Rewinding back to old skool K-pop groups/idols of 90s.

I happened to do some house keeping in the closet under the stairs, I came across some old kept CDs which I have purchased a while ago and my old mp3 player containing the 90s old K-pop songs that I hardly listen to anymore. Somehow when I started playing them it reminds me of those old school days when I first listened to K-pop as no one else bothered or knew about them. For those who were in the 90s, you'd know what I'm talking about...
The 90s K-pop idols were boy bands- G.O.D, H.O.T, Shinhwa, Sechkies, Fly to the Sky, 1TYM, DJ Doc, Cool, Koyote, girl groups such as FIN KL, S.E.S and solo singer Se7en and BOA.

Indeed time flies and these young boy bands and girl groups have now matured so much, some are happily married with kids, some have ventured into acting, radio deejays, cooking shows, the men have all completed military services and a few have got back together for a come-back. The groups that got back together in 2014 were none other than Shinhwa, G.O.D and Fly to the Sky. It was rather unique and difficult to see groups that went on separate ways seem to come back together for their fans. Good for them.

G.O.D (short name for Groove Over Dose) was created by JYPark and they hailed from JYP Entertainment was so successful in the 90s. And then some went focussing on solo careers. Members Park Joon Hyung, Danny Ahn, Sohn Ho Young, Kim Tae Woo and Yoon Gye Sang came back with new album in 2014 and garnered a lot of fans from the young to old generation. Their popular hits include 사랑해 그리고 기억해 Love and Remember, 거짓말 Lie, 편지 Letter, 보통날 An Ordinary Day. The group has won Dae-sang (grand prize) in music awards in year 2000 and 2001. Members Kim Tae Woo and Sohn Ho Young have gone solos and became successful too. Yoon Gye Sang has ventured more into acting career where he has done a couple of famous dramas. 

H.O.T (short name for High Five of Teenagers) were created by Lee Soo Man from SM

Entertainment. The members consists of Moon Hee Jun, Kang Ta, Tony Ahn, Jang Woo Hyuk and Lee Jae Won. The boys had a bright shining career ahead of them with hit singles such as Candy, I-Yah, Outside Castle and dance track We Are the Future. Even till today boy bands still do covers for Candy and We are the Future...I never got sick of these dance songs. When the group disaband in 2001 while some members formed their own management team. Only member remained in SM Entertainment is Kang Ta. H.O.T won dae-sang prize in music category in 1999 and 2000. Leader Moon Hee Jun currently co-hosts a number of variety shows. 

Sech Kies (also known as Jekki) is formed by Daesung Entertainment led by rapper Eun Ji Won, Lee Jae Jin, Kim Jae Duc, Kang Sung Hoon, Go Ji Yong and Jang Su Won. The group also enjoyed major success while singing hit songs such as The Way This Guy Lives [사나이 가는길 (폼생폼사), Chivalry (기사도), As I Let You Go (너를 보내며). They won New Artist Awards, Bonsang Awards in year 1997, 1998 and 1999. In year 2000, the members decided to go on separate ways where Eun Ji Won was involved more in variety and talk shows such as 1Night 2 Days. Members Jang Su Won and Kim Jae Duc formed a team JWalk but we didn't hear much about them.

Shinhwa (also known as the Legend) was also from SM Entertainment consists of members

Eric Mun, Lee Min Woo, Kim Dong Wan Shin Hye Sung, Jun Jin and Andy Lee.
3 members were scouted from United States while Min Woo, Junjin and Dong Wan were scouted in Korea. After their seniors H.O.T were so successful, it was full pressure on Shinhwa to perform as well. Their hit singles include Hey!Come On, Perfect Man, Brand New, Angel, Shooting Star and Oh!. The group also hosts a show called Shinhwa Broadcast. Eric, Dong Wan and Jun Jin were involved more in acting career. Since 2013, they have returned with 10th to 11th album. Song such as Venus, This Love were gaining popularity. These grown up men are still funny and kiddy as ever in talk and variety shows. I do enjoy seeing Eric being bullied around, talkative Jun Jin, introvert Andy, Hye Sung's crab dance and dancing king Min Woo. 

