Sechs Kies makes a comeback concert in 16 years

Sechs Kies makes a comeback concert in 16 years. September. 12, 2016 06:50. by 임희윤기자 imi@donga.com. At 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, a crowd of females in yellow outfit and bags began to flock in the Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul. A large-sized yellow balloon with the phrase “Sechs Kies ♡ Eun Ji-won, Lee Jae-jin, Kang Sung-hun, Kim Jae-deok, Jang Su-won and Go Ji-yong” was hanging over the Gymnastics Stadium. Casually dressed instead of black and white school uniforms, the fans seemed to be working females in their 30s who came to enjoy their weekend.

The concert of Sechs Kies changed the landscape of Songpa on Sunday, dyeing the neighborhood with all yellow, a symbolic color for the fans of the band. Some 10,000 of Sechs Kies fans jam-packed the stadium on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, to watch the concert that they have waited for 16 years. Since the beginning of this year when the story of Sechs Kies was on the TV show in Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation called “Infinite Challenge- Saturday, Saturday Singers” made viewers burst into laughter and tears, the band has begun preparing its comeback. Without Go Ji-yong who turned into a businessman, the rest five members signed a contract with YG Entertainment where PSY and Bing Bang belong to. The tickets for the two-day concert were all sold out as soon as online reservation started in August.

At 5:58 p.m., the pitch dark stadium was filled with shouts of some 10,000 fans who were crying out “Sechskies Jjang (roughly translated as “Sechskies the best”).” Although it was dark, yellow waves with loud shouts could be felt. The concert began with “Com’ Back”, one of Sechs Kies hit songs, followed by “The Way This Guy Lives,” “Couple,” “Will you remember me?” all of which made its fans move to tears.

Sechs Kies revealed their new song “Three words” on the day, made by Tablo from Epik High and a producer Future Bounce. Tablo made a lyric that expresses appreciation to the fans who have long awaited the comeback of the band. “In the past, it was difficult to treat songwriters because they were like seniors," Eun Ji-won said. "This time, we have met a songwriter (Tablo) who is younger than us and really enjoyed working together while recording.”

“This is only the beginning. Next year marks the 20th anniversary of our band and we will keep appearing on TVs, releasing new songs and making performance to meet our fans,” Sechs Kies said.

“I felt like I can’t tell if it’s real or a dream,” said Kim Jae-deok. “Back when we were actively working, we didn’t have a concept that we call now a 'sound source.' We used to release a regular album and have a rest period between each album," Eun said. "That may be the reason why each song has brought us each memory. I came to know a new Korean phrase that literally means 'blood shedding online marketing' this time. In the past, people used to visit banks to buy a concert ticket.”

Each member of Sechs Kies said exactly same with what GOD did in 2014 when the band finished its 15th year anniversary concert. “I feel that all my body function from hands, feet, head to lung is waning and faced up to the reality that physical strength can never deceive your age,” Kang said.

“I had an anemia in the middle of the show but endured with the willpower, thinking 'I can’t collapse.'" Kim said. “Do people get sweaty with age? As we opened our performance, I felt that all my pores opened because I kept perspiring,” Eun jokingly said.

“Each of us wants to have a chance for TV show rehearsal with our name tags on us. Next year, we plan to have 20th-year anniversary concert,” Eun added.