This past week I started playing the latest Madden football video game and one of the options is the ability to construct the "Ultimate Team" using players from throughout the history of the NFL. Well, after hours of careful consideration and much internal debate (seriously, I spent a sizable chunk of my life that I'll never get back), I finally was able to create the Uncle Fan Dream Team. As I was building my squad, I thought that this would be a pretty cool idea to apply to K-pop.

So for the next two weeks here on Way Back Wednesday, I'm going to build my Ultimate Boy Bands and Girl Groups from all the great members from groups past. Today we'll get started with the boy band but first, let me lay down the ground rules for how I selected the members:

1. The final group will consist of 5 members, each having an official "role" in the group
1. Lead vocal
2. Second vocal
3. Korean rapper
4. English rapper
5. Main dancer
2. Each member has to have been part of an idol group. No solo artists allowed
3. Each members' group must have performed between the years 1995-2003 (can still be active but the group has to have debuted in that window)
4. Cannot have multiple members from the same original group

You can debate the rules all you want but it's my list so here we go!

Lead Vocal: Kim Tae Woo

For my money, the former g.o.d lead singer was the best idol vocalist from back in the day. That slightly husky voice has incredible range (of both octave and emotion) and has only gotten better over the years. Granted he's not the best looking apple in the barrel but it's OK. The man has got groove, skills, and will be a great addition to the group. Also, you need someone who's good on variety talk shows and can help promote the group.

Second Vocal: Kim Junsu

The former TVXQ singer and current JYJ crooner has the pipes to stand up to Kim Tae Woo but also add his own flavor to the band. He's also got dancing chops to keep up with any moves and wouldn't slow the group down at all. Also, when the group makes their obligatory foray into the Japanese market, we need a little love from the fans and Junsu will be the main man there. He can also act as the official "maknae" or youngest member of the group since K-pop fans seem to love those guys the most.

Korean Rapper: Eric Mun

Many of you are probably saying, "Eric? Isn't he the English rapper of Shinhwa? The guy lived in LA for Pete's sake!" Well, you're right but I'm not interested in what he did for Shinhwa, I'm more interested in what he can do for this band. Anyone who's heard him rap knows that his Korean is perfectly fine and on top of that, growing up in the U.S. exposed him to old school rap which has only helped his abilities. And let's not forget that every group needs a "face"; you know, the good looking guy that can be at the center of the team. I think we have our face.

English Rapper: Teddy Park

Was there any doubt? The former 1TYM leader is the obvious choice to be the man laying down the English rap tracks for the squad. As a native of SoCal, he also brings that West Coast swagger which the team needs for it's eventual expansion out into the U.S. market and helping the team succeed abroad. The big X-factor with Teddy is his ability to write and produce music. That talent will help the group stay fresh and self-reliant while creating a unique sound for the group.

I used this video recently but finding a video of Teddy rapping alone is proving to be challenging.

Main Dancer: Moon Hee Jun

This might be another surprise choice but Moon Hee Jun is one of the more underrated dancers in K-pop. He was instrumental in creating many of H.O.T's and SM Entertainment's earliest choreography and he still has the ability to throw down. He'll be a big help in choreographing the team's dances and help hone a sense of style for the band. Yeah, he doesn't do the acrobatic stuff and big breaking power moves like today's idols but that's not the only kind of dancing there is.

Starts at the 4:44 minute mark

There you have it, my ultimate old school boy band. Of course some people are going to disagree but I'm not going to make any apologies for my choices. What I would like to see though is your line-up for YOUR ultimate boy band because I'm sure there will be some good ones. You know, this was fun... we might have to do this again someday.

Next week: Selection from the Girl Groups (yay!)