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| Clockwise from top left, Kim Jung-min, Simon D, Lee Dong-hwi, Lee Sang-yi, Parc Jae-jung, Wonstein, Ji Suk-jin and KCM, the members of project group MSG Wannabe / Courtesy of MBC |
By Dong Sun-hwa
MSG Wannabe, a project group formed on MBC's reality show "Hangout with Yoo," is going strong on multiple music streaming charts with its new retro-flavored ballads.
MSG Wannabe is made up of two sub-units, M.O.M and JSDK, which dropped "Foolish Love" and "Only You," respectively, on Saturday. M.O.M consists of comedian Ji Suk-jin (Byuloo-G) and singers KCM (Kang Chang-mo), Wonstein and Parc Jae-jung, while JSDK comprises singers Kim Jung-min (Kim Jung-soo), Simon D (Jung Ki-suk) and actors Lee Dong-hwi and Lee Sang-yi.
As of Sunday afternoon, "Foolish Love" and "Only You" were ranked first and second on Genie and Bugs' real-time charts respectively, while securing the No. 2 and No. 5 spots on Melon.
The 98th episode of "Hangout with Yoo" also garnered a 9 percent viewership rating in the Seoul metropolitan area, becoming the most-watched reality/variety show of Saturday. The latest episode featured the members preparing for the release of their tracks.
MSG Wannabe was launched by comedian Yoo Jae-suk, the host of "Hangout with Yoo," who intended to produce a new, all-male vocal act for the Korean music scene, where such groups are hardly seen these days. In fact, MSG Wannabe was named after SG Wannabe, an iconic vocal group that enjoyed its heyday in the mid-2000s with its medium-tempo ballads such as "Timeless" (2004) and "As I Live" (2005).
This is not the first time that "Hangout with Yoo" has given birth to a popular project group with retro vibes. Last year, it created "SSAK3" ― consisting of Yoo, singer Lee Hyo-ri and singer-actor Rain ― which swept several music charts with its hit "Summer Sea Again."
MSG Wannabe is poised to make its official debut on July 3 on MBC's "Show! Music Core."
