Koo Jun-yup, member of the legendary 1990s K-pop group Clon, has shared the reason behind his distinctive shaved head.
On February 3, KBS2’s Celebrity Soldier’s Secret featured the story of Koo Jun-yup and Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, highlighting the rare and heartwarming reunion of first loves.
Clon, the group that propelled Koo Jun-yup to stardom, took South Korea by storm in 1996. Music critic Lim Jin-mo commented, “When Clon debuted, it was more than shocking—it was revolutionary. Prior acts like Hyun Jin-young and Wawa, Seo Tai-je and Children, and Deux were influential, but Clon uniquely blended American hip-hop and pop with Korean musical elements, creating something entirely new.”
Before their mainstream breakthrough, Koo Jun-yup and fellow member Kang Won-rae gained recognition in Itaewon clubs, where the country’s top dancers gathered. Their talent eventually led them to sign with a planning agency and debut as Clon in 1996.
Koo Jun-yup explained that his shaved head was a proactive choice due to concerns about hair loss. “My father experienced severe hair loss, which runs in our family,” he said. “I decided to shave my head early to embrace it rather than fight it.”
Clon’s innovative music and Koo Jun-yup’s bold image continue to leave a lasting legacy in Korean pop culture, decades after their debut.
