1st generation modern K-pop (1992–2001) avatar
ᜌᜓᜃᜒ (Yuki)
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The 1st Generation of K-Pop Music started in 1992 and ended in 2001. Here are the pioneering groups and solo acts who started the modern K-pop that we all know today.

For an explanation on how we defined each generation, see: YourOnly.One’s K-pop Generations

  • This list is in no way complete.

  • Arranged in chronological order of debut (first performance and/or song/video release, whichever is earliest)

1992

Seo Taiji & Boys

  • Hangul: 서태지와 아이들
  • Debut: 1992-04-11
    • Song: 난 알아요 (Nan Arayo; I Know)

서태지와 아이들(Seotaiji and Boys) - 난 알아요(I Know) M/V

‘뮤직비디오’ 라는 개념이 정립되지도 못했던 1992년..

The work shown above is Copyrighted to seotaiji.

  • Also known for:
    • Starting the modern K-pop music.
    • The first modern K-pop boy group.
  • Wikipedia: Seo Taiji and Boys

1993

Uhm Jung Hwa

  • Hangul: 엄정화
  • Debut: 1993-01-16 as solo
    • Song: 눈동자 (Pupil)

Uhm Jung-hwa - Pupil - 눈동자

Saturday Night Music Show

The work shown above is Copyrighted to MBCfestival.

Deux

  • Hangul: 듀스
  • Debut: 1993-04-23
    • Song: Turn Around and Look at Me

DEUX - Turn around and look at me, 듀스 - 나를 돌아봐

Saturday Night Music Show

The work shown above is Copyrighted to MBCfestival.

Solid

  • Hangul: 솔리드
  • Debut: 1993-12-15
    • Song: Give Me A Chance

솔리드 - 이젠 나를 (Give Me A Chance)

The work shown above is Copyrighted to JohanKimRNB.

1994

Jinu

  • Hangul: 지누
  • Also known as: 김진우 (Kim Jin Woo)
  • Debut: 1994-03-09
    • Song: 나는 캡이었어 (I Am Awesome)

나는 캡이었어 – 김진우

The work shown above is Copyrighted to southkoreanfolksongs.

JYP

  • Hangul: 박진영
  • Also known as: J. Y. Park; The Asiansoul
  • Debut: 1994-09-01
  • Founder of JYP Entertainment (1997)
    • Song: 날 떠나지마 (Don’t Leave Me)

박진영 - ‘날 떠나지마’ (1995)| J.Y. Park - ‘Don’t Leave Me’ 【KBS 가요톱10】

The work shown above is Copyrighted to Again 가요톱10 : KBS KPOP Classic.

1995

Turbo

  • Hangul: 터보
  • Debut: 1995-09-06
    • Song: 나 어릴적 꿈 (My Childhood Dream)

Turbo - My childhood dream, 터보 - 나 어릴적 꿈

MBC Top Music 19951124

The work shown above is Copyrighted to MBCkpop.

Kim Jong Kook

  • Hangul: 김종국
  • Fandom name: Papitus
  • Debut: 1995-09-06 as a member of Turbo
  • Debut: 2001-12-12 as a solo act
    • Song: 남자니까 (Because I’m A Man)

음악캠프 - Kim Jong-kook - Because I’m a man, 김종국 - 남자니까

Music Camp 20020202

The work shown above is Copyrighted to MBCkpop.

  • Also known for:
    • Running Man host
    • Bodybuilder
  • Wikipedia: Kim Jong-kook

1996

H.O.T

  • Hangul: 에이치오티
  • Also known as: Highfive Of Teenagers
  • Fandom name: Club H.O.T.
  • Debut: 1996-09-07
    • Song: Descendants of Warriors

H.O.T - Warrior’s Descendant, HOT - 전사의 후예

MBC Top Music

The work shown above is Copyrighted to MBCkpop.

1997

Uptown

  • Hangul: 업타운
  • Debut: 1997
    • Song: 다시 만나 줘 (Let’s Meet Again)

Uptown - Lets meet again

One of uptowns first hits!

The work shown above is Copyrighted to AC-1.

Yoo Seung Jun

  • Hangul: 유승준
  • Also known as: Steve Seung Jun Yoo
  • Debut: 1997 March
    • Song: 가위 (Gawi; Nightmare)

Yoo Seung-jun - Nightmare, 유승준 - 가위

MBC Top Music 19970614

The work shown above is Copyrighted to MBCkpop.

