South Korean boy bands refer to South Korea's all-male idol groups who account for a large portion of the K-pop industry. Korean boy bands have aided in the global spread and promotion of Korean culture through their demonstrated prominence and popularity. The emergence of hip-hop music act Seo Taiji and Boys in 1992 shifted the focus of the Korean music industry to teen-centred pop music.[1] Idol bands of young boys or girls were formed to cater to a growing teenage audience. In 1995, Lee Soo-man, the founder of SM Entertainment, brought the idol trainee system to South Korea, which further solidified the format for idol bands and modern Korean pop culture.[2]
Boy bands from the late 90s and early 2000s, such as H.O.T., Sechs Kies, Shinhwa, and g.o.d, who were trained with the idol system, are cited to help build the foundations as the first successful all-male groups in Korea and as pioneers of the first Hallyu Wave.[3] From 2007 onward, second generation groups, such as BigBang, TVXQ, Super Junior, 2PM, Shinee, Beast, and Infinite, continued to grow the popularity of boy bands domestically in Korea, as well as globally through the second phase of Hallyu.[3] The rise of groups such as Exo and BTS in 2012 and 2013 launched the third generation of boy bands and introduced K-pop to mass global appeal.[3] BTS, in particular, has attained mainstream Western appeal with number-one hits on the Billboard charts and multiple collaborations with several global artists, including Coldplay, Nicki Minaj, and Halsey. Other major boy bands that debuted from 2012 onward include Seventeen, NCT, Tomorrow X Together, Stray Kids, Ateez, and Enhypen, all of whom continue to garner widespread attention and build K-pop's global appeal.[3]
Generation 1
editSouth Korean boy bands that debuted in the 90s to 2002, arranged in alphabetical order.
Best selling boy bands
editGroup and years active | Notable singles |
---|---|
g.o.d (1999–2005, since 2014) |
|
H.O.T. (1996–2001, 2018-19) |
|
Sechs Kies (1997–2000, 2016-21) |
|
Shinhwa (since 1998) |
Other notable groups
edit- 1TYM (1998–2006, 2008)
- 5tion (since 2001)
- Black Beat (2002–2007)
- Click-B (1999–2006, 2011, 2015)
- Deux (1993–95)
- DJ DOC (since 1994)
- Every Single Day (since 1994)
- Flower (1999–2006, since 2010)
- F-iV (since 2002)
- Fly to the Sky (1999–2009, since 2014)
- Jinusean (1997–2004, 2015–20)
- jtL (2001–03)
- J-Walk (2002, since 2007)
- K-pop (2001–03, 2018)
- Noel (2002–06, since 2011)
- NRG (1997–2005, 2017–18)
- Sweet Sorrow (since 2002)
- The Blue (1990s, 2009, 2014)
- Turbo (1995–2001, 2015–17)
- U-BeS (1997–99)
- UN (2000–05)
- Yurisangja (since 1997)
Generation 2
editSouth Korean boy bands that debuted in 2003 to 2011, arranged in alphabetical order.
Best selling boy bands
editGroup and years active | Notable singles |
---|---|
2AM (2008–14, since 2021) |
|
2PM (2008–2017, since 2021) |
|
B1A4 (since 2011) | |
Beast / Highlight (since 2009) |
|
BigBang (2006–2018, 2022) |
|
Block B (2011–18)[A] | |
CNBLUE (since 2009) |
|
F.T. Island (since 2007) | |
Infinite (2010–2019, since 2023) |
|
MBLAQ (2009-15)[A] | |
Shinee (since 2008) |
|
SS501 (2005-10) | |
Super Junior (since 2005) | |
Teen Top (since 2010) | |
TVXQ (since 2003) |
|
Other notable groups
edit- AA (2011–15)
- Apeace (2011–21)
- Battle (2006–10, 2019)
- Boyfriend (2011–19, since 2021)
- DMTN (2009–13, since 2020)
- F.Cuz (since 2010)
- Homme (2010–18)
- Led Apple (2010–16)
- M.I.B (2011–17)
- Monday Kiz (2005–08, 2010–14)
- Myname (since 2011)
- N-Sonic (2011–16)
- N-Train (2011–13)
- One Way (2010–16)
- Paran (2005–11)
- S (2003, 2014)
- Shu-I (2009–15)
- Supernova (since 2007)
- T-max (2007–12)
- The Boss (since 2010)
- Touch (since 2010)[A]
- Tritops (since 2007)
- U-KISS (since 2008)
- Ulala Session (since 2011)
- V.O.S (since 2004)
- Vibe (since 2002)
- Wanted (2004–12)
- ZE:A (2010–17)
Generation 3
editSouth Korean boy bands that debuted in 2012 to 2017, arranged in alphabetical order.
