Sobangcha (Korean소방차) is a South Korean three-member dance pop music group formed by Daesung Enterprise. The group is composed of Kim Tae-hyung, Jeong Won-gwan, and Lee Sang-won. Former member Dun-woo left the group in 1990. Sobangcha was one of the earliest Kpop groups and served as a prototype for later groups which were influenced by its style.[1]

SoBangCha
OriginSeoul, South Korea
Genres
Years active
  • 1987–1990
  • 1994–1996
  • 2005–2012
Labels
Members
  • Kim Tae-hyung
  • Jung Won-kwan
Past members
  • Lee Sang-won
  • Go Dun-woo

The group debuted in 1987 with "Tell Her". In 1988, after recording the title song of the 2nd album, 《On the Phone》, Lee Sang-won worked for two weeks and then withdrew.[2] They disbanded in 1990 after the best album. After regrouping as original members in 1994, G Cafe was announced. They completely disbanded in 1996 after the fifth album. They re-formed in 2005 with two members.[3][4] In 2012, Jeong Won-gwan was re-recruited. That same year Lee Sangwon announced he would not continue as a member of Sobangcha.[5]

Discography

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  • Fire Truck Vol.1 (1987)
  • Fire Truck Vol.2 (1988)
  • Fire Truck Vol.3 (1989)
  • KBS cartoon movie 'Wonder Kiddy in the Universe in 2020 (1989)
  • Best (1989)
  • Again (1995)
  • Fire Truck Vol. 5 Sobangcha 96 Forever (1996)
  • 05 Man's Life (2005)

Controversy

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Sobangcha was also criticized[6] for copying the Japanese group, Shonentai. In particular, "On the Phone Call", which was included in the second album in 1988 and received great popularity, was made by almost borrowing the composition and progression of the song from "Diamond Eyes" released by Boys' Generation in 1986, and even the costumes and dance were taken as it is, showing the show business at the time. You can see the dark side of the Korean music scene, where the nascent Korean music scene was born.[7] The title of the 4th album released in 1995, G Cafe. This song was nominated for first place in a music pro and received a lot of love.

References

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  1. ^ Chaweon Koo (January 19, 2021). "History of Kpop Boy Bands: The Early 1990s". PopDust.
  2. ^ "이상원, 소방차 탈퇴 이유 고백 "차라리 혼자 하는게 낫다고…"". MyDaily (in Korean). July 24, 2012.
  3. ^ "A renewed Sobangcha has grown up". Korea JoongAng Daily. June 5, 2005.
  4. ^ "A renewed Sobangcha makes a comeback". KBS World. June 6, 2005.
  5. ^ "이상원 "'소방차'로는 앞으로 안 할 것…방송인으로 인사드리겠다"". Naver (in Korean). December 19, 2012.
  6. ^ "[응답하라 1988]이 들려주는 어떤날의 음악". Sisa IN (in Korean). December 9, 2015.
  7. ^ "'G카페' 표절시비, 어떤 곡이길래.. 누리꾼도 상반된 반응". TV Report. June 27, 2012.