Roo'ra
Co-ed 1990s South Korean hip hop and dance-pop group.
Roo'ra was a South Korean co-ed group that blended hip hop and dance-pop, rising to become one of the nation's top acts in the 1990s. They first appeared in 1994 with the successful album *Roots of Reggae*, and their follow-up, *The Angel Who Lost Wings* (1995), quickly sold a million copies. The group split up in 2001, but came back together in 2009 to put out their eighth and final record, *A9ain*.
The group stirred up major controversy in 1996 when it was discovered that their song "Cheon sang yu ae" used an uncredited sample from the Japanese track "Omatsuri Ninja" by the boy group Ninja. This sparked a fierce discussion about what defines "Korean-ness in popular music," a long-simmering issue that finally boiled over in the mid-1990s. The scandal nearly broke up the group in 1996, but they held together until their official disbandment in 2001, after releasing a final album.
In 2008, Lee Sang-min, Go Young-wook, Kim Ji-hyun, and Chae Ri-na reunited to work on a new album. During that project, Shin Jung-hwan and Go Young-wook formed a temporary duo called "Roo'ra Man" and released a single, "The Reason Why I Hate Winter," in December 2008, produced by Lee Sang-min. Roo'ra's last album, *Again*, came out in July 2009, with "Going Going" as its lead single.
The original lineup consisted of Lee Sang-min, Go Young-wook, Kim Ji-hyun, and Shin Jung-hwan. In 1995, Shin Jung-hwan left for mandatory military service, and Chae Ri-na joined. Kim Ji-hyun departed in 1997 to go solo, with temporary vocalist Mikey Romeo stepping in, but she returned for the group's next album in 1999. After Roo'ra disbanded in 2001, Lee Sang-min, Chae Ri-na, Go Young-wook, and Kim Ji-hyun reunited in 2009.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- South Korea
- Genre
- Hip hop · dance-pop · reggae
- Years Active
- 1994–2001; 2009
- Past Members
- Kim Ji-hyun / Lee Sang-min / Shin Jung-hwan / Ko Young-wook / Chae Ri-na / Mikey Romeo
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Roo'ra debuted in 1994 with the album Roots of Reggae. Their second album, The Angel Who Lost Wings (1995), sold 1 million copies in record time. In 1996, the group faced significant controversy when it was discovered they had used an unattributed sample of the Japanese track 'Omatsuri Ninja' by boy group Ninja in their song 'Cheon sang yu ae'. This incident sparked a heated debate about 'Korean-ness in popular music' and nearly caused the group to split that year. Roo'ra disbanded in 2001 after releasing a final album.
In 2008, the group reunited with members Lee Sang-min, Go Young-wook, Kim Ji-hyun, and Chae Ri-na to work on a new album. During the project, Shin Jung-hwan and Go Young-wook formed a temporary duo called 'Roo'ra Man' and released a single, 'The Reason Why I Hate Winter', in December 2008, produced by Lee Sang-min. Roo'ra's last album, A9ain, was released in July 2009 with 'Going Going' as the first single.
Reader's Guide
Roo'ra holds a significant place in South Korean popular music history as one of the most successful co-ed groups of the 1990s. Their rapid commercial success, exemplified by the million-selling second album, marked them as a major force in the decade's music scene. However, their legacy is also defined by the 1996 sampling controversy, which ignited a public discourse on cultural authenticity and the use of foreign elements in Korean pop music. This debate, though long dormant, was brought to the forefront by the incident and influenced discussions about musical identity. The group's eventual disbandment in 2001 and brief reunion in 2009 for a final album underscore their lasting impact and the continued interest in their work. Their story reflects both the heights of 1990s K-pop popularity and the complexities of cultural exchange in the industry.
Did You Know?
- Roo'ra was a co-ed hip hop and dance-pop group from South Korea.
- In 1996, the group faced controversy for unattributed sampling of a Japanese track called 'Omatsuri Ninja' by Ninja.
- Roo'ra disbanded in 2001 and reunited in 2009 to release their eighth and final album, A9ain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Roo'ra?
Roo'ra was a South Korean co-ed group that mixed hip hop with dance-pop and rose to become one of the country's leading acts during the 1990s.
When did Roo'ra debut and what was their first album?
The group first appeared in 1994 with the well-received record *Roots of Reggae*.
What is Roo'ra's biggest-selling album?
Their 1995 follow-up *The Angel Who Lost Wings* quickly moved a million copies, making it their most commercially successful release.
What was the 1996 sampling controversy involving Roo'ra?
It was discovered that their track "Cheon sang yu ae" contained an uncredited sample from the Japanese boy group Ninja's song "Omatsuri Ninja," which sparked major backlash.
Did Roo'ra ever reunite after breaking up?
After splitting in 2001, the members came back together in 2009 to release their eighth and final album, *A9ain*.
More in South Korean co-ed groups 1-24
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