South Korean boy band Vixx stands up against more established names, writes Bibi Nurshuhada Ramli
COMPETITION is stiff among rookie idol groups in South Korea as they strive to hold their own against their world-class seniors such as Super Junior, Exo, Big Bang and Girls’ Generation.
Six-member boy group Vixx (Voice, Visual, Value In Excelsis) has outdone the rest by coming out strong in image, performance, song selection and showmanship.
Its leader, N, says: “We are very thankful to be regarded as promising. However, we don’t feel that this is a mark of success yet. We only managed to come this far thanks to our fans and we still have a long way to go.”
GETTING IN FOCUS
Comprising N, Ravi, Leo, Ken, Hong Bin and Hyuk, the members are focused on improving their performance.
“Vixx is a team and we want to get better with every show and music that we do. We approach new projects with a positive attitude because each one demonstrates our progress and reflects our maturity,” Ravi says.
The group members were participants of popular MNet’s teen idol TV reality show MyDol. The six were chosen in an elimination system through viewer votes.
The group gained recognition with its second single Rock Ur Body, released in 2012, following their debut single Super Hero in the same year. Its third single, On And On, was released in January last year, followed by its first EP, Hyde, in May. Hyde was then repackaged into an album, Jekyll, which contains the song G.R.8.U and was released last July.
G.R.8.U debuted at number one on three online music charts, namely Bugs, Naver Music and Soribada.
Last November, the group released its first full-length album Voodoo, and its title song, Voodoo Doll, earned Vixx the top spot in the hit music show, Music Bank, marking the group’s first accolade.
It recently released its fourth single, Eternity In May, from the album of the same name. The song won first place on the music shows Inkigayo (airing every Wednesday at 11.45pm on One HD) and Show Champion.
“Just being able to be on stage is good,” says Hong Bin. “Sometimes I forget how amazing it feels as our schedules get busier but I can never grow tired of it — this is what being a singer is all about.”
Vixx debuted in the Japanese market last month, with a full-length album Darkest Angels. Recently, it held its first solo concert and world tour, Vixx Live Fantasia, in South Korea, Japan, Poland and Hungary.
Last year, Vixx won the Bonsang Award for Hyde at the Seoul Music Awards and Best Rookie Group at SBS MTV Best of the Best.
CONTINUOUS GROWTH
Hong Bin says winning awards and getting recognition for their talent have been the most rewarding part of being in the industry.
N says the group always makes an effort to show its growth since its debut. “Other than to showcase a different side of Vixx that set us apart from other groups, we also make sure our performances are polished. For this to happen, we have a lot of rehearsals.”
The members also get involved in other side projects to boost their popularity. The youngest, Hyuk, took part in popular South Korean reality-documentary show Laws Of The Jungle earlier this year. He was part of the group of celebrities comprising comedian Kim Byung Man and idol group Super Junior member Kangin who went on an adventure in Brazil, learning how to survive on their own and living with local tribes.
Ken says: “When I first heard that Hyuk would be going to the jungle, I knew he would do well. Although he’s the youngest, he is very strong.”
Ravi says Hyuk has an “adventurous spirit” and the ability to stay positive under tough situations. Leo agrees that Hyuk did well on the show and that “even though he’s the youngest, there is a very strong side to his personality”.
Ken will be starring in sitcom Boarding House No. 24 while N and Hong Bin have both appeared in dramas Hotel King and Glorious Days, respectively. Leo participated in the musical Full House.
“We want to try different areas of the entertainment industry to explore our talents,” says Ken.