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3rd generation modern K-pop (2012–2021)
A list of Third Generation Korean Popular music acts with debut dates, fandom names, song samples, videos, and more!
The 3rd Generation of K-Pop Music started in 2012 and ended in 2021. In this generation’s first year it was clear that K-pop is here to stay. Solo act Ailee together with groups Crayon Pop, NU’EST, EXO, and AOA showed what the third generation should be.
For an explanation on how we defined each generation, see: YourOnly.One’s K-pop Generations
2012
Crayon Pop
- Hangul: 크레용팝
- Fandom name: Sketchbook
- Debut: 2012-01-11 as Hurricane Pop
- Song: Bing Bing
- Debut: 2012-07-17 as Crayon Pop
- Song: Saturday Night
- Sample songs:
- Bonus videos:
Strawberry Milk
- Hangul: 딸기우유
- a subgroup of Crayon Pop
- Debut: 2014-10-15 as Strawberry Milk
- Song: OK
- Debut: 2019-09-05 as Choa & Way
- Song: My Universe
- Wikipedia: Crayon Pop
- YouTube: 웨이랜드WayLand
Ailee
- Hangul: 에일리
- Also known as: (이예진) Amy Lee; A.Leean (North America)
- Fandom name: Aileeans
- Debut: 2012-02-08
- Song: Heaven
- Sample songs:
- Wikipedia: Ailee
NU’EST
- Hangul: 뉴이스트
- Also known as: New Establish Style Tempo
- Fandom name: ㄴㅇㅅㅌ; L.O.Λ.E.
- Debut: 2012-03-15
- Song: 페이스 (Face)
- Did you know?
- Wikipedia: NU’EST
EXO
- Hangul: 엑소
- Subgroups: EXO-K (Korean); EXO-M (Mandarin)
- Fandom name: EXO-L (Love)
- Debut: 2012-04-08
- Song: Mama
- Did you know?
- They were dubbed as the Kings of K-Pop.
- Also known as the biggest boyband in the world.
- Wikipedia: Exo
AOA
- Hangul: 에이오에이
- Also known as: Ace of Angels
- Fandom name: Elvis
- Debut: 2012-07-30
- Song: Elvis
- Wikipedia: AOA (group)
SKarf
- Hangul: 스카프
- Debut: 2012-08-13
- Song: Oh! Dance
- Sample songs:
- Did you know?
- SKarf was the first girl group to debut composed of Koreans and Singaporeans; and in 2013 with a Japanese member.
- Wikipedia: Skarf
2013
BTS
- Hangul: 방탄소년단
- Also known as: Bangtan Boys
- Fandom name: A.R.M.Y. (Adorable Representative MC for Youth)
- Debut: 2013-06-12
- Song: No More Dream
- Wikipedia: BTS
2014
GOT7
- Hangul: 갓세븐
- Fandom name: IGOT7
- Debut: 2014-01-16
- Song: Girls Girls Girls
- Wikipedia: Got7
Scarlet
- Hangul: 스칼렛
- Fandom name:
- Debut: 2014-03-06
- Song: Do Better
MAMAMOO
- Hangul: 마마무
- Fandom name: Moomoo
- Debut: 2014-06-18
- Song: Mr.애매모호 (Mr. Ambiguous)
- Wikipedia: Mamamoo
Lucky J
- Hangul: 럭키제이
- Debut: 2014-07-17
- Song: Can You Hear Me?
- Wikipedia: Lucky J
Red Velvet
- Hangul: 레드벨벳
- Fandom name: ReVeluv
- Debut: 2014-08-01
- Song: Happiness
- Wikipedia: Red Velvet (group)
WINNER
- Hangul: 위너
- Fandom name: InnerCircle
- Debut: 2014-03-01 first public performance
- Debut: 2014-08-12
- Song: Empty; and 컬러링 (Color Ring)
- Wikipedia: Winner (band)
Lovelyz
- Hangul: 러블리즈
- Fandom name: Lovelinus
- Debut: 2014-11-05
- Song: 어제처럼 굿나잇 (Good Night Like Yesterday)
- Wikipedia: Lovelyz
2015
GFRIEND
- Hangul: 여자친구
- Fandom name: Buddy
- Debut: 2015-01-12
- Song: Glass Bead
- Wikipedia: GFriend
CLC
- Hangul: 씨엘씨
- Also known as: CrystaL Clear
- Fandom name: Cheshire
- Debut: 2015-03-19
- Song: Pepe
- Wikipedia: CLC (group)
MONSTA X
- Hangul: 몬스타엑스
- Fandom name: Monbebe
- Debut: 2015-05-14
- Song: 무단침입 (Trespass)
- Wikipedia: Monsta X
SEVENTEEN
- Hangul: 세븐틴
- Also known as: SVT
- Fandom name: Carat
- Debut: 2015-05-26
- Song: 아낀다 (Adore U)
- Did you know?
