10 years ago in K-Pop: Take a look back at 2013
Welcome 2023! Can you believe that it's already been 10 years since SNSD released "I Got A Boy", BTS debuted or "My Love from the Star" had us all hooked? Yes I know, I feel old as hell right now so let's share this feeling with the rest of you and see what else happened in K-Pop in 2013.
Notably debuts
Infinite H - January 11
Infinite H was the first sub-unit of Infinite consisting of Dongwoon and Hoya. They released two mini-albums and promoted until 2017, when Hoya left Infinite. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
2YOON - January 23
2013 gave us the first and only sub-unit of 4minute consisting of Gayoon and Jiyoon. They only released one song, the "Hoedown Throwdown" inspired "24/7". They disbanded when 4minute disbanded in 2016. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
T-ara N4 - April 29
T-ara N4 was the first sub-unit of T-ara consisitng of Eunjung, Hyomin, Jiyeon, then member Areum and later member Dani. They only released one single, "Jeon Won Diary". 3 months after their debut, member Areum left the sub-unit and T-ara to focus on her solo career, with Dani replacing her. However, Dani never actually promoted with the sub-unit and later went on to compete on the first season of Produce 101. ( OMONA post)
They also randomly performed at Chris Brown's pool party in LA and it was a hot mess. ( OMONA post, video of the performance)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
BTS - June 13
I don't think anybody expected BTS to become K-Pop most successful band in history and actual world stars when they debuted a decade ago. The group is currently on hiatus because of military enlistment, with individual members doing solo promotions. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
AOA Black - July 26
AOA Black was the band unit of AOA consisting of Jimin, Choa, Yuna, Youkyung, and Mina. The group only released one song, "Moya" and was later featured on music shows when AOA performed "Get Out". After that the band unit was never seen again. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
WA$$UP - August 8
A group that wasn't really popular but still had people talking when they debuted with a new and different concept and twerked their life away in their music video. They disbanded in 2019 following contract terminations.
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Best dramas
I Can Hear Your Voice
Starring Lee Bo-young and Lee Jong-suk, the drama was originally set for 16 episodes but later extended by 2 episodes due to its successful ratings.
The Heirs
A classic that many K-Pop fans have probably seen. Starring Lee Min-ho, Park Shin-hye, Kim Woo-bin, Kang Ha-neul and Krystal, it is one of the most successful dramas of 2013.
Reply 1994
The second installment of the "Reply" series, this drama was broadcasted a year after the popular "Reply 1997". Starring Go Ara and Jung Woo, it's one of the highest-rated dramas in Korean cable tv history.
My Love From the Star
The uber-hit of 2013. This drama had a huge influence on make-up, fashion and restaurants at the time. Starring Jun Ji-hyun and Kim Soo-hyun, the drama was extended by one episode due to its popularity.
Melon Top 10 songs of 2013
1. Johnny (ft. Dynamic Duo) - Primary
[Spoiler (click to open)]
2. Tears (ft. Yoojin of The Seeya) - Leessang
[Spoiler (click to open)]
3. NoNoNo - Apink
[Spoiler (click to open)]
4. Shower of Tears (ft. Ailee) - Baechigi
[Spoiler (click to open)]
5. ? (ft. Choiza of Dynamic Duo, Zion.T) - Primary
[Spoiler (click to open)]
6. Give It To Me - Sistar
[Spoiler (click to open)]
7. What's Your Name? - 4Minute
[Spoiler (click to open)]
8. Monodrama - Huh Gak
[Spoiler (click to open)]
9. My Love - Lee Seung Chul
[Spoiler (click to open)]
10. Gone Not Around Any Longer - Sistar19
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Scandals of the year
Wonder Girls' Sunye getting married
On January 26th, Sunye became the first active idol of the 2nd generation to get married. She tied the know with James Park at the Seoul Lotte Hotel. ( OMONA post)
Later that year in October she gave birth to their first child, a girl. ( OMONA post)
Tony An (then 34) and Girl's Day's Hyeri (then 18) revealed to be dating
Back in April 2013 it was revealed by Sports Seoul that Tony An of 1st gen idol group H.O.T and Hyeri, who was still a nugu back then, were in a "relationship". They received a huge backlash due to their age gap and because netizens were convinced Hyeri seduced the poor oppa on Twitter. ( OMONA post)
Thankfully they broke up only 8 months later in November. ( OMONA post)
Police finds body of Son Ho Young's ex-girlfriend in his car, he attempts suicide 3 days later
On May 21st, the then-girlfriend of g.o.d's Son Ho Young was found dead in his car. According to police she died by suicide. He was originally brought in as a suspect but released by police severeal hours later. 3 days later on May 24st he attempted suicide the same way his girlfriend did but was thankfully rescued and rushed to the hospital. ( OMONA post)
