Key Takeaways
- K-pop is a musical genre that integrates pop, hip-hop, R&B, electronic music and rock, along with advanced visual and musical production.
- K-pop groups are selected through auditions and years of tough training before their debut.
- Seo Taiji & Boys and the group H.O.T. laid the foundations for modern K-pop and the structure of idol groups.
- Currently, BLACKPINK and BTS are the two most famous K-pop groups in the world.
- The media pressure, physical and mental exhaustion, and contractual restrictions have had serious consequences in the world of idols.
Korean music has taken the world by storm. Some might think it all started with BTS - arguably the biggest K pop group ever. But Korean music has been making its way onto Western music charts for more than 10 years. From BTS to BLACKPINK, let's dive deep into one of the most influential aspects of Korean culture.
Along the way, we'll take a look behind the scenes, at the evolution of K-pop over time, and at the most influential K-pop groups and idols. But first things first, here's a timeline:
1990s
First K-pop generation 🕹️
The birth of idol culture. SM Entertainment created the first idol training systems, mixing Western pop influences with Korean lyrics. H.O.T. (1996) and S.E.S. (1997) became massive youth icons.
2000s
The experimental second generation 💿
K-pop incorporated R&B, hip-hop, and electronic music and expanded to Japan and Southeast Asia. The groups BIGBANG (YG Entertainment) and Girls' Generation (SM) became global representatives.
2010s
The BIG third generation📱
BTS, EXO, BLACKPINK, TWICE, Red Velvet, GOT7 K-pop reaches worldwide audiences. BTS, EXO, BLACKPINK, TWICE, Red Velvet, and GOT7 achieved record streaming and concert numbers.
2020s
Fourth generation and globalization 🌍
Characterized by self-production and online community engagement. TikTok and Weverse have changed fandom interactions. The key groups of this K-pop music generation are Stray Kids, ATEEZ, TXT, (G)I-DLE, ITZY, NewJeans, and LE SSERAFIM.
2030 and Beyond
The Future of K-pop 🤖
With the rise of AI-generated idols, virtual performances, and global projects, entertainment companies are experimenting with mixed reality concerts and international trainee programs.
What Defines a Kpop Group?
Did you know that a K-pop group is not just a musical band? Kpop bands are part of a highly structured system that consists of young stars, advanced musical productions, fashion trends, exigent beauty standards and, of course, a pretty large investment in marketing. In fact, all the idols you know have to undergo years of training in dance, singing, languages, and stage presence before their debut.
Categories of Kpop Groups
To choose the idols for both female and Kpop boy groups, members are selected through auditions and years of training before being formally put in the spotlight. These musical groups are usually managed by exigent agencies responsible for positioning them in both the national and global markets.
Kpop Boy Groups
- According to a consumer behavior analysis by the Korean Business Research Institute from December 11, 2024, to January 11, 2025, SEVENTEEN stood out among the top Kpop boy groups, followed by BTS, BIGBANG, NCT, and Stray Kids. 1
- Also, a GQ Australia publication from August 5, 2024, highlights groups such as EXO, GOT7, ATEEZ, and NCT among the 12 top Kpop bands in the world! 2
Kpop Girl Groups
- In March 2025, according to the 2025 TOP 50 Kpop Girl Groups Brand Reputation Rankings, IVE, BLACKPINK, aespa, TWICE, and (G)I‑DLE ranked at the very top of the Kpop girl groups. 3
Co-ed Kpop Groups
Although mixed K-pop groups were more common in the 90s, due to the systematic gender segmentation in Korea, today mixed-gender groups are rare in the K-pop universe. However, one of the most relevant co-ed groups nowadays is KARD, whose members consist of two males (BM and J.Seph), and two female members (Somin and Jiwoo). 4
K-pop agency The Black Label, home to famous singer Rosé of Blackpink and the top Kpop girl group Meovv, is said to be launching a mixed-gender quintet called Allday Project, opening up different possibilities for representation, collaboration, and marketing. 5
Notable Kpop Groups and Their Impact
Pioneering Groups
The foundations of modern K-pop were laid by the first idol groups, which in a way gave rise to the structure and aesthetics of today's musical groups. For example, according to Wikipedia, one group that had a major influence on the early days of K-pop was Seo Taiji & Boys, as their 1992 hit performance of “Nan Arayo (I Know)” exceeded expectations by mixing rap, rock, and dance. That is why they are credited with ushering in the era of K-pop.
On the other hand, the group H.O.T., which debuted in 1996, was characterized by its synchronized choreography, youthful image, and pop-dance songs, which is why it is known as the first famous K-pop group. 6 And, who remembers Psy, with his odd horse dance, insisting that Oppa has Gangnam Style? In fact, this song topped music charts in more than 30 countries!
PSY's "Gangnam Style" became the first video to receive 1 billion views online on YouTube on 21 December 2012. In January 2013, the song was also the most-liked video on YouTube and the most-viewed video online. It surpassed the previous most-viewed video, "Baby" by Justin Bieber.
Global Breakthrough Artists
If you have any interest at all in popular music, you probably already know which two Kpop bands top the list: BLACKPINK and BTS.
