The 1st Generation of K-Pop Music started in 1992 and ended in 2001. Here are the pioneering groups and solo acts who started the modern K-pop that we all know today.

For an explanation on how we defined each generation, see: YourOnly.One’s K-pop Generations

1992

Seo Taiji & Boys

• Hangul: 서태지와 아이들
• Debut: 1992-04-11
  • Song: 난 알아요 (Nan Arayo; I Know)

• Also known for:
  • Starting the modern K-pop music.
  • The first modern K-pop boy group.
• Wikipedia: Seo Taiji and Boys

1993

Uhm Jung Hwa

• Hangul: 엄정화
• Debut: 1993-01-16 as solo
  • Song: 눈동자 (Pupil)

• Debut: 2020-10-10 as a member of supergroup Refund Sisters
• Wikipedia: Uhm Jung-hwa

Deux

• Hangul: 듀스
• Debut: 1993-04-23
  • Song: Turn Around and Look at Me

• Wikipedia: Deux (band)

Solid

• Hangul: 솔리드
• Debut: 1993-12-15
  • Song: Give Me A Chance

• Wikipedia: Solid (band)

1994

Jinu

• Hangul: 지누
• Also known as: 김진우 (Kim Jin Woo)
• Debut: 1994-03-09
  • Song: 나는 캡이었어 (I Am Awesome)

• Debut: 1997-03-01 as a member of JINUSEAN
• Wikipedia: Jinu

JYP

• Hangul: 박진영
• Also known as: J. Y. Park; The Asiansoul
• Debut: 1994-09-01
• Founder of JYP Entertainment (1997)
  • Song: 날 떠나지마 (Don’t Leave Me)

• Wikipedia: Park Jin-young

1995

Turbo

• Hangul: 터보
• Debut: 1995-09-06
  • Song: 나 어릴적 꿈 (My Childhood Dream)

• Wikipedia: Turbo (South Korean band)

Kim Jong Kook

• Hangul: 김종국
• Fandom name: Papitus
• Debut: 1995-09-06 as a member of Turbo
• Debut: 2001-12-12 as a solo act
  • Song: 남자니까 (Because I’m A Man)

• Also known for:
  • Running Man host
  • Bodybuilder
• Wikipedia: Kim Jong-kook

1996

H.O.T

• Hangul: 에이치오티
• Also known as: Highfive Of Teenagers
• Fandom name: Club H.O.T.
• Debut: 1996-09-07
  • Song: Descendants of Warriors

• Wikipedia: H.O.T.

1997

Uptown

• Hangul: 업타운
• Debut: 1997
  • Song: 다시 만나 줘 (Let’s Meet Again)

• Wikipedia: Uptown (band)

Yoo Seung Jun

• Hangul: 유승준
• Also known as: Steve Seung Jun Yoo
• Debut: 1997 March
  • Song: 가위 (Gawi; Nightmare)

• Wikipedia: Yoo Seung-jun

JINUSEAN

• Hangul: 지누션
• Debut: 1997-03-01
  • Song: Gasoline

• Wikipedia: Jinusean

Sechs Kies

• Hangul: 젝스키스
• Fandom name: YellKies
• Debut: 1997-04-15
  • Song: 학원별곡 (School Anthem)

• Did you know?
  • They pioneered the idol fandom culture.
• Wikipedia: Sechs Kies

Haha

• Hangul: 하하
• Debut: 1997-05-01 as a solo act
• Debut: 2001 as a member of 지키리 (Z-kiri)
• Debut: 2005-02-18 as a solo act
  • Song: 사랑가 (Love Song)

• Debut: 2012-07-30 as a member of RGP (레게 강 같은 평화; Reggae Peace like a River)
• Did you know?
  • He is married to K-pop singer, Byul.
  • He is a Running Man host.
  • He is an Infinite Challenge host.
• Wikipedia: Haha (entertainer)

Baby V.O.X

• Hangul: 베이비복스
• Fandom name: Baby Angels
• Debut: 1997-07-10
  • Song: 머리 하는 날 (Hair Cut)

• Did you know?
  • They were the first modern K-pop girl group.
  • They were also the first modern K-pop girl group to break into the Chinese market.
• Wikipedia: Baby Vox

DIVA

• Hangul: 디바
• Debut: 1997-08-29
  • Song: 그래 (Yeah)

• Wikipedia: Diva (South Korean group)

