K-POP by Generation

Let's take a look at the status of K-POP by Generation.

✅ 1st Generation (Mid-1990s ~ Early 2000s)
Beginning of the idol system & start of the Korean Wave (Hallyu)

Seo Taiji and Boys changed Korean music with rap, hip-hop, and dance styles

Birth of idol groups like H.O.T., S.E.S., Sechs Kies, Fin.K.L, god, Shinhwa under SM, DSP, and JYP

Fandom culture started, and K-pop gained popularity in China and Southeast Asia → The term “Hallyu” was born

^{Seo Taiji}

Seo Taiji was called the "President of Culture" in Korea.

✅ 2nd Generation (Mid-2000s ~ Early 2010s)
Global expansion begins

BoA succeeded in Japan, proving K-pop's overseas potential

TVXQ, Super Junior, BigBang, Girls’ Generation, Wonder Girls, 2NE1 led the era

Groups started using YouTube and online platforms

Wonder Girls' "Nobody" entered the Billboard Hot 100, a historic milestone

✅ 3rd Generation (Mid-2010s ~ Present)
K-POP goes global

PSY’s “Gangnam Style” went viral worldwide in 2012

BTS became global superstars with meaningful lyrics, powerful performances, and strong connection with fans (ARMY) → Billboard No.1, Grammy nominations

BLACKPINK broke YouTube records and reached global top charts

Other major groups like EXO, TWICE, Red Velvet also built huge fanbases

With a systematic training system, high-quality music and music videos, and active communication with fans, K-pop is expanding its influence.

PSY

BTS / BLACKPINK

✅ 4th Generation (Ongoing)
More diversity and new storytelling

Notable groups: Stray Kids, TXT (Tomorrow X Together), aespa, NewJeans

More unique music styles, creative concepts, and worldviews

Strong social media presence and global interaction

K-pop is now more than music — it’s a global cultural platform

aespa

In short,
K-POP has evolved from a local trend into a worldwide cultural phenomenon that continues to inspire and connect people all over the world!

The following are major idol groups that have been actively promoting and receiving widespread public love in recent years. (Listed in Korean alphabetical order)

Boy Groups:
NCT, THE BOYZ, RIIZE, BTS, BOYNEXTDOOR, BTOB, SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, ATEEZ, ENHYPEN, EXO, ZEROBASEONE, TXT (TOMORROW X TOGETHER), TREASURE, etc.

Girl Groups:
(G)I-DLE, NewJeans, Red Velvet, LE SSERAFIM, BABYMONSTER, BLACKPINK, IVE, aespa, NMIXX, OH MY GIRL, WJSN (Cosmic Girls), ITZY, Kep1er, TWICE, etc.