Fly to the Sky
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Fly to the Sky | |
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![]() (L-R): Hwanhee and Brian Joo | |
Background information | |
Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
Genres |
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Years active |
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Labels |
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Members | |
Website | www |
Fly to the Sky (
Musical career
1999–2001: Debut and the early years
The duo was formed in late 1998 by SM Entertainment. Brian Joo auditioned while he was attending Holy Spirit High School in New Jersey. Hwang Yoon-Suk, later to be known as Hwanhee, was encouraged to audition by a staff member working for the label at his high school festival. Fly to the Sky officially debuted on November 21, 1999, at the LOG-IN H.O.T. Concert and SM Festival Concert '99.
Soon after, the duo released their debut album
Their popularity rapidly climbed with the release of their second album The Promise in 2001, which featured more diverse genres than its predecessor. With more upbeat tracks, it peaked at #2, but quickly disappeared from the charts.[7] In the same year, they held a joint concert with Korean R&B singer Kim Jo-Han.
2002–2004: Musical transition
In April 2002, their third album Sea of Love was released while Joo was in New Jersey attending Rutgers University. As a result, Hwang began to perform by himself until Joo returned to Korea. The lead single from the album was the title track, a poppy ballad, and it became a summer hit. Their second single "Condition of my Heart" was written by American singer Brian McKnight; in contrast to the first single, "Condition" was a heavier ballad. The single signaled the duo's musical transition from bubblegum music to R&B. Along with their music, their image began to change as the duo traded in their "flower boy" look for a more masculine image. In the same year, the label released a female duo that was said by fans to complement Fly to the Sky known as Isak N Jiyeon, however the two groups never worked independently with each other.
Their 2003 studio album Missing You featured more tracks that departed from bubblegum music and emphasized their vocal skills for an image as serious artists. Performing commercially well, the album gave the duo many awards including "Bonsang" award from SBS Gayo Daejun and Korea Music Awards. This period is remembered for the highly publicized death of their manager, who was also the manager of BoA, another Korean singer.[8] On a variety show, both members recalled this incident as an emotionally hard time for them. Hwanhee was especially shocked, because he was on the same vehicle with his manager just hours before the incident.
In November 2004, the duo released their fifth and last studio album under SM Entertainment,
The release of their
2004–2006: Leaving SM Entertainment and personal struggles
After Fly to the Sky's contract with SM Entertainment expired in November 2004, the duo signed on with PFull Entertainment. The duo stated that they wanted a smaller label that was willing to promote them as musicians and focus less on commercial success.[14] Under this label, Fly to the Sky released their sixth studio album Transition after a year-long hiatus in January 2006. The album became massively successful, selling over 160,000 copies.
The duo embarked on their first nationwide tour, "Fly To The Sky: 2006 The Twice Tour". Starting from Jamsil Arena in
To commemorate the success of Transition, Fly To The Sky released a special new edition, which included music videos, deleted scenes and the additional tracks "Hwan Sang (Illusion)," "Hot and Cold," and "When I Say."
In 2004 and 2005, the duo's uncertain future after their contract with SM Entertainment led to a speculation that they would disband.
Since 2006, the duo has been seen frequently on variety shows and pursued individual careers. Hwanhee appeared on
2007–2009: Return to prominence and solo projects
The duo's seventh album
2014: Comeback after five years on hiatus
On April 14, 2014, Brian Joo announced on his Twitter that Fly to the Sky will be making their comeback in May. The band later signed up with H2 Media, the agency of member Hwanhee.[23] Their ninth new album Continiuum has been released and the main title track is "You You You".[24] The single peaked at number one on Gaon digital chart.[25]
In June, the duo releases a music video titled "Years Apart" as a theme song for the movie No Tears for the Dead.[26]
Although being on hiatus for 5 years, Hwanhee and Brian expressed their good teamwork and solid friendship in an interview, telling "There were rumors about us being gay and liking men, but it’s not like that. We’re that close so people feel that way about us”.[27]
Musical style
The duo's debut single "Day by Day" was a light bubblegum
The duo differs in their taste of music. Producer of Transition, Hwang Se-Jun, has said Hwanhee prefers pure R&B while Brian likes music with distinct beats and has a strong liking for rap.[19] Despite his passion, their 2006 studio album Transition does not feature any. Brian predicts that there will no longer be any opportunity to include his rap in their album, and dislikes "being generalized as a duo comprised of one rapper and one vocalist." He lamented the waning popularity of hip-hop in South Korea where "hip-hop is merely labeled as dance music in Korea."[14]
Criticisms
Prior to the duo's transition to R&B, critics were displeased as despite being promoted as serious artists that appeal to older audiences, they felt that the duo was no different from other popular teen idols at that time.[28] In a lengthy interview with music review site "52street", the site described the duo in the early years as, "trendy hairstyle, thick make-up, and flashy dance moves."[14]
As their career matured, critics have pointed that Fly to the Sky has yet to find their own style. The duo has been criticized for lack of creative control over their works and relying heavily on composers whose distinct styles overpower their vocals.[29] During their career they have written lyrics for four songs in albums Gravity and No Limitations.[29][30] Music critic Shin Hye Rim says,[29]
Ironically, Fly to the Sky's sixth album Transition, which means change or transformation, shows no significant improvement. Despite that this album is their first step under their new label, the album almost turns out just the way we have predicted. Fany's thick tone color and Brian's clean-cut voice fuse to make music that spits out sorrow. That's about it.
