of kháos (χάος) as a noun is 'emptiness, vast void, chasm, abyss'.[3]
According to member Nik, the name is supposed to represent how the group creates everything themselves but at the same is always changing.[4] In many ways khaos equals the concept and noun apeiron (/əˈpaɪˌrɒn/; ἄπειρον) meaning '(that which is) unlimited; boundless; infinite; indefinite'.[5] This connection is made by the group to show how unlimited their potential and dreams are. The third connection drawn is their storyline which partly revolves around the Core which is similarly described to kháos in mythology. There have also been numerous references to Chaoskämpfe from various mythologies, although greco-roman mythology remains the most prevalent in their storyline.
Career
The Creation of khaos
| “ | At the beginning there was only khaos | „ |
Zhao Tian was born January 20, 1994 in Beijing, China. His family consists of his mother, father, and elder sister. His father has a successful business and initially it was expected of him to follow into his father's footsteps. When he expressed interest in acting his parents obliged believing it to be a temporary phase. After success Tian was allowed to continue being an actor, which his parents thought would look good on his porfolio.[6]Main Article: Tian
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2010-2012: Group formation and pre-debut activities
The group bonded over various topics, with music being the main talking point, which led to them creating various tracks released later in their mixtape prologue.[Notes 1] The idea of starting as an idol group was first voiced by Kai, which first led to trouble in their friendship. But after releasing prologue on SoundCloud, they received good reviews and decided to audition as a group to various entertainment companies. prologue enjoyed a lot of prominence and attention, with 50 million streams being accumulated in the first three months. This was due recommendation from various established artists, and the mystery of who khaos was. Unfortunately for them, they weren't accepted either as a group or as artists that wanted to control the music they created at auditions. Disappointed, they first gave up on the idea of becoming an idol group, rather playing with the idea of continuing to exist in the entertainment industry as separate artists. But then Zhao Xiuying, Tian's older sister, came to them with a business idea. Together with Seo Shin-hye, Dae's sister, they wanted to create their own company to give the boys a chance at becoming idols.[4]
ANAKT Music was funded by the money the members made from their solo careers. While being substantial, it still led to them being on a tight budget for their debut. They produced everything themselves, and the only time non-essential expenses were made were for their music videos and the production costs. Plans were made for a surprise album, a move that was very risky. But nonetheless they went through with it, relying on the hype of their mixtape as well as their previous careers in the entertainment industry. Another thing they went for to make a bigger impact was a storyline, which evolved with their music style. They incorporated fantasies they had as children and tried to make their music resonate with children, teenagers, and young adults that felt the same emotions they felt and could relate easily to their music.
Meanwhile, most of their parents were not very happy about their decision to pursue a permanent career in the entertainment industry since they saw their previous engagements as childish. Some of the members were pushed to go for more socially accepted jobs, which led to them including references to the wide spread pressure amongst their generation.
2012: Debut with "YOUTH", Release of "Bluesong" and "Butterfly Effect"
On March 21, 2012, they released their debut studio album. They hosted a live debut showcase on YouTube, that unexpectedly gained a lot of traction with over 1 million concurrent viewers, breaking various records. Combined with the music video for "khaos Theory" going viral on SNS, it led to massive sales across all of East Asia. Their unexpected overnight success as a group led to many new fans at a young age. They released 2 versions of the albums, with a simple version that looked like a keep case, which included a booklet that featured concept photos, lyrics with notes from the members, and a written-down story about their storyline. Another limited version was released two weeks later with only 10.000 made, which mimicked a PlayStation 2 and had various other inclusions. Combined sales went over 3 million worldwide in its first two months and marked them as a force to be reckoned with. Their debut stage was on Music Bank, where they got their first win with "khaos Theory" just 2 days after its release. It peaked at number 1 on the Gaon Album Chart and had 24 music show wins. Internationally, it was also a success, with the album going number one in a variety of countries. Meanwhile, their promotions ended after one month, and they began working on their next release.[7]
Their fanbase was continuing to grow, and khaos announced their fanclub on May 3rd, 2012. The name Dreamers was decided to show the fans connection to the Core and how khaos wouldn't have been created in their Dreamscape without their fans.[8][Notes 2] Around that time they created a forum for their community called Dream.Net, where they could interact with each other.
