Often credited as one of the first k-pop boy bands and the forerunners of the "idol group" trend in the Korean music industry. H.O.T. successfully turned mainstream Korean music into music for the younger generation. Made up of five teenagers at the time of their debut, they were formed to specifically target teenagers, hence their name "High-five Of Teenagers".
Member : (YEAR 2015)
Heejun 희준 Moon Hee-jun 문희준 文熙俊 March 14, 1978 (age 37)
Woohyuk우혁 Jang Woo-hyuk 장우혁 張佑赫 May 8, 1978 (age 37)
Tony An 토니안 An Seung-ho 안승호 安勝浩 June 7, 1978 (age 37)
Kangta 강타 An Chil-hyun 안칠현 安七炫 October 10, 1979 (age 36)
Jaewon 재원 Lee Jae-won 이재원 李在元 April 5, 1980 (age 35)
HISTORY
H.O.T. was formed by producer Lee Soo-man, the head of SM Entertainment, in 1996.Their music comprises a mixture of rap, ballads, dance, and later Rock. Singer Kangta provided most of the ballad vocals.
The first member that Lee Soo-man picked was Kangta. The manager saw him dancing and singing with a friend at an amusement park, and was impressed. Second was Moon Hee-joon, who after auditioning was accepted into the band. Hee-joon then invited his friend Lee Jae-won to audition, who was subsequently also admitted. The fourth to join the band was Jang Woo-hyuk, after winning first place in a dancing contest. He was asked to try out and became the fourth member to join.
SM Entertainment then traveled to LA to hold auditions. Tony An, originally discovered by Brothers Entertainment in the United States, and his friend Andy Lee both joined the band. However, Lee's parents later withdrew support, causing him to leave the band and join Shinhwa in 1998. The new group was called H.O.T. - High Five of Teenagers.
CAREER
H.O.T. was a group that enjoyed massive success in their career, allowing them to become major influences on the future of boy bands and the rest of the music scene in Korea. Their popularity also led to the creation of female groups in Korea.
H.O.T. made their debut with their first album, We Hate All Kinds of Violence in September 1996. This album and its first single, Junsa Ae Hoo Yeh, sparked controversy because some of their songs apparently plagiarized others, and lawsuits were placed against the group.
Despite their controversial debut, they released a second single from the album, Candy, which became the first of their hit songs.
They released their second album in June 1997, entitled Wolf & Sheep. This became another controversial release, since the title track featured strong language that caused it to be banned from all the major radio stations. However, a second single from this album, “We Are the Future” brought them back into the spotlight with another #1 hit. In 1998, the music video for "We Are The Future"s earned an American MTV Award for Best International Video.
The next year the group had their first live tour, starting with the Seoul Olympic Stadium. H.O.T. was the first Kpop group to hold a concert here, thanks to their large fanbase. Owing to their popularity, they were seen frequently in advertisements. At one point, they had their own soda brand with the catch phrase "I only drink H.O.T." They released their third album, Resurrection, in September 1998. This album featured a more “serious” style, with music gravitating towards rock.
On 25 June 1999, H.O.T, together with its label-mate S.E.S., performed at Michael Jackson's concert "Michael Jackson and Friends - The Adventure of Humanity".
They released their fourth album, Iyah!, and a “Best of” album in the following year, 1999. They also starred in a "Space Jam"-like movie called "Age of Peace", for which they also released a soundtrack consisting songs that the members themselves composed. Everything in the film except for the five members were computerized, and the film was released in Japan during promotional activities for their fourth album. They won numerous awards from KMTV, and various popular music shows in Korea for their fourth album and the soundtrack.
They released their fifth and final album, Outside Castle, in September 2000. All of the members took part in composing the lyrics. H.O.T. enjoyed great success with all of their albums, and were known for their talent of writing and composing many of their own songs. In addition, Moon Hee-joon and Jang Woo-hyuk were also known for their dancing abilities, and often choreographed the groups routines.
They maintained a friendly rivalry with other K-pop bands such as Sechs Kies, and were close friends with Kim Hwan-sung of N.R.G., who died from pneumonia a week or two prior to his 20th birthday. Kangta was heartbroken by his friend's death, and when N.R.G. released their album after Kim Hwan-sung's death, he wrote the main track of their album.
DISBANDMENT ;-; and post-H.O.T.
H.O.T. disbanded in May 2001. As the members of H.O.T. neared the end of their contracts with SM Entertainment, it was rumored that financial issues caused the group to split. However, because the real reasons for the breakup were never officially released to the public, financial contract issues still remain an unverified rumor to this day.