Fly to the Sky (FTTS/ 플라이 투 더 스카이) formed by Lee Soo Man from SM Ent. decided to make the two boys first R&B duo in South Korea and it proved them to be so successful. Members consist of Korean-American Brian Joo and native Korean Hwanhee produced beautiful and powerful vocals in the music industry. At first they were the bubblepop techno group from singing, dancing and rap but changed their image to Rythmn and Blues after hitting the charts with Sea of Love. In 2003, they enjoyed massive success with the hit song Missing You  till today everyone sings the song in karaoke. In 2005-2006, the duo came out with drama Fashion 70's OST- 가슴 아파도 "Although My Heart Aches" and sorrow song 남자답게 (Like a Man) which were loved so much by the public. The two went on solo careers in 2009 after their 8th album and Hwanhee went for military services. In 2014, the duo came back for their 9th album and their single 너를 너를 너를 (You You You) swept number 1 in all music charts. The duo have won Best R&B Artists award, Bonsang awards, Soul Music Style awards from year 2000-2006 and 2014, they took home the Melon Music Awards too.

KOYOTE (also known as Koyotae) consists of members Kim Jong Min, Shin Ji and Bbaek Ga. They are known for the catchy up-tune songs and in 2005 they won the dae-sang grand prize, pop-dance group award and artist of the year. Their hit songs include Passion, Disco King, Y, 1234 were doing so well in charts. Kim Jong Min has gone solo and even participated in many variety shows such as Heroine 6, Love Letter,Star King and 1 Night 2 Days. Female member Shin Ji is involved in Unstoppable High Kick series and ever since she remained low profile. 

S.E.S is SM Entertainment's popular girl group in the 90s. The members were Bada,

Eugene and Shoo. The group was formed from the first initial of the members' name. S stands for Sea (in korean is Bada), E is for Eugene and another S is for Shoo. The girls' hit songs include I'm Your Girl, Dreams Come True, Oh, My Love!,너를 사랑해 (I Love You). In year 2002, the group disbanded and went on different careers. Eugene was the first to start acting and did many dramas such as Save the Last Dance, Baker King and 100 Year Inheritance.Bada was involved more in OSTs and did musicals as well. Shoo was the only member who got married the earliest and became a housewife with 3 kids.
Eugene then tied the knot with actor Ki Tae Young. Bada is the remaining member single.

Fin KL (also known as Fin Killing Liberty) is a popular girl group debuted in 1998 with members such as Lee Hyori, Ock Joo Hyun, Sang Yuri and Lee Jin. The girls' hit songs include Everlasting Love 영원한 사랑, Pride 자존심, To My Prince 나의 왕자님께, White 화이트. They won the dae-sang grand prize award in year 1999. In year 2002 was the final year they were together before splitting up. Hyo Ri and Ock Joo-hyun have released their solo albums, while Lee Jin and Sang Yuri have acted in dramas and hosted various shows. Ever since Ock Joo-Hyun concentrates being a radio DJ and acted in musicals. Meanwhile Hyori tied the knot and even co-hosted some talk shows (her famous ones were Family Outing). Sang Yuri was more involved in dramas such as Prince's First Love, The Snow Queen and Hong Gil Dong. She is also a regular host for Healing Camp talk show. 

Solo singers Kwon BOA and Se7en were popular in the 90s too even though they were not in groups. BOA enjoyed her solosuccess under SM Entertainment after debuting and speaks various languages. Her hit singles include No.1, Atlantis Princess, My Name, Hurricane Venus. She is also heavily promoting herself in Japan as well. She is rather close friends with TVXQ and Fly to the Sky. She had tried her skills in acting as well (but I wasn't impressed at all, better off to sing and dance). Boa is still with SM Entertainment. Fact!: Boa is the only idol who is still in her late 20s when the rest are already in their 30s to 40s. 



Se7en (known as Choi Dong Wook) was one of the original solo artist from YG Entertainment. He was the rookie singer who could stand side by side with singer Rain with his hits such as Crazy, La La La, Hikari, I Know. His long term relationship with actress Park Han Byul went all over the net but ended in late 2014. Se7en did some acting in Goong S drama but it was not as popular as the original Goong. 
He tried to break through into American music but it wasn't as great as expected. Until recently Se7en is involved in some scandal during his military services for visiting massage parlours..etc 
And in 2015, he announced he won't be renewing his contract with YG Ent. 


And now as we look back at those days ...these 90s idols have all aged gracefully and still produced great music for us to hear. Until today I can never deny that I am still fan of old skool K-pop. I was a fan of Shinhwa and I am still a fan of theirs. I cringe whenever I see their 90s shocking hairstyles - the puff up ramen hairstyle, blond streaks and centre parting. Nevertheless it was good old Fly to the Sky that brought me into K-pop world when I first heard of their song Missing You on TV. I will and always a fan of Brian and Hwanhee. 

And you won't be surprised lately a lot of girl groups and boy bands do their own version cover of the 90s pop songs. The goldies are always the best and kept forever in our hearts.