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List of South Korean boy bands

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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

[edit]

South Korean boy bands that debuted in the 90s to 2002, arranged in alphabetical order.

Best-selling boy bands

[edit]
Best-selling generation 1 South Korean boy bands
Group and years active Notable singles
g.o.d (1999–2005, since 2014)
H.O.T. (1996–2001, 2018-19)
  • "Warrior's Descendant" (1996)
  • "Candy" (1996)
  • "We Are the Future" (1997)
  • "Hope" (1998)
  • "I Yah!" (1999)
  • "Outside Castle" (2000)
Sechs Kies (1997–2000, 2016-21)
  • "School Anthem" (1997)
  • "The Way This Guy Lives" (1997)
  • "Road Fighter" (1998)
  • "Couple" (1998)
  • "Three Words" (2016)[a]
  • "Be Well" (2017)[a]
  • "Something Special" (2017)[a]
  • "Don't Look Back" (2021)[b]
Shinhwa (since 1998)
  • "Resolver" (1998)
  • "T.O.P (Twinkling of Paradise)" (1999)
  • "Only One" (2000)
  • "Wild Eyes" (2001)
  • "Perfect Man" (2002)
  • "Your Wedding" (2002)
  • "Brand New" (2004)
  • "Crazy" (2004)
  • "Once in a Lifetime" (2006)
  • "Venus" (2012)[b]
  • "This Love" (2013)[b]
  • "Memory" (2015)[b]
  • "Sniper" (2015)[b]
  • "Touch" (2017)[b]

Other notable groups

[edit]

Generation 2

[edit]

South Korean boy bands that debuted in 2003 to 2011, arranged in alphabetical order.

Best-selling boy bands

[edit]
Best-selling generation 2 South Korean boy bands
Group and years active Notable singles Platinum-certified albums[4]
2AM (2008–14, since 2021)
—
2PM (2008–17, since 2021)
—
B1A4 (since 2011)
—
Beast / Highlight (since 2009)
  • "Bad Girl" (2009)[c]
  • "Shock" (2010)[b][c]
  • "Breath" (2010)[b]
  • "Beautiful" (2010)[b]
  • "On Rainy Days" (2010)[b]
  • "Fiction" (2011)[b]
  • "I Knew It" (2012)[a]
  • "Midnight" (2012)[b][c]
  • "Beautiful Night" (2012)[b]
  • "Will You Be Alright?" (2013)[a]
  • "I'm Sorry" (2013)[b]
  • "Shadow" (2013)[b]
  • "Sad Movie / Kurisumasu Kyaroru no Koro ni wa" (2013)[c]
  • "No More" (2014)[a]
  • "Good Luck" (2014)[a]
  • "12:30" (2014)[b]
  • "Adrenaline" (2015)[c]
  • "Kimi wa Dou?" (2015)[c]
  • "One" (2015)[c]
  • "Hands Up" (2015)[c]
  • "Can't Wait to Love You" (2015)[c]
  • "This Is My Life" (2015)[c]
  • "Gotta Go to Work" (2015)[b]
  • "YeY" (2015)[b]
  • "Saigo no Hitokoto" (2015)[e]
  • "Stay Forever Young" (2015)[c]
  • "Guess Who?" (2016)[e]
  • "Butterfly" (2016)[b]
  • "Ribbon" (2016)[b]
  • "Freaking Cute" (2016)[c]
  • "Whole Lotta Lovin'" (2016)[c]
  • "It's Still Beautiful" (2017)[b]
  • "Plz Don't Be Sad" (2017)[a]
  • "Calling You" (2017)[b]
  • "Can Be Better" (2017)[b]
 —
BigBang (2006–18, 2022)
—
Block B (since 2011)
  • "I'll Close My Eyes" (2012)[b]
  • "Nillili Mambo" (2012)[b]
  • "Very Good" (2013)[b]
  • "Jackpot" (2014)[b]
  • "H.E.R" (2014)[b]
  • "A Few Years Later" (2016)[b]
  • "Toy" (2016)[b]
  • "Yesterday" (2017)[a]
 —
CNBLUE (since 2009)
—
F.T. Island (since 2007)
  • "Lovesick" (2007)[a]
  • "Thunder" (2007)[a]
  • "Until You Come Back" (2007)[a]
  • "After Love (2007)[b]
  • "Love Love Love" (2010)[a]
  • "Hello Hello" (2010)[b]
  • "Severely" (2012)[b]
  • "I Wish" (2012)[b]
 —
Infinite (since 2010)
—
MBLAQ (2009-15)
  • "Ah Yeah" (2009)
  • "Y" (2010)[b]
  • "Your Luv" (2011)[c]
  • "Mona Lisa" (2011)[b]
  • "Baby U!" (2011)[c]
  • "Scribble" (2012)[b]
  • "This Is War" (2012)[b]
 —
Shinee (since 2008)
SS501 (2005-10, since 2024)
  • "Warning" (2005)
  • "Never Again" (2005)
  • "Snow Prince" (2005)
  • "4Chance" (2006)
  • "Kokoro" (2007)[c]
  • "Distance" (2007)[c]
  • "Deja Vu" (2008)
  • "Lucky Days" (2008)[c]
  • "U R Man" (2008)
  • "Love Like This" (2009)
  • "Love Ya" (2010)[b]
 —
Super Junior (since 2005)
Teen Top (since 2010)
  • "Clap" (2010)
  • "Going Crazy" (2012)[b]
  • "Be Ma Girl" (2012)[b]
  • "Miss Right" (2013)[b]
  • "Rocking" (2013)[b]
  • "Missing" (2014)[b]
 —
TVXQ (since 2003)