JINUSEAN

  • Hangul: 지누션
  • Debut: 1997-03-01
    • Song: Gasoline

JINUSEAN - GASOLINE M/V

featuring YG from Jinusean’s 1st album JINUSEAN (1997.3)

The work shown above is Copyrighted to YG ENTERTAINMENT.

Sechs Kies

  • Hangul: 젝스키스
  • Fandom name: YellKies
  • Debut: 1997-04-15
    • Song: 학원별곡 (School Anthem)

Sechs Kies - School byeolgok, 젝스키스 - 학원별곡

MBC Top Music 19970628

The work shown above is Copyrighted to MBCkpop.

  • Did you know?
    • They pioneered the idol fandom culture.
  • Wikipedia: Sechs Kies

Haha

  • Hangul: 하하
  • Debut: 1997-05-01 as a solo act
  • Debut: 2001 as a member of 지키리 (Z-kiri)
  • Debut: 2005-02-18 as a solo act
    • Song: 사랑가 (Love Song)

Haha - Love song, 하하 - 사랑가

Music Camp 20050319

The work shown above is Copyrighted to MBCkpop.

  • Debut: 2012-07-30 as a member of RGP (레게 강 같은 평화; Reggae Peace like a River)
  • Did you know?
    • He is married to K-pop singer, Byul.
    • He is a Running Man host.
    • He is an Infinite Challenge host.
  • Wikipedia: Haha (entertainer)

Baby V.O.X

  • Hangul: 베이비복스
  • Fandom name: Baby Angels
  • Debut: 1997-07-10
    • Song: 머리 하는 날 (Hair Cut)

Babyvox - Hair cut, 베이비복스 - 머리 하는 날

MBC Top Music 19971004

The work shown above is Copyrighted to MBCkpop.

  • Did you know?
    • They were the first modern K-pop girl group.
    • They were also the first modern K-pop girl group to break into the Chinese market.
  • Wikipedia: Baby Vox

DIVA

  • Hangul: 디바
  • Debut: 1997-08-29
    • Song: 그래 (Yeah)

Diva - Yes, 디바 - 그래

MBC Top Music 19971018

The work shown above is Copyrighted to MBCkpop.

NRG

  • Hangul: 엔알지
  • Also known as: New Radiancy Group
  • Fandom name: Cheonjae Ilwoo
  • Debut: 1997-10-28
    • Song: 할 수 있어 (I Can Do It)

NRG - I can do, 엔알지 - 할 수 있어

MBC Top Music 19971213

The work shown above is Copyrighted to MBCkpop.

S.E.S

  • Hangul: 에스이에스
  • Fandom name: Friend
  • Debut: 1997-11-01
  • Name stands for Sea, Eugene, and Shoo
    • Song: I’m Your Girl

S.E.S - I’m your girl

MBC Top Music 19980110

The work shown above is Copyrighted to MBCkpop.

  • Sample songs:
    • Dreams Come True 1, Korean version of Rakastuin mä looseriin 2 by Finnish girl group Nylon Beat 3.
  • Wikipedia: S.E.S. (group)

1998

Rain

  • Hangul: 비
  • Fandom name: Clouds
  • Debut: 1998 as a member of Fanclub
  • Debut: 2002-05-13 as a solo act
    • Song: 나쁜 남자 (Bad Guy)

RAIN (비) - Bad Man (나쁜 남자) (Official Music Video)

The work shown above is Copyrighted to JYP Entertainment.

Shinhwa

  • Hangul: 신화
  • Fandom name: Shinhwa Changjo
  • Debut: 1998-04-19
    • Song: 천일유혼 (Sharing Forever)

19981004 신화 천일유혼

⭐️2차 가공 & 재업로드 금지⭐️ 19981004 인기가요 신화 천일유혼

The work shown above is Copyrighted to Venus19980324.

Fin.K.L

  • Hangul: 핑클
  • Also known as: Fine Killing Liberty
  • Fandom name: Pinky
  • Debut: 1998-05-25
    • Song: Blue Rain; 내 남자친구에게 (To My Boyfriend)

[MV] Fin.K.L(핑클) _ Blue Rain

The work shown above is Copyrighted to 1theK (원더케이).