- They are known as self-producing.
- Called the Performance Kings.
- Also dubbed as the Theater Kids of K-pop.
- And as the K-pop Performance Powerhouse.
- Wikipedia: Seventeen (South Korean band)
iKON
- Hangul: 아이콘
- Fandom name: iKONIC
- Debut: 2015-09-15
- Song: My Type
- Wikipedia: iKon
TWICE
- Hangul: 트와이스
- Kana: トゥワイス
- Fandom name: Once
- Debut: 2015-10-20
- Song: Like Ooh-Ahh
- Wikipedia: Twice
2016
WJSN
- Hangul: 우주소녀
- Hanzi: 宇宙少女
- Also known as: Cosmic Girls
- Subgroups: Wonder Unit; Joy Unit; Sweet Unit; Natural Unit
- Fandom name: Ujung
- Debut: 2016-02-25
- Song: Mo Mo Mo; Catch Me
- Wikipedia: WJSN
NCT
- Hangul: 엔시티
- Also known as: Neo Culture Technology
- Fandom name: NCTzen
NCT U
- a subgroup of NCT
- Debut: 2016-04-09
- Song: 일곱 번째 감각 (The 7th Sense); 위드아웃 유 (Without You)
NCT 127
- a subgroup of NCT
- Debut: 2016-07-07
- Song: Fire Truck; Once Again
NCT Dream
- a subgroup of NCT
- Debut: 2016-08-24
- Song: Chewing Gum
WayV
- Hanzi: 威神V (WayV)
- a subgroup of NCT
- Fandom name: WayZenNi
- Debut: 2019-01-17
- Song: 梦想发射计划 (Dream Launch)
- Wikipedia: NCT (group)
I.O.I
- Hangul: 아이오아이
- Also known as: Ideal of Idol
- Debut: 2016-05-04
- Song: Dream Girls
- Wikipedia: I.O.I
HIGHTEEN
- Hangul: 하이틴
- Also known as: HighTeen
- Debut: 2016-05-25
- Song: Grow Up
- Did you know?
- Famous YouTuber Jessica Lee (Lee Seul; 이슬) was a member of HIGHTEEN and performed for their single “Grow Up” before she decided to go back home in the Philippines. 17
CHUNG HA
- Hangul: 청하
- Debut: 2016-05-04 as a member of I.O.I
- Debut: 2017-06-17 as a solo act
- Song: Why Don’t You Know
- Wikipedia: Chungha
gu9udan
- Hangul: 구구단
- Also known as: gx9
- Subgroups: SeMiNa; 5959
- Fandom name: Dan-jjakn
- Debut: 2016-06-28
- Song: Wonderland
- Wikipedia: Gugudan
Kim Se Jeong
- Hangul: 김세정
- Fandom name: Sesang
- Debut: 2016-05-04 as a member of I.O.I
- Debut: 2016-06-28 as a member of gu9udan
- Debut: 2016-11-23 as a solo act
- Song: Flower Way
- Did you know?
- She is called by fans as God Sejeong.
- She is also known as Queen Sejeong.
- Wikipedia: Kim Se-jeong
BLΛƆKPIИK
- Hangul: 블랙핑크
- Fandom name: Blink
- Debut: 2016-08-08
- Song: 붐바야 (Boombayah)
BULLDOK
- Hangul: 불독
- Kana: ブルドッグ
- Hanzi: 牛头犬
- Fandom name:
- Debut: 2016-10-20
- Song: Why Not
VICTON
- Hangul: 빅톤
- Also known as: Voice to New World
- Fandom name: ALICE (Always We Love the VoICE)
- Debut: 2016-11-07
- Song: I’m Fine; What Time Is It Now?
- Wikipedia: Victon
2017
The Boyz
- Hangul: 더보이즈
- Fandom name: The B (더비)
- Debut: 2017-10-12 first song release
- Song: I’m Your Boy
- Debut: 2017-12-06 first album release
- Song: Boy
- Did you Know?
- They were formerly known as Cre.kerz.
