SS501 (currently promoting as Five O One) is a South Korean boy band that was formed under the management of DSP Media. The group debuted on June 8, 2005, with five members: Kim Hyun-joong, Heo Young-saeng, Kim Kyu-jong, Park Jung-min and Kim Hyung-jun. They debuted in 2005 with the EP Warning, which included their first number one song, "Never Again". In 2007, SS501 entered the Japanese market with the maxi single Kokoro, which debuted at number five on the Oricon chart. The following year, in 2008, they became the first South Korean artists to win the award for Best New Artist at the Japan Gold Disc Awards. SS501 has released two studio albums and seven EPs in Korean, and two studio albums and three EPs in Japanese.
In 2010, all five members of the group left DSP Media to pursue solo careers, though leader Kim Hyunjoong confirmed they would not be disbanding. After 14 years of inactivity, Kim Hyun-joong, Heo Young-saeng and Kim Kyu-jong reunited for their 20th anniversary as Five O One.
Etymology The name of the band is a combination of letters and numbers that have special meaning. The first “S” stands for "superstar", the second “S” is an abbreviation for "singer", and the combination of 5, 0, and 1 symbolizes "five members united as one forever".
History
Pre-debut Before debuting with SS501, most of the members had some experience in the entertainment world.
Kim Hyun-joong was initially about to debut in a five-member group which included Han Yeon of B2Y (now disbanded) who was to be the leader and Kim would be the youngest member."B2Y (비투와이)" .KBS. Retrieved 2013-06-17. During 2001 and 2002, while working as a waiter in a family restaurant located at Jamsil-dong, Kim was introduced to a new set up management company CEO. While the group underwent training together, they were asked by their company to debut in China as a Hallyu project group but they rejected the offer and disbanded.
Heo Young-saeng started as a trainee at SM Entertainment for about 2.5 years."SM ENTERTAINMENT FORMER TRAINEES" Retrieved. 2013-02-18 He then joined DSP Media (formerly known as DSP Entertainment) and trained for three months before debuting as a member of SS501. According to his father, if he had stayed with SM Entertainment as a trainee, he would probably have debuted with Super Junior.
Park Jung-min was once a commercial model for condoms."Park JungMin and his Condom CF" .Retrieved 2013-06-1. When he was 13, he was scouted by an agency and was accepted by both DSP Media and S.M. Entertainment. At that time, SM Entertainment told him that they were preparing a new group but the group consisted of many members. According to Park, this was probably Super Junior since he saw them rehearsing too.
Kim Hyung-jun appeared on Ock Joo-hyun's music video, "Catch" in 2004. Mnet. Retrieved. 2013-03-02 He was also the first one to be included in SS501 which means he had the longest training period.
In addition, SS501 has had their first variety show before they officially debuted entitled SS501 M!Pick by MNET. It documented their pre-debut days and the three months after their debut.SS501 M!Pick. MNET. Seoul, 2005. Television.
2005–06: Debut SS501 debuted on June 8, 2005 along with their first EP, Kyeonggo (, "Warning");.SS501. Warning. 2005. CD. Their second mini album, Snow Prince was released in late 2005, five months after their debut.SS501. Snow Prince. 2005. CD. The group earned popularity right away as they won many rookie awards after their debut.
The group was inactive in Korea for most of 2006, although they had their first fan meeting in Japan in April of that year. The reason was due to Heo Young Saeng's throat condition, which required a surgery, thus resulting in a need for time to fully recover. In mid-2006, they held their first successful concert, "Step Up Concert" in Osaka, Japan."SS501 1st Concert DVD - STEP UP" .YesAsia.Retrieved 2013-06-18. In late 2006, they returned to Korea in order to promote their first studio album, which was released on November 10 entitled S.T 01 Now."DSP Discography 2006" .Retrieved 2013-06-18. Singles from the album included "Unlock" and "Four Chance".SS501. ST 01 Now. 2006. CD. Alongside promoting the album on various variety and music shows, they also filmed a show on MNet, which was called SS501 SOS.SS501 SOS. MNET. Seoul, 2006. Television."[Program] SS501's SOS" .Mwave.Retrieved 2013-06-18. The group (excepting Heo Young Saeng, who was recovering from the surgery) also lent their voices for the 2006 animated movie Pi's Story.
2007–08: Breakthrough success, Japanese debut, Boys Over Flowers, and sub-unit
Later in 2007, the group debuted in the Japanese market to further spread their activities and challenge themselves outside Korea. The group at this time released their Japanese single Kokoro, alongside multiple versions, including one with all members and five featuring each member individually."Kokoro (Normal Edition)(Japan Version)" .YesAsia.Retrieved 2013-06-18. The single debuted at the 5th spot on the Oricon chart, and moved to 3rd spot the next day."Skull, TVXQ Hitting Overseas Charts" Korea Times. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 2011-11-02 It was also chosen as an ending theme song for an anime entitled Blue Dragon.SS501. Kokoro. Blue Dragon ED2 OST. 2007. CD.
SS501 appeared in the Japanese drama Hotelier as a cameo seen in episode seven.Hotelier. TV Asahi. South Korea, 2007. Television. Later in September, SS501 released their second single in Japan entitled Distance. Finally in October 24, a month later, a full album was released with their self-titled album, SS501. SS501 also received the "Newcomer Award" by Japan Gold Disc Award in January 2008; this was the first time for Korean artists to receive this award."THE 22nd JAPAN GOLD DISC AWARD 2008" Retrieved.2013-030-05
SS501 returned to Korea with their single Deja Vu, which was released on March 13, 2008."DSP Discography 2008" .Retrieved 2013-06-18. The title track was the first song to be promoted, and they began their comeback on music channel M.Net's M Countdown."SS501 Makes a Comeback" KBS World. 13 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-26 After their success with their single "Deja Vu", they began to promote their second single, "A Song Calling for You"."A Song Calling for You" .Mwave.Retrieved 2013-06-18. They performed their Goodbye Stage on Music Bank in June 2008, to return to Japanese activities."DeJa Vu+A Song Calling for You" .Mwave.Retrieved 2013-06-18. Their third Japanese single was released on June 18, 2008 entitled Lucky Days. Then, for a short period of time, they return in Korea and released a mini album entitled, Find.
