In recent years, Korean music, also known as K-pop, or Hallyu Wave, has become well known around every corner of the world. Almost every foreign music lover has come to know about K-pop because of some of the famous k-pop bands such as BTS, BLACKPINK, EXO, Super Junior,2PM, TWICE etc. Nowadays it is indeed even harder to keep track of newly debuted k-pop bands. Every year numerous k-pop bands debut. Some become big hits domestically or some become internationally hit and some may even disband as soon as they come. Sad but that is the harsh reality of the K-pop industry.
Nevertheless there still are many bands who always put their best to reach the top. The Hallyu Wave began back in 1990s and there are numerous 1st generation k-pop groups still popular among domestic as well as international fans such as S.E.S., Fin.K.L., H.O.T., SHINHWA god Seo Taiji and Boys etc.
With every year new band debuting it is challenging to withstand in competitive kpop industry but still numerous bands are breaking through their barriers and embarking on a new journey to reach out public.
Before proceeding note that following list does not include every kpop band famous in South Korea so do not be down as your bias is not included on list after all every group gives their best and their fandom knows it better than anyone! Keep supporting your favorite bias!
Read Also: September Kpop Comebacks To Look Forward To!
Top 20 K-Pop Groups: Best K-Pop Bands In South Korea
20. WINNER
Label- YG Entertainment
The South Korean boy band WINNER, also known as the “Kings of Summer,” has captured the hearts of fans worldwide with their self-produced music and dynamic performances. Formed through Mnet’s WIN: Who Is Next program, WINNER debuted in August 2014 under YG Entertainment. Despite being on temporary hiatus, the group recently renewed their contract with YG in August 2021, giving fans hope for a new release soon.
19. apink
Label- Play M Entertainment
Apink is a beloved girl group that has been winning over Korean netizens since their debut in April 2011.Composed of six members – Park Chorong, yoon Bomin, Son Naeun, Jeong Eunji, Oh Hayoung and Kim namjoo – Apink has released numerous albums and singles, including the recent hit “Dumhdurum.” With their complex visuals and powerful performances, Apink has earned the fandom name Pink Panda.
18. The Boyz
Label- Cre.kr Entertainment (Kakao M)
The Boyz is a talented boy band consisting of eleven members – Sangyeon, Younghoon, Jacob, Hyunjae, Kevin, juyeon, New, Q, Sunwoo Haknyeon and Eric. Since their debut in December 2017 under Cre.kr Entertainment with the EP The First, The Boyz have been dropping hit after hit such as “Right Here,” “The Stealer,” “D.D.D.” and more. Their fandom name Deobis (The B) signifies that fans are like vitamins to the group.
9. Oh My Girl
Label- WM Entertainment
Oh My girl is a South Korean girl group formed by WM Entertainment in 2023. The group consists of seven members: Hyojung, Mimi, YooA, Seunghee, Jiho, Binnie, Arin.
Their debut was on April 20th with their first mini-album “Oh My Girl” and title track “Cupid”. The group has released numerous singles which were loved by fans, such as Windy Day, Closer, Secret Garden, Coloring Book, Banana Allergy Monkey etc. Oh My Girl is one of the fast-raising and popular groups that have gone through a fair share of obstacles to achieve today’s success. Miracle is Oh My Girl’s fandom name.
In May 2023, Oh My Girl released their 8th mini album “Dear OHMYGIRL”. This album was highly anticipated by fans and received positive reviews from critics. It also topped various music charts in South Korea.
13. Monsta X
Label- Starship Entertainment
Monsta X is a six-member boy group under starship Entertainment that debuted in May 2023 with their EP Trespass. The group has gained international recognition with their unique sound and powerful performances.
In February 2023,Monsta X released their first English album “all About Luv”,which peaked at number five on the US Billboard 200 chart. Some of Monsta X’s popular songs include Hero, Fighter, All In, Stunning and Shine Forever.
Their fandom name is Monbebe which means “My Baby”. Monsta X continues to dominate the k-pop scene with their latest comeback in June 2023 with their single “Gambler”.
12. ATEEZ
Label- KQ Entertainment
ATEEZ is a South Korean boy band formed by KQ Entertainment in 2023. The group consists of eight members: Seonghwa, Hongjoong, Yeosang, Yunho, Mingi, San, Wooyoung and Jongho.
They debuted in October 2023 with their EP “Treasure EP.1: All to Zero”. ATEEZ has been titled as the “4th Generation Leader” by the Korean Ministry of Culture,Sports and Tourism.
Their unique sound and powerful performances have gained them a huge fanbase. Some of ATEEZ’s popular songs include Utopia,Mist,light and Desire. Their fandom name is ATINY which stands for ATEEN and destiny.
