SS501 - a boyband’s comeback
Wednesday, June 17th, 2009
SS501 (pronounced as Double S five oh one, or Double S 오공일), are one of the boybands that I think are pretty underated. Signed under DSP Entertainment (A’ST1, Kara, and previously 이효리), this five member boyband has been around since 2005. I’ve often wondered if perhaps the lack of the spotlight has been due in part to the fact that they debuted in the same year as Super Junior, who kind of sucked up all the fangirls into this big black hole and didn’t let them back out for a long time.
Consisting of 현중 (who played the role of 지후 in 꽃보다 남자 or Boys Over Flowers), 규종, 영생, 정민 and 형준, SS501 have had a fair amount of success in Japan as well as in Korea. Recently they’ve been getting more attention than usual, because of 현중’s participation in 꽃보다 남자.
They’re set to make their comeback later this month with a 20 minute MV music drama, which comes in five parts - each part being a member’s solo. I really like the way they’re doing this, because it gives each member the chance to show what they can do on their own. So far three of five teasers have been released. I’m not too fussed about 규종’s Wuzz Up, but 형준’s Hey G sounds alright and he’s looking pretty fine.
So far my favourite of the teasers would have to be 현중’s 잘해줘 제발:
I am really liking what I can hear of that song.
I’m looking forward to seeing what 영생 and 정민 will come out with, and I’m definitely looking forward to hearing 정민 for an entire song, he’s got a lovely voice.
But these teasers don’t do much to show who and what SS501 are. So, I bring you some good ol’ MVs.
Unlock is one of my favourites, and if they made music like this all the time, I’d be a pretty happy person. But they mix it up with cute tracks like 겁쟁이, and things like 4chance.
Over the past several months though, I personally think that they’ve been bringing it better, hotter, and catchier than they have in the past.
널 부르는 노래 might not have matched 소녀시대’s Gee virus, but I think it’s a super fun and catchy song.
And despite only featuring three of them (현중 was doing 꽃보다 남자 and 정민 was playing Danny for the musical Grease), U R Man is one of my favourite SS501 songs.
I’m hoping that they stick more to this smoother, sexier image, and I’m glad that although they might not have enjoyed quite as much as success and spotlight as some of the other boybands, that they’ve stuck around anyway and are still going strong.
Posted by Taliana in Korean Music |
June 18th, 2009 at 5:04 am
I totally agree with you that SS501 is totally underrated; I wish DSP would do more in promoting them! They are all 5 VERY talented singers with funny and distinct personalities. They’re my favorite K-Pop group.
June 19th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
I wish DSP would promote them more too! But they have definitely been getting some better stuff lately, so I think things are looking up for them.
I love their personalities XD I wasn’t into their music at the start, but my friends got me watching some of their shows and they were just irresistable. Such a funny group!
June 24th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
SS501 is definitely very hot. I’ve actually really liked them since they first came out, but everyone’s so into DBSK, SuJu (
June 25th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
I wouldn’t say “underrated.” 내 머리가 나빠서 was playing every where here; people know them, people like them. Their Japanese album did well. With a comeback in Korea, people will go crazy for them again, their fans will come out of holes/closets/etc. & if you look at daum, their rankings are similar to Suju members. Last time I looked #1 - 5 were DBSK, #6 was 희철, and #7 was 영생…
..DBSK is most popular by a large, ENORMOUS, amount so not much point in comparing any of them in this regard. Like members of 2PM stated, no one can challenge DBSK in popularity, heh. But doing something new / promoting singles / appearing on variety shows will get them the attention they deserve, because yeah, they are talented & have irresistible personalities.
& Nameless Memory is great. Can’t wait to get the single.
June 25th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
지수: Like I said, they have been enjoying the spotlight RECENTLY, because of the Boys Over Flowers craze. What was 내 머리가 나빠서 from? Why, the Boys Over Flowers OST of course. This is why it was being played everywhere.