Best selling boy bands
editGroup and years active | Notable singles | Platinum-certified albums[5] |
---|---|---|
Astro (since 2016) |
| |
B.A.P (2012–19) | — | |
BtoB (since 2012) |
|
— |
BTS (since 2013) |
|
|
Exo (since 2012) |
|
|
Got7 (since 2014) |
| |
iKon (since 2015) | — | |
Monsta X (since 2015) |
| |
NCT[B] (since 2016) |
|
|
NU'EST (2012-22) |
| |
Seventeen (since 2015) |
|
|
The Boyz (since 2017) |
| |
VIXX (since 2012) | — | |
Wanna One (2017-19) |
| |
Winner (since 2013) | — |
Other notable groups
edit- 14U (2017–19)
- 100% (2012–21)
- 2000 Won (since 2013)
- 24K+ (since 2012)
- 5urprise (2013–20)
- A.C.E (since 2017)
- A.cian (2012–20)
- A-Jax (2012–19)
- A-Prince (2012–15)
- AlphaBat (since 2013)
- B.I.G (since 2014)
- Beatwin (2014–17)
- Big Brain (since 2015)
- Big Star (2012–19)
- Bigflo (since 2014)
- Boys24 (2016–17)
- Boys Republic (2013–18)
- C-Clown (2012–15)
- Cross Gene (since 2012)
- Day6 (since 2015)
- Golden Child (since 2017)
- GreatGuys (since 2017)
- HALO (2014–19)
- HeartB (2014–15)
- High4 (2014–17)
- History (2013–17)
- HNB (2017–19)
- Honey G (since 2012)
- Honeyst (2017–19)
- Hooni Yongi (since 2011)
- Hotshot (2014–21)
- Hyeongseop X Euiwoong (2017–18)
- Imfact (since 2016)
- IZ (since 2017)
- JBJ (2017–18)
- JJCC (Since 2014)
- K-Much (2014–18)
- KNK (since 2016)
- Longguo & Shihyun (2017–18)
- LC9 (2013-15)
- Lunafly (2012–16)
- M.O.N.T (since 2017)
- M.Pire (2013–15)
- M4M (2013–14, since 2018)
- Madtown (2014–17)
- Masc (2016–20)
- Map6 (2015–19)
- Mr.Mr (2012–21)
- MVP (2017–22)
- MXM (2017–18)
- Myteen (2017–19)
- N.Flying (since 2013)
- Newkidd (since 2017)
- ONF (since 2017)
- Pentagon (since 2016)
- Rainz (2017–18)
- Romeo (2015–21)
- Seven O'Clock (2017–21)
- SF9 (since 2016)
- Skye (since 2017)
- Snuper (2015–23)
- Spectrum (2018–20)
- Tasty (2012–15)
- The Legend (2014–17)
- The Rose (since 2017)
- Toheart (2014)
- Topp Dogg (2013–21)
- TRCNG (2017–22)
- Troy (since 2014)
- TST (2017–20)
- UP10TION (since 2015)
- Uniq (2014–18)
- UNVS (since 2016)
- Varsity (since 2017)
- VAV (2015–24)
- Victon (since 2016)
- Voisper (2016–21)
- Vromance (since 2016)
- Wonder Boyz (2012–14)
Generation 4
editSouth Korean boy bands that debuted since 2018, arranged in alphabetical order.
Best selling boy bands
editOther notable groups
edit- 1Team (2019–21)
- 1the9 (2019–20)
- 8Turn (since 2023)
- 82Major (since 2023)
- AB6IX (since 2019)
- Aimers (since 2022)
- All(H)Ours (since 2024)
- Ampers&One (since 2023)
- Argon (2019–21)
- ATBO (since 2022)
- B.D.U (since 2024)
- BAE173 (since 2020)
- BDC (since 2019)
- Blank2y (since 2022)
- Blitzers (since 2021)
- Ciipher (since 2021)
- CIX (since 2019)
- D-Crunch (2018–22)
- D1ce (2019–23)
- DKB (since 2020)
- DKZ (since 2018)
- Drippin (since 2020)
- E'Last (since 2020)
- ENOi (2019–21)
- Epex (since 2021)
- Evnne (since 2023)
- Fantasy Boys (since 2023)
- Ghost9 (since 2020)
- Hori7on (since 2023)
- Just B (since 2021)
- Lucy (since 2020)
- Luminous (since 2021)
- Lun8 (since 2023)
- MCND (since 2020)
- Mirae (2021–24)
- Noir (since 2018)
- NOMAD (since 2024)
- Nowadays (since 2024)
- NTB (2018–21)
- NTX (since 2020)
- N.SSign (since 2023)
- Omega X (since 2021)
- One Pact (since 2023)
- Oneus (since 2019)
- Onewe (since 2019)
- OnlyOneOf (since 2019)
- P1Harmony (since 2020)
- Pow (since 2023)
- SuperM (since 2019)
- TAN (since 2022)
- Target (since 2018)
- Teen Teen (2019–21)
- Tempest (since 2022)
- TFN (2021–24)
- The KingDom (since 2021)
- The New Six (since 2022)
- The Wind (since 2023)
- Tiot (since 2023)
- TO1 (2020-23)
- Trendz (since 2022)
- Vanner (since 2019)
- Verivery (since 2019)
- W24 (since 2018)
- Waker (since 2024)
- Waterfire (since 2024)
- We in the Zone (2019–21)
- WEi (since 2020)
- X1 (2019–20)
- Xdinary Heroes (since 2021)
- Xikers (since 2023)
- Xodiac (since 2023)
- Younite (since 2022)
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd Number-one song on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj dk dl dm dn do dp dq dr ds dt du dv dw dx dy dz ea eb ec ed ee ef eg eh ei ej ek el em en eo ep eq er es et eu ev ew ex ey ez fa fb fc fd fe ff fg fh fi fj fk fl fm fn fo Top-ten song on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj dk dl dm dn do dp dq dr ds dt du dv dw dx dy dz ea eb ec ed ee ef eg eh ei ej ek el em en eo ep eq er es et eu ev ew ex ey ez fa fb fc fd fe ff fg fh fi fj fk Top-ten song on Japan's Oricon Singles Chart.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce The song is certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Top-ten song on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart and Japan's Oricon Singles Chart.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an Number-one song on Japan's Oricon Singles Chart.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n The song is certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n The song is certified 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
- ^ a b c The song is certified Platinum by the Korea Music Content Association.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Top-ten song on K-pop Hot 100.
