Before there were 2NE1, TWICE, Girls Generation, MAMAMOO, and other k-pop girl groups that made us lost in the beats, there used to be S.E.S. The S.E.S. members were the most popular k-pop idol group in the first generation k-pop scene. Having the title of the ‘Nation Fairies’, the trio Bada, Eugene, and Soo took over everyone’s hearts. From topping the charts to breaking record sales, they’ve done everything before our favorite k-pop idols. Dreaming of having the same aura and popularity as them, many of the third & fourth-gen k-pop idols even look up to S.E.S. in the hope of making that big one day.
Making its debut in 1997, S.E.S. went on to sell over 650,000 copies. Becoming the second best-selling album by a female group in South Korea, their follow-up albums became a major hit as well. After five years of success, music, live performance stages, and fan meetings, the journey of S.E.S. came to an end as their contracts with SM Entertainment ended. Choosing their own paths, the girls of S.E.S. went on to have successful solo careers as well. Now two decades later as the k-pop fans discover the nation’s fairies once again.
Here’s Everything You Need To Know About S.E.S. Members!
Bada
Hailing from Wando-gun, Jeonnam, Choi Sung Hee, more popular by her stage name ‘Bada’ is one of the most popular OG k-pop idols in the industry. Her birthday is on February 28, 1980. As a member of S.E.S., Bada served as the main vocalist, main dancer, and leader of the group. Coming from a family of performers, Bada has always been interested in the performing arts. She went on to major in theater at Dankook University. Her father, Choi Sse Wol was a Trot singer. But after her father fell ill, their financial conditions started deteriorating.
Along with her family, Bada lived in a container home provided by a local church for 9 years. It was only after she made her debut, that things started getting better for the idol. Handpicked and scouted by Lee Soo Man himself, Bada was the first member of S.E.S. to be announced. With the debut of S.E.S. Bada went on to make some amazing music along with the girls. Her stage presence was unbeatable. In 2002, Bada bid goodbye to SM Entertainment as her contract with them came to an end.
Where Is Bada Now?
Taking a break for a while to decide on her next move, she went on to sign an exclusive contract with WoongJin entertainment in 2003. Not wasting time, she went on to make her solo debut with her solo album “A Day of Renew” in the same year. Not limiting herself to music, Bada went on to take the stage in musicals like “Peppermint”, “Broadway on 42nd Street”, “Mozart!”, “Legally Blonde”, “The Scarlet Pimpernel”. On March 23, 2017, Bada went on to marry a franchise restaurant owner. The idol likes to keep her personal life private. While her husband’s name is not known to the public, he’s nine years younger than her. Bada also gave birth to her daughter on September 7, 2020.
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Eugene
Hailing from Guam, Kim Yoo Jin is more popularly known by her stage name Eugene. Eugene’s birthday is on March 3, 1981. As a member of S.E.S., Eugene served as the lead vocalist, lead rapper, and the face of the group. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Eugene moved to the States when she was 4 years old. But soon after her middle school ended, she moved back to South Korea along with her mother and sisters. Being a huge k-pop fan herself, Eugene was at the airport during a H.O.T. fan meeting when she was spotted by Lee Soo Man.
The two went on to exchange phone numbers and connected with each other. And not much time later, the SM founder asked her if she wanted to debut in a k-pop girl group. Taking the opportunity, Eugene entered SM Entertainment and started her training. After a successful idol career, the contract came to an end in 2022. Following fellow member Bada’s steps, Eugene also bid goodbye to SM. She went on to sign with PFull Entertainment. Not limiting herself to just music, Eugene also went on to show her acting skills.
Making her acting debut with the KBS2 k-drama ‘Loving You’ in 2002, Eugene went on to star in some more k-dramas like ‘Creating Destiny’, ‘Save The Last Dance for Me’, ‘Wonderful Life’, ‘Love Truly’, ‘A Hundred Year Legacy’, and ‘Can We Love?’. She also appeared as the lead in the musical “Innocent Steps”.
Where Is Eugene Now?
With her becoming more popular, Eugene got her own shows, ‘ Happy Together Friends’ and ‘Eugene’s Makeup Diary’ to host. She also authored two books, i.e., Eugene’s Beauty Secrets and Eugene’s Get It Beauty. Eugene met her husband, Ki Tae Young, on the set of the k-drama ‘Creating Destiny’ as her co-star. By the end of the filming, the two fell in love and soon got married. Together, Eugene and Tae Young have two daughters. The lovely family has also appeared on variety shows like ‘Super Couple Diary,’ ‘The Return of Superman,’ and Lorin’. Recently we saw her as the beautiful opera singer in the makjhang trilogy ‘Penthouse: The War of Life’.
Also Read: What Is Eugene’s Net Worth: How Rich Is The ‘Penthouse’ Actress?
Shoo
Hailing from Yokohama, Japan, Kunimitsu Shoo is popular among fans with her stage name Shoo. Her birthday was on October 23, 1981. As a member of S.E.S., Shoo served as the main rapper, lead dancer, sub-vocalist, and maknae of the group. Shoo was already a part of a co-ed group along with g.o.d. ‘s Son Ho Young and Danny Ahn and NRG’s Kim Hwan Sung. But as she cleared the audition for SM Entertainment, the former idol went on to debut as a part of S.E.S. in 1997. After a successful career, the contract with SM Entertainment came to an end. Unlike her fellow mates, Bada and Eugene, Shoo decided to stay with SM.
During her time in SM until 2006, Shoo collaborated on the SM Town albums. Like other members, she also went on to kickstart her musical career as she was a part of ‘Bat Boy: The Musical’. She went on to try acting, but things didn’t work out much. In 2010, Shoo made her solo debut with her mini-album titled ‘Devote One’s Love’. In April 2010, Shoo went on to marry basketball player Im Hyo Sung. Together, the couple has a son and twin daughters. In 2014, she signed with RUN Entertainment as she wanted to give acting a try once more.
Where Is Shoo Now?
Things haven’t been on the bright side for Shoo lately. In 2016, the former idol got into a gambling controversy. She was given a sentence of six months in prison, two years probation, and eighty hours of community service. As soon as she got done with the sentence, she was sued once again for not paying her gambling debt. The case finally closed in 2020. In May 2022, Shoo made her comeback as a BJ, and everyone had mixed reactions. The idol has apologized for her past actions and has asked for support as she is starting over. S.E.S. Bada came in support of her fellow member and wished her lunch for the future.
S.E.S. Reunion
On 2016, the girls of S.E.S. got back together for a reunion. To celebrate the success of 2 decades in the k-pop industry, Bada, Eugene, and Shoo announced the S.E.S. renuion and a comeback with SM. With the girl group hitting the mark of 20, S.E.S. released their ninth & final album titled ‘Remember’ in January 2017. The album consisted of original tracks by the girls along with a few remastered ones. Both the comeback album and the reunions were a success. Before saying goodbye, the girls of S.E.S. also held a fan meeting called “I Will Be There, Waiting For You”.
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