Sechs Kies
| Company type | Boy band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997-04-15 |
| Founder | DSP Entertainment |
| Defunct | 2000-05-20 (initial disbandment) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2016; inactive since 2021 |
| Headquarters | South Korea |
Area served | South Korea, Japan, China |
| Products | Music albums, concerts |
Number of employees | 6 (original members) |
Sechs Kies (pronounced ; ) is a pioneering South Korean boy band that made their debut on April 15, 1997. As one of the trailblazers in the early K-pop idol movement, they significantly influenced the development of idol culture and fan communities. The current members are Eun Ji-won, Lee Jai-jin, Kim Jae-duck, and Jang Su-won.
Following their disbandment on May 20, 2000, after three years of activity, Sechs Kies reunited on April 14, 2016, during a special appearance on Infinite Challenge. On May 10, 2016, five out of six members signed contracts with YG Entertainment to restart their promotional activities; however, Ko Ji-yong chose to remain retired. After releasing their fifth studio album, Another Light, member Kang Sung-hoon exited the group in 2019. Since 2021, the group has been inactive, and as of 2024, their profile has been removed from YG Entertainment’s roster.
Formation
Eun Ji-won and Kang Sung-hoon were discovered by the CEO of DSP Entertainment while Eun was studying abroad in Hawaii. Originally intended to debut as a duo, the plan shifted toward assembling a six-member male idol group inspired by the success of SM Entertainment’s H.O.T.
Kim Jae-duck and Lee Jai-jin were part of Quicksilver, a dance crew based in Busan, and trained under Lee Juno’s company—Lee Juno being a former member of Seo Taiji and Boys. They were recruited by DSP’s CEO Lee Ho-Yeon following a recommendation from Lee Juno. Jang Su-won joined through an open audition process, while Ko Ji-yong, a childhood friend of Kang Sung-hoon, completed the final lineup.
1997: Debut with School Anthem and Welcome to the Sechskies Land
Sechs Kies officially debuted on April 15, 1997, performing their inaugural single "School Anthem" (학원별곡) on KMTV Show! Music Tank. Their debut album titled School Anthem, sharing its name with the lead track, was released exactly one month later on May 15.
The album featured several tracks that achieved considerable popularity such as "School Anthem", "Remember Me", and "The Way This Guy Lives - Pomsaengpomsa". According to OhmyNEWS, sales surpassed 1.8 million units; however, precise physical sales figures remain uncertain due to DSP’s under-reporting practices and absence of official data prior to September 1998. For comprehensive sales information, refer to Sechs Kies discography.
In October of the same year, Sechs Kies made a comeback on KMTV’s Recharge 100% Show to promote their sophomore album. Released on November 1, Welcome to the Sechskies Land contained twenty tracks conceptually designed as a journey through an imaginary amusement park. The title song "Chivalry" (기사도) secured the group’s first number-one position on SBS Inkigayo on December 7.
Sechs Kies rapidly earned recognition as outstanding newcomers by winning numerous awards including the Bonsang at the 12th Korea Visual and Records Grand Prize (later known as Golden Disc Awards), New Artist Award at KMTV Korean Music Awards, Bonsang awards at both Seoul Music Awards and KBS Music Awards, as well as Best 10 Artist accolades at MBC and SBS Music Awards.
Their inaugural concert took place on December 21 at the prestigious Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, where tickets reportedly sold out within five hours. Notably, Sechs Kies became the first dance-focused group to perform at this venue.
1998: Increasing Fame, Road Fighter and Special Album
In 1998, Sechs Kies experienced a significant rise in their popularity. After wrapping up promotions for their second album in February, they embarked on a nationwide spring tour, performing in cities such as Busan, Ulsan, Gwangju, and Daegu.
March marked a milestone as they became the first idol group to produce their own film, Seventeen, which premiered nationwide on July 17 alongside fan signing events. Additionally, from April 25 to May 5, the group took part in the children's musical Alibaba and the 40 Thieves at the Sejong Center, including a special performance for President Kim Dae-jung at the Blue House on Children's Day.