- ^ Circle Chart did not exist at that time. However, the song received 3,000,000 sales.[4]
- ^ Circle Chart did not exist at that time. However, the song peaked at #4 on the MIAK charts for the month of January 2004. It entered the Circle Album Chart in 2014 and peaked at #12 for the week of January 12–18, 2014.
- ^ Circle Chart did not exist at that time. However, the song received 4,173,225 sales.[4]
- ^ The song is certified 3× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
- ^ The song is certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan, and Platinum by Music Canada.
- ^ a b c d Number-one song on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart and Japan's Oricon Singles Chart.
- ^ The song is certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry, and Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
- ^ The song is certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association; Silver by the British Phonographic Industry; Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, and 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
- ^ The song is certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association; Silver by the British Phonographic Industry; Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
- ^ The song is certified Platinum by the Korea Music Content Association; Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association; Silver by the British Phonographic Industry; Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, and 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
- ^ The song is certified Platinum by the Korea Music Content Association; Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association; Silver by the British Phonographic Industry; Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
- ^ The song is certified Million by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
- ^ The song is certified 3× Platinum by the Korea Music Content Association; Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association; Gold by the British Phonographic Industry; Gold by Music Canada; Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and Million by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
- ^ The song is certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association, and Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
- ^ The song is certified Platinum by the Korea Music Content Association; Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association, and Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
- ^ a b Number-one song on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart and Billboard Hot 100.
- ^ The song is certified 2× Platinum by the Korea Music Content Association; 2× Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association; Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry; 5× Platinum by Music Canada; 5× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America; 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan, and Platinum by Recorded Music NZ.
- ^ a b c Number-one song on Billboard Hot 100.
- ^ The song is certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, and Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
- ^ The song is certified Platinum by the Korea Music Content Association; Gold by the British Phonographic Industry; 3× Platinum by Music Canada; 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and 3× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
- ^ The song is certified 3× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
- ^ The song is certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association; Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry; Gold by Music Canada; Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
- ^ Top-ten song on Billboard Hot 100.
- ^ a b c d e f Top-ten song on Billboard's South Korea Songs chart.
- ^ The song is certified 2× Platinum by the Korea Music Content Association.
- ^ Number-one song on K-pop Hot 100.
- ^ The song is certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ a b The song is certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, and Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
References
edit- ^ K-Pop: A New Force in Pop Music. Korean Culture and Information Service. 2011. p. 63–66. ISBN 8973751662.
- ^ "한국 최초 연습생 출신 가수 김완선 보아가 벤치마킹.(in korean)". chosunilbo. April 5, 2016. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
[Lee Soo-man training system benchmarked Korean trainee singer Kim Wan-sun in the 1980s, and then the trainee system was introduced.]
- ^ a b c d Bell, Crystal (September 12, 2023). "K-Pop's Fifth Generation Is Coming. What Does That Mean?". Nylon. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ a b "What are the top-selling singles for these K-pop groups?". SBS PopAsia. February 28, 2018. Archived from the original on January 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ a b "Circle Chart Album Certifications". Retrieved August 8, 2024.