20th Century

20th Century was a Japanese pop group active in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They're best known for their ballad "Always," which became a major hit in Japan. The group released several albums including Forever in 1999 and Seventeen in 2000, along with multiple compilation albums throughout their active years.

Their sound blended pop with R&B elements, and they contributed music to Japanese television dramas and films. The group's lineup included Ken Hirai, Toshinobu Kubota, and Naoya Urata, who all participated in songwriting and vocal duties.

In 1999, the group faced some criticism for their cover of "My Way," with some listeners finding it lacked the emotional weight of the original. Later, media attention focused on Ken Hirai's relationship with actress Erika Sawajiri in 2002. After their active period, the members pursued individual careers while their group recordings continued to be heard.