Six years before EXID, Solji debuted as a member of 2NB. The duo was her and Gahee. Their debut album, “The First Fragrance”, was released on March 31, 2006. Today, March 31, 2021, we celebrate fifteen years of singer Solji.
As a throwback to the old days, we translated the earliest news article that we could find about the duo. Joy News wrote about the then-upcoming duo on March 24, 2006.((March 24, 2006 Joy News article about the 2NB debut: https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=111&aid=0000030337))
Following a three-member group SeeYa, and a four-member group Brown Eyed Girls, this time a female R&B duo was launched.
They are the female duo 2NB (투앤비), consisting of 21-year-old vocalist Kim Gahee and 17-year-old Heo Solji. Kim Gahee’s sweet and mournful voice and Heo Solji’s explosive singing ability are well combined, making people say “I can’t believe they’re a rookie.” The title track is “Just Once”.
The producer of the debut album “The First Fragrance” was Lee Sangjoon, a composer who created Buzz’s “The Heart Is What Makes You Love” and Han Kyungil’s “Sad Invitation”. Bae Hwayoung, a new lyricist who wrote the lyrics for TVXQ’s “My Little Princess” and Jang Nara’s “I Am A Woman Too” wrote sensuous lyrics.
Top performers in Korea, including Kang Soohoo, Shin Hyunkwon, Sam Lee, Shin Sangwoo, and Park Yongjoon, also contributed to the completion of the album.
Friday Entertainment, the agency for 2NB, said, “although it’s an R&B group, they tried to control their technique and find the best vocals for the melody.” And, “It’s an album that captures the process of love like a movie.”
2NB’s album will be released at the end of this month and will be released on each online music website on the 24th.
Translation of Joy News article from March 24, 2006. (source)
In the next six years, Solji would endure many hardships. They included embarrassment from an unexpected kissing scene, sexual insults from potential investors, harassment from another celebrity’s fans, and failures of 23 albums. At (Korean) age 24, she was told that she would never be an idol. Solji left 2NB and became a vocal trainer.((LEGGO Ghostie’s Twitter thread about Solji’s life, with sources cited: https://twitter.com/LEGGOGhostie/status/1243080499515535361))
In 2012, EXID asked vocal trainer Solji to join them after three of their original members left. Solji did become an idol after all! Sadly, the good news was not to last. In the next few years, it’s as if her life were dancing to EXID’s hit song “Up & Down”. She became an idol, but they almost disbanded. Hani’s fancam went viral, but Solji got sick and had to leave for two years.((LEGGO Ghostie’s Twitter thread about Solji’s life, with sources cited: https://twitter.com/LEGGOGhostie/status/1243080499515535361))
Solji’s determination to sing for her fans was stronger than all of those hardships. This year, her waiting room at a music show was labeled “final boss”. Also this year, inspired fans donated to a charity in her name. Solji became a successful singer who comforts and inspires millions.
To me, Solji is more than a singer. She’s the strongest person I know. She’s a role model. She’s a source of comfort when the day is rough. She’s the leader of EXID and LEGGO, so she’s my leader too. She’s an idol who has earned her title. She’s the person I want to support with my time and energy, because the world is better because of her. Thank you, Solji, for fifteen years of bringing beauty to this world. 🧡