Barely a month after their official debut, khaos released their first digital single, “Bluesong.” Written and recorded before their formal debut, Bluesong is widely regarded by both critics and fans as the group’s first venture into more western sounding music. The track features entirely analog instrumentation, an unusual choice for an idol group, and centers around the longing for belonging, with lyrics that read like a poetic plea for home to reveal itself. Described by Tian as “a letter to the place we hadn’t yet found,” the song resonated deeply with early listeners and was often cited as the first moment fans realized khaos had a vision that extended beyond conventional pop. The track would later be remastered and re-released on their 10th anniversary compilation album, YOUTH REVISITED, where it was then performed by the special formation hiraeth.
In July of that year, khaos followed up with their first extended play, “Butterfly Effect,” marking the first project created entirely in response to their newfound fame. Often referred to by fans as the group’s “Magical Girls era,” the EP embraced ethereal visuals, vivid pastel styling, and whimsical, dreamlike elements both in sound and concept. Thematically, it explored the idea that small acts, tiny gestures of love, belief, or courage, could lead to seismic transformations. The title track, “tbd,” plays with cause-and-effect lyrical structures and was accompanied by a music video filmed in Bolivia on the Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat which is also known for it's dreamy and ethereal beauty. Critically, Butterfly Effect was praised for its vulnerability and sincerity, and it served as khaos’s first major thank-you to Dreamers. The group explicitly dedicated the album to their fans, stating in the liner notes that “every single moment, no matter how small, leads us here to you.” It debuted on top of the Gaon Album Chart and charted in Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan.
Members
Diaeresis
| Hiraeth (sometimes stylized as hiræth) is a special formation of khaos, first introduced during the promotional cycle for their fourth studio album, The Human Anatomy. Unlike their standard configuration as an idol group, hiraeth reimagines khaos as a live band, with each member performing on instruments. The name comes from the Welsh word hiraeth, which refers to a profound longing for a home that no longer exists or perhaps never was, an emotional state central to khaos’s overarching narrative. This formation was conceptualized as part of The Human Anatomy's exploration of memory, dislocation, feminism and the fragmentation of the self. |
Artistry
Evolution
From the moment of their debut, khaos positioned themselves not as manufactured idols but as autonomous creators and this intention has shaped every phase of their evolution. Their early sound, rooted in polished K-pop and pop-rock with Y2K aesthetics, masked the emotional depth of their lyrics. Though critics recognized the complexity of their work, much of the mainstream audience saw only a boy-next-door charm layered over catchy choruses. Yet even then, their were ambitious with their artistry and their storytelling, which was appreciated by a few.
By 2014, as they entered adulthood, khaos began to shed expectations. Sonically, they grew more experimental drawing on alternative, ambient, industrial, and classical influences. Lyrically, they became bolder, writing explicitly about societal pressure, mental health, and disillusionment. Their music was no longer just about feeling lost; it was about daring to name the system that made them feel that way. Conceptually, their work grew increasingly integrated with philosophy, mythology, and literature, but never at the expense of emotional sincerity. The release of paradoxes of eternalism and presentism and the video game Asenai in 2018 marked a turning point as their audience at large seemingly suddenly began to realize the mythos and storytelling associated with khaos and their discography. Most critics note that what set khaos apart is their refusal to fixate themselves — either on a genre, role, or image.
Controversies
Unauthorized Footage of Minor Members
In early 2013, a private video surfaced online showing behind-the-scenes footage of khaos members Dae and Yuuri, then both underage, being filmed without their knowledge during a dorm visit by a stylist's acquaintance. The video showed the boys joking around in casual attire and included audio of them discussing their stress, confusion about their sudden fame, and occasional frustration with sasaeng fans. While the content was not incriminating, the leak raised serious questions about adult supervision, privacy breaches, and exploitation of minors in the idol industry. Fans expressed concern over the boys' emotional vulnerability and the clear lack of boundaries in the early stages of their career. ANAKT released a formal apology and pursued legal action against the leaker. The incident was discussed by the group a later points in their career, with Yuuri mentioning it in a 2020 interview about fame and safety as an idol.
