K-Pop Generations That Rule The World Part 1

The K-Pop world has influenced not only the Koreans but everyone across the globe. The international community is so in love with them, some even learn the language so they can sing along. And thanks to sites like Colorcodedlyrics, you can know the lyrics of any song you love. 

The K-Pop world is divided into generations and each generation has its own fan following. The groups were tagged according to the year they debuted. Hence, till now the K-Pop world has five generations. 

Here are the top five groups of each generation that made the waves paving the way for the next generation. 

First Generation

Seo TaiJi and Boys

The group Seo TaiJi and Boys were active during 1992-1996. The band consisted of Seo TaiJi, Yang HyunSuk, and Lee JuNo. Seo Taiji and Boys are the first to have pioneered using rapping in Korean popular music. They won the Grand Prize at the "Seoul Music Awards" in 1992 and 1993. In 1996, Billboard reported the group’s first three albums sold over 1.6 million copies. And their fourth album almost neared two million copies. They debuted on April 11, 1992 during the MBC’s talent show with their song 'Nan Arayo' ('I Know').  

In 1996, Seo TaiJi decided to disband much to the surprise of his members and the fans. After Seo TaiJi left for America, Yang HyunSuk and Lee JuNo established record labels. Yang HyunSuk was successful in the foundation of YG Entertainment, which is the third biggest record company of South Korea. 

Members

Seo TaiJi: Leader, lead vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards, main songwriter, 

Yang HyunSuk: Backing vocals, rapper, choreography

Lee JuNo: Backing vocals, choreography

Shinhwa

Shinhwa debuted on March 24, 1998 under SM Entertainment, and the groups contract with the label ended in July 2003. In 2004 the group signed with Good Entertainment and finally, in 2004 after the group completed their mandatory military service, they formed their own Shinhwa company to manage their group. The group holds the longest career history leading them to be known as the legendary K-Pop boy band. 

Members

Eric: Leader, main rapper

Lee MinWoo: Lead vocalist, main dancer

DongWon: Vocalist

HyeSung: Main vocalist

JunJin: Lead rapper, vocalist, lead dancer

Andy: Rapper, maknae

H.O.T

H.O.T, acronym for Highfive of Teenagers was a K-Pop boy group that debuted in 1996 but unfortunately the group broke up in 2001, following a disagreement on the contract thay had with SM Entertainment. Their album “We Hate All Kinds of Violence” sold 1.5 million copies. They even won the Best New Artist at the "Golden Disc Awards." They had a reunion on "ToToGa3" on February 15, 2018. 

Members

Moon HeeJun: Leader, lead vocalist, lead dancer, rapper

Jang WooHyuk: Main rapper, main dancer, vocalist

Tony An: Lead vocalist, rapper

Kangta: Main vocalist, visual, face of the group

Lee JaeWon: Lead rapper, vocalist, maknae

Turbo

Turbo debuted in August 1995, when they released their first album "280 km/h Speed." The trio were active from 1995-2001 and 2015-2017. 

Members

Kim JungNam: 1995-1997, 2015-2017

Kim JongKook: 1995-2001, 2015-2017

Mikey: 1997-2001, 2015-2017

Second Generation

TVXQ

TVXQ now consists of two members but initially they were a five member band. The group was formed by SM Entertainment in 2003 following the release of their first physical single 'Hug' in 2004. The group's last album was released in 2010. After a long hiatus, TVXQ returned as a duo and released their fifth Korean album “Keep Your Head down.” Referred to as the Kings of K-Pop, no doubt they are the pioneers of K-Pop. 

Members

Current:

YunHo: Leader, main rapper, main dancer, vocalist, center

ChangMin: main vocalist, maknae

Former members:

JaeJoong: main vocalist, visual, face of the group

YooChun: Main rapper, lead vocalist

JunSu: main vocalist, lead dancer

SUPER JUNIOR

SUPER JUNIOR was formed as a 12-member boy band by SM Entertainment. Labeled as the “King of Hallyu Wave”, they were divided into several smaller groups. They hold the record for best-selling K-Pop artist for four consecutive years. With 13 "Mnet Asian Music Awards", 19 "Golden Disc Awards," on January 18, 2023 SUPER JUNIOR released a documentary titled “Super Junior: The Last Man Standing”. 

Members

Current: 

LeeTeuk: Leader, sub vocalist, sub rapper

HeeChul: sub vocalist, sub rapper

YeSung: Main vocalist

ShinDong: Sub rapper, lead dancer, sub vocalist

EunHyuk: Main rapper, main dancer, sub vocalist

SiWon: Sub vocalist, visual, center

DongHae: Lead vocalist, lead dancer, sub rapper

RyeoWook: Main Vocalist

KyuHyun: Main vocalist, Maknae

Members on hiatus or on solo career: 

SungMin: On May 10, 2023, he released his first trot-themed single “Lovesick”

SiWon: Apart from being part of Super Junior, he’s also the lead actor of several Korean dramas with “Bloodhounds” being the latest in 2023. 

Former members: 

KangIn: In May 2019, Kangin starred in the ongoing web series “What Happened to Mirae?”

KiBum: He terminated his contract with PA Entertainment on May 2, 2022. It’s uncertain what his upcoming plans are. 

Han Geng: In 2022 he was seen on the fourth season of "Street Dance of China" as a captain. 

BIGBANG

BIGBANG is formed by YG Entertainment and consists of G-Dragon, TaeYang and DaeSung. Originally a five-band group, SeungRi retired in 2019, while T.O.P left in 2023. BIGBANG has won the Best Worldwide Act Award on "MTV Europe Music Awards." Their fifth EP “Alive” was the first Korean album to feature on the US Billboard 200. Forbes called them the most powerful celebrities in South Korea. 

Members

Current:

G-Dragon: Leader, main rapper, vocalist, face of the group

TaeYang: Main vocalist, main dancer

DaeSung: Lead vocalist, Maknae

Former members:

SeungRi: Lead dancer, vocalist, maknae

T.O.P: Lead rapper, vocalist, visual

SHINee

Formed in 2008 by SM Entertainment, the group was formed with five members. Sadly, JongHyun passed away in December 2017.  The group's fashion was labeled as the “SHINee Trend”. On December 18, 2017, the passing of member JongHyun affected the group. But, the group of remaining four members embarked again on their path. On June 26th they released their eight studio album. 

Members 

Onew: Leader, main vocalist

Key: Lead rapper, lead dancer, sub vocalist

MinHo: main rapper, sub vocalist, visual

TaeMin: Main dancer, sub vocalist, Maknae

Eternal member of the group:

JongHyun: Main vocalist 

Next Part

Second part of the article will be posted with information on Third, Fourth and Fifth generation K-Pop groups that are ruling the world. Till then take care, stay safe. Bye-Bye.