Most K-pop groups only last for less than 10 years due to various reasons, including marriage, scandals, change in careers of members, and conflict with the company, among others. There's even the so-called "7 Year Curse" in K-pop, wherein the idol groups disband when they reach their seventh year in the industry, as it's usually the time when contracts expire.
While there have been many groups who didn't last longer, there are also some who managed to remain as a group for more than 10 years. Check out our list below!
Longest-Running K-pop Groups as of 2022: SHINHWA, BIGBANG, More
Girls' Generation
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First, we have Girls' Generation who is one of the only two K-pop girl groups that lasted for more than 10 years in the music industry. This 2022 marks Girls' Generation's 15 years.
Now an eight-member group, they initially debuted as a nine-piece band (with Jessica Jung) on Aug. 5, 2007 with their iconic song "Into the New World."
BIGBANG
BIGBANG- YG Entertainment's first idol group- has been in the industry for 16 years as of this year. Originally a five-member group, BIGBANG debuted on Aug. 19, 2006 with the song "We Belong Together."
While the band seems to have disbanded due to inactivity for years, the quartet has not disbanded. The members are just currently focusing on their personal lives or solo activities.
Brown Eyed Girls
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Brown Eyed Girls is the other longest-running K-pop girl group. They also became a 16-year-old group this 2022 as they debuted on March 16, 2006 with the track "Come Closer."
Despite having been in the K-pop scene for more than a decade, Brown Eyed Girls had no changes in their member lineup.
Super Junior
While Super Junior isn't the first boy group formed by SM Entertainment, they are now the company's longest-running artist. They are about to celebrate their 17th anniversary this year after debuting on Nov. 5, 2005 with "Twins (Knock Out).
Unfortunately, they lost three members due to departures (Hangeng, Kangin, and Kibum).
TVXQ
Another SM artist on our list is TVXQ, who will turn 19 years old this coming December. Initially composed of five members, TVXQ made their debut on Dec. 25, 2003 with the song "Hug."
At present, the band has two remaining members (Changmin and Yunho), as three members (Junsu, Jaejoong, and Yoochun) simultaneously left the group and the agency in 2010 due to their contracts being "excessively long" and "unfair wages."
g.o.d
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K-pop boy group g.o.d may be on an indefinite hiatus since their album "Then & Now" came out back in January 2019, but they haven't disbanded. In fact, this year marks their 23 years since their debut on Jan. 12, 1999 with the track "mother."
In 2004, Yoon Kyesang left the band but later rejoined in 2014 when the members reunited.
SHINHWA
Finally, the No. 1 longest-running K-pop group in history is none other than SHINHWA, who has been active for an impressive total of 24 years. Not to mention, SHINHWA even established their own agency for their group activities, called SHINHWA Company. Since they debuted on March 24, 1998 with "Eusha Eusha," the band also had no changes in their member lineup.
Do you know other K-pop groups that should be on the list? Leave a comment down below!
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Written by Maria Scott
