NRG (South Korean band)

NRG, acronym for New Radiancy Group (Hangul: 엔알지), was a South Korean pop music group. Originally a five-member boy band consisting of Chun Myung-hoon, Lee Sung-jin, Noh Yoo-min, Moon Sung-hoon, and Kim Hwan-sung (deceased), NRG debuted in 1997 and underwent sporadic periods of activity and hiatus between 2000 and 2008 before going on an extended hiatus. In 2017 they regrouped as a trio to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut and released an extended play.

NRG
OriginSouth Korea
Genres
Years active1997–2005; 2017–2018
LabelsMusic Factory
Past members

Members

Past members
  • Lee Sung-jin (Hangul: 이성진) – leader, vocals (1997-1999; 2001-2006; 2017-2018)
  • Chun Myung-hoon (Hangul: 천명훈) – vocals, rap (1997-1999; 2001-2006; 2017-2018)
  • Noh Yoo-min (Hangul: 노유민) – vocals (1997-2006; 2017-2018)
  • Moon Sung-hoon (Hangul: 문성훈) (1997-2005)
  • Kim Hwan-sung (Hangul: 김환성) (1997-2000; died 2000)

Timeline

History

1996: Formation

Lee Sung-jin and Chun Myung-hoon originally debuted in 1996 as duet under the name HamoHamo and released one album with moderate success from the singles, "Papillion" and "Pangpang". Moon Sung-hoon and Noh Yoo-min originally backup dancers for HamoHamo. They were discovered by music producer Kim Tae-hyung (ko).[1] Due to the success of the five-member idol group H.O.T, Kim Tae-hyung decided that they should become a four-member dance group. Kim Hwan-sung, who had previously been part of a quartet called Kkaebi Kkaebi and then a project group with Shoo of S.E.S. and Son Ho-young and Danny Ahn of g.o.d, was later added to the line-up.

1997–1999: Debut, breakthrough and line-up changes

NRG debuted on October 28, 1997 on the cable music program Music Tank (ko) with the single "I Can Do It" (할 수 있어). Two weeks after their debut, the group held an MC spot for ten weeks on the show. Their first album New Radiancy Group sold over 200,000 copies in South Korea. At the 1998 SBS Popular Song Awards, NRG won the New Face Award (Best Male New Artist). According to H.O.T members Moon Hee-joon and Tony An, they had initially considered NRG their professional rival rather than Sechs Kies as NRG introduced acrobatic stunts into their choreography, which was considered groundbreaking at that time.

NRG's second album Race was released that same year, and featured more high energy dance songs like "Messenger", selling over 300,000 copies in South Korea. With the second album, NRG was also able to find success outside of Korea, selling albums in both China and Japan.[2] NRG became the first South Korean musical group to actively market themselves in China, where they have sold over 100,000 copies. Today, NRG is widely credited as one of the pioneers of the Korean Wave (Korean Hallyu) that first swept through Asia in the late 1990s.[3]

In 1999, Lee left the group to pursue a career in acting and hosting, while Chun took a less visible role in the group by choreographing their dance routines and writing and composing rather than performing. They released their third album, NRG 003 as well as a Christmas album that year titled Kiss In Christmas.

2000-2001: Kim Hwan-sung’s death, Sorrow, and temporary hiatus

Tragedy struck when Kim died suddenly of a virus infection on June 15, 2000. He had been admitted to the hospital on June 6 but his condition quickly deteriorated to the point where he was placed on life support.[4] The members went on a one-year hiatus to mourn his death and considered disbanding permanently at one point.

NRG's fourth album Sorrow (悲) was released in 2001 with the title track written for them by H.O.T. member Kangta. In August 2001, NRG held their first concert in Korea, paying tribute to Hwan-sung by performing "Good Bye My Friend" and "Antonio" (Hwan-sung's nickname) which was written and composed by Myung-hoon.

