The group was formed in 1997, just as other groups like S.E.S. were starting out. Their first single ("Haircut") hit #47 on the Korean charts, and the success of the first album was dismal. This was attributed to the different, edgier style that Baby V.O.X had, considering that their rivals Fin.K.L and S.E.S. had adopted cute looks to great success. DR Music (their record company) then replaced three members (with 간미연 (Kan Miyoun), 이가이 (Lee Gai), and 심은진 (Shim Eunjin)) and had them train for the next year in order to succeed. Their second album, titled 'Baby VOX II', was a much bigger success, hitting #7 on the Korean pop charts. However, there was more internal turmoil when it was revealed that 이가이 (Lee Gai) was much older than the rest of the girls and had actually lied to the management company about her age. Considering that she was also viewed as not fitting in with the rest of the members, she was cut from the group and replaced by 윤은혜 (Yoon Eun Hye), who was significantly younger and appeared to have more mass appeal. Their third album, released in 1999, showed off the new Baby V.O.X, and it was their first major success, topping the Korean music charts and having three strong singles: "Get Up", "Killer", and "Missing You".
Their third album's success can be partially attributed to changing music tastes in Korea. Baby V.O.X, like many K-pop groups, has gone through several image makeovers through the years. However, although they focused on a cuter image for their second album (apparent in their music video and performances for the second album's lead single "야야야" (Ya Ya Ya)), the group was always seen as the more mature and sexier Korean girl group. As older, sexier images were more widely received by the Korean public, Baby V.O.X's success continued.
In 2002, Baby V.O.X released a greatest hits album as their "5.5"th, featuring two CDs of dance music and one of ballads, with a VCD of their music videos included. One of the new songs on the album, "우연" (Uyeon), was a great success, and Baby V.O.X managed to perform it on the network music shows for almost the whole summer. The single's success was sustained by the Latin remix of the single, which fit in with popular tastes at the time. It was also during this time that the group found fame outside of Korea; they were successful in China and Thailand with this album and single.
In spring of 2003, Baby V.O.X released their 6th album, a feat achieved by very few Korean pop groups. They even released a photo album that was purported to have semi-nude images of the girls (with 윤은혜 (Yoon Eun Hye) unable to participate due to her being underage), causing some controversy, but it faded as the image content was found to be hyped up by the media. However, this was also when Baby V.O.X's luck started to change. Although their singles "나 어떡해" (Na Eotteokhae) and "바램" (Baraem) were popular, album sales were lower than usual. In addition, performances appeared to be lackluster, especially with the latter single, as it was not promoted for a long time; this may be attributed to the fact that members have stated that they did not like this album's concept.
Their seventh and last album 'Ride West', released in April 2004, featured songs in English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, as well as appearances by well-known American hip hop artists, such as 2Pac and Jennifer Lopez, although 2Pac's "appearance" is a freestyle rap that he recorded while in prison. This album was proclaimed to be what catapulted Baby V.O.X into the international spotlight, hence the English single. In fact, the music video for the album's feature song, "Xcstasy", was done in English, featuring expensive luxury vehicles and well-dressed, highly preened divas, apparently in emulation of the "Bling bling" style of hip-hop videos popular in the United States during the late 1990s and early 2000s. They performed in this style as well, with sexy dance moves and provocative clothing, seen as a bit extreme in conservative Korea. However, this release was accompanied by much controversy. There was first the issue as to whether their managing group, DR Music, could legally use 2Pac's material in the recording, with 2Pac's repesentatives claiming that DR did not have authorization. Eventually, the group stopped performing the single. A second single, "Play", featuring Jennifer Lopez, was promoted for a short while, but sales were lower than previous albums.