핑클 - 내 남자친구에게

SBS인기가요 980906

The work shown above is Copyrighted to takeaway.

Lee Hyo Ri

  • Hangul: 이효리
  • Fandom name: HyoRish
  • Debut: 1998-05-25 as a member of Fin.K.L
  • Debut: 2003-08-13 as a solo act
    • Song: 10 Minutes

[MV] Lee Hyori(이효리) _ 10 Minutes

The work shown above is Copyrighted to 1theK (원더케이).

1TYM

  • Hangul: 원타임
  • Fandom name: Hip-Hop Village
  • Debut: 1998-11-15
    • Song: 1TYM

1TYM - 1TYM M/V

from 1TYM’s 1st album ‘One Time For Your Mind’ (1998.11)

The work shown above is Copyrighted to YG ENTERTAINMENT.

1999

g.o.d

  • Hangul: 지오디
  • Also known as: Groove Over Dose
  • Fandom name: Fan god
  • Debut: 1999-01-13
    • Song: 어머님께 (To Mother)

G.O.D - 어머님께 (Dear Mother) MV (HQ)

The work shown above is Copyrighted to parkerlewisrocks.

  • Did you know?
    • They were originally to be named as GOT6.
  • Wikipedia: g.o.d

Drunken Tiger

  • Hangul: 드렁큰 타이거
  • Debut: 1999-02-02
    • Song: 난 널 원해 (I Want You)

Drunken Tiger - I Want You 난 널 원해 [MV]

드렁큰 타이거 - 난 널 원해 (1999) music video

The work shown above is Copyrighted to O.

2000

BoA

  • Hangul: 권보아
  • Fandom name: Jumping BoA; SOUL (Japan)
  • Debut: 2000-08-25 as a solo act
    • Song: “ID; Peace B”

BoA 보아 ‘ID; Peace B’ MV

Original Release in 2000, Remastered in 2021.

The work shown above is Copyrighted to SMTOWN.

  • Sample songs:
    • No.1 4
    • Every Heart-ミンナノキモチ- 5
    • Milky Way 6
    • Atlantis Princess 7
    • Only One 8
  • Debut: 2022-01-01 as a member of GOT the beat a subgroup of supergroup Girls On Top
  • Did you know?
    • She was discovered by SM Entertainment at the age of 11 and trained for two years.
    • She debuted at the young age of 13.
    • BoA can sing well not just in Korean but also in English, Japanese, and Chinese.
    • She’s known as the Star of Asia. 9
    • First Korean to be in Billboard. 9
    • She’s called the Queen of K-pop.
    • BoA was the first K-pop act to break in Japan after the restriction of imports between Japan and Korea was lifted. 10
    • She is the only non-Japanese with three albums which sold one million copies in Japan. [^boa-dyk-japan-times]
    • BoA is one of three female pop star with six consecutive number 1 studio albums in the Oricon charts since her debut. The other two are highly popoular and successful Japanese stars Ayumi Hamasaki and Utada Hikaru. 11
  • Wikipedia: BoA

2001

PSY

  • Hangul: 싸이
  • Also known as: 엽기가수 (The Bizarre Singer)
  • Fandom name: PSYcho
  • Debut: 2001-01-19
    • Song: 새 (Bird); 끝 (The End)

PSY - 새(BIRD) M/V

1st Album ‘PSY FROM THE PSYCHO WORLD!’ (2001.1)

The work shown above is Copyrighted to officialpsy.

  • Sample songs:
    • 강남스타일 (Gangnam Style) 12
  • Did you know?
    • Gangnam Style earned PSY multiple Guinness World Records as the “Most Viewed Video Online”, “Most ‘Liked’ Video Online”, “First Video to Receive 1 billion views”. 13 As of 2022-01-28 20:25:35+0800:
      • Likes: 23 million 12
      • Views: 4,320,893,237 12
      • Since: 2012-07-15 12
    • Gentleman also entered the Guinness World Records as the “Most Viewed Video Online in a 24-hour period” hitting 38.4 million views on 2013-04-14. 13
  • Wikipedia: Psy

Jewelry

  • Hangul: 쥬얼리
  • Fandom name: Jewel Box
  • Debut: 2001-03-30
    • Song: 사랑해 (I Love You)

쥬얼리 - 사랑해

SBS 인기가요

The work shown above is Copyrighted to Entertainment World.

