BACK TO Ok-POP’S FIRST GENERATION: Sechs Kies – Chivalry

Ok-Pop’s first era is commonly referenced as the muse for the trade we get pleasure from now, however there aren’t sufficient good English-language sources that give its music the main focus it deserves. I’m hoping to vary that with a seamless flashback sequence, spotlighting private highlights from the period – each iconic and obscure.

The period in query is commonly thought of to run from the debut of Website positioning Taiji & Boys in 1992 to the emergence of TVXQ in late 2003. The music featured on this sequence will largely match inside that time-frame, give or take a couple of years on both aspect.

It was a time of bonkers tune constructions, wild style, slamming techno beats, dangerous reggae impressions, flagrant use (theft?) of American hip-hop samples, hearty energy ballads, foul language, the growliest rapper tones you’ll be able to think about and an anything-goes scrappiness that’s unattainable to pigeonhole. To borrow the identify of a well-liked second-gen act, these years had been the “large bang” of an rising musical powerhouse, nonetheless discovering its footing and throwing every part on the wall.

Take a look at different “Again to Ok-pop’s First Era” critiques right here.

After in the present day, this function will transfer from being every day to extra sporadic as I flip my consideration to the numerous year-end countdowns for 2024. And to mark the top of this “season” of posts, I have to function a tune whose efficiency has develop into considered one of Ok-pop’s most infamous memes.

Sechs Kies are vital to cowl on their very own. Alongside H.O.T, they had been a pioneer of Korean idol teams and the fandom rivalry between these two acts is the stuff of legend. They had been immensely in style throughout their preliminary run, disbanding on the peak of their fame. They’re in all probability greatest identified for his or her mega-hit Couple – considered one of Ok-pop’s greatest early ballads. Nevertheless, the tune I need to write about in the present day is Chivalry.

Although Chivalry by no means had a music video, it was promoted on music exhibits – most notoriously on MBC’s High Music. I received’t spoil it for anybody who hasn’t seen this but, however simply click on the primary video beneath and benefit from the (very NSFW) introduction. The truth that this tune is known as “Chivalry” makes it all of the funnier. However past the novelty of this alternative, I really feel like this second greatest encapsulates the wild, anything-goes vitality of Ok-pop’s first era. The truth that they may away with that is endlessly amusing to me.

Past “the second” of that MBC efficiency, Chivalry is considered one of my favourite Sechs Kies hits. It’s large and brash and options that nice mix of rock and dance that this period of Ok-pop doled out so properly. There’s an aural firepower unleashed proper from the primary second, storming ahead with unrelenting depth. The refrain is a bit underdeveloped in comparison with comparable songs like Street Fighter, however the group’s unwavering character undoubtedly compensates.

Grade: B+