NRG

• Hangul: 엔알지
• Also known as: New Radiancy Group
• Fandom name: Cheonjae Ilwoo
• Debut: 1997-10-28
  • Song: 할 수 있어 (I Can Do It)

• Wikipedia: NRG (South Korean band)

S.E.S

• Hangul: 에스이에스
• Fandom name: Friend
• Debut: 1997-11-01
• Name stands for Sea, Eugene, and Shoo
  • Song: I’m Your Girl

• Sample songs:
  • Dreams Come True ¹, Korean version of Rakastuin mä looseriin ² by Finnish girl group Nylon Beat ³.
• Wikipedia: S.E.S. (group)

1998

Rain

• Hangul: 비
• Fandom name: Clouds
• Debut: 1998 as a member of Fanclub
• Debut: 2002-05-13 as a solo act
  • Song: 나쁜 남자 (Bad Guy)

• Debut: 2020-07-25 as a member of supergroup SSAK3
• Wikipedia: Rain (entertainer)

Shinhwa

• Hangul: 신화
• Fandom name: Shinhwa Changjo
• Debut: 1998-04-19
  • Song: 천일유혼 (Sharing Forever)

• Wikipedia: Shinhwa

Fin.K.L

• Hangul: 핑클
• Also known as: Fine Killing Liberty
• Fandom name: Pinky
• Debut: 1998-05-25
  • Song: Blue Rain; 내 남자친구에게 (To My Boyfriend)

• Wikipedia: Fin.K.L

Lee Hyo Ri

• Hangul: 이효리
• Fandom name: HyoRish
• Debut: 1998-05-25 as a member of Fin.K.L
• Debut: 2003-08-13 as a solo act
  • Song: 10 Minutes

• Debut: 2020-07-25 as a member of supergroup SSAK3
• Wikipedia: Lee Hyori

1TYM

• Hangul: 원타임
• Fandom name: Hip-Hop Village
• Debut: 1998-11-15
  • Song: 1TYM

• Wikipedia: 1TYM

1999

g.o.d

• Hangul: 지오디
• Also known as: Groove Over Dose
• Fandom name: Fan god
• Debut: 1999-01-13
  • Song: 어머님께 (To Mother)

• Did you know?
  • They were originally to be named as GOT6.
• Wikipedia: g.o.d

Drunken Tiger

• Hangul: 드렁큰 타이거
• Debut: 1999-02-02
  • Song: 난 널 원해 (I Want You)

• Wikipedia: Drunken Tiger

2000

BoA

• Hangul: 권보아
• Fandom name: Jumping BoA; SOUL (Japan)
• Debut: 2000-08-25 as a solo act
  • Song: “ID; Peace B”

• Sample songs:
  • No.1 ⁴
  • Every Heart-ミンナノキモチ- ⁵
  • Milky Way ⁶
  • Atlantis Princess ⁷
  • Only One ⁸
• Debut: 2022-01-01 as a member of GOT the beat a subgroup of supergroup Girls On Top
• Did you know?
  • She was discovered by SM Entertainment at the age of 11 and trained for two years.
  • She debuted at the young age of 13.
  • BoA can sing well not just in Korean but also in English, Japanese, and Chinese.
  • She’s known as the Star of Asia. ⁹
  • First Korean to be in Billboard. ⁹
  • She’s called the Queen of K-pop.
  • BoA was the first K-pop act to break in Japan after the restriction of imports between Japan and Korea was lifted. ¹⁰
  • She is the only non-Japanese with three albums which sold one million copies in Japan. [^boa-dyk-japan-times]
  • BoA is one of three female pop star with six consecutive number 1 studio albums in the Oricon charts since her debut. The other two are highly popoular and successful Japanese stars Ayumi Hamasaki and Utada Hikaru. ¹¹
• Wikipedia: BoA

2001

PSY

• Hangul: 싸이
• Also known as: 엽기가수 (The Bizarre Singer)
• Fandom name: PSYcho
• Debut: 2001-01-19
  • Song: 새 (Bird); 끝 (The End)

• Sample songs:
  • 강남스타일 (Gangnam Style) ¹²
• Did you know?
  • Gangnam Style earned PSY multiple Guinness World Records as the “Most Viewed Video Online”, “Most ‘Liked’ Video Online”, “First Video to Receive 1 billion views”. ¹³ As of 2022-01-28 20:25:35+0800:
    • Likes: 23 million ¹²
    • Views: 4,320,893,237 ¹²
    • Since: 2012-07-15 ¹²
  • Gentleman also entered the Guinness World Records as the “Most Viewed Video Online in a 24-hour period” hitting 38.4 million views on 2013-04-14. ¹³
• Wikipedia: Psy

