Last week,we talked about the idol group forerunners, H.O.T.So how could we not dedicate this week's article to their rivals,Sechskies?

Sechskies utilized competition to improve and step up their game – if anything, their relationship could be described as a 'friendly rivalry'. Yet K-pop fans at that time were divided into two distinct camps, reminiscent of "West Side Story": Jets or Sharks, H.O.T or Sechskies, who were you running with?

DSP Entertainmentdecided to name the 6-member group, "Sechskies", which translated to "Six Crystals" in German. An unusual name, for sure, but it resonated with the agency's desire to market the boys as brilliantly talented artists whose presence and work would never fail to inspire.

Interestingly enough, the group was divided into two subunits, comprised of three members each: the "Black kies" and the "White kies." The "Black kies" –Eun Ji Won,Lee Jae Jin,Kim Jae Duc– were the older, edgier members in the group, responsible for rapping in their tracks. The "White kies", on the other hand, consisted of vocalistsKang Sung Hoon,Go Jiyong, andJang Suwon, who tempered the edge of the other unit with their innocent charm. Debuting in 1997 with "School Song", the boys were a hit to be sure, but were far from becoming superstars. Nothing from the first album was able to lock down a 1st place win on music programs. It all changed with the release of "Chivalry" one year later, as the boys finally snagged their very first victory and shot off on that coveted ride to superstar fame.

"SAY WHAT Indeed."

If you were a K-pop fan in the 90's you will definitely remember their wild fashion including shiny outfits and baggy fit. Their praying mantis hairstyle with highlights were also quite memorable.

Sudden Disbandment and getting the gang back together

Right when they were getting on part with H.O.T. in terms of popularity they shockingly broke up in 2000.  It was a short-lived career, lasting only three years. What happened? No one really knows. The press conference that they held in May of that year revealed little about the reasons for their disintegration, only divulging on their future plans as individual artists. Some of the boys cried, fans' hearts were breaking, but the world moved on.

Each of the members did their own thing (most notably Eun Ji Won on variety shows) and the band decided to get back together after 16 years, signing underYG Entertainment. You canread more about this in our recent articles about them here.

Even though their prime was short lived, they still had an incredible impact on K-pop.