Edited by Yoon
Translated by Changhyun Kim
Here are the 5 K-pop idol groups that left a deep impression on the music fans with their perfect debut performances.
2NE1 – Fire (2009)
2NE1 has shown refined performances and stage manners since their debut. The group stood out because each member had distinct characters: Minzy, the energetic dancer; Sandara Park, the girl with the iconic palm tree hairstyle; Park Bom, the main vocalist with an irreplaceable voice; and CL, a rookie singer with an unusual charisma. Their debut track, “Fire,” is a reggae song filled with various elements, including the intro with vibrant electronic sounds, verse with catchy lyrics, and the chorus with killing part at the end. Notably, CL’s rap part in the opening is still regarded as one of the most iconic parts of their song. 2NE1 continued to keep their crown as they released a string of hits such as “I Don’t Care,” “Lonely,” “I Am the Best,” and “I Love You.”
SHINee – Replay (2008)
SM Entertainment wanted SHINee to break the paradigm of the label. Unlike their labelmates TVXQ and Super Junior, SHINee excluded ‘SM-ish’ factors from their songs. For example, producer Yoo Young Jin and his iconic lyrics on social criticism sat out of the production of their albums. Instead, they focused on creating a set of very modern, trendy music. SHINee’s first few songs mostly emphasized the sounds of band sessions, just like how they introduced themselves as a “contemporary band” when they debuted. The debut song “Replay” broke the stereotypes of boy groups as they showed off their charms as young and handsome romantic interests while addressing the listeners as “Nuna (Korean word for elder sister).” The song received much love for its complex choreography and stable live performance. You can also hear Taemin’s rap in this song, which is hard to hear in their latest albums.
Miss A – Bad Girl Good Girl (2010)
As JYP Entertainment’s second girl group following Wonder Girls, Miss A created a craze with their debut song. Although it’s true that the members played their part in nailing their performances, the song itself played a big role in the group’s success. Instead of using light and enjoyable lyrics, the song sends a cynical message to those who neglect the artists dancing on the stage. Miss A broke the common sense of girl groups as they confidently expressed themselves as they are. With a timeless melody and unique choreography, “Bad Girl Good Girl” not only became Miss A’s signature song but also left a lasting mark on K-pop history. However, their debut song might have been too catchy. While the group reached their peak with “Good-bye Baby,” many said that the song couldn’t overtake the record of “Bad Girl Good Girl.”
MAMAMOO – Mr. Ambiguous (2014)
At the time of their debut, MAMAMOO focused on showing their exceptional talents. Instead of following the trend of creating unique worldviews or flaunting fancy choreography, MAMAMOO showed their natural and energetic selves. “Mr. Ambiguous,” the title track of their first mini-album HELLO, sends a straightforward message to the man who is acting ambiguously. With this song, MAMAMOO stole the hearts of many fans with their strong vocal performances and refined stage manners. The members added liveliness to their performances with humorous expressions and grabbed the viewer’s attention with clever ad-libs on each stage. These witty performances were also shown in the congratulatory stage of a film award ceremony, which made headlines on many occasions. MAMAMOO continued to show off their funky and free-spirited performances in their songs including “Um Oh Ah Yeh,” “You’re the Best,” “Yes I Am,” and “HIP.”
SEVENTEEN – Adore U (2015)
SEVENTEEN has garnered attention from the start as a thirteen-member group, and many were both excited and concerned to see such a large number of members on stage. However, worries on the group turned out to be needless, as they came out with a classy track and perfectly synchronized choreography. Notably, SEVENTEEN has produced all the tracks by themselves since their debut album 17 CARAT. While it is not common for a boy band to make their debut with their own song, SEVENTEEN decided to do so all thanks to Uzi’s outstanding songwriting skills and the team’s brilliant choreography. The group continued to show their bubbly and refreshing charms with “MANSAE,” “Pretty U,” and “Very Nice,” and has successfully built their unique style. While they tried to show many different concepts with emotional and charismatic songs, they have kept their identity as a ‘self-producing’ group.
Editor Yoon: I love music, especially K-POP, and I dream of becoming an A&R person, lyricist, artist, etc. I will cover various articles, including song reviews, artist reviews, and K-pop market analysis.
Translator Changhyun Kim: Hello, K-pop, K-drama, and K-movie lovers! I will provide you with accurate and reliable Korean Entertainment news.
