The Korean Business Research Institute released its brand reputation rankings for K-Pop girl groups for the month of September. To determine which girl group makes the list, they analyzed trends such as consumer participation, community awareness, and news coverage.
Here are the 20 most popular girl groups for the month of September:
20. LOONA
LOONA is a 12-member girl group under Blockberry Creative. Though they formally debuted as a whole ensemble in 2018, they started their pre-debut project in 2016, where each mother would debut as a soloist with a promotional single over eighteen months. They would then pursue activities in sub-units: LOONA 1/3, LOONA Odd Eye Circle, and LOONA yyxy. The group is comprised of Heejin, Hyunjin, Haseul, Yeojin, Vivi, Kim Lip, JinSoul, Choerry, Yves, Chuu, Go Won, and Olivia Hye.
19. Cignature
Cignature is a 7-member girl group under J9 Entertainment and is the sister group of CIX. The group is comprised of Chaesol, Jeewon, Ye Ah, Sunn, Selina, Belle, and Semi. They debuted in 2019.
18. T-ARA
T-ARA was a four-member girl group (at the time of their hiatus) under MBK Entertainment. They debuted in 2009 and are comprised of member Qri, Eunjun, Hyomin, and Jiyeon. The group gained national recognition in 2011 thanks to their song "Roly-Poly". Though they saw a dip in popularity the following year in South Korea, they are known as one of the most popular K-pop groups in Chin after the group covered Chopstick Brothers' "Little Apple" in 2014.
17. Dreamcatcher
Dreamcatcher is a seven-member girl group under Happy Face Entertainment that debuted in 2017. The group is comprised of Jiu, Sua, Siyeon, Handong, Yoohyeon, Dami, and Gahyeon. The group originally debuted as MINX in 2014, but in 2016, they announced they would be rebranding. They ditched their old cute concept and are now famous for their nightmare concept.
16. WJSN
WJSN, also known as Cosmic Girls, is a 13-member South Korean-Chinese girl group formed by Starship Entertainment and Yuehua Entertainment that debuted in February 2016. The group originally debuted with twelve members: Seola, Xuanyi, Bona, Exy, Soobin, Luda, Dawon, Eunseo, Cheng Xiao, Meiqi, Yeoreum, and Dayoung. In July 2016, Yeonjung was added to the group following her appearance on "Produce 101" and her debut with I.O.I.
15. Apink
Apink is a six-member girl group under Play M Entertainment that debuted in 2011. The group is comprised of Naeun, Bomi, Hayoung, Chorong, Eunji, and Namjoo. They were originally seven-members, but Yookyung left the group in 2013. Though they gained fame for their cute concept, they have since pursued more mature, classier concepts that the public loves.
14. Girls' Generation
Girls' Generation is an eight-member girl group under SM Entertainment that debuted in 2007. The group is comprised of Taeyeon, Sunny, Tiffany, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung, Yoona, and Seohyun. The group was originally nine-members, but Jessica left the group in 2014. They are considered one of the most prominent figures in the Hallyu Wave and are known as "The Nation's Girl Group".
13. Weeekly
Weeekly is a seven-member girl group under Play M Entertainment that debuted in 2019. They are the company's second group to debut, debuting 10 years after Apink. The group is comprised of Soojin, Jiyoon, Monday, Soeun, Jaehee, Jihan, and Zoa.
12. APRIL
APRIL is a six-member girl group under DSP Media that debuted in 2015. The group is comprised of Chaekyung, Chaewon, Naeun, Yena, Rachel, and Jinsol. The group has experienced numerous line-up changes throughout the years, with former leader Somin leaving the group months after the debut. She is now a member of KARD. Hyunjoo left the group in 2016 to pursue an acting career.
11. CLC
CLC is a seven-member girl group under CUBE Entertainment that debuted in 2015. The group originally debuted as five with Seunghee, Yujin, Seungyeon, Sorn, and Yeeun. In 2016, members Elkie and Eunbin were added to the group. Though they originally debuted with a cute concept, they are now popular for their girl crush concept.
10. IZ*ONE
IZ*ONE is a 12-member South Korean-Japanese girl group that was formed through the Mnet survival show "Produce 48". They are currently managed by Off The Record and Swing Entertainment. The group is comprised of Jang Wonyoung, Sakura Miyawaki, Jo Yuri, Choi Yena, Ahn Yujin, Nako Yabuki, Kwon Eunbi, Kang Hyewon, Honda Hitomi, Kim Chaewon, Kim Minju, and Lee Chaeyeon. They debuted in 2019.
9. Lovelyz
Lovelyz is an eight-member girl group under Woollim Entertainment that debuted in 2014. The group is comprised of members Baby Soul, Jiae, Jisoo, Mijoo, Kei, Jin, Sujeong, and Yein. The group achieved breakthrough success in 2017 with their song "Twinkle".
8. GFRIEND
GFRIEND is a six-member girl group under Source Music that debuted in 2015. The group consists of Sowon, Yerin, Eunha, Yuju, SinB, and Umji. They achieved mainstream success in 2016 with the song "Rough". They are one of the biggest girl groups and one of the major figures in Hallyu Wave despite coming from a small company.
7. TWICE
TWICE is a nine-member girl group under JYP Entertainment that debuted in 2015. The group was formed through the survival show "SIXTEEN", which premiered on Mnet. The group rose to fame in 2016 with their first comeback "Cheer Up" and are known as the second "Nation's Girl Group". The group consists of Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu.
6. ITZY
ITZY is a five-member girl group under JYP Entertainment that debuted in 2019. The group consists of Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna. Dubbed as "monster rookies" upon debut, they are currently one of the biggest rookie groups in K-pop.
5. Red Velvet
Red Velvet is a five-member girl group under SM Entertainment that debuted in 2014. The group originally debuted with four members, Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, and Joy. Yeri was added to the group's line-up in 2015 for their first major release, "Ice Cream Cake". The group is one of the most powerful celebrities in South Korea and is often credited for their contributions to the spread of the Hallyu Wave and Korean culture.
4. (G)I-DLE
(G)I-DLE is a six-member multinational girl group under CUBE Entertainment that debuted in 2018. The group consists of Miyeon, Minnie, Soojin, Soyeon, Yuqi, and Shuhua. The group has members from South Korea, Thailand, China, and Taiwan. During their debut, they were hailed as "monster rookies" and considered one of the most successful South Korean girl group to not come from the "big 3" companies.
3. Oh My Girl
Oh My Girl is a seven-member girl group under WM Entertainment that debuted in 2015. The group consists of Hyojung, Mimi, YooA, Seunghee, Jiho, Binnie, and Arin. The group originally had eight members, but JinE left the group in 2017 due to health concerns. Oh My Girl achieved breakthrough success in 2020 with their song "NONSTOP".
2. MAMAMOO
MAMAMOO is a four-member girl group under RBW that debuted in 2014. The group consists of Moonbyul, Solar, Wheein, and Hwasa. Their debut was praised as one of the best K-pp debuted of 2014. They are well-known for their retro, jazz, and R&B concepts, as well as for their strong vocals.
1. BLACKPINK
BLACKPINK is a four-member girl group under YG Entertainment that debuted in 2016. The group consists of Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa, and Rosé. They were an instant success upon debut and have since gone on to be one of the biggest girl groups in the world. They are one of the most powerful celebrities in South Korea and were the first female Korean act to win an MTV Music Video Awards. The group has broken five Guinness World Records and are preparing to release their first album in October 2020.
Check out the full list here:
