Before BTS, Exo and NCT – these 7 second generation South Korean boy bands put K-pop on the global map
Long before the Hallyu wave broke across the globe, breakout bands like Bingbang, TVXQ, FT Island, SHINee and Super Junior were trailblazers in establishing that quintessential K-pop boy band style
By now, we all know BTS, and any self-respecting K-pop fan should be up to date with the outpouring and ongoings of Exo and NCT. But the story hardly started there. If you’re a true fan, get to know these second generation boy groups who put K-pop on the map, paving the way for their younger contemporaries.
TVXQ: rising gods of the east
One of the most notable pioneers of the second Hallyu wave is TVXQ. Originally a five-member band, ex-members formed their own group, JYJ, while remaining members perform as a duo. From their debut in 2003, to their breakthrough with Rising Sun in 2005 and the record-breaking Mirotic three years later, TVXQ have been supported by a steady fanbase, known globally as Cassiopeias and a dedicated Japanese fandom who call themselves BigEast.
Super Junior: kings of the Hallyu wave
Debuting with 12 members in 2005, Super Junior took the world by storm after its bestselling single, Sorry, Sorry became a commercial success. The group dominated the K-pop landscape for several years, in Korea, across Asia, and globally; and was the first to introduce subunit groups that catered to specific fandoms, such as in China.
Bigbang: kings of K-pop
Bigbang rose to fame after their hit song, Lies topped charts and won them major awards in 2007. Since then, the five-member group ruled the scene, praised for their ingenuity, creativity and versatility in approaching multiple genres.
To this day, Bigbang members are each popular on their own, collaborating with label-mates and releasing solo tracks and becoming icons in spheres outside music, such as in fashion and the art scene.
SHINee: the princes of K-pop