Turbo (group)
Encyclopedia
Turbo was a popular South Korea
n duo
in the mid to late 90's.
. Leader and former DJ Kim Jung Nam was responsible for the rap and choreography while Kim Jong Kook
, former vocalist for a high school band, took care of the vocals. This combo proved to be well matched, as Turbo's name soon became synonymous with dance music.
They launched their first album in August 1995, titled "280 km/h speed". Living up to their group name and album title, Turbo took the dance world by storm debuting with the song "나 어릴적 꿈"(My Childhood Dream). The untimely death of Deux
member Kim Sung Jae
just one month after Turbo's debut, made Turbo the heir apparent to become the kings of the Korean dance scene. Following up with songs "검은 고양이" (Black Cat) and "선택" (Decision), Turbo was labeled as "dance music's scary kids" for rising in popularity so fast.
Just a year after their debut, Turbo returned with their second album, "New Sensation". Reaffirming their popularity, the album sold 800,000 copies within the first two months and their title track "Twist King" swept all the charts. After "Twist King" Turbo performed "Love Is...(3+3=0)" and "어느 재즈 바... (At the Jazz Bar...)". By the end of their second album promotion, Turbo was firmly entrenched as a premier dance group.
This status was short lived however, as Turbo broke up just months later. Citing problems with their management, Turbo went into seclusion. Their hiding was so effective that police were brought in to investigate their whereabouts. Eventually, due to public demand for Turbo's return, half of Turbo returned. Kim Jung Nam, unable to reconcile his differences with the management, left the group. He later joined the 5 member group SNAP in 1999. This left Kim Jong Kook looking for a new partner.
resident Mikey. Immigrating to America at the age of 6, he had his dreams set on becoming a singer ever since watching videos of the popular group Seo Taiji and Boys. In May 1997, with the goal of becoming a singer, Mikey returned to South Korea alone. Just two months later he auditioned for Turbo among 3500 other hopefuls. Mikey shined both in his rapping skills and also his ability to speak English, gaining him the spot.
Resurrected with the addition of Mikey, Turbo returned to the gayo world October 1997 with their aptly titled 3rd album "Born Again...". Performing "회상" (Remembrance/December), "금지된 장난 (Forbidden Games)" and "Goodbye Yesterday", they took back the dance music title. During this time, Turbo was offered to sing a duet with American singer and movie star Will Smith
. Smith, who had just launched his fourth single "Just the Two of Us" (Bill Withers song) said he wanted to make an Asian version of the song. After reviewing singers from Asia he picked Turbo for their music abilities and unique style. Also of interest, singer Choi Chang Min served as a back dancer for Turbo from 97-98 before launching his own solo career.
While preparing for their 4th album Kim Jong Kook injured his hip, hampering their album release. Eventually released October 1998, entitled "Perfect Love" Turbo ventured into different types of music, including Latin, Techno, R&B, Hip Hop and Ballad. Turbo's title track "애인이 생겼어요" (I Got a Girlfriend) was described as a fresh and comical change for Turbo. Following up with a more traditional Turbo style song "X: The Greatest Love", Turbo showed they were still going strong, getting voted as one of the best artists of 98.
But once again Turbo faced breakup. Turbo was invited to participate in the Asia Superconcert on the 30th of December 1998 to represent South Korea with names like H.O.T.
, S.E.S., Fin.K.L
, Clon and Sechs Kies
. This concert featured singers from all over Asia including Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Taiwan and was broadcast live to South Korea, China and Japan. Due to arguments with management before the concert, Kim Jong Kook
protested his role in the concert by not performing his section of the concert and leaving without bowing. This rude behavior was heavily criticized by many who watched the live KBS 1TV broadcast, including top politicians. Due to this incident Kim Jong Kook and Turbo were banned from appearing on TV.
With the ban reluctantly lifted October 1999, Turbo returned in full force just 4 months later with their 5th album "Email my heart". Wanting to raise their level of music, Turbo requested the help of Korea's top musicians and composers including Yoon Il Sang, Yoo Jung Yun, Joo Young Hoon, and Ahn Jung Hoon. Labeled "Cyber Lover", Turbo's title track was not only an exciting song but provided an entertaining look at today’s Internet based society. Also to celebrate the millennium Turbo included a special ticket in 2000 of their albums, with the winners guaranteed a copy of Turbo's new albums henceforth.
Not only was their 5th album a success, the music video for their follow up song "Tonight" garnered much popularity and was regarded as one of the years best music videos. Starring talent Kim Min and Turbo's own Kim Jong Kook, the video was directed by Kim Sae Hoon who also did the videos "To Heaven" Jo Sung Mo and "Youngone" [sky]. Set in LA's Harlem, Tonight dramatizes gang violence in typical Korean style. But this dramatization was deemed too violent for tv and Turbo was forced to take it off the air. Having their video banned was nothing new, since their title video, "Cyber Lover" was also banned for inappropriate chat dialog within the video.
