We are all well aware of the latest Korean or Hallyu wave that has hit Singapore like a tsunami and can rattle of the names of bands like Super Junior, Girls Generation and even sing along to their songs without even knowing what they mean. BUT! For this instalment, I'm going to take everyone back to waaaay back to when the Hallyu wave FIRST STARTED and the band which got me started down this one way road of no return hahaha. Yes, a lot of people have no idea that this Hallyu wave is not a recent thing. It was started back in 1996 - yup, you read it right - 1996, 17 years ago.
The first band ever, that started this whole k-pop idolism thing, is none other than H.O.T, which stands for High-five of Teenagers (yes, the name makes no sense). But because they were formed mainly to target the teenagers... so... Lee Soo Man, brainchild of now THE biggest entertainment company in Seoul, SM Entertainment specially coined the band name for them. Ahn Chil Hyun (a.k.a Kangta), Moon Heejun, Tony Ahn, Jang Woohyuk and Lee Jaewon - 5 boys with varying talents shot into superstardom overnight, and it was the birth of k-pop idolism.
A far cry from the pretty boys in tailored suits we see these days isn't it? H.O.T had reign of the kpop charts from 1996, until they disbanded in 2001. During those 5 glorious years, they had a plethora of number 1 hits, with their biggest hit being 'Candy'.
So now you wonder, it's been 12 years - where are they now?
Lead vocalist Kangta stayed on with SM and has since released a few solo albums - I personally liked his Pinetree album the best. He completed his military service earlier this year and stepped back into the game with "Breaka Shaka", his breakout single for the Chinese market. He also re-signed with SM, extending his contract with them for another 10 years and was in Singapore for the SM Town concert last year. The direction for his Korean albums and Chinese albums are worlds apart, and personally, I prefer the Korean one.
Pine Tree - Kangta
Breaka Shaka - Kangta
Leader Moon Hee Jun initially stayed on with SM, and attempted to get rid of his pop idol image and released a rock album. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out like what he hoped despite a few album releases. I do have the albums, and I don't listen to them at all. I just bought them because I love H.O.T. In 2005, Heejun left SM Entertainment and created his own entertainment agency, PS Entertainment. Don't really know what happened to that company as he is currently signed with Sidus HQ that is also the management company of Jay Park. These days, Heejun has put on some weight and has been doing a lot of hosting for variety shows. He also had a comeback stage in January with his new song I'm Not Ok.
I'm Not OK - Moon Hee Jun
The remaining three members Tony, Jaewon and Woohyuk formed their own trio band JTL and only released one CD. My favourite song from their album My Lecon (yeah, the English does not make any sense, just ignore it lol).
행복했던기억들은 (Memories) - JTL
After the disappearance of JTL, Tony became quite the entrepreneur, opening up TN Entertainment(a music company), Skoolooks (a school uniform company), and Shinenihs (an undergarment company).
Jaewon decided to go solo but his career barely even started before he was accused of a rape charge which made everything completely just spiral downwards into a dark abyss. Better luck next time, with him being discharged from mandatory Korean national service in 2011.
Jang Woohyuk, known for his lean mean dancing skills even back in the day. He started a dance company called Newest Entertainment and has also contracts to perform in the Chinese market. He also had a comeback into the entertainment scene in 2011, with the track Time is [L]over. He definitely still hasn't lost his amazing ability to dance!
Time is [L]over - Jang Woo Hyuk
Rumours have been going around for a while now that members are planning to come together and perform on the stage together again for fans to bring back good memories. I certainly am hoping for that day to happen!
So this is the Kimchi Fairy signing off, but not before leaving you some of #1 hits of H.O.T! Enjoy!
Happiness
아이야 (ah-ee-ya) meaning Child
P.S.: There is a meaningful message behind this song, go look it up on google if you're interested!
We Are The Future
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