Ever since K-pop rose to popularity, there have been numerous milestones achieved by different groups in the industry through the years for various reasons. In addition, there are also several things that have become a norm that is widely done in K-pop. But who started first some of the things that we know and love in K-pop today?
With that, here are K-pop groups who are the first to do something in K-pop history!
1. Girls' Generation - First to have a fandom name
Girls' Generation
The biggest factor that makes K-pop groups and solo artists successful are their fandoms. In fact, the fandom culture in South Korea is big, and is even seen as mainstream culture due to its large market. With the support fans give to their favorite groups, it's only right that each fandom is given an official name to identify themselves as!
Girls' Generation was the first group to give their fans an official name - SONEs!
2. BIGBANG - First to have a lightstick
BIGBANG
Just like fandom names, lightsticks are also a big thing and is actually something unique in the K-pop industry. In fact, lightsticks are not something you usually see among Western fandoms! And among K-pop groups, it was BIGBANG who first started the lightstick norm with their very own Bang Bong!
BIGBANG's leader G-Dragon was the one who personally designed the group's lightstick.
3. SHINee - First to have official dance practice videos
SHINee
In K-pop, groups and solo artists would usually share to the public their dance practice videos every time they make a comeback or release a song that requires dancing. Such dance practice videos have given fans a chance to learn their choreographies, and is widely popular today.
But did you know, the first group to intentionally release an official dance practice video was SHINee for their song "Replay."
4. GFRIEND - First to do random play dance at 2x speed
GFRIEND
These days, dance videos with songs that are sped up two times have become a widely popular type of content. But did you know that the first group to ever attempt and make dance videos with 2x speed is GFRIEND? The group first attempted the challenging task on their guest appearance on Weekly Idol back in 2017.
Given GFRIEND's difficult choreographies and them dancing in double the speed, the group managed to nail it.
Since then, numerous groups have also attempted the daunting challenge - even fans!
5. BTS - First Korean artist to be nominated in the Grammys
The Grammys is the most prestigious award ceremony in the field of music, and is usually held in high regard. In fact, it is not easy getting a nomination unless an artist has made a significant impact in the music industry.
But BTS managed to score a nomination, making them the first Korean artist to ever be nominated in the Grammys. The group was nominated twice for Pop Duo/Group Performance, with "Dynamite" in 2021 and "Butter" in 2022.
6. BLACKPINK - First K-pop girl group to perform in Coachella
In 2019, BLACKPINK became the first K-pop girl group to perform at Coachella. This massive performance helped bolster their popularity in the United States. Since then, they paved the way for other K-pop groups to perform at the festival.
aespa performed in Coachella in 2022. Meanwhile, LE SSERAFIM and ATEEZ are slated to perform in the 2024 festival.
7. aespa - First K-pop girl group to debut with AI counterparts
While all-AI groups have debuted, aespa is the first group to have both human members with AI counterparts. Technically, aespa is an eight member group, if you think about it!
When aespa debuted in 2020 with "Black Mamba," the group went viral for their unique concept of having AI (known as ae in their worldview) counterparts. Their AI counterparts are their avatars in Kwangya, a fictional universe.
8. TWICE - First K-pop group to have a Japan line
When TWICE debuted in 2015, it was not uncommon to have one or two foreign members in the group. However, they made history as the first K-pop group to have a whole J-Line, with three members (Sana, Momo, and Mina) being Japanese.
At the time, K-pop had regressed in the Japanese market. However, with TWICE's booming popularity and the J-Lines presence in the group, TWICE helped pave the way for K-pop groups debuting in Japan from the third generation onwards of K-pop.
9. NCT - First K-pop group to have multiple sub-units
In K-pop, it is not uncommon to have one or two sub-units in a group for a rare release. However, NCT stands out because they are a group with several units, with one being rotational and the rest being permanent.
NCT has: NCT U (rotational), NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, and the upcoming NCT Wish. Some members are in more than one unit. With their unique approach to K-pop, NCT quickly made their mark on the map from the moment they debuted.
Which other K-pop groups do you know did something first in the industry?
For more K-pop news, follow and subscribe to KpopStarz.
KpopStarz owns this article.
Written by Robyn Joan