Solo Fandom Division
One of khaos’s earliest and most persistent internal issues was the division between OT7 fans and solo stans who followed individual members from their pre-debut careers. Friction escalated to a peak in late 2013 when a subgroup of solo fans directed coordinated online harassment at other members they perceived as "less talented" or "overshadowing" their bias. During a Live in 2014, Kai and Nik openly addressed the issue, expressing frustration and disappointment with fans who "loved the image but not the group." This moment caused a major stir in fan communities and trended on social media platforms for days. Some media outlets questioned whether the group had overstepped boundaries by confronting their own fans. Nevertheless, the incident marked a turning point, leading to stronger community moderation on fan forums and clearer boundaries set by ANAKT around fandom behavior.
Political Commentary
In 2015, khaos released the album Checkmate!, which featured lyrics critiquing surveillance culture, social conformity, and generational disillusionment. While fans praised the bold commentary, several Korean news outlets interpreted the songs as a political statement against government policy. The backlash was almost immediate: conservative media figures criticized the group for being “too young and unqualified” to express political views, while others accused ANAKT of using “manufactured rebellion” as a marketing strategy. Despite the controversy, Checkmate! performed well on charts, and khaos’s reputation as a “thinking idol group” only grew.
Accusations of Illuminati Participation
Around 2018, khaos were accused of being affiliated with the Illuminati by a small but vocal group of right-leaning South Korean politicians and conspiracy theorists. Citing the group’s meteoric debut, consistently high album sales, and international awards, including a Grammy, theorists claimed their success was “too perfect” to be organic. Particular focus was placed on symbolic motifs in their paradoxes of eternalism and presentism album, which incorporated classical symbols and esoteric language that conspiracy theorists interpreted as “proof” of occult ties. The group and their agency never directly addressed the claims, which only further fueled online speculation. The accusations, while baseless, became a brief media spectacle and were the subject of numerous viral YouTube videos and tabloid articles.
Misinterpretation of Lore
With the expansion of their narrative universe through Asenai, khaos introduced characters and entities inspired by various mythologies, philosophical ideas, and metaphysical concepts. A particular plotline involving a corrupted deity-like figure caused backlash from a religious interest group in South Korea, who claimed the arc mocked Christian themes of creation and salvation. ANAKT clarified in an official statement that the lore was a fictional synthesis of mythologies and philosophical frameworks and had no intent to criticize or depict any real-world religions negatively. Academics and fans defended the group, noting the detailed research and cultural depth of their lore. Still, the group opted to slightly reframe certain elements in subsequent releases to avoid future misinterpretations.
Other ventures
Endorsements
khaos have been one of the most sought-after endorsement models, having a repuation for being one of the brand-friendly and influential musical acts in the global market, since their debut. Their blend of artistic authenticity and emotional resonance has led to a large audience, especially amongst Gen Z and Millenial Consumers but surprisingly also amongst elder consumers. Frequently compared to "blue chips" in the advertisement industry for their ability to generate brand loyalty, boost visibility, and maintain long-term consumer engagement, they have worked with a wide range of companies across multiple industries.
One of their first major partnerships, was that with Nintendo. The collaboration began with limited promotional contend tied to the Nintendo 3DS and grew into a long-standing relationship, including the video game Asenai, which is based on their lore, and special Nintendo Switch editions. Just a year later they began a partnership with Sanrio, launching a new line of characters based on the members themselves, who co-designed each of their characters. In 2015, came their first endorsement of a fashion house, with their campaign with Miu Miu for the Fall/Winter season. The City Council of Seoul also announced around that time that the group would be officially appointed as Seoul Tourism Ambassadors, participanting in the “I.Seoul.U” initiative including promotional videos, travel content, and participation in local cultural events. Their next major endorsement was that of Innisfree, launching a skincare campaign aimed at consumers with sensitive skin. Concurrently they also appeared in a campaign for Mont Blanc, emphasizing creative ambition and emotional storytelling.
Perhaps one of their biggest contracts, khaos were named Global Ambassadors for Apple in 2017, a first for the company. Their campaigns spanned several product cycles, beginning with the iPhone X and later including iPads, MacBooks, and Apple Music editorial content. That same year, the began their partnership with Formula One, becoming youth ambassadors and attending select Grand Prix weekends. Additional they also released a promotional digital single called "DR!FT". In parallel, they were signed by Hyundai, fronting a campaign for the brand’s hybrid models that emphasized change, self-determination, and innovation. The South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported that from 2017 onwards the group would become South Korea Tourism Ambassadors.
