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Who is Shinhwa? 1st gen K-pop group returns with subunit WDJ, fans say ‘best news this year’

Iconic first-gen boy group Shinhwa has been active for 24 years and had their last comeback in 2018 with 'Heart'

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: We are finally getting Shinhwa back or part of it. On August 17, first-gen fans were in for a pleasant surprise when Liveworks Company shared that a reunion of sorts was in the works. The label shared that the iconic boy group would be debuting their first sub-unit ever – Shinhwa WDJ with three members Minwoo, Dongwan and Junjin. Despite, debuting 24 years ago, this is the first sub-unit of the K-pop group.

Shinhwa’s fandom has been pretty quiet with the boy group’s last comeback being a couple of years ago. To celebrate their victory in the lawsuit filed against their old label SM Entertainment for their name ‘Shinhwa’, the boy group had their last comeback in 2018 with the release of ‘Heart’. Since then we have gotten small reunions and occasional concerts but that has been it for the first-gen K-pop group. But on August 17, 2022, there was a sudden uproar when rumors came in that three of the Shinhwa members were planning on debuting as a sub-unit. Fans did not have to wait long as Shinhwa WDJ was confirmed soon.

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Shinhwa to debut first sub-unit WDJ

On the same day, Liveworks Company, the members’ new music label announced that they were in charge of the sub-unit. Shinhwa WDJ consists of Minwoo, Dongwan and Junjin. Preparations are already underway with the sub-unit set to debut in winter 2022. The company also shared that the members will be bringing in their individual colors to the sub-unit to show a new charm of the boy group. Shinhwa is one of the first K-pop groups to ever be made. They debuted in 1998 under the popular Korean music label SM Entertainment.

Despite changing labels over the years and going on mini-hiatuses, Shinhwa is the first and only idol group to be active for the longest period i.e., 24 years. They are also the only K-pop group that has been active with the same members they debuted with. And along with being a group, the members also have individual solo careers as artists. They are also the only group that allowed the members to make their solo debuts. In 2004, they reached their peak as they became the most-awarded K-pop act of the year.

They have several other firsts as well under their belt from introducing youthful concepts to boy groups to bringing vogue dancing to South Korea. Their fandom, Shinhwa Changjo is also the longest-running K-pop fandom in history. The group has several hit songs that are considered modern classics in South Korea like ‘Perfect Man’, ‘This Love’, ‘Wild Eyes’, ‘Kiss Me Like That’ and more.

'Keep pulling the wildcard'

Fans were shocked as they made tweets like, “Keeps pulling the wildcard even at this stage.” Another posted, “Wow great ㅋㅋㅋ First unit on 24th anniversary of debut??? It's crazy ㅜㅜ I love it!!!!!” One fan added, “New music?! Finally! I could cry.” Another commented, “Best news this year ngl.” One added, “THIS LINEUP???? CALL IT MY 2017 BIAS LINE HELL YA.”

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