Ok-Pop’s first era is commonly referenced as the muse for the trade we take pleasure in now, however there aren’t sufficient good English-language sources that give its music the main focus it deserves. I’m hoping to alter that with a unbroken flashback collection, spotlighting private highlights from the period – each iconic and obscure.
The period in query is commonly thought-about to run from the debut of Search engine optimization Taiji & Boys in 1992 to the emergence of TVXQ in late 2003. The music featured on this collection will largely match inside that time-frame, give or take a number of years on both facet.
It was a time of bonkers track buildings, wild trend, slamming techno beats, dangerous reggae impressions, flagrant use (theft?) of American hip-hop samples, hearty energy ballads, foul language, the growliest rapper tones you’ll be able to think about and an anything-goes scrappiness that’s inconceivable to pigeonhole. To borrow the identify of a preferred second-gen act, these years had been the “huge bang” of an rising musical powerhouse, nonetheless discovering its footing and throwing all the pieces on the wall.
Try different “Again to Ok-pop’s First Technology” opinions right here.
After at the moment, this function will transfer from being day by day to extra sporadic as I flip my consideration to the various year-end countdowns for 2024. And to mark the top of this “season” of posts, I need to function a track whose efficiency has grow to be one in every of Ok-pop’s most infamous memes.
Sechs Kies are essential to cowl on their very own. Alongside H.O.T, they had been a pioneer of Korean idol teams and the fandom rivalry between these two acts is the stuff of legend. They had been immensely common throughout their preliminary run, disbanding on the peak of their fame. They’re most likely finest recognized for his or her mega-hit Couple – one in every of Ok-pop’s finest early ballads. Nevertheless, the track I need to write about at the moment is Chivalry.
Although Chivalry by no means had a music video, it was promoted on music exhibits – most notoriously on MBC’s Prime Music. I received’t spoil it for anybody who hasn’t seen this but, however simply click on the primary video under and benefit from the (very NSFW) introduction. The truth that this track is named “Chivalry” makes it all of the funnier. However past the novelty of this alternative, I really feel like this second finest encapsulates the wild, anything-goes vitality of Ok-pop’s first era. The truth that they may away with that is endlessly amusing to me.
Past “the second” of that MBC efficiency, Chivalry is one in every of my favourite Sechs Kies hits. It’s huge and brash and options that nice mix of rock and dance that this period of Ok-pop doled out so effectively. There’s an aural firepower unleashed proper from the primary second, storming ahead with unrelenting depth. The refrain is a bit underdeveloped in comparison with related songs like Street Fighter, however the group’s unwavering persona positively compensates.
Hooks | 8 |
Manufacturing | 9 |
Longevity | 9 |
Bias | 9 |
RATING | 8.75 |
Grade: B+