Allkpop is mad that a former employee runs Netizenbuzz
It's hard to imagine but a decade ago, Netizenbuzz was a popular news blog for Korean gossip and the first of its kind to translate K-netz comments. The site was founded by a former employee of allkpop, who also defended the site during livestreams she held earlier in her career. That somehow got the founders of allkpop pretty mad and they started shit talking about her on Twitter. ( OMONA post, screenshots are unfortunately no longer available but I'm sure you can find them somewhere on google)
Sangchu and Se7en visit massage parlor during military service
In June 2013 it was revealed by Dispatch that Mighty Mouth's Sangchu and Se7en (who had been dating actress Park Han Byul for 11 years at the time) went to a massage parlor while they were serving in the army. They later claimed that they got their knee problems treated there but it was pretty much confirmed by the manager of the salon that "No one comes to get just a massage. They come for what you're thinking.". ( OMONA post)
They both and 5 other celebrity soldiers were sentenced to a short time in military jail over this and the Ministry of Defense ultimately ended up getting rid of the special celebrity unit. ( OMONA post)
Allkpop leaks nude photos of Ailee
In 2013, Ailee's ex-boyfriend, who was the Vice president of Allkpop's parent company, tried to sell nude pictures of the singer to Dispatch. When the attempt failed the pictures were later leaked on an anonymous online forum and then posted on allkpop on November 10. ( OMONA post, we never had an actual post with the pictures) They only removed the pictures from their site 3 weeks later. ( OMONA post)
To no ones surprise, fans and non-fans weren't too happy about this.
Allkpop tried to apologize and claimed they did not leak the pictures but the damage was done and it is one of the reasons why the site is no longer allowed as a source on omona. Sadly, it is still one of the most visited sites for K-Pop news. ( OMONA post)
sources: kpopping.com, asianwiki.com 1, youtube 4minute official channel, MNet K-Pop, WASSUPVEVO, Hạnh Ngọc, AOA, 1theK 1, asianwiki.com 2, 3, 4, 5, kpopkfans, Primary - Topic, 1theK 2, 3, SUPER SOUND Bugs!, Primary - Topic, starship TV 1, 4minute official channel, Huh Gak - Topic, Stone Music Entertainment, starship TV 2, soompi
Notably debuts
Infinite H - January 11
Infinite H was the first sub-unit of Infinite consisting of Dongwoon and Hoya. They released two mini-albums and promoted until 2017, when Hoya left Infinite. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Click to view2YOON - January 23
2013 gave us the first and only sub-unit of 4minute consisting of Gayoon and Jiyoon. They only released one song, the "Hoedown Throwdown" inspired "24/7". They disbanded when 4minute disbanded in 2016. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
T-ara N4 - April 29
T-ara N4 was the first sub-unit of T-ara consisitng of Eunjung, Hyomin, Jiyeon, then member Areum and later member Dani. They only released one single, "Jeon Won Diary". 3 months after their debut, member Areum left the sub-unit and T-ara to focus on her solo career, with Dani replacing her. However, Dani never actually promoted with the sub-unit and later went on to compete on the first season of Produce 101. ( OMONA post)
They also randomly performed at Chris Brown's pool party in LA and it was a hot mess. ( OMONA post, video of the performance)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
BTS - June 13
I don't think anybody expected BTS to become K-Pop most successful band in history and actual world stars when they debuted a decade ago. The group is currently on hiatus because of military enlistment, with individual members doing solo promotions. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
AOA Black - July 26
AOA Black was the band unit of AOA consisting of Jimin, Choa, Yuna, Youkyung, and Mina. The group only released one song, "Moya" and was later featured on music shows when AOA performed "Get Out". After that the band unit was never seen again. ( OMONA post)
[Spoiler (click to open)]
WA$$UP - August 8
A group that wasn't really popular but still had people talking when they debuted with a new and different concept and twerked their life away in their music video. They disbanded in 2019 following contract terminations.
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Best dramas
I Can Hear Your Voice
Starring Lee Bo-young and Lee Jong-suk, the drama was originally set for 16 episodes but later extended by 2 episodes due to its successful ratings.
The Heirs
A classic that many K-Pop fans have probably seen. Starring Lee Min-ho, Park Shin-hye, Kim Woo-bin, Kang Ha-neul and Krystal, it is one of the most successful dramas of 2013.
