[Special Report] A Look at Shinhwa′s 17 Year History, A Record of 6206 Days

The entertainment industry is overflowing with idol singers.
It′s a jungle all about survival, and in the middle of this battle field is an idol group that has survived for the past 17 years. Six-member group, Shinhwa (Eric, Kim Dong Wan, Shin Hye Sung, Lee Min Woo, Jun Jin, Andy) is that group.

In February, Shinhwa released its new album, WE, returning to the stage after a year and nine months. Through the title song, Sniper, Shinhwa swept the music programs of the three main broadcast stations, as well as cable. Despite many moments of crisis, how did this group manage to remain on top after 17 years without any member changes?


▶Shinhwa′s Birth - ′The Beginning was Weak′

Shinhwa: We′ll write a new shinhwa (legend) of new music, a new generation, and a new century.

Shinhwa debuted on March 24, 1998 with the first album, The Solver on KMTV′s Show Music Tank. But at the time, H.O.T and Sechs Kies held a strong grip on the male idol gruop market, keeping Shinhwa hidden in the shadows. Shinhwa′s prime began in 1999 with the release of its second album title song, T.O.P. With the sampling of the classical song, Swan Lake, it hit number one on music charts.

▶Fandom - ′Shinhwa and Shinhwa Chang Jo′

When you think Shinhwa, you can′t leave out its fanclub, Shinhwa Changjo. Established in 1998, Shinhwa Changjo has stayed by Shinhwa′s side for the past 17 years. The image of fans excitedly and passionately shaking their orange balloons and glow sticks is not an unfamiliar sight.

Shinhwa Changjo isn′t just about loving Shinhwa. As the first fanclub to use the Dreamy donation wreath and catering services, Shinhwa Changjo didn′t skimp out on support, even planting a Shinhwa forest in the Gangnam district for the group′s 15th anniversary. The Shinhwa members have also shown their unique affection towards fans through SNS with honest and cool interactions and even released the song Memomy for the fans.


▶Trophy Hunting for 17 Years

Being active from 1998 to 2015, Shinhwa has released 12 full-length albums, and seven mini albums. Through its promotions all this time, Shinhwa has taken a total of 55 trophies in various music programs on regular and cable broadcast stations.

KBS Music Bank : 10
SBS Inkigayo : 21
MBC Music Core : 12
Mnet M COUNTDOWN : 9
MBC Music Show Champion : 3

▶The Inflection Points of Crisis and Golden Days

-Golden Days

① June, 1999: First Music Program Win with 2nd Album T.O.P

After having a weak promotional period with the first album, Shinhwa took its first win with T.O.P from the second album. From this point onward, Shinhwa became known as the idol group with clean-cut dance moves. Although Shinhwa ended the first album sales at 90,000 copies, the group sold close to 380,000 with T.O.P, rising as a top idol group.

② November, 2004: SBS Gayo Awards Daesang with Brand New

To idol groups, what do award shows mean?
During 1990-2000, it was the era of soloists. Seo Taiji, Kim Gun Mo, Lim Chang Jung, Jo Sung Mo, Song Dae Kwan, Tae Jin Ah and more swept all the awards of the three regular broadcast stations.

It was very rare for an idol group to receive a daesang. That′s why Shinhwa winning the 2014 SBS Gayo Awards was a meaningful evaluation. Up until that point, the only male idol group that received daesangs were H.O.T and g.o.d.

Selling 340,000 copies, Shinhwa hit its highest point with Brand New. The group especially broke away from the tag of ′idol group′ and received a lot of love approaching the public through dramas, variety programs and more.

③ May, 2013: Most Trophies Since Debut with This Love

During 2009-2012, Shinhwa went through dark times. At the time, there were many reports saying that Shinhwa has ′realistically disbanded.′ With the members heading off to the army or focusing on individual activities, the rumors of disbandment grew stronger. The group re-grouped in 2012 with much struggle, but lacking results with Venus at the time brought the group cold evaluations saying ′it would be hard to continue.′

However, in 2013, Shinhwa rose again.
With This Love, Shinhwa swept the music programs, including the three regular brodcast station programs, M COUNTDOWN, and Show Champion, taking home a total of eight trophies.

It was the most trophies the group received since debut.


- Crisis

① June, 2001: Andy′s Absence

For Shinhwa, a group known for their strong ties with each other, could there be a more shocking event than a member′s absence? Having studied at Korea Kent Foreign School, Andy went through difficulty when his education was not acknowledged at the time. His admission to Hankuk University of Foriegn Studies was canceled, bringing up court battles. Due to this and other issues, Andy was unable to participate in the fourth album promotions for Hey Come On.

② May, 2003: Leaving SM

SM Entertainment was the place where Shinhwa was born and the place that shielded Shinhwa from harsh external typhoons. However, during the re-signing process, opinions clashed and roads separated. As the separation took place with negative feelings still up in the air, this led to struggles with SM afterwards, causing fans sadness.

However, after moving to Good Entertainment, the Shinhwa members started the new strategy of ′together, but separate,′ greeting a new high point. While keeping the group together, the members individually ventured out to acting, variety programs, music production, musicals, solo activities and performances, earning much popularity.

③ 2009-2013: ′Realistically Disbanded? The Four Year Period of Darkness′

In 2008 after the 10th anniversary concert, Shinhwa met its biggest obstacle. g.o.d, as well as the other idol groups that Shinhwa has promoted with, had all realistically disbanded, and with the members going to the army one after another, Shinhwa met its longest hiatus period. With Eric especially rising in the acting world, people began to speculate that Shinhwa has ′realistically been disbanded.′

▶ Shinhwa′s 17 years, the Special Record They Set

First idol group in Korea to hold a 10th anniversary concert.

First singer in Korea to perform a song in Korea on a regular broadcast station in Japan.

All title songs of 11 official albums, released from 1999 to 2015, won number one on music programs.

Shinhwa Broadcast - first idol main reality program to run more than a year.



Thoughts of Fans: "There were no member changes or departures," "They kept their promise with fans (to hold a concert every year after returning from the army)," "They′re continuously challenging themselves (first group to try the voguing dance in Korea, and more)."

Thoughts of Shincom Entertainment: "The responsbility towards the brand named ′Shinhwa,′" "Respect for each member′s individual activities."

Thoughts of Shinhwa: "No basking in the past, but competing with idols of today with skills and performances that aren′t lacking."

Cr:http://mwave.interest.me