The Kukki Sisters

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The Kukki Sisters on Urcean television

The Kukki Sisters were a Metzettan-born female singing trio who made their career in Urcea following the Second Great War, becoming the first Metzettan musical act to chart outside of Alshar. They appeared over 20 times on Urcean television and released two popular albums there, as well as releasing several records at home. The group consisted of Haneul, Aja and Misun, referred to as Hannah, Ada and Michelle in Urcea, respectively. Haneul and Aja truly were sisters, however Misun was merely their cousin. The group is sometimes credited as kickstarting the popularity of Metz-pop, though the term wouldn't be coined for several decades to come.

Early lives

Haneul and Aja's father was an orchestral conductor, Kukki An, whose younger brother Kukki Mung (a carpenter) fathered Misun. Kukki Mung was killed in a naval battle with Daxia during the Second Great War, less than a year after joining the navy. Urcean vinyl records had begun to appear sporadically in Metzetta during the war, which An took an interest in due to his musical career. The girls began to learn the songs to amuse troops stationed in Metzetta, earning a small salary for doing so. Word about the sisters reached Urcean record producer James Ferris, who had them sign a contract to release an album and appear on TV in Urcea.

Career

In 1947, after the war had ended, the Kukki Sisters arrived in Urceopolis to perform on stage and on television, and record their debut album. They often wore traditional mettubok during their performances. In 1950, their cover of "Daddy's Ole Diner" reached #7 in the charts, officially making them the first Metzettans to achieve commercial success in Urcea with their music. In Urcea their fame faded after a few short years, but they released music for over a decade in their home country and are fondly remembered in both nations today. In Metzetta they came to be heavily associated with Urcean culture, embodying diner culture and strong Catholic morals. After the untimely death of Misun in 1960 in a traffic accident whilst being driven to the recording studio, Haneul and Aja retired from recording to live a relatively quiet life with their families, seldom making media appearances since.

Discography

Albums

Title Year Label Region Notes
The Fabulous Kukki Sisters 1947 Ferris Reels  Urcea Debut album of The Kukki Sisters, consisting entirely of covers of Urcean country songs.
멋진구끼자매

(The Fabulous Kukki Sisters)

1948 Dolaji Records  Metzetta Combined half of the Urcean release with a new half composed of Metzettan standards, but used the same name as the Urcean album.
Maids in Metzetta 1949 Ferris Reels  Urcea Cover versions of Urcean country songs with a couple of rhythm and blues numbers for variety.
섬세한 난초

(Delicate Orchids)

1950 Dolaji Records  Metzetta Took the remaining songs from the Urcean debut album as well as half the Maids in Metzetta songs.
식당에서

(At The Diner)

1953 Dolaji Records  Metzetta Used the remaining Maids in Metzetta songs as well as some newly recorded Metzettan standards, including Atop Mount Riwa.
율시아소녀들

(Urcea Girls)

1955 Dolaji Records  Metzetta Collected the unused Urcean singles with some new songs composed in the Urcean country style specifically for the Kukki Sisters by Metzettan songwriters.
걸파워

(Girl Power)

1959 Dolaji Records  Metzetta What may generously be termed a concept album centred around feminist issues, also including their last single which was released a year earlier. Adopted a rockabilly (King's Rock) sound rather than country.
The Complete Kukki Sisters 2004 Dolaji Records  Urcea,  Metzetta A 5-CD set collecting all the sisters' recordings, in both regions it contained songs only released on the opposite side of the world. Also included the sisters' only unreleased recording from 1960.

Singles

Title Year Label Region Notes
A: On The First Train To Coria

B: Dancing By The River

1947 Ferris Reels  Urcea Debut single of The Kukki Sisters featuring two covers of Urcean country songs.
A: On The First Train To Coria

B: The Sniper

1947 Dolaji Records  Metzetta Metzettan recording debut of the sisters, recycling the A-side from their Urcean debut.
A: I Went To The Bay

B: Corned Beef Blues

1948 Ferris Reels  Urcea B-side was an instrumental not actually featuring the sisters; a shrewd financial decision by Ferris.
A: My Buttermilk Boy

B: I Want To Go To Damselalia

1949 Ferris Reels  Urcea Simply a cover of My Buttermilk Girl with slight lyrical changes.
A: Daddy's Ole Diner

B: Toot-Toot-Peep-Peep

1950 Ferris Reels  Urcea Reached #7 in the charts, making The Kukki Sisters the first Metzettan act to see success in Urcea.
A: Daddy's Ole Diner

B: My Buttermilk Boy

1951 Dolaji Records  Metzetta Released to capitalise on the success of the record in Urcea.
A: I Went To The Bay

B: Atop Mount Riwa

1953 Dolaji Records  Metzetta The B-side was an uptempo cover of the Metzettan national anthem.
A: Urcean Boys (We Love Them)

B: At The BBQ Party

1954 Dolaji Records  Metzetta The first songs written specifically for the sisters, in which Metzettan songwriters attempted to capture "the Urcean sound."
A: Buy Me A Drink

B: Over The Urce

1955 Dolaji Records  Metzetta Released to promote Urcea Girls.
A: Girl Power Bop

B: Levantine Lover

1958 Dolaji Records  Metzetta Final single released by The Kukki Sisters, the B-side remained uncollected on an album until 2004.