Sechs Kies
| Sechs Kies 젝스키스 | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | 6kies, Jekki |
| Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
| Genres | K-pop, hip hop, R&B, dance |
| Years active | 1997 - 2000 |
| Labels | Daesung Entertainment |
| Associated acts | JnC, J-Walk, Clover |
| Members |
Eun Ji-won Lee Jae-jin Kim Jae-duc Kang Sung-hoon Ko Ji-yong Jang Su-won |
Sechs Kies or 6kies (Korean: 젝스키스) is a South Korean male idol pop group popular in the late 1990s formed under Daesung Entertainment. Their name "Sechs Kies" originated from the German word for "six crystals," representing the six members. They are popularly referred to and remembered by fans as "Jekki" for short. Their official fanclub was called Dear Sechskies Friend (DSF) and the group's official fanclub color was yellow. Sechs Kies debuted on April 15, 1997 on KBS Music Bank with their first single "학원별곡", and disbanded on May 20, 2000, performing for the last time at the 2000 Dream Concert.
Formation
Eun Ji-won, who was studying abroad in Hawaii, was scouted by DSP, along with friend Kang Sung-hoon in a nightclub. The agency had originally planned to debut Eun and Kang in South Korea as a hip-hop duo, but with the success of SM Entertainment’s male idol group H.O.T., the agency shifted gears to instead debut a six-member male idol group.[1]
Kim Jae-duc and Lee Jae-jin at the time were members of a dance crew called ‘’Quicksilvers’’ in their hometown of Busan and had submitted an audition tape to Daesung Entertainment.[2] Jang Su-won was cast during an open audition, and lastly, Ko Ji-yong, a childhood friend of Sung-hoon, was cast as the final member of SechsKies.
Career
1997: Debut
SechsKies debuted on April 15, 1997 on KBS Music Bank with their first single, "School Song (학원별곡)”. Their debut album 학원별곡, named after the title track, was released on May 15, 1997. In July, the group promoted with a follow-up single “The Way This Guy Lives [사나이 가는길 (폼생폼사)]” until the end of the summer of 1997.
Shortly after, SechsKies made their much anticipated comeback in October 1997 on KMTV’s “Recharge 100% Show” and began promotional activities for their second album release. Their second album titled Welcome to the Sechskies Land, a 20-track album formatted as a fictional amusement park known as “Sechskies Land”, was released on November 15, 1997. They quickly began promoting the album’s title track “Chivalry (기사도)” on various music programs, which gave the group their first #1 spot on SBS Inkigayo on December 7, 1997.
SechsKies were quickly being recognized as rookies of the year and were awarded several awards at music award shows. In December, they took home the SBS Music Awards Bonsang Award, KMTV Korean Music Awards New Artist Award, and the KBS Golden Disk Awards Bonsang Award.
On December 21, 1997, SechsKies held their first ever concert in Seoul at the Sejong Center; tickets were reportedly sold out within five hours.
1998: Rising Popularity, Seventeen Movie, Roadfighter
SechsKies’ fanbase and general popularity quickly began to grow by the spring of 1998. After wrapping up their second album promotions in February, they began a spring nationwide tour, including concerts in Busan, Ulsan, Gwangju, and Daegu.
SechsKies starred in the children’s musical, Alibata and the 40 Thieves alongside singer, Jinjoo. The musical ran from April 25 to May 5, 1998 at the Sejong Center.
SechsKies began promotions for their third album, returning with “Crying Game” on SBS Inkigayo on July 12, 1998. SechsKies released their third studio album ROADFIGHTER on July 15, 1998, which had more hybridized elements of hip-hop and electronica, as leader Eun Ji-won participated in the production of the album.
On July 17, 1998, SechsKies’ very own film, Seventeen was released nationwide, and the group held promotional fan signing events for the film’s premiere release.
On September 13 and September 20, SechsKies held two consecutive wins for the title track “Roadfighter” on SBS Inkigayo. They also won for the #1 spot on SBS Inkigayo for the follow-up track "Reckless Love (무모한 사랑)" in October.
On October 31, 1998, SechsKies released a soundtrack for Seventeen titled Special Album, which was later referred to as the group’s 3.5 album release. The began promotions for the Special Album on KBS Music Bank, promoting two songs off the album, “Couple” and “As I Let You Go (너를 보내며)”. A special fan photobook was released in conjunction with the album in November.