Their third studio album, Road Fighter, was released on July 15, blending hip-hop with electronica influences and featuring production input from leader Eun Jiwon. Promotions kicked off with "Crying Game" on SBS Inkigayo. The album’s title track "Road Fighter" achieved back-to-back victories on SBS Inkigayo and KBS Music Bank throughout July and August. The subsequent single "Reckless Love" (무모한 사랑) also dominated music charts during September and October.
On October 30, Sechs Kies unveiled the Special Album, serving as the soundtrack for Seventeen. They promoted songs like "Couple" (커플) and "Letting You Go" (너를 보내며) via performances on KBS Music Bank. "Couple" reached number one on SBS Inkigayo, KBS Music Bank, and MBC Music Camp. November saw the release of a commemorative photo book alongside the album.
The track "Couple" contributed to Sechs Kies receiving the prestigious 9th Seoul Music Awards Daesang award, shared with rival group H.O.T., along with numerous other honors including the 13th Korea Visual and Records Grand Prize Bonsang, KBS Music Awards Artist Of The Year (Teen Category), Seoul Music Awards Bonsang, MBC Popularity Award, KMTV Korean Music Awards Popularity Award, and SBS Music Awards Best 10 Artist Award.
1999: Expanding Musical Influence, Com' Back
In February 1999, Sechs Kies toured across South Korea. On April 5, they launched their first concert video capturing their February 25 Seoul performance, followed by a live concert album released on April 10. After completing the tour, they returned to the studio to produce their fourth album titled Com’Back.
On November 30, the group took part in the inaugural Korea China Music Festival held in Beijing, co-hosted by KBS and CCTV. Shortly thereafter, on December 5, they performed at the 2000 Peace Friendship Music Concert in Pyongyang, becoming among the earliest South Korean dance groups to appear in North Korea.
By the end of the year, Sechs Kies had earned multiple distinctions including the 14th Korea Visual and Records Grand Prize Award Bonsang, a Bonsang at the 10th Seoul Music Awards, as well as awards from both the KMTV Korean Music Awards and KBS Music Awards. They also secured Best 10 Artist accolades at both MBC and SBS Music Awards.
2000: Disbandment and Blue Note
On January 12, 2000, Sechs Kies commemorated their 1000th day milestone with fans. Their concert held on February 28 at the sold-out Olympic Gymnastics Arena featured self-directed performances and original compositions by members. A DVD of this concert was subsequently released.
The group announced their disbandment during a press conference on May 18. Their final live appearance took place at the Dream Concert on May 20. On May 31, they issued Blue Note, a compilation album serving as a farewell collection of their best works. In August, Sechs Kies independently released a last song titled "Thanks" along with its music video online as a tribute to their supporters.
2016: Reunion, "Three Words," and 2016 Re-ALBUM
Sechs Kies came back together on April 14, 2016, with a surprise concert at Seoul World Cup Stadium as part of the Korean variety show Infinite Challenge. Approximately 6,000 fans attended after being informed just five hours beforehand. On May 11, YG Entertainment signed contracts with five members, excluding Ko Ji-yong, who had departed from the entertainment sector to pursue business ventures. Additionally, Lee Jai-jin and Kang Sung-hoon entered into individual agreements with YG. The concerts held on September 10 and 11 at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena sold out in under five minutes.
On October 7, Sechs Kies unveiled the digital single "Three Words" (세 단어), which dominated all eight major domestic music charts and secured the top position on the Gaon Digital, Download, and BGM Charts during the first week of October. It also achieved number one status on QQMusic, China’s largest streaming platform.
Their album 2016 Re-ALBUM, released on December 1, contained ten reimagined classic tracks along with "Three Words" as a bonus. Several songs performed notably well across domestic music rankings.
Between September 10 and January 22, 2017, Sechs Kies conducted their inaugural national tour since reuniting, titled "Yellow Note," with stops in Busan, Daegu, and Seoul. The final two concerts at Jamsil Indoor Stadium sold all 13,000 tickets within three minutes.
By the end of the year, Sechs Kies received numerous distinguished accolades including induction into the Click! Star Wars Awards Hall of Fame, the K-pop Contribution/Lifetime Achievement award at the 6th Gaon Chart Music Awards, Hall of Fame recognition at the 8th Melon Music Awards, Best Male Group Performance at the 31st Golden Disc Awards, and a Bonsang award at the 26th Seoul Music Awards.
2017: A fresh chapter, The 20th Anniversary, and Another Light
Released on April 28, 2017, The 20th Anniversary entered the Billboard World Albums chart at number nine. The lead single "Be Well" (아프지 마요) quickly topped various domestic music charts upon its release.
To mark their two-decade milestone, Sechs Kies presented the "Yellow Universe" exhibition from April 28 to May 28. This event showcased artwork by Lee Jai-jin alongside memorabilia from both their early days and recent comeback. They also held two sold-out fan meetings titled "YellowKies Day" at Seoul’s SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium on July 15; all 14,000 tickets were snapped up within minutes.
On May 12, YG Entertainment announced Sechs Kies’s entry into the Japanese market, two decades after their initial South Korean debut. The Japanese version of their anniversary album—featuring Japanese renditions of "Be Well," "Sad Song," and "Three Words"—was released on July 19. Fan meetings in Yokohama and Osaka quickly sold out all 4,400 tickets.
Their fifth studio album, Another Light, was launched on September 21. It debuted at number ten on Billboard’s World Albums chart and placed tenth on Gaon’s album chart for October. The title track "Something Special" (특별해) topped the Gaon BGM Chart for six straight weeks and achieved a double crown by leading both the digital and BGM charts while ranking second in downloads during October.
Sechs Kies celebrated their 20th anniversary with a concert at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome on September 23. Prior to this event, YG Entertainment signed Eun Ji-won to an exclusive contract on August 16; Jang Su-won became the fourth member to join YG on November 6.
Following their anniversary concert, Sechs Kies embarked on a nationwide tour with shows in Gwangju, Goyang, Busan, and Daegu between December and January.
They concluded the opening ceremony of the Busan One Asia Festival (BOF) on October 22 and were honored with the Legend Star award at its closing ceremony. Their fan club YellowKies also received recognition as "Best Fandom" for two decades of unwavering support.
2018: Sechskies Eighteen Premiere and Sunghoon's Exit
Sechs Kies wrapped up their 20th anniversary concert in Daegu on January 6. Shortly after, on January 17, YG Entertainment secured the trademark for "Sechs Kies" through the Korean Intellectual Property Rights Information Service, granting the members exclusive ownership of the group's name.
A teaser for the documentary film Sechskies Eighteen was unveiled in late December 2017, with the official announcement following on January 5. Utilizing ScreenX technology, the film chronicles the band’s preparations for their fifth studio album, Another Light, and premiered in select CGV theaters on January 18. Preview tickets for a January 11 screening sold out within four minutes. In February, the movie led box office seat sales with a 91.4% occupancy rate. By March 25, ticket sales surpassed 50,000; to celebrate this milestone and their 21st anniversary, Sechs Kies organized a "Fan Festival" from April 1 to 15 across seven cities. The event featured complimentary screenings of previous concerts and fan gatherings in partnership with Danaflix.
At the 7th Gaon Chart Music Awards on February 14, Sechs Kies earned the Song of the Year – September accolade for "Something Special," a track from Another Light. On May 28, following fan requests, YG Entertainment removed Ko Ji-yong from Sechs Kies' official profile.
On September 21, YG announced that Kang Sunghoon would be absent from group activities due to ongoing controversies, resulting in a postponement of new music releases. The band performed without him on October 14 and confirmed they were selecting new material for an upcoming album. By December 31, Kang Sunghoon officially departed after terminating his contract with YG Entertainment, leaving Sechs Kies as a quartet.
2019–2024: All For You Release and Three Meals For Four Variety Show
Eun Ji-won released his solo album on June 27 while preparations advanced for a fresh Sechs Kies track and various summer projects. The group planned a comeback as four members.
On November 14, it was confirmed that the comeback video had been filmed, though the album release date was initially undecided. The launch date was later set for January 28, 2020. Their mini-album All for You marked both their first release as a four-member ensemble and their first mini-album in over two decades. The tracklist included "ALL FOR YOU," "DREAM," "MEANINGLESS," "ROUND & ROUND," and "WALKING IN THE SKY." On February 6, 2020, Sechs Kies secured first place on M Countdown with the title song "All For You."
Eun Ji-won teamed up with producer Na Young Seok to develop the variety program Three Meals for Four, which premiered on May 15, 2020. The show depicted the four members embarking on a self-sufficient camping trip where they prepared three meals over two nights and three days. This hybrid broadcast combined short television segments with full episodes available on the YouTube channel 채널 십오야.
During a live broadcast promoting Three Meals for Four, Yoo Hee-yeol committed to composing and writing a ballad for Sechs Kies if Antenna Music’s subscriber count surpassed 150,000. After reaching this goal, Yoo Hee-yeol delivered the song—the first he composed for them in seven years. This content aired on January 22, 2021 under the title Don't Look Back.
The digital single "Don't Look Back" was released on February 5, 2021, accompanied by a music video that premiered during a live session featuring Sechs Kies members and Na PD. The track rapidly climbed to number one on Genie and Bugs real-time music charts.
In January 2024, Sechs Kies’ artist profile was removed from YG Entertainment’s official website, signaling their exit from the label.
Controversy
The abrupt breakup of Sechs Kies during their peak popularity led to speculation about possible pressure from DSP, though the members have since clarified the circumstances. Lee Jai-jin indicated that the group intended to switch agencies rather than dissolve, while Eun Ji-won and Kang Sung-hoon confirmed that the decision to part ways was a collective choice aimed at concluding their activities on a high note. Kang also shared his personal hesitation regarding the disbandment. Meanwhile, Jang Su-won and Kim Jae-duck mentioned several factors, including dissatisfaction with the company and unequal financial treatment. In a 2016 interview, Eun Ji-won revealed that most members agreed on disbanding, with Lee Jai-jin being the sole dissenter.
During their farewell concert, some fans mistakenly damaged a vehicle belonging to reporter Jo Young Goo, thinking it was owned by DSP’s CEO Lee Ho-yeon. Because the fans involved were minors, no formal charges were made; Lee compensated Jo with 11 million won on their behalf.
Current
Black Kies
- Eun Ji-won – leader, rapper, vocalist (1997–2000; 2016–2021)
- Lee Jai-jin – rapper, dancer (1997–2000; 2016–2021)
- Kim Jae-duck – rapper, dancer (1997–2000; 2016–2021)
White Kies
- Jang Su-won – vocalist (1997–2000; 2016–2021)
Former
- Kang Sung-hoon – vocalist (1997–2000; 2016–2019)
- Ko Ji-yong – vocalist, rapper (1997–2000; 2016–2018)
Discography
- Studio albums
- School Anthem (학원별곡) (1997)
- Welcome to the SechsKies Land (1997)
- Road Fighter (1998)
- Special Album (1998)
- Com’Back (1999)
- Another Light (2017)
- Remake albums
- 2016 Re-ALBUM (2016)
- The 20th Anniversary (2017)
Tours
Since their debut in 1997, Sechs Kies has embarked on four concert tours and hosted four fan meetings, strengthening their connection with audiences and solidifying their presence in the music industry.
Reality Show
| Year | Title | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | No Foundation Youth Trip | kt Olleh |
| No Foundation Youth Trip 2 | ||
| 2018 | Heart Racing Nice Shot | Olleh TV |
| 2019 | What Happened in Bali | |
| 2020 | Sechskies For You | YouTube |
| Sechskies Arcade | kt Olleh | |
| 2020 | Three Meals for Four | tvN |
| 2021 | Find the SECHkey | seezn |
| Don't Look Back | tvN |
Film
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1998 | Seventeen |
| 2018 | Sechskies Eighteen |
External links
- Articles with short description
- Sechs Kies
- Musical groups established in 1997
- Musical groups disestablished in 2000
- Musical groups reestablished in 2016
- YG Entertainment artists
- DSP Media artists
- South Korean boy bands
- South Korean dance music groups
- Melon Music Award winners
- Grand Prize Seoul Music Award recipients