Young Turks Club
Korean idol group that rose to fame with 'Affection' in 1996.
Young Turks Club (영턱스클럽), often shortened to YTC, is a five-member Korean idol group that first performed in 1996. Lee Juno, a member of Seo Taiji and Boys, produced the group, whose original lineup included Lim Sung-eun, Song Jin-ah, Han Hyun-nam, Ji Joon-goo, and Choi Seung-min. The name "Young Turks Club" comes from the word "turk," meaning a young, dynamic person eager for change, so the group's title translates to "a group of active young people eager to change."
They made their debut on July 9, 1996, on KMTV's Show! Music Tank with the song "Peek," but it failed to catch on with the public. Just a week later, they switched to "Affection" and quickly became stars. That track was their first major hit in Korea, and in 2023, Rolling Stone ranked it number 58 on its list of The 100 Best Korean Pop Songs Of All Time. The group also won the new artist award at the 1996 Seoul Music Awards.
- Debut
- 1996
- Origin
- South Korea
- Genre
- K-pop
- Original members
- Lim Sung-eun, Song Jin-ah, Han Hyun-nam, Ji Joon-goo, Choi Seung-min
- Known for
- Hit song 'Affection' and winning the 1996 Seoul Music Awards new artist award
- Active years
- 1996–2012
Lore & Background
Young Turks Club made their debut stage on July 9, 1996, on KMTV's Show! Music Tank with the song 'Peek,' which failed to gain interest from the general public. A week later, they quickly changed to 'Affection' and rose to stardom, with that song becoming their first widely popular release in Korea. The group won the new artist award at the Seoul Music Awards in 1996.
The group underwent several member changes over its active years. Original members Lim Sung-eun left in 1997, Song Jin-ah in 2000, and Ji Joon-goo and Choi Seung-min both left in 1998 before returning in 2002. Other members included Park Sung-hyun (1997–1998, 2002–2012), Kim Duk-hyun (1998), Nam Hyun-joon (1998), Jeon Hyun-jung (1998–2000), and Lee Min-kyung (2011–2012). The group continued until 2012.
Reader's Guide
Young Turks Club holds a notable place in early K-pop history as a group that quickly pivoted from a failed debut to achieve major success with 'Affection.' Their rapid turnaround—from the unsuccessful 'Peek' to the hit 'Affection' within a week—demonstrates the fast-paced nature of the 1990s Korean music industry. The song 'Affection' was later ranked number 58 in Rolling Stone's 2023 list of The 100 Best Korean Pop Songs Of All Time, cementing its lasting cultural impact. The group's production by Lee Juno, a member of the pioneering group Seo Taiji and Boys, also links them to a foundational era of K-pop. Despite numerous member changes over 16 years, Young Turks Club maintained a presence in the industry, and their 1996 Seoul Music Awards new artist award underscores their early recognition. Their legacy is primarily tied to 'Affection,' which remains a touchstone for fans of 1990s Korean pop music.
Did You Know?
- They changed to the song 'Affection' just a week after their debut and rose to stardom.
- The group was produced by Lee Juno, a member of the influential group Seo Taiji and Boys.
More in South Korean co-ed groups 1-24
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