Jewelry

• Hangul: 쥬얼리
• Fandom name: Jewel Box
• Debut: 2001-03-30
  • Song: 사랑해 (I Love You)

• Wikipedia: Jewelry (group)

Jang Na Ra

• Hangul: 장나라
• Fandom name: Fly Nara Love
• Debut: 2001-05-04
  • Song: 눈물에 얼굴을 묻는다 (Burying My Face In Tears)

• Sample songs:
  • 스윗 드림 (Sweet Dream) ¹⁴
  • Someday ¹⁵ OST for Your House Helper
  • calling love ¹⁶
• Wikipedia: Jang Na-ra

The 2nd Generation of K-Pop Music started in 2002 and ended in 2011 which was led by solo acts like Byul, Gummy, and Se7en; and the revival of K-pop groups by TVXQ!, SS501, and Super Junior.

For an explanation on how we defined each generation, see: YourOnly.One’s K-pop Generations

2002

Byul

• Hangul: 별
• Debut: 2002-10-10
  • Song: 12월 32일 (December 32)

• Sample songs:
  • 내가 정말 사랑하는 사람이 있죠 (Dear My Love) ¹ OST for When the Weather Is Fine
• Did you know?
  • She married K-pop and variety show star, Haha.
• Wikipedia: Byul

2003

Gummy

• Hangul: 거미
• Debut: 2003-02-03
  • Song: 기억상실 (Memory Loss)

• Sample songs:
  • You Are My Everything ² OST for Descendants of the Sun
  • 기억해줘요 내 모든 날과 그때를 (Remember Me) ³ OST for Hotel del Luna
• Wikipedia: Gummy (singer)

Se7en

• Hangul: 세븐
• Fandom name: Lucky 7
• Debut: 2003-03-07
  • Song: 한번 단 한번 (Hanbeon Dan Hanbeon; Once, Just Once)

• Wikipedia: Seven (South Korean singer)

2004

TVXQ

• Hangul: 동방신기 (DBSK; Dong Bang Shin Ki)
• Kana: とうほうしんき (Tōhōshinki)
• Hanzi: 東方神起 (Tong Vfang Xien Qi)
• Fandom name: Cassiopeia; Big East (Japan)
• Debut: 2004-01-14
  • Song: Hug

• Wikipedia: TVXQ

Sandara Park

• Hangul: 박산다라
• Also known as: Dara; Sandy; Sandy Park; Krung-krung
• Fandom name:
• Debut: 2004 (as a solo act in the Philippines)
  • Song: 《In Or Out》

• Debut: 2009-03-27 (as a member of 2NE1)
• Debut: 2009-07-09 (as a solo act in Korea)
  • Song: 《Kiss》

• Did you know?
  • Sandara Park is dubbed as the “BoA of the Philippines” due to her immense popularity in the country; similar to how BoA is immensely popular in Japan.
  • She is considered as the standard for Korean beauty.
  • She is also known as the “Pambansang krung-krung” (“Nation’s Crazy Person”).
  • In 2004, she released her self-titled EP, with the first track 《In Or Out》, as her debut in singing.
    • Her EP is also the only album by a South Korean to be certified platinum by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry or PARI.
  • Her inspiration to become a celebrity was the K-pop boy band Seo Taiji and Boys who started the modern K-pop music in 1992.
  • In 2004, Sandara Parak joined ABS-CBN’s talent program, Star Circle Quest where she finished in second place.
    • She reportedly received half a million text/SMS votes nationwide during the final round.
  • In 2007, she and her family returned to Korea, and later in the year YG Entertainment signed her.
  • She trained under the K-pop idol industry for two years and in 2009 debut as a member of the girl group 2NE1.
    • In the same year, she also debut as a solo act in Korea.
• Authority control:
  • Discogs
  • ISNI
  • MusicBrainz
  • Wikidata
  • YourOnly.One MD: QhNACVCJLYzU76wTv
• Audio streaming:
  • Apple Music
  • deezer
  • LINE MUSIC
  • Melon
  • Spotify
  • YouTube Music
• Video streaming:
  • YouTube
• Social:
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Weibo
• More:
  • Wikipedia

2005

SS501

• Hangul: 더블에스오공일
• Kana: ダブルエス ごーまるいち
• Fandom name: Triple S
• Debut: 2005-06-22
  • Song: 경고 (Warning)