Other notable groups

[edit]

Generation 3

[edit]

South Korean boy bands that debuted in 2012 to 2017, arranged in alphabetical order.

Best-selling boy bands

[edit]
Best-selling generation 3 South Korean boy bands
Group and years active Notable singles Platinum-certified albums[4]
Astro (since 2016)
  • "Baby" (2017)[m]
  • "After Midnight" (2021)[b]
  • "Candy Sugar Pop" (2022)[b]
B.A.P (2012–19, since 2024)
  • "No Mercy" (2012)[c]
  • "Warrior" (2013)[c]
  • "One Shot" (2013)[c]
  • "1004 (Angel)" (2014)[b]
  • "Excuse Me" (2014)[c]
  • "Feel So Good" (2016)[c]
  • "Fly High" (2016)[c]
  • "Wake Me Up" (2017)[c]
  • "Honey Moon" (2017)[c]
  • "Hands Up" (2017)[c]
 —
BtoB (since 2012)
—
BTS (since 2013)
Day6 (since 2015)
  • "You Were Beautiful" (2017)[b]
  • "Time of Our Life" (2019)[b][j]
  • "Welcome to the Show" (2024)[b]
  • "Melt Down" (2024)[a]
 —
Exo (since 2012)
Got7 (since 2014)
iKon (since 2015)
—
Monsta X (since 2015)
  • "Hero" (2015)[c]
  • "Beautiful" (2017)[c]
  • "Spotlight" (2018)[c][d]
  • "Livin' It Up" (2018)[c][d]
  • "Shoot Out" (2018)[c][d]
  • "Alligator" (2019)[c][d]
  • "Wish on the Sky" (2020)[c]
  • "Love Killa" (2020)[c]
  • "Wanted" (2021)[c]
NCT[au] (since 2016)
NU'EST (2012-22)
  • "Nanananamida" (2017)[c]
  • "Bet Bet" (2019)[m]
  • "I'm in Trouble" (2020)[b]
  • "Inside Out" (2021)[b]
Seventeen (since 2015)
The Boyz (since 2017)
  • "Maverick" (2021)[b]
  • "Roar" (2023)[b]
  • Chase (2020)
  • Thrill-ing (2021)
  • Be Aware (2022)
  • Phantasy Pt.1: Christmas in August (2023)
  • Phantasy Pt.2: Sixth Sense (2023)
  • Phantasy Pt.3: Love Letter (2024)
  • Trigger (2024)
VIXX (since 2012)
  • "Voodoo Doll" (2013)[b]
  • "Eternity" (2014)[b]
  • "Error" (2014)[b][c]
  • "Love Equation" (2015)[b]
  • "Can't Say" (2015)[c]
  • "Chained Up" (2015)[b]
  • "Hana-Kaze" (2016)[c]
  • "The Closer" (2016)[b]
 —
Wanna One (2017-19)
Winner (since 2013)
  • "Empty" (2014)[a]
  • "Color Ring" (2014)[b]
  • "Sentimental" (2016)[b]
  • "Baby Baby" (2016)[b]
  • "Really Really" (2017)[a]
  • "Fool" (2017)[b]
  • "Love Me Love Me" (2017)[b]
  • "Everyday" (2018)[b]
  • "Millions" (2018)[b]
  • "Ah Yeah" (2019)[b]
 —

