Turtles (South Korean band)
South Korean hip-hop group known for 'Airplane' and Turtleman's legacy.
Turtles (Korean: 거북이) was a South Korean hip-hop group that first performed together in 2000. Their biggest hit came from the fourth album: the single "Airplane" (bihaengi) reached number one on the KBS 'Music Bank' chart in September 2006.
The group's lead singer and rapper, Turtleman (born Lim Sung-hoon), died of a heart attack on April 2, 2008, after his manager found him at his apartment. The remaining members—Geum Bi and Z-E—announced the group's official disbandment on September 4, 2008.
On April 1, 2011, the group released "Aigoo", a posthumous single discovered on Turtleman's computer. Later that month, on April 18, they announced a return with a new male vocalist, and on April 28, 2011, they released a new single titled "Protagonist".
The group's original lineup included Turtleman (rap and vocals), Z-E (rap and vocals), Geum Bi (vocals), and Su Bin (vocals, 2001 only). After the reunion, Lee Kang joined on rap and vocals in 2011.
Their discography includes five studio albums: *Go! Boogie!* (2001), *Turtles 2* (2003), *Turtles 3* (2004), *Buying Turtles* (2006), and *오방간다* (2008). They also released several singles, including "Christmas Mix" (2006), "분홍빛 크리스마스" (2007), a remake single (2007), "아이고" (2011), and "주인공" (2011). Compilations include *Turtles Best, The Land of Turtles* (2006) and *Turtles Special Album, The Unfinished Story* (August 14, 2008). The group also received recognition at the Mnet Asian Music Awards.
Quick Facts
- Background
- group_or_band
- Origin
- South Korea
- Genre
- Hip hop
- Years Active
- 2001–2008 · 2011
- Label
- Enter One Music
- Past Members
- Turtleman / Z-E / Geum Bi / SuBin / Lee Kang
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Turtles debuted in 2000 with the single '거북이' (Turtles), followed by their first album Go! Boogie! in 2001. They released four more studio albums through 2008. Their fourth album, Buying Turtles, produced the hit single 'Airplane', which reached number one on the KBS 'Music Bank' chart in September 2006. The group's original lineup consisted of Turtleman (rap and vocals), Z-E (rap and vocals), Geum Bi (vocals), and Su Bin (vocals, 2001 only).
On April 2, 2008, Turtleman died of a heart attack at his apartment, discovered by his manager. The remaining members, Geum Bi and Z-E, announced their official disbandment on September 4, 2008. A posthumous single titled 'Aigoo', found on Turtleman's computer, was released on April 1, 2011. On April 18, 2011, the group announced a return on April 28 with a new male vocalist, Lee Kang, and a single titled 'Protagonist'.
Reader's Guide
Turtles were a significant act in South Korean hip-hop during the 2000s, achieving commercial success with the chart-topping single 'Airplane'. Their career was marked by the tragic death of frontman Turtleman in 2008, which led to an initial disbandment. The group's later reunion in 2011 with a new vocalist demonstrated their resilience and the enduring appeal of their music. Their discography includes five studio albums, several singles, and two compilation albums, including The Unfinished Story released shortly after Turtleman's death. The posthumous release of 'Aigoo' and the subsequent single 'Protagonist' extended their legacy beyond the original lineup. Turtles remain remembered for their contribution to Korean hip-hop and the emotional narrative surrounding their career.
Did You Know?
- Turtles' single 'Airplane' topped the KBS 'Music Bank' chart in September 2006.
- Lead singer Turtleman died of a heart attack on April 2, 2008, and was found by his manager.
- The group disbanded on September 4, 2008, but reunited in 2011 with a new male vocalist, Lee Kang.
- A posthumous single 'Aigoo' was released on April 1, 2011, after being found on Turtleman's computer.
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