2002–2005: Return with Hit Song, first number-one song, New Radiancy 6 Group, and Sung-hoon's Departure

Almost four years after the death of Kim Hwan-sung, NRG returned with their fifth album Hit Song in 2003. The lead single "Hit Song" earned the group their first ever #1 win on a music program. They were also named in the Teen's Choice Top 10 Singers (ko) at the MBC Gayo Daejejeon music awards. During the ceremony, the members dedicated their win to Kim.[5]

In 2004, NRG released their sixth album New Radiancy 6 Group. The title track placed 4th in the pop charts as the World Cup neared, and was fitting for the occasion. However, the song, "Hurray For A Virile Son Of Korea" did not chart. Soon afterward, Moon announced his departure for unspecified reasons and remained out of the public eye for over a decade; he appeared on the SBS show Star Couple (ko) with his wife in 2012 and revealed that they had a son, although they have since divorced.[6][7] NRG promoted as a three-member group once again.[8]

2005–2015: One of Five, "Eternity", and temporary disbandment

In 2005, the now three-member NRG released their seventh album One of Five but it was not as successful. They decided to go on hiatus as two members would be beginning their mandatory military service. Having regrouped as a trio in 2008, they released their single "Eternity". However, Lee withdrew from the group permanently as he was being investigated over a gambling scandal.[9] Noh and Chun eventually decided to go their separate ways.

Lee left the entertainment industry and stayed out of the public eye for personal reasons.[9] Noh ventured into business and made sporadic appearances on various variety shows, including Handsome Boys of the 20th Century which starred Chun and four other fellow first-generation idol group members. Chun released a digital single and stayed active in the entertainment industry. NRG's debut single "You Can Do It" was remade by the cast of Handsome Boys of the 20th Century and the new version charted on the Gaon Digital Chart.

2016–2018: Reunion

On October 22, 2016, NRG held a fan meeting and announced that NRG would be getting back together with all the members except for Moon, although they continued to remain in contact with him throughout the years.[1] On September 27, 2017, it was announced NRG would participate in the 2017 Dream Concert, marking their first performance since their disbandment 11 years ago.[10] On October 19, the first teaser images were revealed. One week later, it was revealed the track and the new album, 20th Century (20세기), were released under Genie Music. 20th Century charted in the Gaon Album Chart, peaking at #39.[11]

In March 2018, Moon joined the other NRG members on the talk show Video Star. It was the first time in thirteen years all four members were on television together and, for the first time in over fifteen years, publicly spoke about how Kim's death had affected them.[12] Lee, Chun and Noh also appeared on the MBC documentary series Human Documentary: Good People (ko) and met up with Kim's parents.[13]

Musical style and influences

NRG is considered to be the pioneers of dance pop in the K-pop industry and their repertoire has been described as "high energy dance music".[14] Their songs notably sample elements of Eurobeat and electronic music. They are also the earliest known K-pop group to incorporate acrobatic stunts into their choreography.

Discography

Studio albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[15]
New Radiancy Group
  • Released: November 1997
  • Label: Music Factory
  • Format: CD, cassette
 No data No data
Race
  • Released: August 7, 1998
  • Label: Music Factory
  • Format: CD, cassette
NRG 003
  • Released: November 4, 1999
  • Label: Music Factory
  • Format: CD, cassette
 13
Sorrow (悲)
  • Released: June 4, 2001
  • Label: Music Factory
  • Format: CD, cassette
 14
Hit Song
  • Released: February 7, 2003
  • Label: Music Factory
  • Format: CD, cassette
 5
New Radiancy 6 Group
  • Released: April 30, 2004
  • Label: Music Factory
  • Format: CD, cassette
 12
One of Five
  • Released: November 22, 2005
  • Label: Music Factory
  • Format: CD, cassette
 — N/A

Compilation albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[15]
Season's Greeting
  • Released: November 1, 1998
  • Label: Music Factory
  • Format: CD, cassette
 No data No data
Kiss In Christmas
  • Released: November 1999
  • Label: Music Factory
  • Format: CD, cassette
 — N/A