BTS is undoubtedly the most globally recognized K-pop group to date, topping the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. And of course, BLACKPICK could not be left behind due to their enormous worldwide success.
TWICE, EXO, and Stray Kids are also recognized as some of the most famous K-pop groups in the industry. For now, BTS is off the world stage, even as its management company maintains active press and social media profiles. That means that BLACKPINK is set to take centre stage, and they will do so in a spectacular way.
Rising Stars
Due to the massive impact and popularity of K-pop, more and more promising talents are emerging in Korea today, and the industry has become extremely competitive in recent years. According to the Grammy Awards, among the new K-pop groups to watch in 2025 are QWER, ARTMS, NEXZ, and MEOVV. 7
The Role of Entertainment Companies in Shaping Kpop Groups
In South Korea, entertainment companies such as JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and SM Entertainment routinely hold auditions for prospective idols. The selected candidates undergo rigorous training, usually for years. Plus, these idols-in-the-making who would possibly become pretty famous Korean people, don't just learn how to sing and dance.
Selected candidates receive training in languages, acting, public relations, and image management. And although this training is very demanding, various candidates are sometimes rejected or left aside. Just when the perfect balance of stage presence, vocal talent, age, and appearance is struck, the idols make their debut.
Sometimes, when idol trainers can't quite decide who they want to choose, they put the decision to the public. Other times, idol groups perform on music shows to boost their popularity. Such was the case of BLACKPINK, who featured on the Seoul Broadcasting System show Inkigayo after their debut.
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Fan Culture and Its Influence on Kpop Groups
Without a doubt, domestic and international fans are one of the fundamental pillars that sustain the popularity of the K-pop industry. In addition to consuming music, global fandoms are also very active in promoting the groups. For example, there are communities such as ARMY (BTS), BLINK (BLACKPINK), and ONCE (TWICE) that operate globally and basically translate content, raise funds, and coordinate support campaigns on social media to support their idols. This is similar to the Swifties, the fandom of American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift.
Challenges Faced by Kpop Groups
However, we must remember that not all that glitters is gold. Behind the glitz and glamour of the stage, the K-pop industry faces many challenges for idols and society. Korean culture is known for its intense competition, and, of course, the music industry is no exception. Idol training is gruelling, and the outcome is not always stardom. Physical and mental exhaustion, as well as contractual restrictions imposed by some agencies, are determining factors in idols' well-being.
Artists must maintain grueling schedules with training, diets, cosmetic procedures, tours, recordings, and social media presence, which often leads to mental health issues. For example, the K pop world is still mourning the loss of SHINee's Kim Jong-hyun, who took his life at the height of his fame. For some, the pressure to be perfect and the media exposure could have irreversible consequences.
Sulli, a former member of f(x), shook fans tremendously due to the risks of cyberbullying and all the restrictions imposed on female idols. Sulli decided to put her music career on hold due to the harassment she suffered on the internet, and died at the age of 25 amid speculation of suicide, setting off alarm bells about the mental health of artists.
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"There's no shortcuts to perfection. All it takes is hard work and more hard work."
by Jonghyun of Shinee.
The Future of Kpop Groups
K-pop continues to gain popularity far beyond Asia, and its future points toward total globalization, technological integration, and AI, similar to a science fiction movie, giving us virtual idols. Due to this globalization, we can also expect to enjoy multinational K-pop groups (such as NCT or BLACKSWAN), which raises the debate over the possible loss of traditional K-pop's essence.
Also, due to its massive popularity, market saturation is expected, leaving only the most authentic and adaptable musical groups relevant.
Now that you know more about the evolution and history of K-pop, are you ready to discover more about the Korean film industry?
Which is your favourite Kpop group? 💜
References
- Karina. (2025, January 11). January 2025 TOP 50 Kpop Boy Groups Brand Reputation Rankings. KPOPPOST. https://www.kpoppost.com/january-2025-top-50-kpop-boy-group-brand-reputation-rankings/
- Noni Reginato. (2024, August 5). These are the 12 biggest Kpop bands in the world, ranked. GQ Australia. https://www.gq.com.au/culture/entertainment/best-kpop-boy-groups/image-gallery/76fdb559ad683caf387a370ac173098c
- Karina. (2025b, March 9). March 2025 TOP 50 Kpop girl groups Brand Reputation Rankings. KPOPPOST. https://www.kpoppost.com/march-2025-top-50-kpop-girl-group-brand-reputation-rankings/
- Sun-Hwa, D. (2021, August 18). Why are mixed-gender groups rarely seen in K-pop? The Korea Times. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/k-pop/20210818/why-are-mixed-gender-groups-rarely-seen-in-k-pop
- Korea JoongAng Daily. (2025, June 9). The Black Label to debut mixed-gender group Allday Project. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-06-09/entertainment/kpop/The-Black-Label-to-debut-mixedgender-group-Allday-Project/2325450
- Colón, & Suzan. (2025, October 8). K-Pop | bands, history, industry, & global impact. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/K-pop
- 8 rookie K-Pop acts to watch in 2025: ARTMS, NEXZ, MEOVV & more | GRAMMY.com. (n.d.). https://www.grammy.com/news/rookie-k-pop-acts-to-know-in-2025
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