• Wikipedia: SS501

Jessi

• Hangul: 제시
• Also known as: 호현주 (Jessica Ho)
• Debut: 2005-12-01 as a solo act
  • Song: 겟 업 (Get Up)

• Debut: 2006 as a member of Uptown
• Debut: 2014-07-17 as a member of Lucky J
• Debut: 2020-10-10 as a member of supergroup Refund Sisters
• Wikipedia: Jessi (musician)

Super Junior

• Hangul: 슈퍼주니어
• Also known as: SJ; SuJu
• Fandom name: E.L.F. (Everlasting Friends)
• Debut: 2005-09-11 dancing to B2K (Boys of the New Millennium)’s Take It to the Floor
• Debut: 2005-11-06 their own song
  • Song: Twins (Knock Out)

• Did you know?
  • They were called the King of Hallyu Wave.
• Wikipedia: Super Junior

2006

Brown Eyed Girls

• Hangul: 브라운 아이드 걸스
• Kana: ブラウン・アイド・ガールズ
• Also known as: B.E.G.; BG; 브아걸
• Fandom name: Everlasting
• Debut: 2006-03-02
  • Song: 다가와서 (Come Closer)

• Wikipedia: Brown Eyed Girls

BIGBANG

• Hangul: 빅뱅
• Fandom name: V.I.P.
• Debut: 2006-12-21
  • Song: 눈물뿐인 바보 (A Fool’s Only Tears)

• Did you know?
  • They were called the Kings of K-Pop.
• Wikipedia: Big Bang (band)

2007

KARA

• Hangul: 카라
• Kana: カラ
• Fandom name: Kamilia
• Debut: 2007-03-29
  • Song: Break It

• Wikipedia: Kara (South Korean group)

F.T. Island

• Hangul: 에프티 아일랜드; FT아일랜드
• Also known as: Five Treasure Island
• Fandom name: Primadonna
• Debut: 2007-06-07
  • Song: Love Sick

• Wikipedia: F.T. Island

Girls’ Generation

• Hangul: 소녀시대
• Kana: しょうじょじだい
• Also known as: SNSD (Sonyeo Sidae)
• Fandom name: Sone
• Debut: 2007-08-05
  • Song: 다시 만난 세계 (Into the New World)

• Sample songs:
  • Gee ⁴
  • Genie ⁵
  • Oh! ⁶
  • Run Devil Run ⁷
• Did you know?
  • They were called as The Nation’s Girl Group.
• Wikipedia: Girls’ Generation

WONDER GIRLS

• Hangul: 원더걸스
• Fandom name: Wonderful
• Debut: 2007-09-13
  • Song: Irony

• Sample songs:
  • Nobody ⁸
  • Nobody (English) ⁹
• Did you know?
  • Their internationally hit song, Nobody (2008; 2009), is still referred to by international fans as the song which made the word “K-pop” known all over.
• Wikipedia: Wonder Girls

SUPERNOVA

• Hangul: 슈퍼노바
• Kanji: 超新星
• Hanzi: 超新星
• Also known as: 초신성 (Choshinsung); 超新星 (Choshinsei)
• Fandom name: Tinkerbell
• Debut: 2007-10-13
  • Song: Hit

• Wikipedia: Supernova (South Korean group)

2008

Davichi

• Hangul: 다비치
• Fandom name: Davichi Chord
• Debut: 2008-02-04
  • Song: 미워도 사랑하니까 (I Love You Even Though I Hate You)

• Sample songs:
  • 그대를 잊는다는 건 (Forgetting You) ¹⁰ OST for Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
  • 오늘도 그리워 그리워 (Today I Miss You Too) ¹¹ OST for While You Were Sleeping
  • 꿈처럼 내린 (Falling In Love) ¹² OST for The Beauty Inside
  • Please Don’t Cry OST ¹³ for The King: Eternal Monarch
• Wikipedia: Davichi

2AM

• Hangul: 투에이엠
• Fandom name: I Am
• Debut: 2008-07-11
  • Song: 이노래 (This Song)

• Did you know?
  • They were originally a ten-member group called One Day together with 2PM.
• Wikipedia: 2AM (band)

SHINee

• Hangul: 샤이니
• Kana: シャイニー
• Fandom name: Shawol
• Debut: 2008-08-28
  • Song: Replay

