These K-pop groups proved their influence and power! From 2002-2019, we've gathered the K-pop artists who joined the list of those who had best-selling albums the year it was released. Note that the sales after its Release year are not counted.
Cool (2002)
The co-ed group, COOL, debuted in 1994 and is one of the earliest and most influential Korean pop groups. With their specialty of performing in dance and ballad music, they became incredibly well-known in South Korea for their light-hearted and popular dance tracks. They helped set the stage for the continued success of K-Pop in the 21st century. And as 2002 came, they received the Golden Disk Award for the year's Best-Selling Album for their seventh album called "7even (Truth)."
Seo Taiji (1998 & 2004)
They debuted in 1992 and are considered one of 1st generation Korean contemporary music group. The groundbreaking blend of Western music genres made Seo Taiji and Boys one of the most legendary groups, as they helped change the landscape of South Korean music forever. As they gained fame and raised to success, they sold 8 million copies across their career. The groups' albums "Seo Tai Ji" in 1998 and "7th Issue" in 20014 earned the best-selling albums of the year as the group continues to become legendary acts in their generation.
Note that this is also the group of YG Entertainment founder Yang Hyun Suk!
TVXQ (2008)
TVXQ was perhaps the most popular group of its time, which furthered K-Pop's popularity especially in Japan. The group sold over 10 million physical records with their album "Mirotic" in the first ten years since their debut, establishing themselves as one of the most successful acts that K-Pop has produced.
Girls' Generation (2010)
Labeled as the nation's girl group, SM Entertainment's Girls' Generation is one of the most iconic groups of the Hallyu wave. They have been accredited for furthering K-Pop's international expansion and success has run for more than ten years and continues up to date.
Super Junior (2009, 2011-2012)
With the original singers of "Sorry, Sorry" that gained massive popularity back in 2009 also earned the best-selling album award for three years with their albums "Sorry, Sorry," "Mr. Simple" and "Sexy, Free and Single."
EXO (2013-2017)
EXO had the best-selling album record for five consecutive years. Korean group's physical copies may have declined then as digital music stores gained streaming in the 2000s, and EXO became the first group to sell over a million physical copies since g.o.d. Since then, they have sold one million copies for five different albums, becoming the group with the "quintuple million sellers." For these five years, the albums that became best-sellers are "XOXO," "Overdose," "EXODUS," "EX'ACT," and "The War."
BTS (2018-2019)
The global superstars BTS claimed their first-ever Best-Selling Album title in 2019 with their repackaged album "Love Yourself: Answer" with 2.1 Million sales. Yet, the group made another record for having their album "Map of the Soul: Persona" in 2019, as the best-selling album of all time in South Korea, selling more than 3.2 million copies worldwide.
They are true "the biggest boy band in the world" and are considered instrumental in the Korean Wave's recovery after restrictions on South Korean goods placed by China. Additionally, BTS is the first and so far only K-Pop to have topped the Billboard 200 and even recognized by the Guinness World of Records for the best-selling South Korean album of all time.
