Baby Vox

Baby V.O.X (Korean: 베이비복스) was a South Korean five-member female dance group active from 1997 to 2006. The group were contracted to the record company DR Music and EMI Music Publishing Korea. In the period 1998 to 2006, they released seven albums and performed internationally, including in China.^[1] They were considered as one of the prominent K-Pop girl groups in the 1990s and early 2000s along with S.E.S and Fin.K.L,^[2] and part of the so-called Hallyu Wave. After the failure of their 2004 album Ride West and numerous line-up changes the group members went their separate ways.

History

Early years (1997–1999)

The group originally consisted of Cha Yu-Mi, Jung Shi Woon, Jang Hyun Jung, Lee Hee Jin and Kim E-Z.^[3] The name is shortened from "Baby Voices of Xpression". Their debut single was entitled Hair Cut and taken from the album Equalizeher, released in June 1997.^[4] They group displayed a style inspired by that of the Spice Girls, which was not successful. After the first album, both Jung and Jang left the group and were replaced with Shim Eun Jin, Kan Mi Youn, and Lee Gai. The group adopted a more modest style, used by popular groups such as S.E.S. and Fin.K.L . From the album Baby V.O.X II, the single, "Ya Ya Ya" became a success, reaching number seven on the Korean pop charts. It was followed by a second single, "Change". Following the release, Lee Gai left the group.^[5]

Popularity height (1999–2003)

In 1999 Yoon Eun Hye replaced Lee Gai in the lineup and the single "Get Up" was released. For the first time, they reached the number one spot on the Korean music pop charts. Another single "Killer" also hit the first place on the music charts and earned the 'Top Excellency Award' in Seoul Music Award in 1999. The third single 'Missing You' was also included on the album Come Come Come Baby (1999).

In the years that followed, Baby VOX made a number of appearances in variety shows. After their success of the third album, they started promoting themselves internationally, including China, Japan and other Southeast Asian countries. The fourth album, Why, featured the two singles; "Why" and "배신 (Betrayal)", while they also featured as a show host in SBS variety program, Beautiful Sunday-Cruise to the Korea Strait. Their fifth album, Boyish Story was released in 2001 and included the singles "Game Over", "인형 (Doll)", "I Wish You are My Love".

As well as their success in Asian markets, Baby VOX released a special hits album were from their first five albums, with two single hits 우연 (Coincidence) and Go. With Coincidence, the group hit number one in the Korean music charts for the first time in three years. Coincidence was also released in a World Cup version, and performed all around Korea during the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup season, and remained popular throughout the summer. In addition to that, they managed to have a Live Concert in Seoul, which was hugely popular. A Baby VOX Music Award was also created in China.

The group held a concert in Mongolia in 2004, being the first Korean idol band to do so.^[6]

Image transition and end (2003–2006)

In spring of 2003, Baby VOX released their sixth album, a feat achieved by very few Korean pop groups. Baby VOX topped the Chinese music chart with the Chinese single I'm Still Loving You, 3rd place with 나 어떡해 (What Should I Do) and 4th place with the same single in Thailand as well. In addition, pre-orders in the album in several countries ar as follows: 200,000+ in China, 50,000+ in Taiwan, 30,000+ in Hong Kong and 120,000+ in Thailand, with a total of 400,000 pre-orders plus the album sales in South Korea alone (210,000+) with now a total of 610,000+ of album sales. However, this was also when the group's fortunes started to change. While 'What Should I Do' hit the number one spot in the Korean music chart, their second single, 바램 (The Wish) wasn't as popular.

The group's seventh and final album Ride West, released in April 2004, featured songs in English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, as well as appearances by well-known American hip hop artists, such as Tupac Shakur, Jennifer Lopez, & independent rapper Floss P, although Tupac's "appearance" was a freestyle rap that he recorded while in prison. The rights for the sample of Tupac's verse were not cleared, and this resulted in a court case pursued by the late rapper's mother, Afeni Shakur.^[7] A music video for the album's feature song, "Xcstasy", was done in English and emulated of the hip-hop videos popular in the United States at the time. A member of Korean hip hop group DJ DOC, offended by their alleged misuse of Tupac Shakur's lyrics, denounced them in the media, but later apologised.^[8] The group were forced to abandon the release of the single. A second single, "Play Remix" featuring Jennifer Lopez, was promoted for a short while, but sales were lower than from its previous albums.

After 2004, Baby VOX went into hiatus and Shim Eun Jin and Yoon Eun Hye departed the group in 2005. In February 2006, Baby VOX was officially disbanded.

Members

Cha Yu-mi (차유미) was a member of the group from 1997 to 1998. She provided lead vocals, but left the group because of knee injuries suffered during a stage performance. She now sings in Lola Fair & Baby J as Lola Fair.^[3] She has been featured on a duet with Kim Bum Soo in his song "Whenever You Call". Her other work includes writing lyrics for a track off of BoA's U.S. debut album, and providing background vocals for Girls' Generation's "Say Yes" off of their The Boys album.

Kim E-Z (born as Kim Eiji) was the leader, vocalist, and main rapper, and main dancer of the group from 1997 to 2006. She was born in Incheon and majored in dance at Yewon Art Middle School, Seoul Art High School, and Kyung Hee University. After the group's breakup, Kim has worked as a television show host and an actress.

Lee Hee-Jin was the group's second main vocalist from 1997 to 2006. She was born in Seoul and graduated from Shinkyung Girls' Commercial High School and Dong-Ah Institute of Media and Arts, majoring in broadcasting and entertainment. After the breakup, Lee went into a state of depression but began working as a fashion model, and is trying to start an acting career.

Shim Eun-Jin was the lead vocalist and lead dancer from 1998 to 2004. Eun Jin was born in Seoul and known for her tomboy qualities. She attended Shinrim Girls' High School, Youngrak Commercial Girls' High School, and Kyonggi University, majoring in broadcasting. After the group's breakup, Shim made appearances on television variety shows, such as SBS's X-Man and KBS's Heroine6. She starred as Geumlan in the KBS history drama Dae Jo Young.

Kan Mi-Youn was a main vocalist from 1998 to 2006. Kan was born in Seoul, and attended Sungdeok Commercial Girls' High School and Kyunggi University, majoring in broadcasting. After the group's breakup, Kan was a show host for MBC's 'Sunday Sunday Night's Health Club. Currently, she is living in China to pursue a solo singing career while making appearances in one of its top televisions shows and learning the Chinese language.^[2]

Yoon Eun-Hye was a vocalist from 1997 to 2005. She was a commercial and magazine model before joining the group. After leaving Baby V.O.X., she starred in productions such as MBC's Princess Hours, The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince, and KBS's The Man in the Vineyard. Eun Hye won MBC and KBS's "Rookie of the Year" acting awards in 2006, the "Top Excellence Award" at 2007's MBC Acting Awards, and the 44th Baeksang Best Actress Award in 2007 for The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince. She has also returned to music as she was featured in songs by Mighty Mouth and 2PM.

Discography

Awards

Music program

Inkigayo

Music Bank

Music Tank^[9]

• Music Tank lasted from 1995 until 2007 only.
• Songs #1 for 5 consecutive weeks becomes a powerhouse song.

Goodwill Ambassador

Endorsements

• 2004: Korean Airlines^[11]

Future generations

On December 26, 2006, DR Music unveiled the members of the 2nd generation Baby V.O.X, a spinoff group called "Baby V.O.X. Re.V" (pronounced "reeve"). Like the original group, there is one lead vocalist, three "sub-vocalists", and a singer/rapper.

Videography

Music videos

References

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