After the split, Kangta and Moon Hee-joon were offered lucrative contracts to SM Entertainment as solo artists and released moderately successful albums. While Kangta's music was usually mainstream soul or R&B, Moon Hee-joon in the beginning, like Kangta, started with the mainstream R&B, but later attempted to establish a rock music career. However, Hee-joon was overshadowed by his teen idol image and was met with harsh criticism.
The remaining members, Jang Woo-hyuk, Tony An, and Lee Jae-won, formed a three-member group called jtL under another label, and sold moderately successful albums. Later, Jang Woo-hyuk and a partner created their own dance company with Woo-hyuk leading his own team and school named Newest.
A few years after forming JTL, Tony An released a solo album, created his own entertainment company, Tn Entertainment, a successful school uniforms company, Skoolooks and an undergarment company, Shinenihs. In September 2010, Tony completed his 2-year army duty and released a new song, "Going To Meet You Now".
In 2005, Moon Hee-joon left SM Entertainment, creating his own company, PS Entertainment, and releasing one album. Later that year, Hee-joon headed off to military service, a duty required for every male Korean citizen. In 2008, he completed his 2-year army duty and signed with a company called SidusHQ.
Lee Jae-won also left SM Entertainment, and on April 4, 2005, he released his first post-H.O.T. album, "No Pain, No Gain". Lee has since then completed his military duty in 2011.
On September 12, 2005, Jang Woo-hyuk released his first solo album No More Drama, performing with the renowned American hip-hop group Elite Force, who was also a former dance team for Will Smith. Woo-hyuk was the last member to release a solo album, and he earned a reputation as "The Prince of Dance Music". In year 2010, he signed with a Chinese Entertainment Company and is currently active in China. His recent collaborations are with Singaporean Mandarin pop singer JJ Lin and Hong Kong singer/actor Karen Mok.
On September 2010, Kangta remains as a shareholder in SM Entertainment and released his new Chinese electro-pop title song, "Love, Frequency" or better known as "Breaka Shaka". Few days later he also released his first digital mini album, Love, Frequency.
Tony An released a solo mini album "Topstar" with top pop song under same name of album on April 4, 2011.
Jang Woo-hyuk new album released May 25 entitled " I am The Future ", with singles including Time is [L]over, I am the Future, and Minimalism.
Kangta expressed an interest in having the band reunite in the first half of 2011. However in March 2012 members Moon Hee Jun and Tony stated that it would be difficult for the group to come together again.
It's hard for them to reunited again because kpop industry nowadays have many newcomer that so competitive and talented + handsome look & young. They should reunited in year 2001 - 2002, 2003 - 2010 TVXQ ruled it kpop industry for 2nd Generation Idol. For now 2010s 3rd Generation Idol EXO ruled it, hope TVXQ can reunited again before they enter millitiary service ;-; ~~ SM ARTIST was so talented & legend !! ;-; but I dont like how they ending their artits like this...
Illusion
H.O.T Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dopeman, Dopeman, what you never gonna get (x4)
Dashi doragarsu obnun naui shigan gu soge momchwo issodon naui uishig sogui nonun
hoemihejyo ganun naui sengag aphe to dashi gadhyo boryodon ne hwansang sogui giogdur
Noui apheson sumur shwinun gojochado soyong obsosso ne yonghonui giogkaji
phamyor shikhyosso ije doisangun narur jikhyo nersu obso
Odum sogui hoemihan hwansang onu senga dagawa
ije doisang gyondir suga obso na ijoborin shigan soge
jichyo surojyo ganun nar jebal buthjabajwo
Ije narur borigin narur borhagin gidaryon shiganduri nomuna ginagin
naege gidehanun saramduri nar jikhyo bonun gosur gioghago ina
oh! odisobutho jarmo doeonunji nega gaya hanun giri odinji odumui
jashigi doeo sarge hanun phibirin ne nanun ne soge sargo inun narur jugiryo
ije doisang juche harsu obge doe borin na doug do joyonun nukimi aju giphi
narur jo molli deryodajwo! I wanna get high So, high sup dog what you need
niga oh onetime If you wanna smoke cans you must be insane
never gonna get away with the pain
Noui apheson sumur shwinun gojochado soyong obsosso ne yonghonui giogkaji
phamyor shikhyosso ije doisangun narur jikhyo nersu obso
Odum sogui hoemihan hwansang onu senga dagawa
ije doisang gyondir suga obso na ijoborin shigan soge
sangcho punin uishigen gyorkho isongiran jonjenun obso
jichyo surojyo ganun nar jebal buthjabajwo
Naui hengboghedon jinan nar dorikhir suman idamyon
isesang soge dashi theonago shipho naui gyotheso
nar jikhyo judon modur wihe ijen nar doechago shipho
Onjena gudedurui mosubur bwakojyo ganun burbidurur bwa
nor noryo yaman gudewa nowa hanaga doersu inun gonji
dorobhyojin norur ije nuguege gideryogo hanunji gurohge
ne modun gor boryo yaman hedon na nega manduro ganun
sesang ije odun mire soguro Doing that with money you got
searching for the piece of rock Yo dock
Odum sogui hoemihan hwansang onu senga dagawa
ije doisang gyondir suga obso na ijoborin shigan soge
sangcho punin uishigen gyorkho isongiran jonjenun obso
jichyo surojyo ganun nar jebal buthjabajwo
The lyrics of H.O.T.'s song "Illusion" are a reflection on the concept of reality versus illusion, and the emotional toll it takes on the singer. The repeated questions of "Is it real?" and "Is it an illusion?" signify a sense of confusion and uncertainty. The singer is questioning the nature of their experiences and the game they seem to be caught in, constantly losing. They express their pain and the feeling of being lost in this confusion.