• Did you know?
  • They were called the Princes of K-pop.
• Wikipedia: Shinee

Taemin

• Hangul: 태민
• Debut: 2008-08-28 as a member of SHINee
• Debut: 2014-08-15 as a solo act
  • Song: Danger

• Debut: 2019-08 as a member of supergroup SuperM
• Did you know?
  • He was dubbed the Idol’s Idol.
• Wikipedia: Lee Tae-min

2PM

• Hangul: 투피엠
• Fandom name: Hottest
• Debut: 2008-08-29
  • Song: 10점 만점에 10점 (10 Out of 10)

• Sample songs:
  • Hands Up ¹⁴
• Did you know?
  • They were originally a ten-member group called One Day together with 2AM.
• Wikipedia: 2PM

U-KISS

• Hangul: 유키스
• Kana: ユーキス
• Also known as: Ubiquitous Korean International Idol Super Star
• Fandom name: Kiss Me
• Debut: 2008-08-15 first public performance for another song
• Debut: 2008-08-28 first public performance for own song
  • Song: 어리지 않아 (Not Young)

• Wikipedia: U-KISS

IU

• Hangul: 아이유
• Fandom name: UAENA
• Debut: 2008-09-18
  • Song: 미아 (Lost Child)

• Sample songs:
  • 좋은 날 (Good Day) ¹⁵
  • You & I ¹⁶
  • Beautiful Song ¹⁷
  • Blueming ¹⁸
  • BBIBBI ¹⁹
  • Celebrity ²⁰
  • Strawberry Moon ²¹
• Did you know?
  • She was dubbed Korea’s Little Sister.
  • She was also known as The Nation’s Sweetheart.
  • IU is one of few K-pop solo acts whose every track became highly popular locally and abroad.
• Wikipedia: IU (singer)

2009

Zico

• Hangul: 지코
• Debut: 2009 as a member of Harmonics
  • Song: The Letter
• Debut: 2011-04-14 as a member of Block B
• Debut: 2014 as a solo act
• Wikipedia: Zico (rapper)

AFTERSCHOOL

• Hangul: 애프터스쿨
• Fandom name: Play Girlz; Play Boyz
• Debut: 2009-01-15
  • Song: 아! (AH!)

• Wikipedia: After School (group)

2NE1

• Hangul: 투애니원
• Fandom name: Blackjack; Blackjack Nolza (Japan)
• Debut: 2009-03-27 first public appearance
  • Song: Lollipop

• Debut: 2009-05-06 first performance with own song
  • Song: Fire

• Sample songs:
  • I Don’t Care ²²
  • Kiss [^2ne1-songs-kiss]
  • Lonely ²³
• Wikipedia: 2NE1

4MINUTE

• Hangul: 포미닛
• Fandom name: 4NIA (4 Minute Mania)
• Debut: 2009-06-15
  • Song: Hot Issue

• Wikipedia: 4Minute

T-ara

• Hangul: 티아라
• Fandom name: Queens; Sweet Treasure (Japan)
• Debut: 2009-07-29
  • Song: 거짓말 (Lie)

• Sample songs:
  • Bo Peep Bo Peep ²⁴
  • Roly-Poly ²⁵
  • Lovey-Dovey ²⁶
  • 티키타카 (Tiki Taka) ²⁷
• Wikipedia: T-ara

Eun Jung

• Hangul: 은정
• Kana: ウンジョン
• Also known as: Elsie
• Debut: 2009-07-29 as a member of T-ara
• Debut: 2013 as a solo act
  • Song: Two As One

• Debut: 2015-05-07 as Elsie
  • Song: I’m Good

• Sample songs:
  • DESIRE ²⁸
  • Sweet Snow ²⁹
  • あともう少し… (A little more …) ³⁰
• Did you know?
  • She won Little Miss Korea at age 7.
• Wikipedia: Hahm Eun-jung

CNBLUE

• Hangul: 씨엔블루
• Also known as: Code Name: Burning, Lovely, Untouchable, and Emotional
• Fandom name: Boice (Blue Voice)
• Debut: 2009 early first public performance
• Debut: 2009-08-19
  • Song: Now or Never (English version)

• Wikipedia: CNBLUE

f(x)

• Hangul: 에프엑스
• Fandom name: MeU
• Debut: 2009-09-01
  • Song: 라차타 (LA chA TA)

• Sample songs:
  • Electric Shock ³¹
• Did you know?
  • They were the first K-Pop act to perform at SXSW.
• Wikipedia: f(x) (musical group)

