Who are the hottest fourth-generation idol groups in the K-pop scene? According to a Korean media outlet, the Top 10 K-pop bands that shone the most this 2021 are aespa, ENHYPEN, STAYC, TXT and more.
On December 9, Korean media outlet and digital newspaper Hankook Ilbo released their 2021 "Gayo Year-End Summary," and looked back on the most "HOT" keyword in the music industry.
This year, the keywords "4th Generation Idol" became one of the most talked-about topic among K-pop fans, the beginning of the generation's heyday.
aespa, ENHYPEN & More: Top 10 '4th-Gen Idol' Representative Groups in 2021
In particular, the "fourth generation idol" targeting the MZ generation has expanded in earnest this 2021 amidst the coronavirus.
In the past, there have also been representatives in each era, such as H.O.T. SECHSKIES, S.E.S. Fin.K.L, for first-generation idols; TVXQ Wonder Girls, Girls' Generation, BIGBANG and Super Junior for the second-generation idols; and EXO, BTS, TWICE, BLACKPINK for third-generation idols.
Although the fourth-gen K-pop is still ongoing, the Korean outlet focused on these nine groups and named them as the representative of fourth-gen idols.
The Top 10 includes aespa, NCT, ENHYPEN, TXT (TOMORROW X TOGETHER), Stray Kids, ATEEZ, THE BOYZ, STAYC, IVE and Billlie.
In particular, Stray Kids, THE BOYZ and ATEEZ cemented their versatility and strong presence in the K-pop industry through Mnet's "Kingdom: Legendary War."
As a result of their top-tier performances, the groups were also the Top 3 winners, respectively.
Meanwhile, STAYC continues to rise as one of the "rookie monsters" among girl groups with their consistent influence in music charts and SNS, such as YouTube and TikTok. In fact, their song "ASAP" became a massive hit in Korea as well.
ALSO READ: Media Outlet Selects 3 Idol Groups That Represent K-Pop 4th Generation
aespa, ENHYPEN, NCT and TXT Praised for Global Achievements + IVE and Billlie's Incredible Entry in the K-pop Scene
In addition, the Korean media outlet highlighted aespa, ENHYPEN, NCT 127 and TXT's skyrocketing popularity in the U.S.
In 2021, aespa entered 20th place on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart for the first time with their first mini-album "Savage," breaking the highest-ranking ever for the first album of a K-pop girl group.
NCT 127 has been charting in Billboard 200 as well for 11 consecutive weeks with their third full-length album, "Sticker."
Along with them, ENHYPEN set a record of entering 18th place on the Billboard 200 for the first time in about half a year since debut.
Their co-label, TXT, charted in the top five Billboard 200 with their second full-length album as well.
Lastly, rookie groups IVE and Billlie, who made their debut at the end of this year, also heated the competition for fourth-generation idols.
In fact, IVE broke the record of ITZY and became the fastest girl group to achieve the first music show win, seven days after their debut.
On top of that, IVE also made it into the U.S. and debuted at Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart at No. 12 with their debut single, "ELEVEN."
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Written by Eunice Dawson