Live albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[15]
2000 Live Concert In China
  • Released: September 6, 2000
  • Label: Music Factory
  • Format: CD, cassette
 — N/A
1st Concert with Antonio
  • Released: October 30, 2001
  • Label: Music Factory
  • Format: CD, cassette
 46

Extended plays
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[21]
20th (20세기)
  • Released: October 28, 2017
  • Label: Music Factory
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 39

Singles
  • "I Can Do It" (할 수 있어) (New Radiancy Group)
  • "Breakfast At Tiffany's" (티파니에서 아침을) (New Radiancy Group) [23]
  • "Making Love" (사랑만들기) (Race)
  • "Messenger" (Race)
  • "You! Me!" (NRG 003)
  • "Face" (NRG 003)
  • "Sorrow" (비) (Sorrow)[24]
  • "Hit Song" (Hit Song)
  • "Friend" (친구) (Hit Song)
  • "Hurray For A Virile Son Of Korea" (대한건아 만세) (New Radiancy 6 Group)
  • "별책부록" (One of Five)
  • "Eternity"
  • "20th Century Night" (20th)
  • "On The Phone : Clean Ver." (통화 중)
  • "Line is Busy"
  • "Go to the Pyeongchang"

Awards

Mnet Asian Music Awards
Year Category Work Result
2001 Asian Viewers' Request Award "Sorrow" (비)[25] Won
2003 Best Male Group "Hit Song"[26] Nominated
2004 Best Male Group Video "Hurray For A Virile Son Of Korea" (대한건아만세)[27] Nominated
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See also

References
  1. "'NRG제작자' 소방차 김태형 "故김환성, 착한 천사같은 아이"(인터뷰)". The Korea Times (Los Angeles) (in Korean). June 13, 2016.
  2. "유럽소녀 흥분 그 후 케이팝의 불편한 진실". Weekly Dong-A (The Dong-a Ilbo) (in Korean). July 4, 2011.
  3. KBS World
  4. "NRG 멤버들, 故 김환성 추억하며 눈물…19세에 갑자기 사망, 사스 때문?". The Dong-a Ilbo. March 7, 2018.
  5. "'NRG' 멤버 고 김환성 무대 부활". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). December 24, 2003.
  6. "NRG 문성훈, 미모의 아내와 붕어빵 아들 최초공개". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). September 7, 2012.
  7. "[연예수첩] NRG 출신 문성훈, 이혼 고백" (in Korean). KBS. April 12, 2017.
  8. http://www.allkpop.com/article/2011/10/a-trip-down-memory-lane-n-r-g
  9. "[취중토크①] 이성진 "딱 한 번의 도박, 전 재산 날렸죠"". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). April 28, 2017.
  10. https://www.allkpop.com/article/2017/09/dream-concert-in-pyeongchang-to-feature-exo-cbx-wanna-one-nuest-w-red-velvet-more
  12. "[종합]"이성진부터 故김환성까지"…'비스' NRG, 이제 혼자가 아니야". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). March 6, 2018.
  13. "'사람이' NRG, 故김환성 추억 "허전해도 항상 같이 한다는 생각"". Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). March 27, 2018.
  14. "2집 <사랑 만들기> N.R.G". The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). September 1998.
  15. "K-pop Album Sales Volume" (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on 2018-07-01. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
  16. "November 1999 K-pop Album Sales Volume" (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on 2018-04-28. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
  17. "June 2001 K-pop Album Sales Volume" (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on 2018-07-01. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
  18. "2003 K-pop Album Sales Volume" (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
  19. "2004 K-pop Album Sales Volume" (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
  20. "October 2001 K-pop Album Sales Volume" (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on 2018-04-25. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
  21. "Gaon Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
  22. "October 2017 Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
  23. This song is about the movie, Breakfast At Tiffany`s, a 1961 film starring Audrey Hepburn
  24. This song released a year after the death of Kim Hwan Sung and is also about the tragedy.
  25. "2001 MMF part 1". MAMA. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  26. "2003 MMF part 1". Mwave. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  27. "2004 MKMF part 1" Archived 2014-08-26 at the Wayback Machine. Mwave. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
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