Third-generation idols are the K-pop artists who debuted from 2012 to early 2018. Currently, with the intense competition in the music industry, following the influx of fourth and fifth-gen acts, many of our favorite third-gen idols and groups are inactive or have already disbanded.
Only a few third-generation K-pop girl groups remain intact, and a few of these remaining ones released new music in 2024.
Red Velvet
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Red Velvet — Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, Joy, and Yeri — debuted in 2014 under SM Entertainment.
In August, the quintet celebrated their 10th debut anniversary by dropping their seventh Korean EP, Cosmic.
TWICE
The nonet TWICE — composing Nayeon, Jihyo, Jeongyeon, Mina, Dahyun, Momo, Sana, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu — was formed by JYP Entertainment in 2015 through the program, Sixteen.
The group remains active even after nine years, and this 2024, they made a comeback not once, not twice, and not even thrice, but SIX times!
This year, they unveiled their pre-release single "I GOT YOU," 13th Korean EP With YOU-th, digital single "ONE SPARK," fifth Japanese studio album Dive, 14th EP Strategy, and Japanese single "The Wish."
Oh My Girl
In 2015, WM Entertainment's Oh My Girl debuted, consisting of six members: Hyojung, Mimi, YooA, Seunghee, Yubin, and Arin.
In August, Oh My Girl unveiled their 10th mini-album Dreamy Resonance, with the title track "Classified."
Dreamcatcher
Dreamcatcher obtained their group name in 2017 after adding Handong and Gahyun. But originally, they were promoting under the name MINX in 2014, along with the original lineup: JiU, Dami, SuA, Siyeon, and Yoohyeon.
The girl group dropped their 10th EP VirtuouS in July with the lead single "Justice."
HI CUTIE
In 2017, HI CUTIE debuted as a kid group with an average age of 12.6 years old. However, the members left one by one, and the remaining two members re-organized as a duo.
In March, Yujin and Yunjeong released "Fool, It's Love."
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