Girls' Generation (SNSD) is definitively a 2nd generation K-pop group, debuting in 2007. They are considered leaders of this era, which generally spanned from the early 2000s to 2011/2012, alongside groups like Wonder Girls and 2NE1.
Generation Two of K-pop starts around 2001 and ends around 2011. Many more idol groups debuted, such as Big Bang, Girls Generation (SNSD), Shinee, 2NE1, Wonder Girls, and Super Junior.
Besides that they did break the 7 Year curse back in 2015. And had their 17 Year Anniversary on May 25. MAMAMOO. Although the members are currently focusing on solo activities they have not disbanded.
Gfriend, Red Velvet, and Blackpink are the only third- generation K-pop girl groups that have successfully made it into the Top 100 charts of MelOn, Bugs, Genie, and FLO with a comeback song in the last two years.
TOP 10 MOST VIEWED K-POP GIRL GROUPS OF EACH YEAR - (2009 to 2025)
Are gidle 3rd or 4th gen?
The music video became (G)I-dle's eighth music video with 100 million views, setting a record for the most song to achieve that milestone by a fourth-generation girl group. The song earned twelve music show wins and first place for three consecutive weeks on Show!
The first openly gay K-pop idol to debut was Holland, who launched his career in January 2018 with the single "Neverland," making history by placing his sexuality and experiences with discrimination at the forefront of his music and music videos, including a same-sex kiss in his debut video. He funded his debut independently as agencies rejected him for his openness, becoming a significant figure for LGBTQ+ representation in the industry.
While many K-pop idols are rumored to be LGBTQ+, a few have come out publicly, with Holland being the first openly gay solo idol (debuting 2018) and Bain (from JUST B) being the first active male idol to come out as gay (2025), joining others like former Wassup member Jiae, who is bisexual, and solo artist MRSHLL, while artists like Bibi hint at fluid sexuality in their work.
They were one of the few first generation K-pop groups to successfully incorporate elements of African American genres such as rap and hip hop into their music and utilize lines rapped almost entirely in Korean.
Originally a nine-piece ensemble, member Jessica departed from the group in September 2014. Among the most influential girl groups in K-pop and a leading figure of the Korean Wave, Girls' Generation has earned numerous accolades and the honorific nickname "The Nation's Girl Group" in their home country.
BigBang (Korean: 빅뱅; stylized in all caps) is a South Korean boy band formed by YG Entertainment. The group consists of three members: G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung. Originally a five-piece band, Seungri retired from the entertainment industry in March 2019 and T.O.P left the group in May 2023.
For BTS (the K-pop group) and their fans (ARMY), the purple heart emoji (💜) symbolizes "I purple you," a phrase coined by member V meaning "I will trust and love you for a long time," representing deep, lasting love and their unique bond, making purple their unofficial color and a symbol of their fandom's identity.
Image: Photo: Instagram / @official_marykiko. K-POP star Hansol recently came out as asexual. Hansol, of the group ToppDogg, came out via an Instragram livestream, Gay Star News has reported. “I have been thinking a lot,” Hansol said.
Xlov debuted in 2025 with the slogan "K-pop's first genderless concept". Park Jae-yong, CEO of 257 Entertainment, said: "The members do not identify as genderless in terms of identity—this is simply a concept we chose to differentiate ourselves from other groups.
Same-sex marriages and civil unions are not legally recognized in South Korea. In October 2019, the Government of South Korea announced it would recognize the same-sex spouses of foreign diplomats, but it would not recognize the same-sex spouses of South Korean diplomats who serve overseas.
In June 2025, the AllDay Project made waves in the K-pop scene by reviving the mixed-gender group concept. Comprising three female and two male members under The Black Label, they released their debut album which includes the lead single 'Look at Me'.