Between 2016 and 2022, khaos expanded their presence in the fashion industry, fronting campaigns for Acne Studios, Alexander McQueen, Gentle Monster, Versace, Prada and Graff. In 2019 they also began a partnership with Uniqlo, releasing casualwear lines designed to be worn in a "cozy Dreamscape". In the same time they were named tourism ambassadors for Japan, Thailand, China and France, namely countries the members come from. The group moreover collaborated with Sony PlayStation, launching the limited PS5 khaos Edition, which featured a lavender-andpurple dual tone console together with, internal upgrades, a custom interface skin and exclusive behind-the-scenes content; the edition sould out within minutes and became a collector's item. In that same summer khaos became faces of Pocari Sweat, appearing in campaigns across East and Southeast Asia. Just a year later they added Teazen, a health tea brand, to their lineup, contributing to product development for a limited-edition “Balance” line of tea blends designed in collaboration with the members, especially Tian, Nik and Alex.
BYD was the next to announce the group as brand ambassadors, with their campaign titled "Move Beyond." The same year, they partnered with Canon, appearing in campaigns for both DSLR and mirrorless cameras, with a focus on storytelling through photography. This included workshops, fan-driven photo contests, and limited-edition gear bundles that included branded straps, filters, and photo books featuring behind-the-scenes tour content.
Accolades
Awards and nominations
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee(s) / Work(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circle Chart Music Awards | 2013 | Best New Artist (Male Group) | khaos | Won |
| Golden Disc Awards | 2013 | Rookie of the Year Award | khaos | Won |
| Hangang Artistry Awards | 2012 | Best New Artist | khaos | Won |
| Korean Music Awards | 2013 | Rookie of the Year | khaos | Won |
| Melon Music Awards | 2012 | Best New Artist | khaos | Won |
| MAMA Awards | 2012 | Best New Male Artist | khaos | Won |
| Seoul Music Awards | 2012 | New Artist Award | khaos | Won |
Other accolades
State and cultural honors
| ‡ | Indicates an honor khaos was considered for only |
| Country or organization | Year | Honor |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 2012 | Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation |
| 2016 | Bogwan Order of Cultural Merit (3rd class) |
Discography
Studio Albums
Extended plays (EPs)
Compilation albums
Single albums
Digital singles
Filmography
Main Article: khaos Videography
Online shows
Concert tours
Gallery
To view the gallery for khaos, click here! |
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Trivia
Polls
References
- ↑ Gantz, Timothy (1996). Early Greek Myth: A Guide to Literary and Artistic Sources. Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-5360-9, p. 3 says "the Greek will allow both".
- ↑ Moorton, Richard F. Jr. (2001). "Hesiod as Precursor to the Presocratic Philosophers: A Voeglinian View". Louisiana State University. Archived from the original on 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
- ↑ West, M. L. (1966). Hesiod: Theogony. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-814169-6, p. 192 line 116, Χάος, "best translated Chasm"; English chasm is a loan from Greek χάσμα, which is root-cognate with χάος. Most 2006, p. 13, translates Χάος as "Chasm", and notes: (n. 7): "Usually translated as 'Chaos'; but that suggests to us, misleadingly, a jumble of disordered matter, whereas Hesiod's term indicates instead a gap or opening".
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "khaos talks about beginnings, hope and success". Time. July 5, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
- ↑ ἄπειρον. Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert; A Greek–English Lexicon at the Perseus Project.
- ↑ khaos on YouTube: Live with Tian (October 17, 2018)
- ↑ khaos on X: chapter I: YOUTH Promotional Period End Announcement (May 3, 2012)
- ↑ khaos on X: khaos Official Fanclub Announcement (May 3, 2012)
Notes
- ↑ khaos never confirmed over official channels that the mixtape is theirs, but due to them referencing it as theirs in various SNS posts, performing it and it being released under the same name as theirs it is assumed with almost full certainty that it was made by them.
- ↑ For more information, you can read through their lore.
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| xyt • penumbra | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gallery • Members Profile | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Studio Albums | YOUTH • Checkmate! • The Human Anatomy • paradoxes of eternalism and presentism • Illusions of Dreams | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Extended Plays | Butterfly Effect • ON • House of Cards | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Single Albums | today. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Digital singles | Bluesong | |||||||||||||||||||||
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