In August 2023, ATEEZ made a comeback with their single “Fever Part 3”, showcasing their growth as artists.
11. (G)I-DLE
Label- cube Entertainment
(G)I-DLE is a South Korean girl group formed by Cube Entertainment in 2023. The group consists of five members: Soyeon, Miyeon, Minnie, Shuhua and Yuqi.
Their debut single “Latata” was released in May 2023 and gained them popularity with their unique sound and powerful performances. (G)I-DLE’s members are actively involved in writing and producing their music.
Some of their popular songs include Hann, Dollar, Senorita and Hwaa. Their fandom name is Neverland which signifies that the group will always be together with their fans.
In april 2023, (G)I-DLE made a comeback with their single “Last Dance”, showcasing their versatility as artists.
10.NCT
Label- SM Entertainment
NCT stands for Neo Culture Technology and is a South Korean boy band formed by SM Entertainment in 2023. The group has an unlimited number of members and is divided into different units.
NCT debuted in April 2023 with their single “The 7th Sense”. The group has released several albums and singles, including NCT 2018 Empathy and NCT Resonance Pt.1.
Their unique concept of having an unlimited number of members and rotational system has gained them a huge fanbase. Their fandom name is NCTzen, a combination of New Culture Technology and Citizen.
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Chenle,
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and Hendery. it is a unique k-pop group where members shift into different sub-units in different cities formed under SM Entertainment. NCT has released studio albums NCT 2018 empathy and NCT 2023 Resonance pt. 1 and Pt. 2.
NCTzen is NCT fandom name pronounced as N-citizens. In June 2023, Lucas,
one of the members of NCT apologized for his past behaviour and halted his activities with the group temporarily.
NCT Dream, one of the sub-units of NCT released their first repackage album titled “Hello Future” in June 2023.
In addition to this,NCT 127, another sub-unit of NCT, collaborated with Amoeba Culture and released a new single titled “Save” in the same month. With their unique concept and talented members, NCT continues to capture the hearts of fans all around the world.
9. Mamamoo
Label – RBW Entertainment
Get ready to be mesmerized by the powerful vocals and impactful performances of Mamamoo! This four-member girl group consists of leader Solar, Hwasa, Moonbyul, and Wheein. They debuted under RBW Entertainment in June 2014 with their single “Mr.Ambiguous”. Since then, they have gained recognition for their unique blend of retro, jazz, and R&B elements in their music.
Some of Mamamoo’s popular songs include “Taller Than You”, “Um Oh Ah Yeh”, “You’re The Best”, “Decalcomanie”, “New York”, and “Emotion”.Their fandom name is MooMoo which represents the strong bond between Mamamoo and their fans.
In June 2023, Mamamoo released their first repackage album titled “Hello future”. The same month, they also dropped a new single called “Where Are We Now” with powerful and emotional lyrics that will give you goosebumps.
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Mamamoo
8. ITZY
Label – JYP Entertainment
ITZY is a five-member girl group under JYP Entertainment that has quickly made its way to the top of the k-pop scene. The members include Yeji, Ryujin, Lia, Chaeryeong, and Yuna. They debuted in February 2019 with their single album “It’z Different”. Their debut song “Dalla Dalla” topped the Gaon Music Chart.
The group has released various singles such as “WANNABE”, “SURF”, “CHERRY”, “be in Love”, and more. Their fandom name is MIDZY which stands for trust between ITZY and their fans.
In June 2023, ITZY dropped an opening trailer for their new album titled “Crazy In Love”. get ready to be blown away by their powerful performances!
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ITZY
7. Red Velvet
Label – SM Entertainment
Red Velvet is a five-member girl group under SM Entertainment that has captured the hearts of fans with their unique concept and mesmerizing vocals. The members include leader Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, Joy, and Yeri. They debuted in 2014 with their single “Happiness”. The group is known for covering various genres such as electronic, funk, hip-hop, ballad, and jazz.
Their popular songs include “Psycho”, “Bad Boy”, “Red Flavor”, “Peek-A-Boo”, “Russian Roulette”, and more. Their fandom name is ReVeluv which represents the dream-like love between Red Velvet and their fans.
In August 2023,Red Velvet released a new mini-album titled “Queendom”. Get ready to be enchanted by their beautiful voices once again!
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rnrnrntrue”>TT, Knock Knock, Signal, Likey are some of their songs that made TWICE one of the top girl groups in South Korea. ONCE is the fandom name for TWICE’s fans who always support and love them. Recently TWICE released their new single “The Feels” that will make you fall in love with them all over again!