Their appearances at variety shows were met with scrutiny as the duo were seen frequently outside of music programs during 2006.[31] They were one of many artists who hopped on a bandwagon to promote their albums by appearing comical on variety shows. Critics compared this choice to a double-edged sword; while they gained more publicity and a more viewer-friendly image, they were compromising their image as professional artists.[32] From January to February 2006, Seoul YWCA conducted a research to study variety shows that air from 6PM to 8PM. The research concluded that "variety shows star the same celebrities and air similar content."[20] The article listed celebrities who frequent those shows, of which Joo was one of them. He appeared in television shows of three major broadcasting networks of Korea during the same time slot on January 6 and January 29.[20]
Awards and nominations
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
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2003 | Main Prize (Bonsang) | "Missing You" | Won | [33] |
2006 | "Like a Man" | Won |
- Mnet Asian Music Awards
Year | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
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2000
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Best New Group |
"Day By Day" | Nominated | [34] |
Best R&B Performance | Nominated | |||
2001
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"The Promise" (약속) | Nominated | [35] | |
2002
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"My Heart" | Nominated | [36] | |
2003
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"Missing You" | Won | [37] | |
2006
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"Like a Man" | Won | [38] | |
2007
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"My Angel" | Nominated | [39] |
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
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2000 | Rookie Award | — | Won | [40] |
2002 | R&B Award | Won | [41] | |
2003 | Main Prize (Bonsang) | Won | [42] | |
2004 | R&B Award | Won | [43] | |
2006 | Main Prize (Bonsang) | Won | [44] |
Other awards
Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
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2003 | Seoul Music Awards | Main Prize (Bonsang) | — | Won | [45] |
2006 | Korean Fashion World Awards | Best Dressed Singer | — | Won | [46] |
2014 | Melon Music Awards | R&B/Soul Award | "You You You" | Won | [47] |
Discography
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References
- ^ Martin, Annie (2017-10-02). "Fly to the Sky to release new album in November". UPI. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ Yoon, Min-sik (2018-05-14). "Hwanhee to release new single on May 22". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ O, So-yeong (2014-11-21). 대체할 수 없는 시너지, 플라이투더스카이의 15주년 '되돌아 보기'. Sports Q (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ "2000.04월 - 가요 음반 판매량 (Record Sales of April 2000)" (in Korean). Music Industry Association Korea. April 2000. Archived from the original on 2007-06-16. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
- ^ "Fly to the Sky Artist Review". Mnet. Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
- ^ "1999.12월 - 가요 음반 판매량 (Record Sales of December 1999)". Music Industry Association Korea. December 1999. Archived from the original on 2007-06-16. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
- ^ "2001.02월 - 가요 음반 판매량 (Record Sales of February 2001)" (in Korean). Music Industry Association Korea. February 2001. Archived from the original on September 2, 2004. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
- ^ "보아, 매니저 교통사고 사망 '통곡' (BoA mourns death of her manager)" (in Korean). 2003-07-09. Archived from the original on August 14, 2003. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
- ^ "2004 Yearly Chart" (in Korean). Music Industry Association Korea. December 2004. Archived from the original on August 1, 2008. Retrieved 2006-11-20.
- ^ "2005 Yearly Chart" (in Korean). Music Industry Association Korea. December 2005. Archived from the original on 2007-03-10. Retrieved 2006-11-20.
