Today I want to introduce you to a band most K-pop fans who came into the fandom in the last few years wouldn’t have had a chance to listen to yet: SS501.
The group debuted in 2005, but has been on permanent hiatus since 2010, when their original contracts expired and they all decided to pursue solo activities for a while. Although rumours of a reunion have been going around for the past year. The name supposedly stands for ‘Superstar Singers – 5 (members) united as 1’, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have to double check this.
The members were Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Hyung-jun –yes, we were all confused-, Kim Kyu-jong, Park Jung-min and Heo Young-saeng. Most veterans first heard of them back in 2008, when Hyun Joong was cast in the *very* popular Korean remake of ‘Boys over Flowers’.
Let the early ‘00s aesthetic of the group photo wash over you before giving in to one of the most persistent earworms of K-pop: ‘UR MAN’. Brushing the absurd spelling aside, almost 12 years have passed since I first heard this song and it is still on constant playback in my brain at the most random times.
Not only is the song extremely catchy, but so is the -dare I say, iconic– choreography.
Take this chance to fall in love with this tune which remains a favourite of mine to this day, but don’t be surprised when you catch yourself humming “I’m your man, I’m your man geudeyo~”
They have many songs I’d recommend to give a listen to, but for now, take this in:
