Artist of the week - Cool

Sep 21, 2008

Coolpic

PROFILE

Group Members: Kim Sung-soo, Lee Jae-hoon, Yuri
Debut Year/Debut Song: 1994/From Now

Kim Sung-soo
Name: Kim Sung-soo
Born: October 3, 1971 in the South Gyeongsang Province
Instruments: Vocals
Religion: Christian
Favorite Musician: R. Kelly, Silk, Michael Jackson, Prince, Lim Jae-bum
Favorite Spot: Soju Bars

Lee Jae-hoon
Name: Lee Jae-hoon
Born: July 30, 1974 in Seoul
Instruments: Vocals
Religion: Devout Christian
Favorite Musician: Kim Gun-mo, Kim Sung-soo, Yuri
Favorite Spot: Han River

Yuri
Name: Cha Hyun-ok
Born: December 24, 1976 in Seoul
Instruments: Vocals
Religion: Christian
Favorite Musician: Lauryn Hill, Madonna
Favorite Spot: Friend’s shop ‘Watami’

BIOGRAPHY

Cool are undoubtedly the longest standing and one of the most popular mixed dance groups in the modern Korean pop scene. A decade has gone by since the group’s debut and fans still love them as much as ever. When Cool first made their appearance a decade ago, many people predicted that they wouldn’t last long. They were wrong. Each and every one of their albums (12 in total), including their most recent 10.5 album, became huge hits.

Why? Cool is a group that refuses to confine itself to any one sound of style. The members like to experiment with different kinds of genres, which shows in the diversity of music in their albums. Now, quite a lot of people, when speaking of the group, say, ‘Cool? They’re a dance group, naturally!’ Almost all of Cool’s title tracks are dance numbers, so it may not come as a surprise that people label the group this way. However, looking at their albums carefully, one can tell their albums are balanced, containing various genres of music that cater to the tastes of a wide range of listeners. More than anything else, Cool’s songs are easy to listen and sing along to. Many would agree that summer wouldn’t quite be summer without Cool’s music. But Cool are more than just a summer group. The trio released 3 winter albums from 2001 to 2003 (First, Second, and Third Whisper) with ballads as the main theme. The biggest hit out of their winter albums was "Aloha".

To the disappointment of many fans, Cool broke up in 2005 after releasing their 10th album. Lee Jae Hoon turned solo and Yuri formed a new group Girl Friends with Chae Rina. Fortunately, this disbandment was only temporary, and Cool came back in 2008 to release their 10.5 album, with the hit "I Want Love" dominating the music charts in the summer once again.

Here’s to Cool for a decade or even two or even three of more great music.

DISCOGRAPHY

The [ku:l] (1994)
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