On October 4, the group represented Korea to perform at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, and received the Best Asian Artist Award at the 5th Asia Song Festival, organised by Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange."5th Asia Song Festival" KOFICE. 4 October 2008. Retrieved 2011-10-26"SS501도 아시아송페스티벌 참가 확정" .Star.Retrieved 2013-06-22.
On October 2, 2008, Kim Hyun-joong was cast for his first lead-acting role as 'Yoon Ji-hoo' in the Korean version of Hana Yori Dango, named Boys Over Flowers,Boys Over Flowers. Dir. Ki-sang Jun. Perf. Ku Hye-sun, Lee Min-ho, Kim Hyun Joong, Kim Bum, and Kim Joon. 2009. TV Series. a role for which he won the "Most Popular Actor Award" at the Seoul International Drama Awards 2009 and the "Popularity Award" at the 45th Baeksang Arts Awards. The series was broadcast on KBS during the first half of 2009."Boys Over Flowers official website" .KBS.Retrieved 2013-06-18. During this time, around early 2009, Park Jung-min was also cast for his musical debut in Grease as "Danny Park", Joongang Daily. 29 July 2010. Retrieved 2011-10-31 where he received the award "Best New Musical Talent" by the Golden Ticket Awards."Golden Ticket Voting/Nominees (2009)" Interpark. Retrieved 2012-11-21. While both Kim and Park were busy with their schedules, the remaining three members formed 'SS501 Project Group' with Heo Young-saeng as the leader. The 'Project Group' was initially to be named after their fan club 'Triple S', however before the sub-unit group debut it was decided to retain 'SS501' name out of respect to the absent members. They released a project album named U R Man in November 2008, with a high tempo dance track "U R Man",SS501. UR Man. 2008. CD. which the three remaining SS501 members promoted by themselves, with the exception of some special performances that included all five band members. The project group also performed "U R Man" in episode four of Boys Over Flowers, where they appeared for a cameo performance. Moreover, they contributed to the Boys Over Flowers soundtrack with "내 머리가 나빠서" (Because I'm Stupid) track, in which they received multiple awards such as "Song of the Month (February)", "Best OST Award", and "Best TV Drama Song of the Year" just to name a few.
2009–10: EPs, first Asian tour, leaving DSP Media
SS501 released their official second Japanese studio album, All My Love, on May 13, 2009.SS501. All My Love. 2009. CD. Although they were doing a cappella performances during their past years, it was their first time to record and include an a cappella title track to their album, "All My Love". A promotional tour was held in Japan in support of the album.
On July 21, 2009, they released their sixth EP, Solo Collection, which consisted of the individual members' songs. It also includes a mini-drama starring SS501, particularly Kim Hyun-joong and Park Jung-min."DSP discography 2009 .Retrieved 2013-06-18. In August 2009, they embarked on their 1st Asia Tour Persona, with two concerts in Seoul. It was followed by fifteen concerts in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, China, Malaysia, and Singapore. Joongang Daily. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 2011-10-31
The group's seventh EP Rebirth was released in two parts: in a limited and a full edition. The former was released on October 20, and the latter on October 22. SS501 promoted the album with the single "Love Like This", a track collaborated by Steven Lee, Sean Alexander, and Drew Ryan Scott. The single was also sung by Varsity Fanclub, Scott's group, in English lyrics with the same title single, which was released later in 2010.Varsity Fanclub. Love Like This. 2010. CD.
In 2010, SS501 continued their 1st Asia Tour Persona concert in Thailand before holding their final encore concert, on February 27, in Seoul to conclude the tour."S5501 speaks ahead of "PERSONA" encore show" 10 Asia. 2 March 2010. Retrieved 2011-10-31 Although the release of a new EP was planned for May 1, 2010 (a nod towards "501" in the group's name, or as they call it "501" day), the date was pushed back in order to "add finishing touches". They performed at the 2010 Dream Concert later that month. Because Kim Hyun-joong was still recovering from a previous injury, they sang two ballads instead of the rumored comeback track."Kim Hyun-joong gets into car accident, ok for comeback" . Hancinema. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
Their last EP before the contract's expiration, entitled Destination, was released on May 24, 2010.SS501. Destination. 2010. CD. The lead track, "Love Ya", composed by Steven Lee, is a song accompanied by an orchestra, and blended with a piano melody."DSP discography 2010" .Retrieved 2013-06-19. Their first win for the lead track, "Love Ya", was on KBS' Music Bank, on June 11. On June 18, DSP announced that SS501 would end their "Love Ya" promotions due to the expiration of their contract on June 7, 2010, five years after their debut.Kang Seung-hun "Kim Hyun-joong says SS501 has not disbanded" 10 Asia. 26 August 2010. Retrieved 2011-10-31
During the second half of 2010, upon the expiration of the group's contract with DSP Media, all the members signed with other management companies. Kim Hyun-joong signed with KeyEast, Park Jung-min joined CNR Media, Kim Hyung-jun with S-Plus Entertainment. Heo Young-saeng and Kim Kyu-jong both signed with B2M Entertainment.