10 years ago in K-Pop: Take a look back at 2014
Welcome 2024! I started this series last year and was looking forward to doing it again this year!
2014 is considered one of the worst years in K-Pop by many fans, so let's sit back and refresh your memories.
Notably debuts
GOT7 - January 16
Expectations were high when JYPE announced the debut of their first boygroup after the success of 2PM and 2AM. GOT7 debuted with a similar hip hop/acrobatics concept but quickly found their own style. Many Twice members were also featured in their debut MV! GOT7 left JYPE in 2021 but are still active as a group signed under Warner Music Korea. (OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Rainbow Blaxx - January 20
Rainbow Blaxx was the first sub-unit of Rainbow. Some parts of the choreography for their debut song was later banned on television and had to be changed. They only released one song and disbanded when Rainbow disbanded in 2016. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
AKMU - April 7
Akdong Music, also known as AKMU, are two siblings that debuted after winning the second season of K-Pop star in 2012. If you're wondering why it took so long for them to debut: they signed with YG after the show so that should explain everything. They're still active and just recently came back with a new album. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Mamamoo - June 18
Considered by some critics as one of the best Kpop debuts of 2014, MAMAMOO managed to become one of the most successful groups of the 3rd generation. They're still active as a group eventhough the members are signed to different agencies. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Red Velvet - August 1
Expectations were high when SM Entertainment announced that they would be debuting a new girlgroup, the first one after f(x) in 2009. Red Velvet originally debuted with 4 members, member Yeri later joined them in 2015. They are still active and one of the most successful groups of the 3rd generation. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Winner - August 12
Prior to their debut, the members of Winner competed on the survival show "WIN: Who is Next" as Team A. They orginally debuted with five members but re-organized into a four member group when maknae Nam Taehyun departed in 2016. They renewed their contracts with YG Entertainment in 2021 and are still active. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Laboum - August 28
Laboum was a joint-project between U-KISS' NH Media and Brown Eyed Girls' Nega Nework. The group was mostly known for beating IU on Music Bank despite being a nugu group. Member Yulhee left the band in 2017 after it was reported that she was dating FT ISLAND's Minhwan. The members are currently signed to different agencies and on an indefinite hiatus.
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Hi Suhyun - November 11
Hi Suhyun was a subunit consisting of Lee Hi and AKMU's Suhyun, both signed under YG Entertainment at the time. They only released one song together, "I'm Different". It is safe to assume they've disbanded since Lee Hi left YG Entertainment in 2019. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Lovelyz - November 12
Many people were looking forward to Lovelyz' debut as they were Infinite's sister group and member Baby Soul had made her solo debut 3 years prior. The girls unfortunately never managed to win on a music show and disbanded in 2021 when all of them except Baby Soul left Woollim Entertainment. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Best dramas
Pinocchio
Starring Park Shin-hye and Lee Jong-suk. Kim Woo-bin was originally offered the role of the male lead, but declined due to his busy schedules. Broadcasting rights for "Pinocchio" were sold to China for $280,000 USD per episode, making it the drama with the highest price per episode at the time.
My Lovely Girl
Many people were looking forward to this drama with Rain, Krystal and L getting cast for this series. It tells the story of Rain's character who lost his girlfriend in an accident. He later meets Krystal's character and they fall in love.
Doctor Stranger
Another Lee Jong-suk drama! The drama was not only a hit in South Korea and China but also among young people in North Korea who would obtain it illegally at markets.
Gaon Top 10 songs of 2013
1. Some - Soyu and JungGiGo
[Spoiler (click to open)]
2. Eyes, Nose, Lips - Taeyang
[Spoiler (click to open)]
3. Wild Flower - Park Hyo Shin
[Spoiler (click to open)]
4. A Midsummer Night's Sweetness - San E and Raina
[Spoiler (click to open)]
5. Meaning of You - IU
[Spoiler (click to open)]
6. Your Scent - Gary and Jung In
[Spoiler (click to open)]
7. Not Spring, Love, or Cherry Blossoms - HIGH4 and IU
[Spoiler (click to open)]
8. Mr. Chu - A Pink
[Spoiler (click to open)]
9. 200% - Akdong Musician
[Spoiler (click to open)]
10. Friday - IU
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Scandals of the year
The birth of Dating Generation
The year started off with a bang when Dispatch dropped their annual Jan 1st couple, which were no other than Lee Seung-gi and Girls' Generation's Yoona. ( OMONA post)
They broke up in August 2015.
