Overview of H.O.T.
One of the first South Korean boy bands, H.O.T. was created by SM Entertainment in 1996. It was a famous five-member group consisting of members Moon Hee-joon, Jang Woo-hyuk, Tony Ahn, Kangta, and Lee Jae-won.
H.O.T. were the first stars of the Korean Wave in Asia, sold over 6.4 million records in South Korea and were also commercially successful in China and Japan. However, following a contract disagreement with SM Entertainment, the group disbanded in 2001. Presently, only Kangta remains at SM Entertainment as an executive.
History, Formation & More
H.O.T. was formed in 1996 by producer Lee Soo-man, the head of SM Entertainment. The band debuted with the album, ‘We Hate All Kinds of Violence’, which was a success, selling 1.5 million copies.
The band’s music comprises a mixture of rap, ballads, dance, and later rock. Singer Kangta was the first member that Lee Soo-man picked and he provided most of the ballad vocals.
They tried to address social issues through their songs, even through their first single, ‘Descendants of Warriors’. Their second single, ‘Candy’ was a cheerful bubblegum pop song. This song established popularity among teenage girls. In the same year, the band won the Best New Artist at the Golden Disc Awards.
H.O.T. released their first Chinese album in 1997 and its sales helped them to survive the slump in South Korea and followed the Asian financial crisis.
In 1998, the band released their third album, ‘Resurrection’ and sold more than 1.1 million copies after featuring a variety of styles including hardcore hip hop. Although netizens accused the album of plagiarism for alleged similarities with a song by American rock band ‘Rage Against the Machine’, the song won the International Viewer’s Choice Award for MTV Korea at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards.
In the same year on the 25 June, H.O.T. performed alongside Michael Jackson and the popular South Korean girl group S.E.S. The group began their first live tour from Seoul Olympic Stadium.
The band members were seen frequently in advertisements owing to their popularity. In September 2000, they released their fifth and final album, ‘Outside Castle’.
In addition, members Moon Hee-joon and Jang Woo-hyuk were also popular for their dancing abilities and often choreographed the group’s routines.
In May 2001, H.O.T. was disbanded, and the band members ended their contracts with SM Entertainment. It was rumoured that the financial issues were the reason behind the group split. However, the real reason behind the split has not been officially released to the public.
Members
Moon Hee-joon
South Korean pop rock singer-songwriter Moon Hee-joon also spelled Moon Hee-jun was born on 14 March 1978. Presently, he works under under SidusHQ. He rose to popularity as the leader of the former boy band H.O.T. under SM Entertainment. He made his debut singing as the leader of this boy group.
During his time as a part of the H.O.T. group, he composed and wrote music and often choreographed the group’s dance routine with fellow member, Jang Woo-hyuk. After the group disbanded in 2001, he stayed on in S.M. Entertainment with Kangta and tried to establish a rock music career.
Before mandatory enlistment in 2005, he signed a contract with SidusHQ and hosted the KFN Korean Army Broadcast ‘Music Talk Show’ during his time in the army and received recognition from several Korean artists.
In 2009, he released his first mini album, ‘Last Cry’ and in the same year, he appeared in a sitcom, ‘Taehee, Hyekyo, Jihyun!’ and took a small break from his music career. In 2015, he signed an exclusive contract with KOEN Stars.
Moon Hee-joon married his fellow entertainer Park Hye-Kyeong on 12 February 2017 in Seoul. They welcomed their first daughter Moon Hee-yul, on 12 May 2017 and their son was born on 7 September 2022. Moon Hee-joon does not have an Instagram Account so far as of 2024.
Jang Woo-hyuk
South Korean singer and rapper Jang Woo-hyuk was born on 8 May 1978. He started his career in 1996 as a K-pop boy band H.O.T member. He was nicknamed ‘Hammer Boy’.
Woo-hyuk formed the boy band jtL, soon after the broke of the H.O.T. band. He formed the band with his two other former members. However, the band was active only between 2001 and 2003. As a solo artist, he also released two full-length albums and two extended plays. Jang Woo-hyuk is the founder of talent agency WH Entertainment.
During his time in the boy band H.O.T. he was known for being a dancer and also known for his strong vocal screams in his rap.
After the unofficial disbandment of the JTL group in 2003, its members started pursuing solo careers. He became the CEO of Newest Entertainment and collaborated with Kenzie, Pang Shi Hyuk, and a few other talented K-pop musicians.
In April 2006, he began his first promotion in China and finally formed his official fan club in China. He finished his mandatory military service on 18 December 2009. The Instagram ID of Jang Woo-hyuk is woohyukjang.
Tony Ahn
South Korean singer Tony Ahn best known as a member of the boy band H.O.T. was born on 7 June 1978. Soon after the band H.O.T. broke up in 2001, its ex-members Tony Ahn, Jang Woo-hyuk and Lee Jae-won formed the dance music trio jtL.
He is the CEO of the music entertainment company, ‘TN Nation Entertainment’ and famous comedians Jung Hyung-don and Jo Hye-ryun were in the team.