SechsKies took home several end of the year awards, including the KMTV Korean Music Awards Bonsang Award, SBS Music Awards Bonsang Award, and Golden Disk Awards Bonsang Award.
1999: Com'Back
SechsKies spent more of the month of January in 1999, holding concerts throughout Korea. Starting on January 4, 1999 in MokPo Gongyun and ending on January 21, 1999 in Daegu. SechsKies was now a living legend within the gayo industry, breaking the barriers of different genres of music, proving that Korean music is much more than the traditional trot music our parents once forced us to listen to.
On April 5, 1999 SechsKies released their first concert video, recorded from their largest concert to date, the Seoul Concert on February 25, 1999. They also released a concert album that went with the video on April 10, 1999. They performed a song sung by Kang Sung-hoon called "My Love" from this album. On April 18, 1999, SechsKies held a two-year anniversary special official fan club meeting.
After their concert ended, SechsKies returned to the studio to create their fourth album. Released in early September 1999, SechsKies performed a song appropriately titled, "Com' Back," "Yeh Gam," and "Geu Dae Ro Mum Chu." Compared to their previous works, this album had more input from the members of the group, several of them writing and producing tracks for it. The group did not stay in the limelight for long after the release of the fourth album, due to their imminent disbandment.
Disbandment and Post-disbandment Activities
2000: Disbandment
On May 18, 2000 at 2:00 pm, SechsKies held a sudden press conference announcing their official departure as a group from the music scene. Despite occurring amidst undisputed rumors, such as misconduct from their agency, their breakup was nevertheless sudden and unexpected by many fans. Their situation was explained in little detail at the press conference, as a few members shed tears. Nearly a decade after SechsKies’ breakup, leader Eun Ji-won confessed on KBS variety program “100 Points out of 100” that the members had collectively agreed it would be best to disband at the height of their career, while “people were still clapping for them”.[3]
SechsKies performed for the final time in front of the public at the 2000 Dream Concert on May 20, 2000, performing their songs “Will You Remember? (기억해줄래)" and “Bye”. On May 28, 2000, their final release, BLUE NOTE, a "Best Of" compilation, was released. In August of that year, the members of SechsKies self-released one final track and music video titled “Thanks” for their fans, which was uploaded online.
Individual Member Activities
Eun Ji-won began his solo career as a rapper shortly after SechsKies' breakup, and has since released several albums. Kang Sung-hoon also pursued a solo career in ballad music. Kim Jae-duc and Jang Su-won formed a duo called J-Walk, and in 2004, briefly teamed up with Click-B, former labelmates under DSP to form JnC. Lee Jae-jin also released three solo albums, then decided to leave the entertainment business upon completing his mandatory military service. Ko Ji-yong had initially expressed interest in pursuing an acting career, but following the group’s disbandment, left South Korea to study abroad in the United States (allegedly Los Angeles, California).
2013: The Present
Among all the SechsKies members, Eun Ji-won is currently the most active in the entertainment scene, with a relatively successful career appearing on various variety programs, most notably on Season 1 of KBS reality variety show 1 Night 2 Days. In addition to his solo rap career, in 2011, he also started the project trio group, Clover, alongside rapper, Mr.Tyfoon and female vocalist & rapper, Gilme. In 2010, Ji-won married his former high school sweetheart whom he met in 1994 while studying in Hawaii.[4] The couple though divorced after the 2 years of marriage in August 2012. [5]
Kim Jae-duc has recently returned to the spotlight and has been featured on various TV programs alongside friend and former industry rival, Tony An of H.O.T. The two befriended each other while serving in the military together in 2008.[6] Currently, Kim appears on KBS2’s reality show “The World is Tasty” with Tony An, in which they travel to different countries, learning about the country's respective rich food history and culture.