MBLAQ

• Hangul: 엠블랙
• Kana: エムブラック
• Also known as: Music Boys Live in Absolute Quality
• Fandom name: A+
• Debut: 2009-10-14
  • Song: Oh Yeah

• Wikipedia: MBLAQ

Rainbow

• Hangul: 레인보우
• Fandom name: Rain-nous
• Debut: 2009-11-12
  • Song: 가십 걸 (Gossip Girl)

• Wikipedia: Rainbow (girl group)

2010

ZE:A

• Hangul: 제국의 아이들
• Also known as: Children of Empire
• Fandom name: ZE:A STYLE
• Debut: 2010-01-07
  • Song: Mazeltov

• Wikipedia: ZE:A

SISTAR

• Hangul: 씨스타
• Fandom name: Star1
• Debut: 2010-06-03
  • Song: Push Push

• Wikipedia: Sistar

Hyolyn

• Hangul: 효린
• Also known as: 김효정 (Kim Hyo-jung)
• Fandom name: BAE
• Debut: 2010-06-03 as a member of SISTAR
• Debut: 2013 August as first solo act
  • Song: 미치게 만들어 (Crazy of You) OST for Master’s Sun

• Debut: 2013-11-26 first solo album
  • Song: Lonely

• Sample songs:
  • Always ³² OST for Live Up To Your Name, Dr. Heo
  • I Miss You ³³ OST for Uncontrollably Fond
  • Good bye ³⁴ OST for My Love From the Star
  • Let It Go ³⁵ OST for Frozen (Hangugeo)
• Wikipedia: Hyolyn

INFINITE

• Hangul: 인피니트
• Fandom name: Inspirit
• Debut: 2010-06-09
  • Song: Come Back Again

• Wikipedia: Infinite (band)

miss A

• Hangul: 미쓰에이
• Fandom name: Say A
• Debut: 2010 sometime before or around March, as Chinese Wonder Girls
• Debut: 2010 March, as a 3-member group miss A
  • Song: Love Again (original in Chinese)

• Debut: 2010-07-01, as a 4-member group miss A
  • Song: Bad Girl Good Girl

• Sample songs:
  • Love Again ³⁶
  • 다른 남자 말고 너 (Only You) ³⁷
• Did you know?
  • Bad Girl, Good Girl was the first debut song to reach number one in the Gaon Digital Chart.
  • They were the fastest girl group to take the number one spot in a music show (KBS Music Bank).
  • Bad Girl, Good Girl was the number 1 song in Inkigayo for four straight weeks, breaking the record set by Girls’ Generation.
  • Originally marketed as the “Chinese Wonder Girls”.
• Wikipedia: Miss A

Suzy

• Hangul: 수지
• Also known as: 배수지 (Bae Su Ji)
• Fandom name: Sueweeties; Suzyholic
• Debut: 2010 March as a member of miss A
• Debut: 2017-01-16 as a solo act
  • Song: 행복한 척 (Pretend)

• Sample songs:
  • Yes No Maybe ³⁸
  • 다른 사람을 사랑하고 있어 (I’m in Love with Someone Else) ³⁹
  • 나를 잊지말아요 (Don’t Forget Me) ⁴⁰ OST for Gu Family Book
  • Ring My Bell ⁴¹ OST for Uncontrollably Fond
  • I Love You Boy ⁴² OST for While You Were Sleeping
  • 듣고 싶은 말 (Words I Want To Hear) ⁴³ OST for While You Were Sleeping
  • My Dear Love ⁴⁴ OST for Start-Up
• Did you know?
  • She is also known as The Nation’s First Love.
• Wikipedia: Bae Suzy

Girl’s Day

• Hangul: 걸스데이
• Fandom name: Dai5y
• Debut: 2010-07-07
  • Song: 갸우뚱 (Tilt My Head)

• Sample songs:
  • 나를 잊지마요 (Don’t Forget Me) ⁴⁵
  • 기대해 (Expectation) ⁴⁶
  • 썸씽 (Something) ⁴⁷
• Wikipedia: Girl’s Day

G.NA

• Hangul: 지나
• Fandom name: G.NI
• Debut: 2010-07-05
  • Song: 애인이 생기면 하고 싶은 일 (Things I Want to Do When I Have a Lover)

• Wikipedia: G.NA

BéBé Mignon

• Hangul: 베베 미뇽
• Debut: 2010-09-06
  • Song: 키도 작고, 예쁘지 않지만… (Even Though I’m small and not Pretty…)

