S.E.S.
S.E.S. for Marie Claire Korea in 2017
S.E.S. for Marie Claire Korea in 2017
Background information
OriginSeoul, South Korea
Genres
Years active1997–2002
2016–2017
Labels
Members
Websiteses.smtown.com

S.E.S. (Hangul: 에스이에스; acronym for Sea, Eugene, Shoo) was a South Korean girl group formed in 1997 by SM Entertainment, featuring three members: Bada, Eugene, and Shoo. Their debut album I'm Your Girl sold 650,000 copies, becoming the third best-selling album by a female group in South Korea.[1] Their follow-up albums, Sea & Eugene & Shoo in 1998, Love in 1999 and A Letter from Greenland in 2000 also became best-sellers.[2][3][4]

Early in their career, they were dubbed as the female counterpart of their labelmates H.O.T.. S.E.S. were challenged by groups like Fin.K.L,[5] Jewelry and Baby V.O.X, which debuted around the same time and were also largely successful.

The group officially disbanded in December 2002, after unsuccessful contract renewal negotiations with Bada and Eugene; Shoo maintained her career with SM until 2006. They released the compilation album Beautiful Songs in mid-2003 as their final release.

In October 2016, the group's members reunited in order to celebrate their debut's 20th anniversary with a reality show, album, and concert.[6][7][8][9] In November 2016, the group released the buzz single "Love [story]" under SM's music project SM Station.[10][11] Their 20th anniversary special album Remember was released on January 2, 2017, with double title tracks "Remember" and "Paradise".[12]

History

They released their first album, I'm Your Girl and had their public debut on November 28, 1997.[13] Their image at the time was very innocent, with their discography consisting mostly of love songs. In much of their promotional work, including an appearance on Lee Sora's "Propose" show, they displayed their multiple abilities: Eugene demonstrated her piano playing, while Bada and Shoo sung together. Eventually, the singles "I'm Your Girl" (which had future Shinhwa members Eric Mun and Andy Lee rapping in the introduction) and "Oh, My Love!" became huge hits for S.E.S., and they quickly became one of the top-selling groups in K-Pop.

Their second album, Sea & Eugene & Shoo, was released in 1998. The single "Dreams Come True", a cover of Finnish group Nylon Beat's "Rakastuin mä looseriin" ("Like a Fool"),[14] became a hit along with "너를 사랑해 (I Love You)". Eventually, the album sold over 650,000 copies.[15] Meguriau Sekai, a Japanese album, was released in the same year. In between their Korean albums, S.E.S. continued to release Japanese singles and albums, but those were never as widely received as their Korean works.

1999–2000: Love and rising popularity

At the end of 1999, their third album Love was released. The title song from the album, "Love", a mid-tempo pop song, also became a success for the trio. The music video that accompanied the track was filmed in New York City and cost over US$1,000,000, an amount considered large for a music video at that time. The band's dark concept was later dropped at the end of their promotional schedule, and all three members reverted to a simpler image; the dance for "Twilight Zone" was subsequently changed as well. Promotional activities resumed at the end of January 2000.

2000: A Letter From Greenland

In December 2000, S.E.S.'s fourth album, A Letter From Greenland was released. "감싸 안으며 (Show Me Your Love)" was the first single from the album. A cover of j-pop star Misia's "Tsutsumi Komu Youni...", the song was a slow, ballad influenced by jazz. This single and album continued S.E.S.'s winning streak, helping to cement their status as K-pop's top group at the time. The second single, "Be Natural", also did fairly well, even though under-promoted in comparison to the first.

2001: Surprise

In the summer of 2001, a special album was released (receiving the ".5" label).[16] Called Surprise, their 4.5th album was a collection of their Japanese songs re-recorded in Korean (with new instrumentals). The first single, "꿈을 모아서 (Just In Love)", brought S.E.S. back to a happy, poppy theme, although they avoided the cutesy images from their debut. The video was filmed in Thailand.

2002: Choose My Life-U and Friend

Their major comeback album, Choose My Life-U was released in early spring of 2002. This was a continuation of their sophisticated theme, with the album booklet full of suggestive pictures of the girls. Their first single "U" was quite different, being very dance-intensive; the video showed the girls in dominant roles and positions, with Eugene even becoming a dominatrix for one scene. This song also did well and returned S.E.S. to the top of the charts. "Just A Feeling" was their second single from this album.

Their comeback album Friend (their "5.5"th), was released at the end of the same year. The main single was titled "Soul II Soul (S.II.S.)", which was a play on words (as the number 2 can be pronounced as "E" in Korean). In the dark-themed music video, Bada is seen writing letters while crying, Eugene is cutting up bunnies in a room (suggesting mental instability), and Shoo is seen caressing a large ball of light on her bed. The song was never performed on television.