Jang Na Ra

  • Hangul: 장나라
  • Fandom name: Fly Nara Love
  • Debut: 2001-05-04
    • Song: 눈물에 얼굴을 묻는다 (Burying My Face In Tears)

Jang Na-ra - Buried my face in tears, 장나라 - 눈물에 얼굴을 묻는다

Music Camp 2001090

The work shown above is Copyrighted to MBCkpop.

  • Sample songs:
    • 스윗 드림 (Sweet Dream) 14
    • Someday 15 OST for Your House Helper
    • calling love 16
  • Wikipedia: Jang Na-ra

  1. [S.E.S.] YouTube: S.E.S. ‘Dreams Come True’ MV ↩︎

  2. [Nylon Beat] YouTube: Nylon Beat - Rakastuin mä looseriin -live (27.1.1996) ↩︎

  3. [Nylon Beat] Wikipedia: Nylon Beat ↩︎

  4. [BoA] YouTube: BoA 보아 ‘No.1’ MV ↩︎

  5. [BoA] YouTube: Every Heart-ミンナノキモチ- / BoA ↩︎

  6. [BoA] YouTube: BoA 보아 ‘Milky Way’ MV ↩︎

  7. [BoA] YouTube: BoA 보아 ‘아틀란티스 소녀 (Atlantis Princess)’ MV ↩︎

  8. [BoA] YouTube: BoA 보아 ‘Only One’ MV (Dance ver.) ↩︎

  9. [BoA] Heyday: Legend of Kpop? Korean Teenagers React to BoA’s golden days ↩︎ ↩︎

  10. [BoA] Japan Times: No constrictions on BoA’s ambitions ↩︎

  11. BoA ↩︎

  12. [PSY] YouTube: PSY - GANGNAM STYLE(강남스타일) M/V ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  13. [PSY] Guinness World Records: [PSY secures new YouTube world record with “Gentleman”](https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2013/4/psy-secures-new-youtube-world-record-with-gentleman-48291 “PSY secures new YouTube world record with “Gentleman”) ↩︎ ↩︎

  14. [Jang Na Ra] YouTube: 음악캠프 - Jang Nara - Sweet Dream, 장나라 - 스윗 드림, Music Camp 20021026 ↩︎

  15. [Jang Na Ra] YouTube: [MV] 장나라(Jang Nara) - Someday [당신의 하우스헬퍼 OST Part.4 (Your House Helper OST Part.4)] ↩︎

  16. [Jang Na Ra] YouTube: Jang Nara - Calling love, 장나라 - 사랑 부르기, Music Core 20070224 ↩︎

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ᜌᜓᜃᜒ (Yuki ・ 雪亮)If this is not the end of oblivion, then I shall live everyday as if my life were to end this very day.

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The YOOki (柳紀 ・ 유 기) Chronicles

The YOOki (柳紀 ・ 유 기) Chronicles is ᜌᜓᜃᜒ (Yuki ・ 雪亮)’s return into casual and personal blogging. The name “YOOki” is a mash-up of the acronym of YourOnly.One and my nickname ᜌᜓᜃᜒ (Yuki ・ 雪亮).

Interestingly, according to Chinese legend, 「柳」 (YOO) is an ancient Chinese surname. The ancestors of the surname were closely linked with the ancient sage-king named Yu Shun. In Korea, the 「유」 (YOO) lineage traces to the Xia, Han, and Joseon dynasties. Holders of the surname Yu or Yoo had a reputation for charity and diligence.1

It is also the word for “willow” or the “willow tree” which means graceful or slender; and a tree growing near a body of water which provide continuous nourishment and resources for everyone. It can also mean to exist, an oil (anointment(?)), and simply as “U” (you).

The hanzi 「紀」 (ki) character means to record, be disciplined, provide order. While the hangul equivalent, 「기」 (ki; gi), means energy, spirit, a banner, and a period of time; and is also a suffix used to make a gerund or an infinitive.

Can you guess what I mean by 「柳紀」 and 「유 기」 as the Chinese and Korean for “YOOki”?

  1. 「유」 Yoo (Korean surname); CC-BY-SA 3.0 Unported License ↩︎

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