A day later, Sports Seoul dropped pictures of fellow member Sooyoung and Jung Kyhung Ho on a date. The pair have been together since September 2012 and are still going strong!
Not enough dating news because in April of the same year, Tiffany and Nichkhun were finally caught on a date after rumors of their relationship had been going around for years. ( OMONA post)
And last but not least, in June Dispatch released pictures of Taeyeon and EXO's Baekhyun on a car date. ( OMONA post)
This couple would go down as one of the most iconic idol couples in K-Pop history due to the fandom mess and #oreogate. They broke up in September 2015.
Kris files lawsuit against SM, Luhan later follows
On May 15th, everybody and their mothers were shocked when Kris of EXO filed a lawsuit against SM to terminate his contract. ( OMONA post) 10 years later I think SM is more than happy that they dodged a bullet.
5 months later in October, fellow member Luhan also jumped ship ( ONTD post, I couldn't find the omona post from back then)
Park Bom caught with drugs
On July 1st it was belated revealed that Park Bom tried to smuggle amphetamines into Korea in 2010. She claimed she didn't know that the drug was illegal in Korea and was released without charge. Still the scandal took a big hit on her career.
GLAM's Dahee and model Lee Ji Yeon blackmail Lee Byung Hyun
Later known as "Lee Santa", actor Lee Byung Hyun was blackmailed by GLAM member Dahee and her model friend Lee Ji Yeon in August 2014. Lee reported the crime to the police and the two girls were arrested before they could flee the country. Dahee was sentenced to a year in jail and Lee Ji Yeon to a year and two months. Following the sentence of member Dahee, GLAM disbanded.
Sulli and Choiza admit they're in a relationship
On August 19th, Dispatch released pictures of f(x) member Sulli and Dynamic Duo Choiza on a date, forcing them to admit their relationship, which was already a well known secret in the K-Pop scene. ( OMONA post)
The couple broke up in 2017.
Kim Hyun Joong charged for alleged assault of then-girlfriend and baby mama
In August 2014 it was revealed that Kim Hyun Joong's then girlfriend pressed criminal charges against him for repeated instances of assault and battery. ( OMONA post)
Following a legal battle the two would reconcile a year later and become parents to a baby boy. ( OMONA post)
Ladies's Code members EunB and Rise pass away after tragic accident
On September 2nd, Ladies' Code were involved in a horrible car accident while on the way back to Seoul after a performance in Daegu. Member EunB passed away while in transit from the accident scene to the hospital. The rest of the members and two others were also taken to a nearby hospital. ( OMONA post)
5 days later, on September 7th, member RiSe also passed away. ( OMONA post)
Jessica kicked out of Girls' Generation
Yes, it's already been 10 years since Jessica had to leave Girls' Generation on September 29th, all because she started her own fashion brand. She has since put her focus on China, appearing in tv shows and releasing multiple solo albums. ( OMONA post)
Sungmin announces marriage
On October 13th, Sungmin announced that he would be the first Super Junior member to get married. Fans were of course not amused and demanded him to be kicked from the group. ( OMONA post)
B.A.P file lawsuit against TS Entertainment, request contract termination, return to agency months later
In November 2014, all members of B.A.P submitted legal documents to a Seoul court to nullify their contracts with TS Entertainment. After a long legal dispute, they returned to the agency in August 2015. ( OMONA post)
sources: kpopping.com, ranker, youtube AKMU, JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment, woolliment, officiallaboum, MAMAMOO, 1theK, SMTOWN, WINNER asianwiki 1, 2, 3, omona archive, starship TV, BIGBANG, jellyfishent, 1 the K 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, silly bean, AKMU, kpopherald, soompi, dazeddigital, 10mag
Notably debuts
GOT7 - January 16
Expectations were high when JYPE announced the debut of their first boygroup after the success of 2PM and 2AM. GOT7 debuted with a similar hip hop/acrobatics concept but quickly found their own style. Many Twice members were also featured in their debut MV! GOT7 left JYPE in 2021 but are still active as a group signed under Warner Music Korea. (OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Click to viewRainbow Blaxx - January 20