The slow implosion of Baby V.O.X continued in 2005. As their contract was up by the end of 2004, fans wondered whether Baby V.O.X would stay together. 심은진 (Shim Eunjin) decided that she would not, because she did not agree with the group's image and direction, and was the first to leave the group (in order to pursue a solo career). She was followed by 윤은혜 (Yoon Eun Hye), who initially renewed her contract but left it in order to pursue an acting career, which so far has been quite successful (as evidenced by her hit drama Goong). Baby V.O.X continued for a while as a threesome, doing some promotional activities outside of Korea, with their record company promising that Baby V.O.X would continue. However, as the months passed on, so did the members. 김이지 (Kim Eiji, also known as Kim E-Z) left sometime in early 2006 (to pursue acting), with 간미연 (Kan Miyoun) also leaving (and signing a solo deal on another label). 이희진 (Lee Heejin) was the only remaining Baby V.O.X member, and she also left DR Music to pursue a career in acting. However, DR Music eventually created a spinoff group called Baby V.O.X Re.v. This group made its debut in January, visiting various countries; the group's first single is "Shee".
Break It Up
Baby V.O.X Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
비워봐도 지워지지 않아 crazy
매일 넌 날 비웃듯 링가링가링
맴돌아 내 귓가에 울려 링가링
마치 shadow처럼 끝없이 따라와
나를 이토록 제멋대로 움직여
매번 알고도 당하는 난 up and down
너란 칼에 날카롭게 베여
정지된 시공간 속에 갇혔어 난
Warning warning warning uh
I can tell you I'm in fire
다 burn it up 모든걸 불태울게 존재하지 않았던 것처럼
다 burn it up 조금도 흔적 없이 재조차 남아있지 않도록
다 burn it up 내 맘에 자라난 넌 monster
가시만 돋아나 날 찔러
다 burn it up 내 맘을 태워 버릴 거야
I feel like, I feel like I burn it up
불꽃 속에 활활 피어나 I burn it up
까만 재가 되어 사라져
잠시간 좋았던 기억 진실이라 믿고 싶던
눈부신 순간 그조차 잘 짜여진
드라마라니 기가 막히는 반전
너란 칼에 날카롭게 베여
정지된 시공간 속에 갇혔어 난
Warning warning warning uh
I can tell you I'm in fire
다 burn it up 모든걸 불태울게 존재하지 않았던 것처럼
다 burn it up 조금도 흔적 없이 재조차 남아있지 않도록
다 burn it up 내 맘에 자라난 넌 monster
가시만 돋아나 날 찔러
다 burn it up 내 맘을 태워 버릴 거야
I feel like I feel like I burn it up
불꽃 속에 활활 피어나 I burn it up
까만 재가 되어 사라져
아닌걸 알면서도 눈물 한 방울로 또
모든 게 흔들리던 나
제발 사라져 주길 바래
영원히 우릴 기억할 수 없게 yeah yeah
Burn it up
뜨겁게 번졌던 널 이제 fire
다 burn it up 내 전부를 버린다 존재하지 않았던 것처럼
다 burn it up 다 비워 질 때까지 무엇도 남아있지 않도록
다 burn it up 내 맘에 자라난 넌 monster
가시만 돋아나 날 찔러
다 burn it up 내 맘을 태워 버릴 거야
I feel like I feel like I burn it up
불꽃 속에 활활 피어나 I burn it up
까만 재가 되어 사라져
The lyrics of Baby V.O.X's song "Break It Up" describe a toxic relationship that has left emotional scars. The singer feels marked by the relationship, as if a red stamp has been placed on their heart that won't go away no matter how hard they try to erase it. They hear the cruel laughter of their partner mocking them constantly (ring-a-ling-a-ling), as if they are a shadow that can never escape their abuser's control. The singer knows the danger they are in, yet they can't escape the ups and downs of the relationship.