- ^ "다양한 장르, 정상급 가수들의 뜨거운 경합 Diverse Genres, Intense battle between top-notch artists" (in Korean). 2004-12-31. Archived from the original on 2005-01-22. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
- ^ "플라이투더스카이가 상을? 2개월 활동했는데? 찝찝한 결과... (Fly to the Sky wins an award? After only being active for two months? An unclear result..." (in Korean). 2004-12-30. Archived from the original on 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
- ^ "드라마 패션70s 주제곡 뜬다 Drama Fashion 70s Theme Song becomes a hit" (in Korean). 2005-06-09. Archived from the original on September 22, 2007. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
- ^ a b c Ok-sun Seo. "Fly to the Sky: Two voices, two attractions, second start... Four wings that fly once again" (in Korean). 52street. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
- ^ "플라이투더스카이, 음반활동 종료..개인활동 돌입 (Fly to the Sky takes a hiatus and starts individual activities)" (in Korean). 31 May 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
- ^ "브라이언 왜 생방송 도중 눈물 흘렸나 (Why did Brian shed tears on a live show?)" (in Korean). 2006-02-19. Archived from the original on 2006-03-09. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
- ^ Kim Ji-yun (2006-08-09). "신화 플라이투더스카이 쥬얼리, 장수비결은? (Shinhwa, Fly to the Sky, and Jewelry: What are their secrets to a long lasting career?)" (in Korean). Retrieved 2006-12-24.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Lee Dong-Jun (2006-07-10). "브라이언, "해체 위기 맞은 적 있다" (Brian, "We Nearly Disbanded.")" (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2006-08-29.
- ^ a b Won-kyung Cho; Kim Ha-rim (2006). "Fly to the Sky Transition" (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2009-02-18. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
- ^ a b c Hu Yoon-Hee (2006-04-04). "오락프로 출연자 '그 나물에 그 밥' (Entertainment TV Show Cast All the Same)" (in Korean). The Hankyoreh. Archived from the original on November 13, 2007. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
- ^ Park Mi-ea (2007-06-20). "환희-브라이언, 29일 플투스 7집 첫 무대 (Fany-Brian, First Seventh Album Performance on the 29th)" (in Korean). EDaily. Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
- ^ Lee Gyoo-Rim (2007-05-28). "플라이투더스카이, 1년 반만에 정규 7집 발표 (Fly to the Sky to release seventh album after a year and a half)" (in Korean). Mydaily. Archived from the original on 2007-10-13. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
- ^ "플라이 투 더 스카이, 9집 앨범으로 컴백".
- ^ Fly to the Sky Returns with “Continuum” on May 20 Soompi.com (April 30, 2014). Retrieved on May 20, 2014.
- ^ Gaon Digital Chart Week 22 of 2014 Archived 2014-06-01 at the Wayback Machine Gaon.co.kr (May 2014). Retrieved May 31, 2014
- ^ Fly to the Sky Drops “Years Apart” MV for Jang Dong Gun and Kim Min Hee’s Movie Soompi.com (June 4, 2014). Retrieved June 4, 2014
- ^ Fly to the Sky: “Rumors That We Are a Couple Are Better than Rumors of Us Fighting” Soompi.com (June 11, 2014). Retrieved on June 15, 2014.
- ^ "Fly to the Sky at IZM.com" (in Korean). July 2005. Archived from the original on 2007-03-01. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
- ^ a b c Hye-rim Shin (February 2006). "Album Review Transition" (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2007-03-10. Retrieved 2006-10-28.
- ^ Joong-Suk Yang (August 2006). "4집 - Missing You" (in Korean). oimusic. Archived from the original on 2007-03-10. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
- ^ 플라이 투 더 스카이, 오락 프로그램서도 종횡무진 ‘플라이!’ (in Korean). 2006-03-24. Retrieved 2006-12-24.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "발라드 가수도 웃겨야 살아남는다 (Even ballad singers must be funny to survive)" (in Korean). 2006-03-06. Retrieved 2006-12-24.[permanent dead link]
- ^ 역대수상자 [Past Winners]. Golden Disc Awards (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ "2000 MMF part 1". MAMA. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
- ^ "2001 M.net Korean Music Festival Winners list" Archived 2014-10-09 at the Wayback Machine. MAMA. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
- ^ "2002 MMF part 1" Archived 2014-08-19 at the Wayback Machine. Mwave. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
- ^ "2003 M.net Korean Music Festival Winners list" Archived 2012-10-29 at the Wayback Machine. MAMA. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
- ^ "TVXQ Sweeps the 2006 MMKF" (in Korean). 2006-11-27. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
- ^ "2007 Mnet KM Music Festival Part1" Archived 2014-10-26 at the Wayback Machine. MAMA. Retrieved 2014-12-14.
- ^ Choe, Seung-hyeon (2000-12-18). "SBS 올해의 10대가수 선정". Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-10-29.
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- ^ "2003 SBS 가요대전 대상에 이효리". JoongAng Ilbo. 2003-12-29. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ Gim, Yeong-hyeon (2004-12-30). "신화, '2004 SBS 가요대전' 대상". Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- KBS News(in Korean). 2006-12-30. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ 역대 수상자. Seoul Music Awards (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2018-02-23. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
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- ^ "'2014 MMA' 플투스, R&B 소울부문 수상.."이수만에 감사"". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 2014-11-13. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Fly to the Sky at IMDb
- Fly to the Sky's official website (in Korean)