2003–2015: Post-disbandment activities and reunions

After releasing the compilation album Beautiful Songs, members followed solo careers in music and acting.

In 2007, the group celebrate their 10th anniversary, and in 2008, they appeared as a group on the South Korean show Happy Sunday. In October 2009, they made another appearance together on the show Come To Play.

In 2014, their song "Be Natural" was remade by their labelmate girl group Red Velvet, which at the time consisted of 4 members. The track served as their second official single. Also in that year, members Bada and Shoo appeared as guests on the show Infinite Challenge, as a part of their 1990s-themed special Saturday, Saturday, I Am A Singer. At the occasion, Eugene was absent due to pregnancy and was represented by Girls' Generation member Seohyun.

2016–2017: 20th anniversary project

S.E.S for Marie Claire Korea, March 2017

On May 28, 2016, S.E.S attended the charity event Green Heart Bazaar.[17] A few months later, on October, it was announced that S.E.S. would make an official comeback to the music scene in 2016, almost 20 years since the release of their debut album. On November 23, the group's schedule was revealed by their record label, with the official announcement of a special celebrative album.[18][19] On November 23, the group's comeback project #Remember was revealed, detailing S.E.S.'s upcoming releases. On November 28, S.E.S. released the song "Love [story]", a remake of their 1997 song "I'm Your Girl" and 1999 song "Love", through the SM Station project.[20] Its music video was released on December 29.

Starting from December 5, the group starred in the ten episode reality show Remember, I'm Your S.E.S., broadcast through mobile app Oksusu. They also held a two-day concert "Remember The Day", on December 30 and 31 at Sejong University's Daeyang Hall in Seoul.[21] On December 17, 2016, S.E.S. performed on You Hee-yeol's Sketchbook.

On December 27, it was announced that S.E.S.'s new album would be titled Remember, and would contain two main singles. Two days later, previews for the music videos of main singles "Remember" and "Paradise" were released alongside the full music video of "Love [story]".[22] The first single "Remember" was officially released prior to the album on January 1, with its music video; the second single "Paradise" was released on January 2, also with its music video, alongside the full album.[23][24]

On March 1, they held a fanmeet called "I Will Be There, Waiting For You".[25]

Discography

Korean albums

Japanese albums

Concerts

  • A Sweet Kiss from The World of Dream (2000)
  • Remember, the Day (2016)

Awards and nominations

List of awards and nominations received by S.E.S.
Award Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
Golden Disc Awards 1998 Rookie of the Year Award I'm Your Girl Won [26]
1999 Album Bonsang Love Won
Album Daesang Nominated
2001 Popularity Award "Show Me Your Love" Won [27]
KBS Song Festival 1998 Main Prize (Bonsang) S.E.S. Won [28]
2001 Won
KMTV Music Awards 1998 Main Prize (Bonsang) Won
1999 Won
2001 Won [29]
Korea Best Dressed Awards 1999 Best Dressed Female Singer Award Won [30]
Korea Culture and Arts Awards 2000 Youth Popular Singer Award Won
Korea Entertainment and Arts Awards 1999 Youth Singer Award – Female Won [31]
MAMA Awards 1999 Best Group "I Love You" Nominated
2000 Best Female Group "Twilight Zone" Nominated
2001 "Just In Love" Won [32]
Best Dance Performance Nominated
2002 Best Female Group "U" Won [33]
2005 Mnet Producer's Choice Award S.E.S. Won [34]
MBC Music Festival 1998 Top Popular Artist Won
MBC Top Ten Singers Festival 1999 Top Popular Artist Won [35]
2001 Won [36]
SBS Gayo Daejeon 1998 Main Prize (Bonsang) Won
Seoul Music Awards 1998 Main Prize (Bonsang) Won [37]
Grand Prize (Daesang) Nominated

Other honors

Lists of other honors received by S.E.S.
Organization Year Honor Ref.
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism 1999 Commendation in Leading Celebrity Category
Korean Confederation of Trade Unions 2000 Appreciation Plaque
Suwon District Prosecutor's Office 2002 Youth Crime Eradication Plaque

Listicles

S.E.S. on select listicles
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
The Dong-a Ilbo 2016 Best female artists according to experts 4th [38]
Mnet 2013 Legend 100 Artists 80th [39]