In January 2013, with the help of his brother-in-law Yang Hyun-suk, Lee Jae-jin opened a franchise location of the popular fusion chain restaurant ‘’School Food’’ in the Hongdae district of Seoul.[7]
On February 13, 2013, Kang Sung-hoon was given a two and a half year prison sentence on multiple fraud charges dating back to 2008, amounting up to roughly 900 million won in total. Kang was arrested in March of 2012, but was released on bail after showing a willingness to repay the money. After a long string of trials between Kang and the plaintiffs, the final trial on February 13, 2013 found Kang guilty and sentenced him to two and a half years in prison.[8][9]
After disappearing from the spotlight for many years while studying abroad in the United States, it has been unofficially reported that Ko Ji-yong has returned to Korea and is working in a major corporation. Since his return to Korea and recent rumors of a marriage,[10] a few attempts have been made by both old fans and media to get in contact with Ko, but his polite declinations have made it very clear that he no longer wants any part in the entertainment world.[11]
Jang Su-won has returned from his military service in late 2011.[12] Currently, Jang and Kim Jae-duc are preparing for a J-walk comeback.[13]
Members
| Name | Date of birth | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Kies (Rap) | |||
| Eun Ji-won | 은지원 | June 8, 1978[14] | Leader, Main Rapper |
| Lee Jae-jin | 이재진 | July 13, 1979[15] | Lead Rapper, Main Dancer |
| Kim Jae-duc | 김재덕 | August 7, 1979[16] | Lead Rapper, Lead Dancer |
| White Kies (Vocals) | |||
| Kang Sung-hoon | 강성훈 | February 22, 1980[17] | Lead Vocalist |
| Ko Ji-yong | 고지용 | July 1, 1980[18] | Sub Vocalist, Sub Rapper |
| Jang Su-won | 장수원 | July 16, 1980[19] | Sub Vocalist |
Discography
Albums
|
|
Filmography
- Seventeen: The Movie (July 18, 1998)
Awards
| Year | Awards |
|---|---|
| 1997 |
|
| 1998 |
|
| 1999 |
|
Music Shows Award
These are a collection of Sechs Kies's wins on Korea's televised music shows.
Inkigayo
| Year | Date | Song |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | August 30 | Road Fighter |
| September 27 | 무모한 사랑 (Reckless Love) | |
| October 11 | ||
| December 20 | 커플 (Couple) | |
| 1999 | January 3 | |
| September 12 | Com' Back | |
| September 19 | ||
| September 26 | ||
| November 7 | 예감 (Premonition) | |
| November 21 | ||
TV 가요 20
| Year | Date | Song |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | December 7 | 기사도 |
| December 14 | ||
| December 21 | ||
| 1998 | January 4 | |
| January 11 | ||
Music Bank (TV series)
| Year | Date | Song |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | July 23 | Road Fighter |
| July 30 | ||
| November 17 | 무모한 사랑(Reckless Love) | |
| October 15 | ||
| October 22 | ||
| 1999 | January 28 | 너를 보내며 |
| August 31 | Com' Back | |
| September 10 | ||
| September 17 | ||
| November 11 | 예감(Premonition) | |
Music Camp
| Year | Date | Song |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | December 19 | 커플 |
| 1999 | January 9 | |
| January 16 | ||
Notes
- ↑ "은지원, 젝키 시절 '학원 별곡' "창피했다" 고백" (in Korean). TvDaily. August 20, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ "이재진, 과거 자서전서 직접 밝힌 ‘생활고(苦)’" (in Korean). Now News. April 9, 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ "'백점만점' 은지원, '젝키 해체, 내가 먼저 얘기 꺼냈다' 고백" (in Korean). Arts News. January 22, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ "'영화같은' 은지원, 만남서 결혼까지" (in Korean). Star News. February 17, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ http://www.soompi.com/2013/02/28/eun-ji-won-divorces-wife-after-2-years-of-marriage/
- ↑ "'스타인생극장' 토니안, 김재덕과 한집살림 "외로워서 함께 살기로"" (in Korean). Star News. March 1, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ "Yang Hyun Suk opens a restaurant with brother-in-law Sechs Kies’ Lee Jae Jin". Allkpop. January 11, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ "Kang Sung Hoon Says He Does Not Plan to Settle With Plaintiff, Mr. Oh". Enews World. December 12, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ "Kang Sung Hoon is Given a Jail Sentence". Enews World. February 13, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ "Former Sechskies member Ko Ji Yong rumored to be married". Allkpop. January 25, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ "젝키 고지용, 최근 모습 공개…여전한 꽃미모 깜짝!" (in Korean). Sports Donga. January 30, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ "Eun Ji Won Prepares to Welcome Jang Su Won Back". Enews World. October 19, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ "젝키출신 장수원, 제이워크 김재덕과 상반기 가수컴백 예정" (in Korean). Newsen. January 30, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ "은지원" (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
- ↑ "이재진" (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
- ↑ "김재덕" (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
- ↑ "강성훈" (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
- ↑ "고지용" (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
- ↑ "장수원" (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
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