Y2K was a Korean-Japanese rock idol group that debuted on April 24, 1999. The group consisted of South Korean vocalist Ko Jae-geun and Japanese brothers Yuichi Matsuo (guitarist) and Koji Matsuo (bass player). The name “Y2K” was inspired by both the Year 2000 computer bug and the initials of the members’ names. Managed by Chosun Eumhyang in Korea and Soma Office in Japan, Y2K was the first Korean-Japanese joint idol band in South Korea and the last idol group produced by Chosun Eumhyang. Y2K quickly rose to fame with their debut album Y ll K, featuring the title track “After Breakup,” which topped KBS’s Music Bank and gained widespread popularity. Their follow-up song “Deep Sadness” also reached first place. Known for their rock-influenced sound and the visual appeal of the Matsuo brothers, they attracted significant attention in both countries. The band released two more albums: Try Again (2000) and Unification (2001). Their third album featured the songs “Hidden” and “It’s Okay.” Despite continued success, Y2K disbanded in 2002 due to management issues. The Matsuo brothers went on to form the band Swanky Dank in 2006.