- Wikipedia: The Boyz (South Korean band)
fromis_9
- Hangul: 프로미스 9; 프로미스나인
- Fandom name: Flover
- Debut: 2017-11-29
- Song: Glass Shoes
- Wikipedia: Fromis 9
2018
Stray Kids
- Hangul: 스트레이 키즈
- Also known as: SKZ
- Fandom name: Stay
- Debut: 2018-01-08
- Song: Hellevator
- Wikipedia: Stray Kids
(G)I-DLE
- Hangul: (여자)아이들
- Fandom name: Neverland
- Debut: 2018-05-02
- Song: Latata
- Wikipedia: (G)I-dle
ATEEZ
- Hangul: 에이티즈
- Kana: エイティーズ
- Formerly known as: KQ Fellaz
- Fandom name: ATINY (ATEEZ DESTINY)
- Debut: 2018-05-18 as KQ Fellaz
- Dancing to: Pick It Up by Famous Dex
- Debut: 2018-10-24
- Song: 해적왕 (Pirate King)
- Wikipedia: Ateez
LOOΠΔ
- Hangul: 이달의 소녀
- Kana: 今月の少女
- Fandom name: Orbit
- Debut: 2018-08-20
- Song: favOriTe; Hi High
- Wikipedia: Loona
We Girls
- Hangul: 위걸스
- Also known as: WeGirls
- Fandom name:
- Debut: 2018-08-31
- Song: On Air
VERIVERY
- Hangul: 베리베리
- Also known as: VRVR
- Fandom name: VERRER
- Debut: 2018-09-21
- Song: Super Special
- Wikipedia: Verivery
IZ*ONE
- Hangul: 아이즈원
- Kana: アイズワン
- Fandom name: WIZ*ONE
- Debut: 2018-10-29
- Song: La Vie en Rose
- Wikipedia: Iz*One
2019
Cherry Bullet
- Hangul: 체리블렛
- Fandom name: Lullet (Love, Unique, Light, Laugh, Everlasting, Treasure)
- Debut: 2019-01-21
- Song: Q&A; Violet
- Sample songs:
- Wikipedia: Cherry Bullet
ITZY
- Hangul: 있지
- Fandom name: MIDZY
- Debut: 2019-02-12
- Song: Dalla Dalla
- Wikipedia: Itzy
TOMORROW X TOGETHER
- Hangul: 투모로우바이투게더
- Kana: トゥモローバイトゥギャザー
- Also known as: TXT
- Fandom name: M.O.A. (Moment Of Alwaysness)
- Debut: 2019-03-04
- Song: Crown
- Wikipedia: Tomorrow X Together
SuperM
- Hangul: 슈퍼엠
- Debut: 2019-10-04
- Song: Jopping
- Did you know?
- They are called as The Avengers of K-pop.
- Wikipedia: SuperM
2020
Weeekly
- Hangul: 위클리
- Fandom name: Daileee
- Debut: 2020-06-30
- Song: Tag Me (@Me)
- Did you know?
- Their temporary name was FAVE GIRLS, then PlayM Girls. It wasn’t until 2020-05-11 they finally settled on Weeekly.
- Wikipedia: Weeekly
SSAK3
- Hangul: 싹쓰리
- Debut: 2020-07-25
- Song: Beach Again
- Wikipedia: SSAK3
TREASURE
- Hangul: 트레저
- Fandom name: Treasure Maker
- Debut: 2020-08-07
- Song: Boy
- Wikipedia: Treasure (band)
WEi
- Hangul: 위아이
- Fandom name: RUi (루아이)
- Debut: 2020-10-05
- Song: Twilight
- Did you know?
- Their project name was OUIBOYS.
- Wikipedia: WEi
Refund Sisters
- Hangul: 환불원정대
- Debut: 2020-10-10
- Song: Don’t Touch Me
- Wikipedia: Refund Sisters
P1Harmony
- Hangul: 피원하모니
- Also known as: P1H
- Debut: 2020-10-28
- Song: Siren
- Wikipedia: P1Harmony
STAYC
- Hangul: 스테이씨
- Also known as: STAr to a Young Culture
- Fandom name: SWITH
- Debut: 2020-11-12
- Song: So Bad
- Sample songs:
- Did you know?
- They were originally known as High Up Girls.