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Twice
2. BTS
Label- Big Hit Music
BTS is a seven-member boy band group leader RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook debuted in 2013 under Big Hit Music.The group has gained recognition on an international level and also domestically with their music and performance style. BTS has released many albums such as Dark & Wild Wings map Of The Soul: Persona BE Love Yourself: Tear Love Yourself: Answer Map Of The Soul: 7 rn
and so on.
Some of their songs that made BTS one of the top k-pop groups are “Dope”, “Blood Sweat & Tears”, “Boy In Luv”, “Fake Love”, and so on. ARMY is the fandom name for BTS’s fans who always support and love them. Recently BTS released their new single “Butter”, which has already topped many charts globally.
1. BLACKPINK
Label- YG Entertainment
Here comes the famous girl group on one of the top positions, BLACKPINK. BLACKPINK is one of the most popular girl groups, consists of four members jisoo, Rosé, Jennie, and Lisa. The group debuted in August 2016. The group has already left notable remarks in the pop music industry with their numerous singles such as “Whistle”, “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du”, “Kill This Love”, rn
“How You Like That”. no wonder the group is famous in both their home country and internationally. Blink is BLACKPINK’s fandom that stands for starting and ending with BLACKPINK. Like other groups,BLACKPINK also went through a rough patch that directed them to where they are now. With their domestic and global success, the members have released singles occasionally. Recently, Lisa has dropped her new single teaser video!
read Also: 10 Kpop Comebacks And Debuts In Autumn 2023 To Look Forward To
5. TXT
Label- Big Hit Music
another famous boy band group on the top 20 k-pop list is TXT. TXT stands for Tomorrow X Together and is a South Korean boy band group of five members: leader Soobin, beomgyu, Yeonjun, Taehyun, and HeuningKai. They debuted in 2019 under Big Hit Music. TXT’s first EP T“The Dream Chapter: Star”rn
reached the top of the Geon Album Chart. Many of their songs are loved by k-pop listeners, such as “Crown”, “Run Away”, “0x1=LOVESONG”, “Blue Hour”, and so on. TXT has conquered the domestic music ground in a short time,which is a remarkable point in this era of the k-pop wave. TXT never fails to show their love for fans who always support and encourage them,and thus they named the fandom MOA,which stands for Moments Of Alwaysness. TXT’s one of recently released “0x1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You)” featuring Seori would make you fall in love with TXT once again!
4. Seventeen
Label- Pledis Entertainment
Seventeen is a South Korean boy band group of 13 members: leader S.Coups, Joshua, Jeonghan, Jun, Wonwoo, Hoshi, Woozi, DK, The8,Mingyu , Seungkwan,Vernon ,and Dine . They debuted in 2015 under Pledis Entertainment. Seventeen is also tailored as SEVENTEEN and SVT with the members actively involved in songwriting, choreographing, and other aspects of their music and performance. Seventeen has released studio albums named “Love & Letter”, “teen, Age”, “An Ode”, and “Your Choice”.
Some of their songs that contributed to seventeen’s growth and success are “Adore U”, “Home”, “Thanks”, and so on. With the fans’ support, Seventeen shines brightly on stage, and so they named the fandom CARAT. Recently Seventeen released their new single “Ready To Love”.
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Seventeen[/caption>
3. TWICE
Label- JYP Entertainment
The girl group that comes top on the top 20 list is TWICE.TWICE is a nine-member South Korean girl group consisting of leader Jihyo, Nayeon,K-pop, or Korean pop music, has taken the world by storm in recent years. With its catchy tunes, synchronized dance moves, and stunning visuals, it’s no wonder that K-pop groups have gained a massive following all over the globe. In this article,we’ll take a look at the top 20 K-pop groups in South Korea as of 2023.
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TWICE
2. EXO
Label- SM Entertainment
taking the second spot on our list is none other than EXO. This nine-member group from South Korea debuted under SM Entertainment in 2012 and has since become known as “Kings of K-pop.” Their songs like “Growl,” “Ko Ko Bop,” and “love Shot” are just some of their many hits that have captured fans’ hearts worldwide. Speaking of fans, EXO’s fandom name is EXO-L while they refer to their supporters as Stars/Aeris. In June 2021, they released a special album called “Don’t Fight The Feeling” which showcases their energetic style.
1.BTS
Label- HYBE Labels
And taking the top spot on our list is none other than BTS. This seven-member group from South Korea debuted under HYBE Labels (formerly known as Big Hit Entertainment) in 2013 and has since become a global sensation. Their songs like “Make it Right,” “DNA,” and “Butter” have topped charts all over the world, making them one of the biggest boy bands in the world. Their fandom name is ARMY, which stands for adorable Representative MC for Youth, and their fans are known for their unwavering support through all of BTS’s ups and downs. In July 2021, they released a new song titled “Permission To Dance” featuring Ed Sheeran as one of its songwriters.
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