• Wikipedia: 베베 미뇽

Ben

• Hangul: 벤
• Also known as: 이은영 (Lee Eun Young)
• Debut: 2010 as a member of BéBé Mignon
• Debut: 2012-10-10 as solo act
  • Song: 오늘은 가지마 (Don’t Go Today)

• Sample songs:
  • Starlight Heart ⁴⁸ OST for The Red Sleeve
  • Whenever Wherever Whatever ⁴⁹ OST for Alice
  • Like A Dream ⁵⁰ OST for Another Miss Oh
  • STAY ⁵¹ OST for Oh My Ghostess
• Wikipedia: Ben (South Korean singer)

2011

Leader’S

• Hangul: 리더스
• Fandom name:
• Debut: 2011-03-22
  • Song: Please (제발)

Kimi

• Hangul: 키미
• Also known as: Kim Minji (김민지); Habin (하빈)
• Fandom name:
• Debut: 2011-03-22 (as a member of Leader’S)
• Debut: 2014-03-06 (as a member of Scarlet)
• Debut: 2016-10-20 (as a member of BULLDOK)
• Debut: 2017-08-25 (as a solo act)
  • Song: I Am

• Debut: 2021-04-09 (as a member of We Girls)

• Sample songs:

  • Mammy Mammy (맘이맘이) ⁵²

• Did you know?

  • Kimi’s song “Mammy Mammy” was remixed by the P-pop girl group Clover entitled “Kakumakabog-kabog Ang Puso” (Pounding Heart).

Block B

• Hangul: 블락비
• Fandom name: BBC (Block B Club); Honeybees
• Debut: 2011-04-13
  • Song: Freeze!

• Wikipedia: Block B

Apink

• Hangul: 에이핑크
• Kana: エーピンク
• Fandom name: Pink Panda
• Debut: 2011-04-19
  • Song: 몰라요 (Mollayo; I Don’t Know)

• Sample songs:
  • NoNoNo ⁵³
  • 미스터 츄 (Mr. Chu) ⁵⁴
• Wikipedia: Apink

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:
  • Dancing Queen 2.0 ¹
  • Bar Bar Bar ²
  • 히어로 (HERO) ³
  • 어이 (Uh-ee) ⁴
  • Dancing All Night (댄싱 올 나잇) ⁵
  • FM ⁶
• 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:
  • 첫눈처럼 너에게 가겠다 (I Will Go to You Like the First Snow) ⁷ OST for Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
  • Sweater (original English) ⁸
  • Blue Bird ⁹ OST for Start-Up
• 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?
  • NU’EST was originally part of Pledis Boys. It was split into two groups with the other named Tempest (템페스트)^{10 11} (not to be confused with Yuehua Entertainment’s TEMPEST).
    • Tempest disbanded before their debut due to the popularity of NU’EST ¹¹.
  • As Pledis Boys, they were dubbed as After School Boys.
• 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:
  • Luv Virus ¹²
  • Bye Bye Bye ¹³
  • Anymore ¹⁴
  • My Turn ¹⁵
  • Sunny Day ¹⁶
• 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

• Sample songs:
  • Baby I Love U ¹⁸
  • Warning ¹⁹
  • SKYLINE ²⁰
  • Whale ²¹
  • 화분 (Plant) ²²
  • Tunnel ²³
• Bonus videos:

• 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)

• Sample songs:
  • How You Like That ²⁴
• Wikipedia: Blackpink

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:
  • Really Really ²⁵
  • Aloha Oe ²⁶
• 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:
  • ASAP ²⁷
  • STEREOTYPE ²⁸
• 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:
  • Dreams Come True ²⁹, a remake of S.E.S.’s cover of Rakastuin mä looseriin ³⁰ by Finnish girl group Nylon Beat ³¹.
• 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)

The 4th Generation of K-Pop Music started in 2022 and will end on 2031. Already an exciting generation as it was opened by supergroup Girls On Top through its subgroup GOT the beat which was quickly followed by newcomer girl group Kep1er, a generation which will definitely become a Girls’ Generation and everyday a Girl’s Day.

In February, VIVIZ and NMIXX strenghtened the girl power theme with their powerful debut songs.