Other notable groups

[edit]

Generation 4

[edit]

South Korean boy bands that debuted since 2018, arranged in alphabetical order.

Best-selling boy bands

[edit]

Generation 4 South Korean boy bands that have multiple platinum-certified albums, including one double platinum-selling album, from Korea Music Content Association.[6]

Best-selling generation 4 South Korean boy bands
Group and years active Notable singles Platinum-certified albums[4]
Ateez (since 2018)
  • "Dreamers" (2019)[c]
  • "Limitless" (2023)[c]
  • "Not Okay" (2024)[c]
  • "Birthday" (2024)[c]
BoyNextDoor (since 2023)
Enhypen (since 2020)
Plave (since 2023)
  • "The 6th Summer" (2023)[at]
  • "Merry PLLIstmas" (2023)[b]
  • "Way 4 Luv" (2024)[b]
  • "Pump Up the Volume!" (2024)[a]
  • "What If" (2024)[b]
  • Asterum: The Shape of Things to Come (2023)
  • Asterum: 134-1 (2024)
Riize (since 2023)
Stray Kids (since 2018)
Tomorrow X Together (since 2019)
  • "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)" (2019)[c][d]
  • "Drama" (2020)[c][d]
  • "Good Boy Gone Bad" (2022)[c][x]
  • "Deja Vu" (2024)[at]
  • "We'll Never Change" (2024)[e][ax]
Treasure (since 2020)
  • "Here I Stand" (2023)[e]
TWS (since 2024)
Zerobaseone (since 2023)

