K-Pop Generations Over The Years
In this article, Byeol Korea will provide you with a detailed explanation of the K-Pop generations throughout time. We all have to acknowledge that K-Pop has succeeded in bringing its popularity to the world international music and various TV shows.
Before the famous BTS, Twice, BLACKPINK, and other idols and actors dominated the entertainment industry, do you know who came in the previous generations of K-Pop? Let’s get acquainted with the K-Pop legends who contributed greatly to the making of K-Pop known to the world, and see the difference between the generations. So, stay tuned and keep scrolling down.
1st Generation: The Rise Of Idol Groups In Korea
The First Generation started in the early 1990s to early 2000s. Many argue that K-Pop was born thanks to the group Seo Taiji and Boys. Seo Taiji and Boys were active from 1992 to 1996. The group debuted with their 3 members: Seo Taiji, Yang Hyun Suk, and Lee Juno. The boys’ emergence gave a new color to the genre of Korean Pop music at that time, because they were able to integrate western musical styles into their works. They represented Western-style pop music with their debut song “I KNOW.” The boys can also be considered as pioneers who also incorporated elements of rap in their songs. All of you K-Pop lovers have to agree that K-Pop would be incomplete without the rap. Even in Ballad songs, the rap parts are very catchy and unique when you listen to them.
The group changed South Korea’s music landscape and paved the way for other artists to become more flexible and experimental. Other well-known groups from this generation are Shinwa, S.E.S, Sech Kies, Turbo, G.O.D, Koyote, H.O.T, and many more. The well known solo idols who contributed to the expansion of the works of this generation are Lee Hyori and BoA.
In this era, you could say that K-Pop was still only enjoyed by Koreans. This is because the K-Pop hits weren’t acknowledged yet by international fans. Even K-Pop’s whereabouts were still unknown in Asia. From this first generation, K-Pop began to develop and experiment with unique and distinctive styles.
2nd Generation: The Rise Of K-Pop Worldwide
It was speculated that the second generation of K-Pop started from 2003 – 2013. Some of the groups that contributed to the development of this era are Big Bang, 2NE1, Super Junior, KARA, SNSD, Wonder Girl, Miss A, 2PM, 2AM, SHINee, SISTAR, f(x), and many more. At the time, some groups even tried their luck by making a debut in Japan and were actually welcomed with good responses. K-Pop then slowly became known in Asia and foreign fans began to emerge.
The second generation began to present their K-Pop hits to Asian countries. Starting from Japan, K-Pop spread widely to other Asian countries. With the spread of the Hallyu Wave, international fans began to emerge. Expanding and becoming more popular across Asia and other parts of the world with the unique, distinctive choreographies, captivating melodies, and lyrics that literally captured the hearts of many. In this period, the concept of “fandom” too became even stronger. This “fandom” phenomenon led to the formation of a special community that consists of a group of people who like the particular idol group or singer.
In the era of second-generation K-Pop can also be said that it was the time K-Pop entered its golden age. Many K-Pop artists made their appearances on many variety shows, in an effort to be known to the public.
