Prelude to War of K-Pop: H.O.T. vs Sechs Kies

At the center of the first generation of K-pop (1990s – 2000s), there were the two biggest boy bands in rivalry: H.O.T. and Sechs Kies. 

Their fans wore raincoats that represented the color of the band (yellow for Sechs Kies and white for H.O.T.) and waved colored balloons at the concert. They cheered hard for their group to win first place.

It was the first time the term “idol”, representing a famous boy/girl group, came out and also the first time that teenage fans had hugely influenced the music industry by forming “fan clubs” and supporting their artists. K-pop’s fandom culture all started in the late 1990s.

H.O.T. (Highfive Of Teenagers) was created by SM Entertainment in 1996. 

The group, which performed from 1996 to 2001, consisted of five members: Moon Hee-joon, Jang Woo-hyuk, Tony An, Kangta, and Lee Jae-won. 

Due to a contract disagreement with the entertainment, the group disbanded in 2001. In 2018, the group made a special, one-time reunion through the variety show Infinite Challenge.

Sechs Kies was created by DSP Entertainment in 1997. 

The group, which performed from 1997 to 2000, consisted of six members: Eun Ji-won, Lee Jai-jin, Kim Jae-duck, Jang Su-won, Kang Sung-hoon, and Ko Ji-yong. 

Without a specific reason given to the public, the group disbanded in 2000. However, the group reunited in 2016 through the variety show Infinite Challenge in 2016. Until today, the group is still releasing albums, with the exception of Kang Sung-hoon and Ko Ji-yong.

H.O.T. in 2018

Sechs Kies in 2020