Even After 10,000 Days of the “Nation’s Group,” the Sky-Blue Balloons Are Still Waving [HT Spotlight]

A song you can lean on when you are exhausted and struggling, god’s ‘One Candle.’ god, the group behind the song that everyone has likely heard at least once on TV or on the street, will celebrate 10,000 days since its debut on the 30th. As a number, it may seem like just another date, but within it are the story of five young men who did not give up and the memories of fans that have continued across generations.

god debuted under SidusHQ on January 13, 1999. Starting from its sixth album, the group later signed with JYP Entertainment, and it was also the first idol group produced by PARK JIN YOUNG.

The stories god revealed about its trainee days during a talk show appearance are still talked about today. In the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the company’s situation rapidly worsened, and the members were practically left abandoned in a shabby dorm. At the time, the company essentially had no capacity to proceed with their debut and was reportedly waiting for them to quit on their own. But the members did not give up. For six months, they endured by eating canned food and ramyeon in the mountains, and in the end, they held their ground. It is a story that leaves even listeners heavy-hearted. The first stage created by that youth they fought so hard to protect has now led to these 10,000 days.

After their debut, god quickly captured the hearts of the public. The group reached its peak in the 2000s and earned the title of “nation’s group,” while the waves of sky-blue balloons that filled concert venues remain a symbolic image of god to this day. The fan club name is also “god,” the same as the group’s name, carrying the meaning that the fans and the group are one.

On one variety program, the group was given a mission to gather 5,000 people for a guerrilla concert, but the members personally went out and brought in more than 10,000 audience members. It was twice the goal. The scene of the members shedding tears of gratitude and relief on stage showed just how deeply god had settled into people’s everyday lives, beyond simply being an idol group.

After halting activities following its seventh album, god eventually reunited as a full group after member KIM TAE WOO gradually reached out to the members one by one. The 30,000-seat concert that took place after a long hiatus sold out in an instant, and the group went on to hold six to seven nationwide tour performances. The moment the five members on stage met again with fans holding sky-blue balloons, the emotion from their heyday had not faded in the slightest.

As such, god, which has been loved for such a long time, is also cited as a role model by junior idols. In an interview, group ARrC expressed its respect, saying, “god sunbaenim is our role model. They have been active for a long time, and their strong teamwork feels like their foundation. They were the first team to be called a ‘national idol,’ and they are a team known by every generation and able to approach people in a familiar way musically.” This is why god remains a “standard” even as times change.

Ahead of the 10,000th day since their debut, god’s official YouTube channel uploaded congratulatory videos from junior artists including singer LYn, and groups BOYNEXTDOOR, ILLIT, and STAYC on the 27th. Fans also responded passionately. Comments poured in, such as “I’m so moved that they’ve made it all the way to 10,000 days” and “I was in elementary school back then, and now I’m already in my 30s.” The fact that the generation that grew up listening to god’s music is still supporting them from the same place even as adults may itself be the meaning of the 10,000 days god has built.

god is currently holding ‘Sky-Blue Balloon Week’ in partnership with Everland until May 31. The event, themed around god’s symbolic sky-blue balloons, is a place to commemorate the memories built together with fans over a long period of time, and it also carries the meaning of celebrating the 10,000th day since their debut together. Their youth created 10,000 days. And those sky-blue balloons are still waving.