Rainbow Blaxx was the first sub-unit of Rainbow. Some parts of the choreography for their debut song was later banned on television and had to be changed. They only released one song and disbanded when Rainbow disbanded in 2016. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
AKMU - April 7
Akdong Music, also known as AKMU, are two siblings that debuted after winning the second season of K-Pop star in 2012. If you're wondering why it took so long for them to debut: they signed with YG after the show so that should explain everything. They're still active and just recently came back with a new album. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Mamamoo - June 18
Considered by some critics as one of the best Kpop debuts of 2014, MAMAMOO managed to become one of the most successful groups of the 3rd generation. They're still active as a group eventhough the members are signed to different agencies. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Red Velvet - August 1
Expectations were high when SM Entertainment announced that they would be debuting a new girlgroup, the first one after f(x) in 2009. Red Velvet originally debuted with 4 members, member Yeri later joined them in 2015. They are still active and one of the most successful groups of the 3rd generation. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Winner - August 12
Prior to their debut, the members of Winner competed on the survival show "WIN: Who is Next" as Team A. They orginally debuted with five members but re-organized into a four member group when maknae Nam Taehyun departed in 2016. They renewed their contracts with YG Entertainment in 2021 and are still active. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Laboum - August 28
Laboum was a joint-project between U-KISS' NH Media and Brown Eyed Girls' Nega Nework. The group was mostly known for beating IU on Music Bank despite being a nugu group. Member Yulhee left the band in 2017 after it was reported that she was dating FT ISLAND's Minhwan. The members are currently signed to different agencies and on an indefinite hiatus.
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Hi Suhyun - November 11
Hi Suhyun was a subunit consisting of Lee Hi and AKMU's Suhyun, both signed under YG Entertainment at the time. They only released one song together, "I'm Different". It is safe to assume they've disbanded since Lee Hi left YG Entertainment in 2019. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Lovelyz - November 12
Many people were looking forward to Lovelyz' debut as they were Infinite's sister group and member Baby Soul had made her solo debut 3 years prior. The girls unfortunately never managed to win on a music show and disbanded in 2021 when all of them except Baby Soul left Woollim Entertainment. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Best dramas
Pinocchio
Starring Park Shin-hye and Lee Jong-suk. Kim Woo-bin was originally offered the role of the male lead, but declined due to his busy schedules. Broadcasting rights for "Pinocchio" were sold to China for $280,000 USD per episode, making it the drama with the highest price per episode at the time.
My Lovely Girl
Many people were looking forward to this drama with Rain, Krystal and L getting cast for this series. It tells the story of Rain's character who lost his girlfriend in an accident. He later meets Krystal's character and they fall in love.
Doctor Stranger
Another Lee Jong-suk drama! The drama was not only a hit in South Korea and China but also among young people in North Korea who would obtain it illegally at markets.
Gaon Top 10 songs of 2013
1. Some - Soyu and JungGiGo
[Spoiler (click to open)]
2. Eyes, Nose, Lips - Taeyang
[Spoiler (click to open)]
3. Wild Flower - Park Hyo Shin
[Spoiler (click to open)]
4. A Midsummer Night's Sweetness - San E and Raina
[Spoiler (click to open)]
5. Meaning of You - IU
[Spoiler (click to open)]
6. Your Scent - Gary and Jung In
[Spoiler (click to open)]
7. Not Spring, Love, or Cherry Blossoms - HIGH4 and IU
[Spoiler (click to open)]
8. Mr. Chu - A Pink
[Spoiler (click to open)]
9. 200% - Akdong Musician
[Spoiler (click to open)]
10. Friday - IU
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Scandals of the year
The birth of Dating Generation
The year started off with a bang when Dispatch dropped their annual Jan 1st couple, which were no other than Lee Seung-gi and Girls' Generation's Yoona. ( OMONA post)
They broke up in August 2015.