Reply 1994
The second installment of the "Reply" series, this drama was broadcasted a year after the popular "Reply 1997". Starring Go Ara and Jung Woo, it's one of the highest-rated dramas in Korean cable tv history.
My Love From the Star
The uber-hit of 2013. This drama had a huge influence on make-up, fashion and restaurants at the time. Starring Jun Ji-hyun and Kim Soo-hyun, the drama was extended by one episode due to its popularity.
Melon Top 10 songs of 2013
1. Johnny (ft. Dynamic Duo) - Primary
[Spoiler (click to open)]
2. Tears (ft. Yoojin of The Seeya) - Leessang
[Spoiler (click to open)]
3. NoNoNo - Apink
[Spoiler (click to open)]
4. Shower of Tears (ft. Ailee) - Baechigi
[Spoiler (click to open)]
5. ? (ft. Choiza of Dynamic Duo, Zion.T) - Primary
[Spoiler (click to open)]
6. Give It To Me - Sistar
[Spoiler (click to open)]
7. What's Your Name? - 4Minute
[Spoiler (click to open)]
8. Monodrama - Huh Gak
[Spoiler (click to open)]
9. My Love - Lee Seung Chul
[Spoiler (click to open)]
10. Gone Not Around Any Longer - Sistar19
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Scandals of the year
Wonder Girls' Sunye getting married
On January 26th, Sunye became the first active idol of the 2nd generation to get married. She tied the know with James Park at the Seoul Lotte Hotel. ( OMONA post)
Later that year in October she gave birth to their first child, a girl. ( OMONA post)
Tony An (then 34) and Girl's Day's Hyeri (then 18) revealed to be dating
Back in April 2013 it was revealed by Sports Seoul that Tony An of 1st gen idol group H.O.T and Hyeri, who was still a nugu back then, were in a "relationship". They received a huge backlash due to their age gap and because netizens were convinced Hyeri seduced the poor oppa on Twitter. ( OMONA post)
Thankfully they broke up only 8 months later in November. ( OMONA post)
Police finds body of Son Ho Young's ex-girlfriend in his car, he attempts suicide 3 days later
On May 21st, the then-girlfriend of g.o.d's Son Ho Young was found dead in his car. According to police she died by suicide. He was originally brought in as a suspect but released by police severeal hours later. 3 days later on May 24st he attempted suicide the same way his girlfriend did but was thankfully rescued and rushed to the hospital. ( OMONA post)
Allkpop is mad that a former employee runs Netizenbuzz
It's hard to imagine but a decade ago, Netizenbuzz was a popular news blog for Korean gossip and the first of its kind to translate K-netz comments. The site was founded by a former employee of allkpop, who also defended the site during livestreams she held earlier in her career. That somehow got the founders of allkpop pretty mad and they started shit talking about her on Twitter. ( OMONA post, screenshots are unfortunately no longer available but I'm sure you can find them somewhere on google)
Sangchu and Se7en visit massage parlor during military service
In June 2013 it was revealed by Dispatch that Mighty Mouth's Sangchu and Se7en (who had been dating actress Park Han Byul for 11 years at the time) went to a massage parlor while they were serving in the army. They later claimed that they got their knee problems treated there but it was pretty much confirmed by the manager of the salon that "No one comes to get just a massage. They come for what you're thinking.". ( OMONA post)
They both and 5 other celebrity soldiers were sentenced to a short time in military jail over this and the Ministry of Defense ultimately ended up getting rid of the special celebrity unit. ( OMONA post)
Allkpop leaks nude photos of Ailee
In 2013, Ailee's ex-boyfriend, who was the Vice president of Allkpop's parent company, tried to sell nude pictures of the singer to Dispatch. When the attempt failed the pictures were later leaked on an anonymous online forum and then posted on allkpop on November 10. ( OMONA post, we never had an actual post with the pictures) They only removed the pictures from their site 3 weeks later. ( OMONA post)
To no ones surprise, fans and non-fans weren't too happy about this.
Allkpop tried to apologize and claimed they did not leak the pictures but the damage was done and it is one of the reasons why the site is no longer allowed as a source on omona. Sadly, it is still one of the most visited sites for K-Pop news. ( OMONA post)
sources: kpopping.com, asianwiki.com 1, youtube 4minute official channel, MNet K-Pop, WASSUPVEVO, Hạnh Ngọc, AOA, 1theK 1, asianwiki.com 2, 3, 4, 5, kpopkfans, Primary - Topic, 1theK 2, 3, SUPER SOUND Bugs!, Primary - Topic, starship TV 1, 4minute official channel, Huh Gak - Topic, Stone Music Entertainment, starship TV 2, soompi