See also

References

  1. ↑ [정진영의 연예가 빅매치] 핑클vsS.E.S, 애들은 모르는 원조 국민 요정은?. The Fact. January 16, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Miak.or.kr" 1999.06월 - 가요 음반 판매량. Music Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Miak.or.kr" 2003년 가요 판매량 순위집계. Music Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on June 5, 2008. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  4. ↑ ":: Korean Record Industry Association :: --2001. 03 kpop albums sales counting". Archived from the original on October 16, 2004.
  5. ↑ "Top 10 K-Pop Girl Groups You Need to Know". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  6. ↑ "'S.E.S 재결합' 유진 "데뷔 20주년 기념 서프라이즈 기대하세요"". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). October 5, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  7. ↑ "S.E.S. hints at comeback". The Korea Herald. October 4, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  8. ↑ "S.E.S. officially announces reunion". Korea JoongAng Daily. October 4, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  9. ↑ "first generation idol-comeback". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). October 7, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  10. ↑ Chung, Jin-hong (November 28, 2016). "S.E.S releases its first song in 14 years". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  11. ↑ "girl group-comeback". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). November 28, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  12. ↑ "S.E.S to make comeback with double title tracks". Asia Today. December 27, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  13. ↑ "S.E.S." Naver Music. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Muistatko? Nylon Beatin kappaleesta tuli maailmanlaajuinen megahitti - näin erikoinen tapahtumaketju eteni". Iltalehti (in Finnish). July 6, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  15. ↑ ":: 한국음반산업협회 ::". Archived from the original on December 16, 2008.
  16. ↑ South Korea has a unique album labelling system. Instead of being known by their titles, they are titled first in order of appearance. Therefore, a debut album would just be known as their first (or 1집), while their fifth would simply be their fifth. The actual title of the album is secondary. Under this system, "real" albums are given whole numbers, while special or concept albums are labeled "half" albums. Because this album was not new material but old material made new, it is not considered "real" material.
  17. ↑ "어려운 아이 도우려 오랜만에 뭉친 원조 요정 S.E.S". Insight (in Korean). May 18, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Original Kpop girl group S.E.S to make music comeback; Bada teases Eugene's preparations". Yibada. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  19. ↑ ""데뷔 20주년, 완전체 컴백"…S.E.S, 재결합 선언". Dispatch (in Korean). October 3, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  20. ↑ ""원조 요정의 귀환"…S.E.S., 오늘(27일) 밤 'Love [story]' 공개". HEI (in Korean). November 28, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  21. ↑ "S.E.S., 데뷔 20주년 기념 프로젝트 'REMEMBER' 시동! 28일 0시 음원 발매". 서울경제 (in Korean). November 23, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  22. ↑ SMTOWN (December 29, 2016), [STATION] S.E.S._Love [story]_Music Video, retrieved January 2, 2017
  23. ↑ "[2017 가요②] S.E.S부터 악동뮤지션까지… 레전드vs루키website=Tenasia" (in Korean). December 30, 2016. Archived from the original on December 29, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Remember - S.E.S. 20th Anniversary Special Album". www.melon.com. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  25. ↑ "[단독] S.E.S, 오늘(1일) 20주년 팬미팅 '재결성 후 첫 만남'".
  26. ↑ "98대한민국 영상음반 대상/골든디스크대상 김종환'사랑을 위하여'". Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). December 6, 1998. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  27. ↑ "god 골든디스크 '대상'". The Korea Times (in Korean). December 14, 2001. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  28. ↑ "[방송.연예가] '98 KBS 가요대상' 수상자 확정". Busan Ilbo (in Korean). December 16, 1998. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  29. ↑ "KMTV가요대전, 강타·god등 19개팀 대상". Joong Ang Ilbo (in Korean). December 20, 2001. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  30. ↑ "올해 가장 옷 잘 입은 사람 선정" [Best dressed person of the year] (in Korean). Naver News Library. December 3, 1999. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  31. ↑ "원로가수 현인 문화훈장 서훈". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Naver. March 16, 1999. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  32. ↑ "왁스 '화장을 고치고' 올 최우수 뮤직비디오". Kyongbuk Ilbo (in Korean). November 26, 2001. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  33. ↑ "보아의 'NO.1'최고 인기 뮤직비디오에". Joong Ang Ilbo (in Korean). November 30, 2002. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  34. ↑ "2005 Mnet KM Music Video Festival". MWave (in Korean). Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  35. ↑ "[방송] MBC 99 MBC 10대 가수 가요제". Busan Ilbo (in Korean). January 1, 2000. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  36. ↑ "MBC '10대 가수 가요제' 수상자 선정". Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). December 21, 2001. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  37. ↑ "SMA Winners". High1 Seoul Music Awards. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  38. ↑ "'반짝반짝 눈이 부셔'… 빅뱅-소녀시대 역대 최고 아이돌". The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). September 1, 2016. Archived from the original on December 18, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  39. ↑ Wi, Su-ji. "[레전드100人] S.E.S, 걸 그룹 시대를 연 원조 요정" [[Legend 100 People] SES, the original fairy who opened the girl group era]. Genie Music (in Korean). Retrieved January 10, 2024.
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