Amid all the ups and downs Turbo faced in their career and their premature breakup, they have always remained hugely popular. Attributing to this popularity is the fact that every Turbo album has been a million seller. Kim Jong Kook has gone on to have major solo success, releasing 7 albums and winning many accolades, including 3 of out of the 4 best artist awards in 2005, a feat which hasn't been matched since. Mikey was a part of the K-pop group M3.
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n duo
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
in the mid to late 90's.
Early years
Turbo was formed in October 1994 to compete against the then popular dance group, DeuxDeux
Deux is a South Korean hip hop duo popular in early 1990s. The duo consisted of Lee Hyun Do and Kim Sung Jae. They were not only colleagues when they were the 2nd generation of the hip hop group, Hyeon Jin Young and Wawa but also close friends to each other...
. Leader and former DJ Kim Jung Nam was responsible for the rap and choreography while Kim Jong Kook
Kim Jong Kook
Kim Jong Kook is a South Korean singer. He was initially part of the Korean duo Turbo, and he later pursued a successful career as a solo artist.-Biography:...
, former vocalist for a high school band, took care of the vocals. This combo proved to be well matched, as Turbo's name soon became synonymous with dance music.
They launched their first album in August 1995, titled "280 km/h speed". Living up to their group name and album title, Turbo took the dance world by storm debuting with the song "나 어릴적 꿈"(My Childhood Dream). The untimely death of Deux
Deux
Deux is a South Korean hip hop duo popular in early 1990s. The duo consisted of Lee Hyun Do and Kim Sung Jae. They were not only colleagues when they were the 2nd generation of the hip hop group, Hyeon Jin Young and Wawa but also close friends to each other...
member Kim Sung Jae
Kim Sung Jae
Kim Sung Jae was a South Korean hip-hop singer, rapper and dancer, first known as the member of Deux, hip-hop duo that gained a popularity in the early 1990s. Several months after the group was disbanded, Kim released his solo album "As I Speak" on 19 November 1995...
just one month after Turbo's debut, made Turbo the heir apparent to become the kings of the Korean dance scene. Following up with songs "검은 고양이" (Black Cat) and "선택" (Decision), Turbo was labeled as "dance music's scary kids" for rising in popularity so fast.
Just a year after their debut, Turbo returned with their second album, "New Sensation". Reaffirming their popularity, the album sold 800,000 copies within the first two months and their title track "Twist King" swept all the charts. After "Twist King" Turbo performed "Love Is...(3+3=0)" and "어느 재즈 바... (At the Jazz Bar...)". By the end of their second album promotion, Turbo was firmly entrenched as a premier dance group.
This status was short lived however, as Turbo broke up just months later. Citing problems with their management, Turbo went into seclusion. Their hiding was so effective that police were brought in to investigate their whereabouts. Eventually, due to public demand for Turbo's return, half of Turbo returned. Kim Jung Nam, unable to reconcile his differences with the management, left the group. He later joined the 5 member group SNAP in 1999. This left Kim Jong Kook looking for a new partner.
1997~2000
That partner was found in CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
resident Mikey. Immigrating to America at the age of 6, he had his dreams set on becoming a singer ever since watching videos of the popular group Seo Taiji and Boys. In May 1997, with the goal of becoming a singer, Mikey returned to South Korea alone. Just two months later he auditioned for Turbo among 3500 other hopefuls. Mikey shined both in his rapping skills and also his ability to speak English, gaining him the spot.
Resurrected with the addition of Mikey, Turbo returned to the gayo world October 1997 with their aptly titled 3rd album "Born Again...". Performing "회상" (Remembrance/December), "금지된 장난 (Forbidden Games)" and "Goodbye Yesterday", they took back the dance music title. During this time, Turbo was offered to sing a duet with American singer and movie star Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
. Smith, who had just launched his fourth single "Just the Two of Us" (Bill Withers song) said he wanted to make an Asian version of the song. After reviewing singers from Asia he picked Turbo for their music abilities and unique style. Also of interest, singer Choi Chang Min served as a back dancer for Turbo from 97-98 before launching his own solo career.
While preparing for their 4th album Kim Jong Kook injured his hip, hampering their album release. Eventually released October 1998, entitled "Perfect Love" Turbo ventured into different types of music, including Latin, Techno, R&B, Hip Hop and Ballad. Turbo's title track "애인이 생겼어요" (I Got a Girlfriend) was described as a fresh and comical change for Turbo. Following up with a more traditional Turbo style song "X: The Greatest Love", Turbo showed they were still going strong, getting voted as one of the best artists of 98.
