Recently, H.O.T and Sechskies confessed that they are thinking about making comebacks as groups. Unfortunatelly, it is not that easy for them to release new albums since each member is busy with solo activities. Let’s take a closer look on what members from the most popular 1st generation idol groups are doing right now.
H.O.T
The group debuted in 1996 under SM Entertainment and disbanded 5 years later, in 2001. Kangta decided to stay in SM Entertainment, and he is currently working there as a solo artist and producer. He is also known for being a judge in ‘The Voice of Korea‘. The group’s leader, Moon Hee Jun, signed a contract with Sidus HQ and has recently released solo album ‘BEGINS‘. He is also active in various TV shows, such as ‘Immortal Song 2’ and ‘Idol League‘. Dancing machine, Jang Woo Hyuk, has released two mini-albums back in 2011, ‘I Am The Future‘ and ‘Back To The Memories‘, that ranked high on various music charts. Tony An is still active as a solo singer and MC (‘Stars’ Road‘). He has also teamed up with idol group, SMASH, for a project called TONY&SMASH and they have released an album with a music video for ‘Get Your Swag On‘. Member Lee Jaewon left SM Entertainment in 2005 and released album ‘No Pain, No Gain‘. In 2011 he completed his military duty.
Sechskies
They debuted in 1997 and disbanded on May 20th, 2000. Eun Ji Won, the oldest member of the group, is known for being a host in various TV shows (‘Come to Play’, ‘Idol League’, ‘Intimate Note’, ‘Oh! My School’, ‘1 Night 2 Days’) as well as for acting in movies and dramas (‘Reply 1997′, ‘New Heart’, ‘Marrying High School Girl‘). He also formed a project group, called Clover, together with Gilme and Tyfoon. Lee Jae Jin was the third member to begin solo career, however, while serving in the army, he was treated for psychiatric issues and tried to commit suicide. He was then granted a short vacation from army, but he never reported back and cut off all contact with family and friends. One month later, military police investigators, found him in a Daegu motel. Members Kim Jae Duc and Jang Su Won created a new duet, J-Walk, in 2002 under Kiss Entertainment and released two albums. Kang Sung Hoon has recently returned from the military. Ko Ji Young decided not to continue his career as a singer and he is currently in Los Angeles, California.
S.E.S.
The group lasted from 1997 to 2002. Bada is currently working as a solo artist under JIIN Entertainment. She has already released three albums, with varying degrees of success. Shoo was the last one to leave SM Entertainment (she did it in 2006) and, she decided not to continue her career as a solo singer, but, instead, she has done musicals (‘Bat Boy’), which have added to her credibility as a singer. Eugene has released two solo albums and has gone on to star in TV dramas (‘Ohlala Couple’, ‘King of Baking, Kim Tak Gu’, ‘One Mom and Three Dads’), movies (‘Unstoppable Marriage’, ‘Romantic Island’) and work as an MC in various shows (‘The Great Birth’, ‘Get it Beauty’). She met her husband, Kim Tae Young, on the set of their drama ‘Creating Destiny‘.
Fin.K.L.
They debuted in 1998 and, even though they did not disbaned, they are not active as a group since 2005. Lee Hyori has released 4 albums and, in 2006, she was the highest-paid female singer in South Korea. She appeared in many TV shows (‘Family Outing’, ‘Superstar K’, ‘Golden 12’, ‘You & I’) and has done many endorsements for various companies. Ock Joo Hyun has released three solo albums and has participated in musicals (‘Aida’, ‘Chicago’, ‘Cats’, ’42nd Street’, ‘The Count of Montecristo‘). Lee Jin is currently acting in dramas and movies (‘Nonstop 3’, ‘The King and I’, ‘Glory Jane’, ‘The Great Seer‘). The youngest member, Sung Yuri, has also pursued her, very successful, acting career (‘Runaway Cop’, ‘The Snow Queen’, ‘Feast of the Gods’).
Shinhwa
The only group from the list that is still active, without changing member, since 1998. Despite being the part of the group, each member is pursuing solo career. Kim Dongwan and Eric are well-known for staring in TV dramas and movies. Minwoo was the first member to debut as a solo artist in 2003, under the stage name M, and has released three albums since then. The main vocalist, Shin Hyesung, has released eight solo albums. Jun Jin has appeared in various TV shows, such as ‘We Got Married’ as well as dramas (‘Nonstop 4′, Let’s Go to the Beach‘). The youngest member, Andy, produced idol group, Teen Top, and has also ventured out into acting (‘Lovers in Prague’, ‘Two Wives’, ‘Nonstop 4’).
g.o.d.
They debuted in 1999 and disbanded 7 years later. Son Ho Young began his solo career and has released two albums. He has also starred in the musical ‘Fame‘ along with Super Junior‘s Eunhyuk, Girls’ Generation‘s Tiffany, TRAX‘s Jungmo and The Grace‘s Lina. Member Kim Tae Woo is currently more known for his solo activities and drama OSTs. Danny Ahn has gone on to star in TV dramas (‘The Fugitive: Plan B’, ‘Goodbye My Dear Wife’, ‘Crazy Waiting‘). He was also a permanent guest on SBS‘ ‘Strong Heart‘. Park Joo Hyung decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue acting, and starred in ‘Speed Racer’, ‘Dragonball Evolution’ and ‘Hero:108‘.
Seo Taiji & The Boys
They were active as a group from 1992 to 1996. Seo Taiji headed over to the United States. In 2011, the Korean press discovered that he married his ex-wife, a Korean actress Lee Ji Ah, in 1997. Lee Juno established record label right after the group’s retirement, but it was Yang Hyeon Seok who became the most successful, making his YG Entertainment one of the biggest music companies in South Korea with such groups as Big Bang and 2NE1.
Baby V.O.X.
They debuted in 1997 and disanded in 2006 after an international controversy with misusing 2Pac‘s lyrics. Kim E-Z decided to pursue an acting career. She has also worked as an MC for Mnet. She is married to a stock manager Song Hyun Seok and they have a son. Yoon Eun Hye is very famous for her roles in dramas like ‘Lie to Me’, ‘Coffee Prince’, Princess Hours’, ‘I Miss You‘ and more. Lee Hee Jin has also decided to pursue an acting career and starred in ‘It’s Okay Daddy’s Girl’, ‘The Greatest Love’, ‘Protect the Boss’ and more. In January 2007, she has made the headline with several notes she has written in her personal webpage, saying that she did not want to live anymore. Shim Eun Ji has released two albums and launched her clothing line Z’BAGO. She is officially working on her new album, although there are no reports as to when it will be released. Kan Mi Youn decided to continue as a solo artist and has released few albums. She has also broke into the Chinese music market.
1TYM
Even though they have not officially broken up, they have been on hiatus since 2006. Song Baekkyoung took on a project participating in another group, Mooga Dang. Teddy is well-known for being one of the main producers under YG Entertainment. Danny for a short strated his solo career, but later decided to go into acting. In 2012 he started his own show, ‘Danny from LA‘ and through the show he revealed that he is married and has a son.
Article by Karolina & Alona
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