Despite the uncertainty, the singer clings to the belief that if they can share this experience with someone else who believes in it too, it might become true. They mention that they can see the other person through, emphasizing the need for connection and support. The lines "I believe in my heart, these mirrors fall apart" suggest that they hope for the illusions to eventually fade away, revealing the truth hidden within the darkness.
The second verse expresses a resignation to the fact that they are not going anywhere and seeks a solution to this predicament. They acknowledge that no matter how far they seem to progress, they always end up back at the starting point. The repetition of the question "Is it real?" and the exclamation "This can't be real!" display the singer's desperation for clarity.
In the final lines, there is a sense of longing and a direct plea to someone who has left. The singer questions the existence of their connection and wonders if it was all just an illusion. The pain they feel is palpable, highlighting the emotional weight of this situation.
Overall, "Illusion" dives into the internal struggle of distinguishing reality from illusion, the frustration of being trapped in a cycle, and the yearning for genuine connections.
Line by Line Meaning
Is it real?
Is our current situation genuine or authentic?
Is it an illusion?
Could our current situation be a deceptive or misleading perception?
What is this game
We're constantly losing?
What is this repetitive pattern we find ourselves in where we are consistently experiencing defeat?
What is this pain that I feel?
What is the agony or distress that I am experiencing?
Lost in the confusion
Feeling bewildered and disoriented
Does it even matter how far we get?
Is there significance in our progress or accomplishments?
We just all, end up back at the start again
We inevitably find ourselves back where we began, no matter how much we've advanced
But I'll believe it's true
However, I choose to have faith in its authenticity
If you believe it too
As long as you also share this belief
And I can see you through
I will support and assist you during difficult times
If you just hold on too
If you also remain steadfast and determined
I believe in my heart
I have deep conviction within me
These mirrors fall apart
These deceptive reflections start to crumble
The light reveals in the dark
Clarity emerges amidst the obscurity
And illusions soon will fall
Misleading perceptions will disintegrate shortly
They soon will fall
They will collapse in due course
This is all too real
Our current situation is unquestionably authentic
To be an illusion
It cannot merely be a deceptive perception
Oh, I know this all too well
Oh, I am exceedingly familiar with this concept
To jump to conclusions
To make hasty judgments without sufficient evidence
And we ain't going nowhere
And we are not making any progress or moving forward
So what's the solution?
What is the remedy or answer?
I know, I know, no matter
How far we seem to get
I am aware, despite how much progress we appear to make
We just all end up back at the start again
We inevitably find ourselves back where we began, regardless of our advancements
Fall
Collapse or crumble
Illusions will fall.
Deceptive perceptions will disintegrate
Illusions OH!
Deceptive perceptions, oh!
Illusion
Deceptive perception
Illusion
Deceptive perception
Illusion
Deceptive perception
Illusion
Deceptive perception
This can't be real!
This cannot possibly be genuine!
No!
Absolutely not!
Can't be real
Cannot be authentic
Are we here or not?
Are we genuinely present or not?
Tell me
If a rose dies, did it ever exist?
Inform me, if a rose withers away, did it truly exist at all?
Tell me
What is this pain I feel?
Inform me, what is the source of this agony I am experiencing?
This pain I feel... OH!
This torment I feel... Oh!
Pain, is it an illusion?
Is this suffering a deceptive or misleading perception?
Is it real?
Is this authentic or genuine?
If you're real, why'd you have to go away?
If you actually exist, why did you choose to depart from my life?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind