5 Facts About South Korean Vocal Group ‘SG Wannabe’

1. SG Wannabe is a Korean ballad group that will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2024. They will be holding a solo concert to celebrate their 20th anniversary in March of this year, with the date and time to be announced soon.

2. SG Wannabe is a three-member male vocal group that debuted under the company named GM (Ground Music) on January 19, 2004, and made a huge impact on the Korean music industry in the mid-to-late 2000s. From their debut to 2007, the group consisted of Chae Dong Ha (leader), Kim Yong Joon, and Kim Jin Ho, but with the departure of Chae Dong Ha in 2008 and the addition of new member Lee Seok Hoon, the group currently consists of Kim Yong Joon (leader), Lee Seok Hoon, and Kim Jin Ho.

3. The group name SG Wannabe means “We want to be like Simon & Garfunkel (SG), the legendary folk rock group.” However, they actually have nothing to do with the style of Simon & Garfunkel. But in their sixth album, they went back to their roots and released a Simon & Garfunkel-style song as the title track. 

4. Their singing style is considered to have had a major impact on homogenizing the Korean music industry. They were also the pioneers of the “cow herding style of singing (소몰이 창법),” which is a method of singing with a lot of vibration while making a “wow wow wowa” sound like a cow being herded. However, as K-pop idol groups have dominated the Korean music scene since 2009, these ballad singers have become less popular.

5. Some of their most famous songs include “Sin and Punishment (죄와 벌),” “Partner For Life (내사람),” and “Arirang (아리랑)”. If you’re curious about the music of SG Wannabe, the famous 2000s Korean ballad group, turn on YouTube and give them a listen!

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