The very first time I was introduced to Korean all-male group ‘Shinhwa‘ (신화) was when C invited me over to watch their music videos and live concert. For some reason (maybe it was the weirdness of skin rotting and alien-like creatures?) it was the Wild Eyes music video (below) which left an impression on me.

Not long later, I found myself getting sucked into the whole Shinhwa fan-girl thing (a much much tamer version). I went out and listened to all their albums, as well as watching random videos and performances. In fact, Shinhwa is the whole reason I even went into the whole hanryu (Korean Wave) craze!

Although their first few albums weren’t quite my usual style at the time, there were still enough tracks to lure me in. But it was after they released their 7th album Brand New (when they moved to Good Entertainment) that I stopped following them. I guess after having Shinhwa release 6 albums in 6 years, their 1 year hiatus threw me off their scent.

I always thought the reason for their hiatus was because of the compulsary national service which all South Korean males had to enlist in. It was only when I went through my old korean mp3 collection that I remembered how much I enjoyed listening to and watching Shinhwa perform. So like an ex-fan, I googled ‘Shinhwa’ only to realise that they just celebrated their 10th Anniversary (in 2008), a couple of their members are enlisting for national service (Eric and Dong Wan), and I’ve missed 2 of their albums! (I’ll review their albums on another post)

What I love the most is how Shinhwa has evolved over the years, not only in music style but also in thier image:

From the typical boy-group gravity defying style of the times… scary!

To a milder but still peroxide filled style… cuter

To a simple more serious image

To smart and mature… suave!

To what we now know them as

Good Entertainment sure cleaned them up nicely!

Anyway, what I found most interesting is the difference in acomplishments each of the 6 members made individually. The last time I kept tabs on them:

• Hye Sung formed ‘S‘ with Kangta and Lee Ji Hoon to release Fr.in.Cl (I’ll review later), as well as released his own solo album
• Min Woo had released 2 solo albums and also starred in a movie
• Eric was focusing on acting, completing a successful movie and going into more roles
• Dong Wan and Jun Jin were working on releasing their first solo albums as well as acting in a drama
• Andy was in a drama…

I’m not surprised with Hye Sung and Min Woo having successful solo singing careers, they were always my favourite singers in Shinhwa. Eric going big inthe film industry was no surprise either since he made such an impressive entry. I was surprised with Dong Wan’s solo album though (I didn’t expect to enjoy it so much), hopefully his second album was just as much of a surprise as the first was. Jun Jin on the other hand, I never quite followed, so I can’t really comment on him. And last of all, Andy has to be the biggest surprise of all! I didn’t realise how good an actor Andy would become, especially when I dismissed his initial performances…

Although Shinhwa’s group activities will stop for now, but members will all be busy with their own solo projects. Kim Dongwan and Junjin will release their 2nd albums respectively, while Lee Minwoo will be holding his solo concert in the US and in Shanghai. Eric will act in a drama before he enlists into the army, Andy will also feature in a drama after he finishes his promotions for his first album, while Shin Hyesung is scheduled to release his 3rd solo album in June [2008].

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It’s pretty impressive that Shinhwa has been together for so long, and even more impressive that each of the members have made their individual mark in the entertainment industry. Hopefully they decide to get together again after they each serve their national service!~