The chorus talks about burning everything up so that there is no trace left of the relationship. The singer wants to erase the monster that has grown inside their heart and is tearing them apart. They want everything to turn into ashes, so they can emerge from the flames like a phoenix. The singer is acknowledging that even the good memories were false and that their love was never meant to last. They cry a single tear even though they know the relationship was doomed from the start. They hope to forget everything about it, to vanquish the monster that has been taking over their heart, and to rise from the ashes of the burnt relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
내 맘에 새빨간 낙인이 찍힌 것 같이
Feeling like there's a bright red stamp on my heart
비워봐도 지워지지 않아 crazy
Even if I try to empty it out, it won't disappear, it's crazy
매일 넌 날 비웃듯 링가링가링
Everyday, you mock me, ring-a-ling-a-ling
맴돌아 내 귓가에 울려 링가링
Ringing in my ear, echoing on and on, ring-a-ling
마치 shadow처럼 끝없이 따라와
Following me endlessly like a shadow
나를 이토록 제멋대로 움직여
Making me move like nothing I want, on your own will
매번 알고도 당하는 난 up and down
I'm up and down, knowing what will happen every time
너란 칼에 날카롭게 베여
Sharp like a knife, you cut me
정지된 시공간 속에 갇혔어 난
I'm trapped in a frozen time and space
Warning warning warning uh
Warning, warning, warning, uh
I can tell you I'm in fire
I can tell you, I'm in fire
다 burn it up 모든걸 불태울게 존재하지 않았던 것처럼
I'll burn everything up, as if it never existed
다 burn it up 조금도 흔적 없이 재조차 남아있지 않도록
I'll burn it all up, not even leaving ashes behind
다 burn it up 내 맘에 자라난 넌 monster
I'll burn it all up, including the monster that grew in my heart
가시만 돋아나 날 찔러
Only the thorns, piercing me
다 burn it up 내 맘을 태워 버릴 거야
I'll burn up my heart, completely
I feel like, I feel like I burn it up
I feel like I'm burning it all up
불꽃 속에 활활 피어나 I burn it up
Blossoming in flames, I burn it all up
까만 재가 되어 사라져
Turning into black ashes and disappearing
잠시간 좋았던 기억 진실이라 믿고 싶던
A memory that was good for a while, wanting to believe it was true
눈부신 순간 그조차 잘 짜여진
Even the dazzling moment is well-orchestrated
드라마라니 기가 막히는 반전
It's like a drama, an incredible twist
아닌걸 알면서도 눈물 한 방울로 또
Knowing it's not true, yet shedding tears
모든 게 흔들리던 나
I was shaken, everything was shaken
제발 사라져 주길 바래
Please disappear, I hope
영원히 우릴 기억할 수 없게 yeah yeah
So that we can't be remembered forever, yeah, yeah
뜨겁게 번졌던 널 이제 fire
You who were once hot, now fire
다 burn it up 내 전부를 버린다 존재하지 않았던 것처럼
I'll burn it all up, like it never existed, throwing away everything
다 burn it up 다 비워 질 때까지 무엇도 남아있지 않도록
I'll burn it all up, nothing will be left until it's empty
다 burn it up 내 맘에 자라난 넌 monster
I'll burn it all up, including the monster that grew in my heart
가시만 돋아나 날 찔러
Only the thorns, piercing me
다 burn it up 내 맘을 태워 버릴 거야
I'll burn up my heart, completely
I feel like I feel like I burn it up
I feel like I'm burning it all up
불꽃 속에 활활 피어나 I burn it up
Blossoming in flames, I burn it all up
까만 재가 되어 사라져
Turning into black ashes and disappearing
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: I.M, JQ, Daniel Caesar, Daniel Kim, Jiyeon Park, Junghwan Park, Lee Joo Heon, Ludwig Lindell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Valeria
Miyoun rlly shined in this. I can’t believe she was only 16 when she did this. To be honest, all of the baby box members (former and final lineup) are very talented singers.
M Hail
“Lost? You ain’t got shit to blame” DR still keeping an edge even in this phase of Baby Vox 👌🏼
David Fong
Love this track. Miyoun shines in this one.
Eros Hawj
I love this song from the 1st baby vox
푸퍼Puffer
이노래 존좋
ireondeuleoddeohari
베이비복스♡ 고맙습니다
꾸루꾸
이노래좋은디 무대찾아보기힘드네영
김선우
이희진이랑 이가이 솔로 파트는 없었군요
이현이현철
마지막 랩은 심은진 아니고 이가이
김선우
딱들어도 심은진 목소리가 아니네요ㅋㅋ