For an explanation on how we defined each generation, see: YourOnly.One’s K-pop Generations

2022

Girls On Top

GOT the beat

• Hangul: 갓더비트
• a subgroup of supergroup Girls On Top
• Debut: 2022-01-01
  • Song: Step Back

• Wikipedia: Got the Beat

Kep1er

• Hangul: 케플러
• Fandom name: Kep1ian
• Debut: 2022-01-03
  • Song: Wa Da Da

• Wikipedia: Kep1er

TEMPEST

• Hangul: 템페스트
• Also known as: TPST
• Fandom name: TBA (maybe STORM or W1ND)
• Debut: 2022-01-05 (1st dance video)
  • Song: Kick It by NCT 127

• Debut: 2022-03-02
  • Song: TBA
• Sample covers:
  • HIT ¹ by SEVENTEEN
• Did you know?
  • TEMPEST (템페스트) from Yuehua Entertainment shares the same name as the Tempest (템페스트) from Pledis Entertainment.
    • Tempest from Pledis Entertainment disbanded before their debut due to the popularity of their other half NU’EST. ^{2 3}
  • Yuehua Entertainment trademarked the names TEMPEST, TPST, and 템페스트 on 2021-06-08. ⁴
• YouTube: TEMPEST

VIVIZ

• Hangul: 비비지
• Also known as: VIVId dayZ
• Fandom name: NAV
• Debut: 2022-02-09
  • Song: BOP BOP!

• Did you know?
  • The members of VIVIZ—Eunha, SinB, and Umji—are former members of GFRIEND.
• Instagram: viviz_official
• Twitter: @VIVIZ
• YouTube: VIVIZ

NMIXX

• Debut: 2022-02-22
  • Song: O.O

• Facebook: NMIXX
• Twitter: @NMIXX_official
• YouTube: NMIXX

Le Sserafim

• Hangul: 비비지르세라핌
• Fandom name: Wingx ⁵
• Fandom colour: Shiny Yellow, Purple, and Sea Blue ⁵
• Debut: 2022-05
  • Song: tba
• Facebook: LE SSERAFIM
• Instagram: @le_sserafim
• Instagram: @lesserafimofficial_
• Twitter: @le_sserafim {{- -}}
• Twitter: @LSRFMofficial_
• YouTube: LE SSERAFIM
• YouTube: 레세라핌 LESSERAFIM OFFICIAL

2021 was not a good year for most just as 2020 was before it. Despite that, hope is in the air as billions of people ushered in 2022 in a joyous way.

The joke for this new year is that 2022 sounds like 2020 too and that what happened in 2020 will happen again in 2022. But as Canadian comedian Rick Mercer said:

I agree. The new decade starts right now. Here are seven (7) of the best 2022 New Year Celebrations I found online.

Best 2022 New Year Celebration

Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea

The best 2022 New Year celebration is Hyundai’s New Year’s Eve countdown in Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It was a very beautiful drone show with timely message of hope for everyone.

London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Next is the BBC’s production all over London, the capital of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It takes us back to the UK’s greatest achievements and takes us to various locations in London as fireworks all over fires in celebration bidding 2021 a farewell and welcoming the new year 2022.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Easily dismissed as “the usual fireworks show from the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa” but Dubai sure knows how to outdo themselves.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The biggest and longest (15 minutes and 20 seconds) [pure] fireworks display, and the largest attendance to ring in 2022 goes to Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! They also earned the most heart-shaped firework display!

Canada

What is a new year celebration without a music party? Canadian comedy icon, Rick Mercer, hosted Canada’s New Year’s Eve countdown in true Canadian way, featuring an hour long of musical performances from across the country.

The Magic Kingdom, Florida, United States of America

If you are curious how the magical world of Disney celebrates New Year, watch the upgraded Fantasy In The Sky fireworks show in celebration of the 2022 New Year!

Nazareth, Israel

Sergio & Rhoda in Israel stayed in Nazareth during the New Year and recorded how the Christians, Arabs, and Jews of Nazareth celebrate the New Year.

Special mentions

Reykjavik, Iceland - Best Drone Footage

The best drone footage goes to Traveller In The Whole World for the slow and smooth drone control covering the New Year celebration in Reykjavik, Iceland!

Auckland, New Zealand

The annual fireworks show in Auckland, New Zealand was cancelled due to COVID-19 but that did not stop them from organising an amazing light show, and drivers were honking too.

The Bund, Shanghai, China

Like in Auckland, New Zealand, there were no fireworks in The Bund, Shanghai, China. However, it did not stop people from visiting The Bund in the hopes of seeing any alternative celebration and in the absence of it, they just celebrated amongst themselves.

Happy New Year 2022

Happy New Year 2022 from YourOnly.One!