Prior to that, say a year ago, did you hear them everywhere you went? I highly doubt it (but please correct me if I’m wrong XD). Of course they are known, of course they have fans, of course they do alright (if they didn’t, they would have fallen off the face of the earth long ago). But they are much less known than DBSK, Super Junior, and SHINee. I know your point about not comparing to DBSK’s following, and I agree, but let’s compare to Super Junior and SHINee. Super Junior debuted the same year as SS501. They enjoyed much more popularity, and enjoyed it much faster. Let’s compare to SHINee, who debuted a year ago. They also enjoyed much more popularity. Maybe it’s because SM has more money than DSP, so they can afford bigger promotional efforts, maybe it’s just the specific group of fans they’re targetting, who knows. The fact is that I see many more fans (and a much more active fanbase) with Super Junior, SHINee and even 2PM/AM than I ever have with SS501.
It is for this reason than I consider them to be underrated. And like I said, they are riding high right now thanks to Boys Over Flowers. They got so much more attention than they had before. That might have been their turning point. This might have been the point where they finally stopped being underrated, and got some of the attention that they deserve.
We will have to see what happens from here ^^
June 26th, 2009 at 7:28 am
I think SS501 fanbase isn’t completely dead or unactive[= Have you seen this http://ipoll.kr/k_click/t.html? Seems they have someone voting for them.^^ Their promotions in Japan are much greater than what they do in Korea, I believe that is where the majority of their fans are? Not 100% sure, honestly I’m a devout Suju fan, and I know little about Japanese fandom, but I do try to follow up on other groups I like ㅋ
Seriously, its hit or miss like anything. I think this album will be a hit once people hear it.. Although Wuzz Up DOES sound kind of awkward, KJ looks very hot in the MV. I won’t complain if they keep up this kind of style. We actually failed to get Suju concert tickets..shame..But hopefully we get SS501 tickets; I think its going to sellout fairly quick^^
♥
June 26th, 2009 at 7:43 am
지수: I’m very wary of beating a dead horse here, so I will keep it brief. I feel like you missed the majority of my point. I’m not saying that they have no fans. Just that they had less fans before Boys Over Flowers. Since then, they’ve skyrocketed in popularity.
Their popularity in Japan was also not in question, since I was focusing on their Korean career, not their Japanese career. The Japanese careers of Korean artists need to be approached as something completely separate, because of how different both scenes are, in terms of promotion, expectations, fanbases etc.
Anyway, I think we either have different opinions, or are missing each other’s points, or both, so let’s just leave it there XD
July 4th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
OMG i absolutely adore SS501!! I admit that the obsession started because of Hyun Joong’s involvement in BoF but now I can honestly say that I like each and every one of them for different reasons. They’re adorable, lively, hard-working and actually can sing and dance instead of just being good-looking, which is somewhat uncommon amongst Asian idols.
I’m not sure why they’re not as popular as I would have expected them to be but I expect it had something to do with their extended absences into Japan. Not that it’s not a good thing like so many other reviewers have commented, but yeah *shrugs*
September 19th, 2009 at 1:17 am
let us nt compare between dbsk n ss501
im so in to ss501 . i dont really care when people talk about DBSK or super junior, bcoz i tink , ss501 are really good in planing stratergy .etc : while leader is busy with BOF , the stil continue singging . which i tink its good !
so SS501 HWAITING !
I LOVE U !
December 22nd, 2009 at 10:27 pm
i will be going to the show in KL tomorrow :
Michael Leong
Album : Rain in my heart (1st EP - 2009) Cantonese Version Promotions and Launch
Date : 23rd December 2009 Time : 5.00 pm - 6.00 pm
Venue : Sungei Wang Plaza, Kuala Lumpur.
I heard he is really good. Love the album cover.
January 3rd, 2010 at 5:30 pm
i seriously think that if we compare SS501 to Suju and dbsk,it’s really very unfair to SS501..take Suju for example,they got more members(abt 13)and each of them are gd looking,of cos able to attract more fans!!(i may be wrong but im firm abt my stand)SS501 are talented,just that they have lesser chance to showcase their talents..and why cant we take i consideration of their JAP careers?it’s their hardwork too..(i noe im being very rude saying such things hope u do forgive my rudeness)nevertheless,i agree that BOF really bought them fame and higher popularity before..best wishes to everone here and Taliana!!(hope u dun take offence..sry abt me being so rude here)oh,and SS501 too!!!