Other notable groups

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ 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 Number-one song on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart, formerly Gaon Digital Chart.
  2. ^ 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 fp fq fr fs ft fu fv fw fx fy fz ga gb gc gd ge gf gg gh gi Top-ten song on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart, formerly Gaon Digital Chart.
  3. ^ 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 fp fq fr fs ft fu fv fw fx fy Top-ten song on Japan's Oricon Singles Chart.
  4. ^ 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 The song is certified Gold in physical sales, by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[5]
  5. ^ 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 Number-one song on Japan's Oricon Singles Chart.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k The song is certified Gold in digital sales by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
  7. ^ The song is certified Platinum in digital sales by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
  8. ^ 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 The song is certified Gold in streaming, by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[14]
  9. ^ The song is certified 2× Platinum in digital sales by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i The song is certified Platinum in streaming, by the Korea Music Content Association.[11]
  11. ^ a b c d e f The song is certified Platinum in download, by the Korea Music Content Association.[10]
  12. ^ a b Top-ten song on the Billboard Global 200.[8]
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Top-ten song on the Billboard K-pop Hot 100.
  14. ^ Circle Chart did not exist at that time. However, the song received 3,000,000 sales.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ The song is certified 2× Platinum in digital sales by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
  17. ^ The song is certified 3× Platinum in digital sales by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
  18. ^ a b c The song is certified Platinum in digital sales by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
  19. ^ a b The song is certified Gold in retail sales by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l The song is certified Platinum in physical sales, by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[5]
  21. ^ The song is certified Platinum by Music Canada.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k The song is certified Platinum in streaming, by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[14]
  23. ^ The song is certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n The song is certified 2× Platinum in physical sales, by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[5]
  25. ^ a b c d e f g The song is certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
  26. ^ a b c d The song is certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association, and Silver by the British Phonographic Industry.
  27. ^ a b c d e The song is certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
  28. ^ a b c The song is certified Million in physical sales, by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[5]
  29. ^ a b The song is certified 3× Platinum in streaming, by the Korea Music Content Association.[13]
  30. ^ The song is certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association, Gold by the British Phonographic Industry, and Gold by Music Canada.
  31. ^ The song is certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association.
  32. ^ The song is certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association.
  33. ^ a b The song is certified 2× Platinum in streaming, by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[14]
  34. ^ a b c d e f Number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g Number-one song on the Billboard Global 200.[7]
  36. ^ a b c The song is certified 2× Platinum in streaming, by the Korea Music Content Association.[12]
  37. ^ a b c The song is certified Diamond in physical sales, by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[5]
  38. ^ a b The song is certified 5× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
  39. ^ The song is certified 2× Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association, Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry, 5× Platinum by Music Canada, 2× Platinum in digital sales by the Recording Industry Association of Japan, and Platinum by Recorded Music NZ.
  40. ^ a b c The song is certified 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
  41. ^ a b c d Top-ten song on the Billboard Global 200.[7]
  42. ^ The song is certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry, 3× Platinum by Music Canada, and Platinum in digital sales by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
  43. ^ a b The song is certified 3× Platinum in streaming, by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[14]
  44. ^ The song is certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association, Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry, and Gold by Music Canada.
  45. ^ a b Top-ten song on the Billboard Hot 100.
  46. ^ a b c d e f g Top-ten song on Billboard South Korea Songs.
  47. ^ The group consists of 25 members divided into six different sub-units: NCT U, NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, NCT DoJaeJung (three members from NCT 127), and NCT Wish.
  48. ^ a b Number-one song on the Billboard K-pop Hot 100.
  49. ^ a b c Top-ten song on the Billboard Global 200.[9]
  50. ^ a b The song is certified 3× Platinum in physical sales, by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ K-Pop: A New Force in Pop Music. Korean Culture and Information Service. 2011. pp. 63–66. ISBN 978-8973751662.
  2. ^ "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.]
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ a b c d "Circle Chart Album Certifications". Circle Chart. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  5. ^ 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 "Certifications Search – Gold Disc" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved September 22, 2024. Note: To retrieve album certifications, type in the group's name in the box "アーティスト" and click the "検索" button
  6. ^ "Girl groups get the ears, boy bands the dollars". JoongAng Daily. December 16, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2024. [Female and male K-pop groups have different target audiences, according to pop music critic Cha Woo-jin. While boy bands focus on forming a deep, although often narrow, relationship with their loyal fans, girl groups aim for a wider pool of listeners.]
  7. ^ a b c "BTS | Biography, Music & News | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  8. ^ "Bigbang | Biography, Music & News | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  9. ^ "Stray Kids | Biography, Music & News | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  10. ^ "Certification - Download". Circle Chart. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  11. ^ "Certification - Streaming". Circle Chart. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  12. ^ "Certification - Streaming". Circle Chart. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  13. ^ "Certification - Streaming". Circle Chart. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d e "Certifications Search – Streaming" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved September 22, 2024. Note: To retrieve song certifications, type in the group's name in the box "アーティスト" and click the "検索" button.
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