- Wikipedia: STAYC
æspa
- Hangul: 에스
- Fandom name: MY
- Debut: 2020-11-17
- Song: Black Mamba
- Sample songs:
- Wikipedia: Aespa
ENHYPEN
- Hangul: 엔하이픈
- Kana: ンハイプン (Enhaipun)
- Fandom name: ENGENE
- Debut: 2020-11-30
- Song: Given-Taken
- Wikipedia: Enhypen
2021
EPEX
- Hangul: 이펙스
- Also known as: Eight Apex
- Fandom name: ZENITH
- Debut: 2021-06-08
- Song: Lock Down
- Wikipedia: Epex
IVE
- Hangul: 아이브
- Fandom name: DIVE
- Debut: 2021-12-01
- Song: Eleven
- Wikipedia: Ive (group)
[Crayon Pop] YouTube: Crayon Pop-Dancing Queen 2.0 MV(크레용팝 댄싱퀸2.0 뮤직비디오) ↩︎
[Crayon Pop] YouTube: Crayon Pop - Bar Bar Bar, 크레용팝 - 빠빠빠, Show Champion 20130724 ↩︎
[Crayon Pop] YouTube: [Official M/V] 히어로(HERO)-김장훈&크레용팝(Kim Jang Hoon&Crayon Pop) ↩︎
[Crayon Pop] YouTube: [Crayon Pop] 크레용팝 ‘어이’ Uh-ee M/V ↩︎
[Crayon Pop] YouTube: Dancing All Night (댄싱 올 나잇) ↩︎
[Crayon Pop] YouTube: [Crayon Pop]《Dancing All Night / (댄싱 올 나잇)》 ミュージックビデオ- Official MV ↩︎
[Ailee] YouTube: [도깨비 OST Part 9] 에일리 (Ailee) - 첫눈처럼 너에게 가겠다 (I will go to you like the first snow) (Official Audio) ↩︎
[Ailee] YouTube: [MV] 에일리 (AILEE) - Blue Bird [스타트업 OST Part.9 (START-UP OST Part.9)] ↩︎
KProfiles: TEMPEST Profile and Facts ↩︎ ↩︎
[SKarf] YouTube: SKARF - Luv Virus (2013.06.22) [Music Bank w/ Eng Lyrics] ↩︎
[SKarf] YouTube: SKARF @ Super KPop - Love Virus, Bye Bye Bye, Hana’s Aegyo ↩︎
[SKarf] YouTube: My Turn (내 차례) ↩︎
[SKarf] YouTube: SKARF (스카프) SHOW EP.2 - Sunny Day Vocal Performance (써니 데이 보컬 퍼포먼스) ↩︎
[HIGHTEEN] YouTube: Jessica Lee ↩︎
[Kim Se Jeong] YouTube: [MV] KIM SEJEONG(김세정) _Baby I Love U ↩︎
[Kim Se Jeong] YouTube: [MV] KIMSEJEONG(김세정) *Warning (Feat. lIlBOI) ↩︎
[Kim Se Jeong] YouTube: 🎬Like a scene from a movie, singing in front of the skyline🏙✨ SEJEONG - SKYLINE LIVE 4K | dingomusic ↩︎
[Kim Se Jeong] YouTube: 세정(SEJEONG) - ‘Whale’ LIVE CLIP ↩︎
[Kim Se Jeong] YouTube: [MV] SEJEONG(세정) *Plant(화분) ↩︎
[Kim Se Jeong] YouTube: [ENG SUB] 세정 (SEJEONG) ‘터널 (Tunnel)’ Lyric Videoㅣ리릭비디오 | 4Kㅣ딩고뮤직ㅣDingo Music ↩︎
[BLΛƆKPIИK] YouTube: BLACKPINK(블랙핑크) - How You Like That @인기가요 inkigayo 20200719 ↩︎
[Cherry Bullet] YouTube: [Cherry Bullet - Really Really] Comeback Stage | M COUNTDOWN 190523 EP.620 ↩︎
[Cherry Bullet] YouTube: [Cherry Bullet - Aloha Oe] Comeback Stage | M COUNTDOWN 200806 EP.677 ↩︎
[STAYC] YouTube: STAYC(스테이씨) ‘ASAP’ MV ↩︎
[STAYC] YouTube: STAYC(스테이씨) ‘색안경 (STEREOTYPE)’ MV ↩︎
[æspa] YouTube: (ENG sub) [쇼! 음악중심] 에스파 - 드림스 컴 트루 (aespa - Dreams Come True), MBC 220108 방송 ↩︎
[Nylon Beat] YouTube: Nylon Beat - Rakastuin mä looseriin -live (27.1.1996) ↩︎
[Nylon Beat] Wikipedia: Nylon Beat ↩︎