On 28 April 2008, Tony Ahn released his new special album, ‘Look Blank’ with its principal song, ‘Wallet’. After completing his two-year mandatory military service, he released a new song, ‘Going To Meet You Now’ in September 2010.
He became the lead vocal for the group when jtL was created. During his time in jtL, he also created his label, TN Nation Entertainment, to promote his solo career. Based on media reports, 36-year-old Ahn and 20-year-old Hyeri are said to have started their romantic relationship. The Instagram ID of Tony Ahn is tntonyan
Kangta
South Korean singer, composer, songwriter, record producer, actor and radio personality, An Chil-hyun, professionally known as Kangta was born on 10 October 1979. He was a member of the boy band H.O.T. Also from 2005, he has also been the creative director of SM Entertainment.
He made his on-screen appearance as a backup dancer along with Moon Hee-joon for labelmate singer Yoo Young-jin. He became a singer of the boy band H.O.T. in 1996.
On 16 August 2001, he released his first studio album, ‘Polaris’. He received several offers from China and in 2004, he starred in a drama, ‘Magic Touch of Fate’ with Taiwanese actors and actresses, Ruby Lin and Alec Su.
In 2008, Kangta enlisted for mandatory military service for 21 months and during this time appeared in the military musical, ‘Mine’ with rapper Yang Dong-geun.
On 4 February 2020, it was confirmed that Kangta was in a relationship with actress Jung Yumi. The Instagram ID of Kangta is an_chil_hyun
Lee Jae-won
South Korean DJ and singer Lee Jae-won was born on 5 April 1980. He is a former member of Korean boy band groups H.O.T. and jtL.
He released his first solo album, ‘No Pain, No Gain’ in 2005 and released his second album ‘Lee Jae Won Vol. 1.5’. In 2008, he was arrested after being accused of rape.
Lee Jae-won released his Chinese album in 2012 and received a positive response from fans in China. He enlisted for his mandatory military service and served for 22 months at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, Seoul and was discharged on 7 March 2011.
His representatives announced on 10 January 2015 that he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in April 2014. The Instagram ID of Lee Jae-won is good_is_good
Discography
Studio albums
- We Hate All Kinds of Violence – 1996
- Wolf and Sheep – 1997
- Resurrection – 1998
- I Yah! – 1999
- Outside Castle – 2000
Awards
- Mnet Asian Music Awards 2008
10th Anniversary Remember Award - Mnet Asian Music Awards 2000
Best Popular Music Video (Daesang) - KMTV Music Awards 2000
Netizen Popularity Award - Golden Disc Awards 1999
Main Prize (Bonsang) – Resurrection
- KMTV Music Awards 1999
ARS Most Popular Artist
- KMTV Music Awards 1999
Popular Singer Award (Bonsang) - KMTV Music Awards 1999
Best Male Dancer - Korea Entertainment Arts Awards 1999
Best Youth Singer
- MBC Gayo Daejejeon 1999
Popular Singer Award
- Mnet Asian Music Awards 1999
Best Popular Music Video (Daesang)
- Mnet Asian Music Awards 1999
Best Group - MTV Video Music Awards 1999
International Viewer’s Choice Award for MTV Korea - Seoul Music Awards 1999
Main Prize (Bonsang)
- Golden Disc Awards 1998
Main Prize (Bonsang)
- KBS Music Awards 1998
Grand Prize (Daesang)
- KBS Music Awards 1998
Singer of the Year (Bonsang)
- KMTV Music Awards 1998
Grand Prize (Daesang) - KMTV Music Awards 1998
ARS Most Popular Artist
- KMTV Music Awards 1998
Popular Singer Award (Bonsang) - MBC Gayo Daejejeon 1998
Best Popular Song - SBS Gayo Daejeon 1998
Main Prize (Bonsang)
- Seoul Music Awards 1998
Grand Prize (Daesang)
- Seoul Music Awards 1997
Grand Prize (Daesang)
- Seoul Music Awards 1997
Main Prize (Bonsang) - SBS Gayo Daejeon 1997
Grand Prize (Daesang) - SBS Gayo Daejeon 1997
Main Prize (Bonsang)
- MBC Gayo Daejejeon 1997
Best Popular Song
- KMTV Music Awards 1997
Grand Prize (Daesang)
- KMTV Music Awards 1997
ARS Most Popular Artist
- KMTV Music Awards 1997
Popular Singer Award (Bonsang) - Golden Disc Awards 1997
Album of the Year (Daesang)
- Golden Disc Awards 1996
Best New Artist – ‘Candy’ (1996)
- SBS Gayo Daejeon 1996
Rookie Award
Interesting Facts about H.O.T.
- H.O.T. group has 5 members
- On 7 September 1996, H.O.T. group debuted under S M Entertainment.
- During their career, H.O.T. sold over 6.4 million records in South Korea.
FAQs
- What is the official Instagram ID of H.O.T.?
highfive_of_teenagers_official - What is the history of H.O.T. K-pop?
In 1996, record producer Lee Soo-man of SM Entertainment formed H.O.T.
- How many members are there in H.O.T.?
Moon Hee-joon, Jang Woo-hyuk, Tony Ahn, Kangta, and Lee Jae-won.
