K-pop Artists Taking Over the Globe
K-pop, or Korean pop, is a music genre from South Korea, but there is much more to it than a simple definition. This popular genre has elevated South Korea to one of the top 10 music markets globally. Fans love K-pop because it’s peppy, makes you happy, and is upbeat with synchronized dance moves.
The 2012 hit “Gangnam Style” by PSY was the first K-pop song to break 1 billion views on YouTube, and since then, the genre has grown immensely, with new K-pop singers pushing the K-pop message worldwide.
We’ll take a look at the genre and some of its biggest celebrities today.
BTS
_(cropped).jpg "Top K-Pop Artists: Exploring Musical Phenomenons 1")
BTS is arguably the biggest name in K-pop, and the band has influenced the genre so much that K-pop and BTS have become synonymous. Since the band debuted in 2013, they’ve been nominated twice for the Grammys, broken 25 Guinness World Records, and made four number 1 albums faster than any group since The Beatles. The South Korean group has done it all while mainly singing in their native language, paving the way for other K-pop acts.
Their first project, 2 Cool 4 Skool, was a rebellious act that focused on themes of prejudice and misunderstanding with a hip-hop vibe. Even today, the influence of hip-hop is still clear in their work, although they identify as a K-pop band.
Jimin
Park Jimin, whose stage name is Jimin, is an Asian musician born on October 13, 1995 in Busan, South Korea. He is the lead vocalist and main dancer of K-pop sensation BTS, even though he was the last member to join the band. As a key member of BTS, he continues to entertain audiences with his electrifying moves and soulful vocals.
Before his debut with BTS in 2013, Jimin attended Busan High School of Arts, where he studied contemporary dance before joining Korean Arts High School. As a naturally talented dancer, he was discovered by Big Hit Entertainment at a dance competition, which set the stage for his journey to international superstardom.
BLACKPINK
BLACKPINK is a four-member group of K-pop artists from YG Entertainment that debuted in 2016. After their hit single “Boombayah,” they rose to be one of the biggest girl groups in Korea while leading the K-pop movement in America. The group made their debut on August 8 with their first digital single album, Square One, featuring the tracks “Whistle” and “Boombayah,” which went on to take number 1 and 2 on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart.
Since 2019, the group has performed in different countries, including Japan and the U.S., where they’ve made appearances at Coachella and Good Morning America. The band has released over 10 albums in various formats, including studio, live, and mini albums. In 2022, BLACKPINK was named the Entertainer of the Year by TIME magazine, making them the first girl group to receive the title.
(G)I-DLE
(G)I-DLE burst onto the scene in early 2018 with a fresh approach to the genre. Cube Entertainment formed (G)I-DLE with members Soyeon, Minnie, Miyeon, Yuqi, Soojin, and Shuhua. Cube built the group around Soyeon, naming them (G)I-DLE, which highlights their individuality and unique roles.
The group’s final lineup was revealed at a viral busking event in Seoul, and they quickly made a mark with their debut EP, I Am, in May 2018. Shortly after, members Miyeon and Soyeon joined the digital band K/DA and achieved international success with over half a billion streams worldwide.
After rapper and dancer Soojin left the group in 2021, they continued as a quintet. In 2022, the five-member group released their first full-length album, I Never Die, which was platinum-certified and peaked at number 2 in South Korea and number 13 on the U.S. World Albums chart.
EXO
EXO is a nine-member K-pop boy band formed in 2011 and widely regarded as one of the best K-pop bands ever. Their name comes from the word “exoplanet.”
Originally, EXO had 12 members and was split into two subunits: EXO-K and EXO-M.
EXO-K featured Korean members, while EXO-M included Chinese members. The band is one of the most recognized K-pop groups globally, alongside BTS. Forbes included them in the Korea Power Celebrity 40 list, ranking them among the top five K-pop groups from 2014 to 2017 and again in 2018.
The band had their first televised performance on December 29, 2011 at SBS’ annual Gayo Daejeon. Since their debut, the band has released several albums, including their first full-length album, XOXO, in 2013; Overdose in 2014; and a special mini-album, Don’t Fight the Feeling, in 2019.
EXO
TWICE is a nine-member K-pop girl group under JYP Entertainment, formed on the competition show Sixteen in 2015. They debuted the same year with the song “Like Ooh-Ahh.” Since then, TWICE has sold over 10 million albums and garnered nearly 6 billion streams on Spotify, making them one of the top-selling K-pop girl groups ever.
The group has enjoyed ongoing success with their high-charting releases and many awards and recognitions over the years. They were the first Korean act to win the Breakthrough Award at the Billboard Women in Music Awards 2023. In 2017, they made Billboard’s 21 Under 21: Music’s Next Generation issue, placing 18th as the only Asian act on the list. They also won Best Female Group at the Mnet Asian Music Awards in 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2021.
Breaking Barriers Through Music
There’s no denying that K-pop has become a global phenomenon. As we enjoy the catchy melodies and flawless choreographies from some of the best K-pop idols of today, the genre continues to evolve. The top K-pop singers continue to refine their art so you and I can enjoy their funky tunes and move to the beat wherever we are in the world.