But once again Turbo faced breakup. Turbo was invited to participate in the Asia Superconcert on the 30th of December 1998 to represent South Korea with names like H.O.T.
H.O.T.
H.O.T. was a popular five-member South Korean boy band in the mid to late 1990s. Their name is an acronym, standing for "High-five Of Teenagers". They were formed by SM Entertainment in 1996 and disbanded in 2001.H.O.T...
, S.E.S., Fin.K.L
Fin.K.L
Fin.K.L was a Korean pop girl group that debuted in 1998.Their name stands for Fin Killing Liberty, and was intended to mean that the group stood against "the oppression of all freedom" . The group's name was selected by a poll of young people by the record company before the group's inception...
, Clon and Sechs Kies
Sechs Kies
Sechs Kies or 6kies is former Korean hip hop boy band from Daesung Entertainment and onetime rival of H.O.T. Currently, the two members, Kim Jae Duc and Jang Soo Won, have associated with Click-B to form another group, JnC....
. This concert featured singers from all over Asia including Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Taiwan and was broadcast live to South Korea, China and Japan. Due to arguments with management before the concert, Kim Jong Kook
Kim Jong Kook
Kim Jong Kook is a South Korean singer. He was initially part of the Korean duo Turbo, and he later pursued a successful career as a solo artist.-Biography:...
protested his role in the concert by not performing his section of the concert and leaving without bowing. This rude behavior was heavily criticized by many who watched the live KBS 1TV broadcast, including top politicians. Due to this incident Kim Jong Kook and Turbo were banned from appearing on TV.
With the ban reluctantly lifted October 1999, Turbo returned in full force just 4 months later with their 5th album "Email my heart". Wanting to raise their level of music, Turbo requested the help of Korea's top musicians and composers including Yoon Il Sang, Yoo Jung Yun, Joo Young Hoon, and Ahn Jung Hoon. Labeled "Cyber Lover", Turbo's title track was not only an exciting song but provided an entertaining look at today’s Internet based society. Also to celebrate the millennium Turbo included a special ticket in 2000 of their albums, with the winners guaranteed a copy of Turbo's new albums henceforth.
Not only was their 5th album a success, the music video for their follow up song "Tonight" garnered much popularity and was regarded as one of the years best music videos. Starring talent Kim Min and Turbo's own Kim Jong Kook, the video was directed by Kim Sae Hoon who also did the videos "To Heaven" Jo Sung Mo and "Youngone" [sky]. Set in LA's Harlem, Tonight dramatizes gang violence in typical Korean style. But this dramatization was deemed too violent for tv and Turbo was forced to take it off the air. Having their video banned was nothing new, since their title video, "Cyber Lover" was also banned for inappropriate chat dialog within the video.
Disbandment
Although their 5th album was a huge success, lead singer Kim Jong Kook took an opportunity to go solo leaving Mikey and many disappointed Turbo fans. Kim Jong Kook was offered a 700 million won (more than half million USD) contract for 2 albums by I Star media. Mikey, with his visa expiring, also took leave to New York City to study music under Paul Bay. To end their long career, Turbo released one last album titled "History" revisiting all their hit songs from previous albums and including 3 new songs. A music video for "History" was also released, featuring for the first time transsexual model and singer Harisu.Amid all the ups and downs Turbo faced in their career and their premature breakup, they have always remained hugely popular. Attributing to this popularity is the fact that every Turbo album has been a million seller. Kim Jong Kook has gone on to have major solo success, releasing 7 albums and winning many accolades, including 3 of out of the 4 best artist awards in 2005, a feat which hasn't been matched since. Mikey was a part of the K-pop group M3.
Former
- Kim Jung Nam - 김정남 - 1995-1996
- Kim Jong KookKim Jong KookKim Jong Kook is a South Korean singer. He was initially part of the Korean duo Turbo, and he later pursued a successful career as a solo artist.-Biography:...
- 김종국 - 1995-2000 - Mikey (Jo Myung Ik) - 마이키 (조명익) - 1997-2000
Discography
| Year | Album Information | Tracklisting |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 280 Km/H Speed
|
|
| 1996 | New Sensation
|
|
X-Mas Dance Party Mix with Turbo
|
|
|
| 1997 | Turbo Summer Remix
|
|
Born Again
|
|
|
| 1998 | Perfect Love
|
|
| 1999 | Millennium Turbo Dance Megamix
|
|
| 2000 | E-Mail My Heart
|
|
| 2001 | History
|
|