Min Kyung‑hoon is now best known to TV audiences for his eccentric “uncle” persona on JTBC’s Knowing Bros. But in the 2000s, as the frontman of rock band Buzz, he commanded enormous mainstream popularity.
The five-piece group Buzz debuted in 2003 with the album Morning of Buzz, led by vocalist Min Kyung‑hoon. His striking looks and resonant baritone became a major draw for the band.
Each of their releases found a wide audience — from the debut single “Eojjeomyeon (Maybe…)” and the second‑album title “Geobjaengi (Coward)” to beloved tracks like “Naegero Tteonaneun Yeohaeng (A Journey to Myself),” “Gasi (Thorn),” and “Namjareul Molla (I Don’t Know Men).” The band consistently scored hits with every album.
But Buzz nearly had a different lead singer. Two now‑familiar stars were reportedly on the short list for the role.
One was actor Oh Chang‑seok, known for dramas such as Aurora Princess and Woot! Jangbo‑ri. Two years older than Min, Oh says he was approached by Buzz while a high‑school senior and even auditioned for the group.
Oh, who never aspired to be a singer, declined because he didn’t trust the fledgling agency. He later joked that while he wasn’t bothered by the early success of “Maybe…,” he felt a twinge of envy once “Coward” became a major hit.
Min has since acknowledged similar reservations about the agency and its leadership at the time, a point he and Oh shared. Industry observers later praised Oh’s vocal ability, saying it rivaled Min’s in its own right.
The other prominent name was actor Hyun Bin. After a series of lineup changes, an early vocalist left for personal reasons, and Hyun Bin surfaced as a candidate for the spot.
Hyun Bin later demonstrated credible singing chops in the hit drama Secret Garden, performing “That Man,” the male rendition of Baek Ji‑young’s “That Woman.” Still, he went on to become a top actor, so it’s hard to imagine he regrets that path.
In the end, Buzz picked Min Kyung‑hoon. His presence helped propel the band to widespread success — a decision that, in hindsight, proved to be a win for everyone involved.
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