Can you imagine being part of one of the most talked-about labels in the K-pop music industry?
BIGHIT MUSIC (formerly Big Hit Entertainment or Big Hit) is exactly that. They survived some of the most difficult times in their career lifetime, proving that sometimes the underdog does rise up; that hard work and sincerity do matter; and that with the right mindset, determination, and a little bit of anger-fueled motivation — anything is possible. So let’s find out a little more about the artists that make up the BIGHIT MUSIC family.
Currently, if you visit the BIGHIT MUSIC website and navigate your way to the “About” page, you’ll be introduced to the three artists that make up this label: Lee Hyun, BTS, and TOMORROW X TOGETHER (aka TXT). The label prides itself on being “industry-leading” as it strives to “pioneer new paths driven by a strong belief in music and ceaseless support from fans.”
2005 was a landmark year in the history of the K-pop entertainment industry, although they wouldn’t truly appreciate its significance until many years later. This is the year that music producer Bang Si-hyuk launched his company Big Hit Entertainment, determined to produce music with integrity and content that resonated more with fans. It was also the year that Lee Hyun, the first of Big Hit’s artists to debut under the newly-formed label, joined as a trainee.
LEE HYUN
As a 1983 liner, Lee Hyun was 24 years old when he debuted as a vocalist for the 3-member co-ed group 8Eight, just two years after entering Big Hit Entertainment as a trainee. Incidentally, Lee Hyun shares the ‘83 limelight with Performance Director Son Sung-deuk and Producer Pdogg, all of whom have seen a lot of growth in the company over the years. 8Eight disbanded in 2014, but by then Lee Hyun was also performing as part of the collaboration duo Homme, continuing to do so until 2018, before finally pursuing a career as a solo artist. During his time with Big Hit, he also completed his 21-month-long service as part of South Korea’s mandatory military service requirements for all able-bodied men.
While BTS is the reason that many of our readers follow Borasaek Vision, as a hyung (older brother) and sunbae (industry senior) to BTS, Lee Hyun is someone whom the BTS members have grown to greatly love and respect over the years. The members have also expressed their appreciation for his singing with some of his songs featuring in BTS video clips, such as SOPE’s iconic performance of “I Was Able to Eat Well” by Homme and BTS’ 2017 cover of 8Eight’s “Without A Heart.” Likewise, Lee Hyun has covered a couple of BTS’s songs, such as his beautiful 2018 rendition of “Spring Day,” and also has a beautiful ballad included on the BTS World Original Soundtrack.
More recently, you may have seen Lee Hyun on his official YouTube channel “혀니콤보 TV” (Hyunee Combo TV). Through his videos, we have enjoyed tours around the new HYBE building, reaction videos to BTS and TXT with his ‘83 liners, and introductions to fellow artists TXT and ENHYPEN. Perhaps the most enjoyable videos, though, were of Lee Hyun taking on the role of a manager for BTS. His brotherly, yet professional interactions with the BTS members are testament to the respect and admiration that they have for one another.
To learn more about Lee Hyun’s singing career, we encourage you to check out his recent “Room Live.”
TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT)
Having spent time with the most senior member of the BIGHIT MUSIC family, we now turn our attention to the youngest members, TOMORROW X TOGETHER (aka TXT). Unlike their sunbae, who started with very little resourcing from the label, TXT debuted in 2019, at a time when BTS’s success was at an all-time high. As such, Big Hit Entertainment was well-positioned within the K-pop and US music industries to support their newest artists, as evidenced by TXT’s very own “Debut Celebration Show” on MNet, an event not normally available to debuting idols.
TXT is described by Forbes as five bright and talented young boys who came “together under one dream in hopes of building a new tomorrow.” With all of the members sitting comfortably in their early twenties, TXT has continued to grow stronger and more refined as artists with each comeback. So, let’s meet the members (from left to right):
Soobin: born 2000, leader, rapper, vocalist, Korean
Yeonjun: born 1999, dancer, rapper, vocalist, Korean
Beomgyu: born 2001, vocalist, Korean
Huening Kai: maknae of the group, born 2002, vocalist, Korean-American (making him the first international artist under the label)
Taehyun: also born in 2002, vocalist, Korean
Since debuting on March 4, 2019, TXT has given their fans, fondly known as MOA (aka Moments of Alwaysness), a rich mixture of playful and fierce choreographies, full and vibrant harmonies, and striking visuals with an ever-youthful vibe in all that they do. Courtesy of Chairman/Music Producer Bang Si-hyuk, TXT has also given their fans some of the longest song titles, such as “Waiting For You At The Platform 9 ¾” and “One Day A Horn Grew From My Head (Crown).” Despite their lengthiness, though, the songs reflect the storytelling nature of TXT’s music and the development of TXT’s Universe (TU), an alternative universe that captures the magical and mystical nature of TXT’s discography.
As 4th generation idols, TXT is proudly showcasing their talents as artists, performers, and emergent songwriters. While they might be the youngest artists at the label, their sense of professionalism as representatives of BIGHIT MUSIC is admirable.
BTS
Of course, our BIGHIT family would not be complete without our all-time favorite septet, BTS. Their rise from rags to riches is well-known to ARMYs all across the globe; yet more impressive is their ability to maintain their humility, sincerity, and a strong work ethic in spite of their worldwide fame.
BTS has given comfort to millions of people globally since the world came to a standstill in March 2020. They have collaborated with some of the music industry’s most sought-after artists. In fact, just this week BTS’ “Butter” remix collaboration featuring Megan Thee Stallion was announced. They have broken record after record, including their own, and delivered some of the most amazing performances, both in their home country of South Korea and in stadiums across the globe. As native Korean speakers, they set the speculation barometer on fire with their three most recent releases, all of which are in English, leaving fans and non-fans alike wondering what’s going on.
To ARMYs though, BTS are soulmates. They are the light to our darkness, the A to our Z, the breath of fresh air that so many of us never knew we needed until we found them.
OUTRO
Whether you just discovered the BIGHIT MUSIC family members this month or have known about them since each of their humble beginnings, this is a family like no other. Under Bang Si-hyuk’s leadership and guidance, all three artists are still realizing their potential. We look forward to their continued growth and development as artists, as human beings, and as a family.
DISCLAIMER: We do not own any audio & visual content in this video except for the editing. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNERS. No copyright infringement intended.
Written By: Shelley
Edit By: Anna
Checked By: Vera