5 Most Shocking Debuts in the History of K-Pop, According to Netizens
K-Pop has been around for decades and led to the creations of some of the most brilliant idol groups. While most of these groups started with humble beginnings, some arrived like the hurricane and swept the nation in a frenzy. Here are 5 first-generation K-Pop idols that had the most shocking and memorable debuts in the history of K-Pop, according to netizens.
1. Seo Taiji and Boys
Seo Taiji and Boys debuted in 1992, when the South Korean audience was beginning to grow interest in MIDI music. Until Seo Taiji and Boys, South Korean pop culture relied heavily on “ballads (slow-tempo songs)” and “trots (traditional folk songs)”. Thus, the group Seo Taiji and Boys is considered to have introduced rap and dance genres to the K-Pop world. Their music, which was deemed unconventional at the time, along with their “hipster” stage performances and attitude, instantly turned them into a nationwide sensation. Most Korean pop culture experts mark Seo Taiji and Boys’s debut as the beginning of K-Pop as people know it now. The debut album’s main tracks “I Know” and “You in the Fantasy” won a total of 41 awards on music programs of the time.
2. J. Y. Park
J. Y. Park (JYP) debuted in 1994, with “Don’t Leave Me”. As a college student, JYP auditioned at different entertainment agencies with hope to become a singer – including in front of Lee Soo Man at what is now SM Entertainment. Unfortunately, he was turned down, mainly because of his appearance. Eventually, JYP signed with composer Kim Hyung Suk‘s agency and prepared to debut. The debut track “Don’t Leave Me” was meant to be a piano based mellow track, but the agency pushed for a dance genre remake and released it as a lighter, much more upbeat song. JYP added the signature “Hip Choreography”, which now is considered the first of all male K-Pop idols’ sexy concepts. His not-so-average appearance, combined with the song and choreography, made JYP an instant superstar in the K-Pop scene in the 90s.
3. Lee Jung Hyun
K-Pop’s first “Techno Queen” Lee Jung Hyun debuted in 1999, with an unprecedented genre of electronic dance music that was combined with traditional Korean instrumental. Not only was Lee Jung Hyun’s music sensational, but her stage outfit that consisted of a large handheld fan and a pinky microphone really made her stand out from the rest. The agency is said to initially have criticized Lee Jung Hyun heavily for her choice of concept, but only in three days time, she literally blew up all over the nation. Her debut title “Wa” embarked the South Korean techno craze of 1999 and fueled more electronic club music to be produced and introduced to the public. The nation fell in love with Lee Jung Hyun’s warrior-like, end-of-a-century, new-world new-millennium look and vibe. She is now considered the first N-Generation K-Pop star, as well as the first female “idol” to have opened doors for future female soloists to try brave new styles.
4. PSY
PSY made his unofficial debut in 2000 with the track “Bird”. This rap-heavy song had some strong lyrics, with a bit of dark, self-deprecating sense of humor, and the K-Pop world went wild for this brand new kind of eccentric concept. PSY immediately became branded as the “Nation’s Weirdo” and swept the music charts. He became an icon that really drove the weird-is-cute culture that ran rampant in the country in the early 2000s. However, that is not the main reason PSY’s debut is referred to as unforgettable. PSY really shocked the South Korean audience, especially with his appearance, because he stirred far from the “beauty standards” of the K-Pop industry. On top of that, PSY performed in sleeveless outfits, which were negatively perceived at the time, and even got official warnings from music programs for roughly “degrading the Korean honor”.
5. BoA
BoA‘s debut in 2000 was a shocking sensation, and it comes closest to the K-Pop market as people know it now. SM Entertainment invested a lot of money and time into “Project BoA” to debut her as the “Asian Star”, which was considered a gamble at the time. However, this production process, of discovering, training, and releasing talent on an agency level, is actually the model and foundation of how most K-Pop management companies still work. BoA debuted as a teenager and while that is considered normal in the K-Pop world now, it was considered incredibly young and hence shocking at the time. While her appearance in the K-Pop world was not received too wholeheartedly in the beginning, BoA turned into a huge success in Japan. This also is seen as the beginning of K-Pop branching out to countries outside of Korea and expanding the “idol” market on a global level.
