ShoutOut: SS501

Right to Left: baby Kim Hyung Joon, sexy charisma Park Jung Min, prince Heo Young Saeng, leader Kim Hyun Joong, center Kim Kyu Jong

Double-S 501 is, how should I describe it, definitely a group of 5 beautiful men with brilliant chemistry and camaraderie. 

For five years, SS501 have been putting out excellent upbeat music and have appeared on variety shows to bring happiness (aka: laughter), change, and a sense of intimacy with the audience. All five members stayed true to their motto of doing everything together, a group of 5 men united as 1 (hence the 501; I’m not really sure what the SS stands for though. Some say it’s “Superstar” and some say “Sun” and “Star”). I enjoyed seeing the changes they’ve made over the years as they matured into adults. Five years is a long time; they’ve come a long way from the eager child to a more controlled yet enthusiastic adult. 

In the beginning, all five members participated in scheduled activities. However, the casting of  Hyun Joong and Jung Min in the Korean drama Boys Over Flowers and Grease, respectively, foreshadowed the group’s disbandment in the near future. Although it pains me to see such a popular group end with the promotion of their new album, Destination, I am at the same time happy that they are choosing to expand into different parts of the entertainment realm. 

All five are excellent singers, especially the Triple S members: Young Saeng (the main vocal for the group), Hyung Joon, and  Kyu Jong in my opinion. They definitely have a future in music, and I want to say hosting because they have a good chemistry. I’m not sure if they’re going to stay with DSP Entertainment or move to a different company. 

It shocked and depressed me when I heard that DSP Entertainment was not allowing Kyu Jong to renew his contract. I always thought he was the quietest out of the other members, but his singing and dancing is on par with everyone. Hopefully he will continue to be a singer. 

Hyun Joong…has the appearance of an actor, but he will have to gain more experience (don’t get me wrong, Boys Over Flowers was fabulous!); Key East seems to offer him this opportunity for improvement. As for singing, I see him more of a group singer than a one man show. 

Jung Min is going solo and has signed a contract with CNR MEDIA (made up of  Taiwan’s ‘Comic-ritz’ and Korea’s ROY MEDIA), which makes sense seeing that SS501’s popularity in Taiwan is rising. This may be for international activities only; I don’t think he’s signed a contract with a South Korean agency. Even so, I have a feeling that his talent in quickly learning languages and charismatic personality will take him far, whether it be in singing, acting, dancing, hosting a talk show, or managing an online store (see: http://royalave.com/). 

Even though this won’t be the same as the original SS501, I truly want them to stay as a group as Triple S/SS301. They have so much potential, especially since their popularity is already rising overseas. Hopefully Young Saeng, Hyung Joon, and Kyu Joong will be able to find a reliable agency. 

However, just in case this does not happen, I wish them the best of success, health, and everything related (or unrelated). They’ll always be remembered fondly for the fun they had together, their stellar performances on stage, and their witty remarks on shows. Please stay in contact with each other as best friends do. We’ll all be waiting for that day where they (publicly) come together as SS501 again or Triple S, even if it’s just for a day…or a show…or a lunch break? -_-” 

– Yellow 

Right to Left: Park Jung Min, Kim Kyu Jong, Kim Hyun Jong, Heo Young Saeng, Kim Hyung Joon

P.S. Is it just me, or did that sound like an obituary? …Also looks a little longer than I had expected…Meh, oh well 🙂