On the December 20 broadcast of KBS2’s “Gayo Daechukje,” hosted by singer Zico, IVE’s Jang Wonyoung and actor Kim Young-dae, a wide range of artists graced the stage. The lineup included current idols like aespa, (G)I-DLE, IVE, and NCT 127, along with legends like Jinusean, SES’s Bada, Baby VOX, and DJ Koo. Together, they presented a harmonious blend of old and new generations.
Among them, Baby VOX’s reunion performance, their first in 14 years, stole the spotlight. Their performance became the second most tweeted topic in real time and dominated search rankings the day after the broadcast. Not only did the group dispel long-standing rumors of disagreement with their perfect teamwork and camaraderie, but their stunning visuals, comparable to current idols, captivated viewers.
Although the passage of time was evident, what struck netizens was that all members are now in their 40s. On December 21, online communities were filled with comments like: “They are better than some active idols”, “Kan Mi-youn is still so cute” AND “The youngest member is already 40 years old, but they all took so much care of themselves that they looked like active idols.” In particular, Kim EZ has received significant attention. Comments included: “What is truly amazing is Kim EZ. She’s a mom with two kids, yet she’s so well taken care of” AND “Kim EZ is the oldest of the group, five years older than Yoon Eun-hye. Even though she has stepped away from the entertainment industry to raise her children, she seems like an active person until yesterday.“
First generation idols refer to idol groups that debuted in the late 1990s and remained active until the early 2000s. Iconic groups of this era included male idols such as H.O.T., Sechs Kies, and Taesaja, so such as girl groups such as SES, Fin.KL, Baby VOX and Sharp. Younger generations rediscovering these early K-pop pioneers through platforms like YouTube and Shorts have expressed awe at their performances and imagery.
For example, the comments under Lee Ji-hye’s clips of Sharp, who has recently gained popularity through her personal YouTube channel, read: “I thought it was Taeyeon from Girls’ Generation”, “How can he sing and dance so well?” AND “I thought she was a comedian, but she’s actually a great singer.” Meanwhile, Eugene of SES, SM Entertainment’s first girl group, continues to thrive as a host, commercial model, TV host and musical theater actress, all while maintaining her fairytale beauty 25 years later.
The reunion stages of first-generation groups such as Baby VOX and the whole group activities of second-generation groups such as god, JX, BIGBANG, 2NE1, T-ARA and FT Island evoke nostalgia among fans. These performances not only serve as gifts for those who remember the “good old days,” but also affirm the professionalism and impact of first- and second-generation idols in the global rise of K-pop.
Netizens commented: “Most first-generation girl groups still sing steadily and have taken great care of their appearance.” Others expressed a desire for more, saying: “While the first generation male idols’ handling of the appearance is slightly less impressive than that of the girls, it would be great to see them reunite occasionally and appear on music shows as full groups..”