A day later, Sports Seoul dropped pictures of fellow member Sooyoung and Jung Kyhung Ho on a date. The pair have been together since September 2012 and are still going strong!
Not enough dating news because in April of the same year, Tiffany and Nichkhun were finally caught on a date after rumors of their relationship had been going around for years. ( OMONA post)
And last but not least, in June Dispatch released pictures of Taeyeon and EXO's Baekhyun on a car date. ( OMONA post)
This couple would go down as one of the most iconic idol couples in K-Pop history due to the fandom mess and #oreogate. They broke up in September 2015.
Kris files lawsuit against SM, Luhan later follows
On May 15th, everybody and their mothers were shocked when Kris of EXO filed a lawsuit against SM to terminate his contract. ( OMONA post) 10 years later I think SM is more than happy that they dodged a bullet.
5 months later in October, fellow member Luhan also jumped ship ( ONTD post, I couldn't find the omona post from back then)
Park Bom caught with drugs
On July 1st it was belated revealed that Park Bom tried to smuggle amphetamines into Korea in 2010. She claimed she didn't know that the drug was illegal in Korea and was released without charge. Still the scandal took a big hit on her career.
GLAM's Dahee and model Lee Ji Yeon blackmail Lee Byung Hyun
Later known as "Lee Santa", actor Lee Byung Hyun was blackmailed by GLAM member Dahee and her model friend Lee Ji Yeon in August 2014. Lee reported the crime to the police and the two girls were arrested before they could flee the country. Dahee was sentenced to a year in jail and Lee Ji Yeon to a year and two months. Following the sentence of member Dahee, GLAM disbanded.
Sulli and Choiza admit they're in a relationship
On August 19th, Dispatch released pictures of f(x) member Sulli and Dynamic Duo Choiza on a date, forcing them to admit their relationship, which was already a well known secret in the K-Pop scene. ( OMONA post)
The couple broke up in 2017.
Kim Hyun Joong charged for alleged assault of then-girlfriend and baby mama
In August 2014 it was revealed that Kim Hyun Joong's then girlfriend pressed criminal charges against him for repeated instances of assault and battery. ( OMONA post)
Following a legal battle the two would reconcile a year later and become parents to a baby boy. ( OMONA post)
Ladies's Code members EunB and Rise pass away after tragic accident
On September 2nd, Ladies' Code were involved in a horrible car accident while on the way back to Seoul after a performance in Daegu. Member EunB passed away while in transit from the accident scene to the hospital. The rest of the members and two others were also taken to a nearby hospital. ( OMONA post)
5 days later, on September 7th, member RiSe also passed away. ( OMONA post)
Jessica kicked out of Girls' Generation
Yes, it's already been 10 years since Jessica had to leave Girls' Generation on September 29th, all because she started her own fashion brand. She has since put her focus on China, appearing in tv shows and releasing multiple solo albums. ( OMONA post)
Sungmin announces marriage
On October 13th, Sungmin announced that he would be the first Super Junior member to get married. Fans were of course not amused and demanded him to be kicked from the group. ( OMONA post)
B.A.P file lawsuit against TS Entertainment, request contract termination, return to agency months later
In November 2014, all members of B.A.P submitted legal documents to a Seoul court to nullify their contracts with TS Entertainment. After a long legal dispute, they returned to the agency in August 2015. ( OMONA post)
sources: kpopping.com, ranker, youtube AKMU, JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment, woolliment, officiallaboum, MAMAMOO, 1theK, SMTOWN, WINNER asianwiki 1, 2, 3, omona archive, starship TV, BIGBANG, jellyfishent, 1 the K 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, silly bean, AKMU, kpopherald, soompi, dazeddigital, 10mag