Photo by KBS

BK Park

NJT Staff Writer 

Seoul, Korea — In the frigid throes of winter, laid low by a relentless cold, I found solace in a rerun of KBS's "Golden Girls." This show chronicles the journey of South Korea's most esteemed vocalists - Insooni (66-year-old), Park Mi-kyung (58), Lee Eun-mi (57), and Shin Hyo-bum (57) - transforming into a girl group.

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This project's brainchild is JYP, who envisioned these celebrated vocalists creating a novel market by performing as a girl group. The initiative by JYP to bring together these iconic figures in Korean contemporary music history to reinvent themselves in a genre typically dominated by much younger artists has been a testament to their enduring talent and a refreshing change in the landscape of K-pop.

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The first mission assigned by JYP required each of the four divas to cover a song by younger dance vocalists or girl groups. Their renditions of TWICE's "Feel Special" (Shin Hyo-bum), IVE's "I Am" (Park Mi-kyung), NewJeans' "Hype Boy" (Insooni), and Chungha's "Gotta Go" (Lee Eun-mi) garnered a combined 15 million views on YouTube.

In the second mission, JYP paired them into duos to replicate both song and dance of girl group hits. Insooni and Shin Hyo-bum formed the "New Sisters," covering Sistar's "Touch My Body," while Park Mi-kyung and Lee Eun-mi, the "Mi-Mi Sisters," took on Girls' Generation-TTS's "Twinkle."

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The second mission of the "Golden Girls" project was met with overwhelming success, resonating powerfully with the South Korean audience. This mission, challenging seasoned vocalists to pair up and replicate both the songs and choreography of contemporary girl groups, captured the public's imagination and admiration.

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In the second mission, both groups showcased their vocal prowess and adaptability in embracing a new style of music and performance. The positive reception to the second mission underscores the public's appreciation for these artists' willingness to step out of their comfort zones. It also highlighted the cultural shift in perceptions of age and artistry, celebrating the idea that talent and passion transcend age barriers, inspiring a broad demographic spectrum in South Korea.

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The third mission was for "Golden Girls" to perform Miss A's "Goodbye Baby" as a group. Thirty K-pop experts delivered their critical assessment, including producers and performance directors from 14 companies like Rado, Doko, Park So-yeon, and An Shin-ae.

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Watching this, tears unexpectedly flowed, I was perhaps moved by their brave endeavor. These veteran vocalists, more adept at singing than dancing, struggled but ultimately shone, showcasing their indomitable spirit.

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Their live vocals, unaided by AR, were lauded as "a treat for the ears" by a professional. While their dance might not match the agility of younger groups, the performance was immensely touching, given their age and experience.

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In an era grappling with aging, their effort and transformation resonated deeply, imparting energy and hope that even those in their 50s and 60s can embrace new challenges.