Want to know which K-pop groups you need to be listening to? From BTS to BIGBANG to Girls' Generation and more, keep on reading to see which K-pop groups Seventeen Magazine has selected as the best!
15. SuperM
SuperM is a supergroup composed of NCT, WayV, EXO, and SHINee members. They debuted in 2019 with their self-titled EP, which peaked at number one on the Billboard 200. The group are the Korean Air Global Ambassadors and are partners with Prudential insurance company. Additionally, the proceeds of the SuperM song "Let's Go Everywhere" were donated to the Global Poverty Project's Global Citizen campaign.
14. TVXQ!
TVXQ! are considered veterans in the K-pop industry, debuting back in 2003 as a quintet. Now, they are a duo. TVXQ! is considered one of the most influential K-pop artists in Japan. In 2018, the duo became the first international artist in Japan to have an audience one one million people in a concert. In 2013, TVXQ! had the most-attended and highest-grossing K-pop concert in Japan.
13. NCT 127
NCT 127 is a sub-unit from NCT that debuted in July 2016. The boys saw mainstream success in 2020 with the release of "Neo Zone." The album became NCT 127's first top-five entry on the Billboard 200 chart. "Sticker," which was released in 2021, debuted at number 3 on the chart, making it the highest-ranking K-pop album in 2021.
12. TWICE
TWICE debuted in October 2015 after being formed on the competition survival show "SIXTEEN." Their debut music video, "Like OOH-AHH," garnered 50 million views, making it the most-viewed debut music video from any K-pop group. In May 2021, the "Breakthrough" music video hit 100 million views, making them the girl group with the most music videos to surpass 100 million views.
11. GOT7
GOT7 debuted in 2014 and gained fame for incorporating street dancing and martial arts in their choreography. Their second studio album, "Flight Log: Turbulence," debuted at number one on the Billboard's World Albums Chart. In April 2020, GOT7 released their 11th mini-album "DYE" and broke their record for the first day and first-week sales that month. In January 2021, GOT7 left JYP Entertainment.
10. TXT
TXT debuted in 2019 under Big Hit Labels. Their debut music video, "CROWN," broke the record for the most viewed K-pop debut music video within 24 hours for a male group, garnering 14.5 million views. They have charted at number one on the Billboard Emerging Artists chart and bagged an MTV Music Award nomination for Best K-pop. In 2201, TXT was awarded GQ Japan's "Men of the Year Pop Icon Award."
9. Red Velvet
Red Velvet debuted as four in 2014 and added a fifth member, Yeri, in 2015. That same year, Red Velvet's "Ice Cream Cake" became the best-selling album on the Hanteo Chart. Their album "Red Flavor" debuted at the top of the World Albums Chart in 2017. Red Velvet is the first K-pop girl group to have three number-one albums on the World Albums Chart.
8. Girls' Generation
Red Velvet debuted as four in 2014 and added a fifth member, Yeri, in 2015. That same year, Red Velvet's "Ice Cream Cake" became the best-selling album on the Hanteo Chart. Their album "Red Flavor" debuted at the top of the World Albums Chart in 2017. Red Velvet is the first Korean girl group to have three number-one albums on the World Albums Chart.
7. BIGBANG
BIGBANG was formed through "BIGBANG Documentary" in 2006. They made waves as an R&B-inspired boy group and are dubbed the "Kings of K-pop." While BIGBANG has not been active since 2017, many are waiting for the group to come back now that members Taeyang, Daesung and G-Dragon have been discharged from the military.
6. (G)I-DLE
(G)I-DLE debuted in 2018 as a six-member group but is now five members. In 2020, (G)I-DLE set the highest record for a Korean girl group and the fourth girl group in history to sell 100,000 copies in first week sales for their third mini-album, "I Trust," in 2020.
5. ENHYPEN
After being formed through the competition survival show "I-LAND," ENHYPEN debuted in 2020. That year, the boy group won four "Rookie of the Year" awards. ENHYPEN has garnered over 100 million views between the music videos for their comebacks, "Given-Taken," "Drunk-Dazed" and "Tamed-Dashed." ENHYPEN are global ambassadors for Ami Paris.
4. ITZY
ITZY debuted in 2019 and made history as the first and only female K-pop group to achieve a "Rookie Grand Slam" or win "Rookie of the Year" at all five major Korean awards ceremonies. In addition, ITZY is the second Korean girl group in history to chart more than one hit on the Global 200 with the release of "Mafia in the Morning."
3. SEVENTEEN
SEVENTEEN made their debut in 2015 with 13 members and three units. The group has over two billion streams and has sold over 10 million albums. SEVENTEEN kicked off 2021 with a bang, becoming the first group of the year with two number one's on the Top Album Sales Chart.
2. BLACKPINK
BLACKPINK debuted in 2016 under YG Entertainment. In 2019, they made history as the first K-pop girl to perform Coachella and became the highest-charting K-pop girl group on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 chart. In addition, BLACKPINK has starred in their own movie and Netflix documentary.
1. BTS
BTS debuted in 2013 and has grown from unknown rookies to international superstars. BTS has achieved four number one albums and five number-one singles throughout their career. In 2017, they made history as the first K-pop band to perform at the American Music Awards and became the first Asian artist to win at the award show for "Artist of the Year."
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Written by Alexa Lewis
